Middle schoo l S C I T I R C
Vol. 3, Issue 1
Reviews you can trust.
www.briarcliffmanorlibrary.org/
contents
Books. Movies. Games. Anime. and more...
Stargirl Club Penguin The Big Wander Intersella: 5555 Six 7*8th Twilight Whale Rider Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist Grimstone’s Ghost The Alchemist Trickster’s Choice/Queen 20 Modern Rock Band YOU Borat Should Know
Reviews:
The Thumbs Excellent Good OK Horrible
December, 2007
Meet the Critics: -LCrystal Art Samm Kim Jenna Taylor Becca Millner
Jenny Yang Travis Amiel Sadie McMurrin Kynan Welsh Agent 001
Learn more on page 6
Join the Club Do you want to be a critic? Contact Amy Kaplan, Children and Teens Librarian at Briarcliff Manor Public Library. 733-3612 or
[email protected] The opinions expressed in the reviews are not necessarily the opinion of the Library. The appropriateness of the materials reviewed is not for the Public Library to determine and the students are encouraged to review whatever they’d like— therefore, we encourage parents to be involved in and be aware of their children’s book, movie, television, gaming, and music choices.
Middle school
2
critics
Stargirl
Borat: Learnings of America for Make Profit for Khazakstan
By Jerry Spinelli
Movie, Rated: R
Critic: Crystal Art
Borat: Learnings of America for Make Profit for Khazakstan is a film about news reporter Borat (Sasha Baren Cohen) who wants to see what America is like. On the way, he falls in love with Pamela Anderson, causing comedy to ensue as he goes to the other side of the country to find new love. This film is great for fans of the Ali G Show. I like the moments of people not understanding him. For those who want hours of laughter, this is their movie.
Stargirl is a good book about someone who is different and how people react to differences.
Twilight By Stephanie Meyer Critics: Jenny Yang
Twilight=Super-cal-i-love-this-bookso-much-that-it-is-not-even-funny. Twisting legends of vampires into a modern light, Twilight has all the bare necessities of a book: love, friendship, a move to new home, vampires, werewolves, and of course the heroine. Cliché beginning and ending, yet when reading the book, it seems to be your own world, and everything that happens seems probable. Picture yourself as the main character, Belle Swan. Not hard right? Right. Now, picture yourself encountering a family of vampires. Getting a bit hard to believe, you think? WRONG. I promise you, when reading this book, you will find yourself sucked into the world where nothing is unbelievable. Vampires will become creatures that you believe are so normal that when you are finally done reading Twilight you will go and ask one of your friends if they have ever had a rendezvous with a vampire. No kidding. Meyer makes it so you feel so close to the characters, you could probably write a whole biography about them and how they feel. In short, you and the characters, feel as one. Isabelle Swan has just moved to her father’s. Everyone at school seems friendly, but in one of her classes, a boy named Edward seems to show extreme dislike of her. His family is perfect, and loved by all except by Jacob and his friends and family because of some strange legend about werewolves and vampires. Is Jacob’s story true? Time for you to find out.
Critic: -L-
Grimstone’s Ghost By Mary Arrigan Critic: Becca Millner
Love mystery and adventure? Then you’ll love Grimstone’s Ghost. Cian and his younger sister Jo go to a haunted house Cian inherits from his dead greatuncle. Locked alone in the house, alone at night, Cian and Jo discover a long forgotten mystery and, if they don’t stop him soon, Grimstone’s ghost might kill them all! I loved this story and you will too.
One Piece By Eiichiro Oda Critic: Travis Okey-Dokey
So this is the story about Luffy, a kid who is super determined to the Pirate King. But he can’t swim. This is because he ate the fruit of the gum gum tree, or devil’s tree as some people (or just about everyone in the book except Luffy) call it. Eating the gum gum turns your body into rubber. He can stretch himself to punch people from far away and deflect bullets, but most of all has dreams to become the Pirate King!
Middle school critics
3 Interstella: 5555 Movie, Rated: NR
Trickster’s Choice & Trickster’s Queen By Tamora Pierce Critic: Jenna Taylor
If you enjoy reading books about thieves and people rebelling you will love the Trickster books. Aly leaves her home on a boat and is captured by slavers. Sold to the Baltings Aly becomes a top servent and leads a rebellion against a tyrant king. These books put you in the heart of a story, you feel what Aly feels. Read them and they become your favorite books.
Nick and Nora’s Infinite Play List By Rachel Cohn and David Levithan Critic: Jenny Yang
A night about finding yourself and finding true love, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Play List is a book that you can read over and over and over again. God knows how many times I’ve read it! (maybe about 47, but who’s counting?) Starting with a local concert, an unexpected kiss and an agreement of being a five minute girl friend, Nick and Norah end up sharing a feeling together that some of us look for, for our whole lives. With a night containing a broken down Yugo named Jessie, nuns making out, two ex’s, Where’s Fluffy?, a jacket named Salvatore that could be his evil twin Salamander’s, Tikkun Olam and a play list with songs by The Beatles, Johny Cash, Green Day, The Cure, The Smiths. Etc, WHO CAN NOT LOVE THIS BOOK? Short, snazzy, and sassy, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Play List will have you laughing, crying, sighing, and wanting for more. So what are you waiting for? Get the book before the evil twin of Salvatore finally conquers the world!
Critic: Samm Kim
Made in Japan, in 2003, this movie has no dialect but only songs (with no words) made by Daft Punk. The music creates the story which starts off in another dimension on the planet of blue people. The planet’s popular band holds a concert on their home planet with everyone listening. But when an unknown spacecraft comes down, the band becomes in danger as a brave man tries to rescue them. This movie has adventure and mystery and the techno music fits perfectly with the movie. And oh, it’s anime so that automatically makes it cool.
Club Penguin Internet Game Critic: Agent 001
Club Penguin is an interesting and exciting computer game where you enter the world of personified penguins. You don’t know what you’ll bump into until you explore different places. Play games with other penguins or play by yourself with challenges. Create a penguin and give it a name. Become a member so you can purchase items with the coins earned from the games you win. Own pet puffles and take care of them. If not, they will suffer of hunger or lack of games. So remember to always feed and play with your puffle. Take tests to become a tourist or a secret agent to own a spy phone. Go on adventures or top secret missions while solving mysteries. You can even interact with other penguins. I would highly recommend this computer game to any boy or girl who is bored and has nothing to do. Just get your parent’s permission and you can get a free penguin at www.clubpenguin.com.
Middle school
4
critics The Big Wander By Will Hobbs
Critic: Kynan Welsh
Whale Rider
This is one is one of my favorites. The Big Wander is about two brothers that go on a search for their uncle in the West. They have a fun adventure, with tons of twists. I love this book because of the plot.
Movie, Rated: PG-13 Critic: -L-
Whale Rider is the story of a young girl who is raised in a town of Hawaiian people who were originally from New Zealand. Their story is that their chieftan rode on the back of a whale. Though she is next in line as chief, her grandfather doesn’t care much for her and she must prove her worth and show she’s meant to be chief. For those who want a movie with a good plot and a new experience, you’ll like this. I know I did.
SIX 7*8th Magazine Hey girls in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, here’s a magazine for all your tastes. If you like fashion, taking quizzes (fun ones!) reading celeb interviews and more, this ‘zine is totally for you! My personal favorites include Truth and Consequences and HELP! from Briana and Jen. Truth and Consquences is a regular in this mag where they show you a bad thing like shoplifting, and tell you the truth about it. HELP! Is about 2 toy people (Briana and Jen) who compete to give you the best advice for your probs. Both the site and the magazine are fairly new so you haven’t missed much! Take a chance, you won’t regret this! Critic: Sadie McMurrin
The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho Critic: Jenny Yang
The Alchemist is one of the few books mandatory to read from school that I have truly loved. Philosophical and intriguing, The Alchemist uses a simple story to explain the true power of listening to our hearts and realizing our own personal legends. The story is about a shepherd boy named Santiago who travels all the way from Spain to Egypt in search of a treasure, not that he knows that the treasure is there. Going on this journey though, Santiago learns lessons far greater than any treasure. Inspiring and deep, The Alchemist will move you and deeply touch your mind.
Parent/Child Book Discussion With Amy Kaplan and Ms.McCabe Read the next book: s
Framed by Frank Cotrell Boyce
keep your eyes open for meeting date this winter! Interested in joining us? Email
[email protected] or stop by school library
Middle school critics
5
Twenty Modern Rock Bands YOU Know And Similar Bands that are Amazing Critic: Jenny Yang 1. The Academy Is… Similar bands: The Audition, Sugarcult, Panic at the Disco, Rocket Summer, Fall Out Boy, Relient K
The Academy is… What can I say? They are one of the most amazing bands out there. Each song is a different story, including different melodies and a different feel to each. You can be sure that they will never overplay or damage a song. Always with a catchy tune, it can either make your ears tingle with excitement, or it can pummel your mind away. The Academy is… is one of those bands you know that will always be rocking. 2. Alesana Similar bands: Flee the Seen, Escape the Fate, Vanna, blessthefall, Thursday, Underoath, Silverstein, Saosin
Sit. Down. And. Listen. Alesana perfectly blends post hard-core and metal with pop hooks and earnest lyrics. The first band to be signed to local indie Tragic Hero Records, they released their debut album, Try This with Your Eyes Closed, in mid-June of 2005, Through word of mouth (where I heard them from) and Internet promotions, the album created a buzz among screamo fans. In the summer of 2006 Alesana came out with the album: On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax. You. Listen to the albums with your eyes closed; hear Shawn Milke and Dennis Lee’s voices. And listen to guitarist Patrick, bassist Steven, and drummer Daniel’s music fly with energy. Alesana will definitely open your eyes. 3. The All-American Rejects Similar bands: The Audition, Panic! at the Disco, Logan Square, The City Drive, Weezer, Fastball, Jimmy Eat World, The Get Up Kids
From two small towns, Still Water and Edmonds, Oklahoma, The All-American Rejects had no choice except turn to music. Born (at a concert), and raised with music Tyson Ritter and talented guitarist Nick Wheeler, formed the band in high school with some fellow students who later on dropped out of the band. To continue following their dreams, Ritter and Wheeler added on guitarist: Mike Kennerty, and drummer: Chris Gaylor. Now in their twenties, The AAR finally have their shot with fame with a few singles that have hit top charts. Songs like Dirty Little Secret, and Swing, Swing, definitely are the kind of music that blows you away and The All-American Rejects just happen to have that oomph to create music that knocks the wind out of you. 4. All that Remains Similar bands: Unearth, The Crown, Darkest Hour, Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, Bleeding Through, Beyond the Sixth Seal, Trivium
All that Remains’s 2002 debut album, Metal Blade, showed their heavy take on hardcore death metal. Formed by guitarist Oli Herbert and vocalist Phil Labonte in 1998, All That Remains recruited drummer Michael Bartlett, guitarist Chris Bartlett, and bassist Danny Egan to become a metal band so deathly you actually realize how alive you are. 5. Against Me! Similar bands: The Step Right Up’s, Dirty, Pretty Things, NOFX, Drop Kick Murphy’s, Mad Caddies, Defiance, Billy Bragg, Ohio, The Replacements, The Unseen, Pennywise
Against Me! is one of those groups that can take one chorus and contort it into a thousand different voices. Blending elements of punk, folk, and country it is no amazement for there to be so many die hard punk fans. “Don’t Lose Touch” is currently on MY twenty five most played list on iTunes. Against Me! makes anarchism fun. No kidding. 6. Atreyu Similar bands: Escape the Fate, Darkest Hour, Poison the Well, Killswitch Engage, Eighteen Visions, Christiansen, Avenged Sevenfold, As I Lay Dying, Audio Slave, Stone Sour
Around the turn of the century, Atreyu created an explosion of rap-metal. With their off key guitars, contorted voices and rhythmic drums Atreyu created a sound that gave the work an edge. The metal core quintet doesn’t make it seem like a four people group but a life of all people. Their music is so loud, you can swear they are right there next to you; Atreyu makes it impossible to think that rap and metal do not go together.
Middle school
critics
6
Twenty Modern Rock Bands YOU Know And Similar Bands that are Amazing (cont) Critic: Jenny Yang 7. Breaking Benjamin Similar bands: Three Days Grace, Theory of a Dead Man, Three Doors Down, Seether, Fuel, Silver Chair, Finger Eleven, Creed, Third Eye Blind, Godsmack, Thousand Foot Krutch
Diary of Jane, Water, Until the End, Sooner or Later: all amazing songs. I don’t think Breaking Benjamin has ever created a bad song. The band isn't quite alternative metal but it certainly is hard alternative rock. The songs are so well put together; they are not hard but they are not soft, the words aren’t funny, but they aren’t serious, they are good, and amazingly good. Let’s just say if you took a try with Breaking Benjamin you can not go wrong. 8. Cute Is What We Aim For Similar bands: Cartel, Head Automatica, Boys Like Girls, May Day Parade, Cobra Starship, Panic! at the Disco, Karate High School, Forgive Durden, Dave Melillo, Punchline, The Click Five, , Houston Calls
Not only is the name, Cute Is What We Aim For, witty and fun, their music is too! Poppy and cheerful would be some adjective to describe the emo/queer core band. Taken from their own experiences, they create scenes that are actually kind of sad into music that is catchy and can lift you out of anything. Have a bad day? This is definitely the band for you! 9. Evanescence Similar bands: Lacuna Coil, Evans Blue, 12 Stones
Dark and melodic, Christian and demonic, Evanescence can be described in three words, EXTREMELY WICKED AWESOME. There is no other way to put it. Amy Lee’s voice soars into notes that I don’t think Mrs. Messenger can even hit. Starting to record at the age of fourteen Amy and Ben Moody met at a summer camp when Amy was playing a Meat Loaf song on the piano while singing for Ben. Evanescence hit double platinum with their second album, Fallen which was featured in the soundtrack of the movie: Dare Devil and even got two Grammys. Maybe it is the gothic turn, but it doesn’t make you feel dark. It’s uplifting and listening to it makes you feel like it’s Halloween every day. 10. Fly Leaf Similar bands: Dropping Daylight, Mercy Fall, Seether, Smile Empty Soul, Crossfade, Tsunami Bomb
Is it just me or is front woman Lacey Mosley’s voice just amazing? Mosley is able to go screamo, falsetto, and crazily higho. The rock quintet, Flyleaf, formed in 2000 when Lacey tried out a string of the dark, hard-edged songs she wrote as a brooding teen. Growing up moving from apartment to apartment with the bills unpaid, Lacey openly admits to drug and alcohol abuse but in a way the band helped her to find herself. Now, if you listen to any of the bands songs you will no longer see that brooding teen but you can hear the voice of an extremely talented band. 11. From First To Last Similar bands: Escape the Fate, Underoath, The Used, Senses Fail, Silverstein, Saosin, Scatter the Ashes, He Is Legend, System of a Down
From the beginning the post-hardcore, screamo band had a consistent change of band members. After releasing the EP Aesthetic on New York-based Four Leaf Recordings in June of 2003, Pillip Reardon departed the band and young, fifteen year-old Sonny Moore joined on as lead vocalist. Written in two weeks the album Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Body Count, was released in 2004 with Derek Bloom on drums and Jon Weisberger on bass. In a way, it is hard to imagine a fifteen year old, now nineteen year old to feel the emotion felt in this album, but in another way it isn’t. Growing up nowadays it is natural to go through all of the feelings felt in the songs. From “Kiss Me, I’m Contagious” to “Emily,” From First to Last, definitely reaches out to the world. 12. Hot Hot Heat Similar bands: Spoon, At the Drive-In, The Faint, The Black Halos, The French Kicks, Vue, The Walkmen, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Stone Temple Pilots, Modest Mouse
In 1999, starting as a loud, synth-based combo in Victoria, British Colombia, Hot Hot Heat became a catchy indie rock band two years later, when keyboardist Steve Bays took on the vocal duties, and guitarist Dante DeCaro joined their ranks. The new lineup helped bring a new indie sound to the band and the witty words play with your mind till you can’t help but sing along.
Middle school
critics
7
Twenty Modern Rock Bands YOU Know And Similar Bands that are Amazing (cont) Critic: Jenny Yang 13. It Dies Today Similar bands: Throwdown, The Human Abstract, As I Lay Dying, Bleeding Through, Haste the Day, Aiden, Preschool Tea Party Massacre, The Suicide Pact, Suicide Silence, Still Remains, A Static Lullaby, Social Distortion, A Sky Lit Drive, Poison the Well, Match book Romance, Letter Kills, I Killed the Prom Queen, In Flames, I Am Ghost, Holly Wood Undead, Glass Jaw, Despised Icon
From Buffalo, New York, It Dies Today was formed in 2001 when most of the members were still in their teens. The band decided to go hybrid, one hand in death metal and another in post hardcore creating a music DNA mix of metal core. Their self financed EP was named Forever Scorned and the full length debut album, Caitiff Choir, came out in 2004. The second, Sirens, followed two years later. What makes this band different is the DNA mix. The music is gorgeous with a hard cutting edge with the screamo vocals and strong death metal guitars, and drums keeping the beat, It Dies Today is a complete underground band. 14. Motion City Sound Track Similar bands: Panic! at the Disco, Sunny Day Real Estate, Superdrag, Jimmy Eat World, Harvey Danger, The Get Up Kids, At the Drive-In, Sunday's Best, OK-Go
You could say Motion City Sound Track is that One band that you love listening to at absolutely any time. Sarcastic and cheerful, mocking and respectful, this punk pop band has it all. You look through bands and you see a guy with crazy hair and thick rimmed glasses, and some three other crazy looking guys and you’ve got MCST. Commit This To Memory and I Am The Movie are extremely well crafted albums. Expertly put together. If you just want to start getting into rock Motion City Sound Track is perfect. Enough pop, enough punk, enough alternative, enough indie, enough of everything that makes you want to smile. 15. See You Next Tuesday Similar bands: Job For A Cowboy, Carnifex, Suffokate, Cannibal Corpse, Children of Bodom, Dragon Force, Theatre of Tragedy, A Black Rose Burial, Opeth, Slayer, Celtic Frost, Megadeth
If you are an honestly huge head banger, metal lover, you will LOVE See You Next Tuesday. Not the most heard of bands, it sounds like a mixture between Bodom and Cannibal Corpse. A grind core band from suburban Michigan, See You Next Tuesday likes to describe their music as "brootal grind for brootal dudes." From Throat barking vocalist, Chris Fox, guitarist: Drew Slavik, Bassist: Travis Martin and drummer: Andy Dalton, the group creates music hard enough for even “brootal dudes” not to be able to stand. Can you stand the scream? 16. Something Corporate Similar bands: The Hush Sound, October Fall, Making April, Open Air Stereo, Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Third Eye Blind, Landon Pigg, Jacks Mannequin, Anberlin, Our Lady Peace, One Republic, National Product
Something Corporate was discovered when the band members were just barely out of high school. The band didn’t play punk rock. They played smooth, radioable (radio-ready) alternative rock that was recognized right before their debut album Audioboxer came out. Although it only featured six songs, it showed the bands potential as a post grunge alternative rock band with confessional emo-styled song writing and singing. From the song Hurricane: “With your baby’s breath breathe symphonies, hey there sweet catastrophe.” Something Corporate is definitely the best symphony ever. 17. Silverstein Similar bands: Saosin, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Madina Lake, Behind Crimson Eyes, Emanuel, Rise Against, Senses Fail, He Is Legend, Aiden, Hawthorne Heights, Say Anything, The Used, Staind, Sonic Syndicate, New Found Glory, Muse, A Change of Pace
The perfect balance. That is pretty much what Silverstein is. If you just want a regular band that kicks butt Silverstein would be your ideal band. I’m not saying that Silverstein is your average emo/punk rock band. It isn’t. Silverstein is better than that. Shane Told’s voice is finely toned. His pitch is just right and both Richard McWalter and Josh Bradford do amazing jobs on their guitars. Paul Koehler (drummer) does everything in his power to power pump the band and keep the tempo going. Bill Hamilton (bassist) wraps everything together in a song and makes it just right. It is indescribable to say just how perfect yet ordinary this band is. You make your own judgment.
Middle school
critics
8
Twenty Modern Rock Bands YOU Know And Similar Bands that are Amazing (cont) Critic: Jenny Yang 18. Taking Back Sunday Similar bands: YouInSeries, Endpoint, Sunny Day Real Estate, Jimmy Eat World, Lifetime, Braid, Saves the Day, Midtown story of the year, Sick Puppies, Rufio
Taking Back Sunday is just… wow. You will NEVER get tired of their high energy performances or the emotional lyrics. With a classic hard core sound and guitar crunch chords, TBS creates music I am jealous of. Each song has a meaning and each meaning touches a certain aspect in our life. May it be friendship, love, or life. Anything what so ever. Their second album debuted at number three on Billboard’s Top 200, and Louder Now, their most recent album, issued in April 2006, hit number two in Top 200. I don’t know how many times TBS has hut number one in my top 200, but Taking Back Sunday definitely is a top. 19. The White Stripes Similar bands: The Pixies, The Kooks, The Hush Sound, Arctic Monkeys Deadboy & the Elephantmen, Geraldine, Love as Laughter, The Revelators, The Compulsive Gamblers, Bantam Rooster, Jim Mathus, The Come Ons, We Are the Scientists, The Vines, The Spinto Band, The Shins, The Raconteurs, Porcupine Tree, Phish
Jack and Meg White are Detroit’s rock duo: The White Stripes. They are a phenomenon. It is surprising how such amazing music is created by two people. They have talents beyond imagination. Jack being a guitarist and vocalist is also an amazing song writer; capable of writing all kinds of music such as rock, blues, and even some show tunes. Meg has this intuition to know when to play and when not to play; it is like she has a ticking clock in her head that shows her when beats are needed. The White Stripes always show a careful approach to intriguing lyrics not found anywhere else in the modern punk, or garage rock. Famous around the world, The White Stripes definitely should be known to each and every person. Their new single Icky Thump is one of the best written that I know. Each time The White Stripes disappear for any period of time they leave this glaring hole and when they come back they fill it. 20. Zebra Head Similar bands: The Offspring, Reel Big Fish, Gold Finger, 311, The Blood Hound Gang, Lit, Blink 182, Crazy Town, Rage Against the Machine, Violent Femmes, The Who, Rancid, Sum 41, Radio Head
Growing up in Orange County, CA, originally Zebrahead was punk-rock based. Uninspired by the local trend toward ska-punk, the band began to incorporate elements of hip hop into their sound making them become punkrap. Zebra head touches you in the simplest words. From the song Anthem: “this is the anthem out to all the misfits, if you feel you don’t belong, if you don’t give a s***, about authority, about maturity about conformity shout it out.” Zebrahead dares to have: new styles of music and lyrics untried for. If you are looking to listen to something unique and beautiful Zebrahead is your band. PS. One of the albums by Zebrahead is MFZB. If you know the actual title this stands for, you are a true Zebrahead fan.
These days, if you took a survey in the United States of America, you would come to see that more of the population listened to rap/hip hop/r&b/pop than rock. If you are a rock lover, I hope you enjoy these bands as much as I do. Practically living off of music, without it I would probably die from either boredom or noiselessness. So, if you have heard of these bands, and the similar bands to them, ROCK ON!
critics
Middle school
Mmmmm… H N A I C I T A M E H T A M D H
M T H I O M R A G A M E E N T M
T M I A O E E T H R A N O G E N
W E A U R E D R U M R N G A R H
N C T Y A S S E R T T A M E U M
V H G M H L A A U E H T V M S O
A H Y I A E L O H N A M M H A O
magenta magic mama manhole manic mankind malevolent
M A A A H S M S A M S N A O E S
E M A N K I N D M R T A N M M R
S Y H C R A N O M N E M O M N A
S H O T H C I G A M W O A M M I
E C M M Y S M C E M A N K M M N
N I O E T R A H A N R S M O A M
G E N C S M T R I M T T I Y R L
E A C A M N T S E T T E L M N A
marthastewart martians marvel matches mathematician mattress mayhem
R H I M M I E A H A S R K H H A
T W R H A H Y O R R O E M R M T
M E L N C M A L E V O L E N T M
M O S T A E S G E M M S S N E S
Y O A M E N T E E A M S L A S O
E M M G G R R L G M O E E M M N
me measure mega melancholy messenger milk monarchy
K H S V M H A E A S O A V R M R
N R M S M N N O T O C E R A U T
O H L I C T K O A E C O A M S O
M H E H A M M A H I I T M E I I
K M O T H S E N Y E N A V M C M
L L H E S S G H M U A S E N A U
monkey monster Moo (5) mouth murder music myhat
Y E E U R R A E M U M M U C L T
T O A O E C N A M A A I A M G R
S A A M I C K A M R G A A A M A
Middle school
critics
MEET THE CRITICS
9
-LAgent 001 I am Agent 001 undercover for no reason. I will tell you a little about myself. I like video games, reading and martial arts. I have many friends that are interesting in a way. I enjoy art and drawing and will wish to be an artist when I grow up to be old.
GhostStory 101 Ghoststory 101 loves telling ghost stories, listening to music and hanging out with friends. She goes to school in Chicago and mails stuff here. This is all you’re getting because the rest was lost in translation.
Jenny Yang Jenny Yang is an 8th grader who lives in Briarcliff Manor. She enjoys metal/ rock/alternative/punk and many other kinds of music. In short she is a music freak. She also likes reading, writing, field hockey, drawing and hanging out with her crazy, insane, hamster/ chipmunk/chicken-like friends.
Ginny Suliven Just scraping five feet with too much curly red hair to keep track of, Ginny enjoys reading, playing games, having animated conversations and laughing with new friends. Going to come to BMS soon, Ginny currently lives in France, thanks to the help of her foreign pen pals Ginny’s works are being translated by good friends. Ginny loves animals, acting and playing soccer, her green eyes light up when she does participate in any activity she loves or seeing something she thinks is funny. A sweet girl describes Ginny in a nutshell.
Crystal Art She likes adventure books, and fantasy and realistic fiction. She loves books and she hates homework; and she likes movies and comic books.
Mysterious detective able to solve the case. His true identity is unknown, but he goes under the name of Hideki Ryuga at TO-HO University. Currently working on the Kira case, he has two other identities. Penevue and Eraide Coil. At age 19, -L– is a genius, and the only person able to contact him is another mysterious man named Watari. Hopefully –L– will stop Kira soon so he can do more reviews.
Kynan Welsh Age: 14, 8th grader Favorite Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction, and Fantasy Disliked Genres: Mystery and Nonfiction Favorite Book Topics: Animals and Fictional creatures Disliked Book Topics: Sports Some Favorite Books: Artemis Fowl series, Chicken Boy, Kite Fighters, The Big Wander
Sadie McMurrin She lives in Briarcliff Manor, NY in the middle of America. She was born at 8:30 pm in Vermont in Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. When she was 8 years old, she moved to NY with her mom, dad, and younger adopted sister, Grace. She is now 13 years old, and goes to Briarcliff Manor MS and is in the 7th grade. Her sister scares her sometimes.
Travis Okey-Dokey Age: 12, 6th grader Favorite Genres:Fantasy, Adventure Disliked Genres:Girly Books, Sporty Books Hobbies: Computer stuff, reading, playing video games
Chipunk