Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Today we are delighted to offer you a guest review by Riley Carney. Riley is the author of fantasy series for young people: the first book of which is "The Fire Stone". Do check out her webpages. You will be blown away by this young lady.

Going Bovine by Libba Bray was one of the strangest books I have ever read. It was also one of the funniest books I’ve read. The premise in itself is amusing, though depressing – sixteen-year-old Cameron is an ordinary teenager dealing with the thrills and kills of high school until, that is, he is diagnosed with Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, more commonly known as mad cow disease. Cameron begins to see visions that hover between hallucinations and reality. He is told by one of these hallucinations, a punk rock angel, that he must stop the band of dark energy that has been released into the world, and which will destroy the universe unless he intervenes. Cameron must travel across the country to find the mysterious Dr. X who can stop the dark energy, and conveniently, cure Cameron’s mad cow disease, as well. He embarks on a fateful journey to Disney World, accompanied by a neurotic dwarf named Gonzo and a talking garden gnome named Balder who claims to have once been a mighty Norse god. Uh…what?

I enjoyed reading Going Bovine because of its sardonic, often laugh-out-loud, humor. Cameron is an entertaining narrator, but it took me a while to actually like him as a character. He does change and grow throughout the story, making him much more agreeable by the end of the story. I felt that Bray placed a number of necessary elements into this book purely to make the story “edgy”, rather than as way to add depth to the plot. The ending was unsatisfying, but like the rest of the book, it certainly revealed some interesting perspectives. Overall, the story was just too strange to make it a must-read book.

Riley Carney
http://www.rileycarney.com/

Going Bovine

Accelerated Reading level : generic "5"

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (September 22, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0385733976

The Fire Stone
by Riley Carney

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: BookLight Press
• ISBN-10: 0984130705

Matt knows how to shovel hay, dig trenches, and dodge his father’s whip, but when three terrifying creatures attack Matt, and he is rescued by a wizard, he kidnaps a baby alorath, and is befriended by elves, Matt’s life transforms overnight from dreary to astonishing. When he unwittingly joins a quest to find the Fire Stone, one of the elusive Stones of the Elements which have the power to destroy the world, Matt is thrust into a string of perilous adventures. He soon discovers that magic does exist and that he has extraordinary powers that can change his destiny and determine the fate of Mundaria.

The Schwa was Here by Neal Shusterman

For those of you who don’t know, a schwa (wiki) is something used in grammar. It is the “uh” sound in the word “the”. It is represented in the dictionary by an upside down e.

This is a humorous and diverting book about a boy who thought he was disappearing. The boy is Calvin Schwa --"the schwa" as his classmates call him-- and he is the type of person that never gets noticed -- even when he does wacky things, such as sing God Bless America in the boy’s bathroom while wearing an orange sombrero!

One day, however, a kid named Antsy Bonano noticed “the schwa”. Antsy had never noticed him before, even though he sat next to him at school. But something clicked and at that moment he realizes that the fact that the Schwa is practically half invisible could mean money. So they start a business called "Stealth Economics" using the “schwa effect” to get work.

Everything goes smoothly until a kid dares them to do something drastic. The dare is to go into old man Crawley's house and steal one of his fourteen treasured dog bowls. Well, right from the start everything goes down hill. Crawley sees Schwa’s shoes under his curtains and he and Antsy both get caught. It turns out all right though because out of all this chaos they meet Lexi, Crawley’s granddaughter. And in the end, Schwa, Antsy and Lexi turn out to be the best of friends.

~

I thought this book was hilarious. The best part was when Lexi and Antsy stole Crawley and took him in a helicopter. They took him all around New York.

This book was written by Neal Shusterman. (He is such a creative writer.) My favorite character would have to be the schwa. You might not have noticed him at first but once you finally see him you realize that he was a very unique and fun person. I wouldn’t have changed any part of this fascinating book.

I recommend this book to third graders on up. This book is for both guys and girls. In a nut shell, if you want a good laugh, grab this book off a shelf and get ready for a good old fashion knee slapper (as my mom would say : )


This book was also one of the American Library Associations's Best Books for Young Adults - 2005.

**Starred Review** School Library Journal



This review was written by Rocky B. "Girl Reviewer Extraordinaire





Reading Information:
Word Count: 57,922
Paperback: 228 pages
Accelerated Reading level: 5.0 / points: 9.0
AR quiz: 80744

• Publisher: Puffin
• ISBN-10: 0142405779
  -- amazon
  

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

We are happy this month to introduce our latest contributing reviewer: twelve year-old Miss "Rocky" Brown.

This is an entertaining book about an audacious and brave thirteen-year-old, Charlotte Doyle. This story begins in Liverpool, England, in 1832. Miss Doyle is traveling to her hometown, Providence, Rhode Island, on a boat called the SeaHawk. It is on board that she meets Zachariah, the ship’s cook, and Captain Andrew Jaggery. She and Zachariah soon become friends, but that's not the case with Captain Jaggery. Like her father, Jaggery demands that she behavior 'proper', and that is something Charlotte refuses to do.

Because of Jaggery's sternness it isn't long before the crew begins to grumble. Thinking that there might be trouble Zachariah gives her a dirk. He means it for her protection and never thinks that it might be used against her. But that's what happens. Mr. HollyBrass, the first mate, is found dead with Charlotte’s dagger in his back. Everyone blames Charlotte for the murder. And she is brought to trial with Jaggery as Judge!

To find out whether Charlotte is hanged or whether she ever makes her way home you will have to get "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle".

~

This was a fabulous book! I loved it. The best part of this captivating story was after all of Charlotte’s escapades she had to climb to the highest point of the ship, called the Royal Yard. She did this so the crew would know she was loyal to them.

The only thing I would change would be to make Mr. Hollybrass’ death more dramatic. This book was so exciting that sometimes felt that I was on a rollercoaster, not knowing where I was going; but Mr. Hollybrass's death was not one of those times. The ending was not predictable. I thought I knew all along what the ending would be… boy was I wrong!

Captain Jaggery was my favorite character because you never knew what he was going to do to get his way. He was a mad man. He practically beat a man’s arm right off his shoulder. He also beat Zachariah with a whip for no reason. And I like Charlotte because she was not afraid, even if it did mean life or death. She is her own individual and she didn't let other people influence who she is.

The writer, Avi, actually made you get to know the characters like they were your friend. I was not bogged down with any vague and annoying details. I found the writer’s creativity, and mysterious setting, unique and riveting. So much that I found myself always on the tip of my chair, clenching my seat.

Considerations :::
This book was on the Sunshine State Reader list in 1993-1994, and won a Newberry Honor Award. I enjoyed this book so much I want to read another one of Avi’s books called “The Man Who Was Poe”.

The target group I would recommend this book to would be ages ten to adults. Even adults won’t be able to put this book down. I can’t wait to tell my friends. Bottom Line, anyone that enjoys reading adventurous, exciting, and suspenseful books, this is the book for you.

Considerations :::
Note from the editors ::: The Accelerated Reading designation is 5.3 -- which means that book is suitable for children reading on the Fifth Grade level.