Summer Promise, Christy Miller Series By: Robin Jones Gunn

In the first book Summer Promise by Robin Jones Gunn's Christy Miller Series. Is about a 14 year old girl named Christy who is stoked for her summer vacation to California with her Aunt and Uncle. Upon arriving to the place of New Port Beach California things appear great, but as time goes by things Christy realizes that she doesn't fit in with the crowd that lives in the town. After tons of embarrasment as well as rejection Christy's Aunt decides that if she undergoes a makeover things will be better. As Christy undergoes her transformation, she thinks that it will help gain the respect of Todd, Spencer, and Alissa who all seem to live different lives than she does. As things progress, and promises are broken. Christy not only realizes that beauty is skin deep, but fitting in is not always the best thing. Although Christy's friends have treated her different, there are still those who are there when you can't see. All promises are meant to be kept, and hopefully Christy will keep her summer promise. The other two books of the Volume inclue A Whisper and a Wish, as well as Yours Forever! I really enjoyed this book, and I hope you shall too!

The rating of this book would be a 4, because I enjoyed it very much.

The popularity of this book would be a 2 because it appeals to some teens, but not all.

Demonata Book 7 By Darren Shan

Ultimate gore master Darren Shan has done it again!

In book seven of his Demonata series, the story is told by, once more, none other than Bec. After being brought back to life by stealing Bill-E's body, Bec is at a loss of how to deal with the new world when her soul has been locked within a cave for thousands of years. After the death of Uncle Dervish's nephew, the man presses Bec harshly for the boy's memories, making her feel very much like a mistreated young girl, but this soon becomes the least of her problems. The notorious miser of misery, Lord Loss, has returned, only to be found working for an even more powerful force that even Beranabus cannot torture information about out of other demons. The only thing they seem to know is that it has been nicknamed, 'The Shadow." After many trials of blood, guts and pus, Bec manages to fight her way, along with her companions, to face off against the new foe. But they may have discovered something more than they ever could have bargained for. Will this finally be the end of humanity as we know it?

*Quality- 4Q (Better than most)

*Popularity- 3P (Some teen appeal, certainly not for the faint of heart)

Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me

Wonderful Tonight, by 60's model Pattie Boyd, is a wonderfully eloquent autobiography about the icon's personal experiences and adventures in the exciting era of the 60's and 70's. Pattie Boyd grew up in Kenya, Africa and after moving to England began a stunning career as a model. She even worked many times with the model legend Twiggy. In 1964 she was offered a small part in the Beatles first movie, A Hard Day's Night as one of many lovestruck school girls. She however, actually got to be in the same scenes as the Beatles. The connection was instant and the chemistry was undeniable George Harrison (the Beatles' guitarist) and Pattie Boyd fell in love. They soon were married, and being married to a Beatle would obviously not be an exactly normal life. However rough times were ahead and George's and Pattie's marriage began to fall apart. Enter: Eric Clapton. One of George's closest friends and hopelessly in love with Pattie. What began then was a confusing triangle which eventually led to the divorce of George and Pattie and the not so great relationship between her and Eric. Wonderful Tonight reads like a fictional love story rather than a biography. It is an excellent and fast paced read that any Beatles fan or 60's and 70's fan is sure to adore. It contains several pages of rare photographs from Pattie Boyd's personal collection and is a fascinating insight into the behind the scenes life of the 60's Rock N' Roll lifestyle. Sure to be a great read for any Rock N' Roll buff.

P:4 Q:5

Black and White by Paul Volponi

What does it mean to be a good friend? Does it mean you look beyond the color of someone’s skin? Does it mean you stick by them through thick and thin? Does it mean risking your life and taking the fall in order to protect them?
Marcus and Eddie are best friends. They do everything together including being the stars of the basketball team and have earned the nicknames “Black and White”, just like the color of their skin. While they have broken stereotypes and claim to have each other’s backs, one bad choice—one mistake—will change the course of their lives and their friendship forever. Can friendship have shades of gray or is everything just Black and White?

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

Charlie Gordon is 32 years old and has an IQ of 68. He holds a job at Donners bakery as a delivery boy and attends Beekman College Center for Retarded Adults, where he is learning to read and write. Charlie has been picked to have a special operation that may allow him to be the first person to their intelligence increased. The researchers have performed this same operation on a special mouse named Algernon and it has been extremely successful. Charlie has always wanted to be smart and this is his chance.

Charlie is asked to document his journey, his thoughts, feelings, and memories as progress reports or journal entries. It isn’t long before Charlie is reading multiple languages and acquiring knowledge that far surpasses that of the doctors responsible for his success. But have they done enough research into the side effects and lasting potential of the experiment? Will Charlie forever be a new man or is he only a flower, which will bloom and then fade away?

Review by Chanda L: Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke

This book is the conclusion to the Inkheart trilogy. It is full of twists, turns, and unsuspected surprises. This would be one of those books that if you have a lot of time on your hands it would be great. Its action packed and very hard to put down believe me.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

“THE BILL OF LIFE
The Second Civil War, also known as “The Heartland War,” was a long and bloody conflict fought over a single issue. To end the war, a set of constitutional amendments known as “The Bill of Life” was passed. It satisfied both the Pro-life and Pro-choice armies. The Bill of Life states that human life may not be touched from the moment of conception until a child reaches the age of thirteen. However, between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, a parent may choose to retroactively “abort” a child……on the condition that the child’s life doesn’t “technically” end. The process by which a child is both terminated and yet kept alive is called “unwinding.” Unwinding is now a common, and accepted practice in society.” (intro)

Imagine living in the not so distant future, never knowing whether or not you will make it to adulthood. Never knowing if your parents will decide they have had enough of your attitude or whether you have reached your potential and you are no longer needed. In this future, you can become an Unwind and once your parents sign the Unwind order, there is no turning back. As an Unwind you aren’t “killed” but rather taken to a harvest camp whether your parts are divided up and used by others. Against your own will, you have become an organ donor. The plus side of this whole revolution –you and those you love will never have to wait on a donor list for a new organ, as they are in high supply. You could live forever… as a part of someone else.

Carrie's Review: Chain mail: Addicted to You by Hiroshi Ishizaki

Chain Mail: An escape from reality, a dive into the exciting world of fiction. Four Tokyo teenage girls who have never met all encounter loneliness, unhappiness, and the feeling of not fitting in. All in different situations, They are drawn together by one thing: Chain Mail. After a mysterious chain message is passed forward, each of these girls find an escape from reality by accepting the message's offer. Online they will each play a role in a story and take turns writing their parts to move the story forward. These four parts include: the innocent school girl being stalked, the creepy male stalker, the school girl's boyfriend, and the female detective. The story starts off innocent enough but after unsuspecting twists in the teenagers individual lives begin to occur, they begin to wonder if Chain Mail is real or fiction? This suspenseful novel is a light read and a fast one. Once started, it can be guaranteed that it will be hard to put down. Each chapter takes turns transitioning between three of the four teenage girls, and female readers will be sure to identify with at least one of the characters. It also provides a glance into the teenage life of Japan and will be sure to give you goosebumps. Hiroshi Ishizaki's novel is an excellent read.

P: 4 Q: 5

Immortal Rain by Kaori Ozaki

Looking for a manga series that has a bit of everything? Then you should look into "Immortal Rain". Within this exciting comicbook there is action, horror, romance, and comedy all rolled into one. You follow the main heroine, Machika, as she comes upon a man said to be Methuselah, a human being that cannot die. But there is far more to Methuselah than meets the eye. With a random and oddball personality, he informs Machika that his real name is Rain, and that he despises being immortal. From there, Machika decides to help him get revenge on the real Methuselah that lives under the name of Yuca Collabell, who was the one that killed Rain's past love and gave him the curse of immortality. Throw in a bunch of intersting and colorful characters that the two meet along the way, and you have a very entertaining read. If you are a manga fan, you shouldn't be able to resist picking up a copy of "Immortal Rain".

*Quality- 4Q (Better than most)

*Popularity- 4P (Broad general teen appeal)

Goddess Games Niki Burnham

Can you imagine taking your whole summer vacation to work at a spa? How about throwing in that you have to room with two other girls that you can't get along with. Claire, Seneca, and Drew must encounter this when they are put in a roller coaster with no way out. They must get over their differences, and accept each other for who they are. Each of the girls has different types of morals in this story, and are easily relatable to girls now days. If your looking for a book that can make you laugh and cry then I would suggest you to read Goddess Games, where Claire, Seneca, and Drew let go of the things they cannot change and persue a friendship that will change their lives forever. =]

If I were to give this book a rating I would give it a 4Q that it is better than most, and a 4P that can appeal to a broad general of teens now days.

Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata

Do you have a pet? If so, you know how much a pet can become a part of your family. Imagine if you had to move and could no longer keep your pet. What would happen to it? Would you be able to find it a safe home with friends, family or someone else or would you be forced to take it to the pound or shelter, not knowing whether it would be adopted or have to be euthanized?

Willie loves his German shepherd, Cracker, who is his best friend. But when his family moves into an apartment that doesn’t allow dogs or pets of any kind, Willie has a month to find Cracker a new home. He has begged people, his parents placed an ad in the newspaper, but no one wants a big dog. Willie even took Cracker to the pound, but in the end he couldn’t leave her there. Willie noticed an ad in the paper not far down the column from his, placed by the US Army, looking for German shepherds to go to Vietnam. While it breaks his heart to lose Cracker, Willie decides that the Army might be the best place for her, especially since Cracker will be the best dog in Vietnam.

During basic training, Cracker is teamed up with Rick, a young dog handler. While he isn’t Willie, Cracker and Rick soon become an inseparable team. Will Rick and Cracker be able to make it through the war and return safely home to the USA?

Lifting the Sky by Mackie D'Arge

Twelve year old Blue Gaspard has grown up with little in terms of a stable place to call home. Since her father left the family when she was only four, saying he was headed out for more mustard, Blue's mother has moved from ranch to ranch around the state of Wyoming. The jobs have never lasted long and all their worldly possessions fit in the bed of their old pickup truck. Blue has become accustomed to stealing cans of food and tucking them away in her just-in-case box well, just-in-case the day comes when she is forced to leave school in the middle of the afternoon and head out with her mom for greener pastures. Blue wishes for just one year, even six months, in one place but as her mother always says, "Just bloom where you are planted."

As luck would have it the next stop in the Gaspard girl's journey is a quiet secluded ranch nestled near the Indian reservation in Fremont County. Mom is hired on as the ranch manager and Blue soon finds herself in charge of feeding and caring for two premature bum calves. Blue also fully discovers her gift of seeing the lights, or auras, around people, animals, and places and is able to use these lights to heal.

Will this place be able to heal the holes in the Gaspard family? Have Blue and her mother finally found a home to call their own? What happens when all your dreams seem to finally be coming true?

This debut novel is sure to be a winner among those middle readers and teens looking for a wholesome, descriptive novel that celebrates the bonds of friendship, faith in oneself, and the healing power of love.

This book will be published in March 2009. The author, Mackie D'Arge, lives on the Wind River Reservation in Fremont County, Wyoming.

Mr. Roger's Review: Witch Child by Celia Rees

Set in England and the New England colonies during the 1650s, Witch Child is a book that explores how superstition, prejudice and fear can overwhelm people and cause them to react with terrifying results. Mary, the narrator, struggles with several blows to her young life: the death of beloved relatives and friends; new friendships discouraged because "they" don't belong; personal rejection and mistreatment as an outsider who is begrudgingly allowed into the community and, in a tense ending, confronting the person who caused the whole chain of events as he tries to finish the job he attempted in England: Kill her as a suspected witch. Filled with facts as to the everyday life of the time (food, herbal lore, social customs, etc.) I was hooked on this book as soon as I read the first paragraph.

Luna by Julie Anne Peters

Secrets. We’ve all had them. Some are small and insignificant. Some are gigantic and life-changing. Some you share with others and some you hold close to you as your own.

Regan has a secret, a secret she is keeping her for her brother Liam. She has always accepted the secret and Liam, but now it feels like it is about to break her apart. You see, Liam is transgendered. He was born a boy but has always been a girl inside. Now Liam, or Luna as he would rather be called, wants to be a girl inside and out. He wants to go to the mall and school dressed as a girl and really wants to have a sexual reassignment surgery. But is Luna really ready to meet the real world? How will it affect Regan and Luna, both at home and at school? Is Regan ready to release Liam’s secret and allow the rest of the world to know the truth?

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Kristina
The perfect student
Happy life

A second chance
To reconnect with
Absent father.

Rather
Than the reunion
Hoped for

Dad on drugs
Dirty apartment
Empty fridge

Adam/Buddy
A new reality
Chance to experiment

New discoveries
The monster
And Bree.

Return home
New person
Bad habits

The monster’s
Hold
Won’t let go.

No longer Kristina
Bree will do
anything

For a taste of
The monster:
Crank.

Sequel: Glass

Crank is a 2008-2009 Soaring Eagle nominee

Serina's Review: Carrie by Stephen King

It is easy to say that the book Carrie covers a vast amount of genres. While it mostly focuses on supernatural touches, it also delves into the life of an average high school girl, minus her ability to move things with her mind. Carrie is one of the many people that are outcast out of the popular society as well as the brunt of the school jokes. When the final and most terrible joke is played, Carrie takes things into her own hands on a parade of horror and utter destruction that will make people remember the school prom for years to come, and not in a good way.

Rating: 4Q, 3P

Rachel's Review: Witch Child by Celia Rees

Go back in time to the Salem Witch Trials. Mary Newbury lives with her grandmother and her grandma gets hung for being a witch. Mary is forced to act as a Puritan and go acrose the sea to America. Mary meets Martha, an herbal healer who is also a strong Puritan. Mary has to be able to fool the Reverend, and stay alive on the ship to America. People are sick, and having a baby is very dangerous, so when one person is sick and ready to have a child, people turn to Mary and Martha to deliver it safely. Can Mary stay hidden with every prying eye staring at her to fall?

Rating: 4Q, 3P

Shelby's Review: Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

For the month of October I chose to read a novel by Elizabeth Scott called Perfect You. Primarily in this novel Elizabeth Scott focuses on a character named Kate, who is miserable with her life. Scott works her way behind the scenes into the world of Kate including her troubles, hopes, and fears in life. To begin the story Kate's dad quits his job to sell vitamins at the mall. As a result her family is having money problems and the only solution is for her grandmother to come live with them. As if things couldn't get any worse Anna, Kate's best friend, leaves her for the popular crew at school, and acts like she has never known Kate. Just when things seem to get better again Kate's life is placed on a roller coaster and which causes Kate to have a hard time to tell which way is up. The only person who appears to be her friend is Will, and even at that Kate is afraid to let Will be her friend. As the story progresses Elizabeth works her way into your shoes, and makes you relate to Kate. After reading this book I felt really touched by Elizabeth Scott's writing, it's nice to know that in stories as well as in real life that we have ups and downs, but hope can keep us moving even with troubling situations present. I would recommend this book to girls out there with everyday troubles that want love, and friendship in life. The only thing that I disliked about the book was the beginning, it was so sad. I couldn't believe that Scott was able to write about a character that had so much going on with her life, and that things weren't getting better for her. As I continued reading things got better, and happier. In conclusion, if I were to rate this book I would probably give the quality a 3- readable. The popularity of this book I believe appeals to a broad general teen appeal, and I think any girl would enjoy reading this novel.

Carrie's Review: Ghost Ship by Dietlof Reiche

Twelve year old Vicki plans on spending the majority of her summer as a waitress at her dad's seaside restaurant Ye Olde Seashell Room, featuring seashell covered walls and the two-hundred-and-thirty year old figure head off of the infamous Storm Goddess which was lost at sea. At least, that's what everyone thought. When the ancient figurehead is taken down for restoration Vicki sees a vision of a man being hung on the mast of the Storm Goddess. At that moment the water in the local bay disappears leaving exposed the legendary ship itself. While the mayor seeks to make big bucks using the ship as a tourist attraction and a nosy reporter begins poking around, Vicki's dreams become haunted with ghostly memories still attached to the ship. Knowing there is only one thing left to do, Vicki realizes she must sneak aboard the ship and solve the mystery before the Storm Goddess disappears once and for all. A quick paced and spooky novel sure to delight anyone who enjoys a good ghost story. A perfect read for Halloween.
Rating: P:4 Q:5

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Once upon a time there was a little girl who had a perfect life, with two parents who would never dream of hurting her. That little girl didn’t know how lucky she was. During a field trip to an aquarium she met a man who would change her life, her name, her soul forever. She would become a hollow shell of a person, a Living Dead Girl. Once upon a time that little girl’s name wasn’t Alice and she wasn’t Ray’s little girl. Once upon a time that little girl’s life ended and her worst nightmare began.

Through the Storm: a real story of fame and family in a tabloid world by Lynne Spears

Lynne Spears, the mother of Britney and Jamie Lynn Spears, talks about the real life of one of the most notorious families of the last decade. Why did she allow her girls to venture into show business? Did her marriage to their alcoholic father severely affect the family? How much control does a mother have over her teenage and adult children? Can faith in God pull a family through the worst storms life throws their way? During a time where tabloids report anything and everything, truth and lies, this is a refreshing look at the real life of a celebrity family.

Sucks To Be Me: the all-true confessions of Mina Hamilton, teen vampire maybe by Kimberly Pauley

In this post-Twilight era, we all know that the “rules” of vampires aren’t necessarily what they once seemed to be. Vampires could be living among us and you’d never know it. They can walk in sunlight, with some amazing results, and are creative in their dining preferences.
Mina, yes she was named after the Mina in Dracula, has always known her parents were vampires. But the Northwest Regional Vampire Council never knew about her and there enters the problem. Humans are not to know of the true existence of vampires. So Mina must know make a life changing decision. Will she or won’t she become a vampire? Lucky for her, the Council provides twice weekly classes so she can learn all about the life and times of vampires in order to make an informed decision. The decision would be hard enough to make without the added dramas of life as a teenager. What about the prom, hot guys, and sharing everything your best friend? It sure does suck to be Mina.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

My name is Junior and this is my story. I’m a member of the Spokane Indian Tribe. I’m a traitor and an outsider. I live on the rez but leave everyday to attend a white school over 20 miles away. I’m the son of an alcoholic and the brother of a girl who’d rather live in the basement than follow her dreams. I’m poor but so is everyone on the rez. I was born with water on my brain, wear ugly, thick, black plastic glasses. I’ve been to 42 funerals in my 14 years of life. I play basketball and I draw cartoons, because word are too limited and pictures are something anyone can understand. This is my Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

Carrie's Review: The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place by E.L. Konigsburg

Margaret Rose is an extremely artistic and unique teen, and the sources of her talents are not hard to discover. Margaret is thrilled when her two beloved, yet eccentric uncles rescue her from the uptight and stuffy camp in which she is imprisoned in. She is thrilled to be able to stay at her Uncle's home for the summer. Their house is like a treasure trove of old fashioned odds and ends. However, the real heart of the place is the three looming towers that stand in the backyard. Margret's Uncles have been constructing these steel scrap and glass towers for over 45 years and are the essence of her childhood. Unfortunately, this would be the summer that Margaret discovers the city is ordering a demolition of these very towers. Margaret not only bands together with a group of unexpected allies in order to save the towers, but she also discovers who she is and what these structures truly mean to her. E.L. Koingsburg weaves a magnificent tale of friendship, family, and self discovery that I personally recommend for any teen.
Ratin: 5Q, 5P

Rachel's Review: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Melanie Stryder is a normal human being, and that's the problem. See, in Melanie's time, people are held captive in their minds by "souls". These "souls" take over the people's minds, and control their bodies. Melanie has had a soul inserted into her body, and will not keep quiet. Her soul goes by the name of "Wanderer" and is being followed by a Seeker. This Seeker is trying to find the last of the real humans so they can stop the war. Melanie is protecting their whereabouts, by thinking only of Jared, the man she loves. Can Melanie keep Jared and the others safe from the Seeker and her soul's mind-probing?
Rating: 4Q, 3P

Shelby's Review: Mixed Bags (Carter House Girls #1) by Melody Carlson

The book I chose to read and respond to this month was the book called Mixed Bags by Melody Carlson. Melody Carlson has a style of writing that is different than most authors I have read, and I think that the originality of this story is a 5. The story is about a teenage girl named DJ who is living with her grandmother who enjoys fashion, and keeping up with the latest trends. Her grandmother thinks that fashion is more important than most aspects of teenage girls lives, and with that she invites 6 other girls to live at the house and study fashion. Each one of the girls has a different story to their lives, and together the girls including DJ must live together. The main focus of the book is on DJ and her life as a teenager. I really enjoyed the fact that although DJ was different than all the girls Carlson did a nice job creating a character thant most girls can relate with in their lives. Melody Carlson is one of my favorite authors. Although her books are not all popular, they appeal to certain teenagers that enjoy Christian fiction authors. I would recommend this story to any teenage girl who wants a funny and touching story about a girl who goes through troubles of life just like any other girl out there.
Rating: 4Q, 2.5P

Peak by Roland Smith

Peak Marcello was born into climbing. His parents were rock rats so he comes by it naturally. His mom quit climbing years ago and his father hasn’t stopped. Josh was climbing the day Peak was born (hence the name) and has been absent for most of Peak’s 14 year life. Peak has gone to summer climbing camps and tried the indoor climbing gyms but they don’t provide the rush he desires. So he’s taken to climbing NYC skyscrapers and tagging them with a blue mountain. Unfortunately his latest climbing stunt has left him standing in front of a judge, about to be slapped with hard jail time and a hefty fine, not at all what the 14 year old was looking for. However Josh has returned to save the day and take Peak to Nepal. But it quite isn’t the father son reunion Peak anticipated. Is the experience of a lifetime worth sacrificing the truth? Is it possible that Peak will become the youngest person ever to summit Mount Everest? Talk about the climb of a lifetime.

Peak is a 2008-2009 Soaring Eagle Award Nominee and will be the November selection for Afternoon Book Club.

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

It is 1958 and Landon Carter is beginning his senior year of high school. He is student council president, the son of a weathly Congressman, and getting ready to apply for college at the University of North Carolina. Landon expects this year to be a breeze and has even signed up for drama rather than endure Chemistry-II. What Landon didn’t except was that he would end up inviting Jamie Sullivan to the homecoming dance. Jamie Sullivan, the daughter of a Baptist minister; the girl who wears plaid skirts, a plain brown cardigan sweater, hair pulled up in a bun, and carries an old Bible every single day; the girl who believes that everything is part of God’s plan. Jamie, the girl who will teach Landon that appearances aren’t everything and the love can change us forever. Join Landon on A Walk to Remember.

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Peter Houghton is tired of being bullied. It started the first day of Kindergarten when he was tripped walking down the aisle of the bus and a bigger kid threw his Superman lunchbox out the window; it hasn’t stopped since. He’s tried to ignore it but the abuse has continued and escalated. He’s tried to defend himself but ended up being the only one punished. He’s tried to get help from adults, to no avail. He’s even lost his childhood best friend, Josie, who wants a shot at being part of the popular crowd.

Peter has retreated to the world in his computer, where he is in control, where he is smart, popular, and respected for his craft. But one fateful morning he finally snaps. The nineteen minutes he spends doling out his version of revenge to Sterling High School will forever alter the lives of everyone involved.


“In nineteen minutes, you can mow the front lawn, color your hair, watch a third of a hockey game... It’s the length of a sitcom, minus the commercials… In nineteen minutes you can order a pizza and get it delivered… You can walk a mile… In nineteen minutes, you can bring the world to a screeching halt… In nineteen minutes, you can get revenge.”

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney

Greg is back for another year of middle school. He’s decided to continue his journaling, although he has a few secrets that aren’t even safe enough for the journal to keep.

Greg’s family is pretty typical. Mom is a preschool teacher who thinks any problem can be solved by talking it out and drawing pictures. His dad would rather be hiding out in the basement working on his model-size Civil War battle replica than watching chick-flicks with Mom. Greg has two brothers, Rodrick and Manny. Rodrick is in high school and loves to bully Greg. He also knows a secret from the summer that could ruin Greg’s life forever. Manny is 3 and a huge tattle tale.

So what else is new! Well, Greg still has the Cheese Touch from the end of last school year and he’s got to find someone to give it to. His parents decide to leave he and Rodrick alone for the night and Rodrick throws a huge party. Rodrick locks Greg in the basement but then threatens him to secrecy. Will the parents find out and if so, is there any sort of punishment that could make Rodrick finally leave Greg alone? Welcome to another addition of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's Journal by Jeff Kinney

Greg Heffley just started middle school and he’d like this year to be different from the past. He’d like to be more popular, right now he’s ranked about 52nd or 53rd; more muscular, so he wouldn’t have to wrestle Fregley—the weirdest and 2nd lightest kid in class; not be embarrassed by his family during the school play, which Mom made him tryout for; and get the new “Twisted Wizard” videogame for Christmas. Will this year be all the Greg imagines it will be or will it be only year in the life of Greg Heffley, the self-proclaimed wimpy kid?

By the way, he specifically told his mom to buy a JOURNAL not a DIARY, so don’t get the wrong idea. This book isn’t about “feelings”. It was his mom’s idea, but will come in handy when he’s older, rich and famous. And it has great cartoon illustrations and a plan for a spectacularly spooky Halloween haunted house.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is an Indian Paintbrush Nominee for 2008-2009.

Tyrell by Coe Booth

Tyrell Green is 15 and ain’t been to school since December cuz someone gots to be out making money. Tyrell, his moms, and 7-year-old brother Troy are livin in a dirty, roach infested motel room cuz they got evicted 2 weeks ago. Moms knows Tyrell could make a killin selling weed but he don’t wanna go down that road. That road leads to jail, the same one where Tyrell’s pops is right now. Tyrell’s got a girl, Novisha, who says she loves him but has been keepin secrets of the worst kind. Tyrell just met a girl, Jasmine, who has a smokin hot body, a nicotine addiction, and don’t have a home either.

Tyrell’s gotta figure something out and fast. He got a plan and one week to make enough money to find a safe place to live. He gotta to find a location, equipment, promote, and host a party. Tyrell knows he gots the skills to DJ but will he be able to pull this off to save himself and his family before it’s too late?

August Teen Book Reviews

Review by Anna: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Vampires. True love. Possible death from either one. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer has it all. The first book of a 4 part series begins as seventeen year old Bella Swan moves to live with her father in Forks, Washington, where all is not as it seems. The "adopted" family of the local doctor Carlisle Cullen a little strange, not to mention, the most beautiful creatures on the planet. Especially Edward, who Bella can not help but be in love with.

I have seen book-haters become book-lovers when they picked up Twilight. These books are so wonderful, they haven't been off the reserve list for more than two days this summer! So you'd better either buy the book, or get on the reserve list. It's definitely worth the wait.

Review by Carrie:Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

What would happen if you were to fall in love with a vampire? Before her junior school year begins, Bella moves from sunny Arizona to the dull and consistently rainy Forks, Washington. Personally, she hates Forks, but she will do anything to avoid moving to Florida with her mom and her mom's, slightly annoying, boyfriend Phil. Her first day of her new, small school goes as terrible as expected. She is the center of attention at school, which is something she has never been comfortable. However her entire world is turned upside down when she catches the eye of the most beautiful person she has ever seen. He sits across from her in the lunch room and is as pale and smooth as porcelain. He has bronze tinted hair and the grace of an angel. He is surrounded by four other beautiful people. They are the Cullens, and the students at this high school keep their distance because their natural instinct tells them that these four are dangerous. Bella, though, ignores these instincts and slowly brings herself closer to a world of myths, legends and, at the same time, closer to the mysterious and dangerous Edward. Stephenie Meyer weaves an epic and fast paced love story for the ages. Currently a New York Times Bestseller, Twilight is sure to be enjoyed by readers of all kinds, not just fans of fantasy. This book is sure to be a fast read with hardly a dull moment. Unique and compelling, Twilight is sure to leave readers thirsty for more.

Review by Mark: Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Imagine a land ruled by an evil tyrant, his magic, and his dragon. A land where nomadic monsters called Urgals roam the countryside. A land where elves live in fear in the forests, and dwarves and a human resistance group, the Varden, take refuge under the mountains. A land that holds its breath for a rescued dragon egg to hatch, hoping for the dragon and her Rider to overthrow the king. This is the land of magical land of Alagaesia.

Eragon by Christopher Paolini, is an epic tale, filled to the brim with magic, swordfights, and journeys. There are ambushes and torture, and even a dash of romance. As Eragon the Dragon Rider and his dragon Saphira learn the skills they will need to defeat the king, they make new friends and enemies. An elf's life hangs by a thread, and they travel immense distances to try and save her. The excitement doesn't stop at the first book either. The Inheritance Saga will be 4 books long, and each one, if they follow their pattern, will be bigger and better than the last. And that's saying a lot.

Review by Zach: Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Eragon had the simplest of lives. But one magical event was about to change it. You see, when Eragon went hunting in the mysterious spine mountains, Eragon discovered a smooth blue rock. But it wasn’t a rock, it was a dragon egg. With his dragon Saphira and the mysterious storyteller, Brom, they flee the clutches of the evil king Galbatorix; a journey that leads to mysteries, adventure, and their destinies. If you’ve seen the movie, don’t discount the book. Christopher Paolini creates a wonderful world of magic, elves, dwarves, and dragons that a movie could never illustrate. I’d recommend this book to any fantasy lover who’s looking for a great book.

Review by Mary: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Scott Westerfeld's work has always been a pleasant surprise, considering that a lot of young adult fiction these days is either overwrought melodrama or utterly shallow. His worlds are distinctly futuristic yet plausible to the reader, and his characters have to work for whatever they get. Uglies builds a society where everyone receives cosmetic surgery upon turning sixteen, which creates a face and body based on scientific calculations of perfect beauty. Younger children, the titular Uglies, are separated from these Pretties and raised to hate their appearances and count the days until the operation. Tally, the protagonist, is one such Ugly, waiting to turn so that she can join her friends across the river. Her new friend Shay isn't so keen on the operation, and runs away to a place called the Smoke, a sort of refuge for Uglies who don't want to become just the same as everyone else. Tally is rounded up by the shadowy organization Special Circumstances shortly after, and threatened with never receiving the operation if she doesn't reveal Shay's whereabouts. Tally is sent as a spy to infiltrate the Smoke, and the novel takes off from there. The novel is divided into three sections, the first and last of which move along at a steady clip. Tally's actual time in the Smoke is for the most part interesting, but is dragged down somewhat by a subplot of a love triangle and romantic betrayal. It feels out of place in a story where the possibility of a deadlier betrayal is pushing at Tally (although the reader will guess her decision long before Tally comes to it). Likewise, discoveries about the operation will be little surprise to those familiar with the concept of dystopian future style novels. It is to Westerfeld's credit that he spins these facts in and makes them interesting in spite of that fact. These are minor gripes, soothed by the sympathetic characters and the fascinating universe in which they exist. The author creates that universe subtly, bringing up objects such as hoverboards and the lack of penmanship as if they are everyday occurrences, mentions that everyone should know. In that way it's almost more authentic, and certainly more believable than if he had laboriously laid out every detail of this world. The ending makes no attempt to keep the novel a stand-alone, instead setting up directly for the novel's sequel, Pretties. Flaws aside, this is one reader who will most certainly be there.

Review by Rachel: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Tally Youngblood is a 15 year old girl, about to turn 16. Only when Tally turns 16, she doesn’t get a car, she becomes a “Pretty”. In Tally’s world, all of the 16 year old kids undergo an operation to make themselves beautiful, and nearly unbreakable. Only there’s something wrong with these doe-eyed teens—they’re mindless. Tally finds out her best friend is going to run away and stay an “Ugly”. Shay runs away to “the Smoke”, a place where everyone is “Ugly”. Officers know about Shay and they track Tally down to have her go find Shay. Tally has to find out where her loyalties lie in this action packed novel.

Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos

You may know Jack Gantos as the author of the Joey Pigza series as well as other children’s books. But did you know that his writing career almost never happened? In 1971 Gantos dreamed of being a writer and wanted to go to college. In the search for adventure and easy money, he found a way to make a quick $10,000 sailing a boat load of drugs from St Croix to New York City. What Jack hadn’t expected was the arrest and 15 months he would spend in federal prison. Jack bears his soul, not as a sob story, rather as an example of how a person can choose to be more than just the consequences of their actions.

This book is a 2008 Great Stories Club selection as well as a 2003 Printz Honor Book.

July Shelver Reviews

Mary's Review: Debbie Harry Sings in French by Meagan BrothersThis is the kind of book that a person could finish in two hour, if they really set their minds to it. Its more a novella than novel, which is both its greatest strength and greatest weakness. On the one hand its not a book about the ISSUES, its a book with an issue, and that makes it feel much less heavy handed than a lot of YA fiction. Johnny is a goth who accidentally overdoses at a club, and is sent to rehab where he decides he wants to go somewhere else with his life. This is the first time he hears the titular singer Debbie Harry. His single mom, still grieving the death of Johnny's father, sends him across the country to live with his uncle following the rehab. It's there that Johnny starts piecing life back together, finding a father figure in his uncle and a girl he loves.He also begins to realize that his love for Debbie Harry extends to wanting to be her. Or at least to wanting to dress up like her. Johnny's journey is covered nicely for the novel's short length, making it solely his journey in a way many books don't. The story is an emotional rollercoaster condensed, and the reader really feels for the protagonist. On the downside, the protagonist is more or less the only one the readers feel for. Barring Johnny's girlfriend Maria the cast is mainly peripheral. We see them when they affect Johnny's life, but not beyond that. We may like or dislike them, but we are never really allowed to care. We know that Johnny's mother suffered a crippling depression, for example, and that his uncle went through an ugly divorce, but we never see the details nor feel those characters' pain. It's Johnny's story from start to finish. Even considering that, the plot is interesting enough to warrant a read, though some readers might be turned away by the cross dressing subject matter.

Final Verdict: 3Q, 3P

Carrie's Review: After Dark by Haruki MurakamiAfter Dark is a chilling and mysterious novel that takes place in the streets of Tokyo between midnight and sunrise. During the course of these seemingly dead hours, readers find the city at its peak. Murakami intertwines several unsuspecting character plots together as strangers meet and help one another. The book also plunges into a spooky supernatural world where it is not impossible to unexpectedly fall into the other side of the TV. This novel was a fast yet intriguing read. It is certainly one that will have to be read more than once in order to understand the important lessons that make up After Dark. Murakami's novel is filled with symbolism and realistic human characters and make for an enjoyable and thoughtful read.

Rating: 5Q, 3.5P

Rachel's Review: Wolf's Rain 1 & 2 by Keiko Nobumato Bone

Four boys, Kiba, Hige, Toboe, and Tsume are all heading out of their city to find one thing; Paradise. Tsume is a gang leader, has no friends and is very prideful. Toboe, the youngest, is a boy looking of a home and friends. Hige, a boy who is always hungry, has no home, and an incredible sense of smell. Kiba never lets his guard down and always follows his instinct, which keeps him out of trouble. Normal sound boys, right? Wrong. They change into wolves and they're being chased for it. Can they find paradise before they get killed?

Rating: 4Q, 4P

Lori's Review: Questions You Can't Ask Your Mama About Sex by Craig Gross and Mike Foster This is an informative book for teens and pre-teens about sex and the dirty facts tabloids don't expose. This short read is intense, yet funny and factual. It's straight-forward, honest, and probably not for younger readers. Not because of inappropriate content, but rather for the blunt tone of the book. This novel was written for young teens so that they have informed answers to sex questions they feel they cannot ask their parents. As the book was written by a church (Christian) organization, it cites sections of the Bible to help enforce the idea of sexual purity. In a world so unwilling to educate teens to the real consequences of sex, I found this book to be a breath of fresh air.

Rating: 4Q, 2P

Lori's Review: Blackwater by Jeremy Scahill Blackwater is a complicated (challenging) read and the author is very opinionated. The book covers the use of mercinaries in Iraq, privitization of the Army, and the risks of Blackwater. It also covers the history of Blackwater and its founder, the modern threats in the war in Iraq, and why people need to be aware of the Blackwater organization. This novel exposes people and organizations inside the government who are corrupted and holding back the nation.

Rating: 4Q, 2P

And the winner is...

Morgan Wood. She won the $200 gift certificate to Eastridge Mall. Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Teen Summer Reading Program. The 556 teens who signed up read over 12,900 hours this summer.

Olivia's Review: Pet Shop of Horrors by Matsuri Akino

Deep in Chinatown, there is a small pet shop. They have all of your typical pets: dogs, cats, birds, and then they have not-so-usual pets. Like tigers, mermaids, even dragons. But the question is, are these really just animals...or humans? This manga by genius Matsuri Akino is captivating, and the ending may even have you in tears. This is one book you can't pass up. It's amazing all the way through, from the beautiful art to the storyline. Next time you're looking for a good read, just look for Pet Shop of Horrors.
Rating: 4Q, 2P

The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Aw, the joys of first love. Staring for hours into another’s eyes; feeling the electricity between you as you think about holding hands for the first time and awaiting that first kiss; whispered words and endless questions, discovering who the other person really is; wondering if they feel for you even a part of what you feel for them. First love can be wonderful and magical. It can make your heart rush and take your breath away. First love can also kill you, especially if you discover that you are in love with a vampire.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
“We always believe that our first love is our last, and our last love is our first.”~unknown

“Going Under” by Evanescence ©2003
Now I will tell you what I've done for you -

50 thousand tears I've cried.

Screaming, deceiving and bleeding for you -

And you still won't hear me.

Don't want your hand this time - I'll save myself.

Maybe I'll wake up for once

Not tormented daily defeated by you

Just when I thought I'd reached the bottom

I'm dying again

I'm going under

Drowning in you
I'm falling forever

I've got to break through

I'm going under

Blurring and stirring - the truth and the lies.

So I don't know what's real and what's not

Always confusing the thoughts in my head

So I can't trust myself anymore

I'm dying again

What would be worse: dying of a broken heart or losing your humanity, your soul, to become one with your true love forever? For Bella, the answer is clear. Without Edward, she is lost and drowning in her heartache. But Edward will do anything to keep her out of danger, which is why he broke up with her and left Forks. What Edward didn’t realize is that Bella’s attraction to danger and deadly monsters is too strong to be broken. When she finally awakens from her lovesick coma, she finds refuge in Jacob Black, an old family friend. While she can’t give him anymore than friendship, Jacob is her best friend and anchor from the storm still brewing in her heart. While Jacob seems too good to be true, he holds a secret just as strong as Edward’s. Jacob is a werewolf, the sworn enemy of the Cullens. Jacob is Bella’s new reason for breathing but will she ever forget her love for Edward? Can your heart love more than one? Which love would you be willing to die to save?

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
Fire & Ice by Robert Frost
Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I've tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,I

think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

Some people never find their true love. Bella has found it twice, once in Edward, the handsome vampire and again in her best friend Jacob, a werewolf. While it would be wonderful to have two soul mates, that can’t happen when the men you love are sworn enemies and especially when your future plans include becoming immortal. Can Bella live without either of the pieces that make her life complete? Is a danger far more menacing than a love triangle waiting for Bella?

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
We’ve all heard the playground chant: “Two little lovers sitting in a tree… K-I-S-S-I-N-G.. 1st comes love, then comes marriage, then comes…” But what happens when a human marries a vampire? What laws of the human and vampire worlds will Bella and Edward break in order to be together forever? How will those who love Bella react to the changes in her life? Can humans, vampires, and werewolves really find a way to live together peacefully? You’ll be surprised what you’ll discover as the dawn breaks on Bella’s new life.

A New Dawn edited by Ellen Hopkins

Are you obsessed with Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series and impatiently waiting for the next installment? Fear not, for many of your favorite YA authors are in the same boat and they have come together to thrill and inspire with their own take on the series. Megan McCafferty discusses why “The Good Girl Always Goes For the Bad Boy”. Susan Vaught points out that while Edward meets the criteria for a diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder (read: Sociopath), this dangerous boy can still make us swoon. Robin Brande compares Edward to the heros of Bella’s favorite books (Romeo, Heathcliff, and Darcy) to ultimately decide which one would make the best boyfriend. And finally for those diehard Jacob fans, Linda Gerber takes us “Dancing With Wolves”. While this book won’t totally quench your thirst for blood, it should sustain you for the few weeks.

Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

If you were on a deserted island and could have 3 items from your current life, what would you choose? For Steven, the choices would be easy—the 3 things he loves most in life: Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie. Okay, you probably understand the first two choices. Steven is a drummer, one of the only 8th graders chosen to play on the All-Star Jazz Band. He’s had a crush on the hottest girl in school, Renee Albert, for as long as he can remember. So those two selections make sense, typical teenage stuff, but Dangerous Pie?!? What in the world is Dangerous Pie? And why in the world would you choose IT over all of the other important things teenagers can’t seem to live without? What if Dangerous Pie and its creator turned out to be the only thing you wouldn’t want to live without?

This book is a 2008-2009 Soaring Eagle Award nominee and will be the Afternoon Book Club selection for September.

Jessica's Review: The Princess Bride by William Goldman

William Goldman's "The Princess Bride" is supposedly Goldman's abridgement of the Florinese man S. Morgenstern's original version. Goldman claims that as a child sick with pneumonia his father would come in and read to him The Princess Bride every night. "A tale of true love and high adventure, pirates, princesses, giants, miracles, fencing, and a frightening assortment of wild beasts—The Princess Bride is a modern storytelling classic", or at least that is how the story begins. But truly it it! It's a story of true love and adventure. It begins with the milk maid Buttercup (nearly the most beautiful girl in the world) and the farm hand Westley. Every command she orders to him he answers 'as you wish' but what he is really saying is I love you. They share the greatest love ever known in the history of man, but Westley leaves to make his fortune for her. During his journey to America he is murdered by the Dread Pirate Roberts and so Buttercup decides to marry Prince Humperdinck. She is kidnapped before the wedding by a Sicilian, a Spaniard, and a giant but is soon kidnapped from these criminals by a man in black. The man reveals himself to Buttercup only after he has bested the Spaniard in fencing, out fought the giant, and defeated the Sicilian in intelligence. The man in black is in fact Westley, but they are soon separated by the evil Prince Humperdinck and his soldiers. At this point I realize I'm getting carried away with myself and must now stop giving away the entire story! It's a fairytale, an adventure, a love story, a tale of friendship and I suggest it to any and every one whether you're interested in these things or not. If you have seen the movie and loved it then read the book it's just as good. If you've seen the movie and hated it, I suggest you watch it again and learn to like it because this is one of the greatest stories of all time! Love it please! ;)

Rating: 5Q, 5P

Rachel's Review: Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto

Uzumaki Naruto is a normal student trying to pass in the Ninja Academy... or so he thinks. Naruto is actually a boy holding the ninetails fox demon possession in his body, while he doesn't even know about it. Having Sasuke, as scheming homocidal teen and Sakura, a love-sick girl crazy about Sasuke, all are in training to become true ninjas. Sasuke wants to learn just to kill; Sakura, to follow Sasuke around. Naruto wishes to learn to become the next Hokage. What will happen when their teacher is crazy, and doesn't like them?

Rating: 4Q, 4P