The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Steal the Bolt

What if you are the only person in the Universe who can stop a war that could destroy all of mankind? What if you are the child of one of the big three Greek gods? This may seem like a really cool dream, but it’s a frightening reality for Percy Jackson in The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. On the New York Times Best Seller list, it’s the first book in the series Percy Jackson and the Olympians. You’d definitely want to read this Greek mythology based award winner.

After he’s whisked away to Camp Half-Blood, Percy just wants to save his kidnapped mom. Discovering his dad is Poseidon, he learns that his destiny is to find and return Zeus’s missing lightning bolt. But where could it be? He only has 14 days to find it. Accompanied by Annabeth, daughter of Athena, and Grover, his best friend who’s a satyr, Percy goes on a quest to stop Zeus and Poseidon from starting WWIII. Now that’s a heroic job!

This book has many themes – especially family. Unlike the gods, Percy dearly loves his family (except for his step-dad). All he really cares about his saving his mom from when the Minotaur transported her to somewhere mythical. This shows that he really cares about his mother and he would do anything to save her. It also shows in the movie form of this cool book. Percy sneaks out with Grover and Annabeth to save his mom.

Rick Riordan is a very talented author. He can mix in lots of humor with scary or serious parts, and make it look normal. It’s hard to believe that this isn’t a 15-year-old demigod writing a series of memoirs. You can also tell that Rick Riordan spent a lot of time researching about Greek and mythology. This is a conversation between Percy and Chiron on page 153. It shows that Rick Riordan has done a lot of research, like finding a name in both Greek and English.

“‘The sword has a long and tragic history that we need not go into,’ Chiron told me. ‘Its name is Anaklusmos.’

‘Riptide,’ I translated, surprised the Ancient Greek came so easily.”

Kids can connect with this book even if they’re not the son of Poseidon and trying to stop WWIII. Most kids have probably been teased in school, and you (or the people you know) might be afraid of spiders. Have you had a fortune teller predict your future? Have you ever gone to summer camp? If yes to any of these, you’re already connecting even though you haven’t read the book!

I recommend this book to anybody who likes action, myths, and a fun series.The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan, deserves five out of five stars. Make sure you read this, or else Zeus will be mad!

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

Pentomino Artistico

Only you have the power to stop an art thief influencing the world. Only you can save a precious and world-renown piece of artwork. Only you can stop the four minds working together on this evil plan. Only you can read Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett.

In this artsy exciting mystery, Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay team up to solve an international art theft that they’re in the middle of. But time is ticking. They only have a set of pentominoes, a book about strange occurrences, and odd clues to help find the Vermeer painting. Who’s up to this? Where’s the painting? How can they find it? Follow Petra and Calder to solve this mystery!

One major theme of this book is trust. Petra and Calder have to put away their differences and trust each other if they want to find the beloved Vermeer. Throughout the book you can find times where these two heroes depend on each other.

Has something ever happened to you without reason? Do you like art? Are you somebody who is great with puzzles? Are you up for a good mystery? If yes to any, you’ll be able to connect with this book easily. Have you ever made friends with the opposite gender? Have you ever had a secret symbol with your best friend? Things like this can really help you understand and connect with this book.

I recommend this book to anybody who can connect with the above. Even if you can’t, this is a thrilling page-turner that will keep you up late. Soon enough, you’ll start to suspect everybody around you has stolen a Vermeer. Maybe you’ll even buy a Pentomino set. This book is around 250 pages, including many illustrations by Brett Helquist. So you better read Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett to save your local Vermeer!

No More Dead Dogs by Gordan Korman

Sorry I haven't been updating since forever. Anyway, let's kick off the not-so-new year with a funny realistic fiction novel!

Is honesty really the best policy? For Wallace, it's the only policy. Enter Wallace Wallace, football hero and honest person. Enter No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman, the realist fiction book Wallace stars in.

Wallace Wallace can't tell a lie. So when Mr. Fogleman, his English teacher, assigns a book report for Old Shep, My Pal by Zach Paris, things don't go too well. Wallace hated the book - why did Old Shep, the dog, have to die? For writing an unfavorable book review, this football star earns detention. But it's not just any detention. Wallace must attend the rehearsals for the school play, Old Shep, My Pal. Also, when the play starts to be sabotaged, all fingers point to him. Can Wallace save the play from total doom and from sending the audience to sleep?

Gordon Korman builds lots of suspense in this awesome book. You'd never guess who the new Mango is! Also, the ending is quite a surprise. The author also does a good job keeping the reader interested. Every chapter is hilarious! This book will get you strange looks from your friends, wondering why you're laughing so much and so hard.

I would recommend No More Dead Dogs, by Gordan Korman, to anybody who loves humor. Although it's a light read, this book will keep you up until midnight, guessing who messed up the play and who dumped the pepper on the cast. So go to your nearest Borders or Barnes and Noble to buy it - it's worth every penny.