Anime by Jazmyn

I am writing about anime, which is an animated medium of cartoons from Japan. Most people think cartoons and anime are all the same but they aren’t. Anime is usually made for teens, while cartoons are made for children. The reason why anime is meant for older viewers is because children might not understand some of the situations that happen in most anime. Other reasons that anime is for older audiences are that most anime has violent and dramatic scenes that might not be suitable for younger viewers. An example of a dramatic situation would be in the graphic novel Black Bird the characters deal with relationship problems, such as a love triangle.

I really like anime because of the graphic design, but all anime does not have the same design. The designs differ because they are all by different people; therefore, they’re unique in their own way. Another reason why I like anime is that there are a lot of genres to pick from, like action and fantasy. Anime is mostly about the plot or the storyline, but anime authors and illustrators also put a lot of work and detail into the characters so you can understand their personalities. A character I really like is Rei Miyamoto from High School of the Dead because I understand how she felt when she lost one of her best friends when a zombie apocalypse broke out. If that happened in the real world, I would be very upset, and I think I would feel the same as Rei did.

By the time you’re done reading my blog post, I hope you would like to give anime a try and experience it in your own way.

End of Days Book Review By McKenzie

I am writing about the book End Of Days by Eric Walters. It's about the world coming to an end by an asteroid that will hit them in less than a year. The book switches perspectives between the scientists and this little boy named Billy who lives in New York. Billy has created his own little society in an abandoned apartment building that has roughly around 200 people in it. In anticipation of the asteroid's impact, the people of the world have already gone mad because of their knowledge of the world's destruction. Policemen were sent out to find Billy after he had committed a crime, but the police are not interested in what will happen to Billy; they just want the reward that is given to them if they find him.

I really like this story because of the intensity surrounding the plot and Billy's character. Billy has so much on his shoulders, but he still manages to resist what is going on around him. He is strong in general, and he lost his parents at such a young age, which also makes him stronger as a person. He thinks of other people before himself. At this facility he is in, he has no friends and he is a bit lonely and confused. Despite the overwhelming atmosphere, he still seems to push through everything, and he becomes stronger every day.

One of the themes of this novel is perseverance, which is shown when they try nearly everthing to save humanity, but they never give up even if it comes with struggles. I think this is reflected in the scientists because the scientists are also doing everthing in their power to make sure that the rockets they sent up into space stay on track for that period of time. They continue to work on a solution, even though people are trying to kill them or something on the rockets goes wrong. They even face criticism from religious people who feel that God wants all this to happen.

Billy also perserveres by never giving up on trying to get back home. Some challenges Billy faces are escaping the electric fence around the facility, resisting guards, and surviving the troubles of the wilderness if he did make it out. He said in the book that he would do anything to make it back to his family in New York, even if it took his own life. He doubts that he will ever make it out of the facility, but he still sees the point in trying to return home.

I recommend this book for anybody who enjoys action and adventure, a great story with interesting characters, and some heartfelt moments.

House of Night Novels Review by Chris

I am reviewing the House of Night novels by PC and Kristin cast. The novels are about a 15 year old girl with brown hair blue eyes named Zoey. She lives in Florida in a small town, and the novel mostly takes place in her high school. The challenge she faces is that she is unknowingly turning into a vampire. Sunlight becomes a problem for her, her eyes go black when she craves blood, and her hearing is heightened so she is more aware of high pitched noises like the bell and dog whistles. Zoey is in a society where humans are aware that vampires exist. She is not accepted in her normal school, so she has to move away to a vampire school, where she will feel comfortable in her own skin and make new friends and live a new life.

What I like about the first House of Night novel is that it is not too romantic, and it has got a basis in real life. It is not too outrageously violent and gory, but it has got the just right amount to make it interesting. The book relates to real situations today, even though vampires aren’t real. There is an episode in the book when it describes how humans know that vampires are real and they have their own society. In reality, kids face those types of situations, like not being accepted into certain groups that they think they would fit in. I also like how there were a lot of cliff-hangers that kept me reading, and I also liked the small details the authors put into the novel, such as when Zoey goes into class the book tells what they’re learning about and what they talk about. If this sounds interesting, I would recommend this book for you.

Have You Ever Felt Left Out? By Andrew

I am Andrew, and I’m reading a book called The Perks of Being a Wallflower. In this book there is a boy named Charlie, and he writes letters to the reader talking about himself and what has happened in his life. This book demonstrates the meaning of friendship, and it also explains how people are different and that you should accept that. I like this book because Charlie is just a regular kid, although his friend has died and he is trying different ways to fit in with others. His family does not have the best relationship with each other, but they try to get along.

Friendship is when you have a good relationship with someone, and you both like each other and would do anything for each other. To Charlie, friendship means to connect to someone and having the same likes and dislikes. He discovers this meaning when he meets Patrick and Sam at a football game. They become friends with each other after they get to know each other.

This book is a great book because the author leaves people on the edge of their seat to know what happens in the next chapter. It is weird that it only has five chapters, and each chapter is about four to six letters that Charlie writes. I think what would make this book better is if the author would make more chapters and have Charlie talk more about his friends ,because he really only talks about his life and not really about his family member’s lives.

If you’re reading this, I would recommend this book to you because it has great themes, and it is written from different peoples perspectives. The themes are most appropriate for a teen audience, but they should still be acceptable for a mature reader.

The Fellowship of the Ring: Part 1 of the Lord of the Ring By Aadyn

The Fellowship of the Ring is the first book of the epic Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R.Tolkien. This is a well written book and a good read, although it can be challenging.

In The Fellowship of the Ring, a young hobbit by the name of Frodo Baggins is entrusted with the task of bringing the ruling Ring of Power to the cracks of Mount Doom in the land of Mordor. The story explains that the ring was forged by Lord Sauron, and it can only be destroyed from the place it was made. This fellowship is the only thing that prevents the dark lord’s dominion!

The story begins in a sleepy village in a place called the Shire, where Bilbo Baggins (Frodo Baggins’ uncle) celebrates his 111^th birthday. Bilbo passes down his ring to Frodo, and Frodo must leave the Shire before evil has crept back into the west and much that once existed has been lost.

I find this book to be very descriptive. You can really picture the story like it is a running movie in your head. You can see the old fords of the shire, the tall and wise trees in the valley of Rivendell, and the large bold Misty Mountains, a place where the dwarfs use to dwell.

I also like the variety of powerful words that J.R.R.Tolkien uses, such as argent (silver), eaves (the fringe of a forest), and boon (a gift). One thing I found difficult at times was keeping track of the family lineage of the Hobbits in the Shire, because there are many relationships in The Lord of the Rings.

I recommend that people read this book and really try to visualize the scenery that Tolkien describes of Middle Earth. Although Tolkien’s words can be tricky and uncommon in normal tongue, I think that persevering thought the difficulties is worth the reward.

Click to see what Tolkien books are available in the JRC library

About R.L. Stine and His Book Heads, You Lose (Goosebumps Horrorland #15) By Paige

R.L. STINE is the author of many children‘s books. He has written different series like Hall of Horrors, Goosebumps, and Goosebumps Horrorland. Mr. Stine also has some movies and cartoons based on his books. In Goosebumps Horrorland, R.L. Stine has many different children featured in his stories; for instance, Mickey and Amanda were featured in his newest book Heads, You Lose. This story is about a girl named Mickey who thinks she is being haunted because wherever she goes she is seeing people with no heads! Mickey is a fun tomboy.  She is very courageous and loves to go on many adventures. Mickey is an incredible character. She steps out of her league to get the heads to stop appearing places and for her family and friends to have heads again.

I like this book because if you change the names of the characters to your own, it feels like you’re going on that adventure. I felt like I went on that adventure because when I went down my stairs I could imagine that my parents had no head. That made me scream really hard. I would recommend this book because it is fun to pretend that you are in that story. The end of each chapter in this book leaves you hanging, which makes you want to keep reading. So, please try and read this book without losing...your head!

Click here to visit Heads, You Lose on Goodreads.com

Click here to see what Goosebumps titles are available in the June Rose Callwood Library

Is J.R.R. Tolkien Sexist? By Glenna

In The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien has a major lack of female characters. Whether it was because of the time he wrote it, or because it is just pure sexism, I feel this is wrong.

The Bagginses were said to have been "very respectable people," and they were the type to always follow a strict schedule. On the other hand, there's the Tooks. The Tooks are described as a hobbit clan that often disappeared and went on adventures.

Tolkien says, "Tooks were not as respectable as the Bagginses, though undoubtedly richer."

Bilbo's father was a Baggins and his mother, Belladonna, was a Took. As you will notice, Belladonna is a woman being portrayed as irresponsible. The Took side of Bilbo is supposedly a "bad" trait to have.

Why is it that Tolkien made Belladonna seem naive and foolish?

Besides Gollum's grandmother, Belladonna is the only female character.

When Bilbo and the dwarfs got captured by the wood elves, they became prisoners of the Elven King. Why couldn't he be a she? I don't see why the rulers are always men. Maybe Tolkien stereotyped women as weak, considering that around when the book was written, men viewed females as delicate and powerless. Yet there were Queens before Tolkien wrote The Hobbit.

I personally read a lot of Manga/Anime which happens to be the exact opposite of The Hobbit. Women often take the lead role, proving to young girls that women are both strong and independent.

As a female, I definitely don't support Tolkien's decision to have few female roles. Manga/Anime has a much better balance of both sexes.

Aren't women and men supposed to be equal?

See if The Hobbit is in the June Rose Callwood Library
  

My Story: The Trenches: Billy's View By Ethan

I am reviewing a book called My Story: The Trenches: Billy Stevens, The Western Front 1914-1918 by Jim Eldridge. In this book, an underage boy named Billy Stevens goes into war and gets injured. He is sent to a General’s office until his wounds heal, and if he says a word of what goes on he will be shot for treason. I believe the author’s main massage is that there is a reason for the age limit to go in the army. Also, some war stories aren’t always fun like this one. This book is unique because a very young man is in the army, which is wrong because that’s too intense for a young person like himself.

I would recommend this book because it is a harsh, but thrilling story. Also it really goes into detail with World War I, and it was all true. It is harsh because Billy and his best friend were split up, and Billy does not know if he’s dead or not so he’s afraid for his friend. It is thrilling because Billy’s friend’s uncle is mining under the Russian and German lines and filling that mine with bombs. If you like this review you would probably like the book. It can be found at your local June Rose Callwood library. So check it out!

Click here to see if this book is available at the June Rose Callwood library.

My First Book Review by Mikayla

I am reviewing Never Do Anything, Ever, a book form the series Dear Dumb Diary by Jim Benton. This book is about a girl named Jamie and her friend in middle school. In this book, Jamie tells us what has happened to her throughout the month. Also, the book is about what she likes to do; for example, Jamie and Isabella support an online charity this month. Her experiences are often funny. The author shares with us that you should be yourself. Jamie is jealous of Angeline, Jamie's neighbour and classmate, because she's smarter than Jamie. By the end of the book, Jamie realizes that she can do lots of neat things.

I liked this book because it's interesting. My favourite things about the book are the funny pictures and Jamie the main character. My favourite thing about Jamie is that she's goofy. If you like books that are humourous, then you will like this book too.

Check to see if Dear Dumb Diary is in the JRC library

Good-Bye To The Hobbit Hole By Aadyn

Good-bye to the comfortable Hobbit hole, and so Bilbo Baggins' adventure begins in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. The story is about Bilbo, Gandalf the Grey, and a band of Dwarves in an epic quest to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug, a large and very dangerous dragon. The story takes place in the second age of Middle Earth at a time of peace. This is a prelude to The Lord of the Rings, another exciting adventure story by J.R.R. Tolkien. The Hobbit is now a major motion picture coming out December 14th, 2012. Watch The Hobbit trailer here.

I enjoy the book because it is a story of long ago at a time when languages and letters were quite different, a time where men drew swords and fought for honour between Elves, Dwarves, and Orcs. I recommend this book for people with a taste for adventure and a love of languages.

How Do You Learn To Be Courageous? By Mr. Durston

Only in the Movies

Courage is a virtue. It gives you the ability to stand up for yourself. It gives you the resources to live your life how you want. Some people say that there can be no true happiness without courage. Sorry, but I do not make the rules. If you ever want to learn how to be courageous, William Bell will give you an education in his Red Maple Award winning novel Only in the Movies. The story is about a boy named Jake Blanchard who discovers at the age of twelve that he wants to become a movie scriptwriter, after he watches a film being shot in his local park. The difficulty for Jake is in turning his desire into his reality.

Jake's story can show you what being courageous requires. The novel models a young man learning how to pursue the subjects he wants to in school, even though he may disappoint his parents in the process. Jake must also travel to a new school to learn screenwriting, a school where he experiences even more challenges in his schoolwork. Finally, Jake must learn to crawl across that rocky road called love. Now before you freak out and click away from this blog post, thinking to yourself "I'm not gonna read any book about love!", give me one chance to convince you otherwise. First off, the book is laugh out loud funny. Jake repeatedly tries to win the beautiful Alba's adoration in what can only be called a slapstick comedy of errors. But when Jake falls, he picks himself up again with the help of his best friend Vanni, a girl he meets at school who also happens to have the biggest nose he has ever seen. Jake and Vanni make a wonderful and memorable team in trying to help Jake find the courage he needs to face not only his love, but also his new life. If you are looking for a good laugh, and a little help in the courage department, pick up Only in the Movies by William Bell in the JRC library.

Finding Treasure In An Old Story By Mr. Durston

Treasure Island

With so many great new adventure books on our shelves like the Hunger Games, why would I write a book review of the classic novel Treasure Island (1883) by Robert Louis Stevenson? The answer is that the novel is just that good. For those of you who have never heard of Treasure Island, it is the adventure story and coming-of-age tale of a young man named Jim Hawkins. Jim is a teenager who begins the novel working in his parents’ inn. He then obtains a pirates’ map from one of guests, and he departs on an adventure to recover a hidden treasure. The novel follows Jim as the sole young person in the crew of a ship, a ship where not all of its members can be trusted. Jim tells the reader his tale of life-and-death encounters in negotiating the dangerous adult world of treasure hunting out on the open sea.

One of the reasons that I like this novel so much is that despite the fact that it is such an old book, Jim’s challenge in dealing with adults is so current. Just like Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games, Jim must also learn and survive in a world that is created and controlled by adults. Unlike Katniss though, Jim does not have any special skills, like Katniss’ hunting abilities, that will keep him alive when things get tough. Instead, Jim must learn on his own about who he can trust, about what is right and wrong, and about what it takes to hunt for treasure with some of the most dangerous people on earth.