by Jessie Ann Foley
Summary:
When her mother falls in love, Maggie knows the cycle. It'll be great for a bit, but then the inevitable breakup occurs and after her mother falls apart and puts herself back together, life goes on. But this time her mother has gotten married and moved them from their hometown of Chicago to Bray, Ireland, a little town outside of Dublin. Now, away from everyone she has ever loved, especially her rocker uncle Kevin, Maggie might just learn something about love and loss herself.
Review:
Set in 1993, this book is a great illustration of both teenage life then and now. It was remarkable to me how little the book felt like it was set 20 years ago, before cell phones or the internet. The author does a great job of focusing on the characters and the interplay between them. Kurt Cobain might not be on too many teenage radars these days, but the book does a great job of illustrating just how important he was to many. Maggie's uncle's drug abuse is barely talked about, and his fairly horrid death is talked about briefly. It's suitable for slightly mature teens, and will mostly likely find it's main audience in older teens or adults.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Showing posts with label Growing Up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Growing Up. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Expiration Day
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
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
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
The Impossible Knife of Memory
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Summary:
Hayley and her father moved back to his hometown to start over after spending the last five years on the road. But as she starts to settle into a normal life, her father's struggles with PTSD from his time in Iraq start to take over their lives. Though Hayley tries to keep his condition from her teachers and friends, she'll have to realize that sometimes you can't save the ones you love by yourself. A haunting look at PTSD, the book is a stark reminder that sometimes the worst scars we carry aren't ones you can see.
Review:
Anderson's book is an extremely powerful read about something that has affected so many people who've served, and how it has affected their families. Hayley is a great character, albeit sometimes a little older than her years (and sometimes extremely juvenile). The ending wraps up a little too nicely, but it's nice to imagine that things could be fixed. Overall it is a good read for anyone who likes realistic fiction, though the many references to excessive drinking and drugs make it a better read for older teens.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10th Grade
Summary:
Hayley and her father moved back to his hometown to start over after spending the last five years on the road. But as she starts to settle into a normal life, her father's struggles with PTSD from his time in Iraq start to take over their lives. Though Hayley tries to keep his condition from her teachers and friends, she'll have to realize that sometimes you can't save the ones you love by yourself. A haunting look at PTSD, the book is a stark reminder that sometimes the worst scars we carry aren't ones you can see.
Review:
Anderson's book is an extremely powerful read about something that has affected so many people who've served, and how it has affected their families. Hayley is a great character, albeit sometimes a little older than her years (and sometimes extremely juvenile). The ending wraps up a little too nicely, but it's nice to imagine that things could be fixed. Overall it is a good read for anyone who likes realistic fiction, though the many references to excessive drinking and drugs make it a better read for older teens.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10th Grade
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
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 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
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
Monday, October 28, 2013
Not a Drop to Drink
by Mindy McGinnis
Summary:
Lynn knows she has to defend the pond at all costs. Water has become a scarce resource, and without it her mother and her will not survive. But what's the cost of that survival? Killing everyone who comes near? Never interacting with others? When tragedy strikes, events will force Lynn to reevaluate what she knows, and force her to adapt in order to survive.
Review:
While similar to many dystoptians, this story of survival does stand out. Lynn is a strong character who has to change her way of interacting with the world in order to survive. While she does this a little too easily, it still comes off as genuine. The idea of water becoming extremely limited is interesting because it's a resource that many take for granted, so if it was suddenly gone it would be absolutely devastating. It's a more rugged take on the dystopian, more focused on survival rather than taking down the society that remains. A good read for teens who like dystopians and end of the world survival stories.
Genre: Dystopian
Age Level: 8th Grade
Summary:
Lynn knows she has to defend the pond at all costs. Water has become a scarce resource, and without it her mother and her will not survive. But what's the cost of that survival? Killing everyone who comes near? Never interacting with others? When tragedy strikes, events will force Lynn to reevaluate what she knows, and force her to adapt in order to survive.
Review:
While similar to many dystoptians, this story of survival does stand out. Lynn is a strong character who has to change her way of interacting with the world in order to survive. While she does this a little too easily, it still comes off as genuine. The idea of water becoming extremely limited is interesting because it's a resource that many take for granted, so if it was suddenly gone it would be absolutely devastating. It's a more rugged take on the dystopian, more focused on survival rather than taking down the society that remains. A good read for teens who like dystopians and end of the world survival stories.
Genre: Dystopian
Age Level: 8th Grade
Thursday, August 22, 2013
In Honor
by Jessica Kirby
Summary:
Just days after Honor found out her brother Finn was killed in Iraq, she gets a letter from him. Now that the funeral is over, she's going to do what the letter asked. As she sets out to drive to California to go to a concert of a superstar that they both loved, she runs into Finn's best friend Rusty who decides to come with her, against Honor's protests. What starts as a journey to fufill Finn's last wish just might turn into a way for them both to heal a bit from losing him.
Review:
This book was fantastically written. Honor's struggles to both grieve and heal, to let herself live even though he joined the Army in order for her to go to college, are heartbreaking yet so easy to identify with. The characters are all well drawn and pull you in. It's a book that is extremely apt given how many people died in the Iraq war leaving behind their families. It's a great read for anyone who likes realistic fiction, though best for the slightly older set as it does feature some drinking.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Summary:
Just days after Honor found out her brother Finn was killed in Iraq, she gets a letter from him. Now that the funeral is over, she's going to do what the letter asked. As she sets out to drive to California to go to a concert of a superstar that they both loved, she runs into Finn's best friend Rusty who decides to come with her, against Honor's protests. What starts as a journey to fufill Finn's last wish just might turn into a way for them both to heal a bit from losing him.
Review:
This book was fantastically written. Honor's struggles to both grieve and heal, to let herself live even though he joined the Army in order for her to go to college, are heartbreaking yet so easy to identify with. The characters are all well drawn and pull you in. It's a book that is extremely apt given how many people died in the Iraq war leaving behind their families. It's a great read for anyone who likes realistic fiction, though best for the slightly older set as it does feature some drinking.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Monday, August 19, 2013
Back Home
by Julia Keller
Summary:
Rachel's father went to war not to be a hero, but to help people. But when he returned injured from the war in Iraq, her entire family has to cope with a lot of changes. She never asked for him to go to war, but now that he's back, missing limbs and acting like a different person, she has to learn how their family will live now.
Review:
Back Home is the struggle of one family dealing with an injured veteran, not only from physical injuries like missing limbs, but also from the mental injuries associated with at TBI. With so many parents coming home from the wars injured, this book is a great one to have on hand to give to their children. Rachel deals with not only shame about his injuries, but also confusion about how this will impact her life. The guilt she feels about wanting to be 'normal' is an expected part of life, and how she works through it all with her family is both realistic and poignant. It's no happily ever after tale, but a good realistic read for younger teens.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 5th Grade
Summary:
Rachel's father went to war not to be a hero, but to help people. But when he returned injured from the war in Iraq, her entire family has to cope with a lot of changes. She never asked for him to go to war, but now that he's back, missing limbs and acting like a different person, she has to learn how their family will live now.
Review:
Back Home is the struggle of one family dealing with an injured veteran, not only from physical injuries like missing limbs, but also from the mental injuries associated with at TBI. With so many parents coming home from the wars injured, this book is a great one to have on hand to give to their children. Rachel deals with not only shame about his injuries, but also confusion about how this will impact her life. The guilt she feels about wanting to be 'normal' is an expected part of life, and how she works through it all with her family is both realistic and poignant. It's no happily ever after tale, but a good realistic read for younger teens.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 5th Grade
The Testing
by Joelle Charbonneau
Summary:
Cia has always hoped she's be chosen for the Testing. It was the only way that she'd get to go to college, the only way to make a better life for herself. But the testing isn't just about making sure only the best and brightest succeed. It has a darker purpose, and Cia will have to figure out how to do more than she thought in order to pass.
Review:
The Testing is a well written story about a society which has corralled it's people into neat little pegs. It's fairly typical in it's plotline- you think the government is protecting you, turns out they are not, with a strong female character who has her beliefs challenged and has to survive based on her wits and knowledge. It's a solid read for those who like the dystopians that have been so popular, and will prove engaging for both younger and older teens.
Genre: Dystopian
Age Level: 7th Grade
Summary:
Cia has always hoped she's be chosen for the Testing. It was the only way that she'd get to go to college, the only way to make a better life for herself. But the testing isn't just about making sure only the best and brightest succeed. It has a darker purpose, and Cia will have to figure out how to do more than she thought in order to pass.
Review:
The Testing is a well written story about a society which has corralled it's people into neat little pegs. It's fairly typical in it's plotline- you think the government is protecting you, turns out they are not, with a strong female character who has her beliefs challenged and has to survive based on her wits and knowledge. It's a solid read for those who like the dystopians that have been so popular, and will prove engaging for both younger and older teens.
Genre: Dystopian
Age Level: 7th Grade
Monday, June 3, 2013
When We Wake
by Karen Healey
Summary:
You never know the last day of your life will be the last day of your life. For Tegan, it was just a normal day. She said bye to her mom, met up with friends, and went to a rally. And then she was shot. Which for most people would be the end of the story. But when Tegan wakes up in a government facility 100 years in the future she finds she was the first person to be cryogenically frozen and re-awoken. Now she has to figure out how to live in a society both similar and different to her own, realizing the future that she lives in is nothing like the future she had hoped for.
Review:
Healey has created a compelling tale that is both interesting for it's characters but also for the questions it raises. The book is a bit of a warning about our hopes for the future. The world Tegan wakes up in has severe climate issues, immigration policies, and economic problems have been exacerbated. It's a sobering glance at what might happen, told from the eyes of a girl who had big hopes for the future. Tegan has to struggle not only with realizing that everyone she knows is dead, but has to move forward with a life in this new century. It's a good book for those that like semi-dystopian tales or books about climate change.
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Level: 8th Grade
Summary:
You never know the last day of your life will be the last day of your life. For Tegan, it was just a normal day. She said bye to her mom, met up with friends, and went to a rally. And then she was shot. Which for most people would be the end of the story. But when Tegan wakes up in a government facility 100 years in the future she finds she was the first person to be cryogenically frozen and re-awoken. Now she has to figure out how to live in a society both similar and different to her own, realizing the future that she lives in is nothing like the future she had hoped for.
Review:
Healey has created a compelling tale that is both interesting for it's characters but also for the questions it raises. The book is a bit of a warning about our hopes for the future. The world Tegan wakes up in has severe climate issues, immigration policies, and economic problems have been exacerbated. It's a sobering glance at what might happen, told from the eyes of a girl who had big hopes for the future. Tegan has to struggle not only with realizing that everyone she knows is dead, but has to move forward with a life in this new century. It's a good book for those that like semi-dystopian tales or books about climate change.
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Level: 8th Grade
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Far From Home
by Na'ima B Robert
Summary
Tariro and Katie have never met. They are separated by more than just the 25 year gap in their ages, but they are linked together by a dark secret. The book tells both of their story, with events years apart having reverberating impacts across both of their lives. Set in Zimbabwe, it is the story how two different families had their lives ripped apart by war. The story of the price that victors pay, and the reminder that colonialization didn't take place that long ago.
Review:
Far From Home is a well written book about the Rhodesian empire and the wars for independence that led to it becoming Zimbabwe. The racism depicted in the book is very accurate, though difficult to read. The views held by the whites in the book were prevalent at the time, in a way it's similar to the Help. The struggles faced by native Zimbabweans were horrific, especially seen in retrospect. Katie's evolution from a girl raised in a privileged background to a more compassionate and understanding person is well written and believable. It's a good read for those studying civil rights or with an interest in more gritty historical fiction.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 10th Grade
Summary
Tariro and Katie have never met. They are separated by more than just the 25 year gap in their ages, but they are linked together by a dark secret. The book tells both of their story, with events years apart having reverberating impacts across both of their lives. Set in Zimbabwe, it is the story how two different families had their lives ripped apart by war. The story of the price that victors pay, and the reminder that colonialization didn't take place that long ago.
Review:
Far From Home is a well written book about the Rhodesian empire and the wars for independence that led to it becoming Zimbabwe. The racism depicted in the book is very accurate, though difficult to read. The views held by the whites in the book were prevalent at the time, in a way it's similar to the Help. The struggles faced by native Zimbabweans were horrific, especially seen in retrospect. Katie's evolution from a girl raised in a privileged background to a more compassionate and understanding person is well written and believable. It's a good read for those studying civil rights or with an interest in more gritty historical fiction.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 10th Grade
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Fire-us
by Jennifer Armstrong
Summary:
It's been 5 years since the Fire-Us swept through the nation. The virus killed almost everyone, but left behind a few small survivors, none of whom were adults. This is the story of a small group of kids who survived the Fire-Us. A group who are trying to stay alive. But when a new kid comes to town, they begin to wonder if there are any more survivors, and take off for an unknown destination in search of something else.
Review:
The book is told from the perspective of the kids who survived the fire-us. The grammar is rough, written like children who have not been taught past the 3rd grade. For myself, it made the book difficult to read, but the story was interesting. Armstrong does a realistic job of portraying everything through the eyes of 7 or 8 year olds, even though the oldest child is now almost 13. The kids create a family group from what they remember before the virus killed all the adults and almost everyone else, which is both interesting and plausible. Overall a good read for those who like dystopian novels. But if there is no interest in the genre it probably won't appeal to most.
Genre: Dystopian
Age Level: 7th Grade
Summary:
It's been 5 years since the Fire-Us swept through the nation. The virus killed almost everyone, but left behind a few small survivors, none of whom were adults. This is the story of a small group of kids who survived the Fire-Us. A group who are trying to stay alive. But when a new kid comes to town, they begin to wonder if there are any more survivors, and take off for an unknown destination in search of something else.
Review:
The book is told from the perspective of the kids who survived the fire-us. The grammar is rough, written like children who have not been taught past the 3rd grade. For myself, it made the book difficult to read, but the story was interesting. Armstrong does a realistic job of portraying everything through the eyes of 7 or 8 year olds, even though the oldest child is now almost 13. The kids create a family group from what they remember before the virus killed all the adults and almost everyone else, which is both interesting and plausible. Overall a good read for those who like dystopian novels. But if there is no interest in the genre it probably won't appeal to most.
Genre: Dystopian
Age Level: 7th Grade
Monday, March 11, 2013
Belles
by Jen Calonita
Summary:
Isabelle had never had a lot of family, but after her mother died in a car crash, and her grandmother's dementia got too bad for her to live with her, she finds herself living with distant relatives she's never met. Relatives who also happen to be a state senator and incrediblly wealthy. Isabelle now finds herself living a lifestyle she's never dreamed of, attending a fancy prep school. But as she's finding out, all that glitter's isn't gold. Living a life of luxury can contain ugliness and secrets too.
Review:
Slightly predictable at times, Belles is overall a great reat. Isabelle has to contend with mean girls at her new school, a new home life complete with 3 cousins and an aunt and uncle, and suddenly can afford to buy whatever she wants. The book ends on a slight twist, making you reach for the sequel immediately. A good read for girls who like realistic fiction, or books with happy endings.
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 8th grade
Summary:
Isabelle had never had a lot of family, but after her mother died in a car crash, and her grandmother's dementia got too bad for her to live with her, she finds herself living with distant relatives she's never met. Relatives who also happen to be a state senator and incrediblly wealthy. Isabelle now finds herself living a lifestyle she's never dreamed of, attending a fancy prep school. But as she's finding out, all that glitter's isn't gold. Living a life of luxury can contain ugliness and secrets too.
Review:
Slightly predictable at times, Belles is overall a great reat. Isabelle has to contend with mean girls at her new school, a new home life complete with 3 cousins and an aunt and uncle, and suddenly can afford to buy whatever she wants. The book ends on a slight twist, making you reach for the sequel immediately. A good read for girls who like realistic fiction, or books with happy endings.
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 8th grade
Crash and Burn
by Michael Hassan
Summary:
Crash didn't set out that morning to be a hero. He didn't intend to be the person who saved 1000 people from his classmate David. He wasn't even planning on being at school. But David had other plans, plans that were the direct result of their ten years of knowing each other. Plans that dated even back to their first meeting in elementary school, to their first escapade where David earned his nickname Burn. Told from Crash's perspective and alternating between before and after the event, he retells the events that led up to the moment it was just them, Crash and Burn, surrounded by bombs and guns, each trying to out think the other.
Reviews:
Crash and Burn didn't grab me at first, but by the end I was reading it as quickly as I could to find out what happens. Crash is a brash character who goes through life like a bull in a china shop, but at the same time is someone you really want to be friends with. Reflecting on his relationship with David, each story reveals a little more of how they both ended up in a room together. The book does not focus as much on the attempted massacre itself, but instead on how everything built up to it, and how it changed Crash's life afterwards. The book is well written and engaging, but due to the content (drugs, drinking, sex, suicide, and an attempted school massacre) is probably best for older teens.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10th Grade
Summary:
Crash didn't set out that morning to be a hero. He didn't intend to be the person who saved 1000 people from his classmate David. He wasn't even planning on being at school. But David had other plans, plans that were the direct result of their ten years of knowing each other. Plans that dated even back to their first meeting in elementary school, to their first escapade where David earned his nickname Burn. Told from Crash's perspective and alternating between before and after the event, he retells the events that led up to the moment it was just them, Crash and Burn, surrounded by bombs and guns, each trying to out think the other.
Reviews:
Crash and Burn didn't grab me at first, but by the end I was reading it as quickly as I could to find out what happens. Crash is a brash character who goes through life like a bull in a china shop, but at the same time is someone you really want to be friends with. Reflecting on his relationship with David, each story reveals a little more of how they both ended up in a room together. The book does not focus as much on the attempted massacre itself, but instead on how everything built up to it, and how it changed Crash's life afterwards. The book is well written and engaging, but due to the content (drugs, drinking, sex, suicide, and an attempted school massacre) is probably best for older teens.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10th Grade
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The List
by Siobhan Vivian
Summary:
Every year the list comes out. Every year the prettiest and ugliest girl in each grade is determined by that list. The list can make or break someone at Mount Washington High School. When the 8 girls on this years list find out their rankings, each reacts differently. Perhaps this year one of them will break the cycle, but what will it take for them to do it.
Review:
The List grabbed me right from the start. The list is a horrible tradition, but one that you can easily see happening anywhere around the country. The book alternates from the perspectives of each of the girls selected, both the prettiest and the ugliest. Each girl's reaction is believable, and their evolution about their perception of the list from beginning to end is really interesting. It's a great read for teens about the dangers or owning too much into social perception, as well as the dangers of bullying.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Summary:
Every year the list comes out. Every year the prettiest and ugliest girl in each grade is determined by that list. The list can make or break someone at Mount Washington High School. When the 8 girls on this years list find out their rankings, each reacts differently. Perhaps this year one of them will break the cycle, but what will it take for them to do it.
Review:
The List grabbed me right from the start. The list is a horrible tradition, but one that you can easily see happening anywhere around the country. The book alternates from the perspectives of each of the girls selected, both the prettiest and the ugliest. Each girl's reaction is believable, and their evolution about their perception of the list from beginning to end is really interesting. It's a great read for teens about the dangers or owning too much into social perception, as well as the dangers of bullying.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Monday, February 11, 2013
Falling For You
By Lisa Schroeder
Summary:
Summary:
Rae knows life’s not fair. If it was maybe her dad would have stuck around. If it was maybe her mom wouldn’t have married Dean. If it was maybe he wouldn’t have gambled everything away and started to take the money she makes from her job. When she meets the new guy at school, Nathan, she meets someone who treats her well. Who cares about her. But when Nathan turns controlling, she breaks it off rather than feel suffocated by him. But you never know what might cause someone to snap. What might cause them to come after you instead of acting normally. All Rae wanted was a normal relationship, what she ends up with might just end her life.
Review:
This book grabbed me right from the start. Rae is a smart character whose home life just makes you want to find a way to help her out of it. She is independent and works hard, only to find everything she works for continually taken away from her. The way she deals with Nathan is extremely mature, and you can feel her empathy for everyone she meets. The book keeps you guessing til the end (the book is starts with her in the hospital but you don't know why). A great read for teens. It portrays abusive relationships in a nonjudgemental light in terms of the victims. Very moving.
This book grabbed me right from the start. Rae is a smart character whose home life just makes you want to find a way to help her out of it. She is independent and works hard, only to find everything she works for continually taken away from her. The way she deals with Nathan is extremely mature, and you can feel her empathy for everyone she meets. The book keeps you guessing til the end (the book is starts with her in the hospital but you don't know why). A great read for teens. It portrays abusive relationships in a nonjudgemental light in terms of the victims. Very moving.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th grade
Saturday, January 26, 2013
The Opposite of Hallelujah
by Anna Jarzab
Summary:
Carolina has been essentially an only child since she was 8 years old, when her older sister Hannah decided to enter the convent. Now, 8 years later, Hannah decided to leave the convent and come home. It's not that Carolina doesn't want her there, but having a virtual stranger move into her house her junior year is not ideal. Besides the fact that none of her friends even know she has a sister (because you try explaining that your sister is a nun and you barely remember her because it's been so long since you've seen her). Yet as Hannah moves back in, it becomes apparent to everyone that everything isn't quite right with her. Carolina is about to find out that old secrets have a way of coming to light, and that it's always better to face things head on rather than try and bury them in the past.
Review:
I really enjoyed Jarzab's book. Carolina is both bratty and compassionate, dealing with the stress of being an overachieving high school student and having her home life completely thrown upside down. It's easy to think that she's in the wrong most of the time, but as you get to know her you really feel for her situation, it would be really hard to live most of your life with no sister then have one thrown at you and be expected to be best friends with her immediately. I thought that Hannah's situation could have been talked about more, the end was a bit 'here's all the problems ok now we move forward' but overall it was good. Definitely a good read for teens who are a bit more spiritual. It's a good balance of religion and fiction, making it appealing to a broad audience. I really liked that it questioned a lot of beliefs and had Carolina really looking at her life.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Summary:
Carolina has been essentially an only child since she was 8 years old, when her older sister Hannah decided to enter the convent. Now, 8 years later, Hannah decided to leave the convent and come home. It's not that Carolina doesn't want her there, but having a virtual stranger move into her house her junior year is not ideal. Besides the fact that none of her friends even know she has a sister (because you try explaining that your sister is a nun and you barely remember her because it's been so long since you've seen her). Yet as Hannah moves back in, it becomes apparent to everyone that everything isn't quite right with her. Carolina is about to find out that old secrets have a way of coming to light, and that it's always better to face things head on rather than try and bury them in the past.
Review:
I really enjoyed Jarzab's book. Carolina is both bratty and compassionate, dealing with the stress of being an overachieving high school student and having her home life completely thrown upside down. It's easy to think that she's in the wrong most of the time, but as you get to know her you really feel for her situation, it would be really hard to live most of your life with no sister then have one thrown at you and be expected to be best friends with her immediately. I thought that Hannah's situation could have been talked about more, the end was a bit 'here's all the problems ok now we move forward' but overall it was good. Definitely a good read for teens who are a bit more spiritual. It's a good balance of religion and fiction, making it appealing to a broad audience. I really liked that it questioned a lot of beliefs and had Carolina really looking at her life.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Speechless
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
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
Monday, January 14, 2013
City of Bones (Mortal Instruments Series)
by Cassandra Clare
Summary:
When Clary went to Pandemonium that night, she expected to have a fun night out with her friend Simon. Instead, she sees two Shadowhunters destroy a demon. Not that she knows what a Shadowhunter is. When her mother is kidnapped by unknown forces, Clary finds herself thrust into a world she knows nothing about. A world where demons and vampires, werewolves and fairies exist. As do Shadowhunters, people who have sworn to keep humans safe from these creatures. With Simon at her side, and the incredibly handsome Shadowhunter Jace always there when she needs her, she's about to learn that nothing she grew up knowing about her family was true.
Review:
While I had a hard time liking the love story between Jace and Clary (the possibly brother/sister plot line is a bit hard to digest), overall the first book in the Mortal Instruments was well written and interesting. By the end of the book I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second. Clary is a pretty strong character who doesn't simply rely on the men in her life to do everything for her. In the romance department her character is fairly predictable (flipping back and forth between the 2 boys), but that's not the be all and end all to the story. Definitely a good book for teens who like paranormal romances.
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Series: City of Bones (Book 1), City of Ashes (Book 2), City of Glass (Book 3), City of Fallen Angels (Book 4), City of Lost Souls (Book 5), City of Heavenly Fire (Book 6, comes out April 2014)
Prequel (Infernal Devices Series): Clockwork Angel (Book 1), Clockwork Prince (Book 2), Clockwork Princess (Book 3, comes out March 2013)
Summary:
When Clary went to Pandemonium that night, she expected to have a fun night out with her friend Simon. Instead, she sees two Shadowhunters destroy a demon. Not that she knows what a Shadowhunter is. When her mother is kidnapped by unknown forces, Clary finds herself thrust into a world she knows nothing about. A world where demons and vampires, werewolves and fairies exist. As do Shadowhunters, people who have sworn to keep humans safe from these creatures. With Simon at her side, and the incredibly handsome Shadowhunter Jace always there when she needs her, she's about to learn that nothing she grew up knowing about her family was true.
Review:
While I had a hard time liking the love story between Jace and Clary (the possibly brother/sister plot line is a bit hard to digest), overall the first book in the Mortal Instruments was well written and interesting. By the end of the book I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second. Clary is a pretty strong character who doesn't simply rely on the men in her life to do everything for her. In the romance department her character is fairly predictable (flipping back and forth between the 2 boys), but that's not the be all and end all to the story. Definitely a good book for teens who like paranormal romances.
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Series: City of Bones (Book 1), City of Ashes (Book 2), City of Glass (Book 3), City of Fallen Angels (Book 4), City of Lost Souls (Book 5), City of Heavenly Fire (Book 6, comes out April 2014)
Prequel (Infernal Devices Series): Clockwork Angel (Book 1), Clockwork Prince (Book 2), Clockwork Princess (Book 3, comes out March 2013)
The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green
Summary:
Hazel has stage IV cancer. And she's ok with it. She's accepted what will eventually happen to her. In the meantime she's living her life however she can. She goes to the support groups, where she is one of the few left out of the group who was there when she first started treatments (left because they died, not because they lived). But then she meets Augustus Waters, a cancer survivor. Charming, fun, makes her forget for a little while that she has cancer Augustus. And she starts to wonder....maybe she can beat this thing, maybe she can have a normalish life. Even if it is a life with cancer.
Review:
Once again John Green has created another incredibly memorable and moving story. Teens and adults alike will readily identify with the characters in the book. The poignant love story between Augustus and Hazel is heartbreaking, a first love torn apart in a way that no one should ever have to experience. It presents a life with cancer in a compelling and realistic way, particularly the way that friends seem to drift away from the sick person, only to come back at the end. It's a fantastic read, but one that is sure to make you cry.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Summary:
Hazel has stage IV cancer. And she's ok with it. She's accepted what will eventually happen to her. In the meantime she's living her life however she can. She goes to the support groups, where she is one of the few left out of the group who was there when she first started treatments (left because they died, not because they lived). But then she meets Augustus Waters, a cancer survivor. Charming, fun, makes her forget for a little while that she has cancer Augustus. And she starts to wonder....maybe she can beat this thing, maybe she can have a normalish life. Even if it is a life with cancer.
Review:
Once again John Green has created another incredibly memorable and moving story. Teens and adults alike will readily identify with the characters in the book. The poignant love story between Augustus and Hazel is heartbreaking, a first love torn apart in a way that no one should ever have to experience. It presents a life with cancer in a compelling and realistic way, particularly the way that friends seem to drift away from the sick person, only to come back at the end. It's a fantastic read, but one that is sure to make you cry.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
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