To Kill a Mockingbird

Review by Mo 

Title: To Kill a Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee

Publisher:  HarperCollins

Published:  1960

Quick Summary:

To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in a small county in Alabama in the 1930's. Maycomb County hasn't really changed in a while since it's a small county and it's isolated from the rest of the state. Scout, the main character, and her brother Jem, live with their father, Atticus, a lawyer. This book shows a few years of Scout and Jem's childhood, from a fire on a cold winter night, to dares with their friend Dill. African-Americans are discriminated against throughout their story, so when Atticus is asked to defend one in court, the town is plunged into discord.

Review: I enjoyed this book because I liked reading about this small town in the deep south during this time period. I liked witnessing the story through a young, naive girl's eyes. It gave the story a unique feeling that couldn't have been achieved had the story been told by someone else. Even though Scout couldn't understand some things, Lee made it possible for the reader to still understand. I was really surprised at the uproar that Atticus's decision to defend Tom Robinson, the African-American defendant, caused. It really shows how much things have changed since then. At some points, I felt like the story was kind of slow and didn't know where it was heading, but most of the story was full of twists that kept me reading. Overall, I enjoyed the book.
Rating: ****

The Kane Chronicles

Review by Edan

Titles:                                   

   - The Red Pyramid

   - The Throne of Fire

   - The Serpents Shadow

Author: Rick Riordan 

Publisher: Disney Hyperion and Puffin Books

Published: 2010-2012


Quick Summary:

     Apophis, a evil giant snake, is starting to break free of his prison. He is planning on devouring the sun, plunging the world into darkness. It is Carter and Sadie Kane's job to stop him before he succeeds his task. The gods are getting involved, helping and standing in the way of the Kanes. The Nomes, Egyptian Magician districts of the world, are fighting against each other, some blaming the Kanes for their problems and others helping them along their quest. Can Carter and Sadie stop Apophis before it before it is to late, or will Apophis overpower them and destroy the world?

Review:

     When I saw my friend reading one of these books, I had to ask what it was. When I was younger I loved Ancient Egypt and everything about it, and still do. I also love all of Rick Riordan's other books so I thought these must be good. They are full of excitement and adventure and pull you in and never let you stop reading. 

    I like how Rick Riordan included a lot of other minor less known god, including Bast, Bes, Serqet, Tawaret. There are so many Egyptian gods and I bet more than than half of them people haven't even heard of. He didn't just mention these lesser gods, he gave them some major role and other parts that weren't just a mentioned name. He also included some of the Egyptian history, beliefs and rituals which I also found interesting. 

   To me, none of the books where better than another. They all seemed to flow together into one story. And it killed me having to wait to get the Serpents Shadow form the library (It must've been popular, around 150 people had requested it!). I also enjoyed how the perspectives changed every other chapter, letting you get to be in Sadie and Carter Kane's head. I loved this series and if you like Riordan's other books, you'll also like these ones. 


Rating: *****