Spring & Summer 2008

To save time and my sanity, I've decided to only enter the books I've enjoyed and would recommend here. Hopefully I can get back and do a more thorough review after I enter the titles I like:

Raven's Gate (Gatekeepers Series #1) by Anthony Horowitz
I loved this book! It was creepy enough for the most gruesome reader and had plenty of action. I'll be book-talking this book in the library this fall, for sure! Steven King for kids!

Waggit's Tale by Peter Howe
This is a sweet story about a puppy that is abandoned by it's owner and has to learn to survive on his own. Not really YA. This would be perfect at a 4th or 5 th grade level. Due to be released in July 2008 by HarperCollins Children's books.


Seer of Shadows by Avi
This is a spooky, Historical Fiction ghost story that will be well received by lovers of these genres. This was to be released in April 2008.


The Mystery of theMartello Tower by Jennifer Lanthier
I totally enjoyed this little mystery. It moved along at a nice pace and held my interest the whole while. I liked that the female protagonist was a basketball champ and the brother was nerdy (nice switch!). This was to be released in May 2008 by HarperCollins Childrens Books.

Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff
A mystery, a coming-of-age story, and lots of action. This, also isn't really YA, but more suited for Elementary (gr. 4-5) readers. But I did enjoy it and wanted to mention it here.

Winter 2008

I've been reading so many books, it is hard to keep track and remember to write about them. Here are a few of the titles that have kept me warm this winter:

Many Stones, by Carolyn Coman
This is the story of 16-year-old Berry Morgan, who is trying to deal with the murder of her older sister and the divorce of her parents.

Berry and her father embark on a trip to South Africa to attend a memorial for her sister and it is there that Berry begins to overcome her grief and her anger.

I especially enjoyed seeing South Africa through Berry's eyes. The history of Nelson Mandella, the strugles of the Black African people, and the impact it all has on Berry were the heart of this story to me.

Love Me Tender, by Audrey Couloumbis is a funny, touching story about how 13-year-old Elvira learns to deal with her bothersome little sister, her depressed and pregnant mother, her father's angry departure (to sing in an Elvis Impersonator contest in Las Vegas) and the discovery of an extended family that she never knew existed. I laughed out loud several times while reading, and when I finished I closed the book with a smile and a feeling of satisfaction.

All We Know of Heaven by Jacquelyn Mitchard explores the tragic aftermath of a horrible automobile accident. Best friends Bridget and Maureen have always looked alike - same height, same color hair, even the same eye color. When the girls are involved in a car crash, with their bodies and faces bruised and broken beyond recognition, confusion is only natural.
One girl dies and one girl lives. One girl gets buried while one remains in a coma. What if their identities were mixed up.

This story is based on actual events and explores the very real struggles and frustrations faced by young people recovering from terrible accidents.

Fall 2007 Reads

Twisted by Lauri Halse Anderson
Told in the first person, this story is about the senior year of Tyler Miller, a former nerd, who has some muscles now, a bit of a reputation, and the attention of the boss's daughter. As Tyler struggles with his new school image, his overbearing father and and his relationship with a girl he likes, he attends a party that gets out of control and now he has the police investigating him. and his friends and family seeming to turn against him.

Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey
This is the 1st book in McCaffrey's Dragonsinger trilogy, written expressly for teenagers. Although this is an oldie, it is definitely a 'must read' for someone who enjoys Science Fiction.

WHAT I'VE READ THIS SUMMER

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HARROWS - WOW!!! - how does she do it? J. K. Rowling has just released the best one yet! I loved this book. And I love the ending.

ELSEWHERE - Gabrielle Zavin - What happens after we die? Where do we go? This book offers an unusual possibility. A teenage girl is killed by a hit-and-run driver. We journey with her as she discovers life after death.

AIRBORN - Kenneth Oppel - Science Fiction or Fantasy or a bit of each....Huge blimp-like vessels sail above the earth with passengers aboard. What else is up there with them?

MAXIMUM RIDE - ANGEL EXPERIMENT - James Paterson - This is the YA version of Patterson's best seller, When the Wind Blows. It is a fantasy/sci-fi book about a horrible experiment that leaves a group of children with wings and special abilities, and evil scientists trying to chase them down.

BATTLE DRESS - A young, female recruit must survive the difficult first days at West Point.

SPEAK - Something terrible happened, and she won't talk about it!

CRACK - Her life is changed for the worse when a teenage girl becomes addicted to crack.

THE FIRST PART LAST - Angela Johnson - What happens when a teenage boy becomes a father.

CHICKS WITH STICKS - IT'S A PURL THING! - Girls knit! These books even provide directions for knitting projects.