Airman

I really enjoyed this book, it has action, love, betrayal, and scheming.

Airman is a bit of a different book compared to others that Eoin Colfer has written. It takes place on the Saltee Islands, the main character is someone named Conor Broekhart. Conor is a young man that is framed for a crime and is sent to jail on Little Saltee. While in jail, Conor comes up with a new identity for himself, makes some new friends, and finds a way to escape from Little Saltee and horrible memories.

Once he is back on Great Saltee, Conor has to save his family from Marshall Hugo Bonvilain. This Marshall has a plan that will involve the new queen, Conors parents, and making him king so that he can control the Saltee Islands.

Airman is a fun read that anyone could enjoy. I was sucked in and couldn't put it down until it was finished!

Reviewed by: K. Ellis

Author: Eoin Colfer
Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction

The Inheritance Cycle

An Amazing Series! It is one of my all time favorites. Paolini does a fantastic job of creating pictures in yoiur mind and making it feel like you are actually there. They become your friends and you loose a piece of yourself with the series ends. It was hard. :( All the characters have their own distinct personalities and there own ways of thinking. The author even came up with his own native language for the series. It's unreal.
These books are about Dragons. Huge, fierce, intelligent and beautiful creatures who will scare the pants off of whoever gets on their bad side.
Saphira hatches for Eragon and the immediately take to each other. They go through more battle, heartache and joy together than anyone ever should. And that doesn't even begin to skim the surface of the series that drew me in from the beginning.
Together, Saphira, Eragon , a few friends and some allies, have amazing and eventful (to say the least) journeys that change and shape their lives in ways they never could have dreamed.
These books had such an impact on me I want everybody to read them and have a great time doing so!

P.S. Don't let the size intimidate you!

Eragon
Eldest
Bringer
Inheritance

Genre: fantasy, fiction
Author: Christopher Paolini

Reviewed by:  K. Ellis

The Four Agreements

A practical guide to personal freedom.

 A Toltec wisdom book.

A book that can open yourself up to who you really are.










Agreements:

1-BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD
 Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself  or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2-DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY
 Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3-DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS
 Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4-ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST
 Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.


Why agreements? Why not things you should do?  I believe you need to make an agreement with yourself before you make any changes that will stick. The agreement that has stuck with me the most is ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST. But my favorite part of that is that your best changes. Constantly. If you are feeling sick or in the hole of depression your best may just be getting out of bed that day. On the other hand when you are on top of your game your best is significantly better. But either way it is always your best. Each of these agreements if implemented into your life will make you a more complete person. For yourself and others around you.

Take the time for yourself to read and use this book to your benefit. You will not be disappointed. Only enriched and better for it.

Author: Don Miguel Ruiz
Genre: Spiritual, Self-Improvement

The Continuous Atonement

"Christ doesn't just  make up the difference.
 He makes all the difference."

This is one of those books that affects you differently depending on where you are in your life. It lifts, gives hope, and motivates.  I thought the best way to review this book would be to give you some excerpts that I highlighted this time around. This book should be read over and over again. It offers valuable insights about God, Christ, and our relationship with them.

"When we're tempted to give up, we must remember  God is long-suffering, change is a process, and repentance is a pattern in our lives.

"This life is the time to prepare to meet God, but we still have eternity to learn to be like Him."

"Christ's sacrifice is not just to make us free from the grasp of sin and death, but to make us sacred. The Atonement is not just to cleanse, but to complete; not just to comfort, but to compensate; not just to liberate, but to lift."

"The ultimate is not seeing Him, but having Him see His countenance in us."

"The highs and lows let us know we are participating and not just observing, learning and not just existing."

Author: Brad Wilcox
Genre: Inspirational

The Looking Glass Wars

First of all, her name is spelled "Alyss" and she is the rightful heir to Wonderland. But. Alyss's evil aunt, Redd, is trying to take back the throne for herself.

When Redd tries to kill Alyss, like she did her parents, the Royal Bodyguard, Hatter Madigan, saves her by jumping into the Pool of Tears. And that's when the real story begins...

This book is a MUST READ! It is definitely a page turner. Frank Beddor did a fabulous job of describing  characters and scenes. He also did great with twisting perspectives of both the characters and the readers!

So, if you like fantasy, wars with cards, action and maybe a little bit of romance, you should absolutely read this book!

 -K. Ellis

Genre: Fantasy, novel

Reading Level:  grade 6-8

http://thelookingglasswars.com/

This book is absolutely for the adult reader as well. I was captured in from the beginning. My favorite character is Hatter Madigan. You will love it. :)

Bridge to Terabithia

This was the first book that tore my heart out, wrapped it around this book and never let it go. When I picked it up to review it that tightening of my heart started all over again. I debated if I was in a place to reread it right now. I am not.

But all that heart wrenching does not take away from the love that I have for this book. I read it as a child, I read it a few years ago and probably a few times in between. The last time I read it I was crying my heart out at the end. But I had the overwhelming feeling of "this is why I love to read". I truly wanted to write the author and tell her the difference she has made in my life. That's what books can do for you. Take you some place else, make you feel things you never knew you would, allow you to experience things you may not otherwise.

I don't just read a book, I feel the book. The people in my books become my friends and I am a bit sad when I finish any book. I become so a part of there life's. It is a bit of a curse because I struggle to separate myself from the feelings. I read, feel, and experience every book I read. Obviously some more than others.

This book is about Jess Aarons and Leslie Burke who become unlikely best friends. Together they create Terabithia. A secret kingdom in the woods where they are king and queen. This is where their imaginations have no bounds. Tragedy strikes and one of them has to deal with this loss.

This is a very easy read that will leave you feeling deeper for those you love. Don't skip this one, it is a MUST read. Disclaimer: this book is not in the rainbows and butterflies category.
Youth, grade level 4-7
genre, classics
Author, Katherine Paterson
Winner of the 1978 Newbery Medal