What's Marissa Reading? Divergent

My niece Marissa has updated me on the latest book she's been reading down in sunny Florida, and I thought I'd share what she has to say about it with you. It's always interesting to hear about what she's been reading, because her interests are so diverse. You never know what it will be. This time, she's reading a book about life in the future: Divergent, by Veronica Roth.

Here's what Marissa says the book is about.

This book takes place in the future. There are 5 factions, Erudite, Amity, Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, and Tris Prior must choose one  to decide the rest of her life. But it's not as easy for her as it is for every other 16 year old in the community. All the 16 year olds take an aptitude test to show which faction they would fit best in. But Tris's test was inconclusive, meaning that she could fit into multiple factions. And that is dangerous. It means Tris is Divergent. She must choose between factions and she has narrowed it down to Dauntless (the brave) and Abnegation (the selfless and the faction that she was born into).

Tris decides on Dauntless and she must face many of her fears, train to be strong, and get used to things that she wasn't allowed or supposed to do in Abnegation. During and after her fierce training she learns more about the people she is with and something dangerous going on between the factions.

What did Marissa like best about the book?

I liked how it was in the future and the new things that we don't experience everyday. Also there is constant action and something that leaves you on the edge of your seat.

Was there anything Marissa did not like?

There was nothing I didn't like!!!!

So, how did Marissa like the book?

She gave it five out of five baby giraffes.

What's Marissa Reading? A Land Remembered

This week, Reading Crew member Marissa stopped by to tell us a little bit about a book that she's been reading called A Land Remembered, by Patrick D. Smith.

Here's what Marissa says the book is about.

This book is about the generations of the MacIvey family as they make the best out of life as Florida crackers. You go through three generations of MacIveys and how they go from just scraping by in the scrub eating coons to living on the prairie with herds of cattle and groves of orange trees.

In the beginning we see Tobias and Emma with their son Zech and it ends with Zech and Glenda's son Sol. They make lots of friends that stand by them along the way, through losses and troubles, like Skillit, Bonzo, Frog, and the Seminole Indian Tribe. In the book you also experience the development of Florida, changing from swaps and forests to cities and streets. You are able to see how they drive cattle, plant orange trees and accommodate food to survive.

What I liked: I find it interesting to see how people lived back then and how there were no cars and they were able to ride horses across the whole state in a relatively short amount of time.

What I didn't like: The book wasn't my favorite. It was my summer book project for school. I found it depressing because of all of the deaths.

So, how did Marissa rate A Land Remembered, by Patrick D. Smith?

She gives is three and a half out of five baby giraffes.

What's Marissa Reading? The Mark of Athena

My niece Marissa has finally checked in from sunny Florida where she has been out of school for weeks! Besides enjoying a bunch of fun outdoor activities, she's managed to read a lot of books. She's been reading the Heroes of Olympus series and she's going to tell us about The Mark of Athena, by Rick Riordan. Let's see what Marissa had to say about it.

 Here's what Marissa says the book is about.

This is the 3rd book in the Heroes of Olympus series, which ties in with the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.

After a long wait Annabeth and Percy are reunited after Hera stole Percy's memory and deposited him at the Roman camp (Camp Jupiter), far away from his home, Greek camp (Camp Half-Blood). Percy, Annabeth, and the rest of the seven of the prophecy, are demigods (meaning one of their parents is a god or goddess and one is mortal). These seven demigods were brought together because of a prophecy that will shape the fate of the world. They are trying to stop Gaea, the evil Earth goddess, from awakening. They are also trying to halt the coming Giant war between the Gods of Olympus and the Giants.  

These seven demigods, Annabeth, Percy, Hazel, Frank, Leo, Piper, and Jason, all have strengths that will help them upon this quest to the Ancient lands of Rome. But there are many hidden dangers that they find when they try to complete various tasks that lead to the success of their journey. But to find out about all of them you'll have to read the book. 

What did Marissa like best about the book?

I liked the battles and the humor that was thrown in. I like how the author, Rick Riordan, was able to incorporate the two and balance them. I'm in love with this series! 

Was there anything she didn't like about it?

The book was incredible all around but if I had to choose one thing I'd have to say the cliff hanger at the end. Even though it was a little bit MORE than a cliff hanger, but that just got me even more excited to read the next book that comes out. 

So, how did Marissa rate The Mark of Athena, by Rick Riordan?

She gave it five out of five baby giraffes. 

What's Marissa Reading? The Outsiders

Marissa is here to talk to you about a really exciting book that she's been reading, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. It's really great to see children and young adults who love reading as much as the members of the Reading Crew! It's true--a good book expands your world.

Here's what Marissa says the book is about.

"It's the 1960's in Oklahoma and right now there are two types of social classes. You are a Soc if you have money, a tuff (cool) car, and a future. You are a Greaser if you live in the hood and almost everyone, especially Soc's, hate you. In this book a boy named Ponyboy and his gang, Dallas Winston, Johnny Cade, Two-Bit, Steve, and his brothers Sodapop and Darrel are always together...and getting into trouble. On one night Ponyboy and Johnny get into some real trouble and are on the run from the fuzz. Their adventure is thrilling and leaves you on the edge of your seat encouraging you to keep reading, I love it!!!"

What did Marissa like best about the book?

"I liked how the Greasers weren't afraid to throw around their title and show who they are even if it does mean getting nearly killed. I also liked when the Greasers and Socs got together for a big fight, the rumble. Plus I think it's cool how S.E Hinton wrote the book when she was 15 and 16!"

Was there anything about the book that Marissa didn't like?

"I didn't like how the Socs got into a lot of trouble with the Greasers just because they were drunk. I also didn't like how at the end Ponyboy let his grades slip so  Darry got mad at him and that made Sodapop really  mad."

 

So, how did Marissa rate The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton.

She gave it five out of five baby giraffes.

What's Marissa Reading? You Have to Stop This

Marissa's back for the first time since I was away on vacation in August (seems so long ago). If you remember, she gave her thoughts on four of the books in the Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch. Today, she's back to talk about the fifth book in the series, You Have to Stop This. Let's see what she had to say.

Here's what Marissa says the book is about.

"While on a field trip to the Natural History museum Cass, Max-Ernest, and Yoji decide to sneak off to go look at a special mummy. But when they get surprised by a security guard, Cass accidentally breaks off the priceless mummy's finger! To pay for the damage, they have to work sorting through artifacts at the museum, but in their off time they make a major discovery. 

"Cass, Max-Ernest, and Yoji believe the mummy is actually the alchemist who discovered the Secret. In their quest to see if this is true they get shipped half way across the country to Las Vegas in wooden crates where they soon discover that Lord Pharoh, an evil alchemist who also strives to learn the Secret, is there plotting his revenge. While Cass is trying to learn the Secret, as the Secret Keeper, some crazy things happen which I am not going to reveal."

What did Marissa like best about the book?

"I liked the part when Cass discovered the Secret but was disappointed. And also when she figured out the true meaning of the Secret."

Was there anything that Marissa did not like?

"I didn't like how Cass always blamed Max-Ernest for every little thing that went wrong, it was annoying."

So, how did Marissa rate You Have to Stop This, by Pseudonymous Bosch?

She gave it five out of five baby giraffes.

What's Marissa Reading? This Isn't What It Looks Like

Well, if the vacation went according to plan, I should be heading home as you read this. A big thank you to Marissa for holding down the fort while I was gone. You did a great job my dear! She's winding up her week of posts with the fourth and final book in the Secrets series, This Isn't What It Looks Like, by Pseudonymous Bosch.

Here's what Marissa says the book is about.

"Oh no! After Cass eats the time traveling chocolate from Senor Hugo (an evil chef from the 3rd book in the Secret Series "This Book Is Not Good For You), she goes back in history to the Medieval times. She is in search of her ancestor the Jester so that as her job as the Secret Keeper she will finally figure out the Secret, and she hopes then she will discover the secret to who she is and who her birth parents really are.

  

"Meanwhile Max-Earnest is still in the present day procrastinating about figuring out how he can get Cass out of her chocolate induced coma before it is too late. He tries all the obvious things, such as the antidote that the magical Tuning Fork creates, but when nothing works he loses hope. But when Benjamin Blake, a former colleague of theirs, comes back to school with a strange Double Monocle that helps you read minds Max- Earnest knows he must get it. He finally does but surprisingly when he goes to use it Cass has already awoken! You'll have to read the book to find out what happens next."

What did Marissa like best about the book?

"I like the mystery element in the book. It always keeps reading you are always forced to go to the next chapter to see what happens next."

Was there anything she didn't like?

"I didn't like how when Cass came out of her coma she couldn't remember anything she experienced from her trip to the past. It was really annoying and frustrating that you knew all the answers but she couldn't remember anything."

So, how did Marissa rate This Isn't What It Looks Like, by Pseudonymous Bosch?

She gave it five out of five baby giraffes.

What's Marissa Reading? This Book Is Not Good For You

Hi, I hope your week is going well. Here's Marissa with her rundown of the third book in the Secret Series, This Book Is Not Good For You, by Pseudonymous Bosch.

Here's what Marissa says the book is about.

"In the 3rd book in the Secret Series, Cass, Max-Ernest, and Yoji get put on the case for a magical tuning fork that when dipped into any food could make it any taste you wanted as long as you or your ancestor has tasted it before. But when Cass lets news about the tuning fork slip to an evil chef she gets the special treatment at his suspicious restaurant where you eat in the dark so that you can "embrace the flavors". 

"But when Cass realizes her mother is no longer in the restaurant with her she immediately goes into the kitchen to investigate. But when she receives a note from Senior Hugo the evil chef that says he kidnapped her mother and to get her back Cass has to bring him the tuning fork, she knows this search has a lot more at stake than just the Midnight Sun discovering the Secret. If you want to know what happens next I strongly suggest you read the book!

What did Marissa like best about the book?

"I liked how the author added in little snipets about the text at the bottom of the page."

Was there anything she didn't like?

"Nothing, another great masterpiece by Pseudonymous Bosch!"

So, how did Marissa rate This Book Is Not Good For You, by Pseudonymous Bosch?

She gave it five out of five baby giraffes.

What's Marissa Reading? If You're Reading This It's Too Late

It's Tuesday, and that means we've got another post from our guest blogger, Marissa. This one is about If You're Reading This It's Too Late,  by Pseudonymous Bosch. Let's get right to it.

Here's what Marissa says the book is about.

"Cass and Max-Ernest are back again in the second book of the Secret Series. It starts off when Cass finds a note hidden in her lunch that tells her to go to a dock at 12 p.m. So when they take a field trip to the tide pools the two of them sneak away to go to the dock, but a new student Yoji starts to follow them. Luckily they get rid of him. 

"When they go to the dock they see no one but Dr. L and Ms. Mauvis they try to escape but it's too late they've already set sail. But when they get put in a room they find a mysterious object making noises. Once they sneak out of their room in the night they see their teacher climbing over the side of the boat! Once they jump into his motor boat and are all settled in they find out that Cass and Max-Ernest's teacher is actually a spy for a secret society which they are now a part of. 

"Not long after that they receive a mission to track down a legendary little man that is grown in a bottle called a homunculus. Once they discover Dr. L and Ms. Mauvis were after this creature they knew they had to keep them from getting their gloved hands on it. Will Cass and Max-Ernest succeed in keeping the homunculus from them? Read the book to find out!?

What did Marissa like best about the book?

"I liked the suspense and how almost everything went wrong. Also the chapters, they started at 32 then counted down to 1 as the book went on."

Was there anything she didn't like?

"It was great! There was nothing that I didn't like."

So, how did Marissa rate If You're Reading This It's Too Late, by Pseudonymous Bosch?

She gave it five out of five baby giraffes.

What's Marissa Reading? The Name of This Book is Secret

Hello, and happy Monday! If all goes well, when you read this I will be on vacation!!! Sorry, but it's been a while since I had any appreciable time off--8 months or so. So I'm spending this week away with the family--no cell phones, computers, blogs, or writing.

But not to worry. I've enlisted one of the Reading Crew, my  niece Marissa, to guest host the blog while I'm gone. She's been reading a most unusual series that she's dying to tell you all about. So, here's the first book--The Name of This Book is Secret, by Pseudonymous Bosch. No, I'm not being cheeky, that's really the name of the book. I'll let Marissa tell you a little bit more about it.

Here's what Marissa says the book is about.

"Well it starts out when you meet a girl named Cass, a survivalist who is always looking out for threats to her community. There is also a boy named Max-Ernest who hopes to be a stand up comedian. When he goes to test out a joke on her, they surprisingly become friends. While at her grandfather's antique shop Cass overhears a real estate agent who is trying to sell a dead magician's house. At this remark Cass feels a surge of adventure. 

"She confronts Max-Ernest on the matter and they decide to go take a look, which was the worst mistake of their lives. While in the house they find a secret passage with an office inside. While they are snooping around Cass finds a notebook. But then they hear something. It's the real estate agent trying to sell the house to two very 'dazzling' people. 

"Cass and Max-Ernest later find out that these two people are Dr. L and Ms. Mauvis who have kidnapped one of their schoolmates, Benjamin Blake! Will they succeed in recovering him? Or will Dr. L and Ms. Mauvis catch them in the act? Read the book! (This is the first book of the Secret Series)"

What did Marissa like best about the book?

"I liked how the author/narrator told the story. He told it like it was filled with such terrible secrets he just couldn't bear to tell the story. I also liked how it was a mystery."

Was there anything she didn't like?

"Nothing, loved it!" 

So, how did Marissa rate The Name of This Book is Secret, by Pseudonymous Bosch?

She gave it five out of five baby giraffes.