The Truth Commission by Susan Juby

The Truth Commission by Susan Juby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Normandy, Dusk & Neil are nonconformist art students who form the Truth Commission. In a wacky literary nonfiction paper Normandy tells the story of her friends and family and how the truth commission works.I found the book a little unnerving to follow with all the footnotes, etc. But what I did like was the friendship of these 3 students and how each of them approaches those in their school about getting to their truth. I found the mystery surrounding Normandy's family pretty heinous and was happy with the believable resolution of Normandy's truth with her family and sister.

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The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved listening to this amazing audiobook! Mare Barrow is a Red who lives in a crushing world of poverty serving the ruling class known as the Silvers. When she makes a mistake as a thief, she is catapulted into the world of the Silvers and "imprisoned" as the Silver Princess hiding her red blood lineage (she is jeeringly called The Little Lightning Girl because she can create fire and electricity within her body and hands). I loved the romance, the worlds, the plot, and the truly evil characters Aveyard weaves into this drop dead action novel complete with magical powers, rebellion, and surprising duplicity. I am rooting for Mare in the sequel and I have to admit it is driving me nuts waiting. Come join in the twitter chat with #2jennsbookclub on 11/12 at 8pm EST!

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Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I want everyone I know to read this book! I am not going to share too much because I want YOU to read it but I will say a few things:) Nicola Yoon's debut novel is WOW! I loved the cover and the words at the top "The greatest risk is not taking one" and this defines Maddy, Olly & Carla. They took risks, and what happened??? Well, you have to read this 310 page book of awesomeness and you will fall in love with the story, characters, themes and ESPECIALLY her husband, David Yoon's spectacular illustrations- they are key to who Maddy is and this book is BETTER for David Yoons's participation. Join #yabookchat and @bookfin Sunday 11/1 at 9pm EST for a twitter chat, you will be hooked on books.

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Fans of the Impossible Life byKate Scelsa

Fans of the Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This debut novel by Kate Scelsa will be a sure winner with teens! As you become ensconced in the tricky lives of Mira, Sebby, and Jeremy you root for these troubled adolescents whose worlds are in trouble as they find and protect one another. I loved Sebby's quote mirroring the book's title (p. 116), "May we live impossibly. Against all odds. May people look at us and wonder how such jewels can sparkle in the sad desert of the world. May we live the impossible life." I loved their personalities, their strong support for each other, and their insecurities. Mira, Sebby and Jeremy needed each other desperately but also recognized they would need to stand on their own two feet at some point to survive. A novel many teens will identify with; highly recommended.

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Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many, many thanks to Penguin Group, Penguin Young Readers Group, Philomel Books and Net Galley for ARC of Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. I just can’t stop gushing out this book! This masterful work of historical fiction is another excellent title BOTH adult and YA readers will want to read and not be able to put down!!! The young adult characters alternating their stories at the end of World War II all have secrets to hide yet they strive to survive and return to their homelands. My heart broke as I followed Joana, Florian, and Emilia with the masses of refugees who board the Wilhelm Gustloff ship. Joana is a Lithuanian nurse tortured by guilt. Florian is a Prussian with secrets and regrets but also an unwilling hunter and a reluctant hero. Emilia in her bright pink woolen cap, is a Polish girl fierce in loyalty and bravery. As their stories blend together, the reader lives their harsh reality of war, regret, and dreams. Ruta Sepetys takes a little known horrendous incident and crafts a mighty story you can’t put down; many times you will want to turn away from the horrors that are visited on poor innocents but the reader is engulfed in a story about war, it’s brutality, inhumanity and ultimately hope. Please read the Author Note for Ruta Sepetys’ insight and research on this little known incident in WW II history; it is essential to understanding the story. This is my new favorite book of hers, but I still love Between Shades of Gray and Out of the Easy!!! Ruta Sepetys is such a great historical fiction author who intricately weaves family, politics, war, love, and friendship into a sweeping story that will change the reader; it changed me. Look for this book February 2016, highly recommended.

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Two Bobbies: a True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival by Kirby Larson

Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival by Kirby Larson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book so much I purchased three- one for me to share, one for my daughter who is a K teacher and one for my daughter-in-law who is a K teacher (and of course Kylie, my granddaughter has read it many times, what a beautiful story of the Katrina Hurricane and its effect on a cat and a dog - and of course, on the readers who will just be so happy these two Bobbies stay together to survive. The illustrations are gorgeous and I appreciated the "real" photographs of the two pets too! Children and adults will learn so much about Hurricane Katrina, the lapse of time people and animals endured before help arrived. The Author's note at the end was very helpful and added even more important information about these two very special pets. Highly recommended!

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Read Between the Lines by Jo Knowles

Read Between the Lines by Jo Knowles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can't remember who recommended this book to me, but this is a book all teens should read! Jo Knowles takes something that happened to her in real life as a child ad uses one incident in each chapter of the book to perfection. Teens at a school are just trying to make it one day at a time, surviving bullies and mean girls, parents, teachers and even next door neighbors. Each character spoke to me (my favorite was Claire) and I think teens will see themselves or others on these pages. Even better is Jo Knowles' plea to "tell it true, even if it means, read between the lines."

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