Nicola and the Viscount

Nicola and the Viscount

by: Meg Cabot

published by: HarperCollins

Summary: Nicola is an orphan and has just been asked to live with the Bartholomews, a rich family with the most handsome son, who Nicola has nicknamed "the God." Before she knows it Nicola finds herself engaged to this handsome man, but it's not until then that she starts noticing that she hardly knows him. Maybe he is nothing like her after all, and what are his real intentions of marrying her? Does he really love her, or is there something bigger going on under the surface? Nicola was about to find out, if she had to do it herself!

Personal Summary: It was SO cheesy, especially at the beginning. But the plot wasn't too unbearable. By the end I was satisfied with how it turned out but also glad to be done with the cheese :) All in all, I'd have to say I liked it.

Cautionary Notes: CHEESY :)

We Just Want to Live Here

We Just Want to Live Here

by: Amal Rifa'i and Odelia Ainbinder with Sylke Tempel

published by: St. Martin's Griffin

Summary: We Just Want to Live Here is a true story of Amal--a palestinian teenager and Odelia--an Israeli teenager--both are living in the same country. The girls are trying to get along while their leaders and fighting to kill one another. Throughout the book the girls discuss topics that are very dear to them and that are also very controversial. Things like government and religion and the different beliefs or customs they each have. They often disagree and they tell each other so, but they are never attacking each other. There is a politeness and respect that threads their conversations. They don't know if they can remain friends forever because of their situation, but they know that the friendship they did share was real and would never be forgotten.

Personal Review: I enjoyed this book immensely. I learned about so much I didn't really know, and saw how two people can successfully disagree and remain friends. I think that is the mark of true friendship and deep respect for one another. I loved hearing about their different customs and different ways of viewing the world.

Cautionary Notes: sensetive subjects touched upon

Chains

Chains

by: Laurie Halse Anderson

published by: Puffin Books

Summary: Isabel was supposed to be freed, from her late owner, a kind old woman who treated her slaves with respect. But the will where her and her sister's freedom is declared is nowhere to be found, and nobody really cares. Instead both Isabel and her sister, Ruth, are hastily sold to a pair of loyalists who work her to the ground and eventually find out that Ruth has epilepsy which results in her selling. Isabel is furious; she shouts at her owner and runs away. This causes a severe punishment of branding and after that, a little part of her dies. She no longer cares about sides; loyalists or rebels, they are both her enemies. She no longer cares about anything, her sister is sold and her friend Curzon's rebel ways have only gotten her into trouble. Can something help her to come alive again? To cherish life again? Or is all hope lost?

Personal Review: I loved the fresh point of view you get when reading this story. Often when we read about the American Revolution we get the story from the American's point of view or sometimes even from the British point of view. But here is a thrid party who is in the midst of all that is happening and looks upon both Americans and British as her enemies. It allows us to step outside our own shoes for a second and see ourselves as the enemy for a brief period. Chains is a book with beautiful language packed with love and the will to survive. I loved every page.

Cautionary Notes: violence against children, scenes of starvation at the Rebel prison,

The Hunter's Moon

The Chronicles of Faerie: The Hunter's Moon

by: O.R. Melling

published by: Amulet Books

Summary: Gwen and Findabhair are cousins, but they are also best friends. Gwen is coming from America to visit Fin in Ireland and while they are together they are going to hunt for the magic and secrets of Ireland. They spend the first night of their adventure in a fairy mound and when Gwen wakes up, she finds that Findabhair has vanished. Suddenly things have gone too far for Gwen, she's no brave adventurist! She doesn't know where to begin without her cousin by her side. But she knows she must attempt, so with a little help from the faries she finds her cousin, but not as a damsel in distress. Instead Findabhair seems to be enjoying herself and Gwen is angry that she's gone through so much to rescue her cousin who doesn't want rescuing. Together they face disputes and life changing adventures.

Personal Review: It was hard for me to get into at the beginning, but I really liked it by the end. Ireland seems like a magical, beautiful country and this story really showed that. I loved Gwen's and Findabhair's relationship, they seemed to be the best of friends despite their disagreements and different decisions.

Touching Spirit Bear

Touching Spirit Bear

by: Ben Mikaelsen
published by: HarperCollins

Summary: Cole Matthews is angry at the world and not to be defied. Little Peter finds this out the hard way. After beating Peter up and smashing his head on the sidewalk, Cole is arrested. Before his trial he is given the choice to go to prison or to join something called the Circle of Justice, which would decide on a suitable punishment for him that will cause him to grow an change. Only if he is willing to. Cole isn't--but that doesn't stop him from pretending. He does everything he can to get into the circle of Justice and stay far away from prison. That's how he finds himself stranded on an Alaskan island mauled by a gigantic white bear, in the clutches of death. Now he wonders if prison would have been easier.

Personal Review: I loved seeing this character evolve; slowly though it was. I like how the author didn't suddenly change him all at once, it made him much more realistic. I had to have patience with Cole and it helped me realize that I need to have more patience with real people I know in my life. It is a beautiful and touching story, I would definitely recommend this book to a teenage boy.

Cautionary notes: violence when cole beats up Peter, and when Cole throws any kind of fit, and violence when the bear attacks Cole.

Godless

Godless

by: Pete Hautman

published by: Simon and Schuster

Summary: Jason Bock and Shin are collecting gastropods under the water tower when Henry shows up to cause trouble as usual. As Jason lies on the ground after being punched down by Henry, the idea comes to him. The water tower is like God. It provides the town with water; water is life. He declares his new religion to his friends and soon other peers from the town begin joining up. While Jacob sees his religion of worshiping "the ten legged one" as a joke, will others begin to take things too far?

Personal Review: I read this book in a flash, I couldn't put it down! The creepy, yet creative ideas in this book are intriguing. It's very insightful into human nature concerning religion. Like how everybody had different reasons for joining the Chutengodonians. Shin's character intrigued me the most though because of his intense passion for things. It was more fun reading about his brush with insanity than another character's distant apathy.

Cautionary notes: radical ideas of worshiping idols,

Speak

Speak

by: Laurie Halse Anderson
published by: Puffin Books

Summary: Melinda is only a freshman in high school. And already she has a black secret lying on her shoulders. She is already unpopular for calling the cops at a party over the summer. But she didn't mean to call the cops on the party, she called them for another reason, a personal reason. A reason that was bubbling up and growing inside of her like a sticky poison blackening her insides. She had to talk, but she wouldn't.

Personal review: I was touched by this book; it was a pretty intense read! It was very realistic but drove home the feelings I think the author intended. It was a very beautiful book and I would recommend it to a teenage girl.

Cautionary notes: scenes of rape and violence

Stuck in Neutral

Stuck in Neutral

by: Terry Trueman

published by: Harper Collins

Summary: Shawn McDaniel is the dumbest kid in his class. In his entire school! He has cerebral palsey and lacks the ability to respond to anything, including people talking to him or getting right up in his face. There's a secret though and only Shawn knows it. He's a secret genius; he can remember anything he sees, he can read, he knows exactly what's going on around him. He just has no way to communicate it to the world. To them he is a vegetable, but he is only trapped inside a vegetable body. How can he make them see that there is someone in there? Especially after he starts getting eerie feelings that his father wants to kill him.

Personal review: I loved this book! It was completely frustrating though because you knew something the characters in the book didn't. That Shawn is coherent, but we too are trapped from telling them. Although frustrating, it was a fascinating point of view to have and makes you think about situations that could be similar in your life of the life of people you know.

Cautionary notes:

The Devil's Arithmetic

The Devil's Arithmetic

by Jane Yolen

published by: Viking

Summary: Hannah is 12 years old and is getting tired of attending the Passover dinner every year with her family. She doesn't understand what the big deal is. This year it's a little different though. The family decides that she should have the responsibility of opening the door for Elijah the prophet, one of the traditions performed every year. She does so grudgingly, and as she opens the door she is transported back in time! She doesn't know what year it is or where she is, but when she realizes that she is a Jew living in Poland at the start of WWII she is horrified of what might happen to her. She tries to warn her new family that she knows what's coming because she's from the future, but nobody believes her. Who would?

Personal Review: I absolutely loved this book! It was terrifying yet I fell in love with the characters and felt very emotional with the sad events that took place.

Cautionary Notes: Some parts were graphic

Stop Pretending

Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy

by Sonya Sones

published by: Harper Collins

Summary: A 13-year old girl has an older sister who went crazy one day. Now she visits her frequently in the hospital's psycho ward, but she wishes she didn't have to. She loves her sister but she is ashamed. Ashamed when her sister "throws herself into a chair. She says this chair controls the room and all her thoughts and all mine, too." And she is ashamed to tell her friends because of what they will say. When she finally does pluck up the courage, they act like it's no big deal to them, but soon they are ignoring her. Will she ever have a real friend who will be able to look past her sister? Will she ever be able to smile again? Who are these strangers in her life now? Her mother and father fight all the time now and her sister doesn't know who she is.

Here is an excerpt from the book, that I think really captures the overall mood. Enjoy!

Stop Pretending

Stop Pretending.

Right this minute.

Don't you tell me

you don't know me.

Stop this crazy act

and show me

that you haven't changed.

Stop pretending

you're deranged.

Stop a minute.

You'll remember things

like they used to be

when you used to read to me

from Dr. Seuss in our backyard.

Stop Pretending.

Right this minute.

I'm your sister.

Don't you tell me

you don't know me.

Personal Review: This book was very sad but beautiful. I loved how it was written in poems, with the line breaks giving it special emphasis. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was a quick read and I couldn't put it down at all, even if it wasn't.

Cautionary Note: one sexual situation

Beast

Beast

by Donna Jo Napoli
published by: Simon Pulse

Summary: Orasmyn is the prince of Persia and he loves his land and his religion. One day though, the day of the great sacrifice of the camel, he is lazy for five minutes and makes a grave mistake that will land him in a curse. His father is about to perform the annual hunt of the lion, when Prince Orasmyn wakes to find that he is the lion. He is a beast. He travels first to India because it is the land of the lions. But when he finds no luck there, he returns to his home and finds his answer in a book his mother bought for his when he was still human. He must go to France where the roses are the most beautiful. He knows that the only way to break the curse is to be truly loved by a human woman. And he feels strongly that he will find that woman in France. "But who could ever love a Beast?"

Personal Review: This was such a different perspective on the story of Beauty and the Beast, and I loved it! So the prince wasn't heartless and shallow as the Disney movie portrays him. I like how he had resigned himself to being a lion forever and trying to move on and continue living a happy life among the beasts. I also love the character of Belle, she is patient and submissive yet full of passion.

Cautionary Notes: sex among animals, and lots of blood

Every Time a Rainbow Dies

Every Time a Rainbow Dies
by Rita Williams-Garcia
published by: Amistad

Summary: Thulani is a Jamaican teenager living in Brooklyn, New York, with his older brother and his brother's pregnant wife. He has a cage full of pigeons he keeps on his roof and lets out every morning, and every night they return. One night as he is welcoming the birds home, he spies something going on down in the alley he can see from his roof. A girl is being raped. Thulani doesn't feel brave or strong, but he yells for the men to leave her alone and runs down to them. When he gets there they are gone and he helps the girl back to her home. Ever since that night he has not been able to stop thinking about this girl who wears such bright, beautiful colors. Will she ever be his? Will she ever allow him to even talk to her? He wants to tell her that she is so filled with color that every time she steps outside, a rainbow dies.

Personal Review: I adored this book. It holds so much truth about life, love, loss and sadness, yet still carries hope and beauty. Thulani is a sensetive, kind boy who has found himself truly in love with a girl and he doesn't give up easily. I feel like it was perfect because Ysa, the girl he was in love with, would never let anyone in easily, so she needed someone who would make a perpetual nuisance of himself to get to know her.

Cautionary Notes: Graphic rape scene and teen sex

Cherry Ames: Dude Ranch Nurse

Cherry Ames: Dude Ranch Nurse
by Julie Tatham
published by: Grosset and Dunlap, inc.

Summary: Cherry Ames is a nurse working happily in Illinois when she is offered a position in Tuscon, Arizona working on a ranch with asthmatic patients. She is told it's going to be an easy job and that she'll have much of her time to herself. But when she arrives, she finds the twins to be very disagreeable as well as the tutor, Harold Bean. Patty, on the other hand, is a complete sweetheart and she and Cherry bond right away. When Patty tells of her father's death and how he left her a nest egg that's hidden somewhere, Cherry agrees to help her look for it. That's when all the trouble begins. Pranks are pulled on Cherry that start getting her in trouble with her boss, Senora. Who could be pulling these pranks on her? And why would they want so badly to get Cherry in trouble?

Personal Review: I actually liked this book and found it to be charming and engaging and fun. It was very cheesy at times but that made it all the more fun to read. I would probably recommend it to a young girl, about 12-15. I could see myself enjoying it very much when I was around that age.

Cautionary Notes: None

War is...

War is...
edited by Marc Aronson and Patty Campbell
published by: Candlewick Press

Summary: "War is... Crazy. History. Deception. Unbearable. Dilusion. Male. Linked with religion. Worse for civilians. Impossible to win. Inevitable?" This book is a collection of essays all about war. Many who have gone to war themselves. It talks of the deception used by recruiters and what to expect when you are in war. "How will I react to combat? Will it feel like a video game? .....What does it feel like to kill someone?" Some encourage you to join the military, others discourage it. This book is eye opening enough for the reader to get an idea, and decide for themselves.

Personal Review: This book was a definite eye opener for me. It contained a lot of things about war I had never considered before. My favorite of all the essays was one by Lee Kelley who talked about how soldiers are praying for us and we sould be praying for them in return. His accounts were all positive and filled with hope.

Cautionary Note: A lot of language and violence. (Language especially in "Tough" by Joel Turnipseed p. 195)

I am the Cheese

I am the Cheese
by Robert Cormier
Published by: Dell Laurel-Leaf

Summary: Adam Farmer was an only child living on the east coast when he found something fishy in his own home. Was it some kind of mistake? Or have his parents really been lying to him his whole life? He never gets very close to any of his friends, and when he finally does, he feels the need to lie to her about his past, yet he doesn't understand why. Finally one day, Adam's parents confront him and tell him the whole truth. Will his little family be able to survive in peace as they had for so long? Or were their peaceful lives coming to an end?

Personal Review: I really really enjoyed this book; it had my head spinning the entire time. I was so confused yet curious enough to keep turning the pages, coming to conclusion after conclusion in my head, until all was answered in the end. It is really amazing how it all ties together.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
by E. Lockhart
Published by: Hyperion Books for Children

Summary: Frankie Landau-Banks is going to be a sophmore at her boarding school, Alabaster, but this year she's transformed from the gawky child she was before into a lovely young woman, and boys are noticing. She finds herself with a new boyfriend (the most popular guy in school!!) and at first she's on cloud nine; things couldn't be going better. But then, Matthew, said boyfriend, starts brushing her off for his guy friends. After following Matthew, she finds out that he is part of a secret society on campus that's male only and feels desperate to somehow be a part of this. Will Frankie's intelligence and spunk get her into trouble with the authorities? Or even with her friends?

Personal Review: I absolutely loved Frankie and her personality and her story. She is very intelligent and funny and really goes out there and takes action; I was throroughly entertained through every page. Matthew and his friends were silly and hilarious and I felt like I wanted to be a part of them too. I feel like I can relate very well with this story and with Frankie even though I've never gone to a boarding school or dated the most popular guy in school who was also a member of a time-tested secret society. There were certain elements about it that just captured human interactions so well that I'm sure most everybody can relate to Frankie in some way.

Cautionary Note: mention of teen sex

La Linea

La Linea
by Ann Jaramillo
Published by: Roaring Book Press

Summary: Miguel's parents left Mexico promising to send for him in a few years so that he could join them in California. But it's been years and years now and Miguel is thinking it will never happen, until he wakes up on his fifteenth birthday and finds a note at the foot of his bed, instead of pile of gifts from his grandmother. It's finally time for him to cross The Line. The Line seperating Mexico from the United States, The Line seperating him from his parents. Miguel's little sister Elena is jealous and angry that she has not been called also. So she stows away, following Miguel and when he finds out, he worries he will get them both sent back to their little home town, never to get out. They are beaten, stolen from, starved and tired along the journey across The Line and at some points aren't sure if they're going to make it.

Personal Review: I have never really considered illegal immigration into the United States from the perspective of the immigrant. It was a beautiful and fresh view and I loved opening my mind to it. I really enjoyed the characters and how spanish phrases were scattered throughout the book. It was a story that touched my heart and made me feel something.

Cautionary Notes: Illegal Immigration

The First Part Last

The First Part Last

by Angela Johnson
Published by: Simon and Schuster


Summary: Bobby is only 16 years old when he finds himself responsible for his own daughter, Feather. He is still in high school and living in his mother's house. She is kind to him, and helps him babysit sometimes, but she tells him that it's his child and his life now, and she isn't going to raise the child for him. Bobby adores Feather, but he faces many challenges in raising a daughter at such a young age and having to attend school. Sometimes he just forgets about her, reverting back to his simple life of before. But it's not long before he runs back and cradles her in his arms, chastising himself for forgetting little Feather even for one minute. Will he be able to handle all of this by himself?

Personal Review: I really enjoyed the feeling of reality this book gave me. It didn't sugar coat anything and told of Bobby's exhaustion and tears and regrets, but it was also filled with hope. I loved the character of Bobby, he is such a sensetive person, with a deep love for his new little daughter and he's willing to sacrafice for her. He is becoming a man, earlier than was intended perhaps, and I loved watching that transformation.

Cautionary Notes: Teen pregnancy and sex

Wintergirls

Wintergirls

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Published by: Viking

Summary: Lia had just found out that Cassie was dead. Her Cassie. They had been best friends for nine years up until a couple months before Cassie's death. They hadn't talked at all then, they weren't even friends anymore. But before she took her life, Cassie called Lia. Thirty-three times. On top of that, her family wants to make her fat but she's stronger than that, she can resist the food and make herself get skinny. Her parents yell at her all the time and force her to eat food. Things get harder and harder for Lia to cope and soon she's falling falling falling. Why is she doing this to herself?

Personal Review: This was one of the hardest books for me to read. It makes me want to eat to prove I'm not like the girl in the book. It makes me hungry and I have to put it down every now and then to stay sane. Laurie Halse Anderson uses such vivid language, it conveys the mood so strongly and touches the nerves in such a way that it's almost disconcerting. But I did enjoy the book and realized a lot of things about eating disorders that I hadn't before.

Cautionary note: This book is extremely vivid. I wouldn't reccommend it to just anybody. It packs a lot of emotion on sensitive subjects.

The Graduation of Jake Moon

The Graduation of Jake Moon
by Barbara Park
Aladdin Paperbacks
(I listened to this as a book on tape performed by Fred Savage)

Summary: Jake Moon didn't think anything of it when his grandfather, Skelly, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. His grandfather would forget things, like any old person did, and they would all go on living their lives as normally. He was dead wrong though. He didn't realize that Alzheimer's was more than forgetting where you set the keys. It was putting your clothing in the freezer, your wet towels in the oven, and forgetting your own grandson's name. And most of all, embarrassing him in front of friends and school mates. Jake loved his grandfather but found it more and more difficult to watch after him, realizing suddenly all he was missing out on. He even stopped hanging out with his friends so they wouldn't find out and and tease him relentlessly. Jake felt guilty for resenting Skelly, but never as much as when he suddenly dissappears.

Personal Review: It was very interesting to hear about an Alzheimer's patient from the perspective of a young boy and how it affects him at home and school. This book first captured the audience with Skelly's loving personality before the disease which made it all the sadder as we watched as he was overcome by each stage and slowly forgot things and became more and more dependent. I found it to be a very touching and uplifting story and would recommend it to anybody, especially a child who may be going through something very similar.

This video clip explains about what happens in the brain during Alzheimer's disease and how it affects the person

Locomotion

Locomotion
by Jacqueline Woodson
G. P. Putnam's Sons

Summary: Lonnie is eleven years old and has just lost both of his parents in a fire. He and his little sister Lilly were split up after the accident because nobody wanted to adopt an eleven year old boy. Every day his teacher, Ms. Marcus, sets aside an hour she calls poetry hour for the children to write poems. This book is the compilation of all the poems he's written during those hours which include memories of his past with his loving family, worries, hopes and dreams. He talks about how he's living with a lady named Miss Edna who has two grown up sons who have moved out, and how he rarely gets to visit his sister. Lonnie doesn't give up though, after this tragic event with his parents. He continues learning and living because of the comfort and encouragement of those who love him.


"Memory
Momma came running out of the kitchen
drying her hands on her jeans.
When she saw us just sitting there, she let out a breath.
Oh, My Lord, she said,
I thought you'd dropped my baby.
I asked
Was I ever your baby, Mama?
and Mama looked at me all warm and smiley.
You still are, she said.
Then she went back in the kitchen

I felt safe then.
I held Lili tighter.
Maybe if I was eleven then
and if one of my friends had been around,
I would have been embarrassed I guess,
but I was just a little kid

and nobody else was around.
Just me and Lili and Mama and the pigeons.
And outside the sun
getting bright and warm suddenly
like it'd been listening in." (p 5-6)

Personal Review: I fell in love with the little boy Lonnie while reading the book. He has so much goodness and innocence in him and you can see it all in his poetry. He adores his little sister, and misses his parents so much it hurts and sometimes makes him angry. But he keeps on living and loving and doing his best to be a good boy. This book gives me a sense of hope and graditude that life can become beautiful again even after a fire.

After the First Death

After the First Death

by Robert Cormier

Published by: Dell Laurel-Leaf

a division of Random House Children's Books

Summary: Kate was not always the driver of this bus. She was subsituting for her uncle, driving 16 kids to summer camp, when the bus was taken over by highjackers who forced her to drive to a bridge where they could be seen. Where negotiations could be made. It was Miro's duty to kill the bus driver, but they were all thrown off to find it was a girl. If she watched over the children and made sure they didn't fuss, she could live. For now. Finally a negotiation was reached between the highjackers and the Americans surrounding the bridge. But at what stake? What dire consequenses will these terms have on the people?

Personal Review: This was an amazing read for me. I was a little confused at some parts, but it all came together in the end. I think it is a beautiful peice of work and I loved the characterizations. I admired Kate's bravery especially, finding it easiest to put my place in her shoes than in any other character's. Because this story takes place in America and the present time it is scarily easy to relate to.

The Misadventures of Maude March

The Misadventures of Maude March

by Audrey Couloumbis

Published by: Yearling

Summary: Maude and her sister Sallie live with their old aunt Ruth in a little town called Cedar Rapids. One normal day while they're out shopping, Aunt Ruth is shot and killed by a stray bullet. Suddenly the girls have nobody to live with, no guardian of their own. They get along for a while, living with Reverand Pearson and doing a great amount of work to earn their stay. But when Old Mr. Wilburn asks for her hand in marraige and the Pearsons won't allow her to refuse, she decides to run off, to the west to find their only living relative, Uncle Arlen. Sallie tags along and together they make a pretty good team! They meet up with some interesting folks along the way and Maude finds out she's a pretty good shot!

Personal Review: I thought this story was so much fun. It shows two sisters succeeding out in the wild nature depending on themselves. It allows girls to explore that adventure spirit within themselves. The girl's personalities were bright and bubbly, with daring spirits willing to take the risks we hope they will so we can live vicariously through them and go along for the ride.

Thirteen Reasons Why

Thirteen Reasons Why

by Jay Asher
Published by: the Penguin Group





Summary: Clay Jensen wasn't expecting a package, but there it was, on his bed. And the most shocking part of all was that it was sent by a dead girl. Yet when he opened the package and found a bunch of tapes, he had no idea that he would soon be hearing Hannah Baker's voice. Hannah Baker had killed herself. And now she was letting everybody know why. Each side of a tape was meant for a different person, and each person was a reason. One of her reasons. For ending her life. Clay Jensen was shocked, horrified and confused as to why he was being sent the tapes. He couldn't remember doing anything wrong when it came to Hannah, sure he'd known her, had even kissed her once, but he didn't understand how any of his actions could lead her to want to end her life. He was about to find out.





Personal Review: I couldn't put this book down. It was a little disturbing but also eye opening to how something that may seem like such a little action could affect someone else so deeply. I think this is a book that should be reccommended with extreme caution because of the ideas that it teaches. It makes it seem okay to blame another person for your actions and mistakes when in fact it is very unhealthy to do so. If you understand that, there's no problem with reading this book, it really opens your mind to the way some people think.

Cautionary Note: Like I mentioned in my review, I would think carefully of who I reccommend this book to because of the ideas it teaches.

Here is a prievew that was put together by fans showing what the movie about this book might look like. enjoy!

Missing

Missing
by Catherine MacPhail

Published by: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

Summary: Maxine Moody had been skipping school quite a bit these days. It all started when her older brother Derek didn't come home from school one day. All her parents cared about was Derek Derek Derek! Sure they loved him, but she was here with them, in their presence, and still all they could talk about was the child who was not there. Maxine secretly harbored ill feelings toward Derek for leaving and taking all the attention and sometimes even hoped that Derek would die so her parents could move on again. She realized later though to be careful what you wish for--Derek's body was found not long after. Instead of letting it go though, her parents became more attatched than ever. And what's even stranger, Maxine starts getting phone calls from Derek himself. But ghosts can't use phones....can they?

Personal Review: This book is really good at conveying suspense and keeping you guessing. It was for a little bit of a younger audience but I didn't feel too coddled as to where it wasn't thrilling anymore. It was a quick, easy read and keeps you engaged.

The White Darkness

The White Darkness
By Geraldine McCaughrean
Oxford University Press

Summary: Symone was in love with a man who was dead, she'd never even met him. His name was Titus Oates, an explorer who had braved the ices of Antarctica. Yet Sym held conversations in her head with this man, she felt like she knew him because of all the books she'd read. She loved everything thing about Antarctica and she'd read everything about it too. In books given to her by her father and Uncle Victor. That's why when Uncle Victor turns their "Paris Trip" into a full fledged Arctic Adventure, Sym doesn't protest. She's finally getting her dream come true! When they arrive though, She wonders if her Uncle Victor is coming for the excitement of exploring...or is there something else on his mind?

"When the White Darkness sets in, it's such a kindness. All shadows disappear - the sky, the ground - leaving nothing but a milky, trembling nothingness. It's a sweet light, a pleasant light, like lying under a sheet on a summer morning: the presence of light without any of the usual complications - like being able to see. Perfect ignorance was like this, I remember: a feeling of enlightenment without ever quite grasping what was going on. They call it the White Darkness." (305)

Personal Review: The White Darkness is a fascinating, chilling story. The language McCaughrean uses in her novel is so rich and beautiful, I enjoyed every page of it. It made me want to be an explorer myself even though Sym's experience was less than enjoyable. While terrifying, McCaughrean's descriptions are also exciting. It was a very enjoyable read and I would recommend it to young adults of all ages. There was nothing in it too disturbing or offensive to stop me from recommending it.

This video shows the passage of time in Antarctica during the different seasons

I am the Messenger

I am the Messenger

By Markus Zusak

Published by: Alfred A. Knopf

Summary: Ed Kennedy didn't really intend to stop that bank robber, but now that he has he's started recieving playing cards in the mail. All of them aces, and they have stuff written on them too. He figured out eventually that they were clues to different people that needed help, and somebody thought he was the right person to do it. Some of the tasks he finds daunting--how can he stop a man from raping his wife while their child cries on the porch outside? While other tasks are easier, even enjoyable. Helping a loving family by buying beautiful Christmas lights for them. Ed finds satisfaction out of all these good deeds, still he wonders though, who is behind all this? Why have they chosen him? And what clues will the next Ace hold?

Personal Review: It was hard for me to get past the first chapter for some reason, but once I did I couldn't put the book down. I loved wondering at what the next task would be and felt the satisfaction of accomplishment when Ed found a creative way to carry it out. Ed started out as just a regular kid, just 19 years old, and doesn't find it easy to do all these things. It inspires me to step outside my bubble a little more to help a person.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
By Jeff Kinney
Published by: Amulet Books


Summary: Greg Heffley has suddenly found himself in middle school where he faces challenges and choices every day that threaten his reputation. For instance, Greg is realizing that his best friend Rowley doesn't understand how to make cool decisions and is beginning to be an embarrassment. At first Rowley doesn't notice that Greg is annoyed with the way Rowley sometimes acts, or he doesn't show it. Until one day when Rowley has to take the blame for something Greg did, it's finally the last straw. Greg suddenly realizes how alone he is without Rowley so now he has to find a way to win him back!

Personal Review: What I absolutely love about this book is how true it is! It captures the essence of being a kid so realistically that it makes it hysterical! I see things that Greg Heffley does that are so pathetic and rude yet I remember the days when I might have done those same things. Embarrassment was a much bigger deal in middle school and that is a big chunk of what Greg focuses on: avoiding embarrassment. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this as I remembered my own self-concious days from the past.

Here's a video clip of Jeff Kinney talking about how he wrote Diary of a Wimpy Kid, enjoy!