The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket

Title: The Austere Academy

Author: Lemony Snicket

Stars: 5

Description: Truth be told, within the chapters that make up this dreadful story, the children will face snapping crabs, strict punishments, dripping fungus, comprehensive , violin recitals, S.o.R.E., and the metric system!

The Baudelaire's are at a school, Prufrock Preparatory School! That sounds like a cheery place, right? Well, you are dead wrong. So dead wrong because Count Olaf, again, shows up and this time he has a great plan to get back at the orphans and get their fortune.

5 stars!

Natalie

Nancy's Mysterious Letter by Carolyn Keene

Title: Nancy's Mysterious Letter

Author: Carolyn Keene

Stars: 5

Description: Nancy receives a letter meant for a British heiress who has the same name and, in her attempts to contact the other young woman, faces danger from a man who operates a Lonely Hearts Club mail fraud.

Nancy has gotten a weird letter saying that money has been left for her, lots of money. But soon she figures out that there is another Nancy Drew, Nancy Smith Drew, and that all the money goes to her. But soon Nancy unravels a whole new mystery involving, the mailman, a Lonely Hearts Club, and evil people.

5 stars!

Natalie

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Title: The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry

Stars: 5 the is unbelievably the best book I have ever read

Description: Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now it's time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

This book is so is so incredible! Lois Lowry is such a good author! The world in this book, is so cool, and imaginary. Lois explains how awful our life would be without pain, without love (in this book it is wrong to say I love you) and without color. If you read this book, you can see how awesome our world is.

Who is your favorite character and why? It would have to be The Giver and Gabriel. Why? Because The Giver is loving and nice. He understands what Jonas is going through. And Gabriel because he is a baby, really adorable!

What is your favorite part and why? Probably at the end when Jonas is trying to get to Elsewhere. Why? Because Jonas is so loving because when he is trying to get away from the horrible world, he takes Gabriel with him because he knows that the people in his world is going to release Gabriel by killing him.

Are you like the main character why or why aren't you? I think I am! Why? Because at the end Jonas saves a child's life. I think I would do the same!

5 stars!

Natalie

The Demon From River Heights

Title: The Demon of River Heights

Author: Based on the series by Carolyn Keene

Stars: 4

Description: Join Nancy Drew along with Bess and George, as they search for missing student filmmakers and discover the deadly secret behind the local urban myth known as "The Demon of River Heights."

These books are good, but they are kind of hard to understand. If you like Nancy Drew, I would stick with the regular books instead of the graphic novels.

Natalie

Hannah Montana Keeping it Real

Title: Hannah Montana Keeping It Real

Disney

Stars: 5

Description: Country gal Miley Stewart tries to keep it real while the "other side" of her-every one's favorite pop-star sensation, Hannah Montana- leads a totally glamorous life with styin' clothes, famous pals and awesome celebrity perks. While she's thinking about using her secret Hannah identity to build her Hollywood career, get her driver's license and win the hearts of the cutest boys like the hottie Johnny Collins (Corbin Bleu), Miley manages to land herself in the spotlight and in hilarious situations again and again! But through it all, she learns that what's most important is to be yourself, whoever you are!

Five episodes from the smash-hit Disney Channel Original Series are on DVD for the first time ever, including bonus episode "Ready, Set, Don't Drive." Hannah Montana: Keeping it Real features awesome guest starts like Corbin Bleu and Dwayne Johnson! PLUS, an exclusive Bonus Feature that takes you behind the scenes for "Miley's Makeover: Hannah Gets a New Look."

This DVD has five really cool episodes! Including a bonus episode called, "Ready, Set, Don't Drive!" I am not really a fan of her new look, but her singing is still really cool! As you watch this DVD, Miley will go through friendship, family, and more!

5 stars

Natalie

The Haunted DollHouse Based on the series by Carolyn Keene

Title: The Haunted Dollhouse

Author: Based on the Series by Carolyn Keene

Stars: 4

Description: Everyone in town is dressing up like it;s 1930-but the fun is interrupted when the dolls in Emma Blavatsky's antique dollhouse start depicting strange crimes that soon come true in real life! But when Nancy stakes out the dollhouse-she witnesses a doll version of herself murdered.

Ok, first of all, these are nothing like the old books. But I'm not saying they aren't good books but they are totally different. They do have some references to the old books. Like Nancy says, "The closes place near was Red Gate Farm." And one of the old books is called The Mystery of Red Gate Farm.

Natalie

The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket

Title: The Miserable Mill

Author: Lemony Snicket

Stars: 5

Description: The pages of the book, I'm sorry to inform you, contain such unpleasantness as a giant pincher machine, a bad casserole, a mad with a cloud of smoke where his head should be, a hypnotist, a terrible accident resulting injury, and coupons.

Now the Baudelaire's are moving to a mill. A mill? You might ask. Yes, a mill, where they are supposed to work for stupid coupons. Well, this mill is not very fun. Has a mean Foreman, and a mean man named, "Sir." Well, through all these horrible things, you would think they could go through it right? Wrong!

5 stars

Natalie

Peculiar Treasures by Robin Gunn

Title: Peculiar Treasures

Author: Robin Gunn

Stars: 5

Description: Katie Weldon catches more then just the bouquet at wedding of her best, Christy Miller. She also receives an offer that launches her into an adventure she never imagined. Eager to embrace the new challenge, Katie accepts a job as resident assistant in the dorms at Rancho Corona University and finds herself right in the middle of conflict. She thought this was where God wanted her, but why is everything falling apart? Especially her relationship with her almost boyfriend, Rick Doyle. Katie seeks solace from the women in her life, including her lifelong friend, Christy. In the safety of her friends' love and encouragement, she finally allows herself to spill her heart, yet even their advice can't postpone the decisions that will define who Katie is and the woman she's becoming.

Katie is the maid of honor at her best friend Christy's wedding and catches the bouquet. But while Christy is on her honeymoon, Katie gets a job as a resident assistant. But while that is going well, her relationship with Rick Doyle is not.

They are taking it very slow, but Rick shows signs of wanting to movie forward. And Katie does want to more forward but Rick is not sure it is the best thing to do.

There are some discussions of kissing and because Christy got married they talk about how it is good to stay pure until marriage. It doesn't get into to detail but they do talk about it.

5 stars

Natalie

Whispering to Witches by Anna Dale

Title: Whispering to Witches

Author: Anna Dale

Stars: 5

Description: When Joe gets off the train at the wrong stop, his magical adventures with the witches of Dead-Nettle Coven begin!

Joe is off to his mother's house for Christmas while his dad is off to Scotland to help one of his relatives. Joe isn't very happy about going there for Christmas, how his little step-sister always has her nose in a book, and how his step-dad is always trying to be like a real father to Joe.

But everything changes when he gets off at the wrong stop, someone steals his ticket, and he meets a Coven of witches. But that's not all, meeting witches sounds pretty cool, but not when that leads you to danger.

5 stars!

Natalie

One False Note by Gordon Korman

Title: One False Note

Author: Gordon Korman

Stars: 5

Description: The race is on to find 39 Clues that safeguard a great power, and a fourteen-year-old Amy Cahill and her younger brother, Dan, are shocked to find themselves in the lead. The search seems to be taking them to Vienna, and they hold a coded piece of Mozart's sheet music that's key to finding the next Clue. But tailed by a pack of power-hungry relatives, Amy and Dan can't see if they are sailing toward victory or straight for a deadly trap.

The chase is still on with Amy and Dan in the lead. The clues lead them to Venice, Italy and to other places around the world. Gosh, and with all the pressure they already are in, the mean relatives show up....

Natalie

The Clue In the Diary by Carolyn Keene

Title: The Clue in the Diary

Author: Carolyn Keene

Stars: 5

Description: Nancy and her friends, George and Bess, are returning from a country carnival when they witness the explosion and the burning of a beautiful mansion. Fearing it's occupants may be trapped in the blazing building, they rush to the rescue-and unexpectedly find themselves confronted with a mystery that seems to be insoluble.

Nancy and her friends see and here a explosion to this beautiful mansion and have to go find what is up, but when Nancy sees a man running away and diary, everything turns upside down. The diary is in a different language, Sweden, and they have to find an interpreter before it's to late.

5 stars

Natalie