Emmy & Oliver by Robin BenwayMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Loved, loved, loved this book! Emmy and Oliver were best friends and next door neighbors, when at age 7 he was kidnapped by his dad. What this does to Oliver's family, Emily's family, the whole community is explored deftly and very well done by Robin Benway. I read this on my kindle and could not put it down! The day Oliver was taken away by his Dad, he was passed a note by one of his school buddies which asked, Do you like Emmy? Yes or No and Oliver circled Yes. That is the one piece of paper Emmy saves and continues to hold dear when Oliver, at 17 years of age, walks back into everyone's lives. While he was gone, Emmy's parents were so distraught about what happened to Oliver that they over-protected her - 9pm curfew, no sports, etc. This does not stop Emmy from surfing, partying, and lying - because what option does she really have?? But I really really liked the kind of girl Emmy was - a good, strong, honest friend, respectful daughter, focused student but often forced to live with situations Oliver's kidnapping caused. I loved Emmy's friends, Caro & Drew and I loved seeing her friendship with Oliver slowly build. Oliver really feels like an outsider even though he knows these students were once his friends...will he be able to deal with a new family (mother, stepfather and 2 little sisters) while still missing his dad (who everyone hates) ? Once again, I rooted for Emmy and Oliver - what will happen to their friendship because of their past, and is there a future---A MUST READ!!! And for another YA similar book, read Pointe by Brandy Colbert!!!
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Acid by Emma Pass – I couldn’t stop listening as Jenna Strong is imprisoned by the police (the most barbaric force known as ACID) for murdering her parents when she was 15 years old. But all is not as it seems; if you love action, suspense, and thrillers; you will not soon forget Jenna’s world of lies, espionage, and sinister brutality—what will she do to remember her life as it was and as it is now? This audiobook has riveting plots, characters (nasty and nice) and a dystopian world you won’t forget! 
Revolution by Deborah Wiles – What I enjoyed most was the factual speeches from the 1960s and news stories interspersed with white Sunny’s story of civil rights workers coming to her town in Mississippi and getting blacks out to vote. Sunny’s teen viewpoint was key- she did not know about racism and segregation other than what she hears (“they are invaders”) from her family and others in charge. Sunny learns so much more that summer as events unfold, friendships are made and broken, and families are mended.
Define Normal by Julie Ann Peters – LOVED it. Both girls are fantastic protagonists, although the story is told solely from Antonia’s point of view. Antonia is peer counseling Jazz Luther who is her total opposite. As I listened to this compelling audiobook I realized why I love Julie Ann Peters’ books- she gets teens. This book is no different- both Jazz and Antonia have “stuff” going on and teens will be riveted reading or listening to this book; can seeming “opposites” get along, trust each other, and become friends?
Half Bad by Sally Green is an amazing psychological thriller audiobook! I loved Carl Prekopp’s narration; he was gripping and mesmerizing as Nathan. In a future England, Nathan is half white witch and half black witch and it is being the son of notorious black witch, Marcus, that brands him an outsider—even his own sister, Jessica, hates him. Thankfully Nathan has a wonderful and sympathetic brother, Aaron. Aaron is sweet, trusting, and very protective of Nathan. But Aaron is not bullied, beaten up, or branded “BAD” like Nathan. Will Nathan be able to elude the hunters and survive until his 17th birthday and receive his three important powers of magic? Will he be able to survive in a world that does not want him or his father?
