WIN A BARNES AND NOBLE GIFT CARD!

Think you know your books?

Join in on this fun contest and you could win a $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble!!!!  Here's how to play:

1.  Come to the blog every day during the week from  March 4th to March 7th.

2.  Read the "famous first line" for that day and see if you can guess what book it's from.  First lines will be chosen from books that are very well known or are very popular.

3.  If you think you know the answer, write the title of the book and your student ID number (NOT your name) in a comment on the blog or stop by the library to submit your answer.

You MUST submit your answer the same day that the first line is posted.  (For example, answers given on Tuesday for Monday's first line won't count).  Only one answer per student per day will be counted. 

We will randomly pull one winner's name out of the week's correct answers.  The more first lines you guess correctly, the better your chances of winning!

We will announce the winner over the announcements and on the blog Friday morning. 



Book Review: Death Cloud

Death Cloud by Andrew Lane

(Sherlock Holmes, the Legend Begins)

http://www.amazon.com/Death-Cloud-Sherlock-Holmes-ebook/dp/B004EPYWKG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361993144&sr=8-2&keywords=death+cloud

Sherlock Holmes, the famous consulting detective, is one of the most famous literary characters out there.  There have been countless movies, tv shows (including my personal fav, Sherlock), and book series spin-offs.  What makes this book different is that it is the first Sherlock book actually endorsed by the family of Sir Aurthur Conan Doyle (the man who wrote the original Sherlock Holmes books). 

Young Sherlock Holmes, only 17 and shipped off to live with an estranged aunt and uncle for the summer, expects to spend the next few months bored and lonely. Instead, he finds himself smack in the middle of a murder most mysterious. Two men are found covered with sores and a strange yellow powder.  As they lay dying, a black cloud leaves their bodies, a cloud that seems to have a mind of its own.  With the help of his new friend Matty, an orphan who lives on the canals, and Virginia, the attractive and spunky daughter of his tutor, Sherlock learns to put the pieces together and use his blossoming powers of deduction to solve the riddle.

There is plenty of action and suspense in this book.  In the midst of fistfights, gunshots, and narrow escapes, we meet a Sherlock who we easily see becoming the hero we know today.  Mix in a very creepy villian and you have a story that's definitely a page turner. 

If you like it, check out the sequel, Rebel Fire!

Book Review: The Inferno

The Inferno by Dante Alighieri



http://www.amazon.com/Dantes-Inferno-Classic-Collections-ebook/dp/B002MPPU38/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1361993390&sr=1-6&keywords=dantes+inferno

The book The Inferno was written by Dante Alighieri.  This book is about a man going to hell just so he can be with the one he loves, Beatrice.  In this book it describes the intense challenges he must face and all the punishments of this horrible world.  He must go through all of the nine circles of hell to get to Beatrice.  The first circle is limbo where everyone goes to be told what circle they are going to go to.  The second circle is for the lustful, the third for gluttons, fourth for hoarders, and the fifth is for the wrathful, which is one of the worst.  Level six is for all the heretics who believe in another god.  Level seven is for the violent, those who will cause harm to anything for any purpose.  Level eight is for those who committed fraud.  Nine is for the traitors who are considered the worst of all since they turned their backs on those who believed in them.  This is where Satan himself watches over the people as they drown in their own crimes.  Dante must convince the devil to free Beatrice.

This book was full of detail, a great book and one of my favorites!

                                                                                            Reviewed by Kobe Z.

                                                                                             (a DHS student)

Book Review: Chinese Cinderella

Chinese Cinderella  by Adeline Yen May

http://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Cinderella-Unwanted-Daughter-ebook/dp/B0028MBKRK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1361993559&sr=1-1&keywords=chinese+cinderella

In this true story, The Chinese Cinderella follows the story of Adeline, a girl who becomes bad luck after her mother dies during her childbirth.  She works hard at being good at school even though she is unwanted by her own family.  When her stepmother takes over, the times just get worse for her, but she still tries her best at school.

The book really talks to kids about what it's like to be an unwanted child, but still do their best at at school.  It teaches lessons about the kids with bad luck and also tells you that you can still make good choices and be a success even if bad things are happening to you.  I think you should read this book.  This book got me thinkig about being thankful for the parent that really loves their child.

                                                                                           Reviewed by Sion L.

                                                                                            (a DHS student)

Book Review: The Outsiders

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

http://www.amazon.com/The-Outsiders-ebook/dp/B007ZUV4TO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1361993645&sr=1-1&keywords=outsiders

Tensions between two gangs become a life or death situation.  Two Greasers (Johnny and Ponyboy) become friends with two wealthy "socialite" Soc girls at a drive-in.  The rest of the Soc gang finds out and beats up Johnny and attempts to drown Ponyboy in a foutnain.  Johnny kills one of the Socs in the process of trying to save Ponyboy.  They know they're going to get into trouble, so they go their older Greaser friend Dallas, who find them a place to hide out for a while.  Meanwhile, the two gangs back home plan to fight. 

I would recommend this book to anybody who likes a good fight or drama.  If you like happy endings, The Outsiders would probably work for you. 
             
                                                                                               Reviewed by Courtney P.
                                                                                                 (a DHS student)

Book Review: Wrapped

http://www.amazon.com/Wrapped-ebook/dp/B003V1WXCI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1361993713&sr=1-1&keywords=wrapped+bradbury

Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury

Agnes is about to make her debut in Regency society as the beautiful, wealthy daughter of an aristocrat.  She has even caught the eye of the dashing and powerful Lord Sherwalter, the dreamboat hunk of the neighborhood.  Her life seems perfectly planned out for her, but Agnes isn't quite satisfied.  She longs for adventure and travel before she resignes herself to a life of marriage and duties at home. 

When she finds a mysterious object hidden in the wrappings of a mummy during an "unwrapping party", she suddenly finds herself in the middle of a consipracy that could change her life and the fate of England forever.

Start with some fancy dress balls, add some action and espionage and throw in a mummy's curse and you've got a thrilling ride that makes for great storytelling. Agnes is intellient, funny, and not afraid to do what's right, even if it means personal danger to herself.  While the ending is a bit predictable, the suspense and great characters make it worth the read.

A sequel is planned for the summer of 2014, but you can read this book without fear of the dreaded cliffhanger.  Bradbury wraps up her story with enough closure to leave you feeling satisfied, but looking forward for more!

Book Review: 13 Reasons Why

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

http://www.amazon.com/Thirteen-Reasons-Why-ebook/dp/B0054R6BFM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1361993771&sr=1-1&keywords=13+reasons+why

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a random mysterious box laying on his porch with his name on it.  He later finds several cassette tapes recorded by his classmate and crush, Hannah Baker, who recently committed suicide.  As he listens to the tapes, Hannah explains 13 reasons why she decided to end her life.  Clay finds out that he was a reason.  If he listens to all 13 he'll find out why.  If he is one of the reasons, who else is going to get one of these packages?

This book is one of my all time favorites and probably always will be.  For me, reading is not my favorite thing to do.  I will not read a book unless the first page grabs my attention.  Well, this book will grab your attention and it will keep you wondering until you finish the whole book.  If I were you, this book would be my number one read.  Maybe some of you can relate to it.  Please check out this book from the DHS library.  I can guarantee you will enjoy it.

                                                                                    Reviewed by Kenzie D.
                                                                                     (a DHS student)