Monday, January 27, 2014

The Midnight Dress

by Karen Foxlee

Summary:
Rose is used to travelling with her father; it's not a perfect existence, but she's at least got a system for dealing with it. When they arrive in their latest town, she finds that she's ready for things to change. She doesn't want to keep leaving every time her father runs out of work and goes on a drinking binge. She's made friends and is going to the Harvest Festival. But as she makes her dress for the Festival, with the help of an old lady named Edie, the past and present are set on a collision course which someone won't survive.

Review:
I really enjoyed The Midnight Dress. It's a mystery which keeps you guessing until the end. Rose is an interesting character, as is her utterly romantic friend Pearl. The book moves swiftly, keeping the reader engaged until the end. The book takes place in Australia, but you can't really tell too many differences. All in all it's a good read for anyone who likes mysteries.

Genre: Mystery
Age Level: 9th Grade

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Ketchup Clouds

by Annabel Pitcher

Summary:
Have you ever done something truly horrible? Something that no one knows the truth of but you? Something like murder? Zoe has no one she can tell about what really happened on May 1st, so she decides to write to a man on death row, because as murderers they share a common bond. As she tells him the story of the events leading up to May 1st we learn that not everything is as simple as what it seems. And that sometimes love can be deadly.

Review:
Written as an epistolary novel, Ketchup Clouds is a captivating book that is hard to put down til the end. Zoe is a eloquent and smart girl whose letters are both entertaining yet told without bias. She starts off each letter in the present before returning to the story of the events leading up to May 1st, which can be a little confusing at first. The story is one about unintended consequences and heartbreak, and will definitely stay with the reader. Best for slightly older teens due to the prevalence of drinking throughout, but a good read for anyone who enjoys a tragic romance.

Genre: Epistolary Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Pawn

by Aimee Carter

Summary:
In a world where there are 7 classes, Kitty Doe is a III. It's not as bad as being a I or II, but it means she's in for a life of misery and deprivation. When she's given the chance to become a VII she leaps at it, not knowing what she's getting into. Now she's been surgically altered to be the double of the niece of the Prime Minister, and she's finding out that nothing is as it seems.

Review:
Pawn stands out in the sea of dystopians out these days. While the class system has been covered in many other novels, Carter does a good job of creating a world that's both believable and plausible. The characters are well developed, and the plot has a few good twists which keep the reader guessing. The trilogy is just beginning, but you could even read the first one as a standalone.

Genre: Dystopian
Age Level: 8th Grade

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Dare Me

by Eric Devine

Summary:
It starts out simple. 10 dares in 10 months. It's a way for Ben, Ricky and John to leave high school as legends. But when the videos of their dares go viral, and a mysterious sponsor appears, the simple dares disappear. As the dares get more dangerous, and their videos grow in popularity, Ben starts to wonder if the infamy is really worth it.

Review:
Dare Me is a good quick read for guys. It's main characters are believable, though the complex relationship between Ben, Ricky and John seems a little too easy for their past. The mysterious donor and complexity of the dares make the story extremely unbelievable, but the lives of the boys as they struggle through family changes and growing up seem pretty realistic. The book wraps up nicely (a little too nicely) but it's overall a good story about friendship. I'd say it's a good read to give to reluctant guy readers, since the dares reminiscent of the Jackass movies will keep them interested, but there is some talk of sex and drinking, so it's better for slightly older readers..

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10th Grade

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

The Girl of Fire and Thorns

by Rae Carson

Summary:
Elisa is not your typical princess. Overweight, not graceful, and quick to say what's on her mind, she never thought she'd amount to much. Except she's the bearer of the Godstone, a divine gift which is only bestowed on one person every 100 years. And Godstone bearers each have their own task to complete, though none know what it will be til it happens. Elisa begins the tale as a princess, but what she becomes (though marriage, kidnappings, rebellion and more) is more than she can imagine.

Review:
I started off not really sure about the book as the religious aspects can be a bit much. However, Elisa is one of the most refreshing characters I've encountered in awhile. She's not perfect, and is quite all right with it. The changes she goes through in the book, both physical and mental, are believable and impressive. The story takes several twists you don't see coming, and turns into much more of an adventure story than  you might think at first. The book will definitely leave you excited to grab the rest of the trilogy.

Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade

Counting by 7's

by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Summary:
Willow is a genius. She's also obsessed with diagnosing medical conditions, plants and the number 7. When a freak car accident leaves her orphaned, she finds herself alone in the world. But Willow has left impressions on many people she knows, and these people might just lead her to a new life if she'll let them.

Review:
Superbly written, Counting by 7's is a book that's both heartbreaking and uplifting. Willow is a person who would be difficult to become friends with in real life, but through the book the reader is able to really understand. The relationships she forms, without even realizing it, become the backbone that helps her stand again. She's a great character who demonstrates that even the little things we do can have a big impact on those around us.

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 7th Grade