The Wave by Todd Strasser is a true story about the students of Gordon High who become participants in a experiment that goes too far. Ben Ross, their teacher as well as the wave’s leader, has no idea how far his “little experiment” has gone. All Ben wanted to do is show his senior history class why Adolf Hitler had so much power. The experiment gets out of hand when the wave goes from his class to the whole school and the students that don’t want to join are harassed. “She really was blowing it out of proportion, wasn’t she? It really was just a fad, wasn’t it?” Laurie Saunders has just realized that the wave isn’t that good. Soon after, David Collins realizes the same. Can they stop the wave before it goes to far? The author of this book put it together wonderfully! He explains with such ease and the ending comes together so well. If you enjoy reading true stories or are just looking for a good book, then go to the library and get a copy of The Wave.
Reviewed by Liz. Grade: 7th Grade in Worthington, -
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Durable Goods by Elizabeth Berg is a story about a teenager who has an abusive father and solves that problem by running away. The main character Katie, along with her older sister Diane, have been physically beaten by their father. With her mother dead nobody is there to defend them. After moving place-to-place, the family finally settles down and makes friends. But when the girls are told that they have to move again, they decide to take action. Along with Diane’s boyfriend, the girls decide to runaway to Mexico. But after calling her best friend, Katie decides to have her father pick her up. Although her sister and boyfriend move on, her father is forgiving. I think the author in this book was awesome. She had a good plot. But some words and actions were for more mature people. But how she described the characters was great. I recommend this book to only mature teens.
Reviewed by Benjamin. Grade: 7th Grade in Worthington, -
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The Car by the author Gary Paulsen is an exciting adventure about a teenage boy named Terry who has been abandoned by his parents. His father, an overworked mechanic leaves behind a car kit in the garage. “Tell your mother I’m not coming back-I’ve got all my stuff, or everything I want. I’m sick of the whole thing.” (Paulsen 9) Terry’s father says. Terry pokes around at the car kit a little, and soon he f