e=Einstein by 24 people (I'm not going to list off)

For those interested in physics and science, here's a book that will intrigue you. Like they say on the back, "A group of contributors look at Albert Einstein the man, his accomplishments, and his impact today." That is exactly what this book is! 24 people contribute essays about the life of the great Einstein and his discoveries about the universe. Essays are about his time in Germany, expeditions, his dream, the time-space continuum, relativity, quantum physics, gravity, and the Big Bang. The introduction gives a brief overview of Einstein, and his most important discoveries. It then is divided into 4 parts, Einstein's life, Einstein's early science, Einstein's later science, and Einstein's enduring influence. Although it does have a slow and quite boring start, the concepts and subjects later in the book are amazing. This book really gives you sample of Einstein's thoughts. He really was an amazing person of the 20th century. His discoveries have lead us to a greater understanding of the universe, and they have also lead us to better technology and weapons. Without his idea about the splitting of an atom WWII might have gone on for a few more years. This book was amazing and I recommend  it to all who like this kind of science. It was great overall, but because of the boring start it could have been better. B+

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

     The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer is a great science fiction book. It teaches that everyone has a soul, and you can't judge people if they are different than you. This book is about the clone of a drug-lord named El Patron. El Patron rules a piece of land between Mexico and the US, called Opium.

      Matteo Alacran, or Matt, is the clone of the evil El Patron. For years, Matt has lived in seclusion, but finally he is noticed by El Patron. Soon, Matt moves into El Patron's big mansion, where he encounters El Patron's great-great grandchildren (El Patron is very old), and the daughters of a United States Senator- Maria and Emilia. However, his whole life, Matt has been treated like scum. Everyone literally treats animals better than him. Why? Because Matt is a clone, and clones 'don't have a soul.' But if you didn't know that Matt was a clone, you would see him as a regular human being. Only his mother-like figure, Celia; his father-like figure, Tam Lin; and his friend Maria see that Matt does have a soul.

      This book was very interesting and exciting, because it is set in the future, where there are hovercrafts, humans who are turned into zombies, and clones. Also, it was very cool to see the story through the clone's perspective. I really felt sorry for Matt when he was treated badly.

       I completely disagree with most of the characters in the book when they say that clones don't have souls. I guess it was the fact that I knew all of Matt's story. Matt really does have a soul, and he's a really good kid. I think that the author wanted to show her readers that everyone can do good, and we can't judge people if they are different than us. I completely agree with what she is portraying. This book really affected the way that I think about others. I know that I should never treat others like they are under me. I always knew this, but this book brought it into a brighter light.

      I really enjoyed this book (I'm a sucker for sci-fi), and I think most people would. However, I think it would be best if you understood a little bit of Spanish; but only a tiny bit. If you know what gracias means, then you will probably be good. Overall, I loved this book, and it will remain on the list of some of my favorite books.

(Re done feb.) Pillage, By: Obert Skye, Review by: Andrew Williams

Pillage, A Fiction Y.A. Book by: Obert Skye is about fifteen-year-old Beck Phillips is sent to live with his weird uncle he had never met when his mother dies, where he learns that his family has a curse that allows him to make plants grow on command and dragon eggs hatch. Shortly after he arrives there, he begins to noticed weird things happening. Plants move, ivy defends him and salad hurts people for him. That and the strange warnings to not go behind the house, Beck discovers his cool ability to command plants and wakes up eight dragons, without knowing it. When Beck arrives at his uncle’s mansion, an air of mystery greets him. While the house has seven floors and hundreds of rooms, Beck along with his uncles and a minimal house staff are the only occupants. As time goes on Beck learns dark secrets about his lost family. Secrets that include buried basements, forbidden gardens, an ancient book of weird family history, and most surprising of all dragons! On his long train ride, he meets Kate, who isn’t very friendly. She is his age, and is headed to Kingsplot too.

Beck wakes up from a 12 hour rest, and notices that they are the only ones left on the train. Beck thinks it’s strange, but Kate isn’t too worried about it. When he arrives, Beck meets Thomas, who drives him to his new house. Seven floors, with stables, and a huge garden. Right away, Beck is told to stay away from certain places for his own safety. Beck meets Milo who asks many questions about the house, mostly about the basement. But, there is no basement. And I thought this was like the rising action, the book started off slow but I felt after this happened this story was going somewhere. At school there are some boys who picked on Beck and Milo. Milo is new to Callowbrow, too. However, Beck can do some weird tricks with plants that makes his life easier. But, what happens with the secret is really exciting and page turning, I just kept on reading and couldn’t stop.

I really enjoyed this book. Full of exciting twists and surprises! I liked the history of Beck’s family a long the way too. A strange, but interesting history full of plants, stones, and pillaging!!

                

Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli

     Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli is a realistic fiction book. This story tells the reader to treasure time and moments with others. The main character, Will Tuppence, is a science geek that questions the world around him once there is a scientific breakthrough that a proton has actually died. He realizes from this that one day, everything is going to disappear.
      9th grader Will Tuppence and his best friend, Mi-Su, love to attend star parties (events where people meet to stargaze). When he is forced to take his annoying little sister, Tabby, to one of these parties, he finds his other best friend, BT, and Mi-Su kissing! Through his feelings of anger, he begins to realize that he likes Mi-Su. While spending so much time thinking about her, he doesn't realize how important his family is.
      Smiles to Go was a very sweet and memorable book because of how Will changed throughout the book. Also, the lesson I learned will stick with me. Smiles to Go affected me a lot because it taught me to savor moments with others, because you never know when everything can be ripped out of your hands. I always knew that time was important, but now I understand what could happen if I don't use my time wisely.
      I really liked the point that this book was putting across, but the writing style was confusing, and the beginning didn't make very much sense. Also, if you like books filled with suspense and drama, I do not recommend this book. Although, I think that the lesson in this book is one that everyone should learn. Overall, it is a great read.