This book was elegant and fascinating...and heart-breaking. While I didn't always understand Victoria, I did feel deeply for her and yearn for her fut...moreThis book was elegant and fascinating...and heart-breaking. While I didn't always understand Victoria, I did feel deeply for her and yearn for her future, though many times I just wanted to shake her! The book was beautifully written and a rainy day at the beach afforded me the opportunity to read the whole book in one afternoon, a rare treat. Though this book is on the Georgia Peach Award for Teens this year, I'm not convinced it has a lot of teen appeal. I think one has to be a little older (or have experienced a lot of life early) to fully appreciate this book. I'd recommend it to many of my adult friends though. (less)
This book explores an interesting idea - waking up as someone new each day. Except that it's someone else's life and you're just visiting for a day. I...moreThis book explores an interesting idea - waking up as someone new each day. Except that it's someone else's life and you're just visiting for a day. It reminds me of a show I watched as a kid called Quantum Leap. But A, as the main character refers to himself, doesn't really know the purpose of his existence and he just tried to maintain order. Then he falls in love and his life gets really complicated. I enjoyed this book very much, even if I'm not sure I loved the ending. The character of A and the story line were intriguing enough to keep me coming back for more. (less)
I really wanted to like it, and I know of some 12-14 year old girls that might like this book. But it was overly descriptive about meaningless things...moreI really wanted to like it, and I know of some 12-14 year old girls that might like this book. But it was overly descriptive about meaningless things and very slow. I skipped about 70 pages in the middle and never had to go back. Like I said, I wanted to like it, but I don't think I'll venture on with this series. (less)
I really loved this book, so maybe 4.5 stars. My favorite type of YA has a little romance, characters with depth, and real issues. Jase is just deligh...moreI really loved this book, so maybe 4.5 stars. My favorite type of YA has a little romance, characters with depth, and real issues. Jase is just delightful and the picture of his family is so clear in my head. The pacing was a little off...too much lead time before the dramatic event and then things wrap up too quickly, but I really enjoyed this story. I stayed up too late many nights in a row. I'd recommend this one to lots of high school girls. (less)
This is not your typical YA romance, which is right up my alley. Scarlet is very much like a quiet girl you know in high school, but Caletti gets insi...moreThis is not your typical YA romance, which is right up my alley. Scarlet is very much like a quiet girl you know in high school, but Caletti gets inside her head as to what's really going on. I enjoyed the story, the writing, and the character of Hayden - the sister's boyfriend - very much. (less)
Printz Award Winners are often well-written, interesting stories meant for readers. This one is no exception. Ed is a young adult driving a cab for a...morePrintz Award Winners are often well-written, interesting stories meant for readers. This one is no exception. Ed is a young adult driving a cab for a living in Australia. (I assume this since the author is Australian.) He is aimless, drifting through life, when he happens to be in a bank while it being robbed. Then he starts receiving cryptic messages about people he's supposed to help. It's an odd, increasingly fascinating tale about why we're really here, and how to wake up from day-to-day existence so we can really see what's right in front of us. Highly recommend this to mature students that are established readers. In fact, it was recommended to me by one of my seniors.(less)
This one is good dystopian - for the ladies. Think Hunger Games, but all about love rather than survival. When Cassia finds out who her "Match" is, sh...moreThis one is good dystopian - for the ladies. Think Hunger Games, but all about love rather than survival. When Cassia finds out who her "Match" is, she's happy. But then something weird happens, and she's accidentally matched with another guy too. Things get complicated...and interesting.(less)
UnWholly was another fascinating adventure by Neal Shusterman. Betrayal, intrigue, and fast-paced action are built into multiple story lines, as each...moreUnWholly was another fascinating adventure by Neal Shusterman. Betrayal, intrigue, and fast-paced action are built into multiple story lines, as each of the main three characters end up in separate dangerous situations. Several new characters are introduced as well, including a Frankenstein-like "person" built entirely of unwound kids. Fans of Unwind should get this as soon as possible! (less)