Summary: Queenie has been captured by the Gestapo while working for the SOE. Her best friend, who flew her into France, is dead. She's giving up her s...moreSummary: Queenie has been captured by the Gestapo while working for the SOE. Her best friend, who flew her into France, is dead. She's giving up her secrets because she's just not that strong.
Why I Read This: It was getting good reviews and seemed intriguing.
Review: I thought that it was an entertaining, enjoyable book. I recently wrote a biography of a female Resistance fight working for the SOE, so I recognized the historical accuracy and research that went into the book. (less)
Summary: When a plane with 50 beauty queens on it crashes on a deserted island, the girls must band together, and find a way to work together to stay...moreSummary: When a plane with 50 beauty queens on it crashes on a deserted island, the girls must band together, and find a way to work together to stay alive. But, there's more going on on this island than meets the eye.
Why I Read This: This is the April book for 10 Pages a Day (The Book Club): A Work in Progress.
Review: It was fine. The story was interesting, a new twist on an old tale. My biggest problem was that it espoused a whole set of values that I don't agree with. I know that in the library world it is incredibly taboo to be conservative, but it doesn't change the truth. I believe that your genetics determine your gender. I believe that sex should be saved for committed long-term relationships. These are things that I know with every fiber in my being. I won't judge you because you think differently from me, but I will disagree with you. And while I don't normally hate books because I disagree with them, I do hate them when they make underhanded jabs at what I believe in, which this book does over-and-over. An overarching theme of the books is, "throw away the rules and do what you want," which, as I said in my review of "The Giver" is an overly simplistic view of life. Trust me, teens don't need any encouragement to throw away the rules, but it would be useful to show that life is more complicated then finding yourself by ignoring the experience and wisdom of those who have been where you're at.(less)
Summary: Hazel has cancer -- that's the long and short of it. She lives her life as a cancer kids, in a perpetual state of in-between. But one day, at...moreSummary: Hazel has cancer -- that's the long and short of it. She lives her life as a cancer kids, in a perpetual state of in-between. But one day, at her support group, she meets Augustus Waters, and her life begins to change.
Why I Read This: DFTBA
Review: "My thoughts are stars I can't fathom into constellations."(less)
Summary: Hugo is alone in the world. An orphan who lives in a train station in Paris, repairing the clocks and stealing for his meals, Hugo spends his...moreSummary: Hugo is alone in the world. An orphan who lives in a train station in Paris, repairing the clocks and stealing for his meals, Hugo spends his time trying to complete his life's worth. This is until he meets Papa Georges who turns his plans upside down.
Why I Read This Book: Three reasons (1) A friend and I saw Brian Selznick at the National Book Festival. He was great. (2) We decided to do a collective reading experience - we would read a book, take notes in it, and then pass it to the next person, and so forth until us and a few friends had read the book together. (3) I have a book club reading this book this month.
Review: I think that I may have ruined the collective reading experience by not really liking the book. I thought that the story had potential, but never reached it. And I thought that the idea was good, but not particularly well executed. I do think, that through his drawings, Selznick created an interesting world, but I wasn't interested in being a part of it. Not my cup of tea.(less)
Summary: Sara wins a coveted scholarship to a moderately impressive dance school in NJ. She must leave behind her friends and family her junior year o...moreSummary: Sara wins a coveted scholarship to a moderately impressive dance school in NJ. She must leave behind her friends and family her junior year of high school to follow her dream.
Why I Read This Book: I'm not sure. I think that I was having dinner one night before a presentation and wanted to read something, so I browsed through the available YA eBooks and choose this one because I love ballerinas (and gymnasts and ice skaters).
Review: It was a fairly mediocre book. It was interesting because it was written in free erse, rather than prose. It's the first book that I've read in a long time that was in free verse. The verse was actually not too bad, but I had two problems with it: (1) The first line was the title of the chapter, which is fine, but the editor didn't repeat the first line at the beginning of the verse. If you've ever studied principals of design, this is a no-no because your mind links similarly formatting things together, so often I would miss the beginnning of each poem. (2) Sara writes poetry (and prose) as an outlet throughout the book, and her poetry was better than the author's. I don't know if the author just worked extra hard on those chapters or what, but I found such a disconnect between the stasus quo of verse and Sara's verse. It was a little disconcerting considering the 1st person narration. Still, the novel was interesting enough to keep and hold my attention.(less)
Summary: Percy Jackson is back, and no matter how much you know about his story, he doesn't know any of it. He's being chased by monsters that won't s...moreSummary: Percy Jackson is back, and no matter how much you know about his story, he doesn't know any of it. He's being chased by monsters that won't seem to die, then he has to save an old woman while he fights, until he tumbles his way into a camp for half-bloods, a camp for Roman half-bloods. With a new cast of crazy characters and the same gods with new names and personalities, the plot is beginning to thicken for Percy.
Why I read this book: I don't know. I keep reading these Percy Jackson books even though (a) they're all the same, (b) I can't remember the salient details of the previous books so I'm often confused, and (c) I don't really like them.
Review: Meh. It's like all the others. But I was so unexcited that it took me 3 months to finish it. Its a good adventure story, good for tweens. It's nothing more.(less)
Summary: Jonas is an ordinary boy in an ordinary world - a world where everything is ordinary. While there is not sickness and no pain, there is somet...moreSummary: Jonas is an ordinary boy in an ordinary world - a world where everything is ordinary. While there is not sickness and no pain, there is something else lacking as well. Never having considered it, Jonas is chosen one day to take a special role in the community where he must face what they are missing.
Why I Read This Book: This month our bookclub is reading Banned Books, and I was on the fence about which one to read. Then I asked the recommendation of another librarian and she said that it should certainly be this one.
Review: I am glad that I read this book. Having never read it as a child, I have always felt a little bit left out, but I have also never felt so compelled as to read it. Still, I found the book to be falsely appealing. Sure, the part of me that is true-blue American says that choice is good and regulations are bad, but that's only the American part of me. The rational part of me knows that "freedom from" is not true freedom. "Freedom for" is much more freedom. Lowry is not advocating for a completely free world with no rules, but the one-sided view of rules and discipline was disheartening. Just as rules can be bad, rules ordered towards the good will make humans more free, not less free.
Imagine children playing on the top of a mountain - without a fence they have to stay in the very middle of the mountain and can't play far, lest the ball fall over the edge. But, if the children have a fence around the top of the mountain, then they need not worry about losing the ball and can play more heartily. Boundaries that are ordered towards the good give them the opportunity to shine.
I found Lowry's book overly simplistic (though it is for children...), but still enjoyable and interesting.(less)
**spoiler alert** Summary: Anya falls down a well one day. While in the well she meets the ghost of Emily. Anya is rescued from the well and accidenta...more**spoiler alert** Summary: Anya falls down a well one day. While in the well she meets the ghost of Emily. Anya is rescued from the well and accidentally takes a piece of Emily with her, giving Emily the opportunity to be free of the well. When Anya returns to the world, will Emily help her improve her social standing and grades? Or will Emily be a burden to Anya?
Why I Read This Book: It had a quote from Neil Gaiman on the cover - "A Masterpiece". And I do love Neil Gaiman.
Review: It was a fine book. I liked the artistry, and the cover is awesome. The story was a little bit mundane, but perfect for pre-teen set, as long as that pre-teen *spoiler* doesn't mind serial killers and arsonists *spoiler*. It has a great message about self-respect, family, and standing up for yourself.(less)
Summary: Briony is a witch. She ruined her sister's life. She killed her stepmother. She is a wicked, wicked witch. But when her sister is dying of th...moreSummary: Briony is a witch. She ruined her sister's life. She killed her stepmother. She is a wicked, wicked witch. But when her sister is dying of the swamp cough, she'll use her ability to communicate with the Old Ones to find a cure, risking her own life to the noose.
Why I Read This Book: "Chime" was recommended to me by a friend. She thought that I'd like the writing style.
Review: I really didn't. I found the writing incredibly awkward, like the writer wanted to write well, in an interesting way, but didn't really know how. So she just wrote awkwardly. The only portion of the book that had any ring of truth or flow to it is when the main character gets drunk with her crush. The story was a good story. I could see how a lot of Young Adults would like it. But, the writing was so awkward that it distracted from the book itself.(less)
**spoiler alert** Summary: Miles is your run-of-the-mill loner. So, in attempted to seek “The Great Perhaps”, he enrolls at boarding school, where he...more**spoiler alert** Summary: Miles is your run-of-the-mill loner. So, in attempted to seek “The Great Perhaps”, he enrolls at boarding school, where he meets a mish-mashed cast of characters that will change his life forever.
Why I Read This Book: I love the vlog brothers. I have read one of John Green’s other books, An Abundance of Katherines, but I wanted to read his break out book, this one.
———————SPOILERS*****SPOILERS———————
Review: If you haven’t read the book, don’t keep reading. Seriously. Because I’m giving it away. Now. I didn’t know what happened in the middle of the book when I began reading. Miles (Pudge) spends the whole book counting down to a point, and as you approach it, you assume that its one of two things, either he gets expelled or he gets laid. It turns out that neither of those is the case. He counts down to the death of Alaska Young, who dies after Miles and his roommate help her sneak out to drive somewhere while she is both drunk and upset. After that he counts up and away from it.
If I had known what the book was about, I wouldn’t have read it.
I’ve been in their position, and truthfully, 8 years later, I still haven’t grappled with it the same way that Miles does in the book. I get it, John Green wanted to give his coming of age story a finality. But in a similar situation, I have found no finality. There is acceptance, and moving past, but I will never be the same person again and in the same way, I imagine Green would agree, Miles will never be the same. As you move past, you may think that you’ve found answers, but acceptance can be a lifelong journey, and a painful one at that.
But the truth is, that just as much as books are meant to bring us out of ourselves into new words and to bring us to see new perspectives, sometimes they’re meant to make us understand more about ourselves. I’ve read a lot of articles recently about how comforting it is for teens to have books that they can relate to, even if they’re violent or upsetting, because sometimes teens’ lives are violent and upsetting. But what people rarely say is that sometimes its necessary to have books that force you to examine yourself in a way that makes you uncomfortable. And that’s what this book was for me.(less)
Summary: Derik doesn't want to follow in his parent's footsteps, he wants to be a director. So, he borrows some equipment from his uncle, gets togethe...moreSummary: Derik doesn't want to follow in his parent's footsteps, he wants to be a director. So, he borrows some equipment from his uncle, gets together a mis-matched cast, and tries to film a reality show for a contest on a tv station. He brings them to the nearby asylum, about to be torn down, and makes them spend the night. But they get more than they bargained for.
Review: It was a fine book. It was a little bit cliche, but it scared me a little bit too, so well done!(less)
Summary: Sadie and Carter go on another Egyptian adventure to save the world!
Review: I don't know why I keep reading these books, but I do. They're al...moreSummary: Sadie and Carter go on another Egyptian adventure to save the world!
Review: I don't know why I keep reading these books, but I do. They're all exactly the same, but I still read them. It's disgraceful. Still, I love them; I have that in common with small children.(less)
Summary: Dorothy lands in the land of Oz and must help the tin man, the scarecrow, the lion, and the people of Oz before she can go home.
Review: The a...moreSummary: Dorothy lands in the land of Oz and must help the tin man, the scarecrow, the lion, and the people of Oz before she can go home.
Review: The artwork was certainly different from what I would have expected, but delightful. I also enjoyed the story being told, I presume, from the writings of Baum, though I have never read his books. Perhaps I will now.(less)
Summary: In a world where choice is eliminated, Cassia is happy to get her match. So, what happens when she finds out that her match might be someone...moreSummary: In a world where choice is eliminated, Cassia is happy to get her match. So, what happens when she finds out that her match might be someone else?
Review: The Hunger Games' lesser cousin. Same plot, not as exciting.(less)
Summary: In a world filled with wych-kin, Thaniel is working as one of the best wych-kin hunters in town. Until one day, in pursuit of a cradlejack, h...moreSummary: In a world filled with wych-kin, Thaniel is working as one of the best wych-kin hunters in town. Until one day, in pursuit of a cradlejack, he stumbles upon Alaizabel. A young girl, disheveled, with amnesia, he must find out who she is, and why someone is hunting her.
Review: It did have an asylum, and I do love books about asylums, but that was pretty much all that I really loved. The ending was going well until it just suddenly stopped, and I was very confused. Overall, it was find to read once, but I probably won't ever read it again.(less)
Summary: "Three are dead. I am number four". "John Smith" is an alien from the planet Lorien. He spends his time with his "cepan" (or guardian), tryin...moreSummary: "Three are dead. I am number four". "John Smith" is an alien from the planet Lorien. He spends his time with his "cepan" (or guardian), trying to hide from evil aliens. He finally decides that he wants to settle down somewhere and have a real life. Unfortunately, his powers begin to appear and his secret is in danger of being out-ed.
Review: Meh. All around meh. It was your typical teen-angsty super-hero book, with a little bit too much teen angst. The only characters who I liked were the girlfriend, Sarah, and the cepan, Henri (who wouldn't love someone named Henri?) By the end of the book, I was just skimming scenes to find out what happened. Meh. All around meh.(less)
Summary: Alison, Aria, Hannah, Spencer, and Emily are all best friends in the 7th grade. But, after Alison goes missing during a sleepover, their frie...moreSummary: Alison, Aria, Hannah, Spencer, and Emily are all best friends in the 7th grade. But, after Alison goes missing during a sleepover, their friendship falls apart. Three years later the girls are united during a series of suspicious events related to Alison's disappearance and the secrets that she knows about them.
Review: I'm supposed to hate this book, but it intrigued me. It is full of horrible things like teenage sex, drinking, drugs, and parties, but they're all treated as life changing events, which makes it a little bit more ok, but not really ok. Still, their secrets drive the book forward and you kind of have to know what's happening. (less)
Summary: We follow a new cast of heroes: Jason, Leo, and Piper, half-bloods who meet shortly before the learn about Camp Half-Blood. Entrusted with a...moreSummary: We follow a new cast of heroes: Jason, Leo, and Piper, half-bloods who meet shortly before the learn about Camp Half-Blood. Entrusted with a quest for which, it seems, they are destined they must fight their way across the country, discovering their powers, their roles, and for Jason, their past.
Review: It was good. I think that I liked it as much as I liked the first Percy Jackson book. It was only when the next three were the same that I got disappointed. Definitely worth a read.(less)
Summary: Peter, Edmond, Susan, and Lucy find themselves at a strange new house in the country due to the bombing of London. While inside, though, they...moreSummary: Peter, Edmond, Susan, and Lucy find themselves at a strange new house in the country due to the bombing of London. While inside, though, they find a much more interesting world in the back of a wardrobe.
Review: I love it. I already knew the story, but had never read the book. Now I have, and I'm glad that I did!(less)
Summary: Move in with a weird uncle, and get a weird story. Find out the origins of Narnia.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I had seen the two Narn...moreSummary: Move in with a weird uncle, and get a weird story. Find out the origins of Narnia.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I had seen the two Narnia movies, so I had some idea of Narnia. Because of this I decided to read the books starting with this one (controversial, I know). Plus, it was even better because I "read" this on audio and it was read by Keneth Branaugh.(less)
Summary: Sadie and Carter Kane are bro and sis, but they don't really know each other. They were separated after their mother's death a few years ago:...moreSummary: Sadie and Carter Kane are bro and sis, but they don't really know each other. They were separated after their mother's death a few years ago: Sadie to live with her grandparents and Carter to live with his father. They both wish for each others lives. That is, until one fateful night they begin to experience weirder things that are really possible, only to be brought on a great adventure to save their father and the world.
Review: Dear Rick Riordan, I read your last series. Will it be exactly like this one? Sadly, I keep reading, so its my own fault. I am learning about Egyptian gods because of you, so good job on that! <3 - kabergeron(less)
Summary: Peter is happy living in the newly christened Neverland when Slank reappears on the island searching for the trunk...with a new enemy: Lord O...moreSummary: Peter is happy living in the newly christened Neverland when Slank reappears on the island searching for the trunk...with a new enemy: Lord Ombra. He has an odd way of controlling those that work against him, by using their shadows. Peter must find a way back to London to warn Molly and her family and to save the stardust from the Others.
Review: This was good, but not great. I remember not loving it the first time, and I didn't love it the second time either. But the cover of the fourth book looks so interesting. So, I need to finish the middle two. Not as good as the first, but still good. Kids might like it.(less)
Review: Peter is an orphan, bound to become a slave to the King of Rundoon. But, when he and his friends are set upon the ship, the "Never Land", stra...moreReview: Peter is an orphan, bound to become a slave to the King of Rundoon. But, when he and his friends are set upon the ship, the "Never Land", strange things start to happen, all centered around a treasure worth more than gold.
Summary: This book is, essentially, the explanation behind Peter Pan. It's a cute and engaging pirate story that will keep you riveted. I've read it before, and I thought it worth reading a second time.(less)
**spoiler alert** Summary: Matt Alacran is a clone. And not just any clone. Matt is the clone of a fierce dictator and drug lord who has taken over th...more**spoiler alert** Summary: Matt Alacran is a clone. And not just any clone. Matt is the clone of a fierce dictator and drug lord who has taken over the border between Mexico and the US. People in his country treat him with expect only because El Patron, the dictator, requires. Otherwise they insult him, avoid him, and, at one point treat him like swine (literally). But when Matt finds out that he's only being raised to later be harvested for organs by El Patron, he begins a journey to start a new life in Mexico.
Review: Maybe I'm just less impressed by YA books now, but I really kind of hoped that El Patron would harvest Matt and the book would beaver.Unfortunately, Matt learns that he will be harvested only two-thirds of the way through the book, so no luck. The author spend too much time beating a dead horse, "Everyone thinks Matt isn't human, but Matt is human. You shouldn't treat people poorly." Then she spends, literally six pages on Matt's re-entrance into Opium and it's fall after El Patron's death. Awkward, Not cool.(less)
Summary: Ed has led a mediocre life. A taxi driver who lives alone with his dog, he didn't have big ambitions. That is, until one day he stops a bank...moreSummary: Ed has led a mediocre life. A taxi driver who lives alone with his dog, he didn't have big ambitions. That is, until one day he stops a bank robbery by a really stupid robber. Soon afterward, Ed starts to receive Aces in the mail, playing cards with address and codes. People Ed is supposed to help. In his quest to help others, Ed ends up helping himself.
Review: This was a really wonderful book. It's engaging and interesting enough for a boy and heartfelt enough for a girl. The twist at the end was stereotypically Markus Zusak, but that didn't make me like it any less. Engaging, fun, (though full of profanity), I really enjoyed it.(less)
Summary: Nina writes about vampires. They're sparkly and strong and devilishly brazen...in her books. Unfortunately she is a vampire, and she is nause...moreSummary: Nina writes about vampires. They're sparkly and strong and devilishly brazen...in her books. Unfortunately she is a vampire, and she is nauseous, weak, and very pale (like all real vampires). But, when one of her reformed vampire buddies (they eat guinea pigs) is killed, she finds her inner-vampire and works hard for justice for her friend.
Summary: Abortion may be illegal, but unwinding is not in the future. When kids get to the ages 13-18, parent's can have them "unwound" - dismembered...moreSummary: Abortion may be illegal, but unwinding is not in the future. When kids get to the ages 13-18, parent's can have them "unwound" - dismembered and repurposed for parts. The child's still "alive", just in a different way, they say. Follow the journey of three potention "unwinds" as they try to avoid the law that will lead to their deaths.
Review: This was, possibly, the creepiest book I've read in my entire life. I kind of loved it. It's disturbing in all the best ways -- and left me emotionally exhausted at the end.(less)
Summary: Arnold is a "hydro-brain", slightly damaged, and already the spurned of his "rez" (or native american reservation). When inspired by suspensi...moreSummary: Arnold is a "hydro-brain", slightly damaged, and already the spurned of his "rez" (or native american reservation). When inspired by suspension and an honest teacher in high school, he decides to transfer to the public high school 22 miles away in the nearest all-white town. While dealing with family difficulties, a betrayed best friend, and adjusting to his new, slightly-racist, high school, Arnold learns about himself.
Review: This was a cute book. Not my favorite, not my least favorite. I disliked the more vulgar aspects and the proliferation of violence, but I thought that the message was well-received and not as sugar-coated as it often in it books.(less)
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