My Life as a Rhombus by Varian Johnson - getting good grades for a scholarship absorbs much of Rhonda's time, but when she's forced to tutor rich-girl Sarah in trigonometry, she ends up discovering, and sharing, more truths than she ever expected. 17 checkouts for this realistic fiction title.
November Blues by Sharon M. Draper - sequel to the Battle of Jericho - when Josh died a few months ago, he left behind a girlfriend and a cousin/best friend, who are both trying to deal with their loss. When November discovers that Josh left behind a legacy with her, she has a huge decision to make; will Jericho be able to help her, and how will that affect both of their futures? 27 checkouts.
The Minister's Daughter by Julie Hearn - Nell is a wild child, claimed by the faeries for their own; Grace is everything Nell is not - mannered, controlled, beautiful and loving, the minister's perfect daughter. But when something terrible begins to affect Grace, Nell may be her only saviour - or perhaps the source of her troubles! Historical fiction set during the Puritan era. 28 checkouts.
Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan (read by Allyson Ryan) - sequel to the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Annah's life is burdened with things she'd like to forget - people and events that she cannot endure remembering, until she meets Catcher - and begins to feel alive again - but he has secrets of his own. Will Annah be able to survive in a dark and bitter world, or is death the best solution? 1 checkout for the audio of this terrifying book.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Summer Review
Title: Upgrade U
Author: Ni-ni Simone
Rating: 5 star
Where did this book take you: New Orleans, Louisiana
Review: I just could not put the book down
Reviewer: M.M.
Author: Ni-ni Simone
Rating: 5 star
Where did this book take you: New Orleans, Louisiana
Review: I just could not put the book down
Reviewer: M.M.
New YA
Graphic Novels:
Mouse Guard. Legends of the Guard. Vol. 1 -- A collection of stories about the brave, fabled Mouse Guard are told by the patrons in the June Alley Inn, whose proprietor has offered a prize to whoever can tell the greatest tale.
Meanwhile by Jason Shiga -- In this choose-your-own adventure graphic novel, a boy stumbles on the laboratory of a mad scientist who asks him to choose between testing a mind-reading device, a time machine, and a doomsday machine.
Sakura Hime: the Legend of Princess Sakura vol. 2 by Arina Tanemura -- Sakara, on the run after Prince Oura's attempt on her life, is taken in by the ninja Kohaka.
Slam Dunk vol. 16 by Takehiko Inoue -- Thanks to the impressive showing during a scrimmage between Shohoku's rookie and veteran players, Coach Anzai decides to give Sakuragi a crack at playing center. And though the game reveals several of Sakuragi's weaknesses, it also highlights just how far his technique has come in a very short amount of time.
Sky Pirates of Neo Terra by Josh Wagner -- In Neo Terra, a world that blends forgotten technology with natural magic, reckless young glide-wing pilot Billy Boom Boom must outwit the Pirate King to stop him from ushering in a new Dark Age.
Fractured Fables edited by Jim Valentino -- Presents, in comic book format, thirty familiar fairy tales, songs, fables, and stories as retold by such acclaimed authors and illustrators as Ben Templesmith, Jim Di Bartolo, Scott Morse, and May Ann Licudine.
Nonfiction:
Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition by Karen Blumenthal -- The rise and fall of Prohibition, and the lawless era that it brought to America.
How They Croaked: the awful ends of the awfully famous by Georgia Bragg -- A look at the deaths of twenty famous people throughout history and the circumstances surrounding those deaths.
Fiction:
Black by D.J. MacHale -- Cooper Foley, who has a knack for getting into trouble, ends up in the middle of a border war between the worlds of the living and the dead, trying to find out about the mysterious Morpheus Road.
Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs -- On her seventeenth birthday, Tempest must decide whether to remain a human and live on land or submit to her mermaid half, like her mother before her, and enter into a long-running war under the sea.
Night School by Marianne Mancusi -- After learning that their ex-hippie parents are actually fairies, vampire Rayne and her twin sister Sunny are forced to hide out in a secluded Swiss boarding school for vampire slayers that, the twins discover, is hiding some secrets of its own.
Cleopatra Confesses by Caroline Meyer -- Princess Cleopatra, the third (and favorite) daughter of King Ptolemy XII, comes of age in ancient Egypt, accumulating power and discovering love.
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma -- Two years after sixteen-year-old Chloe discovered classmate London's dead body floating in a Hudson Valley reservoir, she returns home to be with her devoted older sister Ruby, a town favorite, and finds that London is alive and well, and that Ruby may somehow have brought her back to life and persuaded everyone that nothing is amiss.
Double Take: a Novel by Melody Carlson -- Two look-alike, discontented seventeen-year-olds -- one a sophisticated city girl and the other an Amish farm girl -- decide to trade lives for a week.
Flawless by Lara Chapman -- In this modern take on the Cyrano story, brilliant and witty high school student Sarah Burke, who is cursed with an enormous nose, helps her beautiful best friend try to win the heart of a handsome and smart new student, even though Sarah wants him for herself.
Displacement by Thalia Chaltas -- After her younger sister tragically drowns, Vera runs away to a small desert town where she tries unsuccessfully to forget her grief and sorrow.
Love, Inc. by Yvonne Collins -- When three fifteen-year-old Austin, Texas, girls who met in group therapy discover that they are all dating the same boy, they first get revenge and then start a wildly successful relationship consulting business.
Berlin Boxing Club by Robert Sharenow -- In 1936 Berlin, fourteen-year-old Karl Stern, considered Jewish despite a non-religious upbringing, learns to box from the legendary Max Schmeling while struggling with the realities of the Holocaust.
Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mylnowski -- Sixteen-year-old April, a high school junior, and her friend Vi, a senior, get a crash course in reality as the list of things they should not do becomes a list of things they did while living parent-free in Westport, Connecticut, for the semester.
Fairy Bad Day by Amelia Ashby -- High schooler Emma is devastated to learn that she may not follow in her mother's footsteps as a dragon slayer, but with an unlikely band of allies, she discovers that she may, indeed, be more adept at slaying giant killer fairies.
Blood Red Road by Moira Young -- In a distant future, eighteen-year-old Lugh is kidnapped, and while his twin sister Saba and little sister nine-year-old Emmi are trailing him across bleak Sandsea, they are captured, too, and taken to brutal Hopetown, where Saba is forced to be a cage fighter until new friends help plan an escape.
Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross -- Finley, who has a beastly alter ego inside of her, joins Duke Griffin's army of misfits to help stop the Machinist, the criminal behind a series of automaton crimes, from carrying out a plan to kill Queen Victoria during the Jubilee.
Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott -- When her older, "perfect" sister Tess has a car accident that puts her in a coma, seventeen-year-old Abby, who has always felt unseen in Tess's shadow, plans to bring her back with the help of Eli, a gorgeous boy she has met at the hospital, but her plans go awry when she learns some secrets about both Tess and Eli, enabling her to make some decisions about her own life.
In the Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane -- Two years after Brenna accused her first love, White Bird, of killing a girl, she discovers he has been placed in a mental hospital, and she soon finds herself trapped in his vision quest and she must fight to free them both.
Teenage Love Affair by Ni-ni Simone -- Seventeen-year-old Zsa-Zsa is torn between her current boyfriend who is abusive and her first love, Malachi.
Mouse Guard. Legends of the Guard. Vol. 1 -- A collection of stories about the brave, fabled Mouse Guard are told by the patrons in the June Alley Inn, whose proprietor has offered a prize to whoever can tell the greatest tale.
Meanwhile by Jason Shiga -- In this choose-your-own adventure graphic novel, a boy stumbles on the laboratory of a mad scientist who asks him to choose between testing a mind-reading device, a time machine, and a doomsday machine.
Sakura Hime: the Legend of Princess Sakura vol. 2 by Arina Tanemura -- Sakara, on the run after Prince Oura's attempt on her life, is taken in by the ninja Kohaka.
Slam Dunk vol. 16 by Takehiko Inoue -- Thanks to the impressive showing during a scrimmage between Shohoku's rookie and veteran players, Coach Anzai decides to give Sakuragi a crack at playing center. And though the game reveals several of Sakuragi's weaknesses, it also highlights just how far his technique has come in a very short amount of time.
Sky Pirates of Neo Terra by Josh Wagner -- In Neo Terra, a world that blends forgotten technology with natural magic, reckless young glide-wing pilot Billy Boom Boom must outwit the Pirate King to stop him from ushering in a new Dark Age.
Fractured Fables edited by Jim Valentino -- Presents, in comic book format, thirty familiar fairy tales, songs, fables, and stories as retold by such acclaimed authors and illustrators as Ben Templesmith, Jim Di Bartolo, Scott Morse, and May Ann Licudine.
Nonfiction:
Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition by Karen Blumenthal -- The rise and fall of Prohibition, and the lawless era that it brought to America.
How They Croaked: the awful ends of the awfully famous by Georgia Bragg -- A look at the deaths of twenty famous people throughout history and the circumstances surrounding those deaths.
Fiction:
Black by D.J. MacHale -- Cooper Foley, who has a knack for getting into trouble, ends up in the middle of a border war between the worlds of the living and the dead, trying to find out about the mysterious Morpheus Road.
Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs -- On her seventeenth birthday, Tempest must decide whether to remain a human and live on land or submit to her mermaid half, like her mother before her, and enter into a long-running war under the sea.
Night School by Marianne Mancusi -- After learning that their ex-hippie parents are actually fairies, vampire Rayne and her twin sister Sunny are forced to hide out in a secluded Swiss boarding school for vampire slayers that, the twins discover, is hiding some secrets of its own.
Cleopatra Confesses by Caroline Meyer -- Princess Cleopatra, the third (and favorite) daughter of King Ptolemy XII, comes of age in ancient Egypt, accumulating power and discovering love.
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma -- Two years after sixteen-year-old Chloe discovered classmate London's dead body floating in a Hudson Valley reservoir, she returns home to be with her devoted older sister Ruby, a town favorite, and finds that London is alive and well, and that Ruby may somehow have brought her back to life and persuaded everyone that nothing is amiss.
Double Take: a Novel by Melody Carlson -- Two look-alike, discontented seventeen-year-olds -- one a sophisticated city girl and the other an Amish farm girl -- decide to trade lives for a week.
Flawless by Lara Chapman -- In this modern take on the Cyrano story, brilliant and witty high school student Sarah Burke, who is cursed with an enormous nose, helps her beautiful best friend try to win the heart of a handsome and smart new student, even though Sarah wants him for herself.
Displacement by Thalia Chaltas -- After her younger sister tragically drowns, Vera runs away to a small desert town where she tries unsuccessfully to forget her grief and sorrow.
Love, Inc. by Yvonne Collins -- When three fifteen-year-old Austin, Texas, girls who met in group therapy discover that they are all dating the same boy, they first get revenge and then start a wildly successful relationship consulting business.
Berlin Boxing Club by Robert Sharenow -- In 1936 Berlin, fourteen-year-old Karl Stern, considered Jewish despite a non-religious upbringing, learns to box from the legendary Max Schmeling while struggling with the realities of the Holocaust.
Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mylnowski -- Sixteen-year-old April, a high school junior, and her friend Vi, a senior, get a crash course in reality as the list of things they should not do becomes a list of things they did while living parent-free in Westport, Connecticut, for the semester.
Fairy Bad Day by Amelia Ashby -- High schooler Emma is devastated to learn that she may not follow in her mother's footsteps as a dragon slayer, but with an unlikely band of allies, she discovers that she may, indeed, be more adept at slaying giant killer fairies.
Blood Red Road by Moira Young -- In a distant future, eighteen-year-old Lugh is kidnapped, and while his twin sister Saba and little sister nine-year-old Emmi are trailing him across bleak Sandsea, they are captured, too, and taken to brutal Hopetown, where Saba is forced to be a cage fighter until new friends help plan an escape.
Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross -- Finley, who has a beastly alter ego inside of her, joins Duke Griffin's army of misfits to help stop the Machinist, the criminal behind a series of automaton crimes, from carrying out a plan to kill Queen Victoria during the Jubilee.
Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott -- When her older, "perfect" sister Tess has a car accident that puts her in a coma, seventeen-year-old Abby, who has always felt unseen in Tess's shadow, plans to bring her back with the help of Eli, a gorgeous boy she has met at the hospital, but her plans go awry when she learns some secrets about both Tess and Eli, enabling her to make some decisions about her own life.
In the Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane -- Two years after Brenna accused her first love, White Bird, of killing a girl, she discovers he has been placed in a mental hospital, and she soon finds herself trapped in his vision quest and she must fight to free them both.
Teenage Love Affair by Ni-ni Simone -- Seventeen-year-old Zsa-Zsa is torn between her current boyfriend who is abusive and her first love, Malachi.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Summer Review
Title: The Silent Boy
Author: Lois Lowry
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this take you: Virginia, USA
Review: Lois Lowry describes life through young eyes and we see the horrors that unfold slowly. This book was a heartwrenching rattly rollercoaster. The author kept you striving to know of what was so horrible this innocent mentally ill child (Jacob) could have done.
Reviewer: K.D.
Author: Lois Lowry
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this take you: Virginia, USA
Review: Lois Lowry describes life through young eyes and we see the horrors that unfold slowly. This book was a heartwrenching rattly rollercoaster. The author kept you striving to know of what was so horrible this innocent mentally ill child (Jacob) could have done.
Reviewer: K.D.
Summer Review
Title: The Egyptian Cinderella
Author: Shirley Climo
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: Egypt
Review: A remix of Cinderella, egyptian style! Beautifully illustrated and well retold, we not only learn this story to be a greek tale, but actually ends up being true!
Author: Shirley Climo
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: Egypt
Review: A remix of Cinderella, egyptian style! Beautifully illustrated and well retold, we not only learn this story to be a greek tale, but actually ends up being true!
Summer Review
Title: Peach Girl volume 1
Author: Miwa Veda
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Tokyo
Review: A hair raising highschool tale about a girl named Momo just trying to fit in and get tot the love of her life, but when lies and emotion get in the way, Momo is afraid to choose who she will believe.
Reviewer: K.D.
Author: Miwa Veda
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Tokyo
Review: A hair raising highschool tale about a girl named Momo just trying to fit in and get tot the love of her life, but when lies and emotion get in the way, Momo is afraid to choose who she will believe.
Reviewer: K.D.
summer reviews
Title: Peach Girl volume 2
Author: Miwa Veda
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: Tokyo
Review: WHAT DOES KILEY WANT? WHY? WHY can't Toji believe Momo?! CAN Sae STOP lying!! With confused emotions and a backstabbing "friend", Momo's love life takes a turn for the worse.
Reviewer: K.D.
Author: Miwa Veda
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: Tokyo
Review: WHAT DOES KILEY WANT? WHY? WHY can't Toji believe Momo?! CAN Sae STOP lying!! With confused emotions and a backstabbing "friend", Momo's love life takes a turn for the worse.
Reviewer: K.D.
summer review
Title: Peach Girl Change of Heart Volume 7
Author: Miwa Veda
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Tokyo
Review: Ahh!! I held into my seat the whole time! I was truly mad when Kiley "forgot" and was genuinely happy when Toji was there to save Momo. But the real question that kept me pondering, in this book was "who will she pick?!"
Reviewer: K.D.
Author: Miwa Veda
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Tokyo
Review: Ahh!! I held into my seat the whole time! I was truly mad when Kiley "forgot" and was genuinely happy when Toji was there to save Momo. But the real question that kept me pondering, in this book was "who will she pick?!"
Reviewer: K.D.
summer review
Title: Peach Girl Change of Heart Volume 8
Author: Miwa Veda
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Tokyo
Review: A crazy rollercoaster of emotions. This book will keep you turning page after page each secret we had wanted to know since the first books came out and are finally REVEALED! Only one question remains "will Momo pick Riley or forever love Toji"?!
Reviewer: K.D.
Author: Miwa Veda
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Tokyo
Review: A crazy rollercoaster of emotions. This book will keep you turning page after page each secret we had wanted to know since the first books came out and are finally REVEALED! Only one question remains "will Momo pick Riley or forever love Toji"?!
Reviewer: K.D.
summer review
Title: Peach Girl Change of Heart Volume 9
Author: Miwa Veda
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Tokyo
Review:Page Turner Alert! Rapidly page after page secrets, events and crazy emotional statements are flung! Trapped between Toji and Kiley, Momo is forced to make a decision - who does she love more?!
Reviewer: K.D.
Author: Miwa Veda
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Tokyo
Review:Page Turner Alert! Rapidly page after page secrets, events and crazy emotional statements are flung! Trapped between Toji and Kiley, Momo is forced to make a decision - who does she love more?!
Reviewer: K.D.
summer review
Title: Kitchen Princess, volume 1
Author: Miyuki Kobayashi
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: Tokyo
Review: a new life and a new school. Najika has talent for cooking, everyone tastes, but denies. Searching for her "flan prince" she stumbles upon two brothers with very different personalities. Unappreciated, Najika decides to leave, but something stops her.
Reviewer: K.D.
Author: Miyuki Kobayashi
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: Tokyo
Review: a new life and a new school. Najika has talent for cooking, everyone tastes, but denies. Searching for her "flan prince" she stumbles upon two brothers with very different personalities. Unappreciated, Najika decides to leave, but something stops her.
Reviewer: K.D.
Summer Review
Title: Kitchen Princess, volume 2
Author: Miyuki Koboyashi
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: Tokyo
Review:Najika is starting up the semester again this time with new challenges a cooking contest, a disorderly eater and a loving heart. The rivalry between Akane and Najika is being pushed to the limit. Can Najika stand the heat, find her prince, and befriend Akane?
Reviewer: K.D.
Author: Miyuki Koboyashi
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: Tokyo
Review:Najika is starting up the semester again this time with new challenges a cooking contest, a disorderly eater and a loving heart. The rivalry between Akane and Najika is being pushed to the limit. Can Najika stand the heat, find her prince, and befriend Akane?
Reviewer: K.D.
Summer Review
Title: Yurara Volume 1
Author: Chika Shiomi
Rating: 3.5 stars
Where did this book take you: somewhere in Japan
Review: Yurara is unlike any other girl; she can see spirits and sense their feelings. Deep inside of her is a guardian spirit whom can take spirits back to where they belong. Yet Yurara is unaware of this power and there are evil sprits haunting her.
Reviewer: K.D.
Author: Chika Shiomi
Rating: 3.5 stars
Where did this book take you: somewhere in Japan
Review: Yurara is unlike any other girl; she can see spirits and sense their feelings. Deep inside of her is a guardian spirit whom can take spirits back to where they belong. Yet Yurara is unaware of this power and there are evil sprits haunting her.
Reviewer: K.D.
summer Review
Title:Yurara volume 2
Author: Chika Shiomi
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: somewhere in Japan
Review: On top of battling ghosts, Yurara is battling herself to find who she is really in love with.
Reviewer:K.D.
Author: Chika Shiomi
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: somewhere in Japan
Review: On top of battling ghosts, Yurara is battling herself to find who she is really in love with.
Reviewer:K.D.
summer review
Title: Yurara Volume 3
Author: Chika Shiomi
Rating:5 stars
Where did this book take you: somewhere in Japan
Review: Yurara is picking up the attention of 3 groups of people: spirits, haters and friends. Action packed with spirit stalkers, secret love conflicts and possessive spirits, Yurara is in for the hardest battle of her life.
Reviewer: K.D.
Author: Chika Shiomi
Rating:5 stars
Where did this book take you: somewhere in Japan
Review: Yurara is picking up the attention of 3 groups of people: spirits, haters and friends. Action packed with spirit stalkers, secret love conflicts and possessive spirits, Yurara is in for the hardest battle of her life.
Reviewer: K.D.
summer review
Title: Yurara (vol 4)
Author: chika Shiomi
Rating:5 stars
Where did this book take you: somewhere in Japan
Review: since the last book Mei and Yurara have become a couple. Wehn a childhood friend of Yurara's comes for a visit, Mei acquires a rival and Yurara gains a secret to her other self that may just fix things for the real Yurara.
Reviewer: K.D.
Author: chika Shiomi
Rating:5 stars
Where did this book take you: somewhere in Japan
Review: since the last book Mei and Yurara have become a couple. Wehn a childhood friend of Yurara's comes for a visit, Mei acquires a rival and Yurara gains a secret to her other self that may just fix things for the real Yurara.
Reviewer: K.D.
Summer Review
Title: Freaky Monday
Author: Mary Rodgers & Heather Hach
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: Into a freaky world
Review: I learn this girl, Hadley, and now her days of Monday not the best.
Reviewer: D. W.
Author: Mary Rodgers & Heather Hach
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: Into a freaky world
Review: I learn this girl, Hadley, and now her days of Monday not the best.
Reviewer: D. W.
Summer Review
Title: Yurara (volume 5)
Author: Chika Shiomi
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: somewhere in Japan!
Review: Yurara is torn apart between Mei and Yako and becomes sick. Mei cares for her well-being and makes a decision that could change the gang's entire lives!
Reviewer: K.D.
Author: Chika Shiomi
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: somewhere in Japan!
Review: Yurara is torn apart between Mei and Yako and becomes sick. Mei cares for her well-being and makes a decision that could change the gang's entire lives!
Reviewer: K.D.
Summer Review
Title: Lost and Found
Author: Shaun Tan
Rating: 5 stars
Where did it take you: to a world out of this universe
Review: a colorfully depicted book composed of three charming stories that are about being lost, then found.
Reviewer: K.D.
Author: Shaun Tan
Rating: 5 stars
Where did it take you: to a world out of this universe
Review: a colorfully depicted book composed of three charming stories that are about being lost, then found.
Reviewer: K.D.
Are you looking for some good titles?
Amazon has just published their first "Essential Reading for Young Adults" List.
Have you read any of these books? Which ones? Did you like them? Do any of them sound like something you'd love to read?
I've read several of them - The Giver by Lois Lowry is one of my all-time favorite dystopian fiction titles. It doesn't have quite the action-adventure potential of the Hunger Games, but I think the "there's something really wrong here" factor is really high.
Others I really liked include The Golden Compass, 13 Reasons Why (soon to be a movie!), and Speak - one of the scariest stories I've ever read.
Have you read any of these books? Which ones? Did you like them? Do any of them sound like something you'd love to read?
I've read several of them - The Giver by Lois Lowry is one of my all-time favorite dystopian fiction titles. It doesn't have quite the action-adventure potential of the Hunger Games, but I think the "there's something really wrong here" factor is really high.
Others I really liked include The Golden Compass, 13 Reasons Why (soon to be a movie!), and Speak - one of the scariest stories I've ever read.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Summer Review
Title: Hate List
Author: Jennifer Brown
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: thos book took me to a place of revenge and pain.
Review: This book showed me how treating others can really affect them. The book was wonderful, and I believe it can change every teen's outlook on life.
Reviewer: S.T.
Author: Jennifer Brown
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: thos book took me to a place of revenge and pain.
Review: This book showed me how treating others can really affect them. The book was wonderful, and I believe it can change every teen's outlook on life.
Reviewer: S.T.
Summer Review
Title: Eclipse
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: This book took me into another teen story
Review: this is a really good series. Eclipse shows you how choosing between love and friendship can be hard.
Reviewer: S.T.
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: This book took me into another teen story
Review: this is a really good series. Eclipse shows you how choosing between love and friendship can be hard.
Reviewer: S.T.
Summer Review
Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: to the mind of a teenager with rage and hurt
Review: I could read this book a million times. It teaches multiple lessons, to teenagers. Everyone should read this book.
Reviewer: S.T.
Author: Jay Asher
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: to the mind of a teenager with rage and hurt
Review: I could read this book a million times. It teaches multiple lessons, to teenagers. Everyone should read this book.
Reviewer: S.T.
Summer Review
Title: Tigers
Author: Ann O. Square
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: In a Tiger's Life
Review: I learned a lot about tigers
Reviewer: J.M.
Author: Ann O. Square
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: In a Tiger's Life
Review: I learned a lot about tigers
Reviewer: J.M.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Summer Review
Title: the Magician’s Nephew
Author: C.S. Lewis
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: From London to Charn and all the way to Narnia
Review: Digory and Polly stumble upon rings that take them to different worlds. In the end Digory heals his mother with a magic apple from Narnia.
Reviewer: M. T.
Author: C.S. Lewis
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: From London to Charn and all the way to Narnia
Review: Digory and Polly stumble upon rings that take them to different worlds. In the end Digory heals his mother with a magic apple from Narnia.
Reviewer: M. T.
Summer Review
Title: the Black Stallion and the Girl
Author: Walter Farley
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: It took me back to that part of me that is in love w/horses… It made me want to ride again!
Review: It is a very fast-paced book, w/cliff-hanger chapters that makes you not want to put it down! It is a wonderful book, and a must-read for horse lovers! I loved it!!
Reviewer: S. H.
Author: Walter Farley
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: It took me back to that part of me that is in love w/horses… It made me want to ride again!
Review: It is a very fast-paced book, w/cliff-hanger chapters that makes you not want to put it down! It is a wonderful book, and a must-read for horse lovers! I loved it!!
Reviewer: S. H.
Summer Review
Title: Eona
Author: Alison Goodman
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: the Empire of the Celestial Dragons
Review: a thrilling novel, with action and suspense to the very end.
Reviewer: M. H.
Author: Alison Goodman
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: the Empire of the Celestial Dragons
Review: a thrilling novel, with action and suspense to the very end.
Reviewer: M. H.
Summer Review
Title: Escape from the Island of Aquarius
Author: Frank Peretti
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: To the Island of Aquarius
Review: the book was about an archaeologist and his two kids who travel to Aquarius. They find out about a curse that a man controlled. His followers would sacrifice to the gods of the island. Then the island sinks and they have to save them.
Reviewer: M.T.
Author: Frank Peretti
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: To the Island of Aquarius
Review: the book was about an archaeologist and his two kids who travel to Aquarius. They find out about a curse that a man controlled. His followers would sacrifice to the gods of the island. Then the island sinks and they have to save them.
Reviewer: M.T.
Summer Review
Title: the Mystery of the Vanishing Cave
Author: John Bibee
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: To Camp Friendly Waters
Review: three girls go camping and stumble upon a cave with ancient Indian artifacts. But it keeps on vanishing, until the end where they save the camp by proving the cave exists.
Reviewer: M. T.
Author: John Bibee
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: To Camp Friendly Waters
Review: three girls go camping and stumble upon a cave with ancient Indian artifacts. But it keeps on vanishing, until the end where they save the camp by proving the cave exists.
Reviewer: M. T.
Summer Review
Title: Bingo Brown and the Language of Love
Author: Betsy Byars
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: to a world where everyone loves each other
Review; This is a great book; most of the things that took place in the book really happen in real life.
Reviewer: D. L.
Author: Betsy Byars
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: to a world where everyone loves each other
Review; This is a great book; most of the things that took place in the book really happen in real life.
Reviewer: D. L.
Summer Review
Title: the Boy in the Dress
Author: David Walliams
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: to a world where you can express yourself
Review: Dennis’ mom and dad were not together. “No hugging” rule and Dennis loved fashion and Vogue magazine and wore a dress to school!
Reviewer: D.L.
Author: David Walliams
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: to a world where you can express yourself
Review: Dennis’ mom and dad were not together. “No hugging” rule and Dennis loved fashion and Vogue magazine and wore a dress to school!
Reviewer: D.L.
Summer Review
Title: Vibes
Author: Amy Kathleen Ryan
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: to not worry about what others think
Review: Kristi could read minds. She’s judgmental and reads her crush’s mind to find out he called her sick. Now he’s in love with her.
Reviewer: J. R.
Author: Amy Kathleen Ryan
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: to not worry about what others think
Review: Kristi could read minds. She’s judgmental and reads her crush’s mind to find out he called her sick. Now he’s in love with her.
Reviewer: J. R.
Summer Review
Title: The Black Stallion Legend
Author: Walter Farley
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: It took me from New York to Arizona, riding the Black all the way
Review: This book was fun, but kind of sad. Alec’s girlfriend dies, and the whole story is about how he handles the pain. It gets really spooky towards the end, which makes it fun!
Reviewer: S.H.
Author: Walter Farley
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: It took me from New York to Arizona, riding the Black all the way
Review: This book was fun, but kind of sad. Alec’s girlfriend dies, and the whole story is about how he handles the pain. It gets really spooky towards the end, which makes it fun!
Reviewer: S.H.
Summer Review
Title: The Deerslayer
Author: James Fenimore Cooper
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: Lake Oneida
Review: Excellent depiction of a desperate situation and backwoods people.
Reviewer: M. B.
Author: James Fenimore Cooper
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: Lake Oneida
Review: Excellent depiction of a desperate situation and backwoods people.
Reviewer: M. B.
Summer Review
Title: Rattlesnakes
Author: Sandra Lee
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: To the Southern United States
Review: the backbone contains up to 300 bones. Their poison is a form of saliva called venom. Rattlesnakes have 6 to 20 babies in a litter.
Reviewer: N. K.
Author: Sandra Lee
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: To the Southern United States
Review: the backbone contains up to 300 bones. Their poison is a form of saliva called venom. Rattlesnakes have 6 to 20 babies in a litter.
Reviewer: N. K.
Summer Review
Title: She Said Yes: the unlikely martyrdom of Cassie Bernall
Author: Misty Bernall
Rating: 5 stars (+)
Where did this book take you: to that part of me that truly wants to do the right thing, to change the world.
Review: this book is an eye-opener… it will make you cry, but it is a beautiful story. It has a powerful point; you don’t have to be perfect to stand up for what you believe in. Are you willing to give your life for what you love?
Reviewer: S.H.
Author: Misty Bernall
Rating: 5 stars (+)
Where did this book take you: to that part of me that truly wants to do the right thing, to change the world.
Review: this book is an eye-opener… it will make you cry, but it is a beautiful story. It has a powerful point; you don’t have to be perfect to stand up for what you believe in. Are you willing to give your life for what you love?
Reviewer: S.H.
Summer Review
Title: Zaanan; the Ransom of Renaissance
Author: Al Bohl
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: to a sky prison which holds some of the most deadly criminals in the galaxy
Review: Renaissance, a large sky prison that is about to be attacked by a giant robot. It is made up of hundreds of little aircrafts, laser carts, missiles and other weapons. Can Zaanan stop this robot before it destroys the sky prison and his twin brother?
Reviewer: J.H.
Author: Al Bohl
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: to a sky prison which holds some of the most deadly criminals in the galaxy
Review: Renaissance, a large sky prison that is about to be attacked by a giant robot. It is made up of hundreds of little aircrafts, laser carts, missiles and other weapons. Can Zaanan stop this robot before it destroys the sky prison and his twin brother?
Reviewer: J.H.
Summer Review
Title: Zaanan: the Fatal Limit
Author: Al Bohl
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: to a world where things like starjets and robots are common.
Review: This book is a fun-filled adventure, in which Zaanan tries to find truth in a world that is filled with a lying computer.
Reviewer: J.H.
Author: Al Bohl
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: to a world where things like starjets and robots are common.
Review: This book is a fun-filled adventure, in which Zaanan tries to find truth in a world that is filled with a lying computer.
Reviewer: J.H.
Summer Review
Title: The Secret River
Author: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: to a very spectacular place, a secret river
Review: it was one of the best books yet. I will have to get it.
Reviewer: S. K.
Author: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: to a very spectacular place, a secret river
Review: it was one of the best books yet. I will have to get it.
Reviewer: S. K.
Summer Review
Title: Crescendo
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Coldwater, Maine
Review: this was an awesome sequel to the amazing book Hush, Hush. With so many twists and turns that I could hardly keep up.
Reviewer: M. H.
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Coldwater, Maine
Review: this was an awesome sequel to the amazing book Hush, Hush. With so many twists and turns that I could hardly keep up.
Reviewer: M. H.
Summer Review
Title: Pictures of Hollis Woods
Author: Patricia Reilly Giff
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: To a teenage girl who has been fostered from home to home.
Review: I like this book because it seemed real
Reviewer: K.B.
Author: Patricia Reilly Giff
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: To a teenage girl who has been fostered from home to home.
Review: I like this book because it seemed real
Reviewer: K.B.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Summer Review
Title: From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Author: E.L. Konigsburg
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Greenwich, Connecticut
Review: it is about Claudia and James Kincaid running away and hiding in the museum, but after a week they find out about this sculpture and Claudia wants to know the big answer to the question.
Reviewer: C. S.
Author: E.L. Konigsburg
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Greenwich, Connecticut
Review: it is about Claudia and James Kincaid running away and hiding in the museum, but after a week they find out about this sculpture and Claudia wants to know the big answer to the question.
Reviewer: C. S.
Summer Review
Title: Success for Teens
Author: Editor of the Success Foundation
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: it took me into real-life success
Review: my review of it is to always learn from mistakes.
Reviewer: D.W.
Author: Editor of the Success Foundation
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: it took me into real-life success
Review: my review of it is to always learn from mistakes.
Reviewer: D.W.
Summer Review
Title: Dork Diaries: tales from a not so fabulous life
Author Rachel Russell
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: Kept me in the USA
Review: Nikki takes you on her everyday adventures at her new school, she looks down on herself all the time, but when she meets Chole and Zoe she feels not so alone. If you like friendship drama and art then this is the book for you!
Reviewer: K. D.
Author Rachel Russell
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: Kept me in the USA
Review: Nikki takes you on her everyday adventures at her new school, she looks down on herself all the time, but when she meets Chole and Zoe she feels not so alone. If you like friendship drama and art then this is the book for you!
Reviewer: K. D.
Summer Review
Title: Set to Sea (Graphic Novel)
Author: Drew Weing
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you? To Hong Kong and to the Sea
Review: A poet in search of inspiration is shanghied aboard a ship headed to Hong Kong and is thrown into a life on the seas. So the seas are just as wavy as the strange new life.
Reviewer: K.D.
Author: Drew Weing
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you? To Hong Kong and to the Sea
Review: A poet in search of inspiration is shanghied aboard a ship headed to Hong Kong and is thrown into a life on the seas. So the seas are just as wavy as the strange new life.
Reviewer: K.D.
Summer Review
Title: Mummies: dried, tanned, drained, frozen, embalmed, stuffed, wrapped and smoked - and we're dead serious.
Author: Christopher Sloan
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: all around the world except Antarctica
Review: you'd be surprised, mummies live everywhere! And they are all made in very different ways! If you drop dead for the dead, then this book is for you! It is filled to the brim with ancient mysteries past, it will make you keep turning page after page!
Reviewer: K.D.
Author: Christopher Sloan
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: all around the world except Antarctica
Review: you'd be surprised, mummies live everywhere! And they are all made in very different ways! If you drop dead for the dead, then this book is for you! It is filled to the brim with ancient mysteries past, it will make you keep turning page after page!
Reviewer: K.D.
Summer Review
Title: Bite club
Author: Rachel Caine
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: To Morganville
Review: It's not like most of her her others. It was a little disappointing but all in all it was good as part of the Morganville series.
Reviewer: C.M.
Author: Rachel Caine
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: To Morganville
Review: It's not like most of her her others. It was a little disappointing but all in all it was good as part of the Morganville series.
Reviewer: C.M.
New Books
Graphic Novels:
Bleach vols. 6-10 by Tite Kubo -- ongoing adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki, who can see the spirits of those who cannot rest in peace.
Yumekui Kenbun Nightmare Inspector vols. 6, 8-9 by Shin Mashiba -- (vol 7 is on order) - Hiroku is a Nightmare Inspector - who deals with the nightmares that haunt people who visit him at the Silver Star Tea House.
Genkaku Picasso vols. 1-3 by Usamara Furuya -- Hikari, nicknamed Picasso for his artistic talent, survived a terrible accident, but now the ghost of his best friend is commanding him to use his talents to help
Code Geass. Nightmare of Nunnally vols. 1-5 by by Tomamasa Takuma -- Nunally is devastated when her brother Lelouche is taken from her by the Empire; but her rage and despair bring her the power of Geass. An alternate history of Code Geass.
Nonfiction:
African Cats: the Story Behind the Film by Amanda Barrett --
In Africa in the Masis Mara National Reserve, filmmakers Keith Scholey and Amanda Barrett follow the lives of a lion cub with a weak and injured mother, and a cheetah with five newborn cubs.
Simeon's Story: An eyewitness account of the Kidnapping of Emmit Till by Simon Wright -- Documents the 1955 kidnapping and murder of teenage Emmett Till as remembered by his cousin, sharing descriptions of life in period Mississippi and how the ensuing murder trial became a catalyst for the civil rights movement.
Fiction:
Everlasting by Alyson Noel (Immortals vol 6)-- Ever and Damen have spent centuries facing down bitter rivals, jealous friends, and their own worst fears in the hope of being together forever, but something threatens to tear them apart.
Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky -- Living in a totally online society, Madeline is approached by a group of rebels who are trying to convince people to "unplug".
Flip by Martin Bedford -- A teenager wakes up inside another boy's body and faces a life-or-death quest to return to his true self or be trapped forever in the wrong existence.
Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances Dowell -- Because living with "modern-hippy" parents on a goat farm means fourteen-year-old Janie Gorman cannot have a normal high school life, she tries joining Jam Band, making friends with Monster, and spending time with elderly former civil rights workers.
Price of Freedom by A.C. Crispin -- after pirates attack, Jack Sparrow finds himself in command of the ship where he was a merchant seaman. Afterwards, a promotion leads him to Captaincy of the Wicked Wench, and a quest for buried treasure.
On the Volcano by James Nelson -- Katie, her father and their friend Lorraine live an isolated life on the lip of a volcano; then a trip to town for her 16th birthday brings tragedy into Katie's life. At the same time, it brings a chance for new beginnings for Kate, if she dares to grasp it.
The Summer Before Boys by Nora Baskin -- twelve year olds Julia and Eliza happily spend the summer together while Julia's mother serves in Iraq, but when they meet a new boy, their close relationship begins to change.
Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck (Tiger Saga #2) -- Kelsey returns home to Oregon, where Mr. Kadam has enrolled her in college, but danger sends her back to India to begin another quest, this time with Kishan, to try to break the curse that forces Kisham and his brother Ren to live as tigers.
Bleach vols. 6-10 by Tite Kubo -- ongoing adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki, who can see the spirits of those who cannot rest in peace.
Yumekui Kenbun Nightmare Inspector vols. 6, 8-9 by Shin Mashiba -- (vol 7 is on order) - Hiroku is a Nightmare Inspector - who deals with the nightmares that haunt people who visit him at the Silver Star Tea House.
Genkaku Picasso vols. 1-3 by Usamara Furuya -- Hikari, nicknamed Picasso for his artistic talent, survived a terrible accident, but now the ghost of his best friend is commanding him to use his talents to help
Code Geass. Nightmare of Nunnally vols. 1-5 by by Tomamasa Takuma -- Nunally is devastated when her brother Lelouche is taken from her by the Empire; but her rage and despair bring her the power of Geass. An alternate history of Code Geass.
Nonfiction:
African Cats: the Story Behind the Film by Amanda Barrett --
In Africa in the Masis Mara National Reserve, filmmakers Keith Scholey and Amanda Barrett follow the lives of a lion cub with a weak and injured mother, and a cheetah with five newborn cubs.
Simeon's Story: An eyewitness account of the Kidnapping of Emmit Till by Simon Wright -- Documents the 1955 kidnapping and murder of teenage Emmett Till as remembered by his cousin, sharing descriptions of life in period Mississippi and how the ensuing murder trial became a catalyst for the civil rights movement.
Fiction:
Everlasting by Alyson Noel (Immortals vol 6)-- Ever and Damen have spent centuries facing down bitter rivals, jealous friends, and their own worst fears in the hope of being together forever, but something threatens to tear them apart.
Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky -- Living in a totally online society, Madeline is approached by a group of rebels who are trying to convince people to "unplug".
Flip by Martin Bedford -- A teenager wakes up inside another boy's body and faces a life-or-death quest to return to his true self or be trapped forever in the wrong existence.
Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances Dowell -- Because living with "modern-hippy" parents on a goat farm means fourteen-year-old Janie Gorman cannot have a normal high school life, she tries joining Jam Band, making friends with Monster, and spending time with elderly former civil rights workers.
Price of Freedom by A.C. Crispin -- after pirates attack, Jack Sparrow finds himself in command of the ship where he was a merchant seaman. Afterwards, a promotion leads him to Captaincy of the Wicked Wench, and a quest for buried treasure.
On the Volcano by James Nelson -- Katie, her father and their friend Lorraine live an isolated life on the lip of a volcano; then a trip to town for her 16th birthday brings tragedy into Katie's life. At the same time, it brings a chance for new beginnings for Kate, if she dares to grasp it.
The Summer Before Boys by Nora Baskin -- twelve year olds Julia and Eliza happily spend the summer together while Julia's mother serves in Iraq, but when they meet a new boy, their close relationship begins to change.
Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck (Tiger Saga #2) -- Kelsey returns home to Oregon, where Mr. Kadam has enrolled her in college, but danger sends her back to India to begin another quest, this time with Kishan, to try to break the curse that forces Kisham and his brother Ren to live as tigers.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Summer Review
Title: Leave it to PET, vol 3
Author: Kenji Sonishi
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: Sapporo, Japan
Review: A new robot named Miracle is not a helping robot and messes up Nobaru's life.
Reviewer: Jerome
Author: Kenji Sonishi
Rating: 3 stars
Where did this book take you: Sapporo, Japan
Review: A new robot named Miracle is not a helping robot and messes up Nobaru's life.
Reviewer: Jerome
Summer Review
Title: Leave it to PET, vol 2
Author: Kenji Sonishi
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: Sapporo, Japan
It's about a boy that recycled different items and they came back to the boy in a recycled robot.
Reviewer: Jerome
Author: Kenji Sonishi
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: Sapporo, Japan
It's about a boy that recycled different items and they came back to the boy in a recycled robot.
Reviewer: Jerome
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Summer Review
Title: In the Company of Vampires
Author: Katie MacAlister
Rating: 5 stars
Where did the book take you: It took me to Europe
Review: I love this book. It was an amazing ending to the series. It was better than the first two books.
Reviewer: A.D.
Author: Katie MacAlister
Rating: 5 stars
Where did the book take you: It took me to Europe
Review: I love this book. It was an amazing ending to the series. It was better than the first two books.
Reviewer: A.D.
Summer Review
Title: Eon, Dragoneye Reborn
Author: Alison Goodman
Rating: 4 stars
Where did the book take you: Into another world a little like East Asia which has dragons.
Review: Except for some inappropriate scenes involving sex, this book was excellent. It was brimming with adventure and excitement at every turn.
Reviewer: A.H.
Author: Alison Goodman
Rating: 4 stars
Where did the book take you: Into another world a little like East Asia which has dragons.
Review: Except for some inappropriate scenes involving sex, this book was excellent. It was brimming with adventure and excitement at every turn.
Reviewer: A.H.
Summer Review
Title: Flush
Author: Carl Hiaasen
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: To the Keys, near Miami, Florida
Review: this book promotes environmental welfare in an exciting and adventurous way. It is one of my favorites.
Reviewer: A.H.
Author: Carl Hiaasen
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: To the Keys, near Miami, Florida
Review: this book promotes environmental welfare in an exciting and adventurous way. It is one of my favorites.
Reviewer: A.H.
Summer Review
Title: Bread and Roses, Too
Author: Katherine Patterson
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Lawrence, Massachusetts in the middle of a strike, and Vermont.
Review: the author tells a story about characters that don't really exist, but could have. This makes learning about the strike much more interesting.
Reviewer: A.H.
Author: Katherine Patterson
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Lawrence, Massachusetts in the middle of a strike, and Vermont.
Review: the author tells a story about characters that don't really exist, but could have. This makes learning about the strike much more interesting.
Reviewer: A.H.
Summer Review
Title: The Emerald Atlas
Author: John Stephens
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you? Cambridge Falls, a magical city in the mountains
Review: three siblings who grew up in several orphanages find themselves in a magical city trying to stop an evil dictator from destroying the town. This book is interesting because the kids can time travel.
Reviewer: A.H.
Author: John Stephens
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you? Cambridge Falls, a magical city in the mountains
Review: three siblings who grew up in several orphanages find themselves in a magical city trying to stop an evil dictator from destroying the town. This book is interesting because the kids can time travel.
Reviewer: A.H.
Summer Review
Title: Bread and Roses, Too
Author: Katherine Peterson
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Lawrence Massachusetts, in the middle of a workstrike in 1912 and in Vermont, where the two main characters go until the strike ends.
Review: the high emotions and thoughts of the character kept me hanging on every word in this historical fiction. I felt as if I was there with the characters. It is a great read.
Author: Katherine Peterson
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Lawrence Massachusetts, in the middle of a workstrike in 1912 and in Vermont, where the two main characters go until the strike ends.
Review: the high emotions and thoughts of the character kept me hanging on every word in this historical fiction. I felt as if I was there with the characters. It is a great read.
Summer Review
Title: The Emerald Atlas
Author: John Stephens
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: To a magical city in the mountains called Cambridge Falls
Review: the book is extremely suspenseful and mysterious. There is adventure around every turn as you watch the three caring kids try to help each other, and others as they try to get back home.
Reviewer: C.H.
Author: John Stephens
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: To a magical city in the mountains called Cambridge Falls
Review: the book is extremely suspenseful and mysterious. There is adventure around every turn as you watch the three caring kids try to help each other, and others as they try to get back home.
Reviewer: C.H.
Summer Review
Title: Eon: Dragoneye Reborn
Author: Alison Goodman
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: Into another world that is a little like East Asia and where there are dragons.
Review: the book was very exciting and suspenseful as Eon disobeyed the rules that could easily get him killed. The only thing keeping me from making it a five star was the few inappropriate scenes related to sex.
Reviewer: C.H.
Author: Alison Goodman
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: Into another world that is a little like East Asia and where there are dragons.
Review: the book was very exciting and suspenseful as Eon disobeyed the rules that could easily get him killed. The only thing keeping me from making it a five star was the few inappropriate scenes related to sex.
Reviewer: C.H.
Summer Review
Title: An Unwanted Hunger
Author: Ciana Stone
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Constantine's place and a secret beach house.
Review: I love this book. I love the way the romance was described and I love Constantine because I think he is funny.
Reviewer: A.D.
Author: Ciana Stone
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Constantine's place and a secret beach house.
Review: I love this book. I love the way the romance was described and I love Constantine because I think he is funny.
Reviewer: A.D.
Summer Review
Title: Demon from the Dark
Author: Kresley Cole
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: Oblivion; a secret island, and New Orleans
Review: I love Malkom; he is just so cute with his cluelessness but the book was confusing in the beginning.
Reviewer: A.D.
Author: Kresley Cole
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: Oblivion; a secret island, and New Orleans
Review: I love Malkom; he is just so cute with his cluelessness but the book was confusing in the beginning.
Reviewer: A.D.
Summer Review
Title: Cryptic Cravings
Author: Ellen Schreiber
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: dullsville
Review: I love this book and this series. I thought the ending was scary 'cause I thought Alexander cheated.
Reviewer: A.D.
Author: Ellen Schreiber
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: dullsville
Review: I love this book and this series. I thought the ending was scary 'cause I thought Alexander cheated.
Reviewer: A.D.
Summer Review
Title: Wings
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Crescent City
Review: I loved this book because of the way the author describe the flower on Laurel and how Laurel and David got together.
Reviewer: A.D.
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: Crescent City
Review: I loved this book because of the way the author describe the flower on Laurel and how Laurel and David got together.
Reviewer: A.D.
Summer Review
Title: Angelfire
Author: Courtney Allison Moulton
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: Michigan
Review: I thought it was a good book but I was mad that Ellie and Will didn't get together.
Reviewer: A.D.
Author: Courtney Allison Moulton
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: Michigan
Review: I thought it was a good book but I was mad that Ellie and Will didn't get together.
Reviewer: A.D.
Summer Review
Title: Outside In
Author: Mariah V. Snyder
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: nowhere given
Review: a great thriller that captivates the reader in each of the characters lives. I couldn't put it down.
Reviewer: M.C.
Author: Mariah V. Snyder
Rating: 4 stars
Where did this book take you: nowhere given
Review: a great thriller that captivates the reader in each of the characters lives. I couldn't put it down.
Reviewer: M.C.
Summer Review
Title: Ruins
Author: Kevin J Anderson
Rating: 1 star
Where did this book take you: nowhere listed
Review: predictable
Reviewer: M.C.
Author: Kevin J Anderson
Rating: 1 star
Where did this book take you: nowhere listed
Review: predictable
Reviewer: M.C.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
New Books
Nonfiction:
Gaia Warriors: Urgent the fight is on by Nicola Davies -- Takes a clear look at how and why Earth's climate is changing and the ways we can deal with it.
Columbine High School Massacre by Katie Marsico -- Provides comprehensive information on the Columbine High School massacre and the examination of violence in schools.
Fiction:
Steel by Carrie Vaughn -- When Jill, a competitive high school fencer, goes with her family on vacation to the Bahamas, she's magically transported to an early-eighteenth-century pirate ship in the middle of the ocean.
A & L Do Summer by Jan Blazanin -- In Iowa farm country, sixteen-year-old Aspen and her friend Laurel plan to get noticed the summer before their senior year and are unwittingly aided by pig triplets, a skunk, a chicken, bullies, a rookie policeman, and potential boyfriends.
Notes from the Blender by Trish Cook -- Two teenagers -- a heavy-metal-music-loving boy who is still mourning the death of his mother years earlier, and a beautiful, popular girl whose parents divorced because her father is gay -- try to negotiate the complications of family and peer relationships as they get to know each other after learning that their father and mother are marrying each other.
The A Circuit by Georgina Bloomberg -- A billionaire heiress, a working student, and the daughter of a famous rock star compete on horseback riding's elite A circuit.
End of the Line by Angela Cerrito -- In the prison-like school that is his last chance, thirteen-year-old Robbie tries to recover from events that brought him there, including his uncle's war injuries and the death of a classmate who may have been his friend.
Angelfire by Courtney Moulton -- A seventeen-year-old girl discovers she has the reincarnated soul of an ancient warrior destined to battle the reapers, monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell.
Purple Daze by Sherry Shahan -- Six high school students in a high school in Los Angeles in 1965 express their experiences and feelings in journal entries, notes, letters, and poems.
Pushin' by L. Divine -- Drama High #12 -- In the midst of chaos in practically every area of her life, Jayd tries to concentrate on the things that are important to her and that could hold the key to bringing the chaos under control for good.
Courtin' Jayd by L. Divine -- Drama High #6 -- While dealing with her friend Mickey's possible pregnancy and her conniving rival Misty, Jayd is torn between her ex Jeremy, who is trying to get on the basketball team, and Rah, who is on the rebound, and must reconnect with her powerful lineage to escape the drama.
Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson -- Seventeen-year-old Ginny Blackstone precipitously travels from her home in New Jersey to London when she receives a message from an unknown man telling her he has the letters that were stolen just before she completed a series of mysterious tasks assigned by her now dead aunt, an artist.
Father of Lies by Ann Warren Turner -- In 1692 when a plague of accusations descends on Salem Village in Massachusetts and "witch fever" erupts, fourteen-year-old Lidda, who has begun to experience visions and hear voices, tries to expose the lies of the witch trials without being hanged as a witch herself. Includes author's notes about the Salem Witch Trials and bipolar disease.
You Killed Wesley Payne by Sean Beaudoin -- When hard-boiled, seventeen-year-old private investigator Dalton Rev transfers to Salt River High to solve the case of a dead student, he has his hands full trying to outwit the police, negotiate the school's social hierarchy, and get paid.
Phantoms in the Snow by Kathleen Duble -- In 1944, fifteen-year-old Noah Garrett, recently orphaned, is sent to live at Camp Hale, Colorado, with an uncle he has never met, and there he finds his pacifist views put to the test.
Shadowspell by Jenna Black -- Faeriewalker #2 -- On top of spending most of her time in a bunkerlike safe house and having her dates hijacked by a formidable Fae bodyguard, Faeriewalker Dana Hathaway is in for some more bad news: the Erlking and his pack of murderous minions known as the Wild Hunt have descended upon Avalon.
I Am J by Cris Beam -- J is certain that he is a boy mistakenly born into a girl's body. When his family fail to understand him, and his best friend deserts him, he runs away, hoping to find a way to become what he believes he should be.
Out for Blood by Alyxandra Harvey -- As a senior at the secretive Helios-Ra Academy, eighteen-year-old vampire hunter Hunter Wild just wants to make it through her last year of school, but in order to do so, she might have to betray her grandfather and date a vampire
Drought by Pam Bachorz -- Ruby's blood holds the secret to the Water that keeps her and her fellow Congregants alive and enriches Darwin West, who has enslaved them for two centuries, but when her romance with an Overseer, Ford, brings her freedom in the modern world, she faces a terrible choice.
Pink by Lili Wilkinson -- Sixteen-year-old Ava does not know who she is or where she belongs, but when she tries out a new personality -- and sexual orientation -- at a different school, her edgy girlfriend, potential boyfriend, and others are hurt by her lack of honesty.
Red Moon Rising by Peter Moore -- In a world where vampires dominate and werewolves are despised, a teenaged half-vampire discovers his recessive werewolf genes are developing with the approaching full moon.
Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey -- In small-town Australia, teens Jasper and Charlie form an unlikely friendship when one asks the other to help him cover up a murder until they can prove who is responsible.
The Ghoul Next Door by Lissi Harrison -- Monster High bk. 2 -- Cleo was the queen bee of the RADs, the normies, and everyone in between at Merston High. But now, new girls Frankie Stein and Melody Carver seem to be taking over.
Wild by Christopher Golden -- Secret Journeys of Jack London bk. 1 -- Seventeen-year-old Jack London makes the arduous journey to the Yukon's gold fields in 1893, becoming increasingly uneasy about supernatural forces in the wilderness that seem to have taken a special interest in him.
Gaia Warriors: Urgent the fight is on by Nicola Davies -- Takes a clear look at how and why Earth's climate is changing and the ways we can deal with it.
Columbine High School Massacre by Katie Marsico -- Provides comprehensive information on the Columbine High School massacre and the examination of violence in schools.
Fiction:
Steel by Carrie Vaughn -- When Jill, a competitive high school fencer, goes with her family on vacation to the Bahamas, she's magically transported to an early-eighteenth-century pirate ship in the middle of the ocean.
A & L Do Summer by Jan Blazanin -- In Iowa farm country, sixteen-year-old Aspen and her friend Laurel plan to get noticed the summer before their senior year and are unwittingly aided by pig triplets, a skunk, a chicken, bullies, a rookie policeman, and potential boyfriends.
Notes from the Blender by Trish Cook -- Two teenagers -- a heavy-metal-music-loving boy who is still mourning the death of his mother years earlier, and a beautiful, popular girl whose parents divorced because her father is gay -- try to negotiate the complications of family and peer relationships as they get to know each other after learning that their father and mother are marrying each other.
The A Circuit by Georgina Bloomberg -- A billionaire heiress, a working student, and the daughter of a famous rock star compete on horseback riding's elite A circuit.
End of the Line by Angela Cerrito -- In the prison-like school that is his last chance, thirteen-year-old Robbie tries to recover from events that brought him there, including his uncle's war injuries and the death of a classmate who may have been his friend.
Angelfire by Courtney Moulton -- A seventeen-year-old girl discovers she has the reincarnated soul of an ancient warrior destined to battle the reapers, monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell.
Purple Daze by Sherry Shahan -- Six high school students in a high school in Los Angeles in 1965 express their experiences and feelings in journal entries, notes, letters, and poems.
Pushin' by L. Divine -- Drama High #12 -- In the midst of chaos in practically every area of her life, Jayd tries to concentrate on the things that are important to her and that could hold the key to bringing the chaos under control for good.
Courtin' Jayd by L. Divine -- Drama High #6 -- While dealing with her friend Mickey's possible pregnancy and her conniving rival Misty, Jayd is torn between her ex Jeremy, who is trying to get on the basketball team, and Rah, who is on the rebound, and must reconnect with her powerful lineage to escape the drama.
Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson -- Seventeen-year-old Ginny Blackstone precipitously travels from her home in New Jersey to London when she receives a message from an unknown man telling her he has the letters that were stolen just before she completed a series of mysterious tasks assigned by her now dead aunt, an artist.
Father of Lies by Ann Warren Turner -- In 1692 when a plague of accusations descends on Salem Village in Massachusetts and "witch fever" erupts, fourteen-year-old Lidda, who has begun to experience visions and hear voices, tries to expose the lies of the witch trials without being hanged as a witch herself. Includes author's notes about the Salem Witch Trials and bipolar disease.
You Killed Wesley Payne by Sean Beaudoin -- When hard-boiled, seventeen-year-old private investigator Dalton Rev transfers to Salt River High to solve the case of a dead student, he has his hands full trying to outwit the police, negotiate the school's social hierarchy, and get paid.
Phantoms in the Snow by Kathleen Duble -- In 1944, fifteen-year-old Noah Garrett, recently orphaned, is sent to live at Camp Hale, Colorado, with an uncle he has never met, and there he finds his pacifist views put to the test.
Shadowspell by Jenna Black -- Faeriewalker #2 -- On top of spending most of her time in a bunkerlike safe house and having her dates hijacked by a formidable Fae bodyguard, Faeriewalker Dana Hathaway is in for some more bad news: the Erlking and his pack of murderous minions known as the Wild Hunt have descended upon Avalon.
I Am J by Cris Beam -- J is certain that he is a boy mistakenly born into a girl's body. When his family fail to understand him, and his best friend deserts him, he runs away, hoping to find a way to become what he believes he should be.
Out for Blood by Alyxandra Harvey -- As a senior at the secretive Helios-Ra Academy, eighteen-year-old vampire hunter Hunter Wild just wants to make it through her last year of school, but in order to do so, she might have to betray her grandfather and date a vampire
Drought by Pam Bachorz -- Ruby's blood holds the secret to the Water that keeps her and her fellow Congregants alive and enriches Darwin West, who has enslaved them for two centuries, but when her romance with an Overseer, Ford, brings her freedom in the modern world, she faces a terrible choice.
Pink by Lili Wilkinson -- Sixteen-year-old Ava does not know who she is or where she belongs, but when she tries out a new personality -- and sexual orientation -- at a different school, her edgy girlfriend, potential boyfriend, and others are hurt by her lack of honesty.
Red Moon Rising by Peter Moore -- In a world where vampires dominate and werewolves are despised, a teenaged half-vampire discovers his recessive werewolf genes are developing with the approaching full moon.
Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey -- In small-town Australia, teens Jasper and Charlie form an unlikely friendship when one asks the other to help him cover up a murder until they can prove who is responsible.
The Ghoul Next Door by Lissi Harrison -- Monster High bk. 2 -- Cleo was the queen bee of the RADs, the normies, and everyone in between at Merston High. But now, new girls Frankie Stein and Melody Carver seem to be taking over.
Wild by Christopher Golden -- Secret Journeys of Jack London bk. 1 -- Seventeen-year-old Jack London makes the arduous journey to the Yukon's gold fields in 1893, becoming increasingly uneasy about supernatural forces in the wilderness that seem to have taken a special interest in him.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Reader Reviews
Our First Summer Book Review!
Title: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: To South America in a small, unnamed country, in the vice-president's home.
Your Review: It's a window to the author's heart that makes reality a Fantasy. Subtle and intriguing, the very writing draws one in. This is, however, not a book for everyone, especially children (young children).
Reviewer: R.D.
Title: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
Rating: 5 stars
Where did this book take you: To South America in a small, unnamed country, in the vice-president's home.
Your Review: It's a window to the author's heart that makes reality a Fantasy. Subtle and intriguing, the very writing draws one in. This is, however, not a book for everyone, especially children (young children).
Reviewer: R.D.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
What I've been reading
I just finished reading the sequel to Libyrinth by Pearl North. It's called The Boy From Ilyses, and it was very, very good. Po, a young man from a female dominated culture, has willingly chosen to remain in the Libyrinth, studying and working alongside the Librarians and Singers who now live there. But the longer he stays, the more he realizes that he doesn't fit in well at all. When he does something that causes many to view him as a traitor, Po is assigned to a group on a mission; but will he be able to redeem himself? Or will his failure cause the whole mission to fail, and thus doom the Libyrinth to starvation?
I found Po to be a very moving person; his troubles were very real to me, as he struggled to understand a foreign culture and fit in with people who behave in ways that seem very wrong to him. And the adventurous plot was very exciting. The story ends on a cliffhanger, too; book three will be out in the fall.
I found Po to be a very moving person; his troubles were very real to me, as he struggled to understand a foreign culture and fit in with people who behave in ways that seem very wrong to him. And the adventurous plot was very exciting. The story ends on a cliffhanger, too; book three will be out in the fall.
Dystopian YA Fiction
Like Hunger Games? The Giver? Matched? Pretties?
Each of these very different novels has one thing in common. It is dystopian in tone, plot or setting (or all three). If you want more books with similar content, I suggest you follow this list. It is maintained at her blog (Redecorating Middle Earth in Early Lovecraft) by Amy Sturgis, a science fiction writer, teacher, etc...
I don't think our library owns all or most of these, but you can check in the Library Catalog.
Each of these very different novels has one thing in common. It is dystopian in tone, plot or setting (or all three). If you want more books with similar content, I suggest you follow this list. It is maintained at her blog (Redecorating Middle Earth in Early Lovecraft) by Amy Sturgis, a science fiction writer, teacher, etc...
I don't think our library owns all or most of these, but you can check in the Library Catalog.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Recent Returns
Kitchen princess , Vol 1: Hungry Heart by Miyuki Kobayashi -- Najika is a great cook, but she's missing something in her life. Determined to find the boy who touched her heart years ago, she follows her only clue to the Seika Academy, a school for talented students. Will she find her mystery boy? 54 checkouts for this VERY popular and fun manga.
Troublemaker, book one by Janet and Alex Evanovich -- Barnaby and hooker are back together and fighting crime the only way they know how - by leaving a trail of chaos, panic and disorder... 3 checkouts for this first graphic novel in an ongoing series.
Max: a Maximum Ride Novel by James Patterson -- Max and the flock have moved from Antarctica to Los Angeles, where they are performing their spectacular airshow. But all is not well, and disturbing events soon have the flock investigating an ecological mystery and trying to find out who is stalking them. 79 checkouts on 4 copies of this volume in the ever-popular series.
Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson - Ashley doesn't care much about her school's prom, but her best friend is the chair of the Prom committee, so when a teacher is fired for stealing the Prom funds, Ash finds herself suddenly helping to plan a prom out of nothing, nada! Can she, Natalia, and her helpful but crazy family save the day? 52 checkouts for 3 copies!
Matched by Ally Condie - in this dystopian science fiction tale, Cassia learns who her perfect mate is; her best friend. But then, in a stunning moment, a second face appears on her screen - Ky, the odd boy, who has always confused her. What does it mean? Is her perfect society not as error-free as she always believed? Find out, as she explores the boundaries of her world. 28 circs for this NEW title.
Troublemaker, book one by Janet and Alex Evanovich -- Barnaby and hooker are back together and fighting crime the only way they know how - by leaving a trail of chaos, panic and disorder... 3 checkouts for this first graphic novel in an ongoing series.
Max: a Maximum Ride Novel by James Patterson -- Max and the flock have moved from Antarctica to Los Angeles, where they are performing their spectacular airshow. But all is not well, and disturbing events soon have the flock investigating an ecological mystery and trying to find out who is stalking them. 79 checkouts on 4 copies of this volume in the ever-popular series.
Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson - Ashley doesn't care much about her school's prom, but her best friend is the chair of the Prom committee, so when a teacher is fired for stealing the Prom funds, Ash finds herself suddenly helping to plan a prom out of nothing, nada! Can she, Natalia, and her helpful but crazy family save the day? 52 checkouts for 3 copies!
Matched by Ally Condie - in this dystopian science fiction tale, Cassia learns who her perfect mate is; her best friend. But then, in a stunning moment, a second face appears on her screen - Ky, the odd boy, who has always confused her. What does it mean? Is her perfect society not as error-free as she always believed? Find out, as she explores the boundaries of her world. 28 circs for this NEW title.
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