Tag Archives: Lauren Holstner

A&E

‘The Summoning’ entices fans of the supernatural

Leave a comment

By Lauren Holstner

Readers who like supernatural stories then should read The Summoning by Kelly Armstrong. It is an amazing book that will make them thirst for more.

Have you ever wanted to have supernatural powers? Well, meet Chloe Sanders. She once had a normal life, until she could see dead people and they saw her. It all started on one nice afternoon. She went to school, and she was taken out on a stretcher, screaming.

A ghost had attacked her, but no one would believe her, so she ended up in the Lyle House, a place for troubled teens with mental problems. With medication, a new friend, and the kind nurses she should be able to stop seeing the ghosts. Well, maybe.

As her life at the hated Lyle House goes on she discovers many things that could happen, and all the Lyle House skeletons may just be her downfall. As her stay continues she discovers the mysteries that surround the place and its horrifying secrets, along with the secrets of her fellow supernatural house guests.

From things being not what they seem to extreme problems that will have you wanting more, this book is a great read. With page-turning events in almost every chapter, I love how this book keeps the reader guessing and wishing for more. I was not able to put it down until I finished it and now I cannot wait to read the rest of the series, which consists of five books.

Love ghosts? Love werewolves? Love sorcerers? Then this is the book for you.

A&E

CHERUB excites columnist

Leave a comment
By Lauren Holstner
 
Do you love spy novels involving teen spies?  Then CHERUB: The Recruitby Robert Muchamore is the book for you.  This book is one of the best spy novels I’ve read in a while, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.In CHERUB James is pretty much an orphan, though he does have a little half sister named Lauren.  He gets scouted for CHERUB, an elite spy school that sounds more like boot camp.  He has to learn everything and go through 100 days of intense training.  Even though CHERUB is the name of there school, no one knows what it stands for, not even the headmaster, who even asks students to help them figure it out.This book is full of action at every corner, from their training, to their trip to Malaysia, and even foil a plot to kill hundreds of people.  I loved all the action and adventure, this book makes you think what even James Bond went through. Since Muchamore used to be a private investigator his knowledge of the subject really shows in his writing.

This is a great read for anyone looking for a new exciting book filled with action, adventure, romance, and of course teen spies.


A&E, Alyssa Book

‘Ashes’ to play next weekend on Studio One stage

Leave a comment

By Alyssa Book and Lauren Holstner

Sarcasm and cynicism come to the FC stage next weekend in the form of the play “Ashes.”

The play, which will feature a variety of FC thespians, will be performed Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 28 and 29 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The play has eight different scenes, which all center around a common theme: cremation.

“It’s got funny things, serious moments and it’s unusual. It’s a variety of things,” said directer Chris Bundy.

Junior Laura Duncan said, “It’s set up like each scene has a different plot. The scenes are all connected through the theme of cremation.”

The theater students are excited to perform the play because it is based off of things that have happened to Bundy.

“Well, since I wrote it, it’s fun to see the things you wrote come to life and some of the things happened to me. So it’s fun to watch students act it out,” said Bundy

The play is described by Duncan as being sarcastic and putting humor to situations that are not normally humorous.

Senior Erica Mohler, who plays Elizabeth in the “Ashes,” said the show has a great concept and although preparing for the play in only two weeks was stressful, it was a learning experience and helped her with time management.

Duncan and Mohler both commented on how the show is a great opportunity for the underclassmen performers.

Mohler said, “Bundy added scenes to the play to give underclassmen more opportunities. It is a great way for them to gain experience and grow in acting.”

“Ashes” will be performed on Jan. 27-29 and begins the last semester of plays directed by Bundy, who will retire at the end of the school year. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, and $6 for students.

A&E, Alyssa Book

Theater’s annual ‘Madrigal’ dinner this weekend

1 Comment

By Alyssa Book, Lauren Holstner, and Cody Repine

As December approaches, many theater students are prepare for the dinner that brings a Christmas spirit to the FC community. On Dec. 2 and 3, the theater department will showcase an event filled with food, acting, singing, and family bonding.

The event, called “Madrigal,” is a yearly spectacle that is held by the FC theater department for anyone who wants to come and join in on the fun.

At this dinner,families get to enjoy a five-course catered meal while enjoying the talented theater department’s holiday skits.

Not only is Madrigal a unique experience for the community, it is also an enjoyable experience for the thespians themselves.

Senior Erika Mohler said, “Madrigal is the first official thing everyone in the theater department gets to be a part of, so it’s a bonding experience. Everyone is an equal that night, no one is competing over leads.”

Junior Cherish Curry, who is a part of technical theater, said setting up for the dinner takes three to four hours of preparation. Technical theater also enjoys this show because it is easier to set up than other main stage productions. Curry particularly likes the artistic freedom they get while setting up Madrigal.

This experience bonds theater students and gives them a chance to do what they love while serving and entertaining their community and families.

Junior Laura Duncan explained how performing at the dinner is enjoyable because it’s lighthearted and low key.

The dinner is this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Check back Friday night for photos from the show!

A&E

Sebold reveals a new side of death in ‘The Lovely Bones’

Leave a comment
by Lauren Holstner

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold is a remarkable tale about a young girl who was murdered. The story tells about after she was murdered and what is happening on Earth after her death.
Susie Salmon was tricked into a secret underground hideaway, raped, and murdered.  All that was found was an elbow.  As she dies that night she tells about what happened after death and about her view from her heaven.
On Earth, her family is torn by her murder. Her murderer lives right down the road, free of suspicion, and her little brother says he can still talk to Susie.  Not to mention her sister lives in the shadow of her murder everywhere, even at school.
This story breaths misery, remorse, little happiness and heart breaking sadness.
“Deeply affecting….A keenly observed portrait of familia love and how it endures and changes over time,” said Michiko Kakutani, from the New York Times.
I liked the way the author gave a new twist to the traditional murder.  The fact that the narrater is deceased adds to the compelling words and details.  Sebold was able to draw me into the novel in the first page and kept me inthralled with every word.  The entire concept was enough to make me wish for more.
I loved this story, it tells the tale of something readers might not have thought of.  Not many would think to write about a murdered girl from her point of view as she watches her family from heaven.  Sebold gave a new outlook on the typical murder story.

This is the perfect book for anyone who loves heart wrenching tales.  I recommend this to all readers who are in the market for a new book.