Magyk by Angie Sage

Magyk by Angie Sage (Book One of the Septumus Heap trilogy)
I've read this book before, and the second, however I forgot what happened in both, and really wanted to finish the series- so, what was I going to do? Well, most people would probably look up the book, or something, and sorta cheat. I am not that person. I had to read the books over again.

First off. Don't be afraid. Yes, I know, I sound entirely insane. Why do I say that? Because the book is over 500 pages long. Before I read the book initially, I was scared, even though I had read Harry Potter books, I don't think I realized that there were books that were as long (or longer). It's a really good book, and if you get into it, which most do- it's a pretty quick read. Although that might just be me. But, you know, whatever. Now, for the actual review.

The book is about secrets. Sort of a mystery, but more of a fantasy. If you like, Harry Potter, you'll like these books. If you don't- depending on the reason- you'll still probably like the book. The books can be kind of hard to get into, but once you do, the world of Septimus Heap, sucks you in like a black hole. :D Hope you don't mind my comparison. (You'll learn I'm quite odd.) The story revolves around the mystery of Septimus Heap, first his death, then the mystery of whom he might be. There's also the wonder of Jenna, who always knew she was different then the other members of the big Heap family, for various reasons. She has a secret she doesn't know of.

I like this book, along with many other people, because there's hardly a boring moment. It has many twists and turns, and many things and people happen that you would have NEVER expected, no matter your wildest thoughts, unless you skipped ahead or were told. So I recommend this book. I won't say much more- because if I did, I would probably reveal many things and spoilers that you would much rather read. So who is Jenna really? Is the seventh son of a seventh son- or Septimus, really dead? Will darkness rise again? What's going to change? If you wonder about any of these questions, READ THE BOOK! I think you'll like it.

Thanks for reading. For more info on the Septimus Heap series, go to http://www.septimusheap.com/

From CAT!

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

I think Artemis Fowl is probably one of the best book series ever written! I'll say it's for kids 10 and up because if you were younger you might not understand some of the plot line. Also, at the bottom of each page of the book there is part of a long secret message that you have to decipher on your own!

Synopsis

Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is the most ingenious criminal mastermind in history. With two trusty sidekicks in tow, he hatches a cunning plot to divest the fairy-folk of their pot of gold. Of course, he isn't foolish enough to believe in all that "gold at the end of the rainbow" nonsense. Rather, he knows that the only way to separate the little people from their stash is to kidnap one of them and wait for the ransom to arrive. But when the time comes to put his plan into action, he doesn't count on the appearance of the extra-small, pointy-eared Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon (Lower Elements Police Reconnaisance) Unit--and her senior officer, Commander Root, a man (sorry, elf) who will stop at nothing to get her back.

and I know this is ALSO not a report

so, I know this isn't a report, but I don't really have time to write one right now, its about fifteen minutes till my bed time, but I will update this later. anyway, another good book is Flipped which is by the same person who wrote that one that Starr wrote about, the Keyes one?
Anyway, its about this girl, and this boy, and at first the girl likest the guy, and then the guy likes her, but she doesn't like him, anyway, this might sound really weird and annoying, but there is a lot more that goes on in the book. I would say this is for ten and ups.

Treasure in the Royal Tower by Carolyn Keene

This is an awesome Nancy Drew book! It's not one of the original Carolyn Keene stories but it still is a great mystery. There is also a PC computer game, with the same title made by the company "Herinteractive"

Synopsis

Nancy Drew takes a vacation in Wisconsin when the library of the place she is vacationing at is vandalized. Nancy, along with her friends George Fayne and Bess Marvin, must survive an unknown assailant while discovering the secret passageway's inside of an old castle.

I know, this isn't a book review, but I have started a blog carnival, and its a book one. you can see at my blog.
Thanks,
Angela

Missing from Haymarket square

Missing from Haymarket square

by Harriette Gillem Robinet

this book takes place in Chicago, during the gilded age. it is about girls named Dinah and Olive, who are both twelve, and a boy named Ben who is sixteen. the girls both work in a sewing factory for three dollars a week, and steal with Ben to keep their familys from starving. one day Dinah's father goes missing, and they must find a way to free him, otherwise the family will be like so many others during this age, living on the streets.

I think that this story was written to create intrest in history. it is an interesting story, but you learn about what people faced, and what they felt like.

one of the things that I like about this book is that it shows how blacks and immigrants really were treated. it also has parts where Dinah, Olive, and Ben actually face danger.

I think I would recommend this book because of how it teaches what that era was like, without being boring. it does that by sticking the reader in Dinah's shoes. none of the parts were very scary. they were tense, would Dinah be caught stealing, would Olive lose her job?, but altogether I think that is was a good story of the age it was written about. some parts were funny, like when Dinah convinces a police man that her father was an African sorcerer.

The "Sammy Keyes" Series by Wendelin Van Draanen

Sammy Keyes is a 12 year old detective/spy who lives in a Senior Highrise with her Grandma, while her mother is in Hollywood pursuing her acting career. In all the books in the series Sammy encounters many charming characters and solves awesome mysteries. I would recommend this series for girls ages 11+.

Synopsis for The Hotel Thief (The first book in the series)

Sammy Keyes is perusing the neighborhood through binoculars when she spots something fishy at the hotel across the street from the Senior Highrise. She's sure she's just seen a robbery, now she just has to prove it. The Hotel Thief is the first book in the exciting series of middle-grade mysteries starring the smart and spunky seventh-grade ace detective.

Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park

Project Mulberry isn't a very long book, a very well known book, the best book ever, but! It's amazing in its' own special ways. It's a very emotional portrayal of two best friends, that embark on a project. A project that isn't liked by both parties at first. Of course, Julia (main character) thinks its WAY to Korean, which her culture she kind of rejects. She wanted an american project. Patrick (other main character) thinks it sounds great, but as you will know, he's hiding something to. They both want what they think the other one wants, since they've been friends since Julia moved from Chicago to Plainfield, IL. He's the one person that seems to REALLY appreciate her for who she is, and her thinking of her culture.

The project, is raising Silk Worms. The project goes in twisting turns, and they definately encounter the unexpected in different ways. Shocks, and surprises follow. They realise and learn things about the circle of life, I guess, things they didn't expect to learn with this simple project. They have to make hard decisions and choices, and the lead, Julia, has to go through hard transformations, regarding what she thinks about her culture, sacrifices, and friends.

I think this was a really good book, it's very emotional, and I like it because it really makes you think. It's a considerably quick read, especially if you get sucked into it out of liking it. Another unique thing is that, between chapters, it portrays the inside story, which you can skip, but I personally recommend reading through that to. It explains things, in the form of the Julia talking to the author. Anyway, I really recommend it, especially to 10-14 year olds, most likely.