Adventure
Brother in the Land
Author: Robert Swindells
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
Did you know that there have been about 14,500 main wars as far as we know? In those wars about 4 billion people were killed! My book was about what life would be like after a nuclear war. A war was like being lost. You don't know how to react or what to do. The main character only had his little brother and a girl he met named Kim. Think about all that responsibility. What would you do if you had no food and no parents to take care of you? The main character was named Danny, and was almost killed several times. Imagine someone lurking in the corner waiting to kill you. That's how it felt all the time. In fact, even though Danny took special care of his brother he still died. Would you survive in a world like this, and how? It's strange what a war can do; but what if you were alone?
The Iceberg Hermit
Author: Arthur Roth
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
In the novel The Iceberg Hermit Arthur Roth writes about never loosing hope by describing a boy who is forced to survive on an iceberg with little supplies and no shelter. Although some people label this book as being an "acquired taste", it generally appeals to most people because there is so much to learn about life and what it has to teach. The main characters are always being dismayed to the extent that even though there might be someone who could help them the people turn their backs and make no effort at all. But most amazing is no matter how times they get turned down they still manage to succeed. Throughout this book you learn about so many instances where the characters were forced to improvise with essentials of living, which others would have given up on. I recommend you should read this for an adventure.
The Iceberg Hermit
Author: Arthur Roth
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
In the novel The Iceberg Hermit, Arthur Roth writes about how to live in nature by describing a boy abandoned on an island and his desperate search to survive. This book is full of adventure and excitement. The author creates so many details that you can not only picture it in your head it's also so incredible that it's like it's real. Another good thing about this book is that it teaches the reader a lot, not only about nature, but also how you can survive on your own. Some parts are especially exciting, that you don't want to put the book down until you finish. The point that the author hopes to get across is if you believe in yourself and don't give up, you'll be able to cope with tough times which cross your path. Jump into this book and you won't regret it!
U.S.S Seawolf
Author: Patrick Robinson
Reviewer's Age: Grade 10
The Chinese have created a new Xia class sub, capable of launching missiles to the U.S. In response the U.S. deploys its newest sub, the U.S.S Seawolf. What follows is a riveting game of chicken between the two subs, which result in the crew's capture. Now the U.S. must rescue its soldiers and its precious sub. I liked the book because it had an excellent story line. Its plot took dramatic turns, leaving you wondering and hesitant to put the book down. The dialogue between characters is fantastic, and the author's attention to detail in his words keeps you on the edge. He describes the intensity and nervousness of the situations so well, that the reader feels that they are actually there. Because the author is a former sailor, he is very good at describing the reality, harshness, but at the same time, honor of fighting for your country.
Brian's Winter
Author: Gary Paulsen
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
What would you do if you were stranded in the middle of the woods with no idea what to do? Brian's Winter is a fantastic book that tells about the conflict between man and nature. In this story a thirteen-year old boy faces many struggles with animals as well as getting food, water and shelter. For example: it's about two in the morning and you hear a growl followed by the heavy stomping of feet. Suddenly an entire wall of your shelter falls over. You see a huge black bear towering over you. What would you do? This is just one of the conflicts Brian faces. This book makes you feel like you're in the story as Brian. You can hear all his thoughts and see all his action. The author also tells you all his feelings and detail about the surroundings. Brian's Winter is one of the best books I ever read.
Brian's Winter
Author: Gary Paulsen
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
You're all alone in the northern Canadian woods, memories of the plane crash wandering through your mind. All you have to survive is a solitary hatchet, and your knowledge of that summer in the wilderness. Will you make it out alive? Or will you suffer the cruel fate of a northern winter? Brian survived. In this book written by Gary Paulsen, it tells the story of what would have happened if Brian hadn't been rescued the previous summer in his other award winning book Hatchet. Be with Brian as he explored the woods, learning about nature. See him revel in glory as he slays three animals with the same arrow. Learn of his discovery of snowshoes and his first moose kill. If you enjoy books that take you to distant places and make you feel that you're really there, then Brian's Winter will be at the top of your list.
Adaline Falling Star
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
In the novel Adaline Falling Star, Mary Pope Osborne writes about surviving in nature by describing a girl trying to get home alone in the wilderness. I thought this book was excellent. It showed me that even a child can survive in nature. If you stick to it, you will be OK. Adaline was very lifelike because the author described her very well. She seemed like a regular kid, just like me. I think she was scared and worried in some parts of the book. I would be scared too. I think the basic moral of this book is that you should always take care of nature because nature can help you. When Adaline had cuts she used the knowledge of her Indian tribe, the Arapahos, to heal her cuts with things from nature. From this, I leaned that nature can be very useful to survive.
Black Star, Bright Dawn
Second place winner, Belmont Teen Read Week Book Review Contest 2002 Prize: $10 gift certificate for Newbury Comics
Author: Scott O'Dell
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
When Scott O'Dell wrote his novel Black Star, Bright Dawn he wrote about a girl's rugged trip in the Iditarod. Scott O'Dell thoroughly explains the unexpected twists of the rough trail and still makes the reader love the dogs. The best part of this book was how detailed it was. It seemed like every other page described the snow on the trail. Whether it was a crisp and new or slushy and gross, O'Dell would explain it so that it felt like you were there on the sled racing the most prestigious sled dog race. The details were especially amazing when it came to surprising the reader. A moose was kept as a shadowy figure until you were told of it's red gleaming eyes. When you pick this book up to read you feel like you're on the trail with the team up until you cross the finish line.
Island of the Blue Dolphins
First place winner, Belmont Teen Read Week Book Review Contest 2002 Prize: $25 gift certificate for Newbury Comics
Author: Scott O'Dell
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
In his novel, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Scott O'Dell writes about the calm and acceptingness of human nature in the face of unimaginable adversity by describing how Karana managed to survive alone (except for her dog Rontu and her pet birds) on a remote windswept little island for 18 years. It is a really moving story to read, and is near impossible to put down (I read it in about 4 hours). It was almost never dull or predictable, and things often ended out different ways than what the reader expects (judging from my view, as I never asked anybody else. Why on earth would I?) I learned a lot about human nature from this story, such as how Karana hates the wild dogs, but saves their leader's life when she saw him helpless because of her own weapons. The most memorable parts in the story are probably when Karana and Rontu find a cave full of likenesses of her ancestors (Karana's not Rontu's, even though that is pretty obvious), and are stuck there for hours, and the part when she battles a devilfish (octopus) to keep her food, and when Rontu dies... there are too many memorable parts. The whole BOOK is memorable. I personally think that Karana's little brother Ramo is very lifelike and believable, very much like my own annoying sister. I think that the lesson of the story is this: Do not try to change an awful fate. If you are unable to change it, face it and accept it, and it may not end up so terrible after all.
Kim
Author: Rudyard Kipling
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
The novel Kim by Rudyard Kipling is one of the best books I have ever read. It talks about how most things worth finding take the longest to find by describing the journeys of a white boy in India who was raised by an Indian woman. It has drama, comedy, and a very interesting plot. The drama when Kim gets separated from the Lama (holy man). The comedy when Kim's plans go into play (like when Kim learns the information about the 8000 men being sent to war and confuses people because the orders have not yet been given and nobody else knows this information). The turn of the plot with the Lama paying 300 Rupees for Kim's English schooling and Mahbub Ali taking Kim back to the army. This book was a bit hard to understand at my reading level but was most enjoyable.
River Thunder
Author: Will Hobbs
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
In the novel River Thunder, Will Hobbs writes about what people take for granted in nature, by describing how the main character Jessie overcomes her conflict with Troy to successfully run the Colorado River. Overall, by connecting with nature and overcoming human conflict, Jessie is able to row her group well and defeat the hardest rapids on the Colorado. Jessie becomes very determined to "win" against the Colorado River early in the novel, and her focus becomes better than ever. For the most part, Jessie's focus is unbroken on the Grand Canyon. I believe this connection with nature is stronger than anything a human can process alone. The novel was realistic, though, in that Jessie's concentration was interrupted by human conflict at various parts in River Thunder. Will Hobb's message about life makes River Thunder a strong novel: better things than our daily lives lie in nature.
Ghost Canoe
Author: Will Hobbs
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
In the novel Ghost Canoe, Will Hobbs writes about the consequences of greed by describing how the main character, Nathan McCallister, thwarts the evil and mysterious Kane's plan to find buried treasure. Though it is not the most original plot and premise, this book was very entertaining, it managed to pull off combining elements of mystery, suspense, determination, redemption, adventure, and friendship into one enthralling book. Despite a few dry spots, most of the time I was reluctant to put this book down. I especially like the way the author portrayed the friendship between two of the main characters and how they overcame their differences. I agree with what the author is saying about greed and how it will eventually lead to misery. Not just for yourself but for others. I suggest than anyone in search of a good book to swing by their local library and pick this up.
Far North
Author: Will Hobbs
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
In the book Far North, Will Hobbs writes about how nature shows your character, by showing how two boys and a man fight for their lives in the Northwest Territories, throughout the winter. My impression of Far North is that it is a good book. This book gives you a story that seems so believable and unbelievable at the same time. The situation seems like no one could ever get stranded in the Northwest Territories, especially in winter. However, when Will Hobbs describes the characters, they seem so real, like you have known them for many years. The book foreshadowed in some parts and not in others. I think the foreshadowing made the book more enjoyable for me. The theme of this book is that nature unfolds your true self, by showing what a 'normal person' would do in this dangerous situation.
Far North
Author: Will Hobbs
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
In the novel Far North, Will Hobbs writes about the trust and friendship of two boys by describing how they live together for many months in the Canadian wilderness. Far North is a riveting story and there is never a dull moment in this book. Every time it seemed like the characters had gotten through a hard time, or when things were going well, another obstacle always threw itself in front of the boys. But they were very lucky because an aged man named Johnny Raven, a relative of one of the boys, was there to help them out through thick or thin. Will Hobbs is an amazing writer and I would highly recommend any of his wonderful books.
Down River
Author:Will Hobbs
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
When was the last time you read a novel with suspensful adventure? Have you lately sat down to read for a few minutes and ended up reading for hours? I did last week when I read Down River. It's about seven misfits who are sent to an outdoor education center. They steal the instructor's car, heading for the raging rapids of the Grand Canyon. There's Jessie who's sent to the program by her dad; Star, a soft homeless girl; Adam a clown at heart; and Rita, the leader of a ring of bank robberies. You couldn't forget Freddy, the navigator, and two tough guys, Troy and Pug. This story has close brushes with death, fun, and excitement. Towards the end, there's a dangerous dispute, which causes much chaos. There are huge surprises that turn the trip into a disaster. Down River will make you hold onto your seat.
Frightful's Mountain
Author: Jean Craighead George
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
Survival of the fittest, what comes to mind? Have you ever thought what it would be like to live in the woods? Come experience this life on Frightful's Mountain. It is an adventure waiting to be taken through the pages. Sam Gibly and his trained Peregrine falcon Frightful survive in the wilderness of the Catskill Mountains as they confront the challenges that nature holds. When Frightful is taken away because Sam doesn't have a license to own a falcon, Frightful must survive on her own. Raised by a human and sheltered from the wilderness, Frightful must fend for herself. As she evolves more and more into a wild falcon, she still feels loyal to Sam and is determined to find him. Regardless of what happens, you will find this a great and exciting book full of action and suspense.
My Side of the Mountain
Author: Jean Craighead George
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
How would you like it if you could leave your chaotic life to move to a peaceful place? That's what Sam Gribley thought. My Side of Mountain is an adventure novel about a boy named Sam who's fed up with city life so he decides to run away to the Catskill Mountains in N.Y. Sam meets a lot of interesting characters along his journey. Some of the characters he meets are the Barron weasel and Sam's beloved falcon Frightful. While it's springtime a lady comes to pick strawberries and she and Sam have a long conversation. When Sam's father comes to visit he brings news article clippings of a suspected "wild boy" he immediately knows that it was the strawberry picking lady. If you like this book, which I'd rate five stars, try On the Far Side of the Mountain or Frightful's Mountain, which are in the same series.
My Side of the Mountain
Author: Jean Craighead George
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
In the novel My Side of Mountain, Jean Craighead George writes about the difficulties of living in nature by describing how a 15-year-old boy survives on his own in the Catskill mountains. The most believable aspect of this book is the way the animals are described. It seems as if they can jump out of the book and talk. Jean Craighead George assigns each animal a different personality. She does this without ever making it seem as if the animals are unreal. The author describes how each animal moves until they come alive. The animals all "talk" to the main character, and they "say" things that they would probably say if they could talk.
Incident at Hawk's Hill
Author: Allan Eckert
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
In the novel Incident at Hawk's Hill, Allan Eckert writes about how a little kid survives in the wilderness of a prairie for most of a summer with a wild badger by describing how the badger gets him food and the way they're attached to each other. The female badger and Ben are especially realistic because of the way Ben becomes inhuman like and the way the female badger adopts him after losing all four of her babies. It was especially emotional when she comes to Ben's house to protect Ben from his parents; this clearly shows she adopted Ben as her child. This book was very exciting because of the way it builds suspense slowly over time. Then, after a while, after you're totally suspicious, it suddenly jumps out at you. It also has interesting facts about the prairie's wildlife. It's not scary, so everybody should read it.
Robinson Crusoe
Author: Daniel Defoe
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
In the novel Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe writes about taking chances and their consequences by describing how Robinson Crusoe's life changes from one bad decision by going off sailing agaist his father's will, and to his dismay he faces the negative effects. Dull and predictable is how I would describe this book. As an account of Robinson's journey of surviving alone, he does not describe well or come up with good solutions to his poverty. Once Robinson starts a journal everything is quite boring. He writes unthorough thoughts about his encounters and doesn't have to work hard to survive at all. Predictability comes easily to the reader when all Robinson does for a while is get food, and find out how to maintain those sources. Finally, by the end of the book Robinson is befriended by a companion with whom he ventures on the island and sea
Dragon
Author: Clive Cussler
Reviewer's Age: Grade 12
I'd rate this book an overall 9.5. If you like reading books about characters like James Bond, then you'll love this book. It starts out fast, with action on the second page. Once you get into it, you won't put it down. At least I couldn't. Dragon is about a man named Dirk Pitt and his friend, Al Giordino. The book starts in 1945. Two US B-29 bombers take off headed for Japan. Each plane has an atomic bomb on board. As we know only one gets through to drop the bomb. Then in 1993 in the Pacific, a Japanese cargo ship going to the US suddenly vaporizes, taking with it a Norwegian ship. The Japanese have developed a weapon that can destroy the western power. Dirk Pitt is forced to battle samurai and killer robots designed by the technologically advanced Japanese. If you like action thrillers, than this is a great summer read for you. (542 pages)
Note: Clive Cussler wrote a number of other books including Shock Wave, Inca Gold, Sahara, Treasure, Cyclops, Deep Six, Raise the Titanic, Iceberg, The Mediterranean Caper, Flood Tide, Atlantis Found, and Fire Ice, his newest book.
The Red Horseman
Author: Stephen Coonts
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
The book I read was The Red Horseman by Stephen Coonts. This is one of the greatest pieces of fiction written in the twentieth century. This book is about a hero Jake Grafton, and how he is assigned to go to Russia and check out the missing nuclear warheads and make sure they do not fall in Saddam Hussein's hands. As events transpire the KGB, for some unknown reason, blows up a nuclear power plant. Jake's mission is to figure out why the KGB did this and stop the nuclear warheads so they do not get into terrorist hands. I really like this book because of the characters like Toad Tarkington and Jake Grafton. They are potrayed in their true light as men working for the good of America and the world. The Red Horseman is an action packed novel that moves the reader.
Williwaw
Author: Tom Bodett
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
Have you read a good book lately that keeps you up all night? Williwaw, written by Tom Bodett, is a real page-turner. It makes you feel like one of the realistic characters, September, a thirteen-year-old responsible girl, or her twelve-year-old brother, Ivan who's addicted to video games. The two children are home alone in the Alaskan wilderness while their father is away. They are continuously faced with the choice of following their father, or taking things into their own hands. They get into a jam that gets worse as they try to get out of it. They end up breaking all the rules their father gives them in the process. It's an unusual problem, yet realistic that includes nature. Now there's an excuse. If you want a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this is the book for you!
Williwaw
Author: Tom Bodett
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
In the novel Williwaw, Tom Bodett writes about the consequences of lying by describing what happens to two children when one lie they tell gets out of control. This novel has many important lessons in it. One that I'd like to focus on is to never play games with nature. The kids did not take the ocean's signs of a storm seriously. Instead, they went to a friend's birthday party. I think this is really realistic because if you asked the average child if they would rather stay at a friend's party or go home because the sky looked like a storm was on its way I bet they would stay at the party. In the book, that small decision almost took the lives of four people. This book has taught me to be serious with nature and to always think twice before making decisions.
Face to Face
Author: Marion Dane Bauer
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
In the novel Face to Face, Marion Dane Bauer writes about the unpredictability of life by describing how the main character thinks he will get through things and how he should keep his options open. There was very good and descriptive writing in this book. Like when Michael [the main character] gets his bolt action .22 rifle for his birthday from his stepdad. The author describes it well. It was brown, with a black scope, the size .22 bullet, and the black barrel. Also when his dad, his girl friend Cil, and Michael went river rafting in Colorado. The current of the water, the color of the water, the rock, and just the movement of everything. Then when they were camping in the woods. The size of the trees and the woods.
Backwater
Author: Joan Bauer
Reviewer's Age: Grade 7
Would you like to go on a thrilling adventure? One not only that takes you through the Adirondack Mountains, but also through your own mind? Then read Backwater, by Joan Bauer. Backwater has important themes such as individuality and strong family bonds. The author also made beautifully crafted characters ranging from Ivy, a shy, passive, easy to tolerate teenager; to Mountain Mama, a loud, humorous mountain guide. As well as unique characters, Joan Buaer has a rich, detailed writing style. A passage from the book reads: "The wind crashed through the trees surrounding the cabin, causing them to crack and bend with the wind. It rattled the windows, seemed to throb through the log walls. I went back to bed, curled in the covers, listening to the huge, moving trees as snow pounded the mountain." Take the Backwater adventure and then suggest that others "check it out" too!