Zoo Station

Zoo Station by David Downing

By 1939, Anglo-American journalist John Russell has spent fifteen years in Berlin, where his German-born son lives. He writes human-interest pieces for British and American papers, avoiding the investigative journalism that could get him deported. But as war approaches, he faces the prospect of having to leave his son and his longtime girlfriend.

Then, an acquaintance from his communist days approaches him to do some work for the Soviets. Russell is reluctant but ultimately unable to resist. He becomes involved in other dangerous activities, helping a Jewish family and an idealistic American reporter. When the British and the Nazis notice his involvement with the Soviets, Russell is dragged into the world of warring intelligence services.

                            Desarae- If your into reading about drugs and all of that stuff, this would be perfect. It gets into depth with drugs, abuse, and sex. I do not recommend this book to anyone that feels uncomfortable when they read about drugs. Reading this book as a freshman set my book standards pretty high. It was a very good book!

Rating: 9 out of 10

The Color Purple

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Taking place mostly in rural Georgia, the story focuses on the life of women of color in the southern United States in the 1930s, addressing numerous issues including their exceedingly low position in American social culture. The novel has been the frequent target of censors and appears on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2000-2009 at number seventeen because of the sometimes explicit content, particularly in terms of violence.

                                   Madi McDade- The book over all was a good description of the life after slavery ended in the deep south. The book portrayed the abuse and inequality felt by black people, but also repression of women by men. I gave the book a 7 because it is hard to read because the writer, writes as if she is the main character speaking. She uses improper, southern style English which is hard to understand. Finally it is a very graphic novel, hard to get through at times, but overall a good read, 

Rating: 7 out of 10

Animal Farm

Animal Farm by George Orwell

As ferociously fresh as it was more than a half century ago, this remarkable allegory of a downtrodden society of overworked, mistreated animals and their quest to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality is one of the most scathing satires ever published. As readers witness the rise and bloody fall of the revolutionary animals, they begin to recognize the seeds of totalitarianism in the most idealistic organization and in the most charismatic leaders, the souls of the cruelest oppressors.

                                       iv-why?- After reading this novel in my English 12 class, I can honestly say that I won't be reading this book again... The story line was very predictable and the plot seemed over all a little dry, Yes this book compares to Russian history, but that doesn't really add to the value of the novel. Also, the ending wasn't a big shocker, more a disappointment. Since this book is a literary 'classic', I do recommend that everyone should read it once, but I wouldn't expect anyone to fall in love with this book. 

Rating: 6 out of 10

American Sniper

American Sniper by Chris Kyle

From 1999 to 2009, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in United States military history. The Pentagon has officially confirmed more than 150 of Kyles kills (the previous American record was 109), but it has declined to verify the astonishing total number for this book. Iraqi insurgents feared Kyle so much they named him al-Shaitan (“the devil”) and placed a bounty on his head. Kyle earned legendary status among his fellow SEALs, Marines, and U.S. Army soldiers, whom he protected with deadly accuracy from rooftops and stealth positions. Gripping and unforgettable, Kyle’s masterful account of his extraordinary battlefield experiences ranks as one of the great war memoirs of all time.

A native Texan who learned to shoot on childhood hunting trips with his father, Kyle was a champion saddle-bronc rider prior to joining the Navy. After 9/11, he was thrust onto the front lines of the War on Terror, and soon found his calling as a world-class sniper who performed best under fire. He recorded a personal-record 2,100-yard kill shot outside Baghdad; in Fallujah, Kyle braved heavy fire to rescue a group of Marines trapped on a street; in Ramadi, he stared down insurgents with his pistol in close combat. Kyle talks honestly about the pain of war—of twice being shot and experiencing the tragic deaths of two close friends.                                     Miranda Pemosky- This book was sad, I had watched the movie before I had read the book and it was an extraordinary movie! I love that the novel was written by Chris Kyle and then continued after his death. This is an amazing story that would be great for anybody!


Rating: 10 out of 10

Warriors Don't Cry

Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals

Beals chronicles her harrowing junior year at Central High where she underwent the segregationists' brutal organized campaign of terrorism which included telephone threats, vigilante stalkers, economic blackmailers, rogue police, and much more.

                                 This is a very good, well written book that plays with your emotions. The characters are easily relatable and you fall in love with them instantly. I would recommend this book to anyone who finds segregation and integration of African Americans interesting or is looking for a good book to read. The reason I rated this book with an 8 is due to the fact that it was slow getting into the book, but once I did I could not put it down. I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone!

Rating: 8 out of 10