Everest: Book One - The Contest

Everest: Book One - The Contest, by Gordon Korman

I can't believe I just realized right now, after entering in my previous review, that this is the same author of The 6th Grade Nickname Game!! I read the books back-to-back and didn't even realize it!!

This book is part of a three-part series. Everest: Book Two - The Climb, and Everest: Book Three - The Summit, follow this first book. Be advised now - you will want to read the next book right away, so have it handy!!

This first book is about a contest that a sports drink/energy bar company is holding to give people the chance to climb Mt. Everest (the tallest mountain in the world). Dominic and his brother are in the running with several other kids to be in the final crew to climb Everest. All of the kids are at a training camp in the Rocky Mountains and trying to prove their worth. Some kids are deserving of the chance, while others just have rich uncles. Dominic is the youngest in the group, while his brother is a bit older, but very experienced and one of the better climbers. Of course, the climb on Everest isn't just about who is the best, it is also about making a show out of the competition and that means who will make it more enjoyable to watch... The most arrogant, the most well-known, the youngest, a girl? You will have to read the book to find out who the final crew going to Everest is. I bet you will be surprised!!

The only negative thing about this book, and why it received 4 stars instead of 5, is because at times it can be difficult to tell who the author is talking about. I had to back-up and reread a few times to figure it out.

p.s. Do not judge this book by its cover!! It may look like a "boy" book, but I can guarantee that any girl would like it as well. I did!

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The 6th Grade Nickname Game

The 6th Grade Nickname Game, by Gordon Korman

This book is about Jeff and Wiley, who create nicknames for everyone in their school. The nosiest kid in class is nicknamed Snoopy, a boy with a white-streak down his hair is called Skunk... you get the idea. Then one day, a new girl shows up at school - Cassandra. They can't seem to pin-point a nickname for her. She is so different than all of the other kids at their school. 

In addition, the students have really begun to take a liking to their new substitute, Mr. Hughes (Mr. Huge), who is very different from many of the teachers. He is always positive and encouraging the students to give 110%. When the kids find out that he is going to be fired if they don't do better on their state reading test, the students come up with a plan to not only improve their scores, but help Mr. Huge keep his job. Will the plan work? Will the boys ever come up with a nickname for Cassandra? 

This book was a fun and fast read. The nicknames in the book are fun and makes it seem like real life. I loved the kids idea for getting better test scores - so simple and yet, so effective!! :)

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

INKHEART

Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke

This story is a mixture of fantasy, adventure, and mystery. It is hard to give a summary of this story without giving away too much information, but I will do my best. 

The story is about Meggie and her father, who devour books every chance they get. When a stranger shows up one night and Meggie's father suddenly whisks them away to her great-aunt's house, Meggie starts to recognize that something strange is going on. It turns out that her father can summon objects and characters from books by reading aloud from books. Many years ago, he had read from a book called Inkheart and an evil man named Capricorn emerged from the book. Now, Capricorn wants Meggie's father back and will stop at nothing until he does. 

There are many other twists and turns along the way in this book, which kept me very intrigued. It is a rather long read at 563 pages, but most of it does go by quickly. Although it has a happy ending, things don't exactly end... perfectly. Which is interesting, because another one of Cornelia Funke's books, The Thief Lord, is similar that way (another really good book, by the way ;)).

p.s. There has been a movie made about this book - I have not seen it and can therefore, not comment. Please read the book first before seeing the movie - it is always more enjoyable that way!

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars