Book Bites Reviews

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Alina discovers that she is the Sun Summoner and that she has the potential to save the world. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol
Anya falls down a well and is trapped. She looks around and notices a ghost sitting on it's bones. Anya accidentally stuffed one of the bones in her bag and now the ghost follows her around. The story follows their adventures until the ghost grows to strong. My favorite part of the book was in the beginning when she fell down the well and the ghost talks to her. I recommend this book and I liked it' it was very funny at parts.

Her Majesty's Dog by Mick Takeuchi
Review by Paige
A girl can read spirits and she has a pet demon who eats her life force. My favorite character is the main character because she is a strong character. I liked this book because it was entertaining.

Antigoddess by Kendare Blake
Review by B-liz
Athena and Hermes have to save themselves from the twilight. My favorite character is Athena because she is a warrior and she's smart. I liked this book because it was action packed.

Chime by Franny Billingsley
Review by Tori
Briony believes she is a witch, and hates herself for it. She lives a lonely life, secluded from her town. When suddenly her sister comes down with the Swamp Cough. Will she live? My favorite character is Briony because I can identify with her love of the outdoors. She is a strong character. I loved this book because it was well written.

Everyday Angel: New Beginnings by Victoria Schwab
Review by Justine
Aria is a Guardian Angel. Her mission is Gabby. My favorite character is Aria but I don't know why.

Other's Title's Discussed
The Name Of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

Book Bites Reviews

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Review by Hannah
Thomas is a 16 year old boy who wakes up in a maze-like structure called the Glade.

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
Review by B-liz
Alice and her family are never allowed outside after dark. This causes Alice to spend all day outside instead. On Alice's birthday her sister asks her to go to her recital. They go and all zombies breaks loose!! My favorite character is Cole because he is hot and a zombie slayer. I loved this book because it was full of action.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Review by Paige
Catniss Everdeen is the girl on fire. She has to go through the Hunger Games once more because of her berry stunt with Peeta. Will she survive? My favorite character is Finnick because he makes the story funny and easygoing. I loved this book because ti was action packed and funny.

Also discussed:
The Curse of the Pharaoh by Elizabeth Peters.

Book Bites Reviews

These books were read and reviewed by the members of our Book Bites group.They are in grades 4-6 and choose their own books to read.

Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip by Jordan Sonnenblick
Review by Hannah
Peter Friedman is a freshman whose life is baseball. The summer before, he injured his arm causing him to never be able to play baseball again. His best friend AJ doesn't know the whole truth, but Peter eventually tells him with the help of Angelika. My favorite character is Angelika because she is really good at photography and she's nice to Peter even when he gets angry. The best quote of the book is right on the inside cover, "Sometimes life's greatest accomplishments take place off the field." I loved this book because I can somewhat relate to the subject (problems with friends and sports) and it's written by one of my favorite authors.

Good As Lily by Derek Kirk and Jesse Hamm
Review by Paige
It's Grace's birthday and this old lady comes up and sells her a pinata and that evening she meets her selves when she is 6 years old, 29 years old and 70 years old. My favorite character is Grace because she is funny and sensible. I liked this book because the theme is really good.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig
Review by Tori
A philosophical book about life. I don't know who my favorite character is because there's really only one character. I liked this book because it is interesting.

Ramona The Pest by Beverly Cleary
Review by Justine
Ramona goes to kindergarten and makes mistakes, mischief and learns new things. My favorite character is Ramona because I like her adventurism and silly business. I hated when Ramona and Howie fight over a piece of ribbon.

Chosen by P.C. Cast
Review by B-liz
Zoe has to deal with very many issues. My favorite character is Nala because she's a cat. I loved this book because it's funny and sad.

Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer
Review by Paige
Mary Jackie Faber went on a ship disguised as a boy adn went through many adventures. My favorite character is Jacky Faber because she is strong and funny. I loved this book because it was adventurous.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
The original Pride and Prejudice in zombie form. My favorite character is Elizabeth because she is awesome. I liked this book because it was funny.

After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick
Review by B-liz
Jeff and his friend battle the results of their cancer. My favorite part was when all the kids rebelled on the test. If you like a heartwarming story, you'll like this.

Book Bites Reviews
These books were read and reviewed by the members of our Book Bites Club. Kids in grades 4-8 are invited to meet on Thursdays at 4:30 PM.

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Review by Hannah
A girl named Sal's mother left on a vacation to try and find herself, but ended up dying in a bus crash. This story follows Sal as she comes to terms with the fact of her mother's death. I liked this book because it's a really fun story.

Apollyon by Jennifer Armentrout
Review by Paige
Alex needs to go into the Underworld to find out how she can stop Seth from connecting to her. My favorite character is Alex because she is funny and is a semi-strong character. I liked this book because the main character was funny as was the rest of the characters.

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
Review by Tori
A wonderful book on "Women, work and the will to lead." This feminist book not only recounts the authors personal experience with prejudice but also gives research data on injustice against women. The word "Feminist" is not the work of bra-burning, man hating women but clarifies prejudice against women. I try to read books that open your mind, this is one of them. I loved this book because it was mind opening.

Book Bites Reviews

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Review by Paige
Alex is a half-blood that is in love with a pure-blood,  Aiden. The number 1 rule in the Covenant is pure's and half's cannot fall in love. My favorite character is Alex. She is strong and believes halves should have as much freedom as pure's. I liked this book because the characters are funny but strong.





The Crocodile On The Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters
Review by Tori
Amelia Peabody is traveling around Egypt. My favorite character is Amelia because she's a kick-butt feminist. I liked this book because of the main characters determination.

Also Discussed:
The Weed Strings The Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley

Book Bites Reviews

Stake That by Marianne Mancusi
Review by B-liz
Rayne has to deal with the rejection of not being a vamp. The social outcast at school because she's a Goth. My favorite character is Sunshine because she's smart and happy. I loved this book because it's funny and action packed.

Sirena by Donna Jo Napoli
Review by Ali
A magical being's adventure with love. I don't know what my favorite character is because I forget everyone's names. I liked this book because I can.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Review by Tori
Katsa is graced with killing. She is sent by the king to torture people he disdains. My favorite character is Katsa because she is kickbutt awesome. I loved this book because the heroine is strong.

Chosen at Nightfall by C.C. Hunter
Review by Paige
Kylie is a chameleon who sees ghosts. This ghost is a mystery because she carries a sword and a head. My favorite character is Della because she is kick butt and she's a vampire. I loved this book because it has supernatural in it.

Take on our winter reading challenge! We have created 13 reading categories, based on Winter Olympic Sports. Choose just one event, read a book, and turn in an entry form. Winning is that easy. As we keep track of the medal count from Sochi, Russia, we'll also see which group of Newton Falls Patrons can earn the most medals. It's the teens, against the adults, against the kids, and the kids are already in the lead.

Kids -- 4 medals
Teens -- 0 medals
Adults -- 1 medal

Check out the categories below, and join today. Entries are available at our front desk until the Closing Ceremonies in Sochi. Check out the categories for kids and teens below. Adult categories vary slightly.

Downhill Skiing -- Enjoy a book below your reading level





Biathlon -- Read a book from the fiction and one from the nonfiction section.





Bobsleigh -- This is a team sport! Read a book with someone else.







Ski Jump -- Try out a book that is above your reading level.





Freestyle Skiing -- Read any book you like.





Hockey -- Assemble a team. Read a book with a group and talk about it.




Speed Skating -- Listen to an audiobook. Books on CD are available at the library and digital audiobooks are available here.





Curling -- Read a book about a subject you know nothing about. Try something new.





Cross Country Skiing -- Read about another country or culture.





Skeleton -- Enjoy a scary story.

Snowboarding -- Read a book about winter, sports, or winter sports!





Figure Skating -- Read a mystery and "figure" it out.





Nordic Combined -- Read a co-authored book.

Book Bites Reviews

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Review by Paige
A girl named Tris, has realized that something is going on with the Erudite. My favorite character is Tris because she is Dauntless which means bravery. I liked this book because it had a lot of action and you figure out a lot of things.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
Review by Kayse
**Spoiler Alert**
A girl named hazel Grace has cancer and meets a boy name Augustus. they fall n love but Hazel becomes even sicker. Augustus becomes sick too but his cancer spreads everywhere. My favorite character is Augustus Waters because he looks into life and lives his life to fullest. He doesn't have a care in the world. he makes people smile and cares about others. I loved this book because it shows a lot of life lessons. Eve the lowest of times it will be okay.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Review by Katelyn
Sophie performed a love spell and it was too powerful. She was sent to Hecate hall and she was roomed with the only vampire in the school. There more killings. My favorite character is Archer because I like his name and he is really sarcastic. I see a romance brewing between Sophie and him. I liked this book because it is suspenseful and romantic with Sophie and Archer.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Review by Destiny
Greg's best friend Rowley finds a girlfriend who turns Rowley from being immature to being proper. Greg tries to fit into other groups but it doesn't work. He tries to "Find a Friend" button. My favorite character is Manny because he is so cute and funny to me. I loved this book.

Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Review by B-liz
Miranda almost dies and her angel saves her. There is an angel who is really hot and really crazy vampire. My favorite character is Zachary because he is hot and muscular and everyone stares at him. I loved this book because it was scary and thrilling. Also it was aggravating because they didn't do what you wanted them too.

A Great And Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Review by Tori
It is Gemma Doyle's 16th birthday when something goes terribly wrong and she is sent to Spence Academy in London. My favorite character is Gemma.

Other Titles Discussed:
Every Day by David Levithan
Legend by Marie Lu
Gated by Amy Christine Parker

Instead of a book review, today I offer the best books kids books of the year, as chosen by the American Library Association. Each year a committee of librarians is chosen to read most of the books published for kids in the US. They choose a select few for these awards. Click on each title to check it's availability in our system.

The Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children.

Medal Winner:
Locomotive by Brian Floca

Honor Books:
Journey by Aaron Becker
Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle
Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner






The John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature

Medal Winner:
Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

Honor Books:
Doll Bones by Holly Black
The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes
One Came Home by Amy Timberlake
Paperboy by Vince Vawter





The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for the most distinguished informational book for children

Winner:
Parrots over Puerto Rico by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore

Honor Books:
A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant
Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your own Backyard
by Annette LeBlanc Cate
Locomotive by Brian Floca
The Mad Potter: George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

Theodore Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished book for beginning readers:

Winner:
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

Honor Books:
Ball by Mary Sullivan
A Big Guy Too My Ball by Mo Willems
Penny and her Marble by Kevin Henkes

Book Bites Reviews

Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo
Review by B-liz
The book is about a super awesome squirrel that can type and it can fly. My favorite character is Flora because she is a comic book reader. I liked this book because it was very hilarious.

The Forgotten Door by Alexander Key
Review by Destiny
A boy from a different planet falls through a door and travels all day with a stick to hold his balance. A family finds him. My favorite character is Sally because she is funny. I loved this book because it was awesome.

Sure Signs of Crazy by Karen Harrington
Review by Elizabeth
A girl's mother is crazy. The girl is sent away and left with her drunk dad. My favorite character is Sarah Nelson because she is the main character. She thinks she is crazy and her life is funny and sad. I loved this book because it is funny and her life is crazy.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Review by Paige
A girl named Miranda is wondering why she is getting these notes. My favorite character is Miranda because the book is based on her perspective and she has a sense of humor. I loved this book because every clue she gets all come together at the end.


Other Titles Discussed
The Kite Runner