Portsmouth Teen Book Review

Ten Rules for Living With My Sister by Ann. M. Martin

2012-01-30T15:39:00.003-05:00

This book is a good book for siblings to read. The book has two sisters in it. The sisters are Pearl and Lexie. Pearl, who is the younger sister, tries her best not to annoy Lexie but somehow she always does. When their grandpa moves in Lexie has to share her room with Pearl, so Pearl has to be on her best behavior. It seems to Pearl that Lexie has everything. She has a key to the apartment, a cell phone, and a boy friend. All Pearl has is her crabby cat. Pearl even comes up with a list of rules for living with her sister. Will Lexie and Pearl learn to live with each other? You will have to read the book to find out.

I really liked this book because it is funny and cute. I think everyone should read it.

Reviewed by Morgan.

Hera : The Goddess and Her Glory by George O'Connor

2012-01-30T15:23:00.003-05:00

This book is part of an amazing series and I have loved all of them. It is a wonderfully illustrated comic book about the story of Hera, the Queen of the Gods and Heaven, and Heracles, son of Zeus. It tells how Hera unintentionally made Heracles famous by giving him tasks to accomplish.

I really liked it because I am very interested in mythology and this was a good retelling of some the most famous stories. I believe that many people will love this book because it is colorful, informing, and it is a format that kids are interested in. This comic is a good way for kids to learn about mythology.

Reviewed by Shannen.

Down the Mysterly River by Bill Willingham

2012-01-30T14:07:00.002-05:00

The book Down the Mysterly River is a book made for young kids with a very creative conflict. Max, a boy scout, wakes up lost with no memory of what happened. He and a group of talking animals set out when they are pursued by a group called bluecutters. They must defeat the group and learn where the land they're on is.

I would recommend this book to a younger audience because of it's creative plot and pretty illustrations.

Reviewed by Melissa.

Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick

2012-01-30T12:57:00.003-05:00

I enjoyed the book Revolver because of the realistic and interesting conflict. Revolver was about a boy named Sig whose father dies one night, falling through the ice. Later, a stranger comes thinking Sig had known that his father had stolen gold from the man. The man holds him captive unit Sig manages to get the revolver.

Reviewed by Melissa.

Amplified by Tara Kelly

2012-01-30T12:50:00.002-05:00

Jasmine leaves home and finds a band that may help her reach her musical dreams. But will her stage fright conquer her dreams?

I really liked this novel, especially the writing, plot, and characters. I would recommend it to those who like music and realistic fiction. It is PG-13 for mild language and themes.

Reviewed by Colleen.

My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody

2012-01-30T12:45:00.002-05:00

Brooklyn Pierce has always made bad decisions. So she decides to make a blog and have people vote on what she should do.

This book is well written, humorous, touching and a tad sad. I liked the character development and the plot was interesting. I would recommend it to those who like realistic fiction. It is PG-13 due to mild language and themes and use of alcohol.

Reviewed by Colleen.

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

2012-01-30T12:40:00.003-05:00

A street urchin steals a ring from Buckingham palace. Unbeknownst to her the ring holds a truce between the Queen and the faeries. Stealing the ring has thrust her world in turmoil and endangered the people she loves.

I liked this book. it was very original and well written. I would recommend it to those who like fantasy and realistic fiction.

Reviewed by Colleen.

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

2012-01-30T12:33:00.002-05:00

A pregnant girl leaves her mother and her mother's abusive boyfriend. She goes to meet the family that will adopt her child. Meanwhile, in the family that will adopt the child, the girl thinks her mother is replacing her dead father by adopting a child.

I enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to those who like realistic fiction. The characters were well developed and I liked the plot. It was well written. PG-15 for sexual content.

Reviewed by Colleen

Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Stick by Andrew Smith

2012-01-30T12:25:00.002-05:00

This story follows Stick and his brother Bosten. They live with their abusive parents and Stick has a deformity that has left him deaf in one ear. It sometimes traps thoughts in his brain and tumbles them. When Bosten runs away Stick must go find him on a journey with many ups and downs.

I really liked this book and would recommend it to those who like realistic fiction. The characters are well developed and the story was unique and really well-written. This book is PG-13 for language and mild sexual context.

Reviewed by Colleen.

Slayers by C. J. Hill

2012-01-30T11:55:00.005-05:00

This book follows Tori, a spoiled senator's daughter with a lifetime fascination with dragons. When she goes to dragon camp for the summer, she finds out that dragons are real and that they're coming.

I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait for the sequel. The book was full of action and the characters were really well developed. The story was compelling and I would definitely recommend it to those who like fantasy books.

Reviewed by Colleen.

Bye For Now by Kathleen Churchyard

2011-12-28T16:37:00.002-05:00

Bye For Now is a really great book. It's about 11 year old girls who wish themselves into each others bodies. Robin, the main character, turns into Fiona Walker of England. Robin's older brother's girlfriend, Alia, was a wisher (a person who wishes themselves into another wisher's body). Alia never got to go back home, so she was able to help the wishers all out. The wishers were Robin Haggersly, Fiona Walker, Dori Simpson, Samantha De Groot, Liz Schoot, Rosa, Neera Gupta, and Naomi. They all get in contact with each other and all wish at the same time.

I really liked this book because it was about eleven year old girls and it was really saying "Be careful what you wish for." This book was really interesting!

Reviewed by Grace.

I Am J by Cris Beam

2011-11-23T12:11:00.002-05:00

This book follows J, a transgender female to male, who is struggling with his identity and being accepted.

I really like the book and found I could identify with J. I found J and the other characters to be well developed and relatable. I would recommend it to others.

Reviewed by Colleen.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

2011-11-18T10:15:00.002-05:00

Dead End in Norvelt is a good story. It is about a young kid named Jack. Placed somewhere in the 1960s, Jack has some wild plans for his summer. But those plans are shot down after he is "grounded for life" for cutting down the cornfield of his mom's that his dad told him to. Now caught in the struggle between feuding parents, Jack has to find a way to get out to avoid losing his best friend, Bunny. This story is full of surprises and is a warmhearted story for all ages.

The reader for this audiobook did a good job with the voices for the characters. It was easy to tell who was speaking.

I personally liked this book (Actually it was an audiobook.). This story was very ... interesting. It had many interesting branch story lines. But I don't want to give much away so I'll tell you it is a read that's worth it. I enjoyed it and it is good for all ages.

Reviewed by Josh.
Reviewed from an advance CD.

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

2011-11-07T14:46:00.002-05:00

Sweetly is a remake of the classic Hansel and Gretel, with a twenty first century setting and a completely new twist. Hansel and Gretchen have been tormented all their short lives by the mysterious disappearance of their sister. After being kicked out of the only home they knew they set off looking for a fresh start. A shortage of cash and a dead car lead them to the door of Sophia the candy maker a.k.a. the witch of Live Oak.

This book is riveting, not really in terms of action but in suspense. There is some action though, more towards the end. The story has romance but not overly so. I would recommend it to people who enjoy stories about fantasy and fairy tales and also to those who like a little teenage drama.

Reviewed by Emily.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Missing on Superstition Mountain by Elise Broach

2011-10-31T12:13:00.001-04:00

Missing on Superstition Mountain is mystery/suspense. In thsi story three boys have just moved to Superstition, Arizona. Their names are Simon, Henry and Jack. They are worried that nothing interesting will happen during their summer vacation until their cat runs away. They look for her in the mountains and uncover a huge secret and a related string of murders. To uncover the mystery they must be keen, sharp and sneaky. Can they accomplish what countless others have failed before?

I enjoyed this book very much. It was interesting and kept you on the edge of your seat wondering what would happen next. I believe there is a sequel coming out and if there is I can't wait to read it because the cliffhanger at the end was a good one. This book is good for grades 7 and up because of some of the murders and such but it really is border line all ages.

Reviewed by Josh.

Villain School : Good Curses Evil by Stephanie S. Sanders

2011-10-31T12:00:00.001-04:00

Even though this book was a quick read, I really loved it. The characters were so real. I was disappointed in a few things but I couldn't tell people because it would ruin the end of the story. Overall it made my top fifteen favorite books. It's an enchanting book about three young villains and a plot where they have to do some practically impossible things. They have to capture a princess, overthrow a kingdom and get a henchman. The whole time someone is trying to stop them. Will they succeed?

Reviewed by Shannen.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Memento Nora by Angie Smibert

2011-10-31T11:41:00.003-04:00

A girl named Nora seems to be happy until she realizes how she feels and what is happening in her life. She makes a comic sharing people's stories with the help of some of her friends.

I loved the characters, especially Nora, Micah and Winter. The book was not my favorite and was a little creepy. The plot was good but all I wanted to do was put it down and not pick it up again. The scenery was awesome but the words just didn't paint a picture in my mind. It was okay over all but not the best book ever. I would not want kids under sixth grade reading this book because it is really, really creepy.

Reviewed by Shannen.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Radiance by Alyson Noel

2011-10-31T11:33:00.001-04:00

I liked Radiance because it was interesting. In the book Riley (the main character) dies in a car crash with her dog Buttercup. In the afterlife she meets a dorky guy named Bodhi, who is her guide. Riley is now a soul catcher who tries to get ghosts to cross over the bridge to the afterlife. Her first mission is to get the radiant boys over the bridge. Surprisingly, she did. After that Bodhi had to cross over the radiant boys' mom, the wailing woman. Bodhi crossed her over. Then they fly around London and when they land that's the end.

I though it was surprising and interesting.

Reviewed by Madelyn.

- - - - - - - - -

I did not like the book Radiance as much as the others. I do not exactly love Alyson Noel's style of writing, but I really loved the book other than that. Alyson Noel is very detailed in her writing, which is one of the things I look for in writing. I am happy that Radiance was not the first and only book of Riley, Buttercup, and Bodhi's adventures.

I would rate this book 9 out of 10. I really did like the book, but the writing style is not my favorite.

Reviewed by Lexxi

Dark Eden by Patrick Carman

2011-08-25T10:21:00.001-04:00

This book is about Will Besting who is sent to an institution that cures children of their phobias. He finds himself watching the others get cured from a separate location. What he sees is frightening but this fear cures him as well as the others.

I liked this book because of the mystery surrounding each and every event. I would definitely recommend this book to everybody who enjoys suspense.

Reviewed by Axel.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch

2011-08-25T10:15:00.002-04:00

The Eleventh Plague has a little bit of everything: action, adventure (even romance). Based after a man-made apocalypse created by a third world war, a boy and his father roam the U.S. trying to find things to trade for food, water, bullets and other useful items. Constantly running from Chinese soldiers and slavers who, as their name hints, capture people and trade them. Probably for a preteen to teen audience, The Eleventh Plague is a great summer read.

While I thoroughly enjoyed The Eleventh Plague the ending left a little to be desired. Also there were a few grammatical errors that need to be fixed. But other then that it was a great book that I just couldn't put down.

Reviewed by Josh.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

The Abduction by John Grisham

2011-08-25T10:09:00.002-04:00

In The Abduction we follow Theodore Boone, an aspiring lawyer, as he tries to solve the case of his missing best friend, April Fennimore. With a few twists and a storyline with good development The Abduction is for all ages.

I got an audiobook version of this book and I liked it a lot. I usually listened before I went to bed, so it resulted in a couple of late nights but it was definitely worth it.

Reviewed by Josh.

Level Up by Gene Luen Yang

2011-08-25T10:05:00.003-04:00

Level Up is a realistic fiction about a young adult who is addicted to video games. That is until the angels show up. With a good story and surprise twist this was a good book. But this is for a teen audience.

Level Up is a good book. It is a good quick read because it is a graphic novel. So if you don't have anything to do for an hour or so Level Up is a good idea.

Reviewed by Josh.

Candor by Pam Bachorz

2011-08-25T09:57:00.002-04:00

Candor is a perfect town. How you ask? Because you are what you hear. The children are brainwashed and made to be perfect children. One boy stands against this and, ironically, it is the same boy who is the poster child for this town, Oscar Banks. Oscar makes a living by sneaking kids out of Candor. This book is full of twists and turns, comedy and action, but is advisable for a teen audience.

I absolutely loved Candor with its intense plot development, rich characters and fantastic storyline I literally couldn't put it down so I read straight through the day and finished right before bed.

Reviewed by Josh.

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

2011-07-14T09:25:00.002-04:00

In the book Across the Universe by Beth Revis, the reader is introduced to a similar idea with many original ideas thrown in. It's the story of a teenage girl named Amy who lives on planet Earth and is faced with the decision to stay on the planet or be frozen with her parents for 300 years to be brought to a new planet. Several hundred years later on a the ship Godspeed a boy named Elder has discovered frozen Amy and is later shocked to find that she has unfrozen 49 years early. When the two meet they discover that there are many lies that run the ship.

I can't put into words how much I loved this book. I got the audio and both Amy and Elder have their own artist. This made the book very enjoyable. I never wanted to stop listening to the book. All of the plot secrets are well hidden but can be discovered if you look hard enough. I definitely give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. It was just fantastic.

Reviewed by Megan.
Reviewed from an audiobook.

A New Spring: The Graphic Novel by Robert Jordan

2011-06-30T10:51:00.002-04:00

I found the graphic novel version of the Wheel of Time: A New Spring to be both intriguing and interesting. However, if you are like me and prefer detail and background in books, then I wouldn't suggest this. I was only able to make sense of it because I had read the actual novel before. It skipped over the parts they weren't able to put into dialogue boxes and pictures and even I began to get confused. I did enjoy the pictures though. They were well done and portrayed the characters as I saw them. Another thing I enjoyed was small tidbits that were there that are part if its prequels. Overall this is a good graphic novel to pick, for it shows the plot, however it may not be for everyone.

Reviewed by Megan.

Hidden by Helen Frost

2011-06-30T10:45:00.002-04:00

The girls meet at camp purely by chance. But they've met before; Darra's father stole a car with Wren in the back seat, unbeknownst to Darra's father. Wren and Darra have to confront their mutual secrets, but how?

PG for some intense scenes. I really enjoyed the book and couldn't put it down. This is a fairly short read, but good. I would recommend it to those who like books in verse or realistic fiction.

Reviewed by Colleen.

The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai

2011-06-30T09:46:00.002-04:00

The story follows a young boy, Ian Drake, and the librarian, Lucy Hull, he kidnaps. On a crazy road trip they go, encountering such things as ferrets, a crazy boyfriend, the Australian national anthem, and numerous members of the local Russian mafia.

I really enjoyed this book and I could hardly put it down. PG for some suggestive theme including talk of gays and trying to change their orientation. I would recommend it for those who like realistic fiction and comedy.

Reviewed by Colleen.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Shimmer by Alyson Noel

2011-06-29T10:15:00.002-04:00

The novel Shimmer written by Alyson Noel is about a ghost girl named Riley, her dog Buttercup - also a ghost - and Bodhi, Riley's guide in the Here and Now realm. In Here and Now, Riley's job is to coax other lingering ghosts over the bridge into the Here and Now world where all ghosts go after their living body has died. After Riley coaxes over her first ghost she, Bodhi, and Buttercup are allowed a vacation by the council. It's on St. Johns Island where Riley meets a ghost girl named Rebecca and decides to cross her over to Here and Now, but Rebecca won't go without a fight. Rebecca died in a slave revolt back in 1733 and is so angered that she keeps all of the ghosts that died with her trapped and unable to move on to Here and Now. To get Rebecca to let go of the past Riley must team up with one of Rebecca's slaves, an African prince taken from his home. It takes a while but Riley is finally able to convince Rebecca to cross the bridge into Here and Now and to let all of the slaves go.

Alyson Noel's sequel to Radiance was a perfect follow up. Riley was an exciting character that knew what she wanted but did not know how to get it. Alyson Noel knew exactly what she was doing and knows how to make her readers want more.

The Yo-Yo Prophet by Karen Krossing

2011-06-28T19:34:00.003-04:00

The novel The Yo-Yo Prophet written by Karen Krossing is about Calvin, a high school yo-yo fanatic. His mother died, his grandmother is sick and getting worse every day, and his father ran out on them years ago. Calvin's only relief in life is taking out a yo-yo and practicing as many tricks as possible. Calvin takes up performing on the streets and people immediately love him. He takes up the name the Yo-Yo Prophet and things start going well in life for a change. Then tragedy strikes. Calvin's grandmother sells the family laundromat along with the house and now they must find themselves a new place to live. Calvin's street performing isn't going so good either. Since his predictions are not coming true people stop watching his shows. Calvin must somehow find a way to save his performances and his frayed family.

Altogether, The Yo-Yo Prophet was a phenomenal book and the ending just warms your heart. Calvin is a character many people can relate to and Karen Krossing really knows how to bring readers in. Good job!

Reviewed by Hannah.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Bongo Fishing by Thacher Hurd

2011-06-28T19:25:00.004-04:00

In Bongo Fishing 11 year old Max meets a couple of extraterrestrials, but not your normal extraterrestrials. In a surprising twist they are pretty much short, blue grandparents. In this humorous book for kids, Max goes on a space fishing trip, has to help his alien friends get off earth when they have UFO problems and save his friend from a psychopathic therapist, all in the span of a few months.

Bongo Fishing is a great book for children. With its humorous and creative explanation of things in space and aliens, this book is a delight to read. But like I said this book will probably be more appealing to a younger demographic. While I found it pretty funny at times it was pretty childish (though in a good way). So overall for older kids this book is probably a 2 maybe 2.5 stars. But for kids it's 4.5 to 5 stars.

Reviewed by Josh.

Spellbound: The Books of Elsewhere, Volume 2 by Jacqueline West

2011-06-28T15:32:00.004-04:00

I listened to "Spellbound: The Books of Elsewhere, Volume 2" by Jacqueline West, read by Lexi Fridell. It was really good. It is a fantasy/fiction. The book was about a girl named Olive Demwitty. Her parents were mathematicians and they taught at a college. Her parents Alec and Alice Demwitty were very odd. when Mr. Demwitty mowed the grass he left the lawnmower out for 3 or 4 days afterwords. Her mother, Mrs. Demwitty, had a habit of leaving groceries on the top of her car and when she drove away onions and oranges came toppling off the car.

Olive's friend Morton was stuck inside of a painting. Olive really wanted to get Morton out. The house she lives in used to belong to a family with the last name of McMartin. Mr. McMartin was a painter and painted enchanted paintings. They left all their paintings in the house, their three talking cats, and a pair of thick spectacles. Olive had found Annabelle McMartin's locket in a lake while trying to be drowned by Annabelle. Olive really tries to get Morton out. How do you think she'll do it? If you'd like to know, read or listen to "Spellbound: The Books of Elsewhere" by Jacqueline West read by Lexi Fridell.

Overall, I really liked it. The book was a little bit confusing because when it said that Annabelle McMartin had tried to drown Olive, it never gave a reason. The reader was good, but it was hard to figure out which character was speaking. One word that they said too much was "gangly".

Reviewed by Grace.
Reviewed from an audiobook on CD.

Anya's War by Andrea Alban

2011-06-14T14:28:00.003-04:00

Anya's War is set during World War II. The book starts right after Anya moves to China from the Ukraine to escape Hitler because her family is Jewish. One day while riding her bike home she finds a baby in the gutter. Anya, with the help of her brother and the cook, search for the lost baby's family. During the search Anya goes through many things and becomes more responsible and grown up.

This book is about Anya's trying times and her emotional and family stress. I loved this book because I liked how realistic it was. I loved the characters, especially Anya and Li Mei, because they are nice and funny. I enjoyed reading this book. I think the author did a splendid job and shouldn't change a thing. I would recommend this book to kids ages 12 and up.

Reviewed by Shannen.

Lemonade and Other Poems Squeezed From a Single Word by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Nancy Doniger

2011-06-14T13:57:00.005-04:00

Lemonade and Other Poems Squeezed From a Single Word is a short book, but I found it a little confusing and hard to read. It is not my favorite book. The pictures were in black, white and red. They could have been more colorful. The book was a little boring.

One of the poems goes like this, but the letters are more spread out and staggered in the book:

A

S I

L

E

N T

L ION

TELL

S

A N

A

N

C
I

E

N T

T

A

L

E

That means: " A silent lion tells an ancient tale"

It is very confusing and hard to read!

Reviewed by Shannen.

Shutout by Brendan Halpin

2011-06-14T13:48:00.003-04:00

Shutout is a book about a girl named Amanda who is starting her first year of high school. Amanda and her best friend Lena have been best friends for years. Both friends love soccer and try out for the high school team. But when Lena makes the varsity soccer team and Amanda only makes junior varsity, Lena starts to get more popular than Amanda. Amanda starts to feel shutout of her friend's life and even gets in trouble to try to keep her friend. Will her friendship with Lena survive or will Amanda start to make new friends?

I really liked this book because it's interesting to see how someone's life can change so much in so little time and to see how Amanda deals with it all.

Reviewed by Morgan.

His Shoes Were Far Too Tight by Edward Lear; masterminded by Daniel Pinkwater; illustrated by Calef Brown

2011-06-14T13:35:00.003-04:00

His Shoes Were Far Too Tight by Edward Lear, masterminded by Daniel Pinkwater and illustrated by Calef Brown was a funny book of poems. One of my favorites was called "Nonsense Alphabet". It is about letters of the alphabet and an animal, person, or thing that represents them.

The illustrations in this book are good and on a scale of 1 - 10, I would say 9. This book isn't a story. It's a collection of poems kids would like.

Reviewed by Grace.

Legacies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill

2011-06-14T13:15:00.004-04:00

The novel Legacies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill is an enticing novel about a young teenage girl named Spirit who loses her family in a terrible car accident. It was a miracle that she had even lived. When spirit is transferred to Oakhurst Academy - a boarding school for orphans - she figures out that this is no ordinary orphanage, including the students, who are far from ordinary. All the students there are Legacies, children who have special powers relating to a certain element. When spirit and her friends figure out that something strange is happening that could endanger the future of all the students at the academy, they plot and plan, then fight to the death. This novel is extremely exciting, with a nice twist on the supernatural world.

Reviewed by Kera.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

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Legacies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill is overall a good novel. Spirit White, a girl who just had her parents and sister die in a car accident, is called upon by a special school for her unknown talents. This school, Oakhurst, is for children who are legacies of magic. Spirit faces many problems at Oakhurst because she can't do magic and students are mysteriously disappearing. She and her friends try to find out who is behind the horrendous acts. It takes spying, sneaking, and a lot of bravery to defeat the monsters.

I enjoyed this book a lot. The characters had a lot of great qualities which made the book a good read. The mystery behind Oakhurst leaves readers on the edge of their seats and eager to turn the page. However, some aspects of Legacies could have been better. The novel had many minor characters which made the book confusing at times. Overall, Legacies: A Shadow Grail Novel by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill was a good book and is highly recommended to the young adult readers who enjoy fiction and fantasy books about magic.

Reviewed by Kaitlin.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Abby Carnelia's One and Only Magical Power by David Pogue

2011-05-06T12:39:00.003-04:00

Abby thought she was normal like every one else her age. And she was, except for one thing. When getting out hard boiled eggs for a salad, she pulled on her ears to check to see if her earrings were in. Then the eggs started to move. They spun slowly with nothing attached. After this she gets sent to magic camp, which for its extremely low prices had 4 star hotel accommodations. When the camp finds out her powers, it sends her to a special camp for people with similar useless powers. It turns out that they are a drug company and are trying to cure a disease and make millions. Abbey and her friends escape and hitchhike back home. She opens up programs nationwide as she gets older to help people find their own power.

This is a very good book and I would recommend it to other people.

Review by Sabrina.

The Notorious Benedict Arnold by Steve Sheinkin

2011-05-06T12:24:00.004-04:00

This book is about the general who fought in the American Revolution. He starts as a very patriotic American who wants freedom from the British. He ends up getting injured and starts to become very resentful of some of the other men in charge. With his sharp bullheaded attitude he has made many enemies within various councils and also Congress. He turns against the Patriots and starts spying for the British. Benedict Arnold comes up with a plan to eliminate George Washington and give control of West Point over to the British. West Point being a very strategic point could have meant British success in the War. Benedict gets to the British controlled land but the plan does fail. He dies in a pool of hatred against him in Britain.

This book is fairly well written but is a biography so it can get a bit boring. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history.

Reviewed by Axel.

You Killed Wesley Payne by Sean Beaudoin

2011-05-06T12:12:00.002-04:00

In this mysterious and dark mystery Dalton Rev is a high school detective called upon to uncover the murderer behind the beloved student, Wesley Payne's death. Along with a twisted and unpredictable plot is action, deceit, trickery, lies and a little romance. Not to mention all the cliques and the mysterious cult like Lee Harvies. Can he solve the case coming out in one piece? It's hard to tell in this twisty-turny book.

You Killed Wesley Payne was one of the best books I've read all year. I couldn't put it down. But while it was a great book I'd recommend it for teens because there are a few inappropriate moments and language. But overall it was a great book and I would definitely recommend it to my friends. 5 stars!

Reviewed by Josh.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

School! Adventures at the Harvey N. Trouble Elementary School by Kate McMullan and Illustrated by George Booth

2011-05-06T10:56:00.003-04:00

School! Adventures at the Harvey N. Trouble Elementary School written by Kate McMullan and Illustrated by George Booth was a "punny" book. It was about a kid named Ron Faster. He goes to Harvey N. Trouble Elementary School with Luke Out, Dewey Haveto, Oopsie Spiller, Ivanna Shack, Viola Fuss, Adam Up, Izzy Normal, Gladys Friday, Iona Tricycle, Anita Dawg, and Chucky Upkins. Mr. Stuckinaditch drives Ron's bus and loves Ms. Gelia Seeyalater. Later in the book he proposes to Ms. Seeyalater. Ron's parents are retired cooks and race car drivers. He has a sub every day except Friday when Mrs. Petzgalore is back. He has beenie weanies on a bun every day except Friday. Janitor Iquit and Assistant Quitoo quiet every day except Friday. His parents look for jobs every day except for Friday. His bus driver gets stuck in a ditch every day except for Friday. If you want to find out what happens on every day except for Friday, read the book.

I think this book is for seven or eight year old boys because it is a story about an elementary school aged boy. The comics were funny and I thought the illustrations were good. Overall it was an okay book.

My eight year old brother read it and this was what he thought of it. He didn't really like it. He liked the fifth chapter where Viola Fuss said "Wowee, Friday". He didn't get the puns and didn't like chapter one.

Reviewed by Grace and Jacob.

Alexander Hamilton by Jean Fritz

2011-05-06T10:42:00.002-04:00

Alexander Hamilton by Jean Fritz was a book full of facts about Alexander Hamilton. In the very beginning it talks about his childhood. Later in the book Alexander goes to college. At the end of chapter two, Alexander became a patriot. I also learned how Alexander Hamilton served the United States of America during war, before George Washington was the first president. It also mentioned that the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was drafted on July 2, 1776.

I really liked this book because I enjoy historical information and facts about every day faces. This book is about the man on the ten dollar bill. Jean Fritz added lots of facts and detailed information. I thought the way it was pieced together was good and it had interesting pictures. Over all, Alexander Hamilton by Jean Fritz was really good.

Reviewed by Grace.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Under a Red Sky: Memoirs of a Childhood in Communist Romania by Haya Leah Molnar

2011-05-06T10:34:00.004-04:00

Under a Red Sky by Haya Leah Molnar was a fantastic book. I really liked the story. The book was about a girl named Eva. She lived in communist Romania growing up. She lived with most of her family and the house maid Sabina. One of my favorite scenes was when Grandpa Yosef took Eva to the market for the first time. One of my other favorite scenes was the end when Eva went to Israel, and got her Hebrew name, Haya, and was known by Haya for the rest of her life.

I really enjoyed this book because I enjoy historical fiction. This book was full of mysterious scenes and details. I liked Sabina, the house maid, because she was kind and caring to Eva.

Reviewed by Grace.

Press Here by Herve Tullet

2011-05-06T10:19:00.003-04:00

Press Here is a fun book to read because you really get to interact with the book. One example of this is when one of the pages of the book tells you to tap the blue dot five times and on the next page there will be five blue dots. There are many more things to do like that. One time you will shake the book. The next time you might blow on the dots.

My favorite part of the book is when you get to tilt the book to one side and the dots almost fall off the page. My little brother Tristan, who is five, loved the book Press Here. Press Here is an easy read. It has lots of pictures. I would recommend this book to anyone ages 2 years and up.

Reviewed by Morgan.

The Children of the Lost by David Whitley

2011-05-06T10:11:00.003-04:00

Thrown out of the city of Agora, Mark and Lily get lost in a terrifying forest where the Nightmare dwells. When they go to places where their opinions clash they slowly realize that they only people they can trust is themselves. In all the different places they visit they come no closer to understanding the mystifying prophecy of The Midnight Charter. The sequel to The Midnight Charter, The Children of the Lost is truly a miraculous book.

I loved this book because it had so many surprises. I would give this book 4 1/2 stars and rate it ages eleven and up.

Reviewed by Shannen.

Under the Green Hill by Laura Sullivan

2011-05-05T19:44:00.003-04:00

I enjoyed this book because of the action in it and because it was fantasy. I believe that Laura Sullivan did a good job at making the characters relatable and interesting. To me, this book had all of the key components a fantasy book should have - action, adventure, good characters, and mystery. I am happy that Laura Sullivan left you with a little question, but not so much that you can't stop thinking about it. Over all, I would rank this book 9 1/2 out of 10. I would only rate it 9 1/2 because at some times it was a little confusing. All in all, I am happy I got this book to read and I would recommend it to anyone.

Reviewed by Lexxi.

Hurricane Dancers by Margarita Engle

2011-05-05T19:30:00.002-04:00

The book Hurricane Dancers was a great book told by many points of view. It was a poetic way of telling history before your eyes. The book is about four main people; Quebrado, the young slave of Spanish and Taino ancestry on the ship; Bernardino de Talavera, the Caribbean's first pirate; Alonso de Ojeda, a brutal fighter and a pirate's hostage; Narido, a young boy from Ciboney Island who is also a fisherman; Caucubu, the young daughter of a Ciboney chief who has an arranged marriage to a person she doesn't know at all but she is in love with another man.

Hurricane Dancers is a very good book and it's easy to figure out how the characters are feeling and I guess a lot of people could connect to the characters emotions. The book is filled with emotion, drama, and connections. It's a very easily understood poetry book, except children a few years younger than in fifth grade might get lost in the point of this book. It could also get confusing at times and a little annoying, but I still recommend this book to children my age.

Reviewed by Sofia.

Is It Night or Day? by Fern Schumer Chapman

2011-05-05T19:19:00.003-04:00

I thought this book was sad and interesting. In the book a girl had to move from her home in Germany. On her way to America she meets some friends. After the boat ride she had to leave her friends to go with her Uncle Jakob. When she gets to her uncles after 2 years she gets a letter from her "sister" saying her parents died. After that she said to herself "We have to live, we have to".

I liked the book. I liked when the girl made new friends.

Reviewed by Madelyn.

90 Miles to Havana by Enrique Flores-Galbis

2011-04-02T14:39:00.002-04:00

90 Miles to Havana is a book about a young boy named Julian who is sent 90 miles away to Miami from his home in Cuba with his two older brothers. When he arrives in Miami he is sent a camp where the bullies are in charge. Julian, his two older brothers, and their friend Angelita, try to make things right at camp. When Julian finds out that the camp is only a temporary place and that in a week or two the kids either get sent to a foster home, get picked up by their parents, or get sent to an orphanage he must find a plan to keep his family together. How will Julian survive in this strange new place and will he ever see his parents again?

90 Miles to Havana has become one of my favorite books. I liked this book because Julian survives no matter what happens in his life. I would recommend this book to kids ages eleven and up.

Reviewed by Morgan.

Bird Song by Ellie Sandall

2011-04-02T14:35:00.003-04:00

Bird Song is a cute and funny book for little kids. The book is about a bunch of birds sitting in a tree. Each of the birds in the tree has their own song. The pictures in the book are really good because they are unique, colorful, and entertaining.

My two younger brothers loved this book. One of my brother's favorite birds is the big colorful bird who comes to the tree at the end of the book. He says that bird is so funny and he laughs every time I read it to them.

I would recommend this book to little kids because it is funny, easy to read, and it has lots of colorful pictures.

Reviewed by Morgan.

Kiss by Jacqueline Wilson

2011-04-02T14:23:00.002-04:00

In the book Kiss by Jacqueline Wilson, Sylvie is sure she and her best friend Carl will be married one day. They've been friends ever since they were babies. Carl and Sylvie start high school at two different schools so Sylvie has to try extra hard to see him. That's when she finds that Carl is not as interested in her as he is in his friend named Paul. While coping with the fact that Carl is gay, Sylvie starts to understand herself a little more.

I thought that this was a very good book. I thought it was cool to see what life in England is like. Jacqueline Wilson is a great writer with a great vocabulary. Can't wait to read more from her.

Reviewed by Hannah.

Celestial Globe by Marie Rutkoski

2011-04-02T14:08:00.002-04:00

A stunning sequel to The Cabinet of Wonders, The Celestial Globe is a fantastic book. This book is filled with magic and mystery. The book is about a girl named Petra who gets help from an unwanted source. When Monsters attack her help brings her to London. Meanwhile Petra's friends Tomik and Neel wonder about her disappearance and search the seas for her.

I loved this book because it was packed full of action and suspense. I could not put the book down and it left me wondering what would happen next. I would definitely recommend this book for ages eleven and up because some parts are a little gruesome. I would give the book 4 1/2 stars.

Reviewed by Shannen.

The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski

2011-04-02T14:03:00.002-04:00

The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski was a very good, interesting book. Sheridan Wells has to look for her mother who she hasn't seen in a long time, and she is on a mission to find her. Will she? Read the book to find out.

I really liked it a lot because it was really interesting. One of my favorite characters was Nanny because she is funny and interesting. Some more reasons why were because I enjoy baking, so it tied in with my interests. I liked the mystery and suspense the chapters all end with. Overall, I enjoyed the book.

Reviewed by Grace.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Which Way to the Wild West by Steve Sheinkin

2011-04-02T13:57:00.003-04:00

I really enjoyed this book and I'd highly recommend it to kids who enjoy reading about American history. The book is filled with cool and surprising facts. Some children still might be turned off the with idea of history in particular. This book might be disgusting at times to people who get grossed easily. But it was a worthwhile read. The book could teach kids the way Americans settled or lived as well as the strategies they used to survive, the jobs they did or the famous people, Native Americans and Americans, who have filled the book with the stories that have been passed down for centuries. This book is a great non-fiction book.

Reviewed by Sofia.

Finding My Place by Traci L. Jones

2011-04-02T13:46:00.002-04:00

Tiphanie Jayne Baker is a spirited high schooler who had just been uprooted from her home town to Colorado, and was forced to attend an only white school. She is the only colored girl there in the year of 1975. She is bullied by a meat headed guy and hates her life until she befriends Jackie Sue. They become fast friends and suddenly life seems bearable. Her parents, though, are disapproving of a white friend. Her relationships with her parents and old friends start to fray as some secrets about Jackie Sue's mom comes to light.

I think that this is a very good book and would definitely recommend it to someone else. It is about dealing with racism and how other people have differences.

Reviewed by Sabrina.

Father of Lies by Ann Turner

2011-04-02T13:24:00.005-04:00

Father of Lies was an enjoyable book to me and I would rate it 10 out of 10. Father of Lies took place in Salem village at the time the witch trials were first starting, and the trials have always been a topic that has interested me. Ann Turner did a great job creating the fictional main character of Lidda Johnson and her family and putting them in with the real life characters. I am very happy with this book and I love the way Ann Turner writes and how she makes you feel as though you are actually there. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to know more about the trials but does not want to read a huge book with not so kid-friendly writing.

Reviewed by Lexxi.

Close to Famous by Joan Bauer

2011-04-02T13:07:00.003-04:00

In the book Close to Famous a young girl named Foster finds herself in a strange town after her mother, a backup singer, breaks up with her boss, an Elvis impersonator. Now Foster must learn how to cope in a new town that is overshadowed by a prison. Foster, who is now 11, has to learn how to read, something that she has tried to keep a secret. While going through this difficult time in her life, Foster uses her amazing cooking skills to land a job as a cupcake baker for a restaurant.

Over all, I thought this book was very good. Joan Bauer has a unique style that just brings readers in. She also knows a lot about difficult situations, it seems. I would give this book a nine out of ten.

Reviewed by Hannah.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

2011-03-28T12:42:00.003-04:00

The story follows Calla, an alpha werewolf. She knows she is in an arranged marriage to Ren, which will lead to the formation of a new pack. However, a new human boy, Shay, shows up. Calla is torn between Ren and her pack and Shay.

I liked the book. It was very compelling. The characters were well-developed, as was the plot. The only downside I found was some things were not developed for a while, though this is probably due to the nature of the story and the environments of the characters. PG-13 for violence and some thematic elements.

Reviewed by Colleen.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Drought by Pam Bachorz

2011-03-28T12:31:00.003-04:00

This book follows Ruby, a girl who's blood can prolong life. But she is one of the few who know her secret. She is trapped with the other members of her Congregation, enslaved by the cruel Darwin West. When she meets Ford, she is tempted to run away. But if she runs, her friends and family will be condemned. This book is PG-13 for mild thematic elements and some minor violence.

I liked this book; the plot was good, though almost repetitive in a few short places. The characters were mostly believable. I would recommend it.

Reviewed by Colleen.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

2011-03-28T12:11:00.003-04:00

This book was amazing. It was very funny, very compelling and well written. The characters were will-developed, and I could really relate to them. I really liked it overall, and would definitely recommend it! The book was PG-13 for violence, some language and some thematic content.

The book was about a boy named Sam who finds out that his is a necromancer. He also has to compete with another necromancer who is concerned with Sam possibly interfering with his business in raising the dead.

Reviewed by Colleen.

Three Witches by Paula Jolin

2011-03-28T11:28:00.004-04:00

In the book Three Witches by Paula Jolin, we are introduced to three young women, Aliya, Gillian and Miya, who are all very different but drawn together for one purpose. All three of these girls follow a different religion which I enjoyed very much because it brought in a sense of culture. For some people it may seem confusing to remember who is who and who believes what. The girls use their knowledge of their culture to perform a ritual that involves bringing a dead boy's spirit to them. Each one has unfinished business that they must close.

Overall I would give this book a 4 out of 5. It started out on a good note but got confusing for about two or three chapters. Except for that I enjoyed this book and it kept me reading. Plus it's short so it's a book you can speed through.

Reviewed by Megan.

- - - - - - - - - -

I started reading this book, but found that all the characters being introduced in the beginning was too confusing. I didn't finish the book.

Reviewed by Colleen.

The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card

2011-03-28T11:11:00.003-04:00

The Lost Gate was a good fantasy book with solid characters and a believable mythology.
Dan North is supposed to be a god. His parents rule their family of gods and he is supposed to be the best yet. Everyone is disappointed when Danny shows no affinity for any type of power and cast him off as useless. But Danny has a power they're all afraid of; one that they all fear enough to kill him on sight.

Reviewed by Emily.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Scrawl by Mark Shulman

2011-02-22T19:22:00.002-05:00

An interesting and enthralling read. The story of a bully caught and stuck in detention where he is told to recount the story of his life: his home, his friends, and most importantly, what happened to land him in detention for weeks and his friends on cleanup duty in the courtyard.

This book had a good plot and interesting and realistic characters. This was a good read that I would recommend to anybody.

Reviewed by Emily.

We Are Not Eaten By Yaks by C. Alexander London

2011-02-22T19:15:00.002-05:00

Oliver and Celia Navel's mother has been missing for 3 years. She went missing searching for the Lost Library of Alexandria. To find her they must go on the adventure of their lives. They must face monsters, witches and many other unpleasant things, hear a prophecy and ride a yak along the way. But unfortunately this means that they miss all of their favorite shows and don't get to spend the summer on the couch.

We Are Not Eaten By Yaks is a great adventure. It is comedy, adventure and mystery packed into one fantastic story. You never know what will happen next in this seat of the pants adventure. This book is for anyone who likes comedy or adventure or can relate to those who are forced to turn off the T.V. to read a book. This book is great for all ages, in my opinion, with something in it for everyone.

Reviewed by Josh.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Guitar Boy by Mary Jane Auch

2011-02-22T19:08:00.003-05:00

Guitar Boy is about a 14 year old boy who really loves to play guitar. He always plays on his mothers really old guitar that has been in the family for hundreds of years. One night Travis' mom goes out for work in a really bad rainstorm and her truck flips over on the highway and Travis' family crumbles apart. His father loses his job and forces Travis' older sister, June, to drop out of high school to take care of the three younger siblings. Travis is then forced to drop out to get a job. Travis quits the job and then he and his father get into a terrible fight. Travis gets kicked out of the house, which leads him on a wild adventrue looking for a man named Scot McKissack, a guitar repairman and builder a few towns over. He gets a job there and finds a home with one of Scot's friends.

I thought Guitar Boy was a good book with a valuable lesson for all. Mary Jane Auch has a new and creative style that almost anyone can relate to. I think that this book would be great for all ages. It's just on of those books that you just can't put down until the last page is read.

Reviewed by Hannah.

Saraswati's Way by Monika Schroder

2011-02-22T19:04:00.003-05:00

This book follows a young Indian boy who is somewhat of a genius. In order to gain a better education he has to run away from his small town in India and go to Delhi.

I enjoyed this book even though it was pretty predictable. There were some drug references and a little violence but it was a "feel good" book.

Reviewed by Axel.

Glee by Sophia Lowell

2011-02-22T18:45:00.001-05:00

This was actually pretty surprising. I do not watch Glee a lot or often and the story was pretty interesting. My friend is a Glee fan and enjoyed it also. This book is for the Glee fan or someone looking for a good read. The book rotates its point of view to different characters to tell their version of the story. It starts off with Rachael Berry, an overachiever who believes that she is always correct. It then goes on to describe the characters developing feelings for each other and important school events like the school dance, the music festival and, as always, secret romances.

Reviewed by Sabrina.

No Passengers Beyond This Point by Gennifer Choldenko

2011-02-22T15:57:00.004-05:00

In No Passengers Beyond This Point by Gennifer Choldenko, the Tompkins family loses their home to foreclosure. The mother gets separated from Mouse, India, and Finn, the children. They are sent to Uncle Red's home in Colorado. A person who picks them up in Colorado doesn't know who Uncle Red is. In their conversation with Chuck (the person who picked them up at the airport) Uncle Red never comes up. They each have a clock with time to either stay in Colorado or find their parents and continue their life as it was before the foreclosure. The time is running out and they each have a puzzle piece. As Finn and Mouse stay together, India gets a job as a welcomer. If Finn and Mouse don't receive India's puzzle piece they will never be able to make contact with their mom or Uncle Red. Will India's puzzle piece be joined with Finn and Mouse's puzzle pieces? Will they make it to Uncle Red's? Read the book to find out.

I really liked this book because I enjoy mysteries and books with suspense. If you like mystery and suspense then I would recommend this book for you.

Reviewed by Grace.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Dawn Land by Joseph Bruchac

2011-01-28T15:52:00.005-05:00

This graphic novel follows Yang Hunter, a Native American teen who must set off on a quest to defeat the Stone Giants who are murdering and terrorizing his tribe.

The story was pretty good, with a good plot. While I found some of the characters hard to discern from each other, I was still able to follow the story. PG-13 for violence and thematic elements.

Reviewed by Colleen.

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

2010-12-21T13:29:00.003-05:00

Avery cannot recall the night her parents were murdered, even though she keeps on trying to. Then she meets the new guy, Ben; a handsome, mysterious person who also loves the woods. Avery still trusts Ben, even after finding out that he is a werewolf. But her trust starts to waver when she finds out that Ben, too, can't recall the night her parents died.

The book was decent, though quite repetitive at times. The plot seemed to drag at times and I think it lacked some character development. I would recommend it to people who like romance novels, but not so much paranormal, as the paranormal werewolf side of the story was not wholly prominent.

PG for mild suggestive scenes and violence.

Reviewed by Colleen.

Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly

2010-12-21T13:22:00.002-05:00

Harmonic Feedback was about Drea, a 16 year old who loves music and sand design. In a new town, Drea meets two people whom she can call friends, something new to her.

I really enjoyed Harmonic Feedback; the plot and characters were believable and I felt I could really connect to Drea. I would recommend it to people who like realistic fiction.

The book is PG-13 for drug use, minor alcohol use and suggestive themes.

Reviewed by Colleen.

Truancy Origins by Isamu Fukui

2010-11-19T13:49:00.002-05:00

This is a prequel to Truancy. PG-13 for violence and mild drinking.

This book chronicles the beginning of the Truancy. While action packed, the character development could be improved and the book seemed to drag at the end. The plot was good, but it got a bit boring at the end. I would recommend it to people who read and liked Truancy.

Reviewed by Colleen.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

How I Made It To Eighteen: A Mostly True Story by Tracy White

2010-11-19T13:43:00.003-05:00

This book is the story of a girl who checks herself into a mental hospital after a nervous breakdown at 17. PG-13.

A very good book that shows and tells the story of what it is like at a mental hospital. The book was honest and moving and I would definitely recommend it.

Reviewed by Colleen.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

2010-11-05T16:16:00.002-04:00

I did not like this book. I read the first two chapters and just could not get into it.
I did not enjoy the author's style of writing, and the main character's personality, among other things, bothered me. Also, I could tell it was going to be another teen romance with an indecisive girl that does not want to own up to her feelings and a mysterious guy that's not really human. It wasn't even a secret that he was an angel though; just look at the cover. Maybe I'm just growing into more adult fiction at this point, and I am sure regular teenage girls will like this if they like romance novels. But not me, especially right after reading " A Thousand Splendid Suns". So good if you like romance and dark stuff I assume, but not if you enjoy more sophisticated literature.

Reviewed by Ashley.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson

2010-09-07T13:47:00.002-04:00

This book is set in fictional India where two girls, stepsisters, are working hard to make up for their father's death. Both girls receive a blessing from a Goddess. Precious gems and flowers fall out of one's mouth while snakes and toads fall out of the other one's mouth. After being sent to far away lands and overcoming many ordeals, the sisters come to realize which has the gift and which has the curse.

I enjoyed this book a lot. The perspective switched between sisters from chapter to chapter. Besides the themes of the gifts, there are also ethical and religious problems that the girls deal with. Even though the book is fictional, including the religions, I thought it was a good representation of parts of our world.

Reviewed by Ashley.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill

2010-09-03T09:51:00.003-04:00

The story basically follows the girls of Salem that are being afflicted by nonexistent witches. The girls accuse those in the town that have sinned. But as they continue innocent people are also accused, causing people to wonder how true these girls are. In the end the witch trials fade away as those accused are found either guilty and hung or not and let free.

It was an okay book but since each chapter is told by one of the girls it can sometimes become confusing.

Reviewed by Amelia.

The Wager by Donna Jo Napoli

2010-07-29T11:57:00.003-04:00

Don Giovanni lost all of his belongings and money in a tsunami. Desperate, he makes a deal with the Devil. He receives a purse that can create any sum of money, but with a catch. He cannot bathe, comb his hair, shave his beard or change his clothes for three years, three months, and three days. If he does, he will lose his soul.

An interesting concept that I think was well executed. Not for the faint of heart, but a good book none the less. I would recommend it.

Reviewed by Colleen.

Spellbinder by Helen Stringer

2010-07-29T11:53:00.002-04:00

Belladonna's parents are dead. But that doesn't stop them from staying with her. Belladonna can see ghosts. But one day, all of the ghosts disappear. Belladonna and her friend Steve set out to find out what is wrong.

An interesting book, and I enjoyed it very much. I would recommend it to people who like fantasy books.

Reviewed by Colleen.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Children of the Dawnland by Kathleen O'Neal Gear

2010-07-26T16:06:00.002-04:00

Twig, a girl living during the Ice Age, starts having a dream showing a green light in the sky that causes havoc for her people. So she sets out with her friend, Greyhawk, and Screech Owl the Shaman to try and discover the meaning of her dream.

I enjoyed this book. The concept was original and it was well executed. I would recommend it. It was a kind of quick read, but it was a good book overall.

Reviewed by Colleen.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Scumble by Ingrid Law

2010-07-26T15:37:00.002-04:00

The book "Scumble" by Ingrid Law is about how Ledger Kale scumbles, or masters, his savvy of mass destruction. A savvy is an inherited power that manifests at age 13. He had hoped he would be able to run faster when he got his savvy. Instead he can disassemble man-made objects without touching them. His savvy starts with being able to destroy small things, then becomes able to destroy entire buildings. A nosy girl happens to be around when he destroys a barn at his cousin's wedding, which makes the disaster worse as savvies are kept secret so that the people who have the savvies will not get used by other people.

This book was well written and almost never boring. It also didn't give you too much information at once, allowing a reader to make their own predictions about what will happen next. It also shows a lesson about holding in your emotions and how it can cause damage to you and those around you. When Ledger held in his savvy forcefully it built up energy and caused all the more damage when it came out. Similar things can occur from holding in your emotions or holding on to them. Some emotions would be anger, frustration, sadness and other powerful emotions.

Reviewed by Thomas.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Three Quarters Dead by Richard Peck

2010-07-26T15:31:00.006-04:00

"Three Quarters Dead" by Richard Peck is not a novel that you come across in your reading normally. The content of this book is different from any other supernatural ghost/zombie story. The main character, Keri, after a couple months of school without her best friend who has moved away, is invited into another group. The four girls become good friends very quickly. When Keri's three new friends die in a car accident, they drain life from Keri to stay alive until Keri decides what she needs to do with these zombies who are so not her friends. Although not many details are included, and it is a little bit hard to follow, the overall story is entrancing and left me thinking about it for weeks afterward.

Reviewed by Kera.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

The Karma Club by Jessica Brody

2010-06-22T13:50:00.004-04:00

The Karma club is when Maddie tries to speed karma along. She catches her boyfriend (who she thought was perfect) cheating on her, and karma (supposedly) not doing anything, her friends and herself decide to deal out their own type of karma. They form the Karma Club. It's where they get revenge on people whom karma seems to have glanced by. Like the meanest (and prettiest) girl in school gets her acne cream switched out with Crisco. This and other hilarious events occur in this very funny novel. This is an extremely good book and I would recommend it to other people.

Reviewed by Sabrina.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

2010-05-24T12:35:00.003-04:00

A classic! It is very good. Bradbury has a unique style, filled with details that wrap you into the story and really show you what is going on. The plot is good, but some parts were a little hard to understand because the sensory details were a little too much. Worth reading, Bradbury is a wonderful author.

Reviewed by Ashley.

Acceleration by Graham McNamee

2010-05-24T12:29:00.002-04:00

Absolutely loved this book! It had humor and a character that was "relatable" to teens using sarcastic humor and poking fun. The story is of a kid finding a serial killer's journal at his job at a lost and found and trying to catch the guy before he kills. I could not put this book down for hours at a time. So good! Definitely read!!

Reviewed by Ashley.

For the Win by Cory Doctorow

2010-05-24T12:24:00.003-04:00

I found this book hard to get into. I just could not get interested in the plot or the characters. It started out with different people playing an online video game, like WoW, and how it affects their real lives. I'm sure that people who like virtual reality and video games would really like this book, but it just was not for me.

Reviewed by Ashley.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Truancy by Isamu Fukui

2010-05-24T12:19:00.003-04:00

The book follows Tack, a normal school-goer. But school here is ruled by the iron fist of the autocratic mayor. Oppressive and unrelenting, Tack and his fellow students are fed up with school. So is the Truancy, a student underground movement set on destroying the mayor and the city. Tack finds himself caught between supporting the Truancy and enacting his revenge on it.

A very good book, full of action and adventure. You won't want to put it down! A great read, on I would definitely recommend for friends!

This book is 13+ with minor language, violence, and minor alcohol use.

Reviewed by Colleen.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Clover Twig and the Magical Cottage by Kaye Umansky

2010-05-21T10:57:00.003-04:00

Clover Twig and the Magical Cottage was a very good book. It had fun transitions and even though I hesitated when choosing this book, once I started I couldn't put it down. Clover Twig goes to work for a witch who owns a flying cottage. She meets many interesting characters. One of my favorite parts is when the grandmother comes and the sisters' fighting looks like they were children who were caught doing something bad. Over all I would recommend this book to other people.

Reviewed by Sabrina.

The Web of Titan by Dom Testa

2010-05-21T10:23:00.002-04:00

I found the book The Web of Titan by Dom Testa to be interesting and well done. While reading, I found the plot enthralling and the book hard to put down. The theories the crew made up I found to be interesting and mulled over them myself.

Reviewed by Thomas.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Through the Night by Kate Morgenroth

2010-05-04T14:41:00.002-04:00

The format of this book was really unique and something I enjoyed. You could not only see two sides of the story, but investigation notes as well. I really liked how realistic this book was and how the ending wasn't predictable. It was a book that made you reread things, simply because you could hardly believe it. This book takes a little to get into, but then you'll never want it to end.

Reviewed by Megan.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

The Espressologist by Kristina Springer

2010-05-04T14:38:00.004-04:00

The book quickly grabbed your attention and pulled you into the world of Jane Turner. The characters were relate-able and real and the plot kept you reading. It seemed like a very original idea, without being too far out there. It was a quick read, partly because it was hard to put down.

Reviewed by Megan.

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This book is about a girl named Jane whose boss promotes her to Espressologist. An Espressologist uses the type of coffee you drink to match you up with someone else. She thinks that the type of coffee you drink has something to do with your personality. For example:

"Medium Iced Vanilla Latte

Smart, sweet, and gentle. Sometimes soft-spoken but not a door-mat. Loyal and trustworthy. A good friend. Decent looks and body."

I thought the story itself was hilarious. I absolutely love the main character, Jane. This book is for a fun loving person with some time to spare. It is a good read and anyone who loves romance and coffee should read this book.

I would rate this book PG because of some bad language. I would also give The Espressologist 5 stars.

Reviewed by Shannen.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green

2010-04-26T11:05:00.003-04:00

While a bit confusing at first, I enjoyed the book. This is a humorous tale about two different Will Graysons who happen to meet one night. Their lives, of course, cross paths again and become intertwined leading to romance and a fabulous school musical.

Some sexual content, language, and talk of sexuality.

Reviewed by Colleen.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

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This book is about two teenagers with the same name but very different lives and how, when their paths cross, they change each others lives.

I loved this book. I enjoy when chapters switch from one point of view to another. The voices of teenagers can be a wide variety of things; funny, serious, ridiculous and mind bending. I specifically remember laughing out loud at some of the parts. The topics of love (both gay and straight), friendships, and just life in general were handled well for teenagers to connect to and understand.

Reviewed by Ashley.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Peace. Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

2010-04-19T15:01:00.003-04:00

Peace, Locomotion was a very interesting book. The book is written like a letter. Lonie is writing to his sister about everything he did that day. It may not sound interesting but when you think about what this kid is thinking it's really amazing. His foster brother lost his leg in a war but they still became close when he let his hard shell fall. It's humbling to read this book and see how much of a difference there is between this city kid's life and mine. He isn't allowed much time to watch TV when we watch it too much. I don't really know when this book was set in time but it just seems so sweet.

Reviewed by Amelia.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Cookie by Jacqueline Wilson

2010-04-19T14:47:00.003-04:00

This is a good story about a girl going through problems at school. It gives a story through the eyes of Beauty, who hates her name because she thinks she isn't at all. The ending is happy and sad at the same time. It's a great literary work.

Reviewed by Sabrina.

Cat o' Nine Tails by Julia Golding

2010-04-19T14:44:00.004-04:00

I believe that this is a great story. Without reading the other books in the series I was able to grasp the concept of the story. There were many plot twists, like when Cat becomes part of an Indian tribe. The ending is unpredictable and is hard to guess.

Reviewed by Sabrina.

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Cat is spending time with her friend Tom at his winter home when she gets a letter saying that her old time friend has disappeared. While looking for him Cat, Tom and Pedro are captured and are put on a ship going to the New World. The three are threatened, but when they touch land Cat gets away. Befriended by Native Americans she then makes her way to Pennsylvania to uncover the man who set the plan up, Tom's cousin.

It was a very well written book and, even though I have not read the first books, I could still understand what who characters were and what was happening in the beginning. It was a very interesting historical fiction book. I even liked it and I'm not really into historical fiction.

Reviewed by Amelia.

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

2010-04-19T14:39:00.003-04:00

Mockingbird is a sweet, sad, and happy story at the same time. The main character, Caitlin, has Asperger's Syndrome and she has just lost her brother. Devon was killed in a school shooting and her and her father struggle to find closure throughout the whole story for themselves and the rest of the community. Caitlin discovers an entire new world throughout this emotional journey. This book is a wonderfully retold story about an actual shooting that happened in the author's backyard. 5 stars. Must read.

Reviewed by Kera.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Triple Shot Bettys in Love by Jody Gehrman

2010-04-19T14:32:00.002-04:00

Triple Shot Bettys in Love is a great story about three best friends and all of their wacky adventures. This is a terrific sequel to Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty. When a really hot new teacher comes to school Amber, one of the best friends, needs help from her friends to make her look smart and give her a new identity so that she can date the new high school teacher. This novel is told from Geena's point of view, and while Amber has her crisis, so does Geena. How long will her relationship with Ben last? Is he trying to go too far too fast? This book is a must read for all teenage and preteen girls!

Reviewed by Kera.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Dead Guy Spy by David Lubar

2010-03-20T11:21:00.003-04:00

This book has a pretty good plot sequence and flows nicely. This would be a very enjoyable book for many people to read. A good aspect of it was that it gives you a bit of a low-down on what happened in the previous book. I enjoyed this book because it gives on a good idea of all the accidents that can occur in a normal person's day. It gave me a new aspect of life to look at.

Dead guy Spy is about Nathan Abercrombie who got splashed with a substance called hurt be gone that was supposed to make bad feelings go away, but instead turned him into a zombie. On his way to school a person was following him in a bush. When he noticed, the man jumped out of the bush, made his excuses and left. Later in science class he saw a squirrel robot pointing a camera at him through the window. Before he could get a closer look the squirrel had fallen down the telephone pole and exploded. After school Nathan was practicing football with his friend when a bad pass broke off Nathan's finger. Another robot had caught this on camera. A couple days later while Nathan was on the computer in the middle of the night (since he didn't need sleep) he was contacted while playing an online game. The message sent said that he needed to meet with the organization that had been spying on him to see if he was worth recruiting. He meet up with the leader of the organization and found out that they might be able to strengthen his bones since they were so brittle. A couple more days passed and Nathan was contacted to do his first assignment before they strengthened all of his bones. He dropped a transmitter down a pipe in a government facility, or so he thought. This angered Nathan until he heard on the news that a large storage of neurotoxins had been found in an abandoned government facility and this was when Nathan made the final decision to join the group.

Reviewed by Thomas.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Still Sucks to Be Me: The All-True Confessions of Mina Smith, Teen Vampire by Kimberly Pauley

2010-03-20T11:14:00.004-04:00

Mina, a newly turned vampire, thought that everything was going smoothly. Then the vampire council decides that they have to fake their death and move to a small town in the middle of nowhere-ville. Not to mention changing her name and leaving her vamp boyfriend and best friend, who happens to know her secret. Soon she's caught up in an ancient feud and can't trust anyone. When Mina uncovers information and gets caught in a battle the Carters flee. The vamp council moves them yet again, to a new place. This was a very good book and my friend and I both enjoyed it.

Reviewed by Sabrina.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Yours Truly, Lucy B. Parker : Girl vs. Superstar by Robin Palmer

2010-03-20T11:03:00.005-04:00

Lucy was friend dumped and her parents got a divorce before she started school again. Suddenly her mom is announcing that she's dating Laurel Moses' dad. When she has to move in with them she thinks that her life can't get any worse. She gets lost in New York and Laurel hates her. After she gets majorly lost, she has to call Laurel. She learned that Laurel has been just as nervous and they start to get a long better. Eventually, Lucy makes one friend at her new school. They have a sequel and I can't wait for it to come out.

Reviewed by Sabrina.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Models Don't Eat Cookies by Erin Dionne

2010-02-20T10:26:00.003-05:00

Celeste is an average middle schooler. The problem is people make fun of her size. She has always been "chunky" but she has always been made fun of. Most of the comments are from Lively Carson and her group of friends. The only comfort is her friends, her Twinkie stash and Theo Christmas, her favorite singer. But when her closest friend Sandra leaves her to join Lively because of a boy, Celeste is crushed. On top of that her aunt entered her in a modeling contest, one for "plus sized" girls. And worst of all she got in. As she works her way through the Husky Peach changes and her school life she learns more about herself than ever before.

I though this was quite a good book, full of suspense, drama, romance and humor. It had all of my favorite elements in it; I could just do without the dog that couldn't pee. Otherwise it sounds like a true story that most girls would like.

Reviewed by Amelia.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.

Taken by Storm by Angela Morrison

2010-02-02T17:22:00.002-05:00

Taken by Storm by Angela Morrison is a great book for anyone who is interested in a good story about forbidden love. One question that I still have is, if these people are so deeply in love, why one moment are they really happy, and the next they completely hate each other?

Overall, this novel was really great. Just the fact that the love these two characters have between them can never be anything more makes the plot that much more enthralling. A story all about e-chats, poems, and dive logs, told in both points of view from the girl and the boy, makes this forbidden romance novel really stand out.

Reviewed by Kera.
Reviewed from an advanced reader copy.