by Hannah Harrington
Summary:
Chelsea has always been proud of her status as one of the most popular girls in her high school, and also as the one who knows the dirt on everyone and isn't afraid to share it. After all, gossip is just telling what you know about people. But when she lets out a secret about a boy in her class, a secret that results in him being attacked and almost killed, she realizes that maybe her inability to keep a secret is not good. As a penance of sorts, she decides to stop talking altogether. As she loses her friends and popularity, she beings to find that maybe everything that she thought she was was a lie. Maybe through not talking she'll find her true friends and a better way to be.
Review:
While I thought the whole 'vow of silence' thing to be a bit cliche and selfish of Chelsea, I really wound up liking her as a character by the end of the book. The book itself deals with some very heavy themes: sex, hate crimes, LBGT rights to name a few, but it does so in an age-appropriate way. The book really reminds you the impact that one careless statement can have on many, and in all honestly how many people can say they've never gossiped about someone and regretted it afterwards. A really good read for teens.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 8th Grade
Showing posts with label Best Friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Best Friends. Show all posts
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Accomplice
by Eireann Corrigan.
Summary:
Finn and Chloe have done everything right so far. They've done good in school, participate in extracurricular activities, volunteer, basically have done everything that they have been told that would give them an edge to get into a great college. Which is great. Except what they've done thousands of other people have done. They need to do something that really will set them apart, that will really make colleges want them. So they decided to fake Chloe's kidnapping. Finn will play the devastated friend, and when enough time has gone by (and enough media attention) she will help Chloe 'escape' from her 'imprisonment.' But once the plan is set into action Finn is left to see the devastation their ploy wrecks on everyone she cares about, and is forced to see just how far the consequences of the plan extend.
Review:
What I found most interesting, and almost believable, is how far these two girls were willing to go to get an edge on other college applicants. This, more than anything, was the biggest thing that stood out to me. Both girls were responsible and smart students, but the college application process brings out their worst qualities. As outlandish as it is, their plot succeeds in the book, and Finn is left to carry her guilt about deceiving everyone, and ruining a few other peoples futures in the process. It's a good read for teens, any who are going through this process themselves will definitely understand the motives of these girls.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th-10th Grade
Summary:
Finn and Chloe have done everything right so far. They've done good in school, participate in extracurricular activities, volunteer, basically have done everything that they have been told that would give them an edge to get into a great college. Which is great. Except what they've done thousands of other people have done. They need to do something that really will set them apart, that will really make colleges want them. So they decided to fake Chloe's kidnapping. Finn will play the devastated friend, and when enough time has gone by (and enough media attention) she will help Chloe 'escape' from her 'imprisonment.' But once the plan is set into action Finn is left to see the devastation their ploy wrecks on everyone she cares about, and is forced to see just how far the consequences of the plan extend.
Review:
What I found most interesting, and almost believable, is how far these two girls were willing to go to get an edge on other college applicants. This, more than anything, was the biggest thing that stood out to me. Both girls were responsible and smart students, but the college application process brings out their worst qualities. As outlandish as it is, their plot succeeds in the book, and Finn is left to carry her guilt about deceiving everyone, and ruining a few other peoples futures in the process. It's a good read for teens, any who are going through this process themselves will definitely understand the motives of these girls.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th-10th Grade
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
The Lions of Little Rock
by Kristin Levine
Summary:
It's the beginning of the school year in 1958 in Little Rock, and Marlee is not excited about it. She's not much of a talker you see, and this year she starts middle school, with teachers she's never met before, who probably will want her to talk. But on her first day of school she meets Liz, a new student who becomes her best friend. But when it's revealed that Liz is actually African American, both girls have to learn to stand up on their own and force those around them to realize that perhaps race shouldn't be a reason to dislike a person.
Review:
Lions of Little Rock is a book about great courage. Both girls demonstrate remarkable maturity throughout the book, even when those around them tell them they are in the wrong for being friends. The book is set during the height of the civil rights movement, the year after the Little Rock 9 had been allowed to attend a 'whites only' school. The book explains the hatred and fear that spread through the communities regardless of their views, and the worry that those who opposed segregation felt even as they worked to ban it. The book is a great read for tweens.
Age Level-5th-6th Grade
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary:
It's the beginning of the school year in 1958 in Little Rock, and Marlee is not excited about it. She's not much of a talker you see, and this year she starts middle school, with teachers she's never met before, who probably will want her to talk. But on her first day of school she meets Liz, a new student who becomes her best friend. But when it's revealed that Liz is actually African American, both girls have to learn to stand up on their own and force those around them to realize that perhaps race shouldn't be a reason to dislike a person.
Review:
Lions of Little Rock is a book about great courage. Both girls demonstrate remarkable maturity throughout the book, even when those around them tell them they are in the wrong for being friends. The book is set during the height of the civil rights movement, the year after the Little Rock 9 had been allowed to attend a 'whites only' school. The book explains the hatred and fear that spread through the communities regardless of their views, and the worry that those who opposed segregation felt even as they worked to ban it. The book is a great read for tweens.
Age Level-5th-6th Grade
Genre: Historical Fiction
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
When You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead
Summary:
It all began when Miranda's mom was selected to be a contestant on the hit game show "$20,000 Pyramid." Or was it when her best friend Sal got punched in the face walking home from school. Or was it when the crazy guy on the corner showed up. Or when the spare apartment key she and her mom keep in the fire hose box is stolen. Or when the first mysterious note arrives asking her to write everything down, because the letter writer is going to need the whole story in the future. When space and time seem to collide, Miranda learns that sometimes the things we think are unbelievable are the things that shape our lives.
Review:
One of the best parts of Stead's novel is how it deftly deals with questions of time and space as it convinces the reader that things in the future can change the past. And that things that might have changed the past from the future, like someone time travelling, won't change the past because the things that have changed the past have already occurred (she says it much better than I do here). Miranda is a well written character, as are her friends and family. Definitely a great read for tweens of both genders.
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Level: 5th Grade
Summary:
It all began when Miranda's mom was selected to be a contestant on the hit game show "$20,000 Pyramid." Or was it when her best friend Sal got punched in the face walking home from school. Or was it when the crazy guy on the corner showed up. Or when the spare apartment key she and her mom keep in the fire hose box is stolen. Or when the first mysterious note arrives asking her to write everything down, because the letter writer is going to need the whole story in the future. When space and time seem to collide, Miranda learns that sometimes the things we think are unbelievable are the things that shape our lives.
Review:
One of the best parts of Stead's novel is how it deftly deals with questions of time and space as it convinces the reader that things in the future can change the past. And that things that might have changed the past from the future, like someone time travelling, won't change the past because the things that have changed the past have already occurred (she says it much better than I do here). Miranda is a well written character, as are her friends and family. Definitely a great read for tweens of both genders.
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Level: 5th Grade
Friday, July 13, 2012
Pure
by Terra Elan McVoy
Summary:
The purity rings that Tabitha and her friends wear were supposed to make their lives easier. The rings were a symbol of their promise to God that they would save themselves for marriage. But as the girls get older, they are finding that life is not as black and white as they had thought it. When one of them makes a decision that goes against their promise, they find themselves pitted against each other as they discover that you can't dictate your friends choices, only whether or not you value their friendship over your beliefs.
Review:
Pure is a very readable story about young girls growing up and realizing that their insulated world of religion is not always going to have all the answers for them. Tabitha in particular is a voice of reason throughout, finding ways to rectify her religious beliefs with everyday life, and helping others to as well. The book does not really focus on whether sex is right or wrong, nor is it overly preachy on the topic of religion, but does a good job of showing the potential problems that many young people who are religious face. It's a good read, semi-along the lines of the movie Saved, good for older tweens and teens.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 8-9th grade
Summary:
The purity rings that Tabitha and her friends wear were supposed to make their lives easier. The rings were a symbol of their promise to God that they would save themselves for marriage. But as the girls get older, they are finding that life is not as black and white as they had thought it. When one of them makes a decision that goes against their promise, they find themselves pitted against each other as they discover that you can't dictate your friends choices, only whether or not you value their friendship over your beliefs.
Review:
Pure is a very readable story about young girls growing up and realizing that their insulated world of religion is not always going to have all the answers for them. Tabitha in particular is a voice of reason throughout, finding ways to rectify her religious beliefs with everyday life, and helping others to as well. The book does not really focus on whether sex is right or wrong, nor is it overly preachy on the topic of religion, but does a good job of showing the potential problems that many young people who are religious face. It's a good read, semi-along the lines of the movie Saved, good for older tweens and teens.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 8-9th grade
Friday, June 15, 2012
Breathless
by Jessica Warman
Summary:
Katie never meant to lie about her brother. But it's so much easier to be the new girl with a brother who died rather than the new girl with the brother who is crazy and is in and out of mental hospitals. Or the new girl with the brother who tried to kill her father, or might have killed a hospital worker. So instead she lies and moves on with her life. She's captain of the swim team and has a great boyfriend and friends. But while things are great on the surface, when you are hiding a big lie it's bound to come out sometime.
Review:
While Katie's brother is in the book quite a bit, the book itself is not about him. it instead shows the devastation that having a person with mental illness can have on the family (especially when it's an illness that manifests violently). Katie chooses to hide any association with her brother, and we can see throughout the book how guilty and ashamed it makes her feel. It's an interesting look at mental illness from a person who is not suffering from the diseases themselves but is suffering from the aftereffects and from being a bit ignored by her parents because she is not the problem child. Good read for older tweens.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Summary:
Katie never meant to lie about her brother. But it's so much easier to be the new girl with a brother who died rather than the new girl with the brother who is crazy and is in and out of mental hospitals. Or the new girl with the brother who tried to kill her father, or might have killed a hospital worker. So instead she lies and moves on with her life. She's captain of the swim team and has a great boyfriend and friends. But while things are great on the surface, when you are hiding a big lie it's bound to come out sometime.
Review:
While Katie's brother is in the book quite a bit, the book itself is not about him. it instead shows the devastation that having a person with mental illness can have on the family (especially when it's an illness that manifests violently). Katie chooses to hide any association with her brother, and we can see throughout the book how guilty and ashamed it makes her feel. It's an interesting look at mental illness from a person who is not suffering from the diseases themselves but is suffering from the aftereffects and from being a bit ignored by her parents because she is not the problem child. Good read for older tweens.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Friday, May 18, 2012
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac
by Gabrielle Zevin
Summary:
Imagine waking up to discover that you couldn't remember the last 4 years of your life. Not birthdays, algebra, learning to drive, the names of your best friend, that you have a boyfriend, that your parents are divorced, that your mom has remarried and you have a 3 year old half sister. Who knew hitting your head could mean having to relearn your life, and discovering that maybe you weren't living that great a life to begin with.
Review:
Zevin's novel about 16 year old Naomi, a girl who hits her head and becomes an amnesiac, is witty and enjoyable. Naomi is a very relatable character. As she relearns her life and rediscoveres friendships she finds herself wondering why she might have acted differently before the accident. What is interesting in the novel is watching Naomi try to really understand her actions before the accident and strives to be a better person.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th grade
Summary:
Imagine waking up to discover that you couldn't remember the last 4 years of your life. Not birthdays, algebra, learning to drive, the names of your best friend, that you have a boyfriend, that your parents are divorced, that your mom has remarried and you have a 3 year old half sister. Who knew hitting your head could mean having to relearn your life, and discovering that maybe you weren't living that great a life to begin with.
Review:
Zevin's novel about 16 year old Naomi, a girl who hits her head and becomes an amnesiac, is witty and enjoyable. Naomi is a very relatable character. As she relearns her life and rediscoveres friendships she finds herself wondering why she might have acted differently before the accident. What is interesting in the novel is watching Naomi try to really understand her actions before the accident and strives to be a better person.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th grade
Matched
by Ally Condie
Summary:
Cassia has always followed the rules. Of course it's not like she's ever really had a choice. Everything she or her parents do is dictated by the government. When they eat, where they sleep, when they die, where they work, who they marry. When Cassia attends her Matching ceremony, where she and others her age will learn who they are going to marry, she is thrilled to find out that she has been matched with her best friend Xander. She at least knows that they get along well and will do good together. But when she goes home that night and plugs in the chip which will give her more information on the matching process she sees not Xander's face, but that of another boy. But society doesn't make mistakes like this. Who is she really supposed to be matched with?
Review:
Matched presents a different take on the dystopian novels that are so popular right now. In this society order is key. Everything down to what a person wears is dictated by society, and everyone seems to be completely ok with this. This seems to be the biggest downside of the book. The complete absence of any sort of rebellion by people is a bit hard to swallow, though Condie tries to explain that their compliance is due to the fact that many take the 'calming' pill given by the government, though that pill is not used by all. The interactions between Cassia and Xander, and her new love interest Ky, are well written and believable. The story as a whole is a good read.
Genre: Dystopian Novel
Age Level: 9-10th grade
Series Info: Matched, Crossed, Reached
Summary:
Cassia has always followed the rules. Of course it's not like she's ever really had a choice. Everything she or her parents do is dictated by the government. When they eat, where they sleep, when they die, where they work, who they marry. When Cassia attends her Matching ceremony, where she and others her age will learn who they are going to marry, she is thrilled to find out that she has been matched with her best friend Xander. She at least knows that they get along well and will do good together. But when she goes home that night and plugs in the chip which will give her more information on the matching process she sees not Xander's face, but that of another boy. But society doesn't make mistakes like this. Who is she really supposed to be matched with?
Review:
Matched presents a different take on the dystopian novels that are so popular right now. In this society order is key. Everything down to what a person wears is dictated by society, and everyone seems to be completely ok with this. This seems to be the biggest downside of the book. The complete absence of any sort of rebellion by people is a bit hard to swallow, though Condie tries to explain that their compliance is due to the fact that many take the 'calming' pill given by the government, though that pill is not used by all. The interactions between Cassia and Xander, and her new love interest Ky, are well written and believable. The story as a whole is a good read.
Genre: Dystopian Novel
Age Level: 9-10th grade
Series Info: Matched, Crossed, Reached
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Before I Fall
by Lauren Oliver
Summary:
What would you do if you knew you were going to die today? Would you do the same things you've done every day before? Would you spend the whole day with family and friends? Would you try and right the wrongs you've done in your life? Samantha didn't know it would be the last day of her life when she work up on February 12th. But she did know the next day, and the next, as she kept waking up to repeat the day. You see Samantha keeps dying on February 12th, and it's up to her to figure out how to break the cycle.
Review:
Samantha is the pretty popular girl everyone loves to her face and hates secretly. She and her friends are the ultimate mean girls. But as she is forced to relive the day she dies over and over again, Samantha realizes the harm that she's done in her life and tries to rectify it so that she can break the cycle she's stuck in and move on to whatever is next, even if it means her death. This was a great novel about coming to terms with ones life and making the right choices even when they are hard. Samantha is a character that you start out hating but end up really sympathizing with and liking. The ending was both sad and poignant.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10th-11th Grade
Summary:
What would you do if you knew you were going to die today? Would you do the same things you've done every day before? Would you spend the whole day with family and friends? Would you try and right the wrongs you've done in your life? Samantha didn't know it would be the last day of her life when she work up on February 12th. But she did know the next day, and the next, as she kept waking up to repeat the day. You see Samantha keeps dying on February 12th, and it's up to her to figure out how to break the cycle.
Review:
Samantha is the pretty popular girl everyone loves to her face and hates secretly. She and her friends are the ultimate mean girls. But as she is forced to relive the day she dies over and over again, Samantha realizes the harm that she's done in her life and tries to rectify it so that she can break the cycle she's stuck in and move on to whatever is next, even if it means her death. This was a great novel about coming to terms with ones life and making the right choices even when they are hard. Samantha is a character that you start out hating but end up really sympathizing with and liking. The ending was both sad and poignant.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10th-11th Grade
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Want to go Private?
by Sarah Darer Littman
Summary:
Abby knew high school was going to be different than middle school, she just didn't expect everything to be so hard. Her best friend Faith is making new friends left and right, joining clubs and having fun, but Abby can't seem to find her place. Combined with parents who just ignore her and the most annoying little sister, it's no wonder she prefers to spend all her time online with her new friend Luke. She's never met him, in fact they met in a chat room on her favorite website, but he understands her more than anyone else. When she's fed up with everything he suggests they have a fun weekend together. He loves her after all, so Abby decides to meet him. But what happens when online fantasy changes to reality, what's actually real and what's not. For Abby it might be too late...
Review:
Want to go Private? is a story about the dangers of the internet, about the dangers that anyone who goes online is exposed to. Abby has been taught all about how to be safe on the internet, that she shouldn't give out personal information to people she doesn't know, but Luke slowly gains her trust and she is convinced she's doing the right thing by telling him her name, about her life, giving him her address. The book is a chilling reminder that even when someone knows the facts about something, all it takes is someone pushing the right buttons to get them to forget themselves. A really good read for older tweens and younger teens about the dangers of falling for a fantasy.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 7-8th Grade
Summary:
Abby knew high school was going to be different than middle school, she just didn't expect everything to be so hard. Her best friend Faith is making new friends left and right, joining clubs and having fun, but Abby can't seem to find her place. Combined with parents who just ignore her and the most annoying little sister, it's no wonder she prefers to spend all her time online with her new friend Luke. She's never met him, in fact they met in a chat room on her favorite website, but he understands her more than anyone else. When she's fed up with everything he suggests they have a fun weekend together. He loves her after all, so Abby decides to meet him. But what happens when online fantasy changes to reality, what's actually real and what's not. For Abby it might be too late...
Review:
Want to go Private? is a story about the dangers of the internet, about the dangers that anyone who goes online is exposed to. Abby has been taught all about how to be safe on the internet, that she shouldn't give out personal information to people she doesn't know, but Luke slowly gains her trust and she is convinced she's doing the right thing by telling him her name, about her life, giving him her address. The book is a chilling reminder that even when someone knows the facts about something, all it takes is someone pushing the right buttons to get them to forget themselves. A really good read for older tweens and younger teens about the dangers of falling for a fantasy.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 7-8th Grade
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Luxe
by Anna Godberson
Summary:
In the year 1899, the rules determining the behavior and conduct of New York's high society are strict and final. They have the power to make or break a young socialites standing. In a world where old money rules and new money has to make it's standing known, Luxe follows the lives of several of New York's finest bachelors and debutantes as they learn to decide which rules are worth following, and which are worth breaking.
Review:
Luxe is a historical fiction version of many popular tween books, like Pretty Little Liars. It is filled with intrigue, secret affairs, loves torn apart, and even a murder. The book is well written, drawing the reader in and painting extremely intriguing characters. It stays fairly true to realism in it's depictions of life at the dawn of the last century. The book is a great read for older tweens due to some of the more mature content about the characters love lives.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 9th-10th grade
Series: Book 1 of 4 (Luxe, Envy, Rumors, Splendor)
Summary:
In the year 1899, the rules determining the behavior and conduct of New York's high society are strict and final. They have the power to make or break a young socialites standing. In a world where old money rules and new money has to make it's standing known, Luxe follows the lives of several of New York's finest bachelors and debutantes as they learn to decide which rules are worth following, and which are worth breaking.
Review:
Luxe is a historical fiction version of many popular tween books, like Pretty Little Liars. It is filled with intrigue, secret affairs, loves torn apart, and even a murder. The book is well written, drawing the reader in and painting extremely intriguing characters. It stays fairly true to realism in it's depictions of life at the dawn of the last century. The book is a great read for older tweens due to some of the more mature content about the characters love lives.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 9th-10th grade
Series: Book 1 of 4 (Luxe, Envy, Rumors, Splendor)
Hold Still
by Nina LaCour
Summary:
The school year might be beginning like normal for everyone else, but for Ingrid, all it brings is reminders of the death of her best friend at the end of last year. Caitlin was beautiful and fun, but what everyone believed she was was shattered when she committed suicide. Now Ingrid is left behind trying to understand not only why Caitlin did it, but why Caitlin never talked to her about her problems. When Ingrid finds Caitlin's journal, she finds a way to understand a little bit of Caitlin herself, the part that Caitlin always kept hidden.
Review:
Hold Still was not nearly as captivating as other novels about the aftermath of a suicide. However what it did try to explain was the fact that Caitlin knew that she was ultimately the one responsible for her life and that what she was going to do was not the only option. The book focuses on her friend trying to understand the betrayal she feels, and how to deal with both that betrayal and her grief. Overall it's well written but there are better books on the subject out there.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th-10th Grade
Summary:
The school year might be beginning like normal for everyone else, but for Ingrid, all it brings is reminders of the death of her best friend at the end of last year. Caitlin was beautiful and fun, but what everyone believed she was was shattered when she committed suicide. Now Ingrid is left behind trying to understand not only why Caitlin did it, but why Caitlin never talked to her about her problems. When Ingrid finds Caitlin's journal, she finds a way to understand a little bit of Caitlin herself, the part that Caitlin always kept hidden.
Review:
Hold Still was not nearly as captivating as other novels about the aftermath of a suicide. However what it did try to explain was the fact that Caitlin knew that she was ultimately the one responsible for her life and that what she was going to do was not the only option. The book focuses on her friend trying to understand the betrayal she feels, and how to deal with both that betrayal and her grief. Overall it's well written but there are better books on the subject out there.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th-10th Grade
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Forgotten
By Cat Patrick
Summary:
Sometimes we all wish we could forget things from our past. That we could wake up and start completely fresh. Wouldn't it be easier? For London Lane it means waking up not remembering anything from the past. Not what clothes she wore the day before, not what happened in school, not what happened when she was little. All she has is the notebook she writes in every night, full of reminders about what happened each day. But what has she been leaving out of the notebook? What happened in her past that triggered this reset?
Review:
Forgotten is an interesting book about how a trauma can cause a person to reset themselves. AfterLondon
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 7-8th Grade
Summary:
Sometimes we all wish we could forget things from our past. That we could wake up and start completely fresh. Wouldn't it be easier? For London Lane it means waking up not remembering anything from the past. Not what clothes she wore the day before, not what happened in school, not what happened when she was little. All she has is the notebook she writes in every night, full of reminders about what happened each day. But what has she been leaving out of the notebook? What happened in her past that triggered this reset?
Review:
Forgotten is an interesting book about how a trauma can cause a person to reset themselves. After
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 7-8th Grade
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Pretty Little Liars
by Sara Shepard
Summary:
Spencer, Hanna, Emily, Aria, and Allison were not only the most popular girls in the 7th grade, but they were the very best of friends. But even friends have secrets. After Allison disappears, the girls left behind see their friendship disintegrate. Now they are in the 11th grade, and those 7th grade secrets are coming back to haunt them. They think Allison might be behind the emails and texts threatening to expose them since she has never been found, but when her body is discovered behind the house she used to live in, it leaves them all questioning everyone they know.
Review:
Pretty Little Liars is about 'mean girls.' It's not a book with substance, though the plot line does draw one in, wondering who could be behind it all, and makes one want to read the next in the series to find out. The book is not for younger tweens, though is similar, though darker, to the Clique books. Not a great book to recommend young tweens, but could be a good guilty pleasure for older ones.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Series Information: Book one of the Pretty Little Liars series, currently 10 altogether
Grade Level: 8-9th grade
Summary:
Spencer, Hanna, Emily, Aria, and Allison were not only the most popular girls in the 7th grade, but they were the very best of friends. But even friends have secrets. After Allison disappears, the girls left behind see their friendship disintegrate. Now they are in the 11th grade, and those 7th grade secrets are coming back to haunt them. They think Allison might be behind the emails and texts threatening to expose them since she has never been found, but when her body is discovered behind the house she used to live in, it leaves them all questioning everyone they know.
Review:
Pretty Little Liars is about 'mean girls.' It's not a book with substance, though the plot line does draw one in, wondering who could be behind it all, and makes one want to read the next in the series to find out. The book is not for younger tweens, though is similar, though darker, to the Clique books. Not a great book to recommend young tweens, but could be a good guilty pleasure for older ones.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Series Information: Book one of the Pretty Little Liars series, currently 10 altogether
Grade Level: 8-9th grade
Saturday, April 23, 2011
The School Story
The School Story
Author: Andrew Clements
Publisher: New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, c2001.
Plot Description:
Natalie might only be 12 years old, but she has already written her first novel. Now she needs to get it published! While she does have an ‘in’ into the publishing world thanks to her editor mother, she wants to make sure that the story is published because it actually is good, not just because her mom feels obligated because she’s her daughter. That’s when Natalie’s best friend Zoe comes up with a plan to become Natalie’s agent and get the book published so the entire world can read the book.
Review:
A School Story is a well written book about a young novelist who wants to get her story published. The characters are all very well developed, spirited and determined. The plot is very original, and the hints at the book that Natalie wrote add extra to the story. The book also focuses a lot on the fallout, even years later, of Natalie’s father’s death. It is a great story which will appeal to tweens
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading level: 4th- 5th Grade
Similar Books: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Reader’s Advisory:
Personal thoughts- cute story
Subjects/themes- Authorship, Writing, Publishing, Best Friends
Character names/descriptions-
Natalie/Cassandra Day- writes a fantastic novel
Zoe/Zee Zee- becomes Natalie’s agent so she can get her book published
Ms. Clayton- their English teacher at school who helps them with their plan
Annotation: If you had an agent like Zee Zee, you’re book would get published too!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Wintergirls
Wintergirls
Author: Laurie Hale Anderson
Publisher: New York, N.Y. : Viking, c2009.
Plot Description:
Lia and Cassie were best friends with a common purpose. They supported each other when no one else would, and vowed to go down fighting everyone who was against them. But now Cassie is dead, and Lia is left to fight the fight by herself, with no one who understands her and her quest to be the thinnest, to be the one in control of every mouthful of food that goes into her mouth, to not be ruled by food like every other person in the world. Lia struggles against her family and everyone else as she tries to find a way to survive in a world she can’t understand. But she doesn’t realize that she is in a life and death battle with herself. Will her desire to remain a wintergirl be the last one she has?
Review:
A cutting and intense book about eating disorders and the way they utterly consume a person. While the subject matter is a bit intense for tweens, I think that this problem is prevalent enough that the book is appropriate for older tweens especially. This book looks frankly into one girl’s mind as she struggles with herself and comes to realize that she is killing herself and will die if she doesn’t stop. It is truly a chilling look at someone who is struggling with an illness that is not talked about enough as an actual disease, but more as something to cover in health class. I would definitely recommend it, especially to someone who knows someone struggling with this.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading level: 8th-9th Grade
Similar Books: The Chosen One
Reader’s Advisory:
Personal thoughts- Intense but definitely worth the read
Subjects/themes- Eating Disorders, Anorexia, Bulimia, Best Friends, Guilt, Death
Character names/descriptions-
Lia- struggles against her family, a workaholic mother, a busy father and a
clueless stepmother
Cassie- Lia’s best friend, who dies alone in a hotel room after a 3 day binge ane
purge
Emma- Lia’s younger sister, who is ultimately the one who makes Lia remember
she wants to live and understand the destruction she has caused in the family
Annotation: “Dead Girl Walking” they say, I say I’m stronger than them all.
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