This is the sometimes-shocking story of Devon, a soccer star perfectionist who becomes pregnant, completely denies it, and ultimately leaves her baby ...moreThis is the sometimes-shocking story of Devon, a soccer star perfectionist who becomes pregnant, completely denies it, and ultimately leaves her baby in a dumpster to die. While the facts and details are graphically presented to the reader, they are in contrast to Devon's total numbness and inability to realize what she has done. This contrast actually works well to demonstrate Devon's state of mind. Most of the story takes place in the juvenile detention center with flash backs to the events leading up to Devon's crime. (less)
Maybe my hopes were too high because so many people love this book and compare it to "Hunger Games", but it just didn't do it for me. The p...moreMaybe my hopes were too high because so many people love this book and compare it to "Hunger Games", but it just didn't do it for me. The pacing seemed way off-- for the first third of the book I was just waiting for something to happen and then everything happened at the end, but not in a satisfying way. I also didn't feel that the world building or character building were adequate. The one strength was the scenes between Tris and Four-- steamy! I think this book could have used some serious editing-- I wonder if the story was stretched out to make room for sequels and the result diluted what could have been a better story.(less)
I was hooked by the multiple perspectives in this book-- it is written by adults looking back on the loss of both of their parents during their childh...moreI was hooked by the multiple perspectives in this book-- it is written by adults looking back on the loss of both of their parents during their childhoods. It is interesting because all of the kids were different ages at the time, so you see the events from the perspective of different siblings in different stages of child/teenagehood.(less)
This book puts the voices of African Americans experiencing slavery, the civil war, and reconstruction in the forefront. Each time a new topic is emb...moreThis book puts the voices of African Americans experiencing slavery, the civil war, and reconstruction in the forefront. Each time a new topic is embarked upon, a quote from an African American at the time who was affected by that historical event is used. I thought this was a much more humanizing and interesting way to present the material that what is usually done. That, in addition to the striking photos from the era, made this book more interesting than the other historical non-fiction I read on the ballot. There’s a good time line and index as well.(less)
It gives a clear description of the impetus for World War I, which makes it easier to understand why the soldiers made their own truce on Christmas da...moreIt gives a clear description of the impetus for World War I, which makes it easier to understand why the soldiers made their own truce on Christmas day-- many of them expected the war to be over quickly and didn’t feel a passionate disdain for their enemies. The photographs are interesting and the time line and index are good. It’s a solid non-fiction book. (less)
I could not put this book down. It is the autobiography of a woman who survived the Holocaust with her family and 15 others by hiding in a bunker, wi...moreI could not put this book down. It is the autobiography of a woman who survived the Holocaust with her family and 15 others by hiding in a bunker, with the protection of a gentile family, for more than 18 months. It is, of course, full of tragedy, but also demonstrates the power of the human spirit and will to survive. The writing is beautiful and I think teens could really connect to the story because she wrote it based on diaries she kept during their time in the bunker as a teen. I cannot adequately describe how powerful this book is. Her diaries are now in the National Holocaust Museum. Also, an added bonus is that Clara lives in New Jersey.(less)
This book has a lot of great pictures and is formatted to be very browsable. There are different colored breakout boxes for different information abo...moreThis book has a lot of great pictures and is formatted to be very browsable. There are different colored breakout boxes for different information about the artists. It’s bright and fun, and there may be some interest in it following the popularity of the street art documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop”
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Tamsin is the only one in her family without powers. One day a man walks into their bookshop and asks Tamsin to help him find a lost object, and soon...moreTamsin is the only one in her family without powers. One day a man walks into their bookshop and asks Tamsin to help him find a lost object, and soon Tamsin is on an adventure that leads her to find out more about her true nature and her family's dark magical history. It was a quick, entertaining read.(less)
An interesting memoir from a foodie celebrity. My favorite part of this book was her description of her vacations in Italy with her husband's family....moreAn interesting memoir from a foodie celebrity. My favorite part of this book was her description of her vacations in Italy with her husband's family. (less)
A really interesting biography of a woman and her cells that brings up issues of medical ethics and the exploitation of African-Americans in medical e...moreA really interesting biography of a woman and her cells that brings up issues of medical ethics and the exploitation of African-Americans in medical experiments before patient consent was mandated by law. The narrative goes back and forth between Skloot's research efforts and experience with Henrietta's descendants and a history of Henrietta and the scientific research her cells made possible. Great non-fiction!(less)
Bobby's mom moves him out of Dublin and his crazy car-thieving-filled life into the Irish countryside, and he encounters good people who teach him far...moreBobby's mom moves him out of Dublin and his crazy car-thieving-filled life into the Irish countryside, and he encounters good people who teach him farming skills and change his perspective on life. And there are faeries. Bobby was a great, realistic character. I was totally drawn into his first-person narration. I loved this book as a gritty coming of age story, but the mystery/suspense aspects of the book seemed like tangents to me. If the mysterious faerie plot line had been left out and the end hadn't wrapped up just a tad too neatly, this book could have gotten four stars for sure. (less)
Overall, a good read. The lives of the characters are entwined deftly and the emotion rings true. I did not enjoy the alternating perspective chapte...moreOverall, a good read. The lives of the characters are entwined deftly and the emotion rings true. I did not enjoy the alternating perspective chapters because I really wanted to stay in Carlos's head, not in Isabel's and there was just a little too much drama packed in-- unintended pregnancies and resulting fights about whether to end them, deaths of friends and boyfriends, neglectful parents-- it's a lot to fit into one book. I did like Carlos's character, and also thought that the setting was nicely evoked.(less)
Non-conformist L.A. girl, Poe, is thrown in to a small, conformist, town and forced to live with a father she's just met. She fights the system and d...moreNon-conformist L.A. girl, Poe, is thrown in to a small, conformist, town and forced to live with a father she's just met. She fights the system and defends against bullies. I enjoyed this one-- Poe is well-developed and likable and her relationship with her father and her rebellious nature were well drawn. The end did seem a bit too easily wrapped up, though.(less)
McDaniels is known for her "issues" books, and this one packs on the issues heavily. For me, there were too many characters taking on too m...moreMcDaniels is known for her "issues" books, and this one packs on the issues heavily. For me, there were too many characters taking on too many problems, and the shifting point of view (alternating chapters for each character) was distracting and did not allow for adequate character development. (less)
Angels and Vampires all in one book! The perspectives alternate between vampire girl and her "slipped" guardian angel. The world is render...moreAngels and Vampires all in one book! The perspectives alternate between vampire girl and her "slipped" guardian angel. The world is rendered vividly and the story is a lot of fun to read.(less)
I didn't finish it-- the plot seemed too obvious and I didn't like the amount of time spent flashing back to the development of the rocket. Also, the...moreI didn't finish it-- the plot seemed too obvious and I didn't like the amount of time spent flashing back to the development of the rocket. Also, there were a lot of characters to keep track of. It just wasn't my thing.(less)
A commentary on technology and disconnection housed within a quirky sci-fi shell. I can't wait to ask John some questions about what really happened ...moreA commentary on technology and disconnection housed within a quirky sci-fi shell. I can't wait to ask John some questions about what really happened to robot rebel Rose when he visits my library! (less)
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