I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali

I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nujood’s story was appalling because it brings to light the cultural practice of marrying young girls to much older men in Yemen. Nujood was a young ten year old who loved her family, playing with friends and didn’t have many cares in her daily life. All that changes when her father who is not working, just sitting around chewing khat and getting high on sucking the leaves of this plant, pledges Nujood in marriage to a much older man. Nujood is not afraid leading up to the wedding since she knows nothing about what will transpire. It is that night, where she is pounced upon by her husband, she runs around the room, escapes the room and calls for help throughout the strange rooms (no one comes to her aid) until she is dragged back into the room and raped her(he promised her father he would leave Nujood alone until she reached puberty). Nujood is traumatized by this man every evening; beaten, hit with sticks and cursed at; until she is raped again and again. It is after months of pleading that Nujood persuades her husband to take her home for a visit with her family. When she is alone with her parents and brother and tells them what he is doing to her and to let her come home; her father, mother and brother all tell her she must stay with him because she is honor bound. It is when she pretends to go to a bakery and instead goes into the judicial district (recommended by her father’s second wife who lives as a beggar in squalor) and seeks a divorce. Nujood has 2 judges and a female lawyer who decide to protect her (they put both father and husband in jail) and grant her a divorce. Nujood becomes an example of the pain inflicted on young women in this culture, but she becomes a role model to many similar girls throughout the world. I loved Nujood’s voice, her fierce personality that would not settle for a life of trauma with a much older violent man just because it is the way Yemen women have been treated. The worldwide response to her plight and the many interviews she granted after the divorce also allowed her to return to school with her sister. But this book only shows how many other girls suffer and makes it a difficult read for the many girls throughout who are being sold as young as ten into a slave-marriage.

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The Diviners by Libba Bray

The Diviners by Libba Bray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Libba Bray’s The Diviners was thrilling to read; I did not want to rip myself away from the 1920s world Bray crafted of flappers, murder, mystery and an impending evil that is being felt by the diviners (those who have supernatural powers to see, feel and predict). Evie is seventeen, bored with her restricted family life but also aware she has powers, which she sometimes uses at parties to liven things up. This gets her into trouble and she is shipped off to live with her Uncle Will in NYC as a punishment. Uncle Will is a college professor who also owns the Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult. As soon as she reaches NY, Evie accompanies the police with her Uncle Will and his student, Jericho, to the scene of a murder and it is when she touches the dead girl’s shoe buckle that she sees the girl’s murderer. It is in this bustling NYC that we also meet many other characters with powers and pasts they want hidden; Theta, Memphis, Isaiah, Blind Bill and Miss Walker. What is particularly mesmerizing and unpleasant is evil of Naughty John Hobbes; as more are murdered Evie, her Uncle Will and Jericho try to unravel a mystery that involves ghosts, haunted houses, demons, and evil in 1920s New York. I can’t wait for the second book!

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Seconds Away by Harlan Coben

Seconds Away by Harlan Coben
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The 2nd Mickey Bolitar book is a fast-paced mystery involving the shooting of Mickey's new romantic interest, Rachel and her the killing of her mother. As Mickey tries to visit her in the hospital with his friends providing a diversion, he finds her in her room, but must quickly hide because the sheriff is coming to question her. Mickey goes to Bat Lady in her haunted house to try to get some answers and he is further confused to find out the man from the ambulance when his father died was not part of the ambulance crew, but someone known as the Butcher. This someone also resembles a man who killed many children during the holocaust, but how can that be the same man? As a sophomore, Mickey is excited about trying out for the basketball team and hoping to make JV. But as Mickey digs deeper, he and his friends are at risk of being injured. It is only with his solo trip to the Bat Lady's house, finding someone in the house, seeing the halls filled with pictures of children during the Holocaust and also children who are missing now, and a fiery blaze that pushes him out of the house, that Mickey realizes there is much more at work than he realizes. He doesn't feel he can confide in anyone really, even his uncle. The mystery continues to deepen, I was so involved in the story, I did not want it to end. I was not very happy with the ending, Harlan Coben just didn't leave you hanging the way her did in the first book, Shelter. But I will read the 3rd book and hope the ending is a cliff hanger, like the first.

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Ask the Passengers by AS King

Ask The Passengers by A.S. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

King has scored such a success with Astrid Jones, she has the indomitable spirit, but she doesn't know it yet. When she has questions about life, she wants to trust her best friend Kristina. But how can you trust your best friend when she talks to your mom about you on the phone. How can you trust your sister when your mom has girls night with her and never asks Astrid to join? And how can you ask your father anything when he is so busy getting high. Astrid and Ellis lived a wonderful life in a big city before their mom, Claire moved them to perfect little Unityville. Astrid has a few friends and works many weekends at a catering company where she is expert at deveining shrimp. It is here that she meets Dee and they find time to hug and kiss one another in the big freezer. Dee knows what she wants, but Astrid is just not sure. It is when Kristina comes up with a plan for Astrid to act like she is dating a guy and then after the date, Kristina and Astrid will go to the gay bar in town. Even though they are underage, they get in and it is not until much later, that their worlds come tumbling down when the bar is raided. Everyone is in trouble, but somehow Kristina convinces Astrid's mom that it was all Astrid's idea. Astrid still does not come out and tell everyone about herself and Dee. This hurts Dee but Astrid is continually working her way back to real truth and it is through her many talks to the passengers who fly overhead as Astrid lays on the picnic table in her back yard and questions imaginary Phil Socrates that she is able to accept and love herself. Astrid mends fences with her parents and sister, but they are flawed and it is when Astrid realizes this that she can accept their shortcomings. Astrid doesn't buckle under peer pressure but it takes most of the book for Astrid to berate Kristina and rebuke Dee. Until she does this, Astrid uses boys to hide who she really is and she feels very badly. Astrid never likes keeping secrets but she has not become strong enough to combat the lies until the night at the bar when they are all arrested. It is through all the LOVE that Astrid sends out to the passengers on the planes that she is able to march forward, happy with who she is, loving her imperfect life, verbally sparring with herself and Phil Socrates that we get an empowered, happy Astrid who will continue to question herself and others and above all, like herself for who she truly is.

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Wonder by RJ Palacio

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wonder is a must read for all! Auggie is a 5th grader who has been home schooled and is now going to enter middle school for the first time. Auggie is no ordinary child, he has been hit with 2 bad genes that have deformed his face and the resulting operations have not corrected his deformed face. But Auggie has a wonderful family, a mother, father, and sister and dog, Daisy, who proclaim their love daily. The author hits home through different characters that Auggie's face will always elicit responses from screams,shudders, horror and panic. But this book is uplifting and with each chapter and character, Auggie finds an inner strength, friends and champions to combat those who disparage him, bully him or just plain ignore him. You will root for his sister, Olivia and her fierce love. You will cheer for his parents, funny dad and sympathetic mom and especially their dog, Daisy who provides licks and warmth as she sleeps with Auggie, as they honestly deal with Auggie's lot in life. You will love Auggie's English teacher,Mr. Browne's and his precepts that help shape his students. Jack Will and Summer, prove to be Auggie's best friends, but their road to friendship is not easy, but it is steadfast. Students, teachers and parents, you will be inspired by Auggie and all that this book can teach us about the simple things and ourselves. Highly recommended!

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October Mourning by Leslea Newman

October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard by Lesléa Newman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I want to thank Lauren Strohecker for this wonderful gift to our library and with it her advice that it is a must read for young adults. I wholeheartedly concur; in 68 poems in this spare, yet piercing novel in verse, the author was scheduled to speak at Matthew Shepard's college and found out just before about the savage beating this young man received. Leslea Newman kept her keynote engagement and spoke and wept at the sheer horror of this hate crime toward an innocent victim who succumbs to death 5 days later. Newman has taken many elements of Matthew Shepard's last hours and imagined what may have been; the road, the fence he was lashed to, the biker, the murderers, the pistol, the deer and so much more. This book is a tribute to Matthew Shepard who died as a result of a hate crime at the hands of gay haters. This book is also a history lesson that every child, young adult and reader needs to explore because in the reading of this book, you will be changed. This book needs to be read by everyone.
I especially gained even more knowledge through the author's introduction, her epilogue, her afterword, notes, explanation of poetic forms and resources. Newman brings sympathy, anger, sorrow, and compassion to each and every word in this book. Highly recommended.

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Delirium, by Lauren Oliver

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, I really liked this novel, my only complaint is that I have been so busy I had to read it in increments and all I wanted to do was dive in and zoom through it, it was so compelling. Imagine a future where you are CURED of love at age eighteen! Lena's mom was not able to be cured of amore deleria nervosa and had to go through the cure 3 times before she killed herself rather than go through it a fourth time. Lena wants the cure, she is looking forward to the cure, all because of her mother, and her society. The cure takes away the disease of love and replaces it with another kind of happiness. She will be paired with a boy evaluators choose for her, they will get married and have children, but there is something missing in the union, the family, the society. Throughout the book Lena calls love "the deadliest of all things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't." If you are suspected of being a sympathizer you are imprisoned in the Crypts or killed. Lena and her best friend Hana plan to spend their last summer together, running and doing all kinds of things they were afraid to do, before it is too late--you see they won't remember their past memories after the CURE. Hana is beautiful and Lena cherishes their friendship; but when Hana start listening to music that is not approved and going to parties that could be raided by regulators, Lena is torn. Lena wants the cure but she also wants to push the envelope. It is this inner turmoil of Lena's that Oliver is so good at; when Lena unexpectedly begins to falter with her questions at the evaluation; she doesn't understand why she is giving the wrong answers (she is horrified she can't stop herself). When the evaluation is interrupted and she looks up to see a worker observing her; Lena is thunder struck. On a run with Hana, they go beyond a gate and onto a service road; a guard catches them breaking in and he happens to be the worker Lena saw in the observation area. When Lena shakes his hand; an electrical shock passes through her and she pulls away quickly. Lena and Alex begin stealing time together; Hana comes with them many times as they sneak into the places that are off limits. Will Lena be yearning for the cure as she falls more and more for Alex? "This is what I want. This is the only thing I've ever wanted. Everything else---every single second of every single day that has come before this very moment, this kiss--has meant nothing." An intoxicating read, I am looking forward to her next book, Pandemonium.

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The Letter Q

The Letter Q: Queer Writers' Notes to their Younger Selves by Sarah Moon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The compilation of writers and their notes to themselves in their younger years (from the perspective of older, wiser, is very enjoyable to read. I didn't read every letter or comic from each writer, instead I chose to read YA authors I have read. From 64 authors and illustrators,like Julie Ann Peters, Jacquelyn Woodson, David Levithan, Brian Selznick, Malinda Lo, Bruce Coville, Brent Hartinger, Nick Burd, and I especially liked Linda Villarosa's 1968 note to self, and her 1979 revelation to her parents. This book will make you laugh, cry, and truly appreciate the hopeful rousing understanding the older selves of queer writers wish they had known when they were younger.

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Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vera Brosgol has penned a great graphic novel dealing with self-esteem, friendship, family, and loyalty. Anya came to the United States from Russia when she was a youngster and has gone through the ESL classes, worked very hard to blend in and lose the Russian accent. Anya has a best (only) friend Siobhan who isn't really nice and a crush on a besketball player. When Anya won't give Siobhan a cigarette, an argument erupts and Anya flees through the park and falls down a hole. In this dark cavern, she finds a skeleton and a ghost arises from the skeleton and tells Anya her name is Emily and she was murdered in 1918 and loved a soldier. Anya is rescued and goes home to find Emily, the ghost, has followed her home because their was a little bit of Emily's bone in Anya's bookbag. After some trepidation about Emily, Anya starts enjoying having a ghost for a friend; she gives her answers on tests, tutors her and helps her dress better and get to a party with the guy she loves on the basketball team. But all is not rosy for Anya; the basketball player is a PLAYER and jumps on girls at parties and through a little research Anya finds out Emily is not really who she says she is...and now Emily gets scary and begins to threaten Anya with harm to her family! What is a girl to do? This colors in this graphic novel consist of greys, whites and black, a perfect background for the darkness behind Emily the ghost. A very enjoyable read and even though Anya has issues; she is/becomes someone who cares about others and will stand up for what is right. Highly recommended,

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WonderStruck by Brian Selznick

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is another visual delight, part pictures beautifully drawn by Brian Selznick and part story about Ben who is hearing impaired, loses his mother and tries to track down his father. Juxtaposed are the pictures which tells the story of Rose who lives many years earlier, is also deaf and leads a miserable existence with her father. Rose is also fixated on a famous actress and longs to run away to a better, more happy life. Through the pictures and story interspersed throughout, you will love finding out what Ben discovers when he travels to New York to try to find any kind of clues as to who his father is. It is when we follow the art work and story that we are treated to the beauty of Selznick's drawings of the New York skyline and the wolves of Gunflint, Minnesota and following 2 characters as they open doors into dioramas, museums, nature,words, city life and country life. Selnick gives us beauty and wonder and so much more in this 637 page book!

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Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This wonderfully visual book could be a picture book and by using photographs, text messages, newspaper articles, postcards, printing, and so much more. Glory Fleming is a piano prodigy. She has played the world over, lost her mother when she was eight years old and now has a strict father as her manager. Glory misses her mother, practices piano all day long and doesn't have much in her life than her memories and her piano. Until Argentinian Frank moves next door with his family; Glory and Frank fall in love. When her father plans a tour to Europe, will it drive a wedge between Glory and Frank? While on tour, each of Glory's performances becomes marred by her constant playing of Chopsticks. After Glory returns with her father, he takes her to Golden Hands Rest Facility where she has been on numerous occasions since her mother's death. What will become of Glory and Frank, this book is so much beauty and pain, read it, enjoy it, talk about it.

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The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book rightly deserved the Schneider Family Book Award which honors the disability experience in children's and young adult literature. The author is also committed to reading writing and running. Jessica is a normal 16 year old finishing a race one moment and as she rides on her school bus going home, disaster occurs. An uninsured truck driver hurdles down a hill into the bus, killing a classmate and depriving Jessica of her leg. Not onlyis she a runner and racer; she is a winner and while losing her leg causes her all kinds of hurt, anxiety, and insecurity; Jessica is the kind of person who always tries to be positive, works hard to be the best and cares about others. This book was so good on so many levels; Jessica has great friends but Fiona is truly a best friend who is willing to wait for Jessica to come around, support her when she is down and find a way for the track team to get Jessica back in action with a prosthetic leg. Jessica's family is supportive; her dog, Sherlock accompanies her on runs and the most supportive person is her coach, Kyro. Kyro has winners on his team because each runner knows what it takes to do their best and they strive to be winners. Since Jessica had to use a wheelchair when she returned to school, she was placed with Rosa who has cerebral palsy. From Rosa (who Jessica barely acknowledged before)Jessica learns how to reach out and help Rosa feel the wind flying on her face and in her hair. Gavin has been her crush for two years now and he contacts Jessica about doing a story about her in the school newspaper. It is because of Jessica's can do attitude that a friendship develops between them, will there be a romance too? You will have to read this emotional book to find out!

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Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman

Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vidya is an Indian girl in the 1940's with a close knit family. Vidya's father is a doctor and she has a mother and a brother. It is during a march when her father helps a woman who has been thrashed by the British soldiers that he is in turn, viciously beaten and is no longer a vibrant doctor but dependent on his family for his every need. Vidya's family must go live with her father's family, work long hours and endure insults and slurs. Vidya once wanted to attend school and even though this seems impossible now, she longs to get an education, which leads her to get permission from her grandfather to "climb the stairs" and spend time reading in the library. Vidya also brings her baby neice while she pores over the many wonderful books. She also meets Raman who seems to like the same books and leads to many long conversations. Her brother decides to go into the army and fight and is banished from his grandfather's home. Vidya can't understand why he is forsaking her and the family. Will Vidya be able to hold onto her dream of becoming educated and bettering the world like her father, or will she be married off in an arranged marriage?

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This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really love author Courtney Summers but I just don't love zombie books. Sloane Price is one of 6 students who is barricaded in her high school when the world has ended and the zombies are trying to get into the school. Everyone in the high school wants to live but they do not know that Sloane has a pact to die and she is just biding her time until she can take her own life. Why? Her sister, Lily ran away 6 months ago and she promised she would take Sloane. Why? Their misreable father maliciously beats them on a daily basis and Lily was going to run with Sloane to a better life and then Lily ran away and the apocalypse struck! What happens inside the school is totally creepy and scary, I couldn't put the book down. I liked watching characters who gradually stepped up and changed during their time in the school while others deteriorated, turned on others and were just palin human during a truly terrifying time. I so enjoyed watching Rhys become someone Sloane grew to care about; Rhys knew how to handle Sloane (even when he found out she wanted to kill herself)and it was totally maniacal when they decide to run "outside" and make it to a center for aid. Summers does not allow the reader any time to think in this book because there is constant paranoia, dread, and fear. Intense and utterly scary, what will happen to Sloane?

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Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Wither by Lauren DeStefano
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this book and really felt like I was withering along with all the other "brides" of Linden. Imagine a world where women do not live past the age of 20 because of faulty genetic engineering; there is a master race but now boys only survive to age 25. Rhine Ellery had wonderful parents and a twin brother but her parents are dead now and at age 15 she is stolen off the streets of Manhattan and forcibly taken to Florida to be one of the 3 wives of Linden Ashby. Rhine's narrative is strong but very conflicted; she plots to escape and return to her twin brother but she lives like a prisoner in Ashby's mansion. His father, HouseMaster Vaughn is sincerely scary, trying to find the perfect antidote. Rhine sees/finds that he is experimenting on anyone who dies but cannot share this information with anyone. Through Rhine's eyes we see how cold, fake, and eelike Vaughn is but she knows how to lie and play his game. Linden is sheltered, awkwar,d but a husband to 3 women and the love of his life, Rose dies making Rhine promise she will look after him. I really had a tough time liking Linden. He was weak, and he never knows his father is evil incarnate---but his father was experimenting on Rose after she dies, to try and get that perfect antidote. Somehow Vaughn knows everything that goes on in his home. He knows that Rhine is growing closer to the house servant, Gabriel. He knows she tried to escape during a storm and he isolates her and continues to badger hee and stress her importance in keeping Linden happy. The title of the book Wither was so apt and it is part of the Chemical Garden series. DeStefano does a thorough job of creating a world that is in chaos with a perfect Master Race racing against time to save the children that science has doomed. Since I downloaded the 2nd book on my Kindle, I will be reading it, but I am glad to give myself some distance from the ache of the decay in this first book.

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Every Day by David Levithan

Every Day by David Levithan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, I just really loved this book, A. and Rhiannon, and the many other people A is each day. But I was also very sad, because when A falls in love with Rhiannon, you want everything to be possible for them, like their first day together when they spend the day at the ocean. Even though it may seem fantastical that A. isn't a person, but someone who becomes another person for just 24 hours. Levithan's A. is sympathetic, has had to get used to something he cannot control since he was born...waking up every day, somewhere else, a male or a female, black, white or any other culture, happy, sad, a jerk, suicidal, fat, geeky, etc. But the day he wakes up as Justin, A, isn't really a fan of Justin, until he meets Justin's girlfriend, Rhiannon. She seems tentative around Justin and A. just falls for her niceness, her smile and decides to throw all his caution to the wind and spend a very special day with her. The day at the ocean is perfect. It is only later, in another body, another day that A. becomes driven to see Rhiannon, even if it is 5 hours away. At some point, A tells Rhiannon who he is and Rhiannon, being touched by the special person A is, decides to (a little unwillingly) meet up with A, whenever possible. Will they find true love? Well, there is alot more going on in this book, so you have to read it to find out. But I think teens will love this book! It is full of yearning, honesty (even amongst the lies)and I see it as probing the teen uncertainties---when A. is fat, when A. is a girl, when A is black---how does Rhiannon act towards him? I think teens will see the many possiblities and keep on turning those pages, I know I did! I can't wait to discuss it with my boys and girls because I think both will see the good in A. and Rhainnon. Enjoy this YouTube video of many YA authors who are different characters in this wonderfully compelling story, High recommended!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZjSHv...


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Irises by Francisco X. Stork

Irises by Francisco X. Stork
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love Francisco Stork's style of writing and this 3rd book was moving, difficult, and you so want Kate and Mary to survive what life is throwing at them. Kate and Mary are two sisters with a strict minister father they love and a mother who has been in a vegetative state for two years since a car accident. Kate and Mary's lives are changed after their mother's accident and when her father refuses to keep her in a facility, she comes to their home; with some outside help to care for their mother. Mary has always been a gifted painter but finds it difficult to paint since the accident. Kate has secretly applied to Stanford; her wish to become a doctor and help others. Suddenly their father dies and they are pressured to make decisions about their mother, their home and their life. Stork uses imagery and the sister's thoughts, words, and actions to describe their lives before his death. As Mary and Kate struggle with their love and faith, they will meet people who help them deal with the crises that demand decisions during their time of sorrow. Mary and Kate have such different personalities but their love for each other and their mother are steadfast. It is how they choose to move forward that is so compelling. This is a gripping yet beautiful story of the Romero sisters, I highly recommend this. It is deep and I know some students I am definitely going to book talk this to in September.

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White Cat (Curse Workers #1) by Holly Black

White Cat by Holly Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Since I really enjoyed the Tithe Series, I knew I was going to love this first book in the Curse Workers series! Cassel "lives" with his two brothers, Phillip (who is married with a baby) and Barron (who attends Princeton) while his mother is in jail. We find out Cassel Sharpe's family are curse workers, but Cassel is not a worker at all. But Cassel apparently killed his friend, Lila; but he doesn't remember anything but standing over Lila and lots of blood. Their mother is in jail for conning a millionaire and Barron is trying to get her out. While she is in jail, Cassel attends a prep school and tries to be normal but he is a bookie and enjoys some small fame. Until he sleep walks and wakes ups on a roof at school and can't get off. Cassel can't remember how he got there but in his dream he was chasing a white cat. While he has been suspended from school, his grandfather comes to help him clean out his house that sounds alot like a hoarder's home with all the junk they are wading through. As his best friend, Sam keeps the bookie business going at school, Cassel sees the white cat and it seems to be "telling" him, he is responsible somehow and must do something. This is a suspenseful, lots of twists and turns novel with Cassel as a very likable hero who at times really hates his worker family; even more when he realizes they are erasing his memory and working him. Holly Black's world of the paranormal is edgy and gritty and students will enjoy Cassel's predicaments, his schemes and how he WORKS his own family! I am really lookng forward to Book 2 Red Glove.

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Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick

Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Arn is a young teen who loves life in Cambodia with his sisters and brother until one day, the Khmer Rouge march into their village and change his life forever. In Arn's broken language, McCormick bases this work of fiction on the four and a half years Arn suffered as he witnesses the murder of friends and family. Toiling all day long in rice fields with young boys, boys were starved, murdered, and when marched to the mango field "everyone knew they would die" and everyone meant babies, men, women and children. Arn survives by learning how to play a musical instruments and sing songs glorifying the Khmer Rouge. Arn did what he had to do in order to survive---by never falling down. Arn is a survivor but he suffers deeply as he witnesses the horrors and then becomes a child soldier. McCormick's book is sooo difficult to read, but you can't put it down. The killing fields of Cambodia run with blood but Arn survives to tell his story to the world and he becomes a humanitarian who continues to spend most of his time helping Cambodia rebuild through music and other community outlets.
I loved this book and hope it will be read by all teens just as The Book Thief and Between Shades of Gray tell the world

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by J. Achreiber

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Perry Stormaire is a nice guy in his senior year who wants to go to Columbia University, works part time for his father's law firm, and is in a band. For the past nine months his family has hosted a Lithuanian foreign exchange student, named Gobi. Perry would have enjoyed a hot European chick, but Gobi was anything but with her greasy hair, baggy clothes and silence. Even though she was invisible in school, Perry was always nice to her, but imagine his chagrin when his parents make him go to the prom with Gobi; especially since that particular night they are playing a gig in NYC.
With his father's jag as a consolation prize, Perry in his tuxedo takes Gobi to the prom. When other senior's mock Perry and Gobi, they both decide to leave the prom and that is when the crazy night unfolds because Gobi begins to take Perry on a wild ride that consists of Gobi really looking hot in a short tight black dress, flowing hair and lipstick, oh and did I forget to mention guns and ammunition. Get ready for a wild ride as Perry is dragged along as Gobi seeks revenge.

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Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach

Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Geoff Herbach's Felton Reinstein is one incredible character. His voice is funny, sweet, confused and just plain nice but life has not been easy for Felton and his family. At the age of five, Felton finds his father's body after he hung himself. Felton grows up insecure with some bad advice from his mother, doctors, and not having a father figure. The summer that his best friend unexpectedly leaves to take care of his grandmother; everything goes crazy- Felton's mom agrees that he will take over his best friend's paper route; he shoots up inch by inch, eats everything in sight, starts lifting weights for football, and running. Felton meets Aleah Jennings when he drops a newspaper off at his best friend's house. Aleah is a superb piano player and likes Felton. Felton begins seeing Aleah daily and they definitely have a romantic, sweet connection. But then his mother starts acting strange, cursing, drinking, and as a final threat she stops being a mother to Felton and his little brother, Andrew. Felton doesn't want to burden anyone with his family problems and his father's suicide is always a specter that keeps chipping away at his mother, brother, and Felton. I laughed at Felton's thoughts and actions but I really felt for Felton when his family was falling apart; he didn't know what to do, how to act and he withdrew by missing lifting, practices,not seeing his friends or Aleah. What will happen to Felton is worth all the drama and laughs. Herbach's book is a recommended read, I can't wait to see what my students think, since this is a Reading Olympic book selection.

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Take Me There by Susane Colasanti

Take Me There by Susane Colasanti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Love Susane Colasanti books! Told by three different friends' perspectives; Rhiannon has been dummped by Steve and he hasn't really given her a reason why. Rhee's best friend Nicole has just broken up with Danny, she is not sure why; but Danny definitely still cares about Nicole. James is Rhiannon's friend and hates his life and just wants to get away to college so he can make lots of money after he graduates. There is drama, suspense and a whole lot of teen angst going on in this book. I truly enjoyed all the characters, even mean girl, Gloria. Colasanti did a great job of showing how supportive these friends were; yet they still kept secrets and heartache from their friends. It was nice to see the progression of Rhee's friendship with James. Even Mrs. Schaffer knew James cared for Rhee, but it took Rhee (after she really realized Steve was over her and dating a new girl) trusting herself and feeling comfortable and whole around James to realize he would make her life better. Nicole has issues that resolve when she realizes she truly cares about Danny and that she must tell her friends the truth in order to be free. I love the way Colasanti paints New York, her characters' thoughts, and their language. I would have given this book 5 stars if there was only one narrator; with the 3 narrators, there was sometimes overlap and going back and forward in time, that might take away from the story, not add to it.

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Leap of Faith by Anne Schraff

Leap of Faith by Anne Schraff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have read in the Urban Underground series. For reluctant readers, this book revolves around Ernesto who is a junior at Cesar Chavez High School and wants to run for Senior Class President. Ernesto is a good kid who goes out of his way to help others. He has been shown this example by his father who goes into the barrio and talks dropouts into returning to school. One day there is a robbery and Ernesto sees a hooded, tatooed guy he knows as Cruz Lopez who hangs around Paul Gonzales. He mentions to Paul his suspicions and Paul makes Ernesto promise to keep it to himself about what he saw because Paul is convinced Cruz would never do something like this. While Ernesto is trying to run his campaign, he still worries Cruz could have been involved in the robbery, as well as stopping rumors that Clay started to hurt his election. Ernesto has a great girlfriend in Naomi, and good friends and a supportive family. Students will enjoy the characters in this slim novel and Ernesto's quest to represent his class.

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The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rebecca Skloot has done a superb job of crafting a nonfiction book that reads like a fiction book! The story of Henrietta Lacks, her life, her cells, and her children are painstakingly researched by Rebecca over many years and what she uncovers is the "immortal life" of her cells and how the doctors from Hopkins took them, used them without anyone's permission, and continue to use them today. Even as Henrietta's family is poor, uneducated, and can't even afford health care, insurance and an education; still Henrietta's cells have helped find many cures in the world of medicine. Henrietta's children, especially her daughter, Deborah was one when her mother died an excruciatingly painful cervical cancer death. No one knew she was sick in her family, and as she continued to go to Hopkins for treatment, she also took care of her family. It was not until she went in for radiation, that she even told her sisters she was sick. After her death, her surviving children would suffer abuse at the hands of relatives, deprived of their loving mother. I read this to see if it would be a good title for faculty book club and I highly recommend it!!! But with the common core standards, I think students would benefit from reading this nonfiction title because it has so many points for students to discuss and learn about such as medicine, cancer, race relations, family dynamics and religious faith.

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The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved LaCour's Hold Still and boy did I love this one too! Colby is such a great narrator. He loves Bev, she has been his best friend since forever and he can't wait to go on tour with her all girl band, The Disenchantments, before he and Bev tour Europe. They have decided not to go to college like everyone else. The other band members are Alexa(younger sister to Meg and still in high school) and Meg (will be dropped off to college at the end of the band's tour )while Colby is the driver of his uncle's prized Melinda, set-up guy and go to guy for everyone. He is an awesome artist, so is Bev, which makes it even more difficult when Bev acts very strange at the start of the tour and tells Colby she applied to RISD and will attend in the fall!!! Colby is stunned because Bev gives him no explanation, but Meg and Alexa make him feel great. They go to some interesting stops on their tour, get involved in trying to solve a tattoo mystery, and meet some "different" people, places, etc. There were so many great quotes, Colby SEES things and his comments are insightful, thoughtful, yet you know he is clamoring to find some meaning in this tour and what should he do now that they are not going to Europe. The more I found out about Colby's friends and what made them unique, LaCour's writing, setting, characters were all so memorable. I am not into tattoes, still am not after reading this book, but I do like the murals and graffitti artistry. Recommended!

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If You Really Loved Me by Anne Schraff

If You Really Loved Me by Anne Schraff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Part of the Urban Underground series, I liked Destini, who was really hard on herself as not being as pretty, smart and having nice clothes as her friends at Harriet Tubman High. She dislikes school, her teachers and her classes. Until she meets Tyron who is her first boyfriend and gives her such good feelings of love that she overlooks his faults of anger. It is after Tyron hurts her two times that Destini realizes she can't change Tyron and has supportive friends and and a mother that Destini breaks free. Recommended.

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Bitterblue by Kristen Cashore

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book! I enjoyed Kristin Cashore's two other books, Fire and Graceling, and this book was just as suspenseful a read. Characters like Katsa and Po and Fire grace this book and the evil father of Bitterblue, Leck (even though dead) continues his evil even after his death...Bitterblue is one of those strong female protagonists, but she doesn't know it throughout most of the book. She has been queen since the age of 10 but now she is eighteen and so bored with all the meaningless papers her advisers push on her daily. She hasn't ever left the castle, except for once...and she has begun to see the castle as a sort of jail. She disguises herself in pants with a large hood that covers her head and late in the evening goes into her kingdom and into a bar where stories are told about Leck and Katsa. Bitterblue is entranced with these storytellers but disagrees with some parts of the stories. Her first night out when she orders a drink, she realizes she did not bring money. She takes money off the counter and realizes she has been seen by a man who winks at her. Later, she runs into him and tells him she is employed in the Queen's castle baking bread but never reveals her name. The young man is names Saf (Sapphire for the color of his eyes)and he is a Greaceling but doesn't know what his grace is. Bitterblue comes to know Saf and his best friend Teddy as colorful characters who like to fight and lie. Bitterblue begins to find out she doesn't know her subjects (many can't read- but her advisers tell her they have a high literacy rate) and even those within the castle walls. Bitterblue's mother Ashen was murdered by her father Leck as she tried to rescue her daughter from Leck's evil. Leck tortured, raped, kidnapped and killed many children, women and men in his kingdom. As Bitterblue tries to become a queen that is revered; she runs into so many insurmountable problems. But she does not veer and along the way---uncovers deceit, murder, and so many other horrors she almost shuts down. But she finds advisers she can trust, and wades through the those advisers Leck destroyed with his mind games with the help of Katsa, Po, Giddon, Hava, and so many others. The rich characters and storyline are Cashore at her best (she gives credit to the many readers who helped her make this a truly believable story of triumph) and I was just so sorry the book ended! I liked the glossary of characters and drawings of the bridges, her kingdom and artistry included at the end. Highly recommended.

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Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard

Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book does a great job of swith the challenges of being a boy in an all boys' boarding school in the 1980s. Alex Stromm is tortured about the drowning death of his friend. He and his friends decide to cover it up since they were drinking at the time but did their new English teacher who happened upon them afterward see anything? The Plan is something Alex struggles with throughout the whole book; at times hating himself (did he do enough to save his friend, did he run fast enough)and then he alternates with wanting to continue at the Birches Prep School in order to become a writer and that might mean ruining some lives. Miss Dovecott is a young female teacher around all these boys and she works very hard to help Alex in writng and creating poems but also tries to get information from him about the drowning. Alex fantasizes about her; yet he really cares about her. It was definitely a struggle for Alex each and every day after the drowning. It was a little unnerving with all the details about Moby Dick (I really can't remember the story) and jumping back and forth in time. This book will appeal to the male student who likes to read about friendships, sports and all boys schools.

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Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill

Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wicked Girls is a great novel in verse exploring the Salem Witch Trials and the young girls who were called seers and were taken over by witches that these girls named. The witches were put in jail and then on trial. Hemphill does a good job of setting up the world in which these girls lived and the fact that the French and Indian War was involved; some were servants and others were a little more privileged. Strict religion and piety were very important and there was too much punishment by parents and relatives of very physical beatings. I think Anne Putnam was the most needy and in the end the girl I disliked the most because she became very arrogant and if she didn't like someone, Anne and her mother would come up with names of "witches" to punish. Hemphill ends the book with a listing of the real girls and what happened to them. She gives the names and a hsitory of the real people accused by the girls, an authors note that I find very helpful concerning research and trying to decide what theories were plausible and what were not.

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Waiting For You by Susane Colasanti

Waiting For You by Susane Colasanti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am working my way through reading all of Susane Colasanti's books and I really enjoyed this book!
Marisa is a 9th grader and she and her best friend Sterling think this is the year they have been waiting for! They reinvent themselves every year and this is no different, Marisa has an anxiety disorder that she keeps quiet about but she has been seeing a doctor and she can keep it under control when the warning signs start. Thanks to her wonderful, supportive family, Marisa feels she is luck since most of her friends have families with no parental support or single parents who have been deserted by their partner. Since Marisa has been secretly in love with Derek, she can;t believe he asks her out and they begin to date. She has a good friend, Nash who is unbelievably smart, kind, and geeky. She has always felt really comfortable around Nash but in middle school, the distance between them began to grow. Now that they are in chemistry together, they are lab partners and meet weekly. There is also an anonymous guy on the web at night who seems to be able to understand and help all the teens in her school with their problems by writing in to his show. It is when Nash's girlfriend breaks up with him, Derek seems to be inattentive to Marisa, and Marisa learns that her parents are separating that Marisa's world and anxiety come crashing down, HARD. Will Marisa be able to help herself, forgive her parents and let her friends in, while she is wishing for that special someone? Girls will love this Colsanti book about high school, friends, and lrelationships.

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Lost in the River of Grass by Ginny Rorby

Lost in the River of Grass by Ginny Rorby
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this for July Goodreads book club for YA Reads for Teachers (and any other adults)---join us if you'd like. I read Ginny Rorby's other book a few years back for PSLA and I just love this author, what she writes about, her characters and the depth of feeling that comes across in her novels. In this book Sarah is 14 years old and has a swimming scholarship to a prep school where she is not accepted, except by one teacher, Mr. Wethers. It is while on a weekend trip with science class that Sarah meets Andy who is working on an airboat and invites her out for a ride. Only problem is, Sarah has to lie, act like she is sick, to sneak out and go on this boat. It is after they have stopped many miles away and gone exploring that they discover the boat has sunk because Andy forgot to replace a plug in the bottom of the boat. They musst hike out of the everglades because no one knows where they have gone. Andy's parents are away for the weekend and Sarah is supposed to be back by lunch---OUCH! The suspense, along with the many animals (alligators, boars, etc) and insects (too many mosquitos!!!) and the density of the everglades and the reeds, need I say more? Rorby did a terrific job of showing Sarah's fear and Andy's calm but as the hours turn into days you really are frightened for Sarah and Andy, how will they make it out, will they be discovered by the search parties? The little duck, Teapot, Sarah rescues is such an enjoyable major part of the book as Sarah fights with Andy to keep Teapot with them as they claw their way back to civilization. This book will be enjoyed by boys and girls alike, the animal lovers and middle school and high school readers alike. Recommended, and read her other book, Hurt Go Happy too, you will love it.

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You Against Me by Jenny Downham

You Against Me by Jenny Downham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Jenny Downham's Before I Die and this book was just wrenching as it explored Mikey's reaction to his sister's assault; his downward spiral of lies and his families' dysfunction. As Mikey plots with his friend, Jacko to revenge his sister's honor; he crashes a party being given at the suspect's house fully expecting to get information on how he can make Tom Parker suffer the way his sister Karyn is; she won't leave their house, talk to her friends, or go to school. Instead he meets Tom's sister, Ellie and he begins to meet up with her (to find out information about Tom)and finds he wants to be with her and Ellie wants to know more about this mysterious guy. I really enjoyed getting to know Mikey and Ellie. Mikey doesn't have an easy life, but he is a charmer, girls love him and he desperately loves his mum (who drinks too much) and his sisters. Jacko, his friend is weird but you have to love him because he is a true friend who would do anything to help Mikey. Ellie was a timid girl, almost a nerd; very knowledgable and wants to help her brother, Tom. But she is conflicted throughout by what she saw, what she said she saw; and how to make things right. There is tremendous growth in Mikey and Ellie throughout the story and they were slow to "get together" but there were signs and I liked both of their reactions; they were honest with each other; didn't play mind games and were sure about how they felt but very hesitant about where to go with their feelings. As the story develops, you know as some point Ellie has to find out who Mikey is...hence You Against Me...but Jenny Downham builds a very believable story about drinking, sexual assault and family. This is my favorite part of the book- when Jacko confronts Mikey about Ellie: "When I first saw Ellie, I knew it was her- she was my fantasy. I didn't want it to be true, but every time I met her it was obvious, and the funny thing was that she was better than the fantasy, like I got more stuff than I'd imagined." p. 337

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The Notorious Benedict Arnold by Steve Sheinkin

The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery by Steve Sheinkin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sheinkin's ode to Benedict Arnold was awesome! I found myself thoroughly immmersed in the world of the American Revolution, Benedict Arnold and his perplexing personality (hard worker, soldier, but also rude and self-absorbed) and the life and times of this important period in our history. The way Arnold's life unfolds will definitely interest students, teachers and reluctant readers. The author has a flair for the dramatic in painting Benedict Arnold as a young man driven to succeed, where his father failed. Arnold has passion and boldness where his soldiers and combat are concerned and he exposes himself to danger often and without thought about how he will fare. This may be a wonderful attribute but we see throughout the war, this attitude garnered Arnold enemies and those enemies plotted time and again against him. Sheinkin;s research was very thorough and he provides many primary sources and secondary sources in order to present the enigma that was Benedict Arnold. I look forward to doing more reading and research on Arnold, George Washington, and other notables during the American Revolution.

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Copper Sun by Sharon Draper

Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You think you have read historical fiction about slavery but then you read this book and the viciousness of the slave owners, the violence perpetrated on these slaves on a daily basis is just so difficult to read. Amari is such an inspiring heroine, along with Polly and Tidbit and Hushpuppy; they brave a hellish journey to freedom. There is just so much I could write about what happens in this book, but I urge you to read it and feel the loss, pain, nightmares and tragedy that each one of these characters suffers. The brutality of the slavesis so crushing, it is so difficult to have hope, but Draper makes sure every character knows there is hope but that only a few use that hope. I now know whay this book received the Coretta Scott King Award and highly recommend every student who has American History read this book and learn about this dark time in our history. Draper also provides resources that include websites and books on slavery that helped her in her research and writing this book. I think reluctant readers would like this book as well.

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Soul Enchilada by David Macinnis Gill

Soul Enchilada by David Macinnis Gill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read Black Hole Sun by David Macinnis Gill and knew I wanted to read this book! Gill's humor just moves his books along and you have to love a character (protagonaist) with the name of Bug Smoot. She is a fiesty eighteen year old who drives a classic cadillac (was her grandfather's before he died) to deliver pizzas for a particularly nasty Vinnie. Bug is a mixed race; her mom was Tejana and her dad was black and she was referred to as coyote by everyone. But Bug has a smart comeback for everyone and when she finds her rent is due and the landlord wants it by 5 o'clock and there is a man (devil) in her car and he has come to repossess the car and her soul in 72 hours; Bug really has too much going on. With lots of help from Pesto, the manager at the car wash, with maybe a love interest too, you will laugh as Bug Smoot tries to outwit the devil and lots of other paranormal goings on. Bug and Pesto are so enjoyable while Vinnie and the devil are just plain evil. But Bug Smoot doesn't back down so 72 hours just flies by with sooooo much going on. I loved this humorous book, enjoyed learning about ElPaso and how to kick demon butt.

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A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

With alternating protagonists twenty years apart, Nya spends her days in the Sudan fetching water many times a day and twenty years earlier Salva is embroiled in the Sudanese Civil War, searching for his family, trying to survive as one of the Lost Boys and walking to Ethiopia and Kenya. Award winning author Linda Sue Park has crafted a fictionalized account of Salva Dut's story and what an admirable job. For upper elementary students, I think this is a must read for all students and the reluctant readers in junior and senior high would enjoy this piece of history that is still fraught with turmoil, genocide and cultural clashes. I think what Salva Dut shows so admirably is that his upbringing helped guide him to be positive and accepting of others. His uncle was able to motivate Salva by giving one thing at a time to strive for; this Salva used when he became a leader of the lost boys and he encouraged the boys for a year and a half to keep walking to make their way to Kenya. Salva continues to want to help others and this is where Nya's story blends with Salva's. A highly recommended read.

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The City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book! Clary and Jace are still my favorites, even though I loved Jem and Will from but Cassandra Clare is the author of this wonderful Infernal Devices so she won't mind me paying homage to her protagonists in both books.
There was so much adventure, drama, secrets, lies and I just wanted to keep reading the book and not work!!!
I really detested Sebastian and I hated when he tried to reach Clary by working on the "sister" angle. It really irked me to see Sebastian and Jace getting along, ew! It was so good to see more of Simon and Isabella, Alec and Magnus, Jordan and Maya. Clare does such a superb job with her characters, their worlds and all of the action going on, I really hated to see it end, but I am so happy to just wait for another one of Cassandra Clare's books. Love, love, love this book.

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Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti

Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Susane Colasanti has written a very telling novel about teens and bullying. Noelle's life is bad; bullied by Carly and Ashley and Warner; neglected by her mother and hooking up with Matt behind a secret wall at school. But Noelle struggles to "keep holding on" and hopes to have more food and clothes and friends some day. This is a gripping story because the bullying is very explicit and difficult to read. Even Noelle watches as others are bullied and wants to help them but knows it would spell doom for her. Noelle's life was once better, but after her mother's boyfriend dies; they have no home to live in; her mom does not have a good job and as life gets harder for her mother, Noelle is the one who suffers. Sometimes there is no food, no toiletries, and stopped up toilets and broken showers. Carly calls her "rotten eggs" because they one time Noelle can;t find any clothes to wear, she is forced to wear clothes that stink. All of this daily horror has Noelle so afraid; she can't let anyone know! But she does have a few things that begin to make her life tolerable; her friend, Sherae, who does not abandon her; Simon who offers her a job editing the school newspaper (which gets her out of the torment of 5th period lunch in the cafeteria) and Julian who really likes her. I know my students will love this book and the bullying aspects of this book will create sensitivity on the part of the readers and have students think twice and stop picking on each other and accept them for who they are. Highly recommended

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The Year of the Beasts by Cecil Castellucci and Nate Powell

The Year of the Beasts by Cecil Castellucci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

With alternating chapters of prose and comics, Cecil Castellucci has woven a gripping tale of sisters, young love, a summer of changes and jealousy that will rip two sisters apart. Tessa and her younger sister Lulu have always hung around together and been very close. But this summer, Tessa is old enough to go to the carnival alone and not be embarrassed about what her parents look like, say and do. But Tessa will not be allowed to just hang out with her best friend, Celina. If Tessa wants to go to the carnival with her best friend, Celina---younger sister Lulu must come too. Tessa has had a crush on Charlie forever and this will be the night that they hold hands or kiss--Tessa can feel it. When she gets separated from Charlie in line, it is Lulu who goes into the sideshow with Charlie and emerges holding hands. This is the beginning of Lulu's first relationship and Tessa's mounting jealousy toward her sister. But Castellucci doesn't just paint these sisters black and white----there is irrational feelings and moods---Tessa loves her sister, and wants the best for her---just not with Charlie. When strange boy Jasper seems to keep popping up, Tessa begins a secret relationship with Jasper (made easier by the fact that he lives next door to Celina---where the sisters spend so much time)and as the summer rolls on---Tessa really cares for Jasper but still is angry with her sister because not only did she steal her secret crush; Lulu has gotten taller and needs more clothes and shoes. Her mother keeps buying Lulu new things but not Tessa. I really liked the allusion to Medusa, who turns anyone who looks at her to stone. You can see the inner turmoil of Tessa through Medusa's hair of snakes. Tessa hates herself for feeling this way; but she just can't help it. What will happen to the sisters, Charlie and the secret boy, Jasper? You must read this, I was totally unprepared for the climax---even though there were hints, signs, etc. As always, I love Cecil's books, now I love Nate Powell's graphic illustrations, I was left with such a tragic feeling...

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The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacugalupi

The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This companion novel to is totally gripping and as much as I totally loved it, the torture many of the characters went through was beyond what any child or adult during a time of war should have to endure!!! I disliked thoroughly what Mahlia, Mouse and any of the child soldiers were put through minute by minute, never knowing if they could be killed even by their own friends, war maggots and/or leaders. Seeing Tool back in this book was awesome, he is so unbelievable and there were many times you just were not sure he would survive this time. The characters of the doctor, Mahlia, Mouse, Tool and Ocho were very well drawn and author Bacigalupi did a terrifyingly good job with the evil characters and there was never a short supply of them. I lost hope alot, can you imagine what it was like for the characters in the Drowned Cities. Mahlia's hope was always being buoyed by recalling her Chinese mother and her teachings about survival because if she didn't constantly think about a better way; she could just abandon hope with all the violence she sees surrounding her. Mahlia is now one of my favorite heroes and so is Tool (I loved him in Ship Breaker too!) with his augment status and his allegiance to no one but himself. Two of my favorite quotes, Dr mahfouz is explaining why the troops keep fighting, "Whe people fight for ideals, no price is too high, and no fight can be surrendered. They aren't fighting for money, or power, or control. Not really. They fight to destroy their enemies. Soeven if they destroy everyhting around them, it is worth it, because they know that they'll have destroyed the traitors."
The boat man they took captive on being forced to take Mahlia, Mouse and Tool down river. "Children with guns, We aren't even people to you."

Highly recommended, just know it is very difficult to read...you will keep thinking about this book again and again and cringing again and again. Unfortunately the author did his research on the child soldiers and what they are forced to endure...


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Dead to You by Lisa McMann

Dead to You by Lisa McMann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

OMG I am not really sure about the ending, I can't stop thinking about it, so that makes it all the more compelling. Ethan was abducted when he was 6 years old and 9 years later is reunited with his family; mom, dad, Blake and litle siter, Gracie (who was so cute with her lisp- Efon for Ethan and momsters for monsters- SO CUTE!) He has no memory of his early life and it is not easy going from his life with Eleanor...to a normal family and lots of rules (that resulted after Ethan was abducted) This is a thin book with short chapters, I was succked in and reluctant readers will love this book, but I am still reeling about the ending. You have to read it yourself and decide!

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Exposed by Kimberly Marcus

Exposed by Kimberly Marcus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Liz is a great photographer, a senior with a loyal boyfriend, and best friend forever in Kate since they were six years old. But all of this changes when their once a month slumber party is marred with a fight. Liz accuses Kate of being too comfortable and never taking a chance, their argument ends in Liz angry and stomping up to her room, leaving Kate in the basement. What happens next is open to interpretation. This novel in verse reminded me of the Alex Flinn book, Fade to Black where the reader is not sure who is telling the truth...this is what happens in Exposed and Liz's lens of the world changes, and she begins to lose her moral compass. A great read for girls, reluctant readers, and anyone who likes novels in verse.

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The Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well this book was steamy, I could not put it down! I loved Magnus Bane, Will, Jem and Tessa. But even more, the lesser characters of Sophie, Gideon, Jessamine, and the rivalry amongst the Nephilium as Tessa, Charlotte, Henry, Jem and Will race against time and the clockwork army. The tension builds as Will confides to Magnus his secret. Tessa is torn between her feelings for Jem and Will. There are many tense moments and surprises: Nate, Tessa's brother returns and is as dastardly evil as before; Tessa and Sophie are trained by the Wayland Brothers and this training helps them and Will finds out his family is alive. Clare's secondinstallment of the Infernal Devices does not disappoint and I can't wait to see what happens with Tessa and the men in her life. Tessa still seeks the answer to who she is and the ending was totally awesome. Bring on Book Three!

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Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I couldn't stop laughing with and at Jack Gantos in this sweetly humorous book! After playing with his father's old Japanese army souvenirs and firing a loaded rifle (he had no idea it was loaded)Jack is grounded for the summer by his mother. He will remain in his room all summer reading history books except to go help old Miss Volker around her house. What ends up happening is that Jack writes Miss Volker's dictated obituaries, types them up, and runs them to the newspaper to be published. Miss Volker is bent on delivering her promise to Eleanor Roosevelt to euolgize all the original Norvelt inhabitants. There is a lively cast of characters and the summer days of Jack Gantos in Norvelt, PA just fly by. Mr. Spizz is trying to romance Miss Volker, who wants none of it. Jack's mom makes meals for the elderly and barters for goods and services, rather than pay cash. "She always used the newspaper for place mats because she didn't like to waste anything/" Jack's Dad has a job, buys a plane, has Jack dig a huge hole for a bomb shelter and starts moving the old empty Norvelt homes to new destinations. Jack's best friend, Bunny Huffer, doesn't take too kindly to Jack's house prison sentence because it really impedes their baseball games. Her father is the mortician and she has lots of dead person jokes that crack Jack up. I especially enjoyed Jack's nosebleeds and Miss Volker's attempts to stop the bleeding. This is a great boy book, reluctant reader and girls will enjoy Jack Gantos' characters in this historical, humorous, small town semi-true-fiction story. It has all the elements of a great read. Highly recommended!

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Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well I think I enjoyed this just as much as Divergent! I was hanging on to every word, I wanted to just grab any free moment to read what was going to happen next, each chapter a thrilling adventure in Tris' divergent world. There were so many surprises (Caleb and Peter)and I really loved the Four/Tobias and Beatrice/Tris relationship as it continued and Tris' awareness of her surroundings was very visual and she seemed to like the smell of "wet pavement". I have some favorite quotes- this one sums up Tris "Sometimes I feel like I am collecting the lessons each faction has to give me, and storing them in my mind like a guidebook for moving through the world. There is always something to learn, always something that is important to understand." And the definition of Insurgent; "A person who acts in opposition to the established authority, who is not necessarily regarded as belligerent." Finally, this book was all about choices and how those choices could define you, destroy you and free you. I found Tris and Tobias to be so brave in the face of such an uncertain world; but they were forging ahead for a good world. Soooo good, I highly recommend this book!

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Dodger's Doorway by Alessandro Reale

Dodger's Doorway by Alessandro Reale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This first novel by Alex Reale,a former student, is an exciting adventure into many fondly remembered childhood fairy tales. A teen, Mark Bishop, who calls himself, Dodger, is bullied unmercifully at school, his parents fight all the time and belittle him so much that Dodger is really looking forward to turning 18 and leaving behind his sorry excuse for a life. But a chance trip into his closet one night leads him into a fairytale kingdom complete with castles, Humpty Dumpty, Rumpelstiltskin, Pinocchio, Tinkerbell, who need his help as a "literary" to overthrow evil (Captain Hook and his pirates). Each time Dodger reaches within himself to help Humpty and Rump (I love this nickname!) he grows more aware of how unhappy he was and now is able to forget his fear and fight for good. It is not easy for him and Reale does a great job of showing Dodger's uneasiness and anger with situations. But with each encounter and there are many, you root for Dodger and enjoy the many adventures (some are pretty gruesome)that bring him closer to being able to confront his bully when and if, he returns home. I liked the mentions of Phildelphia, Temple, and University of Pennsylvania and I look forward to more books from Alex way to go!

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The Final Four by Paul Volponi

The Final Four by Paul Volponi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love all of Paul Volponi's books and this is no exception! He gets the suspense and excitement just right in this book about basketball and 4 overtimes in a game that will totally drive you crazy with anticipation. Who will win this Final Four game between the Michigan State Spartans (Malcolm McBride and Michael Jordan) against the Troy University Trojans (Roko Bacic and Crispin Rice)is anyone's guess as we follow the story through the four main characters, (and there are so many more other memorable characters in this book!) newspaper stories, and news reporting by sportscasters. I so enjoyed Malcolm; he was easy to dislike with all his bravado, but he was a consummate player, who had a close-knit family, ethics that kept him away from the drug infested streets, parties and trouble. Volponi's trash-talking between the basketball players was cruel and amusing and created a dynamic that fueled the tension on the court. Roko's story was heartrending with his flight from Croatia and the loss of his uncle. But you knew he was going to do whatever it took to survive, be a leader, and be just like his uncle. I enjoyed the dynamics between Michael Jordan and Malcolm and loved his Reaction Paper: Basketball is Life! Crispin Rice's spur of the moment proposal teaches him (and his team) about living in the moment and the Troy of Hope good luck won't make them a winning team, but looking out for each other during the game is their winning strategy. I will be getting multiple copies of this book for our library and I know my reluctant readers, especially those that love basketball will be fighting for this book!

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