I've read some of this book and I LOVE the musical. The story is fantastic and, if you like the book, you should DEFINITELY see the musical!

For me, this series was a potato in a minefield. If you'd read Firefight, the second book in Brandon Sanderson's The Reckoners Trilogy, you'd know what I was talking about. When I first read Steelheart, the first book in the series, it was because I had lost a bet with my brother. Now, they're some of my favorite books ever. Firefight is the sequel to Steelheart. Both books take place in a dystopian America that is dominated by Epics, people who have amazing, superhero-like powers that corrupt them and turn them evil. In Steelheart, David, the bad-metaphored, Epic-hating protagonist, joined a group of Epic assassins known as the Reckoners in order to slay Steelheart, the Epic who ruled David's town of Newcago (Chicago) and killed David's father. In the second book, Firefight, David and the Reckoners are also out to kill an Epic--this time Regalia, ruler of Babalon Restored (New York). In New York, a new cast of characters meets David, the Reckoner Tia, and Prof, the leader and founder of the Reckoners who is secretly and Epic, and is struggling not to use his corrupting powers and keep his evil at bay. They help a squad of New York Reckoners: the tough, serious Val, the strange Exel, and happy, perky, goofy Mizzy. David also reunites with Megan, the sly, very attractive Epic who was a spy for Steelheart in the first book. David must do several things at once: plot to kill the Epic Regalia with the Reckoners, help Prof keep his Epic powers from overcoming him, keep an eye on Oblivion, an Epic who has the power to wipe out Babalon Restored in a single blast, and meet with Megan without the Reckoners knowing, all of whom think of her as an evil murderer. To make matters more complicated, a larger mystery is at hand. Humans first started becoming Epics when a large, red star called Calamity appeared over the world. David wants to solve the mystery as to how Epics get their powers and weaknesses and what Calamity has to do with it, not to mention what Calamity is. By the end of the book, David and the reader will be closer to solving the mystery, but still not completely there. The reader will have to wait until the spring of 2016, when the third book, Calamity, comes out. This book has high-action and a complicated, enthralling plotline. It has lived up to its predecessor, Steelheart, and will leave the reader just as interested and thrilled. I like this book because it has almost everything you could ask for in an interesting story: action, plot, humor, unique characters, romance, and an incredible stare-at-the-book-with-your-mouth-hanging-open twist ending. I would recommend Firefight to anyone who likes action-filled or humorous books, and has read Steelheart.. Most kids would definitely enjoy reading Steelheart, Firefight, and (in spring of 2016), Calamity.

For me, this series was a potato in a minefield. If you'd read Firefight, the second book in Brandon Sanderson's The Reckoners Trilogy, you'd know what I was talking about. When I first read Steelheart, the first book in the series, it was because I had lost a bet with my brother. Now, they're some of my favorite books ever. Firefight is the sequel to Steelheart. Both books take place in a dystopian America that is dominated by Epics, people who have amazing, superhero-like powers that corrupt them and turn them evil. In Steelheart, David, the bad-metaphored, Epic-hating protagonist, joined a group of Epic assassins known as the Reckoners in order to slay Steelheart, the Epic who ruled David's town of Newcago (Chicago) and killed David's father. In the second book, Firefight, David and the Reckoners are also out to kill an Epic--this time Regalia, ruler of Babalon Restored (New York). In New York, a new cast of characters meets David, the Reckoner Tia, and Prof, the leader and founder of the Reckoners who is secretly and Epic, and is struggling not to use his corrupting powers and keep his evil at bay. They help a squad of New York Reckoners: the tough, serious Val, the strange Exel, and happy, perky, goofy Mizzy. David also reunites with Megan, the sly, very attractive Epic who was a spy for Steelheart in the first book. David must do several things at once: plot to kill the Epic Regalia with the Reckoners, help Prof keep his Epic powers from overcoming him, keep an eye on Oblivion, an Epic who has the power to wipe out Babalon Restored in a single blast, and meet with Megan without the Reckoners knowing, all of whom think of her as an evil murderer. To make matters more complicated, a larger mystery is at hand. Humans first started becoming Epics when a large, red star called Calamity appeared over the world. David wants to solve the mystery as to how Epics get their powers and weaknesses and what Calamity has to do with it, not to mention what Calamity is. By the end of the book, David and the reader will be closer to solving the mystery, but still not completely there. The reader will have to wait until the spring of 2016, when the third book, Calamity, comes out. This book has high-action and a complicated, enthralling plotline. It has lived up to its predecessor, Steelheart, and will leave the reader just as interested and thrilled. I like this book because it has almost everything you could ask for in an interesting story: action, plot, humor, unique characters, romance, and an incredible stare-at-the-book-with-your-mouth-hanging-open twist ending. I would recommend Firefight to anyone who likes action-filled or humorous books, and has read Steelheart.. Most kids would definitely enjoy reading Steelheart, Firefight, and (in spring of 2016), Calamity.

Mia, a thirteen-year-old eighth grader, wants nothing more than to be absolutely normal. That is, however, until she discovers that the secret that would make her known as a freak, the fact that she can see colors for letters, numbers, and sounds, is not insanity but a gift known as synesthesia. The book A Mango-Shaped Space is about a snapshot in Mia's journey through adolescence, which is anything but normal. Throughout the book, Mia interacts with a slew of interesting, original characters, such as handsome fourteen-year-old synesthete Adam Dickinson, Mia's younger brother Zack, who's kept a chart of every McDonald's hamburger he's consumed; her older sister Beth, who is obsessed with hair-dye, vegetarianism, and yoga; her outspoken best friend Jenna, the cute-for-a-grown-up neurologist Jerry; Roger, a boy who may be more than just her partner for history homework; Billy Henkle, a five-year-old boy who is thought crazy by his family because of his synesthesia; and, of course, Mango, Mia's beloved cat who wheezes and meows in shades of orange-yellow, holds a piece of Mia's grandfather's soul, and will steal the heart of the reader. A Mango Shaped Space is an interesting, moving novel that will warm the reader's heart and send tears to his or her eyes. When I first began this book, it reminded me of many other books that I'd read. However, as the story progressed, I saw that this is not the typical story of a gifted middle-schooler. In A Mango-Shaped Space, author Wendy Mass tells an intriguing, original story. However, I wouldn't saw this book is for everyone. If you like high-action stories or dislike realistic fiction, this may not be the book for you. But, if your favorite books are inspiring, emotional, and moving, you would like A Mango-Shaped Space. Also, if you're a cat-lover like I am, you will relate with Mia, the protagonist, because of her love for Mango, and will probably appreciate and be saddened by Mia and Mango's story. If you are looking for a heart-warming, original, sensitive book to read, you will thoroughly enjoy A Mango-Shaped Space.

Mia, a thirteen-year-old eighth grader, wants nothing more than to be absolutely normal. That is, however, until she discovers that the secret that would make her known as a freak, the fact that she can see colors for letters, numbers, and sounds, is not insanity but a gift known as synesthesia. The book A Mango-Shaped Space is about a snapshot in Mia's journey through adolescence, which is anything but normal. Throughout the book, Mia interacts with a slew of interesting, original characters, such as handsome fourteen-year-old synesthete Adam Dickinson, Mia's younger brother Zack, who's kept a chart of every McDonald's hamburger he's consumed; her older sister Beth, who is obsessed with hair-dye, vegetarianism, and yoga; her outspoken best friend Jenna, the cute-for-a-grown-up neurologist Jerry; Roger, a boy who may be more than just her partner for history homework; Billy Henkle, a five-year-old boy who is thought crazy by his family because of his synesthesia; and, of course, Mango, Mia's beloved cat who wheezes and meows in shades of orange-yellow, holds a piece of Mia's grandfather's soul, and will steal the heart of the reader. A Mango Shaped Space is an interesting, moving novel that will warm the reader's heart and send tears to his or her eyes. When I first began this book, it reminded me of many other books that I'd read. However, as the story progressed, I saw that this is not the typical story of a gifted middle-schooler. In A Mango-Shaped Space, author Wendy Mass tells an intriguing, original story. However, I wouldn't saw this book is for everyone. If you like high-action stories or dislike realistic fiction, this may not be the book for you. But, if your favorite books are inspiring, emotional, and moving, you would like A Mango-Shaped Space. Also, if you're a cat-lover like I am, you will relate with Mia, the protagonist, because of her love for Mango, and will probably appreciate and be saddened by Mia and Mango's story. If you are looking for a heart-warming, original, sensitive book to read, you will thoroughly enjoy A Mango-Shaped Space.

Katherine Applegate's The One and Only Ivan makes you think about what it means to be human by showing you the world through the eyes of a non-human. This book is narrated in the first person by its protagonist, Ivan. Ivan is quiet, easygoing, artistic, and a gorilla. Until a baby elephant called Ruby moves into the domain next to Ivan's at Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, Ivan calls his glass domain home. But with the help of spirited and playful Ruby, the helpful young human Julia, a feisty stray dog called Bob, and the wise, big-hearted elephant known as Stella, Ivan realizes what home really is--and starts an adventure trying to get there. I would recommend this book to animal-lovers and deep-thinkers. It has a lot of example of animal abuse and neglect in circuses, so if you are passionate about that issue you will probably enjoy The One and Only Ivan. Ivan also makes the reader think about the rights that all creatures have: do animals have a right to live as humans? Are humans obligated to care for animals? Who has a right to a true home? This book has very little action, but a lot of heart. Its language is simple and innocent, being told through the eyes of a gorilla, so even early readers may find that they can enjoy the One and Only Ivan. However, the simple language doesn't take away from the story for more advanced readers. In fact, it only adds to the sadness and philosophical thinking of the story. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a story that will make them think, smile, and cry. Reading The One and Only Ivan gives the reader both questions and answers about being a human and not being a human. I strongly recommend The One and Only Ivan to anyone who wants an original, moving, and deep story to read.

Katherine Applegate's The One and Only Ivan makes you think about what it means to be human by showing you the world through the eyes of a non-human. This book is narrated in the first person by its protagonist, Ivan. Ivan is quiet, easygoing, artistic, and a gorilla. Until a baby elephant called Ruby moves into the domain next to Ivan's at Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, Ivan calls his glass domain home. But with the help of spirited and playful Ruby, the helpful young human Julia, a feisty stray dog called Bob, and the wise, big-hearted elephant known as Stella, Ivan realizes what home really is--and starts an adventure trying to get there. I would recommend this book to animal-lovers and deep-thinkers. It has a lot of example of animal abuse and neglect in circuses, so if you are passionate about that issue you will probably enjoy The One and Only Ivan. Ivan also makes the reader think about the rights that all creatures have: do animals have a right to live as humans? Are humans obligated to care for animals? Who has a right to a true home? This book has very little action, but a lot of heart. Its language is simple and innocent, being told through the eyes of a gorilla, so even early readers may find that they can enjoy the One and Only Ivan. However, the simple language doesn't take away from the story for more advanced readers. In fact, it only adds to the sadness and philosophical thinking of the story. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a story that will make them think, smile, and cry. Reading The One and Only Ivan gives the reader both questions and answers about being a human and not being a human. I strongly recommend The One and Only Ivan to anyone who wants an original, moving, and deep story to read.