Howard County teens are still busy reading and writing reviews this summer. Here are some more top picks:
Schooled by Gordon Korman
Schooled is the tale of a hippie kid who is sent to a REAL school and has to learn how to survive middle school on his own. Not long after, he is stuck with the position of class president and the title of total dork. The story follows his journey from hippie outcast to almost fitting in. Schooled is a very inspiring and amazing novel! Although it may be an easy read, this book has so much to offer, from life lessons to tips and advice, teaching you how people feel in middle school, and just having another great, happy, comforting, and inspiring story. I could have read 300 more pages of Cap’s adventures and discoveries. The ending feels as if a sequel is coming, so if there is, I will be SURE to read it! As Cap would say, "All you need is love" and that is all I have for this book.
- Eiryn G.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a great book by Jules Verne. There is a creature underwater terrorizing sea travelers and Professor Aronnax, a famous Professor, thinks that it might be a narwhal. He goes on an expedition to find this “creature” when he is captured by the people on the submarine, which he finds out is the mystery creature. Captain Nemo, the sub’s captain, is holding them against their will on his sub. Then they try to escape. As they are getting away, a Maelstrom, which is a huge storm, hits their ship as they are leaving the sub on the dingy. Do they escape or not? You have to read the book to find out what happens.
- Kenny S.
The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer
The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm is a great novel about three kids who are kidnapped. Kuda, Rita, and Tendai are all children of General Matsika living in the 22nd century. These three children live in a house with security, robots, and a Mellower. A Mellower is someone who gives praise to people and families. Rita, Kuda, and Tendai all take karate, and Rita and Tendai are in boy/girl scouts, with Kuda joining the following year. For Tendai to become an Eagle Scout he must go on an adventure. Unfortunately, their parents are strict and will not even let them leave the house. But because the Mellower is very kind to them, they arranged a plan to trick their parents into letting them go. Since the Mellower’s praises calm them so much, they don’t remember exactly what he says to them and so that’s how the Mellower got them to give permission for the kids all to go. As they leave the house, their parents remember what happened and the kids are kidnapped. I liked the book because of its action and excitement.
- Trevor A.