THE BROKER

Joel Backman, who was once the face of Washington as a major broker, landed himself in a federal prison for holding secrets vital for world peace. The President, who has lost favor from most sources, grants Backman a full pardon in Italy. What no one is aware of however, is that once Joel is comfortably settled into his new life in the suburbs of Italy, the CIA will reveal where he is hiding to all the countries that could possibly be involved. In a race to find out what happened to the most advanced satellite devices, assassins from all over the world are closing in. After finding out who has killed the former broker, the CIA will know who has created the satellite, and whether the country poses a threat.

Why I picked this book: I enjoy the law/mystery books, and John Grisham is one of my favorite authors.

Why I finished the book: The book kept building up the plot, and I had to finish it.

I'd give this book to: anyone who is at all interested in a fantastic book about law and mystery.

Also, anyone who just wants an exciting book.

My Rating: ***** One of the best books

Not My Daughter by Barbara Delinsky

Teen pregnancy is again front and center in the news. Many movies and books are being delivered to audiences following the 2008 pregnancy pact scandal in a Gloucester, Massachusetts high school. So far, 2010 has brought us the Lifetime movie "The Pregnancy Pact", http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/the-pregnancy-pact and this book Not My Daughter.

The three girls making the pregnancy pact are bright, successful young women (high school seniors) and one of those girls, Lily, is the daughter of the high school principal, Susan. Ironically (or maybe not), Susan was a single teenage mother herself, though her pregnancy with Lily was definitely not planned and Susan is having a tough time accepting Lily's news.

Their small town of Zaganack, Maine is also shocked by the news of these three girls choosing to become pregnant and wants someone to blame. Will Susan's career as principal survive? Are Susan and the other mother's responsible for their daughter's decision-making? What does it really mean to be a good mother? A good parent?

Why I picked this book: I have been reading a lot of YA books about teen pregnancy and I wanted to know how it would be handled in adult fiction. I had also just watched "The Pregnancy Pact" and wanted to see another angle.

Why I finished the book: It was a fast, easy read. I wish the author would have spent more time focused on the other girls in the pact, although I understand why Susan & Lily were front and center.

I'd give this book to: mothers, daughters, and educators. Readers who like Jodi Picoult but are looking for something a bit shorter.

My rating: 3 stars-Liked It

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Drawing in the Dust by Zoë Klein

Page Brookstone is a respectable archaeologist and has a deep passion for her work. However, she begins to feel that something in her life is lacking so when a young Arab couple confront her about ghosts haunting their home Page is intrigued. Naima and Ibrahim Barakat are convinced that the ghosts of two lovers live along side them and they ask Page to excavate under the home. Page puts her career and reputation on the line and follows her heart on a captivating journey that will lead her to the discovery of a lifetime: the remains Jeremiah the prophet locked in a passionate embrace with a mysterious prophetess by the name of Anatiya. This discovery will change Page Brookstone's life forever. It will cause her to put her own life in danger, fall in a forbidden romance of her own, and question the lifestyle she has felt safe with for so long. A captivating and beautifully written romance and adventures for the ages, this book is filled to the brim of poetic language and page turning events. It will leave the reader sad to have finished it.

Why I picked up this book: I was searching for a new read at the bookstore so I picked this up read the leaf and was immediately excited to read it. The fact that it was almost a female Indiana Jones story caught my attention.

I finished this book because: It was impossible to put down. Simple as that.

I'd give this book to: Anyone interested in a poetic and exciting romantic read. It is also enticing for anyone who has ever studied the Bible weather from a religious or a literature stand point.

My Rating: ***** Adored it

Spook

Serina

Grade 12

Book Title: Spook

Author: Steve Vance

There's a girl in the woods, a girl that the whole town avoids. That is, except for the occasional rowdy teenager that wishes to get a glimpse of the monster. MaryAnn Nelson, nicknamed Spook, lives alone with her mother and the savage dogs that are meant to warn away trespassers. MaryAnn hasn't been to school a day in her life, and the few people that have glimpsed her say she runs barefoot in the woods around her house and always wears a cloak to hide her face. The townsfolk say she is not to be bothered, or horrible things could happen. However, as Spook approaches sixteen, the unspoken pact of solitude is broken. The school administrator from Georgia will have none of the rumors about the girl and believes that MaryAnn deserves a chance to live a normal life, away from her oppressive mother who has convinced herself that her daughter is the spawn of the Devil. But in this case, the people from the town have reason to fear MaryAnn. Unlike the common tale of a misunderstood beast, MaryAnn really is quite horrifying, and seems to have no conscience about killing anyone or anything that comes onto her land. She does not know right from wrong, and for those who try to pry their way into her life, it may be one of their worst decisions, and possibly their last...

I picked this book up after reading the inside flap. It sounded creepy, strange, and right of my ally.

I finished this book because it had mystery spilled on every page. The author really made me want to continue reading the story.

I'd give this book to any teen who's sick of the feel good fairy tales and wants a more twisted read.

**** Really liked this book!

So Not Happening

Shelby

12th grade

So Not Happening: First Novel in Charmed Life Series written by Jenny B. Jones

"Last week I was living in Manhattan in a two-story apartment between Sarah Jessica Parker and Katie Couric. I could hop a train to Macy's and Bloomie's. My friends and I could eat at Tao and see who could count the most celebs. I had Broadway in my backyard and Daddy's MasterCard in my wallet. Then my mom got married. And I got a new life"

Bella Kirkwood had it all- the most pristine friends, a father who is a plastic surgeon, and everything else that falls in between. Life seemed perfect, that is until her father traded her mother in for a newer woman, and her mother magically fell in love with another man she'd never met- SHE MET HIM ONLINE! and in less than a few years things go from perfect to insane for Bella. But the shock factor finally sets in when her mother is down the isle speaking the vows that end in "till death do we part". Bella had to get out- before everything set in, but failed miserably. She is forced to move to poduc city in Oklahoma along with some extra packages-- two new step brothers. Instantly, Bella goes from being rich A-list, to a nobody who cannot keep her head above water in Oklahoma; with farms, factories and everything else. Traveling with Bella- things are harder to adjust than it seems, meeting new friends, and saying goodbye to all that she once held so dear. Only reality and new bonds come close to helping her realize that life is more than it seems- and she has potential in the places she would never realize.

Why I picked up this book: I really enjoy reading as many new books that can come my way, and the back of the book, and it's cover looked really confusing questionable.

Why I finished it: I believe if you start a book you should finish it, and that's exactly what I did when I was on my vacation. This novel was not just filled with fashion, boys, and shock of a new life- but it had a twist of a mystery involved which made me anxious to read the next book.

I'd Give this book to: Any girl who enjoys reading, and likes a new story. this novel is not filled just filled with fashion, gossip, and suspense.. it also was a little bit of a mystery, and reminded me somewhat of a modern day Nancy Drew; except this one is for teens. I'd also recommend this to girls who enjoy reading stories about faith and being active with God.

My Rating for this book:

Really liked it!

Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus

Once upon a time, Nan worked for the Xes and cared for their son, Grayer. After being fired, she ranted her frustrations to the teddy bear nanny-cam. Fast forward twelve years. Nan has married the Harvard Hottie and after living in third world countries, they have returned to NYC in pursuit of the American dream. Home ownership isn't all it's cracked up to be, especially when renovations don't happen according to schedule and living conditions are worse than in aforementioned countries. But the worst is yet to come. One night Nan opens the door and is face-to-face with her past. Will she ever be able to close the door?

Why I picked this book up: I enjoyed reading The Nanny Diaries and wanted to know what happened next.

Why I finished it: I had to know if the X boys were going to be alright. I also couldn't believe all the shenanigans that the X parents and the other affluent parents pulled.

I'd give this book to: anyone who had read or watched The Nanny Diaries, teens who babysit, and fans of Sophie Kinsella.

My rating: 4 stars

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