Title:         Ranger's Apprentice

Author:     John Flanagan

Target:      Grades 4 - 6

Series:       Yes

Posted by Will

What this book is about:
In the medieval times, an orphaned boy, Will, lives as the ward at Castle Redmont.  Wards are chosen to apprentice with craftsmen and soldiers, and Will is getting worried that he will not be chosen by the battle school master Sir Rodney.  When choosing day arrives, Will’s worst fears come true when none of the masters select him.  However, a mysterious ranger named Halt, suddenly appears.  Will is to become a ranger’s apprentice and learn all the skills the rangers know, until he becomes one himself.  Rangers are silent protectors of the kingdom and there is a large battle brewing against Morgarath, who tried to take over the kingdom years before. Morgarath had unleashed the Kalkara, beasts beyond imagination.  The rangers must stop these beasts.  How they will do it?  Read the book to find out.

Why I like this book:
I liked this book because of the never ending action.  Even during the slowest parts, it’s exciting!  The story starts with a lot of suspense and stays that way until the very end.  Another reason I liked this book is because of the main character, Will.  Will seemed like a nice kid, always trying his best.  And of course, any character named Will has to be cool. 

You will like this book if you enjoy:
The False Prince

Title: Bomb 

Author: Steve Sheinkin

Target: Grades 7 and up

Series: No

Posted by Ford

What this book is about: 

During World War II, while the Axis was taking over Europe, and America was entering the war, there was a second battle being fought: The Nuclear War. In 1938, a German scientist named Otto Hahn discovered that uranium atoms could be split, releasing a large amount of energy, something earlier deemed impossible. So much energy was released, that scientists reasoned a bomb could be made using the technology. Because this happened at the beginning of World War II, three countries, Germany, America, and the Soviet Union, all competed to see who could make an atomic bomb first. Each country would use trickery, lies, and deceit to aid in production. The conflict reached from the rugged mountains of Norway to top-secret military bunkers in the United States. Factories were raided, tests were conducted, and spies were captured. This is a great historical novel about an overlooked war, that may have decided the fate of the world.

Why I liked this book: 

This book does a great job of making historical information interesting. For instance, a team of Norwegian soldiers infiltrates a German heavy water plant. You can feel the tension knowing that the people were actually there, sneaking through the air ducts and blowing up generators. This experience makes learning about the events much more exciting than it otherwise would have. The author also explains the science in the book well. The information about nuclear fission and uranium is complicated, but the writer makes it easy to understand. Its inclusion doesn't impair the reader and makes for a better story.

You will like this book if you enjoy:

Books about WWII