The Raft

by S.A. Bodeen

Robie lives on a remote island  called Midway Atoll of the Pacific. Her parents are research biologist for a wildlife refuge. Every things she is lucky when they hear that she lives on the island, is homeschooled and hangs out with dolphins, monk seals and alabatross. Hey my girls thought that sounds like a wonderful magical place.

However Robie is like most teens, she gets antsy with out any real tv or internet.So she visits her aunt AJ in Honolulu for a month. She's done this many times so why should this time be any different. Aunt AJ gets a job that she simply can't turn down and has to head to LA. Since Robie only has 1 more week, she talks her aunt into letting her stay in her apartment alone. Aunt AJ's friend is suppose to stop in daily to check on her. However that fall through. Robie is happy to hear it but soon gets bored. She decides to head out to McDonalds for dinner 1 night.

Things get scary and she decides to pack up and head back home. However that run in on the mainland wasn't scary compared to what she is about to face.

Robie soon is in a fight for her life and all alone in this fight. She does everything she can think of to stay sane and alert. Lucky for Robie she is a fighter. I also think her unconvential upbringing and lifestyle helps her in the end. Robie just goes to show just because we are girls don't count us out when it comes down to nitty gritty survival! We tough cookies and can do just about anything a boy can do! :)

The Raft is a great book! I enjoyed it very much and think your middle or high schooler would enjoy this book! Hey I think even you would. This book would appeal to teens, and adults alike! Make it a summer reading book for you to enjoy together. There are a lot of talking/discussion points I saw while reading it that could lead to some interesting survival type talks.

Swipe

by Evan Angler
AR Reading Level 4.6
Points 10

Everyone gets the Mark. It gives all the benefits of citizenship. Yet if getting the Mark is such a good thing, then why does it feel so wrong? The Mark is a tattoo that must be swiped by special scanners for everything from employment to transportation to shopping. It’s almost Logan Langly’s 13th birthday and he knows he should be excited about getting the Mark, but he hasn’t been able to shake the feeling he’s being watched. Not since his sister went to get her Mark five years ago . . . and never came back.

When Logan and his friends discover the truth behind the Mark, will they ever be able to go back to being normal teenagers? Find out in the first book of this exciting series that is Left Behind meets Matched for middle-grade readers.

my thoughts:

I have to admit I love  dystopian fiction and really enjoyed this book. It was one of the best books I've read in this genre. It kept the reader engaged and wondering what was going to happen next, a real page turner. I loved that it was a book that was clean and ok for my 11 year old to read also. If you are looking for a great book to read this summer, love dystopian fiction or have a middle/high schooler then nab this book! You just might get hooked! I know I did and can't wait to read the rest of the series!

thank you booksneeze for sending me the ebook for review!

Horse Dreams { Backyard Horses book 1}

by Dandi  Daley Mackall

AR Reading Level: 3.4
Points: 2

Fourth-grader Ellie James has a great imagination. She spends a lot of time daydreaming of owning a black stallion show horse and winning trophies in the horse show. But when the answer to all her dreams and prayers gallops into her life, will Ellie be able to recognize it? Join Ellie and her quirky family in their exciting, horse-loving adventures.

What makes this book so great is that Horse Dreams is written from the Child's point of view. 4th grader Ellie James is a likable character and sure to get your girls wanting to read the whole series. 


What little girl (me included) hasn't dreamed of having a horse all her own. My girls dreams are constant since their cousin has 2 horses of her own. So my girls could very well have been the character Ellie. Ellie begs, cries and prays for a horse all her own. She also understands that sometimes prayers can go unanswered till God feels the time is right and we are ready for the prayers to be answered.

Overall this is a fun series for girls who love horses and I plan to be on the look out for more Horse Dreams books.

I Survived The Sinking of the Titanic 1912

by Lauren Tarshis
AR Reading: 3.9
Points: 1.0

The I survived series is very popular with the middle school readers. They are fiction stories but they learn a little about history at the same time. So I was curious about this series and grabbed them at the library. The first one I read was about Titanic.

I enjoyed the story of George and Phoebes story. I liked that even though they could afford and were staying in a expensive suite, they became friends with immigrant passengers. George is just your regular everyday mischievous boy.  Aunt Daisy is on a journey to heal and honoring her late husband who wanted to travel on the Titanic. She ask her niece and nephew if they  wouldl like to join her journey. He likes to explore and gets in trouble but is likeable. Phoebe is his little sister that loves him so much and fears his trouble making ways will get him sent to military school. That is the least of their worries while aboard the Titanic. However thanks to Georges exploring the ship and memory of what Mr Burrow's said about secret passage the workers used to get to the different levels.

Does Aunt Daisy, Phoebe, George, Enzo and Marco escape the Titanic together? Do they get separated? Does being on the Titanic bond these 5 people beyond the Titanic?

I can see why kids really enjoy this series, boys and girls alike this series appeals to all! I can't wait to read the rest series, reviews to come as I read them! Hope to read a few tomorrow, I might declare it books and popcorn day.