Lou is a socially awkward teenager with a high IQ and she’s younger than everyone in her class because she skipped a few grades. When she picks the to...moreLou is a socially awkward teenager with a high IQ and she’s younger than everyone in her class because she skipped a few grades. When she picks the topic of homelessness for a school project, she befriends a homeless girl named No, short for Nolwenn. On the surface the two girls have nothing in common, but they develop strong ties. Lou even asks her parents if No can live with them, and they say yes. The tragedies of the past are revealed. No tries to lead a normal life by holding a job and saving money, but the lifestyle and habits she tried to leave behind linger. At times the characters seem so alone and sad, but their alliance shines bright. The author is sensitive in dealing with No’s homelessness and the emotional landscapes of the characters are well-written. (less)
Will is a teenager helping to rebuild a school on a mission for his church. He’s with other Americans in Costa Verde when the country breaks into a re...moreWill is a teenager helping to rebuild a school on a mission for his church. He’s with other Americans in Costa Verde when the country breaks into a revolution. The first heart-breaking thing to go wrong is when Pastor Ron, the supervisor of the group, is shot dead. Rebel leader Mendoza is after all of them while Palmer, an ex-marine who’s also a pilot, protects them during their escape efforts. With every turn they make something goes wrong, the rebels are everywhere, and with each ray of hope there are more dangers in their path.
I enjoyed getting to know Will, Jim, Nicki, Meredith, and Palmer. They all had different personalities and backgrounds, so it was interesting seeing them react to the perilous situations they found themselves in. Will was young, but the fire hidden in him burst out while he had to defend himself and his group. Jim was idealistic. Nicki was a whiner and at times she was irritating, but she was able to acknowledge her whiny nature. Meredith was fearless. Palmer was a strong, quick-witted hero who seemed cold at first, but he deeply cared for others.
The non-stop action was insane. I furiously clicked through the pages, eager to see what would happen next. I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this book. (less)
Vivienne, aka V, doesn’t believe in meaningful relationships. Her mother bounced from guy to guy, leading V from city to city, and she eventually ditc...moreVivienne, aka V, doesn’t believe in meaningful relationships. Her mother bounced from guy to guy, leading V from city to city, and she eventually ditched V with her grandparents. V’s mother isn’t there for her daughter, always cancelling plans to meet with her.
As a result, V doesn’t allow herself to believe that there’s something serious between her and Sam Almond, a long-term boyfriend whom she doesn’t want to admit is long-term. V does something foolish and drives Sam away. When she goes on a road trip by herself across the country to visit her mother, V realizes that her loving and leaving guys and ruining things with Sam isn’t who she is.
This is a wonderful road trip novel about a girl opening herself up to possibilities and rejecting the hurt of the past. At first V isn’t likable, but once the mother drama and V’s dismissal of it becomes more apparent, I couldn’t help but root for her. Mackler is the go-to writer for great, contemporary YA novels with female leads.
Kate is at a private school ruled by secret societies, The Brotherhood and The Sisterhood. She’s mourning the death of her best friend Grace when anot...moreKate is at a private school ruled by secret societies, The Brotherhood and The Sisterhood. She’s mourning the death of her best friend Grace when another girl, Bethany, goes missing. She wants to get to the bottom of her disappearance, lest another person dies in the hands of the sinister workings behind Pemberly Brown Academy.
This is a great mystery, Kate is a strong, believable heroine, and the dark atmosphere of the school and its societies is a wonderful backdrop. I was a little lost at first since I didn’t read book 1, but once I got past the first few chapters I felt caught up and involved in this suspenseful story. I received the galley from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. (less)
When teenage boys think of female foreign exchange students they go deep in fantasy land with images of beautiful girls with foreign accents. Perry’s...moreWhen teenage boys think of female foreign exchange students they go deep in fantasy land with images of beautiful girls with foreign accents. Perry’s family is hosting an exchange student from Lithuania and Gobija doesn’t fit the fantasy at all. She wears shapeless outfits and is socially awkward. Perry’s parents make him take her to the prom, when instead he wants to spend a night in the city playing with his band. So, he isn’t thrilled in the least bit. What he doesn’t know is that Gobi isn’t an exchange student, she isn’t a teenager, and she’s been hiding a killer bod—literally, she’s a killer. On the night of the prom she’s out to kill five people and she drags Perry along since he has his father’s car. Perry is in for the night of his life as he learns more about Gobi and why she's after these people. There are violent scenes, but this book is pure fun with non-stop action. I just added the sequel, PERRY’S KILLER PLAYLIST, to my wish list. I want more Perry and Gobi.(less)
Maggie has been feeling marginalized. Her mother is pregnant and her father has been showering attention on Felipe, a boy from Mexico who helps around...moreMaggie has been feeling marginalized. Her mother is pregnant and her father has been showering attention on Felipe, a boy from Mexico who helps around the house. When Maggie’s father takes her mother to the doctor, she has to work with Felipe to save others during the devastating hurricane that hit Galveston, Texas in 1900. The storm is worse than they predicted. The waters rise and rise, destroying homes and lives around them. This is a heart-pounding, historical, MG novel. The storm, the horrendous flooding, and Maggie and Felipe’s attempts to save a nun and several children had me on the edge of my seat.(less)
John and Abigail are brilliant twins with a brilliant father who’s an inventor. All three find themselves in quite a predicament when Dean D. Dean, on...moreJohn and Abigail are brilliant twins with a brilliant father who’s an inventor. All three find themselves in quite a predicament when Dean D. Dean, one of the father’s former students, claims an idea was stolen from him. Dean D. Dean is relentless and acquires an accomplice, his twin brother Dan D. Dean, to kidnap John and Abigail. Dean has plans to secure the rights to the father’s latest invention, the one-man personal helicopter, but he’s abducted the wrong duo. This is a cute, entertaining MG novel. Along with the story, I enjoyed the formatting with its chapter headings, illustrations, and witty and funny quizzes. (less)
Ready, set, write. Jeff Goins’ YOU ARE A WRITER contains advice and plenty of inspiration that will make you excited about writing, marketing, and net...moreReady, set, write. Jeff Goins’ YOU ARE A WRITER contains advice and plenty of inspiration that will make you excited about writing, marketing, and networking. This is a great resource book that I’ll definitely return to. (less)
Molly has the itch to steal. In her possession are small things that she’s picked up over the years. No one suspects her kleptomaniac streak, or if th...moreMolly has the itch to steal. In her possession are small things that she’s picked up over the years. No one suspects her kleptomaniac streak, or if they do they’re not saying anything. Things still seem to be going good, although she’s conflicted with friends and possible boyfriends. While she’s out with one of her crushes, she gets into an accident and passes away.
She’s a spirit waiting to pass to the other side, which will happen after her funeral. With the help of two spirits, one malicious and one beneficial, she tries to make amends and make sense of went wrong when she was alive. Time is running out the closer it gets to the funeral, and one of the spirits is misguiding her in the worst way.
This was an interesting book in that the first half was contemporary, occurring while Molly was alive, and midway it turned paranormal/fantasy. Molly’s an intriguing character, likable despite her kleptomania. This is a great read with both light and serious moments. I received the galley from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. (less)
I enjoyed DISTRACTION not too long ago, so it was great reading about Justine, Dionne, and Kyra again. The author is skilled in making characters’ emo...moreI enjoyed DISTRACTION not too long ago, so it was great reading about Justine, Dionne, and Kyra again. The author is skilled in making characters’ emotions and thoughts come to life. This is a prequel, and if there's a sequel in the works I'll definitely read it. (less)
Odilia and her sisters find a dead body in the river by their home. After going through the corpse's pockets and finding his address, they decide to t...moreOdilia and her sisters find a dead body in the river by their home. After going through the corpse's pockets and finding his address, they decide to travel from Texas to Mexico to deliver the body to his family believing it’s the right thing to do. That’s when they’re in for an adventure.
Taking their father’s car, without their mother’s permission, they embark on the trip. Before and after depositing the body, they meet witches, demons, chupacabras…all sorts of dangers. The odyssey these five sisters go through is amazing and entertaining. I felt exhausted, in a good way, when I finished this story, as if I had been traveling alongside the girls.
The imagery in this novel is lovely—butterflies and magical realism abound. The author heavily uses Mexican and Aztec folkore, which is quite interesting. While I was reading this I felt I was holding something special in my hands, and I can’t think of any YA book similar to this one. I received the galley from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. (less)
The monster in iFrankenstein was not what I expected. I was thinking it would be a flesh and blood creature or a robot, but this monster is 100% virtu...moreThe monster in iFrankenstein was not what I expected. I was thinking it would be a flesh and blood creature or a robot, but this monster is 100% virtual, a chatbot created by Victor Frankenstein. The monster is all-knowing, powerful, and demanding as he gets into people’s business, threatens them, and attempts to control them. The story is told in texts, tweets, websites, and emails. It’s suspenseful and I couldn’t put it down, reading it in one sitting, which wasn't hard to do because of the length. I liked it better than Black’s first monster re-telling, iDrakula. I hope she comes out with more iMonster books.(less)
I’ve learned a lot over the years reading Becca and Angela’s blog, and I’m so glad everything “emotional” of theirs is in book form. This is a fantast...moreI’ve learned a lot over the years reading Becca and Angela’s blog, and I’m so glad everything “emotional” of theirs is in book form. This is a fantastic writing resource. I read it recently and I’m sure I’ll be flipping through it again and again. (less)
Roz has a condition called macular degeneration. There are spots in her vision and she has to mainly use her peripheral vision, as well as her memory,...moreRoz has a condition called macular degeneration. There are spots in her vision and she has to mainly use her peripheral vision, as well as her memory, to see her surroundings. When Roz awakens after a party she can’t fully remember, she finds out that one of her classmates, Tricia, has disappeared and is later found dead. People are telling her different accounts of what happened that night. Roz trusts the wrong people and gets involved in a crime in her pursuit of the truth.
The characters in this novel are schemers and liars. There’s Dellian, an unkind teacher who picks on Roz. Jonathan is a popular boy who’s charming, but the charm wears off since he’s unsavory. Tricia was an addict with a mottled past. While I read this I would predict who the murderer was, question myself, and then be proven wrong.
I thought the middle sagged a bit, especially when it hit the teen drama part related to Roz’s love life—she’s with Jonathan, then her friend Greg, and then she’s upset at girls who may have taken an interest in them. Despite this, I enjoyed the novel. It’s a suspenseful mystery and I enjoyed how everything unfolded. I don’t come across too many YA mysteries, so I was delighted when I found this. I received the galley from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. (less)
Charlie, his parents, his grandparents, and Mr. Wonka are traveling through space in a glass elevator. They come across a space hotel when astronauts...moreCharlie, his parents, his grandparents, and Mr. Wonka are traveling through space in a glass elevator. They come across a space hotel when astronauts and the U.S. president mistake them for aliens. But the real aliens are the Vermicious Knids, who are after Charlie and his party as well as the astronauts. After taking care of the space creatures, there’s another problem at the chocolate factory when Charlie’s grandparents grow too young or too old with Wonka-Vites and Vita-Wonks. One of the grandmothers even vanishes to Minusland when she becomes -2 years old. I’ve read several Dahl books and the man was a creative genius, but this book is more unusual than the others I’ve read. Unusual is good, though. (less)
Greg Heffley has been accused of a crime. Even though his principal has punished him for vandalizing the school, the police still want to see him. Whe...moreGreg Heffley has been accused of a crime. Even though his principal has punished him for vandalizing the school, the police still want to see him. When he’s stuck inside his house during a blizzard the police can’t get to him, but he’s enclosed with his brothers, Rodrick and Manny, and his mom…problems and hilarity ensue. The antics of Greg, his family members, and friends were a joy to read about. This is such a cute, fun book.(less)
This is a short novel about a group of high school pranksters who are haunted by a ghost. The adults in town seem to know the identity of the ghost, b...moreThis is a short novel about a group of high school pranksters who are haunted by a ghost. The adults in town seem to know the identity of the ghost, but they don’t want to talk about her. It’s eerie and suspenseful, although I felt I couldn’t completely sink into it because of its brevity. Still, it’s a decent read that’s going into my classroom library.(less)
This collection of short stories contains tales exploring the dark side of Mother Goose nursery rhymes. There were many good ones in this. Some of my...moreThis collection of short stories contains tales exploring the dark side of Mother Goose nursery rhymes. There were many good ones in this. Some of my favorites include Gretchen McNeil’s “Tick Tock,” about a babysitter who’s sent to a house full of creepy children and a questionable grandfather clock, Leah Cypress’ “Clockwork” which retold Hickory Dickory Dock, and Karen Mahoney’s romantic and magical “One for Sorrow."
There were more that I liked, but I was so caught up with reading that I slacked off in the note-taking department. The anthology definitely does a great job retelling Mother Goose rhymes. There were some rhymes that I wasn’t familiar with, but I got a chance to learn about them by reading this.
The stories had a little bit of everything. Some of them took place in the past, while others were told in the present, and one or two seemed futuristic. One tale, Pamela van Hylckama Vlieg’s “A Pocketful of Posy,” even had a vampire in it. If you enjoy dark and creepy stories with variety, this is the anthology to read. I received the galley from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. (less)
This is a story of two very different girls, Apollonia, the governor’s daughter who’s been taught to stay away from bad influences and “commoners,” an...moreThis is a story of two very different girls, Apollonia, the governor’s daughter who’s been taught to stay away from bad influences and “commoners,” and Cursed Pirate Girl, who’s rough and tough. Apollonia can’t help it. Despite her upbringing she’s drawn to the pirate girl.
Apollonia’s father isn’t happy about his daughter’s attraction to this girl and thus drives the pirate away. Outside the city there’s plenty of adventure to be had as Cursed Pirate Girl travels the Omerta Seas to find her pirate father. Battles are fought and strange creatures are encountered.
The story is intriguing and magical, but my favorite part of this graphic novel was the illustrations. They are rich in detail and absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately, the script was hard to read in this electronic edition. It took quite a bit of time to enlarge things and ensure that I read each section. I received the galley from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. (less)
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