Creek Critiques

Siblings Chris, Heather, and R.O. are hanging out in the Cayman Islands while their scientist parents study the islands’ sea turtle farm.  They are experienced adventurers and love to take on exciting new tasks such as diving or rock climbing.  While out scuba diving, the three discover two men chipping away at a coral reef, which is protected by the government.  Intrigued by the criminals who are destroying the natural reef, they move in for a closer inspection.  They discover that the reef has grown around authentic Spanish gold that had fallen into the ocean due to a shipwreck in the 1600’s.  The kids report the criminal activity but the men are determined to take every bar of gold they can get their hands on.  During an evening stroll on the beach, Chris and his date, Natalie, notice lights under the ocean water and go in for a closer look.  What happens next will keep you on the edge of your seat! Read this novel by Oklahoma author Richard Trout because he is visiting our school on Tuesday, March 9, 2010!

Miss Simer’s Rating: ***

Magician-fighters from the four main Houses are gearing up for the annual battle in the arena when a mysterious stranger arrives in town.  He is a high-level magician, able to control the power of mana with great accuracy and strength.  He challenges a few other fighters to duels within the magical circle and wins with ease.  In order to compete in the annual battle, he must join a house, but he is in search of the fifth House, which has long since been destroyed.  All members of the fifth House were killed or exiled and the Grand Master of the Houses is intent on ridding his town of this stranger, nicknamed “Garth One-Eye.”  The Grand Master sets a plan in motion to have Garth One-Eye killed in any way possible, before the secret of the fifth House is revealed.  Based on the popular trading card game, this “Magic: The Gathering” novel will have fans eager for more!

Miss Simer’s Rating: ***

Newland Archer, a young man in the early 1900s, is engaged to marry pretty May Welland.  According to New York society, May is “perfect” in every way.  Unfortunately, when May’s cousin, the Countess Olenska, arrives, Archer begins to think otherwise.  Though May is pretty and traditional, the countess is different and exciting.  Newland finds himself in a dilemma.  If he marries May, he will have a normal and happy life, though he will never get quite what he wants.  If he marries Countess Olenska, he’ll get what he wants but at a price.  He will hurt May and be remembered as a horrible person by his friends and neighbors.  Should he do what’s best or follow his heart?

Kate A.’s Rating: ***1/2

Friends Hailey and Claire have been living in a dilapidated beach club for years, and they are devastated when Claire’s grandparents announce they’re moving to Florida.  Longing for a little excitement in their last summer together, a sudden summer storm washes a mermaid into the club’s pool and the girls discover her. The mermaid’s one wish is to go on a date with the cute boy who works at the snack bar, Raymond.  Hailey and Claire promise to make this happen, but only if the mermaid promises to leave the next day, before she turns to dust.  Of course, the mermaid is smitten with Raymond, as he is to her, but she must leave before it’s too late.  Read this tale of friendship and the magic of believing by Alice Hoffman.

Miss Simer’s Rating: **1/2

When fifteen-year-old Chicago native Mary Alice is sent to live with her crotchety grandmother in rural Illinois, she is not too happy.  As soon as she arrives, her feisty grandmother takes her straight to school, where she is shunned by her classmates.  Every person in town is scared of her grandmother and thinks Mary Alice can’t be too great either.  However, Mary Alice does learn a lot about taking care of herself from her grandmother and she grows to like the rural life.  Filled with hilarious hijinks, country living, and good old-fashioned family love, this tale will appeal to many readers.

Miss Simer’s Rating: ***

Harry is with the Dursleys until he gets a call from his friend Ron.  He gets invited to go to the 422nd Quidditch World Cup.  All is well until Voldemort’s followers, the Death Eaters, come and destroy the place.  Then when Harry goes back to Hogwarts he learns that they are going to have a tournament called the Triwizard Tournament, ergo canceling Quidditch, but it’s not what it seems.  Read this marvelous book to find out what happens at the end of the Triwizard Tournament.

Aurica R.’s Rating: ****

Seconds before Earth is destroyed, alien Ford Prefect and his friend, earthman Arthur Dent, escape and become hitchhikers in the galaxy.  They bounce from place to place, encountering many not-so-kind alien beings along the way.  When they are taken aboard a spacecraft that has been hijacked by the president of the galaxy, Zaphod Beeblebrox, all chaos ensues.  They are whisked along to the mysterious planet Magrathea, on which the inhabitants have been sleeping for 7.5 million years in anticipation of their super computer’s answer to the life’s ultimate question.  This is a whirlwind journey from place to place and is full of sarcastic zingers, a robot in need of therapy to overcome his depression, shocking information regarding Earth’s most intelligent creatures, and answers to life’s most important questions. 

Miss Simer’s Rating: ***