I’m not a vegetarian by any means, but I sure do love trying new ways of cooking, new recipes, and introducing new foods to my palate. As with any cookbook I get my hands on to review, I always try out several recipes before finalizing my view of the book.

“This book is a celebration of good food.”

Simply Satisfying is a vegetarian cookbook with over 200 mouthwatering recipes that you will surely be able to enjoy to appease even the pickiest of eaters.

The first recipe I cooked up was the deep-fried cheese-filled polenta balls on ...]]> By Jeanne Lemlin
The Experiment, $21.95, 368 pages

I’m not a vegetarian by any means, but I sure do love trying new ways of cooking, new recipes, and introducing new foods to my palate. As with any cookbook I get my hands on to review, I always try out several recipes before finalizing my view of the book.

“This book is a celebration of good food.”

Simply Satisfying is a vegetarian cookbook with over 200 mouthwatering recipes that you will surely be able to enjoy to appease even the pickiest of eaters.

The first recipe I cooked up was the deep-fried cheese-filled polenta balls on page 35. They were extremely easy as well as fun to make and tasted like heaven in my mouth. They were small enough to just pop into my mouth; they make a great snack or protein packed entree. The second recipe oddly enough was on the next page: cheese and onion filo triangles, and were just as delicious as they sound. Some of the best features of this cheesy morsel are they are quick and easy to make as well as freeze easily. Pop still frozen triangles into the oven for 15 minutes and add a scrumptious side salad and Voila, dinner is served!

But these are only two of over 200 recipes to tease and appease your tastes. So what are you waiting for? Pick this up in time for dinner tonight!

Reviewed by Janessa, Age 16

Rock climbers spend much of their time and effort to avoid falling off a mountainside. It’s probably a no brainer “rule to live by.” When her marriage imploded and she lost valuable sponsors due to some sketchy choices her then husband made in illegally free solo climbing a famous formation in a national park, professional climber Steph Davis figuratively must have felt like her life was free falling into an abyss of uncertainty and chaos. Steph headed off to figure out how to move on from it all. Colorado was the first place that called ...]]> By Steph Davis
Touchstone, $2.99, 304 pages

Rock climbers spend much of their time and effort to avoid falling off a mountainside. It’s probably a no brainer “rule to live by.” When her marriage imploded and she lost valuable sponsors due to some sketchy choices her then husband made in illegally free solo climbing a famous formation in a national park, professional climber Steph Davis figuratively must have felt like her life was free falling into an abyss of uncertainty and chaos. Steph headed off to figure out how to move on from it all. Colorado was the first place that called to her and in a short time she changed her focus from the ingrained experience of climbing to an opposite mind set of skydiving. Traveling with her trusty and loyal companion pooch Fletch, she chronicles her journey in her book Learning to Fly.

It’s inspiring to read about her seemingly fearless unfettered vagabond type lifestyle, and challenging to try to understand her inclinations for pursuing such dangerously risky activities. Perhaps for me, the interest is in the first hand descriptions of these death defying feats albeit vicariously from the safety of my easy chair. Thrilling and infectiously interesting, I found this book a great read and hard to put down. What’s next, Steph? Everest?

Reviewed by Laura Friedkin

Being a teenager is struggle enough, but add to it being a gay male and you’ve just unleashed Pandora’s box in a world where it’s hard enough being the norm, much less to add the extras of religion, politics, sexual preference, and trying to find oneself and fit in. The author does a perfect job making this a standalone book and gives readers an informal backdrop on each of the characters so the book moves fluidly along without any questioning.

“Why all the sudden interest in Kevin? Are you saying you wanna get back together with ...]]> By Brent Hartinger
Buddha Kitty Books, $12.99, 226 pages

Being a teenager is struggle enough, but add to it being a gay male and you’ve just unleashed Pandora’s box in a world where it’s hard enough being the norm, much less to add the extras of religion, politics, sexual preference, and trying to find oneself and fit in. The author does a perfect job making this a standalone book and gives readers an informal backdrop on each of the characters so the book moves fluidly along without any questioning.

“Why all the sudden interest in Kevin? Are you saying you wanna get back together with him?”

Russell Middlebrook is openly gay, but like most high school age kids, he hasn’t quite figured out the love and emotions part yet, but it’s harder to find a more dedicated friend than he. Their story is really just the tale of any ordinary teen, in spite of their sexuality, and the group of friends and foes as they go through life thinking they are invincible, responsible, and wiser then adults, yet don’t actually relate to adults at all. And that’s the point. That is what makes this such a great book and so hard to put down.

This is a quick read,  making it perfect for busy teens to squeeze in a little reading time. I definitely recommend picking this book up!

Reviewed by Janessa, Age 16

Platypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked by Jarrett J. Krosoczka is about two platypus detectives in Kalamazoo City. One is named O’Malley and he’s been a policeman for a long time and he’s fat. The other one is named Zengo and he’s brand new and skinny. Sergeant Plazinski puts them together and they try to solve the mystery of a missing frog who was a teacher who could have been involved with the illegal fish trade in the city. O’Malley has certain ways of doing things that Zengo doesn’t like because it’s different and he thinks ...]]> By Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Walden Pond Press, $12.99, 240 pages

Platypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked by Jarrett J. Krosoczka is about two platypus detectives in Kalamazoo City. One is named O’Malley and he’s been a policeman for a long time and he’s fat. The other one is named Zengo and he’s brand new and skinny. Sergeant Plazinski puts them together and they try to solve the mystery of a missing frog who was a teacher who could have been involved with the illegal fish trade in the city. O’Malley has certain ways of doing things that Zengo doesn’t like because it’s different and he thinks O’Malley isn’t doing a good job and is too slow. Along the way we meet animal characters from school, O’Malley and Zengo’s families, a few other police detectives, and Frank Pandini, Jr., an important panda in town who may or may not be a bad guy.

I thought the story was okay. I liked the surprises where I thought one thing was going to happen and something else happened instead. The book would be good for boys or girls from a more advanced second grader on up.

Reviewed by Hannah, Age 7

Jules Bloom is seven years old. While eating at a restaurant with her family, Jules meets Colby Kingston, a casting director who wants Jules to be in a children’s mouthwash commercial. Jules is very excited about doing a commercial at first, but then she gets the script and it says the mouthwash tastes like orange. Jules really doesn’t like orange – it makes her sick! Jules needs her friends to help her get over her fear of oranges so she won’t throw up during her audition. She gets lots of help from her friends and family. If you ...]]> By Beth Ain
Scholastic Press, $14.99, 145 pages

Jules Bloom is seven years old. While eating at a restaurant with her family, Jules meets Colby Kingston, a casting director who wants Jules to be in a children’s mouthwash commercial. Jules is very excited about doing a commercial at first, but then she gets the script and it says the mouthwash tastes like orange. Jules really doesn’t like orange – it makes her sick! Jules needs her friends to help her get over her fear of oranges so she won’t throw up during her audition. She gets lots of help from her friends and family. If you want to know how Jules’ audition went, you’ll have to read the book!

“A silly, exciting book about a seven year old girl’s first audition.”

I would recommend this book to seven year olds who don’t like orange, have friends, and like to watch television. It was a very silly but exciting book. I like how the illustrations painted a clear picture in my mind. The last illustration in the story is my favorite. Anne Keenan Higgins did a great job!

Reviewed by Murphy, Age 7

Zoel has finally made it out of the Community, and escaped to live with the Resistance. Things do not go as planned. The leader of the Resistance, General Taylor, seems to hate her, her boyfriend is acting strangely, the Chancellor seems to know every move before the Resistance makes it, and Zoel is still struggling with her allergy. Zoel takes part in one series of dangerous missions after another, each leading her to believe there is someone on the inside of the Resistance plotting to reveal all.

“The Community link is peace. We are humanity sublime ...]]> By Heather Anastasiu
St. Martin’s Griffin, $9.99, 320 pages

Zoel has finally made it out of the Community, and escaped to live with the Resistance. Things do not go as planned. The leader of the Resistance, General Taylor, seems to hate her, her boyfriend is acting strangely, the Chancellor seems to know every move before the Resistance makes it, and Zoel is still struggling with her allergy. Zoel takes part in one series of dangerous missions after another, each leading her to believe there is someone on the inside of the Resistance plotting to reveal all.

“The Community link is peace. We are humanity sublime because we live in Community and favor above all else order, logic, and peace. Community first, Community always.“

This book is a fairly standard and unoriginal bridge book. The bad guy gets badder, the good guys get more courageous, the love scenes get steamier, and the the plot thickens thicker. The characters fall into completely stereotypical traps and pitfalls, and refuse to use the stereotypical methods of avoiding these ills to escape their woes, and then they go and whine about it for three chapters. This book seems to be mostly a placeholder, filler material. However, I am still interested in reading book number three to see if the main characters can finally resolve the conflicts that were only procrastinated here.

Reviewed by Peterson, Age 15

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a classic book that everyone should read. It tells the story of a little Kansas girl, Dorothy, and her adventures through the magical world of Oz. As she travels down the yellow brick road to find the Wizard of Oz, she makes many new friends (and a few enemies, too). It is one of my favorite stories.

“All you have to do is knock the heels together three times and command the shoes to carry you wherever you wish”

While I love the story, the illustrations I love not ...]]> By L. Frank Baum, Michael Sieben, Illustrator
Harper Design, $18.99, 224 pages

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a classic book that everyone should read. It tells the story of a little Kansas girl, Dorothy, and her adventures through the magical world of Oz. As she travels down the yellow brick road to find the Wizard of Oz, she makes many new friends (and a few enemies, too). It is one of my favorite stories.

“All you have to do is knock the heels together three times and command the shoes to carry you wherever you wish”

While I love the story, the illustrations I love not so much. In this copy of the book with “new and improved” illustrations, the illustrations are somewhat frightening. They are good illustrations, but I don’t think they fit this book well. It was not something I expected to see in a children’s book. The illustrations may be appealing to some teens and make them want to read the book, but I found them a little odd. Overall, I would recommend this book to any of my friends, just for the magical story.

Reviewed by Delaney, Age 12

The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince by Robin Hobb is a delightfully hard-edged fairy story which speaks words of truth to future generations of a princess and her son. When the princess is born, she’s paired with a plain girl of modest intelligence as a companion. Because this girl is submissive and wholly accommodating, she’s soon the only one who can influence the Princess. This is the story as told by her, both in her own words and recording the oral history passed on to her by her son. It tells ...]]> By Robin Hobb and Jodi Foster
Subterranean, $35.00, 184 pages

The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince by Robin Hobb is a delightfully hard-edged fairy story which speaks words of truth to future generations of a princess and her son. When the princess is born, she’s paired with a plain girl of modest intelligence as a companion. Because this girl is submissive and wholly accommodating, she’s soon the only one who can influence the Princess. This is the story as told by her, both in her own words and recording the oral history passed on to her by her son. It tells of the princess who makes decisions based on her capricious heart and not out of the usual political expediency. This leads to the birth of a son out of wedlock and complications for the succession. The result is one of these predictable tragedies as passions are stirred up and jealousy reigns. The question, of course, is what role is left for “truth”? For the immediate times, truth is controlled by the victors and what our old lady has to say would be highly inconvenient. But later generations might benefit from understanding how the situation devolved into this mess. So these two manuscripts are left to be found.

Reviewed by David Marshall

Last Ape Standing by William J. Chip Walter is a fascinating tale about where we came from, what we are, and where we may be going. Walter, a science writer and professor, explores a variety of subjects related to our evolution on the planet. This is a grounded scientific tale and does not offer much theological exploration. Science has provided plenty of fascinating, wondrous discoveries for us to chew over. The book has chapters about evolution of childhood, human migration, our cousins the Neanderthals, mental illness, and our future prospects.

“…over the long haul ...]]> By Chip Walter
Walker & Company, $26.00, 240 pages

Last Ape Standing by William J. Chip Walter is a fascinating tale about where we came from, what we are, and where we may be going. Walter, a science writer and professor, explores a variety of subjects related to our evolution on the planet. This is a grounded scientific tale and does not offer much theological exploration. Science has provided plenty of fascinating, wondrous discoveries for us to chew over. The book has chapters about evolution of childhood, human migration, our cousins the Neanderthals, mental illness, and our future prospects.

“…over the long haul evolutionary forces encouraged our ancestors to cooperate enough with one another that they managed to make it to the twenty-first century.”

There were over twenty-six species of humans on the planet over the last million years, but the message here, despite the title, was that winners survived due to adaptability and intelligence rather than violent prowess. There were also times where cooperation paid off. Thomas Hobbes may have described life as “poor, nasty, brutish, and short” but it seems as though this may have been the result of the political systems we created rather than of human nature.

The book is dense and involving with too much information for it to be a quick read. It does explore the current implications of some of the theories of evolution presented. Interesting conjecture and speculation have produced some captivating narratives about why we are the way we are.

Reviewed by Ryder Miller

Fans of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series never get tired of it and enjoy reading the story in every incarnation. Chuck Dixon, Marcio Fiorito, and Francis Nuguit have been breathing new life into the series by retelling the story with comic books; The Eye of the World: the Graphic Novel collects these comic books into graphic novels, and Volume Three is the latest installment. The artwork helps readers imagine in their minds the pictures Jordan previously painted so eloquently with words. The styles of the ...]]> By Robert Jordan, Chuck Dixon, Marcio Fiorito, and Francis Nuguit
Tor Books, $24.99, 176 pages

Fans of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series never get tired of it and enjoy reading the story in every incarnation. Chuck Dixon, Marcio Fiorito, and Francis Nuguit have been breathing new life into the series by retelling the story with comic books; The Eye of the World: the Graphic Novel collects these comic books into graphic novels, and Volume Three is the latest installment. The artwork helps readers imagine in their minds the pictures Jordan previously painted so eloquently with words. The styles of the different artists all blend rather nicely, so that readers don’t really notice which sections are by which person. The words, both narration and dialogue, all come straight from Jordan’s original novel, which is something that fans really appreciate. For those who might be a little intimidated by the length of the books, this retelling, told more in pictures than with words, makes this epic series a bit more approachable. The only drawback to a comic series is how long it takes each installment to be released! Definitely looking forward to the next graphic novel in this series.

Reviewed by Holly Scudero