by William Campbell Powell
Summary:
Tania has always believed she was rare. One of the few human children in a world where most are actually robots. But when that turns out to be a lie, she finds herself at the center of a debate about what it truly means to be human. And she only has until her 18th birthday to prove she has a right to exist.
Review:
A poignant book about what it means to be human, Expiration Day is a good read to hand to teens who like science fiction. Tania is very relatable as explores what she is and what that means for her life. Though a robot, she is extremely human, making her struggles growing up very similar to those we all undergo. The book wraps up pretty neatly, with a twist at the end that makes the difficult choices leading up to it ok. Good for younger teens as well as slightly older ones, it would be a little simple for older teens to really appreciate.
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Level: 7th Grade
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Silver
by Chris Wooding
Summary:
It was just supposed to be another weekend at Mortingham Academy. Most of the students at the boarding school had gone home for the weekend, the rest were ready to just relax. When a small silver beetle bites one of the students, an infectious disease is released that will leave nothing but destruction in it's path. Now it's up to the few that are left to try and escape, but survival is not as easy as they hope.
Review:
Silver seems pretty thrown together as a novel. Told in third person from various characters perspectives, it's had to keep track of who is who. The disease transforms rapidly, taking over the bodies of it's hosts and absorbing others to become larger. The story progresses pretty rapidly, but it doesn't seem to really have any sense of where it's going. The story kind of just ends as well, with no resolution or cliffhanger that makes you really want to read a sequel if one comes out. Good for teens who like a quick action packed read, but definitely not one that is worthy of any real study.
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Level: 7th Grade
Summary:
It was just supposed to be another weekend at Mortingham Academy. Most of the students at the boarding school had gone home for the weekend, the rest were ready to just relax. When a small silver beetle bites one of the students, an infectious disease is released that will leave nothing but destruction in it's path. Now it's up to the few that are left to try and escape, but survival is not as easy as they hope.
Review:
Silver seems pretty thrown together as a novel. Told in third person from various characters perspectives, it's had to keep track of who is who. The disease transforms rapidly, taking over the bodies of it's hosts and absorbing others to become larger. The story progresses pretty rapidly, but it doesn't seem to really have any sense of where it's going. The story kind of just ends as well, with no resolution or cliffhanger that makes you really want to read a sequel if one comes out. Good for teens who like a quick action packed read, but definitely not one that is worthy of any real study.
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Level: 7th Grade
Nearly Gone
by Elle Cosimano
Summary:
Nearly just wants to keep her head down until the end of the school year. She's one of the top 3 contenders for a huge chemistry scholarship that is her ticket out of town and into college. But when the students she tutors start turning up dead, she finds herself the prime suspect in the police investigation. When she discovers an ad in the personal section that promises more attacks, she realizes that it's up to her to figure out who's behind the killings before she becomes the final victim.
Review:
There's not too many books that glorify girls who love math and chemistry, but this one does a great job of making up for that! Nearly is a great character. She's incredibly smart and knows it, and is using those smarts to get a better life for herself. The premise of the book is good, and the twists and turns in the plot keep you guessing who's behind it all until the very end. There are references to drugs and alcohol, and an entire plotline about a drug dealer. And there's a little romance mixed in for Nearly as well. It's a great read about a strong female character, but one that will appeal to both boys and girls.
Genre: Mystery
Age Level: 9th Grade
Summary:
Nearly just wants to keep her head down until the end of the school year. She's one of the top 3 contenders for a huge chemistry scholarship that is her ticket out of town and into college. But when the students she tutors start turning up dead, she finds herself the prime suspect in the police investigation. When she discovers an ad in the personal section that promises more attacks, she realizes that it's up to her to figure out who's behind the killings before she becomes the final victim.
Review:
There's not too many books that glorify girls who love math and chemistry, but this one does a great job of making up for that! Nearly is a great character. She's incredibly smart and knows it, and is using those smarts to get a better life for herself. The premise of the book is good, and the twists and turns in the plot keep you guessing who's behind it all until the very end. There are references to drugs and alcohol, and an entire plotline about a drug dealer. And there's a little romance mixed in for Nearly as well. It's a great read about a strong female character, but one that will appeal to both boys and girls.
Genre: Mystery
Age Level: 9th Grade
Storm
by Donna Jo Napoli
Summary:
Many of us know the story of Noah and his ark. But what if there was another story on that ark? What if there was a stowaway on board? When the storm hits, 16 year old Sebah is separated from her family. When chance leads her to the ark, she climbs aboard only to discover she's not the only stowaway on board. A grilling tale about survival in the face of devastation, Storm gives a great account of what life might have been like on Noah's ark.
Review:
I thought that Storm was a refreshing take on the story of Noah. It gave a very relatable look at Noah and his family. The doubts that his family had were very believable, and made the whole tale more realistic-because who wouldn't have cause to doubt when they are trapped on an ark for months. Sebah is an uneducated poor girl whose ignorance in many ways becomes what saves her. Her relationship with the other stowaway and the animals is touching. It's a great story about what might have been, good for teens who are interested in biblical tales or in alternate histories.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 8th Grade
Summary:
Many of us know the story of Noah and his ark. But what if there was another story on that ark? What if there was a stowaway on board? When the storm hits, 16 year old Sebah is separated from her family. When chance leads her to the ark, she climbs aboard only to discover she's not the only stowaway on board. A grilling tale about survival in the face of devastation, Storm gives a great account of what life might have been like on Noah's ark.
Review:
I thought that Storm was a refreshing take on the story of Noah. It gave a very relatable look at Noah and his family. The doubts that his family had were very believable, and made the whole tale more realistic-because who wouldn't have cause to doubt when they are trapped on an ark for months. Sebah is an uneducated poor girl whose ignorance in many ways becomes what saves her. Her relationship with the other stowaway and the animals is touching. It's a great story about what might have been, good for teens who are interested in biblical tales or in alternate histories.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 8th Grade
Monday, April 21, 2014
Rule of Three
by Eric Walters
Summary:
When the power goes off in school, Adam is just happy it means early dismissal. But when no ones car starts and cell phones stop working, he realizes that things might be a bit more serious than he thought. In a world run by computers, what do we do when they all stop working? Adam and his family are about to find out in this gripping dystopian novel about what happens when the things we depend on suddenly are gone.
Review:
While there are some issues with the book, mainly that the female characters are relegated to the sidelines, this book should have broad appeal to teens of both genders. Though only 16, Dan becomes central to his neighborhoods survival. He is a likable character whose moral quandary's are very relatable. The destruction of all computers is an interesting concept, especially since so much of our everyday essentials (water, plumbing, electricity) have computer components which make it work. If all of that was to shut down society would be paralyzed. It's a good, fast paced read for those who like dystopian or adventure novels.
Genre: Dystopian
Age Level: 8th Grade
Summary:
When the power goes off in school, Adam is just happy it means early dismissal. But when no ones car starts and cell phones stop working, he realizes that things might be a bit more serious than he thought. In a world run by computers, what do we do when they all stop working? Adam and his family are about to find out in this gripping dystopian novel about what happens when the things we depend on suddenly are gone.
Review:
While there are some issues with the book, mainly that the female characters are relegated to the sidelines, this book should have broad appeal to teens of both genders. Though only 16, Dan becomes central to his neighborhoods survival. He is a likable character whose moral quandary's are very relatable. The destruction of all computers is an interesting concept, especially since so much of our everyday essentials (water, plumbing, electricity) have computer components which make it work. If all of that was to shut down society would be paralyzed. It's a good, fast paced read for those who like dystopian or adventure novels.
Genre: Dystopian
Age Level: 8th Grade
No Place
by Todd Strasser
Summary:
Imagine if your family lost everything, despite trying everything to keep it. How would you feel if you were suddenly homeless. Would you keep going to school? Would you be able to face your friends? Would you even be able to tell them? Would they care enough to help you and not just judge your family? Dan has always been taught that as long as you work hard in school and go to college everything will work out. But when both his parents lose their jobs, and can't find new ones, he learns that that privileged dream isn't quite what he was told.
Review:
The recession of the past few years have had enormous consequences on many. But for those fortunate enough to have done well, it's easy to forget those who have lost everything. Many families who never had cause to worry about homelessness no do. Those whose parents aren't able to find any work, kids who pick up odd jobs so that they can buy dinner for their families. Strasser's book tackles a tough subject that is hidden to many kids, either because they are not exposed to it or because anyone they know who is in that situation keeps it hidden. It's a powerful and realistic read about how precarious our situations can be. A small amount of violence keeps in pace with the novel, definitely a good read for teens of all ages.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age level: 8th Grade
Summary:
Imagine if your family lost everything, despite trying everything to keep it. How would you feel if you were suddenly homeless. Would you keep going to school? Would you be able to face your friends? Would you even be able to tell them? Would they care enough to help you and not just judge your family? Dan has always been taught that as long as you work hard in school and go to college everything will work out. But when both his parents lose their jobs, and can't find new ones, he learns that that privileged dream isn't quite what he was told.
Review:
The recession of the past few years have had enormous consequences on many. But for those fortunate enough to have done well, it's easy to forget those who have lost everything. Many families who never had cause to worry about homelessness no do. Those whose parents aren't able to find any work, kids who pick up odd jobs so that they can buy dinner for their families. Strasser's book tackles a tough subject that is hidden to many kids, either because they are not exposed to it or because anyone they know who is in that situation keeps it hidden. It's a powerful and realistic read about how precarious our situations can be. A small amount of violence keeps in pace with the novel, definitely a good read for teens of all ages.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age level: 8th Grade
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Picture Perfect
by Elaine Marie Alphin
Summary:
Imagine waking up in a closet to discover mud on your boots and your best friend missing. But you can't remember anything about how you got there or what happened. What if this wasn't the first time you had missed time? What would you believe? A thriller about the things the mind does to protect itself, this book will keep you guessing about who did what until the very end.
Review:
Picture Perfect is not only about Ian's best friend going missing, but about the power of perception. Tough topics like child abuse are covered, in particular verbal abuse which leaves fewer outside scars on it's victims. The book wraps up a little too nicely, but it's a good mystery which addresses some tough topics without being heavy handed. Good to give to fans of 17 & Gone or Pretty Girl-13.
Genre: Mystery
Age Level: 9th Grade
Summary:
Imagine waking up in a closet to discover mud on your boots and your best friend missing. But you can't remember anything about how you got there or what happened. What if this wasn't the first time you had missed time? What would you believe? A thriller about the things the mind does to protect itself, this book will keep you guessing about who did what until the very end.
Review:
Picture Perfect is not only about Ian's best friend going missing, but about the power of perception. Tough topics like child abuse are covered, in particular verbal abuse which leaves fewer outside scars on it's victims. The book wraps up a little too nicely, but it's a good mystery which addresses some tough topics without being heavy handed. Good to give to fans of 17 & Gone or Pretty Girl-13.
Genre: Mystery
Age Level: 9th Grade
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