Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Maze Runner by James Dashner (review by Shivani A. ’17)

The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1)The Maze Runner by James Dashner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Imagine one day waking up in an entirely new place, filled with frightening creatures, deadly curfews, and no personal memories. This is what Thomas experiences in The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Thomas first wakes up in a lift with his only memory is his name, and is soon deposited in a place called Glade. Much like the other Gladers, Thomas has no clue of his whereabouts. There is only one thing everyone there is sure of, every morning the giant stone doors that lead out to a deadly maze open, and every night they close. Not only that but every thirty days a new boy appears, never a girl. That all changes, however, when a girl holding a mysterious note appears in the lift. Soon Thomas is in a race against time, in an attempt to remember his memories before chaos is unleashed against Glade. This book is different and refreshing from the usual dystopian society novels, and will leave you wanting more. I found The Maze Runner more of a thriller, and it sparked my interest even though there was no love triangle, common in dystopian society novels, Instead this book thrives on thrill and sucks the reader in to the detailed plot revolving around Thomas. Though the book was entertaining I was unable to sympathize with Thomas. The Maze Runner lacks emotion, however the plot was so different I was still drawn to the book. Overall I would say this is a book that people of all ages will appreciate. – Shivani A. ‘17

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Looking for Alaska by John Green (review by Joyce Z. ’17)

Looking for AlaskaLooking for Alaska by John Green
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Miles (aka Pudge) starts out at his dad’s old high school, he’s not completely sure what’s going on, but he knows that it’s definitely not what he expected. Chip or Colonel, his roommate, introduces him to a girl named Alaska Young whom he immediately falls for. After Alaska crashes into a police car and dies, Pudge has to face what happened that night and try to forgive himself for Alaska’s death. Did Alaska drive into a police car to kill herself, or was it just a simple accident? Was she just a wild, moody prankster or was she a depressed teenager who never got over her mom’s death? John Green draws out suspense throughout the whole novel. The reader has to decipher what really happened from the few, vague clues and the mysterious atmosphere Green deliberately employs. Looking for Alaska will please those who enjoy reading suspenseful stories full of plot twists and guesswork that will keep them on the edge of their seat. – Joyce Z. ‘17

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Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (review by Sra. Moss, Harker teacher)

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and RedemptionUnbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Survival, Resilience and Redemption” read the book’s subtitle. The most amazing thing about this book is that it’s a true story! Louis Zamperini, now age 93, was a delinquent youth, then trained for and ran in the 1936 Olympics, survived 49 days at sea after being shot down over the Pacific in WW II and then three years in a prison camp in Japan. It was hard to imagine how things could ever get worse for this man, as I turned page after page, yet he survived it all to become an inspirational speaker and impassioned role model for troubled youth. It is only a matter of time before this is made into a movie. Hmmm, which actor will play him? He’ll have enormous shoes to fill! – Sra. Moss, Harker teacher

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Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell (review by Evani R. ’17)

Outliers: The Story of SuccessOutliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell starts by defining the word outlier: A person whose achievements fall beyond normal expectations. Through a staggering amount of research, Gladwell proves that success is not only based on intelligence, but also on culture, ethnicity, and family life. The book begins with a chapter on the “Roseto Mystery,” and documents how a community of immigrants in America has an abnormally high life expectancy despite their normal lifestyle. Throughout the book, the author explores why the majority of hockey players are born in the first months of the year, why where pilots are born is as important as how well they are trained, and how rice paddies explain why Asians are so good at math. Most interestingly, he explains how Bill Gates, Bill Joy, and Steve Jobs have achieved such success and Christopher Langan, who has an IQ higher than that of Einstein, has not. This must-read book will not only change the way you think but the way you act. And it will frequently surface in your mind as you encounter both failure and success. – Evani R. ‘17

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The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (review by Naomi M. ’16)

The Wind in the WillowsThe Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame depicts the lives of three animals, Rat, Mole, and Toad, living by what is known simply as the River. The three are good friends, whose personalities balance each other out. Rat is the leader, Mole is loyal and down to earth, and Toad is rather mischievous. Many of the adventures they go on are undertaken to get Toad out of whatever trouble he’s gotten himself into, the last of which is reclaiming Toad’s house from the ferrets, stoats, and weasels who have commandeered it. The Wind in the Willows is a lovely, light novel suitable for anyone who wants a break from heavier literature. It is an immensely enjoyable world to experience – perfect for cozy winter nights. Wholeheartedly recommended. – Naomi M. ‘16

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The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger (review by Agata S. ’15)

The Catcher in the RyeThe Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye is a 1945 novel that focuses on the adventures of a slightly lunatic teenage boy named Holden Caulfield. Once the rebellious protagonist is ousted from Pencey Prep, a select boarding school in Pennsylvania, he returns to New York and does whatever he pleases, always acting on impulse. Although the plotline presents potential at the beginning of the novel, the bipolar sixteen-year old does not develop as a person. Frankly, he drones on about how everyone is phony and life is depressing. Inevitably, since the book is solely focused on Holden, the story itself grows dull and predictable. Unless a reader believes that he or she can connect with a character who is constantly detached, I would not recommend reading The Catcher in the Rye. – Agata S. ‘15

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The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan (review by Lavinia D. ’17)

The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice, #1)The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Will is about to make the biggest choice of his life: what Craft he will choose as his profession for the rest of his life. He has always wanted to go to Battleschool and be a mighty soldier, riding a sleek horse and wielding a jeweled sword. However, when Choosing Day comes, he is rejected because he is too small. A man named Halt informs him that he as other skills; skills that would be useful for a Ranger, the kingdom’s legendary archers that are rumored to be black magicians. Finally, Will agrees to begin training as a Ranger, but the kingdom of Araluen is in grave danger, threatening his life. The epic start to The Ranger’s Apprentice series, I recommend The Ruins of Gorlan to anyone who enjoys action and adventure filled with humor along the way. What I particularly appreciate about the book is that Flanagan takes great care in developing the character’s personalities while illustrating the tale along the way. – Lavinia D. ‘17

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Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman by Richard P. Feynman (review by Agata S. ’15)

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! by Richard P. Feynman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Readers unfamiliar with Richard Feynman might envision a scholarly, soberly theoretical physicist scratching away on a blackboard full of formulas so complex that only he and, perhaps, Einstein can understand them. However, after finishing Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!, readers discover a radically different side of the Nobel prize winner. Whether Feynman is breaking into Los Alamos safes, drumming in an amateur band as part of Brazil’s annual carnival, or having the time of his life in a Las Vegas strip club, he remains fantastically dynamic. Throughout, the language in the autobiography is rather simple, yet one hears a truly genuine voice behind the words. In my opinion, this is a must-read, even for non-physics fans, since it traces the story of a genius in such a non-conventional, exciting way. – Agata S.’15

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Insatiable by Meg Cabot (review by Anika J. ’17)

Insatiable (Insatiable, #1)Insatiable by Meg Cabot
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Insatiable is a fantasy tale that brings vampires to life, making readers to empathize with the blood-sucking creatures. Meena Harper may seem like an average person at first sight, but she has a power that not many people know about: She can predict how someone will die when she makes eye contact with them. When she meets Lucien Antonescu at her neighbors’ party, life as she knows it is taken out of her control. A thrilling novel about the lives of the supernatural, Meg Cabot sends readers on a roller coaster of love, death, and unimaginable situations. I would strongly recommend this precisely written novel to someone looking for a fun and intense story. Be sure to follow up with Overbite, the sequel! – Anika J. ‘17

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The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling (review by Anika J. ’17)

The Casual VacancyThe Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the small British town of Pagford, the death of Barry Fairbrother sets off a chain of events that change everything. He leaves behind an empty council seat, commonly referred to as a casual vacancy. Immediately, Cubby Hall, Simon Price, and Parminder Jawanda begin vying for it, causing a social war between factions in town. Families and friends turn against each other, and nobody knows whom they can trust. Personally, I lost my interest near the end because it felt like too much detail was included and unnecessary conflicts had arisen. The novel starts as a comedy but soon evolves into a grim tragedy. A few of the events were a little too depressing for my taste. On the other hand, J.K. Rowling paints a perfect picture of what it would be like to live in Pagford. In general, I enjoyed Casual Vacancy and would definitely suggest it to someone looking for a long yet eventful read. – Anika J. ‘17

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