Kaitlin
10th grade
The Lucky One
By: Nicholas Sparks
This book tells a tale about a young U.S. Marine, Logan Thibault, in Iraq that finds a picture of a young woman. From then on, he has good luck, winning poker games and surviving daily combat. After his tour ends, he sents off cross country on foot to find this girl and thank her for keeping him alive. This book was a very heart warming feel good book, with a few twists here and there. I picked up the book because I have read so many other books of Sparks's that were very well written. I finished this book because I wanted to know if he traveled cross country for nothing, or got what he wanted. I would give this book to anyone looking for a good summer read or a love story.
I give this book 5 stars! *****

This book is also coming out in theaters so hurry and read it then go see the movie!

Frankenstein

Name: Serina

Grade: College

Title: Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus

Author: Mary Shelley

Captain Robert Walton and his crew never expected to encounter a soul on their Arctic expedition, but when their ship became trapped in the ice, halting their journey, they spotted a strange figure in the distance, riding a sled pulled by dogs. The encounter was surprising enough as it was, but even more so because the man guiding the sled was a giant, gangly creature like none Walton had ever seen. Not much longer after the creature sped out of sight into the snow, the ice broke apart and the ship was able to proceed once more, however, much to Walton's astonishment, another man was spotted. The man was pallid and very near freezing to death, but he refused to come aboard until he knew to where the vessel traveled. Once he found their answer satisfactory, he allowed himself to be rescued. Walton immediately felt drawn to this strange man, who seemed like he had been gentlemanly at some point in his life, even though now his eyes were hollow and he was driven by a mad urge that he refused to explain. Until, at last, when he was informed about the sighting Walton had had of the creature. At Walton's urging, the man finally decided to tell his horrifying story, as well as his name: Victor Frankenstein.

I picked this book up because I have always wanted to read it, but never got around to it.

I finished the book because it was very different than I had expected.

I'd give this book to any science fiction fan, because Mary Shelley is rarely credited as being to inventor of the genre.

Rating: **** Really liked it!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Welcome to the 74th Annual Hunger Games! This yearly event is the height of Reality TV. Think "Fear Factor" and "The Amazing Race" meet "Survivor".

"The Hunger Games" are hosted by the Capitol of Panem, the nation formerly known as North America, and is the punishment for the uprising of the districts against the Capitol. Each of the 12 remaining Districts is required to send 2 tributes who have been chosen during the Reaping. One that day a lottery system selects one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate. In the case of this year's finalists from District 12, Katniss has stepped forward to take the place of the chosen tribute, her younger sister Prim.

Here is how the competition works. The 24 tributes (contestants) are placed in an outdoor arena specially designed by the game makers who have watched the tributes train and prepare. Once in the arena the tributes must do whatever is necessary to survive. The last tribute standing wins.

The competition is televised live so everyone in the country can watch and cheer on their tributes. The winning tribute will return home to a life of luxury. Their district will also receive a year's worth of food.

"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!"

Why I picked it up: I have been meaning to re-read the series since "Mockingjay" was released in 2010, because I couldn't remember all the details. The release of the movie & our party here at the library were a good reason to start again. (I listened to the audio the first time, read book this time.)

Why I finished it: I was hooked. Even though I was going slow and taking notes, I couldn't put it down. I could see the arena, smell the fire, etc. Even though I knew the ending, I kept rooting for Katniss and hoping Prim wouldn't be reaped.

I'd give it to: fans of dystopian and "The Maze Runner". Readers looking for a strong character. People who have time to read a whole series! Readers looking for a book they can't put down. People who go to watch the movie and want to know more about where it all started.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Hazel is not your average teenager. Even though she is only sixteen, Hazel has been out of high school for three years and is taking college classes. At her parent's request, she also attends weekly support group meetings for teens with cancer. Hazel was diagnosed at age thirteen with stage IV thyroid cancer which spread to her lungs. She almost died but thanks to an experimental drug and round the clock oxygen therapy, Hazel is terminal but alive.

During one support group meeting, Hazel spies a new guy who won't stop staring at her. This handsome gentleman is Augustus Waters, age 17. Augustus is a survivor who lost his leg but not his humor, wisdom, or thirst for life and truth.

Hazel and Augustus begin a fated friendship/relationship. Hazel shares her favorite book, "An Imperial Affliction" by Peter Van Houten, and Augustus shares his love of sniper video games. When Hazel mentions that she'd like to meet Mr. Van Houten and find out what happens after the book abruptly ends, Augustus has a plan.

Do you believe in fate? True love? Even if we aren't promised tomorrow, someday, or forever, are you living your best life today?

Why I picked up the book: I love John Green and I've read his first two books, "Looking for Alaska" and "The Abundance of Katherines". I think he is one of the best voices in literary YA.

Why I finished it: While the topic is heavy (teens with terminal cancer), the author injects humor, quirkiness, and fun into the novel. I've heard other reviewers say they don't think real teenagers talk the way the Green's characters do but I think that is part of the author's genius. He writes the above-average intelligence character and appeals to the more literary readers. (Secret: I've actually read this book twice. I finished it and immediately wanted to read it again. I did but waited a month before doing so.)

I'd give it to: John Green fans, who will definitely not be disappointed.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

Michael Vey has always known he is different. Michael and his mother have moved a lot, most recently to Idaho, in an attempt to protect him. Because he is small, Michael is often the target of bullies. One day Michael decides enough is enough and fights back in his own unique way, by giving his three attackers a small electric shock. You see, Michael is electric. He doesn't know how this came to be and his mother has convinced him to keep it a secret, although he has told his uber-brilliant best friend Ostin.

As it turns out, Michael isn't quite as unique as he had previously thought. Taylor, a cheerleader at his school, witnesses him shock the bullies and shows him her own ability. The two of them along with Ostin form a group and call themselves the Electroclan. They are on a mission to find out where their powers came from and why they have them. The group soon uncovers part of the mystery, but in the process brings their whereabouts to the attention of the people who have been searching for them. Michael and Taylor are only two of many with electric abilities and the Elgen Academy wants them and will stop at nothing, including kidnapping and murdering, to get them.

Why I picked up the book: It was recommended to me by a teen and seemed like it might be a good possibility for an upcoming One Community One Book: Middle School.

Why I finished it: It is a fast read. Even though I wasn't super wowed by the writing at the beginning of the book, before I knew it I was halfway through.

I'd give it to: fans of "I Am Number Four"; teens, especially boys, looking for a fun, fast-paced, exciting read. It will be a series, with the second book being released in August 2012.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick

"Even the dead tell stories". Sig's father, Einar, has told Sig and his sister Anna this many times and until now Sig hasn't quite understood what his father meant.

It is 1910 and they are living in a cabin by a frozen lake, six miles outside of the Swedish mining town where Father works. Father had gone into town and but never returned to the cabin alive. Sig found his father's dead frozen body on the ice and was barely able to bring home the body without falling through the ice himself. Anna and their step-mother Nadya have gone to find help and left 16-year-old Sig alone in the cabin with Father's frozen body.

An unexpected knock at the door changes everything. The burly, menacing stranger, who calls himself Wolff, claims to know Sig's father from when they lived in Nome, Alaska 10 years before and has come for what Einar owes him. Wolff wants to the gold Father stole from him and won't leave until he gets it. The revolver on Wolff's hip tells Sig just how serious this stranger is. But Sig doesn't know anything about gold. He does, however, know where Father's Colt revolver is hidden.

Why I picked up the book: It had been on my radar due to it being a Printz Honor Book. When it was picked by the teachers group at CY, I finally took the opportunity to read it.

Why I finished it: The first sentence draws you in "Even the dead tell stories." It is fairly short novel and very well written.

I'd give it to: guys looking for a thriller/mystery/adventure or readers who know a lot about guns. Readers who don't mind narratives that switch back and forth through time (1899/1900 Nome, Alaska & 1910 Giron/Sweden). The action is somewhat slow to start but the mystery is worth it.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Kaitlin's Review: In My Hands; Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer by Irene Gut Opdyke with Jennifer Armstrong

Kaitlin
10th grade
Title: In My Hands; Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer
Author: Irene Gut Opdyke with Jennifer Armstrong

This book is about the tragedy that was the holocaust. Irene was a young Polish girl going to medical school when the Germans invaded. She was forced to either surrender, or join the resistance. This book tells the recollections of young Irene and gives you another perspective on what happened to young beautiful girls during WWII. This book is about a true Holocaust hero and what she went through to save her friends.

I chose to read this book because I am very interested in the Holocaust and I can relate well to Irene and her problems because she was a young girl just like me.
I finished this book because I wanted to know what was going to happen to her after the war.
I would give this book to anyone who thinks their life is hard. They need to read this book and see how hard their life could really be all because of some crazy man.
I give this book 5 stars! *****

Name: Eric

Grade: 12

Book: Lord of the Flies

Author: William Golding

Stephen King is the Master of Horror, and that is generally accepted. However, before his psychological thrillers was a novel that stands alone; it has been banned in many areas because of its' dark message, and any and all who read it experience a level of uncomfortableness rarely found. I speak of course, of Lord of the flies.

In Golding's masterpiece, a plane full of 13 year old and under boys crashes onto a desert island. What follows is a true epic; a metaphorical journey of the rise and fall of civilization, true human nature, and the darkness within us all. What makes it a novel worthy of legend is its ability to illustrate these concepts using a group of 13 year old boys. The reader finds connections in these boys, because they represent humanity; Piggy's naivety, or Ralph's bravery, or Jack's darkness. It is the depth of these simple characters and the expanse of the story that make this novel engrossing, and impossible to put down.

I picked this book up because it was a classic!

I finished this book because of how engrossing it is.

I'd give this book to anyone who appreciates the classics, or wants a psychological thriller.

Rating: *****

Theodore Boone: The Abduction by John Grisham

Theo's friend, April Finnemore, disappears from her house in the middle of the night. The evidence in her disappearance suggests that she was taken rather than running away. There was no forced entry and so it is believed that she left with someone she knew. It didn't appear she had time to pack. And most disturbing, a distant relative, who April had been exchanging letters with, has recently broken out of a California prison and was spotted on a security camera in town.

Theo is questioned by the police, as he was the last person to communicate with her. Theo knows another piece of the puzzle, one he isn't sharing with the police. April had been home alone for the past few nights and was scared. So scared that she had locked doors and windows as well as shoved chairs under door handles. Her father is out on tour with his middle-aged rock band and her mother was on drugs and not home.

When the escaped convict is captured, he refuses to talk. And it isn't long before something is found. Something that suggests April might not be alright. But are the police looking in the right places or are they hitting a dead end. Will Theo Boone be able to help find his friend before it's too late?

Why I picked up the book: I usually don't make time to read sequels, especially because my to-read pile is a mountain, but I just finished the first book for the 2nd time and had to find out what would happen next. He gave enough background that if you haven't read the first book, you wouldn't have felt like you missed anything.

Why I finished it: Just like with the first book, or any John Grisham title, you get sucked in.

I'd give it to: fans of James Patterson. Teen guys looking for a fast-paced novel without a whole lot of mushy feeling stuff.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

Name: Serina

Grade: College

Title: Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

Author: Ransom Riggs

Jacob was always envious of his adventurous Grandfather, and loved hearing his intriguing stories about how he had grown up with some children with very special abilities and how they had to stay hidden away on a mysterious island to stay out of the hands of monsters. However, as Jacob grew older, he began to doubt his Grandfather's fantastical tales, even overlooking the bizarre photos that his Grandfather had of the children he supposedly lived with. But at his Grandfather's deathbed, Jacob receives some ominous last words and a strange letter from a mysterious woman named Miss Peregrine that sends him packing and traveling to an island off the coast of Wales, where his Grandfather had spent his childhood. What Jacob finds there is not what he remembered from his Grandfather's stories, and it appalls him as well as sets him off on an adventure he will wish he never had...

As a bonus, this book has vintage pictures of the peculiar children through the chapters.

I picked this book up because it looked interesting.

I finished this book because it was so strange!

I'd give this book to anyone looking for something out of the ordinary.

Rating: ****

Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

Theo Boone dreams of being either a famous trial lawyer or a judge. His parents are both lawyers, as is his Uncle Ike, so he was literally born into it. At thirteen, Theo knows more about the law than most adults and he is on a first name basis with almost every lawyer, judge, court clerk, and policeman in town. Theo even has his own "office" in the library at Boone & Boone, and is often asked for legal advice by fellow students.

Theo's connections enable his government class to attend the opening day of a murder trial, one of the most talked about trials in Strattenburg. With little evidence, it appears that a cold-blooded killer may get off scot-free. That is until Theo is handed a piece of evidence that could change the course of the trial. Is it possible that a thirteen year old could possess the information necessary for a conviction? Witness the start of Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer.

Why I picked up this book: John Grisham is one of my favorite authors. When I discovered he had written a legal thriller for a younger audience, I had to check it out.

Why I finished it: Theodore Boone is classic John Grisham for a younger audience. Grisham did a great job of explaining legal concepts at the tween/teen level. Rather than the "cliff-hanger" ending, I wish he would have ended it with Theo going after a new case.

I'd give it to: tweens/teens looking for a new series. Fans of other cross-over authors like James Patterson.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place by E.L. Konigsburg

Have you ever uttered the phrase “I prefer not to”? Like I prefer not to take out the garbage or I prefer not to eat tomatoes. I prefer not to make my bed or go out in freezing cold weather. How about I prefer not to do that math assignment or my homework? I’m sure at one point or another we’ve all preferred not to do something. Margaret Rose Kane would have preferred to spend her summer with her parents in Peru or with her eccentric uncles at 19 Schuyler Place. But neither her parents nor the Uncles had any intentions of her spending the summer with them. The Uncles suggested that since she is an only child the experience of camp would be beneficial to her. So although she preferred not to, Margaret Rose began the process of choosing and applying for summer camp. And that is how Margaret Rose ended up at Camp Talequa. But because she prefers not to join in camp activities, it isn’t long before Uncle Alexander comes to her rescue, springs her from the tortures of summer camp and whisks Margaret Rose back to the tranquility of 19 Schuyler Place. Margaret Rose loves her Uncles and their house. She especially loves the towers they have built in their backyard. For over 45 years, the Uncles have created these masterpieces out of steel, glass, crystals, and a multitude of paint shades. But as Margaret Rose soon learns, not everyone sees these towers as art. The Homeowners Association views them as a safety hazard and a deterioration to property values. And while Margaret Rose preferred not to participate in camp activities, she is determined to find a way to save the outcast towers at 19 Schuyler Place.

Why I picked up the book: The first time I read it, I was drawn in by the cover which has the pattern of rose petals with the tower and by the fact that I love the name Schuyler (pronounced Skyler).

Why I finished the book: I'd prefer not to say. Kidding.

I'd recommend it to: readers looking for a nice, clean story and something that makes you think about what you believe in. If they have read "Silent to the Bone", I think they will appreciate getting Margaret's back story. I haven't read it but will pick it up next.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Found

Name: Michelle Sherwin
Grade: 12th
Title: Found
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
This book begins lady by the name of Angela is having many problems on her first day at work at a company by the name of Sky Trails. She loses codes and is constantly having to ask her supervisor to give them to her. To make things worse an unidentified plane lands at a gate no one is attending to and she therefor has to go and help them. To her surprise all of the passengers on this plane are infants and there is not even a pilot or stewardess. The book then flashes 13 years into the future in the lives of two thirteen year old boys Chip and Jonah who are both adopted. They begin receiving strange letters at the same time. Upon Jonah becoming more upset his parents, his sister and him go to meet with an FBI agent who is said to be connected to Jonah's adoption. When they arrive the agent refuses to give them any more information, saying only that he can not tell them any more and that they should not have even gotten his information, but the children receive information from a folder placed on the table by a man no one saw put it there. From this folder comes information that has something to do with Chip, Jonah and their adoption, but when few people will talk how much information can they really find out? Will this venture tear their new friendship apart or solidify it for life?
This book is very interesting because it provokes the reader to ask how much they know about themselves and how much of what they know can fall apart in an instant. It is also interesting how with each of the new discoveries they make about their adoption the boys begin to wonder more and more who they are.
I picked this book up because my brother got me the rest of the books in the series and I wanted to read this one again before I read the others. I also enjoy the author's writing style and the suspense that is intertwined in every one of her books.
I finished this book because I wanted to remember how it ended.
I would give this book to anyone who enjoys suspense and action stories. I would also give this book to people who were interested in self conflict and a journey of self.
My Rating of this Book:
***** It was amazing

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The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer

How do you imagine the "City of the Future"? For me, it is a place where we've figured out how to stop harming ourselves, our environment, and each other. But knowing how far technology has come in such a short time and how it has dominated all our lives, it isn't hard to imagine a world like Satellite City, a super city of 25 million. The Satellite controls everything from news, traffic, to rotating the location of buildings. But the Satellite is going haywire and creating chaos.

In this future world, orphans, known as no-sponsors, are taken in by places like the Clarissa Frayne Institute for the Parentally Challenged. In order to keep its doors open, the Institute must make money by any means necessary including risking the lives of the no-sponsors, who don't normally live past age 15, due to all the food and drug testing they undergo. Cosmo Hill is a no-sponsor who doesn't want to die at Clarissa Frayne, so he is always on the lookout for an escape.

When a Satellite malfunction provides Cosmo with an opportunity, he takes it. But his escape is less than perfect and as Cosmo lays dying, he sees a mysterious blue creature land on his chest and begin to suck the life from him.

Before he blacks out, three teenagers appear with weapons pointed straight at him. Cosmo later awakens in their warehouse and learns that this group, who call themselves the Supernaturalists, can see these blue creatures and are trying to destroy the Parasites.

Can the Supernaturalists be able to defeat the Parasites and continue to evade capture from the government? Is anything really what it seems to be?

Why I picked up the book: I'm rereading it for my middle school book club. I read it once about five years ago.

Why I finished it: I kept wondering if this really what the city of the future will be like and hoping it won't. I also really wanted to know what these Parasites really were all about.

I'd give the book to: anyone, especially fans of adventure or futuristic/dystopian sci-fi.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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19 minutes

Name: Eric

Grade: 12

Book: 19 Minutes

Author: Jodi Picoult

America was rocked by the Columbine shootings, and later, those of Virginia Tech. These are events that are perpetually evil in our eyes, and seen as the simplistic good vs. evil. Jodi Picoult, however, explores the idea that the monsters we see on TV and in the news are not always what they seem, in her novel, 19 minutes. A story on one level about a school shooting, but more accurately, about the social ties and nuances that drive human behavior every day. 19 minutes captures the story of a boy and a girl(as every good story does), and how their paths intertwine into one climactic moment, when as a reader, you begin to question your world around you.

Jodi Picoult is known for her romances, and in a way, this novel is also a romance. Yet is not a romance in the traditional Lover style, it is more the love felt between Friends, Family, and That Person You Once Knew. I am not a fan of mushy books; I find them to be lacking in body and cheap. But this story is deep, meaningful, and impacting. I enjoyed it immensely, and would recommend it to any and all students especially.

I picked this book up because I won it in a contest, and decided to give it a shot.

I finished this book because of its power. It pulls you in, as you begin to feel for the most unlikely of subjects.

I'd give this book to any and every student. Shootings are a part of life now, and are a very serious matter in today's school systems. But this book brings a whole new light to that area, and acts as a method of prevention for such tragedies.

Rating: *****

Kaitlin's Review: The Noticer by Andy Andrews

Name: Kaitlin
10th grade
Book Title: The Noticer
Author: Andy Andrews

Seventeen-year-old Andy had just lost everything, his parents, his home, his friends. He was living under a pier by the ocean when one day, an old man saw him laying there in his sleeping bag, and told him, "Son, step into the light." Come to find out, Jones, the name of the old man, knew everything about Andy. Andy had never seen this man in his life before and was sure of it. This man carried and briefcase and called himself a Noticer. Throughout the book, Jones gives Andy, and a number of other people, a new perspective on life and the situations they are in. No one knows where he came from or where he goes every time he is not with them, but they think of Jones as a blessing. This was a real eye-opener for me and really changed my perspective on life. Pick it up if you need a moral booster.
Why I picked the book up:: It was recommended by a teacher.
Why I finished it:: I wanted to know what happened in the end.
I'd give this book to:: Anyone who needs a new perspective on life.
My rating for this book:: **** Really Liked It

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

Katrina wasn't looking for a reward or even a pat on the back. She just did the right thing, a random act of kindness. While emptying the trash on a cold morning outside her grandmother's coffee shop, Anna's Old World Scandinavian Coffeehouse, Katrina sees a homeless man curled up in the alley asleep. So she places a hot cup of coffee, day old pastries, and a bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans on the doorstep for him. What happens next isn't so ordinary. The man shows up at Katrina's school, during an assembly and announces to the whole school that he must reward her generosity and selflessness. Not only is Katrina embarrassed but she refuses to accept the reward.

It turns out the man, Malcolm, is a messenger angel. He is between missions and can not/will not be able to leave until Katrina lets him grant her wish and give her the thing she most desires. Is this guy for real? Would you be able to refuse the charms of a cute "Coffeehouse Angel"?

Why I picked up this book: I love books about coffee and the cover grabbed me as well. This has been on my to-read list for a long time. I've probably checked it out a dozen times and never had a chance to read it. Started it this time because I was looking for something fun, easy, and light. Fits the bill and might work into a great book club.

Why I finished it: It is a sweet story about friendship, family, and forgiveness.

I'd give it to: fans of light romance, teens and adults.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Lockdown (Escape From the Furnace #1) by Alexander Gordon Smith

What is your worst nightmare? I would be willing to bet that you could never dream of a place as horrible as Furnace. Furnace Penitentiary was built following the "Summer of Slaughter" when teenage gangs reigned, terrorizing and murdering, sending society into a state of fear and panic. Now it is a state of zero tolerance. You do the crime, you will do hard time, forever. If you are convicted, you are sentenced to life in this underground prison, where horrors beyond your wildest dream exist. Muscular, meat-eating guard dogs. A warden with black eyes like vortexes that seem to suck out your soul. Guards who wheeze due to the gas masks covering their faces, the gas masks that appear to sewn into their skin, the guards that come for you in the dark of night.

In exchange for safety and security, the government and society have turned a blind eye to the prison. If they only knew what was really going on, would they allow the teenagers prisoners, who are children really, to be treated this way? Don't they deserve a second chance, especially if, like Alex, they maintain their innocence?

Welcome to Furnace, where there is no escape. Or is there?

Why I picked up the book: My alternative high school book club picked it. It had been recommended to me before but I'd never made the time to read it.

Why I finished it: I was hooked from the first page as Alex is running up the prison stairs to avoid whatever monstrous thing is chasing him and the other prisoners. I'm underwater claustrophobic so I know the threat of spending my life in an underground prison would do me in. I will definitely be picking up the sequels (will be 5 in the series by 2013).

I'd give it to: fans of horror, like Stephen King or Darren Shan. In fact I gave it to my King/Shan fan the minute I saw her. Definitely teen boys, especially those looking for a new series, although I've had girls like it too.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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Hater

Name: Serina

Grade: College

Title: Hater

Author: David Moody

It all started on an exceedingly normal day when a seemingly harmless businessman suddenly impaled an elderly woman with an umbrella. No one saw it coming, nor could they possibly fathom why he attacked her out of nowhere, and why he looked so utterly terrified of her while he did it. What seemed like a singular freak incident suddenly becomes an epidemic of violence. People everywhere, no matter what age and gender, are suddenly becoming murderers, and their targets are just as diverse, but all are killed in shocking, bloody ways. A girl smashes her friend's head in with a rock during a leisurely walk in the park. A guitarist of a popular band suddenly flies off the handle during a concert and bludgeons a fellow band mate with his guitar. The media begins to call the onslaught of aggressive people 'Haters' and the Haters could be anyone, a stranger, a best friend, or even a loving family member. No one is safe, either from becoming a victim, or from becoming a Hater themselves...

I picked this book up because it had a very interesting cover.

I finished this book because I had to know what was happening!

I'd give this book to anyone who can stomach it.

Rating: **** Really liked it!

Double Identity

Michelle Sherwin
12th Grade
Double Identity
This book begins with a girl, by the name of Bethany, who has been sheltered her entire life being suddenly dropped off with a relative she had not even heard of before. The woman she is dropped off with, her Aunt Myrlie, is left with no phone number and no knowledge of where her Bethany's parents are going. Throughout the novel she begins to learn about her aunt, her cousin and her sister Elizabeth as well as learning more about her parents. Thought the entire book as Bethany finds more out about her relatives she discovers why her parents dropped her off in this place, why she had been so shelter her entire life and why she did not know any of these relatives she was now staying with. I enjoyed the new arising questions with every one which was answered. I also enjoyed unexpected twists that came each time she met a new person.
I picked this book because I had read several other books by this author and had enjoyed many of her other books.
I finished it because up until the very end there was always another question to be answered and more to be asked.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy suspense, mystery and excitement.
Rating: ****

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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You by Charles Benoit

It didn't have to be like this. Thinking back, you could have made different choices and avoided this.

You used to care about school and grades. You used to have real friends, not just the "hoodies", the group of guys you hang with, that wear the uniform of black shirt, pants, and of course the black hoodie. The group who no one expects anything from but trouble.

You could have ignored the new guy, who you never would have met it hadn't been for the suspension.

You could have had the girl, if you had only spoken up.

You can look back now and see it, and the way it should have been. But realize, it is all because of YOU.

Why I picked up the book: I was looking for something different, for myself and for our high school book club. This definitely fit the bill and it was a quick read.

Why I finished it: The 2nd person narration instantly draws you in as well as the fact that the initial section gives away part of the ending but has you guessing how it get there (LOTS OF BLOOD). I love guessing, especially when I don't see it coming.

I'd give it to: boys, teens who feel misunderstood, reluctant readers, someone looking for a short book that will draw them in, teachers and parents--anyone who works with or will be raising a teenager.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Everlost (Skinjacker, #1) by Neal Shusterman

Nick & Allie never knew each other in life but literally ran into each other in death. When the cars they were riding in hit head-on, both Nick & Allie were ejected. Nick was in the middle seat which lacked a seatbelt and Allie had just taken hers off to adjust her shirt. They both remember seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and then feeling something (or in this case someone) bump them off course.

When they awaken after a dreamless nine month sleep, Nick and Allie discover they are in a place called Everlost. Only children and teenagers find themselves in Everlost, as adults always seem to get where they were going. The dead world of Everlost exists parallel to the living world. The Afterlights, the name for those souls in Everlost, can see the living world but can't touch it. In fact they can sink into the living earth and become trapped for eternity.

Certain places also exist in Everlost. Those that were truly loved will cross over, like the World Trade Center. Nick & Allie eventually find their way to New York City and meet the Queen of Lost Souls. Mary Hightower has created a community in the World Trade Centers, where children are able to spend their time and do what they love.

But Allie isn't willing to let go of life so easily. She wants to find a way out of Everlost at any cost.

Why I picked up the book: Lots of teens had been recommending it to me.

Why I finished it: Very compelling. While the characters are dead, it isn't that grim of a story.

I'd give it to: Neal Shusterman fans. Readers who like realistic fiction but with a twist of fantasy and sci-fi.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Book review: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Name: Alex Trimble

Grade: 12

Author: Ron Hansen

This book goes beyond just telling the story of the western gangster Jesse James and his death at the hands of the infamous Bob Ford. It reveals aspects of James most people probably don't know, nor expect. It draws you in to getting to know both Jesse and Bob, and by the end of it, you are stuck trying to decide who was the good guy and who was the bad guy. This is another novel I read after seeing the film, and much as with Atonement, it's one of the most spot-on adaptations I've ever seen/read. This story is written in a way that makes it appealing both to fans of westerns and those who aren't (I'm of the latter group, and still love this novel). It's not about cowboys and robberies, persay. It's about an unstable man(James) who rose to fame for his violence and intelligence, and the young man(Ford) who goes from ardent admirer to murderer. As with the film, this book captures all the characters and their stories and emotions wonderfully, while simultaneously rooting you in the plot and surroundings of the story. I've seldom read a novel with so many lines I've wanted to write down, purely because they're so gorgeously written, I want to keep them around. I find The Assassination of Jesse James is a bit difficult to describe or summarize well, although it should be a fairly straight-forward story - but all the reasons to read it are locked in the writing itself, with the characters and situations and dialogue. I ask only that you take my word that it is a beautiful book, and one that pulls you from admiring of Jesse to repulsed by him, and tugs you back and forth from sympathetic for Bob and spiteful. Brilliantly written - and although fictional, more of it is actually rooted in truth than you would think. Hansen did his homework before he wrote, and all that's really made up is some of the conversations. It's beautiful.

Why I picked up the book: Loved the movie

Why I finished it: It was beautiful and compelling

I'd give this book to: Any fan of westerns, or any admirer of brilliant writing

Rating: *****

Review: Star Wars Fate of the Jedi: Ascension

Name: Eric Morales

Grade: 12

Author: Christie Golden

For fans of the brand, Ascension is one of the better Star Wars books out there. The second to last book in the acclaimed Fate of the Jedi series, Ascension continues the tale of Luke Skywalker and his Jedi on the search for a mysterious ancient being, while dealing with a hidden tribe of evil Sith. Coups, conspiracies, and shadowy motives create a darker setting for this novel, something that is not often seen in the Star Wars series of novels. The galaxy is about to hit a climax point, culturally, politically, and in war, and Ascension captures this tense feeling perfectly. Author Christie Golden is a master of suspense and action, and rarely leaves the reader bored. Her character development should also be praised, as she continues to build upon already set in stone characters, creating new twists and turns that surprise even veteran readers. The book is not without its faults of course; while her writing is good, one does not pick up the book with the intention of finding a unique and world changing read. Above all else, its intention is to further the Star Wars story, and should not be taken too seriously. I highly recommend it for any veteran readers of Star Wars novels, and I look forward to its sequel, Apocalypse.

Why I picked up this book: I’m a huge fan of the series, and I had yet to read this one.

Why I finished it: The amount of suspense and surprises that Golden delivers made me want to see just how it all ended.

I’d give this book to: any Star Wars fan or fan of Sci-Fi

Rating: ****

Americus by MK Reed

Name: Caitlin

Grade: 12+

Title: Americus

Author: MK Reed, illustrated by Jonothan Hill

Imagine for a second that you are obsessed with a series of books. Now imagine that in your small town, a group of people want to ban that book because it promotes witch craft and the occult. Sound like anything you've heard before? This is the plot behind MK Reed's graphic novel Americus, which stars a young boy, the twon bookworm, as he tries to survive high school, figure out life, and save his favorite book series, called "The Chronicles of Apathea Ravenchilde." The book was wonderfully truthful and emotional and illustrated beautifully.
Americus is your typical, tiny town. Everyone knows everyone and everyone is gissipy- unfortunately, the townspeople of Americus are also very easy to rise up against something that they don't seem to understand. In this case, it's Neil Barton's favorite series starring Apathea Ravenchilde. As Neil stumbles through his freshman year of high school, he has to learn to find his voice and make it heard to save the series he sees as his only salvation from the crazy people who live in Americus.
The book is all about why books shouldn't be banned. It covers so many different issues along with that, however, including problems with money, divorce, and even how people react towards the gay community. Americus is a story that deserves to be read for all of it;s messages, but it also deserves to be read because it's seriously captivating. I was surprised at how good it actually turned out to be. I loved characters, I hated characters and I really started to with that the Apathea book series was real just so I could understand what all the hype was about. I seriously enjoyed this book to the point that I'm forcing my friends to read it and buying a copy of my own.

Actually, upon googling this title, I found that there's actually a really cool website promoting the book and it's message. Regardless of if you've readhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif the book or not, I suggest you check it out because it's pretty awesome.

http://saveapathea.com/

Why I picked up this book: It looked like an interesting graphic novel.

Why I finished it: I seriously didn't put it down for the 2 hours or however long it took me to read it.

I'd give this book to: Anyone and everyone.

My Rating: *****

Diary of a Wimpy Kid #6: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney

Some people love the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, full of holiday cheer and fun family times. Not Greg. Greg doesn't enjoy family time or the threats that come with not being on your best behavior. Who really wants to find out if Santa has a "Naughty List"?

Whatever happened to the good ole days when parents gave you money to buy gifts, which meant low priced gifts for them and a few fun treats for yourself? Why does being an 8th grader mean you have to earn your own money? How many jobs, especially during the cold snowy season, are available for teens?

Greg is about to discover the "joys" and misfortunes of snow removal, complete with a lawn mower and water hose. Not to mention how much more exciting the holiday season can become when a blizzard traps the family, minus Dad who is stuck at work, indoors with a dwindling supply of food. Can anyone say "Cabin Fever"?

Why I picked up the book: I've read the others in the series and love them. Greg reminds me of my brother at that age. Also two of my nephews are reading the series. One is a 5th grader and loves to read. The other is in 8th grade and is a reluctant reader (he would rather be hunting). Both pre-ordered the book and I wanted to make sure I read it before seeing them at Christmas.

Why I finished it: It is funny and hard to put down. I would have finished it in one sitting, less than an hour, except I started it at 10pm and was super tired.

I'd give it to: fans of the series. Boys who like comic books and humor. Junior high teachers and parents--anyone who knows or once knew a teen boy.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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The Kneebone Boy

Name: Serina

Grade: College

Title: The Kneebone Boy

Author: Ellen Potter

Otto Hardscrabble, the oldest of the Hardscrabble children, has not spoken a word since he was eight years old, which was when his mother mysteriously vanished. His siblings easily worked around it, developing a sign language between the three of them that no one else could possibly decipher. But this is certainly not the strangest thing about them. Otto also has a fascination with anything out of the ordinary, especially cats that have more than six fingers on one paw or an extra leg. Lucia, the middle child, has an impeccable vocabulary and the attitude of a cynic, and Max, the youngest, likes to spend his time on the roof of their house. Their father makes a living by traveling abroad and painting the portraits of royal families, often returning to tell his children about his adventures. But the Hardscrabble children want their own adventure, so when their father leaves them with his cousin in London, who happens to be on holiday and is not home, they decide to go to their aunt Haddie's house, which is right next door to a very large and very ominous castle, said to be home to the Kneebone boy, a child that is half human and half beast that has been locked away from the world to hide his deformities. So of course the Hardscrabble children want to have a look at him and possibly save him from his imprisonment. But they may have gotten more of an adventure than they bargained for...

I picked this book up because it had a really awesome cover.

I finished this book because it was so strangely amusing.

I'd give this book to anyone who feels a little out of place.

Rating: **** Really liked it!

The Maze of Bones (39 Clues, #1) by Rick Riordan

Amy and Dan Cahill (age 14 and 11) are returning to their beloved grandmother's estate for one last time, for her funeral and the reading of her will. For Amy & Dan, this day isn't about how much money they will inherit. It is another painful reminder that they are all alone now, without their beloved Grace, whom they spent wonderful weekends with. Their parents died seven years ago in a fire and since then, they have been living under the guardianship of their awful Aunt Beatrice who hires, and just as quickly fires, au pairs to watch over them.

But what Amy, Dan, and about 40 other select relatives learn will change everything. You see, minutes before her death, Grace changed her will. Those invited to the reading have a choice. Take a check for $1,000,000, your share of the inheritance, OR accept the challenge and forfeit the money. However there can only be one winner. Those who choose to accept and join the quest may work alone or in teams. Each team will receive the first of thirty-nine clues. The clues are scattered around the globe and will lead to a secret that will make the winner(s) the most powerful and influential humans on the planet. They will discover that many of the great people of the past were Cahills.

Amy and Dan are tempted to take the money until a conversation with Aunt Beatrice changes their minds. The first clue sends the seven participating teams off on a race to Philadelphia and Paris, a race against time and each other, complete with a fire, bombs, collapsing ground, and more. You see, the other teams believe that Grace gave Amy and Dan inside information and therefore want to eliminate them. So Amy and Dan are all alone, unable to trust anyone.

Will Amy and Dan survive the quest for the 39 Clues? And who is the man in the black suit watching their every move?

Why I picked it up: Our middle school book club was interested in reading it.

Why I finished the book: It is a super fast read. Lots of action, adventure, and mystery. Although my book was used and didn't have the cards, I think it might be fun for tween & teen readers to participate in the online, interactive quest. If I had time, I would definitely pick up the 2nd book and read through the whole series.

I'd give it to: fans of mystery series and those who like interactive books. The symbols, clues, and fast pace reminds me of Dan Brown but for a younger set.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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The Crime Buff's Guide to the Outlaw Rocky MountainsThe Crime Buff's Guide to the Outlaw Rocky Mountains by Ron Franscell

Written by local author Ron Franscell, originally from Casper, this book is a guide to Colorado and Wyoming crimes scenes of the past and present. He gives GPS coordinates for crime scenes and grave sites. He also refers readers to books and resources that provide more information on particular people and crimes.

Why I picked up the book: The author was here in early October & my husband and I both loved his book "Fall".

Why I finished it: I wish it had more about the some of the crimes, but he does a good job of referring the reader to other books. I learned a lot about crimes in this region. I'm a huge fan of Unsolved Mysteries & Disappeared, even though they still scare me whether I watch them in the light or the dark.

I'd give it to: I would recommend this book to fans of shows like Unsolved Mysteries and Disappeared and especially to readers who like to hear about local crimes, past and present. I would probably recommend it for high school and up, just because some of the crimes are pretty brutal.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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When Parents Text: So Much Said...So Little UnderstoodWhen Parents Text: So Much Said...So Little Understood by Sophia Fraioli

If you are looking for a healthy dose of laughter, this might be right up your alley. Brought to you by the authors of the site whenparentstext.com.

Why I picked up the book: The title of course. I haven't been to their website but I definitely know how confusing texts can be. For the longest time my mother-in-law thought LOL was lots of love so I wondered why she was laughing at the weirdest stuff.

Why I finished it: fast & easy. See how many times you want to read it aloud or share it with the person sitting next to you.

I'd recommend it to: high schoolers and up, just based on some of the content and language.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles #1) by Rick Riordan

Carter and Sadie Kane are siblings in a less than perfect relationship and have become almost strangers. When their mother died, Carter traveled the world with their father, a renowned Egyptologist, and after a bitter court battle Sadie lived with their grandparents in London. They have two visits per year. Their Christmas Eve visit alters everything. It started with a strange man appearing and then a trip to the British Museum that unleashed Egyptian Gods and unveiled a family secret that changed the course of Carter and Sadie's lives.

Why I picked up the book: I really liked "The Lightning Thief" and tried to read this when it was first released. At that time there was a huge hold list so I returned the book. Our middle school book club loved Percy as well and wanted more Riordan, so it seemed like a good time to read this.

Why I finished the book: Even though it is long, the author writes a fast paced adventure. It does take awhile to get used to the change in narrators every two chapters.

I'd give it to: fans of Riordan's other series. Readers looking for adventure and fans of mythology, this time it is Egyptian.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Vel' d'Hiv was a horrible stain on French history, so much so that in an effort to forget many Parisian citizens have no idea of what happened.

In July 1942, Sarah was ten years old when the French police arrested her family along with other Jews, the first step in the horrific journey to Auschwitz. Sarah had no idea what was happening and in an effort to keep her younger brother safe, locked him in the bedroom cupboard and promised to quickly return and rescue him.

Julia is an American journalist who has been living in Paris for 25 years. She is assigned to investigate and write a story on the 60th anniversary of the Vel' d'Hiv. What Julia discovers will change her life forever.

Why I picked up the book: I had heard several librarians in the building raving about it. When a guy in our high school book club recommended we read it, I jumped on the opportunity.

Why I finished the book: This was a different kind of Holocaust novel. I had no idea about the French involvement or the Vel' d'Hiv'. I needed to know what Julia would discover. The interesting thing about reading a novel about the Holocaust is we all know what ultimately happened, but you keep hoping for something different.

I'd give it to: readers who aren't afraid to connect with the characters and/or readers who don't mind dual narratives that jump between characters and time periods. I would probably recommend it for high school and up.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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