Leaving Jeremiah

Rating:
Summary: Inspiration For Young Writers
Review: How amazing is it that this novel, which is so well written and has already developed following in my school, was written by an 11 year old author and got published? All the kids all over the country who are talented writers need to read this, not only to get great ideas about writing style and what issues pre-teen and teen readers find relevant, but to get inspiration for sitting down and writing that novel they've been dreaming about. I know this author inspired me - so did the publisher. I wish I could find other books that publishers took a chance on, written by young writers. I bet the publisher of Leaving Jeremiah is happy, becasue it's becoming a big hit! More publishers should jump at the chance to publish books by talented kids. We'll read them because it's exciting to us! I hope Jourdan Urbach writes another novel soon, because I and everyone else I know at school will be waiting to read it. I wish he could come to our school and do a book signing. That would be so cool!

Rating:
Summary: A Surprise Vegetarian Twist
Review: Not only is this an exciting and amazingly written book, but it also has a sub-theme that's close to my heart - vegetarianism. Without giving too much away, the protagonist is able to convince the Prehistorian society to stop their consumption of humans by starting a crusade, along with the Prehistorian leader's son, against the health dangers of too much meat in a diet. It turns out that their eating habits have been compromising the age to which these creatures live. The story takes incredible twists and the ending is surprising.
I was so pleasantly surprised to meet a leading character is a novel who was a vegetarian (of sorts) - even if it was from an underwater civilization.
This book is so well written. It's the kind you can't put down. Three friends of mine have picked it up and feel the same way. I bet the middle schools start using it in the curriculum.

Rating:
Summary: Thrilling Sci-Fi Adventure
Review: This is not only an edge of your seat sci-fi adventure, but it has so many levels. It deals with relationships, isolation, peer pressure, and all in a technologically advanced underwater civilization unknown to human beings. The characters are so rich, the symbolism is awesome - you have to really think about the character names to get what the author has in mind - but the messages are right out there for the "awake" reader. I learned a lot while I was totally involved in the plot. You can't believe how cool this novel is. Check it out!

Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful Ride
Review: This was my all time favorite novel. I really love that you never know what's going to happen next. The characters are really rich and well drawn, and there's so much humor in the writing that creates this amazing balance between it and the really deep and serious moments. The fact that the story takes place in such a creative and unusual environment makes the plot even more exciting. I loved trying to figure out what adventure the main character was going to have next. you really never know what's around the corner for him.

My whole class has read this book and we've discussed it on a lot of different levels - for peer pressure, teen relationships, use of symbolism, and suspense. There wasn't one person in my class who could put it down. I can't wait to read the sequel. I will be looking for other books by this author, so hurry and write another one.