Blog Tour Review: 7th Grade Revolution
7th Grade Revolution by Liana Gardner on Tour October 23 - November 27, 2017
WHEN UNEARTHING A NATIONAL TREASURE BECOMES A NATIONAL INCIDENTPurchase Links:
Inspired by True Events
Dennis Alexander: Washington Academy Middle School promises to be another in the long line of boring schools he has been expelled from.
Rhonda Snodgrass: Although trained from childhood in survival tactics, she tries to stay off the radar of the “cool” kids who think she’s weird.
7th grade turns out to be anything but normal when teachers announce the students’ bloodless revolution succeeded and they are now in charge. After conducting a secret-ballot vote on policy, the 7th graders emerge to find the school evacuated and the FBI lurking outside with the task of unearthing a treasure of national importance.
The students’ mission is clear—discover the treasure before the FBI locks down the building. Dennis and Rhonda lead the revolt and must work together to follow century-old clues left by a crazy Revolutionary War buff.
To stay one step ahead of the FBI, they must delve into history and amass an arsenal to defend their school … because this is WAR!
First Sentence
The gentle flump of a fly against the window caught his attention.
While this was a fascinating book, there were a couple things I did not like about it. Yet, overall it was a pretty fascinating and entertaining book to read.
- 7th Grade Revolution was an interesting read in regards to the historical artifact that the students ended up searching for. I rather enjoyed how their search, and opposition to the FBI (in the book), forced them to reevaluate their perceptions of each other as well as how it forced them all to work through their differences. I like books where characters have to confront their preconceived perception of their peers, which this book a pretty decent job of handling.
- While I did like the aspects I mentioned above, there were some things I did not like. The biggest of them being that the characters were too stereotyped. Almost too the point that it irritated me as there was a lot of 'type-casting' (nerdy girl and bored boy). Rhonda and Dennis, yeah, I was hoping for 'more' out of them then what was proposed. I guess you could say that the way their characters read was lackluster.
- Personally, what I truly enjoyed the most about this book was the National Treasure-style hunt for the missing piece of history. It was a fascinating concept to add the story, especially since their school was once the house of a paranoid man filled with hidden areas. The added element of mystery and suspense really brought something extra to the overall story.
- As to the writing, it was good. Sure, the mystery aspect and search were by far the best-written parts of the book. As to the characters, they just did not seem to be consistently written in a fashion that reflected the ages they were supposed to be representing. Though I did enjoy seeing how the characters changed throughout the entire book; it gave me more reason to root for them on their quest to save their school. It was nice to see characters that you weren't fond of in the beginning evolve.
Final Verdict: 7th Grade Revolution- Overall, a pretty interesting read; though it could have used a little more attention on the characters.
7th Grade Revolution earns
About the Author
Liana Gardner is the two-time teen choice award-winning author of the Misfit McCabe series. Daughter of a rocket scientist and an artist, Liana Gardner combines the traits of both into a quirky yet pragmatic writer and in everything sees the story lurking beneath the surface. Born in Seattle, WA and raised in southern California, Liana is definitely a west coast girl, but loves to travel.
She fostered her love of writing after reading Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and discovering she had a great deal in common with the character Jo. The making up of stories, dramatic feelings, and a quick temper were enough for her to know she and Jo would have been kindred spirits.
Liana volunteers with high school students through the International Trade Education Programs (ITEP). ITEP unites business people and educators to prepare students for a meaningful place in the world of tomorrow. Working in partnership with industry and educators, ITEP helps young people “think globally and earn locally.”
Check out Liana Gardner on lianagardner.com, Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram!
Read an excerpt:
A ghostly moaning carried to them across the water, along with clanking chains.
Selena smacked Spencer’s shoulder. “Knock it off. This isn’t time for any of your stupid pranks.”
Spencer shook his head. “It’s not me. I swear.”
Dennis believed him because he wouldn’t have had time to set up something so elaborate and he’d lost his cocky attitude.
Selena raised her finger and stuck it in Spencer’s face, but before she had a chance to say a word, more chains rattled followed by even louder moans.
Brooke squealed and scuttled backward until she hit the wall surrounding the grotto, hard. Stones cascaded down as the wall behind her crumbled from the impact. She held her head where she’d banged it.
Brooke sagged against the wall causing it to disintegrate a bit more. A bony hand flopped out onto her shoulder. She screamed.
“Get it off me. Get it off.” She bounced on the balls of her feet.
Spencer ran to Brooke and lifted the skeleton hand, but it was caught in Brooke’s hair. “Stand still for a minute so I can get it untangled.”
Dennis joined Spencer and helped pull the strands of hair from the joints. Behind Brooke’s head, a skull was partially visible. How long had the poor guy been walled up in the cavern lake? Well, he didn’t know guy or girl, but one thing was sure—this wasn’t some prank.
***
Excerpt from 7th Grade Revolution by Liana Gardner. Copyright © 2017 by Liana Gardner. Reproduced with permission from Liana Gardner. All rights reserved.
Selena smacked Spencer’s shoulder. “Knock it off. This isn’t time for any of your stupid pranks.”
Spencer shook his head. “It’s not me. I swear.”
Dennis believed him because he wouldn’t have had time to set up something so elaborate and he’d lost his cocky attitude.
Selena raised her finger and stuck it in Spencer’s face, but before she had a chance to say a word, more chains rattled followed by even louder moans.
Brooke squealed and scuttled backward until she hit the wall surrounding the grotto, hard. Stones cascaded down as the wall behind her crumbled from the impact. She held her head where she’d banged it.
Brooke sagged against the wall causing it to disintegrate a bit more. A bony hand flopped out onto her shoulder. She screamed.
“Get it off me. Get it off.” She bounced on the balls of her feet.
Spencer ran to Brooke and lifted the skeleton hand, but it was caught in Brooke’s hair. “Stand still for a minute so I can get it untangled.”
Dennis joined Spencer and helped pull the strands of hair from the joints. Behind Brooke’s head, a skull was partially visible. How long had the poor guy been walled up in the cavern lake? Well, he didn’t know guy or girl, but one thing was sure—this wasn’t some prank.
***
Excerpt from 7th Grade Revolution by Liana Gardner. Copyright © 2017 by Liana Gardner. Reproduced with permission from Liana Gardner. All rights reserved.
Giveaway:
This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Providence Book Promotions for Liana Gardner. There will be 1 winner of one (1) Amazon.com Gift Card AND 5 winners of one (1) eBook copy of 7th Grade Revolution by Liana Gardner. The giveaway begins on October 23 and runs through November 29, 2017.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFind Your Next Great Read at Providence Book Promotions!
A copy of this book was received for the blog tour for review consideration. All thoughts are my own.
The synopsis has piqued my curiosity.
ReplyDelete