Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

"Imagine this:
You're in your favorite bookstore, scanning the shelves. You get to the section where a favorite author's books reside, and there, nestled in comfortably between the incredibly familiar spines, sits a red notebook.
What do you do?
The choice, I think, is obvious:
You take down the red notebook and open it.
And then you do whatever it tells you to do." (page 1)

Lily left the aforementioned red notebook next to Salinger's "Franny and Zooey" in the Strand, a hip used book store in New York City. It was discovered by Dash. Dash decides to follow the literary clues and then leave one of his own for the mysterious Lily, thus beginning a city-wide "treasure hunt", passing the notebook back and forth yet never meeting. Dash and Lily employ friends and family in the quirky and often hilarious dares, sharing their thoughts and feelings along the way. Is it possible to start a friendship or even a relationship when you have never laid eyes on the each other? I dare you to pick up this book and find out.

Why I picked up the book: I like author Rachel Cohn and have seen the movie based on their book "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist". Dash & Lily was the next book for CY's Teachers as Readers book club so it gave me a good reason to finally read it.

Why I finished it: It was a fun and festive holiday book and a nice change from supernatural, undead fiction. Lily reminded me a bit of Mia from Meg Cabot's series "The Princess Diaries". I think it was her quirkiness but could have been the NYC setting. Dash, on the other hand, was very verbose and a bit quirky in his own way. Snarly, as other characters referred to him.

I'd give it to: readers looking for a little holiday cheer. Probably high school and up, because there is some mild language, a small reference to drinking, and some kissing.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Animal Farm

Name: Eric

Grade: 12

Book: Animal Farm

Author: George Orwell


This book in its simplest form is about animals taking over a farm. Manor Farm is run by the negligent farmer Jones, and is taken over in a revolution by the animals, led by the pigs, and turned into Animal Farm. This is not however, what this book is really about. Instead, animal illustrates the nuances of Communism, democracies, and the "animal" like nature of humans. Using the heirachal nature of everyday farm animals, Orwell makes an excellent analogy to how humans view themselves when lined up with eachother, and how our goverments truly run. Characters like Snowball and Napolean the pig will seem familiar to those who know their history, while everyone will recognize what the hard working horse represents.

This does not mean that the book is dry or a history lesson however. Instead, it paints the issues of humans in a fun and relatable way, that anyone can enjoy. While it is one of Orwell's lesser known books, it is one of his best, in this reviewers humble opinion. My only warning would be that it is based in England, and as such certain references and jargon are lost on an American reader. I would enjoy a seeing a modernized version, myself.

I picked this book up because I had read George Orwell before, but had never heard of Animal Farm, and was intrigued.

I finished this book because it engrossed me. I had an obligation to the animals to see it through to the end.

I'd give this book to anyone who knows their history or is politically inclined, but also anyone who is a fan of Orwells.

Rating: ****

Mangaman

Name: Serina

Grade: College

Book: Mangaman

Author: Barry Lyga

Illustrator: Colleen Doran

In this bizarre book, East meets West when Ryoko, a Japanese manga character, falls through a rip into an American comic book. There, he is almost immediately disliked for his very feminine anime looks, and also for the strange powers he possesses, like being able to jump from one panel to another and easily defeating anyone that challenges him to a fight with his martial art moves that defy the laws of gravity. Since he cannot get back to his own comic book, he decides to attend the local High School, where he also has great difficulty fitting in. However, something good does come out of his tumble into the Western world, and her name is Marissa Montaigne, the most gorgeous and also one of the most popular girls in the school. Ryoko gets hearts in his eyes whenever he see her, which greatly creeps out his male classmates, and with a bit of luck, Ryoko is able to befriend her and describe his own manga universe to her, as well as teach her a few of his panel jumping tricks. But will his love for Marissa, and her possible love for him, be able to survive between their two very different worlds?

This graphic novel was very strange, funny, and actually quite satisfying to read. There were quite a few parts of it that were a bit dry or unsettling for me, but most of it was a very unique look on how manga and western comics are different, as well as how they are also the same.

I picked this book up because I had never seen anything like it!

I finished this book because I wanted to see what happened at the end.

I'd give this book to any fan of comic books, whether they are a manga fan or a Marvel fan, or both!

Rating: *** Liked it!

The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

Josh and Emma have been neighbors for as long as they can remember and up until the incident last November they were best friends. Now it is May 1996 and they haven't been in each other's houses in six months. Emma just received a computer from her father and so Josh brings over an AOL CD-ROM that she can download to get 100 hours of free Internet. What she didn't expect was to get access to a strange website called Facebook. Sure, you know what Facebook is, but did you know it wasn't actually launched until 2004?

As Emma and Josh begin to investigate this Facebook, they realize what they are seeing is their future selves in 2011, fifteen years in the future. And everytime they log on or refresh Facebook their future is a little different.

If you could see your future, would you like it? Would it make you want to change the present? How would it affect your relationships with others, and most importantly for Josh and Emma, the future of us?

Why I picked up the book: In May 1996, I was a sophomore in high school and did NOT have my own computer until the summer before my junior year of college in 2000! I remember going to my other parents' house to use their computer to type papers and listening to that horrible pinging dial of the Internet when my younger brother would log on. We never used AOL but constantly got the CD-ROMs in the mail. (when did that stop anyway??) I wonder if any of my teens would even remember the sound of dial-up, which I haven't had since 2003.

Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler are rockstar YA authors so of course, I had to read this! Plus it is a change from the dystopian, zombies, and vampires I've been reading lately.

Why I finished it: I'm a sucker for this type of novel. It was like brain candy and just want I needed. Like I mentioned, I kept thinking about myself in high school and would I have been content with where I am today (by the way, I am loving my life right now, but again what would my 16 year old self think?).

I'd give it to: fans of realistic fiction with a small amount of romance (nothing over the top). Teens who like to think about what their future will be like and adults who can look back and remember how they felt at 16 about their future life.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Running in the Family

Name: Alex Trimble

Grade: 12

Author: Michael Ondaatje

"Running in the Family" is a form of autobiography the author wrote from photos he has of himself and his family. He tells his life story and the life stories of many different people in his family in fragments, each small chapter seeming unconnected to the previous or the following. It's a method that makes sense though, and as long as you don't try too hard to connect each chapter, it's quite enjoyable. Ondaatje has a way with descriptions, and being a poet first and foremost, this really isn't all that surprising. His "chapters" have different formats, some of them no format at all, and the reader is forced to simply follow along and take in each absurd - or touching - story the novel tells. One of the hardest things about reading piece may be believing all the stories are true, and did exist in this one family and, often, to this one man. It's very touching and yet raw, in a way; realistic and interesting because they are true events, with true people. I feel like that aspect almost makes it more personal, even as a reader. Throughout, of course, are pictures that each section is supposed to be associated with (again, with Ondaatje, it's hard to find an order) and these help provide insight and a nice break from the reading. It's a great collection of random family memories, and although not exactly revolutionary in reading, it is enjoyable.

Why I picked up the book: Class assignment

Why I finished the book: Class assignment, but it was also intriguing

I'd give this book to: Those with a taste for 'different' literature, poets

My rating: ***

Eighth Grade Bites (The Chronicles of Vlad Tod #1) by Heather Brewer

Junior high is hard enough for a "normal" teenager. But what if you had a massive secret that involved the death of your parents three years ago and the disappearance of your teacher. A secret so dark it could get you beat up or worse, killed?

Vladimir Tod isn't your typical 8th grader. Yeah sure, he is a bit on the skinny side, with pale white skin, and he loves to wear hoodies, t-shirts with witty, sarcastic sayings, and shoes with holes in them. Vlad is quiet, has a crush on a cute girl, and a best friend who is more outgoing but also knows how to keep secrets. It's Vlad's appetite and dietary issues are a bit, shall we say, unique.

You see, Vlad is a vampire, well half-vampire. He must drink blood in order to survive. Luckily his guardian, Aunt Nelly, is a nurse and has a constant supply of blood bags, snack packs, and blood capsules to keep him nourished.

The school bullies have taken an interest in Vlad. But they aren't the only ones. Someone is looking for Vlad and will stop at nothing to find him. Is the new substitute, the pale, top-hat wearing Mr. Otis just a strange character with a keen interest in mythology or is he dark and dangerous?

Even if you aren't a vampire, sometimes Eighth Grade Bites.

Why I picked up the book: It is nominated for the Wyoming Soaring Eagle book award. I have had a lot of boys tell me about it as well as a middle school teacher.

Why I finished it: The book is quick, fast paced and intriguing. It was less about Vlad being a vampire and more about him trying to find his identity, outwit or outrun the bullies, and dealing with the loss of his parents.

I'd recommend it to: boys, fans of series, readers who want vampires but not a lot of blood, gore, romance, etc.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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The Maze Runner by James Dashner

"Nice to meet you shank. Welcome to the Glade."

Imagine waking up in a strange place, not knowing where you are, how you got there, or worse yet, how to get out. Not remembering anything about your life except for your name.

Thomas arrives in the Glade, just the same way as everyone before him. Once per month a newbie is delivered through the Box, a strange, dark elevator shaft, through which you can enter but you can't leave.

"Where am I?" Thomas asks. "Nowhere good" is the reply.

The Glade is in the middle of a Maze, and surrounded by huge stone walls that open like clockwork every morning and close tight every night at sunset. The group of boys that live in the Glade have created their own society and are working hard to survive. Every morning, a team of eight Runners enter the Maze in an effort to map every inch and find a way out. They must be back by sunset though because hideous, deadly beasts called Grievers live in the Maze and come out at night.

While Thomas's arrival in the Glade was expected, he is nothing like the normal newbie. Several of the Gladers think they remember him and say he is bad. Thomas also has a strong desire to be a Runner. And the day after he arrives, someone else is sent up through the Box. This time it is a girl, with a message.

After two years, the Gladers are beginning to suspect there may be no way out.

Why I picked up the book: It has been on my to-read pile for quite awhile since it is a Soaring Eagle nominee. It was recommended to me by a guy in my high school book club.

Why I finished it: We were looking for a book to use for our inaugural Teen One Book selection and one of our high school librarians recommended this one. Also I was invited to join CY's Teachers as Readers book club and this was their first book. Besides the obligation, I was sucked in. I wanted to know how they got there and if they would solve the maze. It kept me guessing and now I have to read the sequels (Scorch Trials & Death Cure) and the prequel (The Kill Order, to be released in August 2012)

I'd give it to: fans of Hunger Games, teens (especially boys!) and adults looking for a new series. The author himself called it a mix between "Ender's Game" and "Lord of the Flies".

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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The Enemy by Charlie Higson

It has been a year since the disease ravaged London, Those over 16 either died or became horrible disgusting monsters. The children and teenagers left behind have found shelter in abandoned buildings and have had to adapt in order to survive. They must hunt and scavenger for food and do whatever it takes to protect themselves.

If it is possible, things are getting worse. While they don't know what caused the disease and why only adults were affected, they have known how to survive up until now. The "Grown-ups", the zombies in human shells, have always been easy to kill but now they appear to be getting stronger, more organized, and even more dangerous.

When a teen named Jester shows up telling the Holloway gang that there is a thriving community living at Buckingham Palace, raising animals and growing food, the group must decide whether to stay in their relatively safe, known environment with dwindling food rations or make their way across the unknown dangerous city to the promise of a better life.

What or who is the real Enemy? Will they be able to survive?

Why I picked up the book: I haven't read any zombie books. My book group at Roosevelt chose this for their first book club.

Why I finished it: I had to know if they were going to survive, especially Small Sam. I think I would have a hard time surviving for a year with limited food and no electricity, so it is amazing to me that teens and children can adapt and try to survive. (Yeah, yeah I know. I'm an adult so the disease would have either killed me or turned me into the feared grown-ups!)

I'd give it to: teenagers, especially boys. Fans of zombies.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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