The Alex Crow by Andrew Smith

Gordon Jack

Plot Summary

Ariel is the sole survivor of a gas attack that wiped out his Middle Eastern village.  After this horrible ordeal, he’s brought to the U.S. and things get even stranger. His adopted father works in a secret lab devoted to de-extinction of animals.  His father’s co-worker, Mrs. Nussbaum, is making the case of male extinction.  And, oh yeah, she’s in charge of the camp Ariel is sent to for boys with technology addictions. While at camp, Ariel must confront the problems of his past and present in order to make a new life for himself in America.

Critical Analysis

The Alex Crow is a 10 out of 10.  If you loved Smith's previous book, Grasshopper Jungle, you will love his latest novel too.  Smith manages to tell many different stories in The Alex Crow that span centuries and continents.  In the end, the stories all come together in a satisfying way.  The dark humor of the book reminded me a lot of Kurt Vonnegut, who Smith has been compared to because he takes a similar absurdist view of our sometimes frightening reality.

The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney

Henry Nguyen

Plot Summary
Janie is a fifteen year old girl. One day in October, she goes to the school cafeteria and gets lunch. While sitting with her friends, she notices everyone turning their milk cartons to the missing child side. Suddenly, Janie realizes it's her picture on the milk carton. Janie basically finds out the truth whether she was really kidnapped or not.

Critical Evaluation 
I would give this book a 10 out of 10 because the drama and horror will make you impatient for the ending. The characters are terrific; you'll think that they're real life people. What makes the book good is that every scene Janie finds out something shocking. This book will definitely make you want to read the whole series. You'll be begging that the series doesn't stop.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Gordon Jack

Plot Summary
Laia is a scholar's daughter in a country where scholars are slaves to the ruling military.  When her family is killed and her brother kidnapped, she must join the Resistance in order to free him before his execution.  To do so mean becoming the slave for the brutal Commandant, a woman who would cut out a child's eye for looking at her wrong.

The Commandant's son is Elias, an elite soldier who only wants to escape her brutal regime.  When he sees Laia, he immediately feels something for the slave girl.  But his feelings can only lead to trouble as he competes in a death match to become the next ruler.  As he advances in the trials, his relationship with Laia becomes a liability that can get him killed.  He must make a choice to either help her or become the country's next leader.

Critical Evaluation
An Ember in the Ashes is easily a 10 out of 10.  I have not read a page turner like this since The Hunger Games series.  The chapters alternate between telling Laia's and Elias's stories.  Each point of view is compelling as the characters confront life threatening situations in their quest to defeat this oppressive regime.  My only complaint is that the book doesn't really end, which means I'll have to wait a year for the sequel to see what happens to these characters.

Staying Strong 365 Days a Year by Demi Lovato

Isabel Figueroa

Plot summary

Demi lovato has gone through tough days in life. After everything she goes through she still manages to smile for her fans. Her day 1- day 365 journal entrees show how she does it all. In addition, she offers advice for people that can make a change in their lives.

Critical Evaluation 

Demi Lovato is someone I have looked up to for a while now. She shares these secrets that help people going through rough times get through it. I encourage anyone who feels alone or is going through tough times to read this. It doesn't matter who you are, boy or girl, I reccomend you read it. The book will make a difference in your life.

Dorthy Must Die By Danielle Paige

Isabel Figueroa

Plot Summary 

As a kid, you grow up watching The Wizard of Oz, hearing how big of a hero Dorthy was for putting Oz back together. But have you heard the story of what happens after she leaves? The power she had as a hero gets to her and everything goes wrong. Amy, a simple girl from Kansas, must fix everything - remove the Tin Woodman's heart, steal the Scarecrow's brain, take the Lion's courage and then- DORTHY MUST DIE.

Critical Evaluation 

Dorthy Must Die, is a twist to the movie Wizard of Oz. Paige leads you on this adventure of a troubled girl that goes through the same trouble as Dorothy when a tornado sweeps her up and takes her to a whole other world. This is the third book out of 5. I rate this book a 9 out of 10, only because the ending is the most shocking part that I in fact did not think would happen.