Every Falling Star by Sungju Lee

 

Joseph Gomez

Plot Summary
This book is the first to show North Korea to a young audience. It's about a boy named Sungju who at age 12 is forced to live on the streets and fend for himself after his parents are killed.  He and his friends kill chipmunks and eat them in order to survive. They come up with several strategies to steal food from shops.

Critical Evaluation 
I would give this book a 10 out of 10 it is suspenseful and explores the issue of survival and politics. After Kim Jong Il died, the North Koreans became poor and paranoid that the U.S. was going to invade them. The main character is very courageous for doing everything he can do to survive out in the street by stealing food and clothes. In this book, I would love to explore why the author doesn't try to relocate somewhere else in North Korea and live with another family member.

A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer

Joseph Gomez-Garcia

Plot summary 
A Child Called It is a book written by Dave Pelzer in which he recounts  the abuse he had to undergo by his own mother on a daily basis. Young Dave would go days without eating and would sleep on the cold concrete floor in the garage . Dave's only source of food was at school where he had to steal lunches. The abuse ranged from several punches in the face, being forced to eat regurgitated food and spoonfulls of ammonia.

Excerpt
" Childhood should be carefree, playing in the sun , not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul . Inside my soul become so cold and I hated everything "

Critical evaluation 
This book is a must read because it is a very engaging and descriptive book. It also has several parts  that are very unexpected. It deserves a 10 out of 10 because it is one of the few books I've read and liked.

The child called it by David Pelzer Review by Jesus Membrillo

      The book and autobiography “The Child Called It”by David Pelzer, focuses on the story about a boy who has lived his whole childhood with an abusive mother. His mother who not only made his life a living hell but even tortured  the poor kid  (David Pelzer) both physically and mentally. In many cases his life has been at risk but his mother simply ignores the fact that he is a living being.

      In my opinion I believe that this book deserves an 11 out of 10. Yes you heard it,an 11 out of 10. This book is so good and inspiring that simply  reading it you'll become the character himself. You will not only live his life but suffer with him on the way. This book shows and gives one that idea that some of us live an easier life than others. This book gives us the example that others have been throughout more us and that we should feel lucky to live the way we do. Just ask yourself if you ever put yourself in someone's shoes before judging them.

S. E. Hinton- The Outsiders Review by: Anthony Hansen

Anthony Hansen

Book Summary:

The books about racism and about gangs and back then when old cars used to be the thing. Have you ever watched the movie "Mi Famlia" it relates to it in a way but if you haven't your missing out as well, Ponyboy is a lower classman who is trying to live his life but the white rich kids aren't making it easy for him. So Ponyboy falls into the gang life for protection but a lot of violent acts happen.

Critical Evaluation:

I really enjoyed reading it i really don't read because I can't find good books hat engaged me but this book got me till the end. I would rate it a 100/10 to be honest i wish there was another book from it.

The Third Twin by CJ Omololu

Carlos Diaz

Plot Summary

This book is about a girl named Lexi, and her identical twin named Ava whom persist messing with their childhood made up sister. They named the third sister Alicia, and when Lexi and Ava cause trouble, they point to Alicia. Now they're in high school, and the girls use Alicia for dating guys and do things they would never think of doing otherwise. It's all fun and games until one of the guys that Lexi and Ava go out with using the identity of Alicia winds up murdered, and the DNA evidence found by the police leads to Alicia. The made up third twin. Both girls claim that they have done nothing wrong, but the investigators believe otherwise. Lexi and Ava decide to keep using Alicia identity when the cops arrive at their door hoping that it will pass away soon, and someone is simply pulling a sick joke, or it was a mistaken identity to whom the traffic ticket to a car that neither of them own is issued to. Who could the killer be? Is there a chance that the triplet does exist?

Critical Evaluation

I would rate this book a 10/10. This book would be deserving of this rating, because this book has a perfect amount of suspense and mystery, and has a great pace for a mystery. This book will have any mystery book lover wanting to read faster in order to figure out along with the character "who done it." This book will keep any reader intregued, because of the many plot twist, and unpredictable ending. This book uses lots of efficient techniques such as foreshadowing and builds up suspence, without giving away too much. It also has a great balance of funny moments and romance on the side.

Wise Young Fool by Sean Beaudoin

Carlos Diaz

Plot Summary

Wise Young Fool is a book about a teenage rock group that is in preparation for what could be their big break. Unfortunately, the main character gets arrested instead of becoming famous. Jump forward to 2013 and Ritchie and Elliot decide that they could form a rock band and compete in "Rock Scene 2013." Will they win Rock Scene 2013, or all hope be lost for their rock band?

Critical Evaluation

On a scale from one to ten, this book would rate a 7/10. This book does very well in narrating important and specific events that help advance the story. This book however does not really include a tension based factor that would lead to wanting to read faster. The plot is predictable, and but there are some interesting parts that demonstrate difficult situations to get out of, that help us learn about more about the main character.

Speaker For The Dead by Orson Scott Card

Erick Arias

Plot Summary:
Speaker For The Dead is the sequel to Ender's Game. It takes place after the genocide of the bugger race, and Andrew Wiggin, aka Ender, is held responsible. In this story a new alien species is discovered; they're nicknamed the "piggies" because their faces appear to be the face of a pig. Just like the buggers, their alien ways are frightening. Ender bravely tries to find the truth as a speaker for the dead.

Critical Evaluation:
I give this book a 9/10. The story is very interesting, and how the whole plot of the story is based upon just getting information about the new alien species. There is a lot back story that describes how the aliens came to be.

Ender's Game Book Trailer by Erick Arias

Scowler by Daniel Kraus

Carlos Diaz          

Plot Summary

Nineteen year old named Ry uses characters from his childhood years in order to help him with his troublesome life on a dying farm. The characters include Scowler, Mr. Furrington, and The Wise Jesus. He uses these characters to symbolize his anger (Scowler), happiness (Mr. Furrington), and knowledge (Jesus) to help him advance with critical thinking, and aggressiveness if necessary. The trouble starts once his family finds a mysterious prison escapee alongside the road with a questionable backstory. Throughout the book Ry faces the dilemmas of having an aggressive and abusive father while at the same time a blood thirsty monster out to get him once a meteoroid hits. It's hard to tell if he will survive the wrath of both brutal monsters out to get him.
                                                                  
Critical Evaluation 

I would rate this book a 8 out of 10. This book would receive this because of the amount of gore (if you’re into that) , and because of the many mysterious moments that will leave readers in a suspenseful moment of awe.