Kazumi Reads

Plot Summary:
What was supposed to be a simulation turned into a nightmare where the faction known as Abnegation has been obliterated. Tris and Four barely made it out alive with Tris' brother Caleb and two other Dauntless members, Peter and Marcus. After taking refuge in Amity, Tris is hurting and haunted by the the fact that she killed her best friend, Will, and that her parents are dead. Furthermore, she cannot fathom how this simulation turned out into all out war, leaving death and chaos. In fact, in her possession is a hard drive that contains the simulation and footage, which could reveal what happened and why Abnegation had to be destroyed. What's even worse is that the Erudite, led by Jeannine Matthews, is the reason behind the eradication of Abnegation. However, by taking refuge in Amity, things are about to get complicated since Erudite and Amity are close allies and that the remaining of Dauntless have pledged allegiance to Erudite. Rather than allow Erudite to discover their presence, Tris, Four, Caleb, Marcus, Peter, and Abnegation refugees flee Amity to find sanctuary with the Factionless led by none other than Evelyn Johnson...Four's mother. Although they cannot stay with the Factionless, Four and Tris make their way to Candor to discover the rest of Dauntless who continue to protect the remaining members of Abnegation. Struggling with a wounded shoulder, and a broken heart, Tris is slowly slipping away from Four, which not scares her but convinces her that she needs to sacrifice herself to make amends for the death of Will and her parents. What she doesn't realize is that choice she is about to make may not only kill her, but reveal a secret and a plan that could change her world forever.

Critical Evaluation:
I hate to say this but most sequels tend to be the weakest parts of a trilogy, but Insurgence is not one of those sequels. In this book is the aftermath of an attack that, apparently, was bound to happen. What readers realize is that the leaders of the different factions weren't selected by their peers, but placed in those positions for a reason. For Tris, her parents death has left her pondering about their past because we learned, in the first book, that her own mother wasn't born into Abnegation and, in this book, we learn that her father was not born in Abnegation as well. What we learn is that Jeannine Matthews has a diabolical plan to create a simulation that could bring an end to the Divergents' immunity to simulations. Clearly, Matthews is afraid of something because why slaughter the leaders of a faction who information about the outside world? A lot of questions are coming from the woodwork and Tris and the rest of her companions have to figure out what exactly is going because she has something, or someone else, to fear: Evelyn, Four's mother. As the leader of the Factionless, she has her own agenda to unite the factions, which sounds pretty close to installing a dictatorship. What's even more frustrating, Four is actually starting to trust his mother after learning that she did not abandon him to his abusive father, Marcus; Marcus knows something that he is not telling and Tris is going to do everything in her power to make him tell her. What we didn't expect in the end is that chaos is about to ensnare the people and the question is: will the follow the example that has been set before them. This sequel is riveting and  there are plenty of unexpected moments that will leave readers speechless. I can't wait for the next book!!!

Information about the Author:
According to the book jacket of Divergent:

Veronica Roth graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in creative writing. While she was a student, she often chose to worn on a story that would become Divergent instead of doing her homework. It was indeed a transforming choice. Now a full-time writer, Ms. Roth lives near Chicago. Divergent is her first Novel.

Genre:
Teen Dystopian Thriller


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up
 

Books Similar to Insurgent:

• Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
• Sapphique by Catherine Fisher

Awards & Recognition:

From Amazon.com

“The next big thing.” (Rolling Stone )

“Roth knows how to write. The novel’s love story, intricate plot, and unforgettable setting work in concert to deliver a novel that will rivet fans of the first book.” (Publishers Weekly )

“In this addictive sequel to the acclaimed Divergent,a bleak post-apocalyptic Chicago collapses into all-out civil war. Another spectacular cliffhanger. Anyone who read the first book was dying for this one months ago; they’ll hardly be able to wait for the concluding volume.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“Insurgent explores several critical themes, including the importance of family and the crippling power of grief at its loss. A very good read.” (School Library Journal ) 

Hello, everyone:

I just wanted to apologize for the lack of book reviews! October kicked off one of the busiest times at the Alhambra Civic Center Library, which has kept me away from my blogging duties. Not to mention, a horrible bout of Bronchitis would do anyone in so that is yet another reason why I haven't been able to pick up book, let alone blog. Well, excuses excuses. I am glad to report I am at 95% maximum power (still have a little cough) and I am getting ready to dive into a few books. I don't think I will reach my goal of 100 books this year, but there is always next year. I wanted to wish all of the viewers a Happy Thanksgiving and much happiness this holiday season! Talk soon!

~Deb

 

Blankets for Vets & Project Linus
Thursday, November 8
3PM
Reese Hall

 Celebrate the Thanksgiving season by giving back to those in need. Join us for an afternoon of no sew fleece blanket making where every blanket will be donated to Veterans of the Armed Services and Project Linus, a nonprofit organization that provides sick children with blankets. 

No registration required. 

Plot Summary:
For Charles Nukid, the "new kid" at Scary School, he has no idea that his new school would be filled with monsters. On his first day, not only was he almost eaten by the giant squid that guards Scary School, he literally falls onto the lap of  Ms. T. Rex, a Tyrannosaurs Rex in a blue dress who also has a tendency to eat children when hungry. Unfortunately for Charles, he shows up wearing the "official" uniform, which lands him in detention by Mr. Spider Eyes, the hall monitor, for not wearing the unofficial official school uniform. For Charles, he lives his life by following the rules and when he doesn't it plagues him with never ending guilt (i.e., by not sleeping for a whole month because he didn't go to bed on time). When Ms. T. Rex tells him that she doesn't abide by the rules, even though she is a teacher, he starts to wonder what kind of crazy school is he attending.  However, Mrs. Fang, his 850 year-old vampire teacher, is the nicest teacher any kid could ask for. In fact, she only ate 12 kids last year so that's pretty good for most of the teachers at Scary School. As Charles adapts to his new school, he is about to experience something quite horrifying: Scary School has been nominated for this year's Ghoul Games. The object of the games is that everyone must compete in a game of their choice. For Charles, his favorite game is video games and he is confident he will prevail. Not only is this Charles' first games, it's the first games to allow human children to participate, which means that mortal children will be competing against ghouls, monsters, vampires, and ghosts. What is important about these games is that if Scary School wins, they will not only get a trip to Albania to meet the Monster King, they will finally be recognized as the only school to have both human and monster students. However, Mr. Wolfbark, Principal Headcrusher's former teacher, and huge opponent to monster-human school integration, has news that changes the game: the winner of the games must eat the losers. For the human students at Scary School, this is an event they will never forget. 


Critical Evaluation:
This book really was a lot of fun to read. Not only does it teach a valuable lesson about acceptance, the dead pan comedy outweighs the scariness of Scary School. Charles is a bit of a geek who probably doesn't get out much, but, in many ways, Scary School will force him out of his comfort zone and realize that some rules are meant to be broken. The teachers at Scary School are just hysterical. I just love that if a child (human or monster) puts one pinky toe out of line, they could be severely hurt or eaten. For example, Dr. Dragonbreath's class did not obey him at all and what did he do? He ate the entire class. Although teachers aren't supposed to eat their students, they just can't help themselves because of their monster nature and the students quickly become mindful of their behavior. Furthermore, the idea of integrating human and monster kids is a brilliant idea because both species have a lot to offer one another, especially when they are asked to team up and help one another. I also love the fact that the narrator of the story, and eleven-year-old ghost named Derek, actually befriends Charles and keeps him out of the belly of Dr. Dragonbreath's tummy. Principal Headscrusher is the driving force behind integration because not only was she the only human at the AAAAAHHHHH!!cademy, she knew what it was like to be an outcast because she is human. Her mission will not only teach students about acceptance, but respect the fact that we are all different and no species better than the other. However, her nemesis, and former teacher, happens to be the purist with a grudge against humanity who not only wants to see the demise of Scary School, but the end of integration. Personally, this is a heavy lesson for young people to learn, but Derek Kent shows the ridiculousness of segregation with over the top characterizations and diabolical schemes that makes this way of thinking beyond silly and comedic. All of the human, and monster, students come with a very different set of skills and ideas that will not only allow Scary School to thrive, but, possibly, earn them the Ghoul Games. 

Information about the Author:
According to his website:

Derek is an eleven-year-old ghost who haunts the classrooms and hallways of Scary School, writing down all the spine-tingling often hilarious things that go on there. Despite his ghostly state, Derek still enjoys reading comic books and hopes to one day become a master ninja. If that doesn’t work out, he will continue to share the fun of this very special, very secret school, so all kids can experience the scariest school on earth. Derek the Ghost communicates through the first-time ghost whisperer Derek Taylor Kent, who is a writer and performer in Los Angeles, California.

Genre:
Tween Humor


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 4-6

Books Similar to Scary School:

• Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis Sachar
• My Sister the Vampire by Sienna Mercer

Awards & Recognition:

From Amazon.com:
“For fans of the Wayside and Bailey School series, the Zack Files, [and] Ghostville Elementary.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“[T]his is a laugh-out-loud offering that should find a broad and appreciative audienceamong boys and girls alike.” (Booklist )