Under The Baseball Moon by John H. Ritter is a book about a teenage boy named Andy. Andy has dreams of using his unique style of trumpet playing to become famous. Things become complicated when Andy crosses path with his childhood friend, Glory Martinez. Glory has a dream of her own of becoming an Olympic softball pitcher. Things are further complicated when Andy meets a mysterious man in black who offers Andy fame in fortune for free. But what's the cost of free?
There are a lot of books out there on the market. There are good books, there are bad books. Sometimes there are books that stand out as great. Under the Baseball Moon by. John H. Ritter is one of those stand out books. Under the Baseball Moon is a book about a teenage boy named Andy. Andy has dreams of using his unique style of trumpet playing to become famous. Everything is going great until a mysterious man in black comes to town offering Andy fame and fortune. This book is exceptionally well written and easy to follow. There are many dynamic characters with their own personality. This combined with the authors witty remarks makes an awesome duo. What I liked most about this book is captivating. In many sports books you lose interest due to predictability and cliche endings. Although the overall book was fantastic, I felt that the ending was rushed and not really complete. I would suggest the author expound more on the ending to make it feel more complete. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Starkville, Mississippi USA
Monday, June 05, 2006
Girl in Development by Jordan Roter
Girl in Development is a fun novel about Samantha Rose, a bookish brunette who gets sent to LA for an internship with the famous Authentic Pictures production company. Staying with her snobby, stylish cousin Kate doesn’t seem like a whole lot of fun for Sam, who would rather stay at home safely on the east coast, reading classic novels and waiting for her dream guy to stumble across her path. But things are done differently in sunny LA and she is soon thrown into a whirlwind of trying to please her new boss, decide which boys are lying and which are sincere, and match her old black vintage clothes with the hottest new looks borrowed from Kate’s closet. Even with her killer schedule, she still manages to have a social life, and at times even bumps into—or befriends—a celebrity or two. Along the way, her true character is tested and she discovers that sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone to realize who you really are.
Compared to other books of this genre I’ve read, this one was very good. I liked the main characters and the author was very knowledgeable. It seems like Jordan Roter has had a lot of experience in “the Industry” and it shows through her writing; she knows how companies like Authentic Pictures run and everything seems very believable, unlike some teen books. I really enjoyed reading about Sam’s experiences and the love story (stories!) were fun and never dull. I would recommend this book to girls 14-17 as an easy, amusing read. Put on your designer shades, relax, and read Girl in Development by Jordan Roter.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Edina, Minnesota USA
Compared to other books of this genre I’ve read, this one was very good. I liked the main characters and the author was very knowledgeable. It seems like Jordan Roter has had a lot of experience in “the Industry” and it shows through her writing; she knows how companies like Authentic Pictures run and everything seems very believable, unlike some teen books. I really enjoyed reading about Sam’s experiences and the love story (stories!) were fun and never dull. I would recommend this book to girls 14-17 as an easy, amusing read. Put on your designer shades, relax, and read Girl in Development by Jordan Roter.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Edina, Minnesota USA
Monterey Shorts
This collection of wacky stories is written by authors from the Monterey area, and take place in Monterey, although in varying time periods, from ghostly tales of years past to imaginations of the Jetsons-like future. My favorite was the The Lizard Catcher, by Lele Dahle. It was a suspenseful story about what happens to a group of children living in a farming community when Juanita, the daughter of a migrant worker, joins their group of friends. You won’t know what is going to happen until the surprising and sad ending. Monte-Ray Gunn, by Byron Merrit, (grandson of Frank Herbert, who wrote the famous science-fiction novel entitled Dune) was also interesting. It is a futuristic crime story that captured my attention with its odd set of characters. If you like science fiction, this short story is funny and clever.
Most of the stories were pretty good, but I found some to be a little dull and hard to get through. If you have ever visited or lived on the Monterey Peninsula, you might connect more with these stories than I did. However, for someone who has never been there, these stories will give you an idea of the place. The idea of collecting a book of shorts around the idea of a place is interesting, and it works well with this novel. Compared to other collections of short stories I’ve read, this one is not my favorite, but is worth a read even if only for a few of the stories.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Edina, Minnesota USA
Most of the stories were pretty good, but I found some to be a little dull and hard to get through. If you have ever visited or lived on the Monterey Peninsula, you might connect more with these stories than I did. However, for someone who has never been there, these stories will give you an idea of the place. The idea of collecting a book of shorts around the idea of a place is interesting, and it works well with this novel. Compared to other collections of short stories I’ve read, this one is not my favorite, but is worth a read even if only for a few of the stories.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Edina, Minnesota USA
Out of Order by Betty Hicks
The book is about a family that is slowly falling apart and changing. The parents have divorced leaving the children "In the Pits." Now their mother has remarried to a man who her children don't like. If there is any up-side they love their new step-brother. He's funny, and likes doing anything and everything they like. Though, everywhere they go something goes wrong. Everything really is "Out of Order."
The book is enjoyable. Though, it is very difficult to follow. The storyline is constantly jumping from one character to the next. Also, from format to format. First it's Vy in story format, then it's "Mudboy" in Diary format. So if you want to read this book be prepared for a "shake-up"
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania United States
The book is enjoyable. Though, it is very difficult to follow. The storyline is constantly jumping from one character to the next. Also, from format to format. First it's Vy in story format, then it's "Mudboy" in Diary format. So if you want to read this book be prepared for a "shake-up"
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania United States
My Childhood Under Fire by Nadja Halilbegovic
My Childhood Under Fire is the actual diary of Nadja Halilbegovic. It chronicles her life from the age of
12 until the age of 16. The diary begins shortly before her thirteenth birthday - and shortly after the war in Sarajevo began.
As she and her family tried to live one day at a time, Nadja turned to her diary for comfort. Some days were better than others, and these she details happily. The sad days are here as well, as she dealt with the loss of loved ones and strangers alike.
Nadja, of course, hoped that her family would be safe for the duration of the war. She began speaking on radio programs, reading her poetry and talking about peace. With occasional poignant paragraphs, Nadja considers ways to fix the political situation. Even after she is hit with schrapnel and has to endure a long healing process, she never loses hope.
Eventually, at the age of 16, she is allowed a permit to leave the country. That in itself is another perilous journey. Her mother accompanied her but had to stay behind. Nadja came to America, where she now has a new life and new opportunities. Still speaking and writing about peace, it is obvious that she never will forget where she came from nor what she went through.
Review: The writing is very honest and straightforward. The text of the diary is presented as originally written, simply translated into English. Sometimes, portions of entries are reproduced so readers can see her handwriting - plus a doodle here and there.
Interjected throughout the book are paragraphs entitled "Looking Back," with the now-adult Nadja remarking on what she had written and what she had experienced.
Rating on a scale of 1 - 10: 7
Reviewer: Little Willow
From: California
12 until the age of 16. The diary begins shortly before her thirteenth birthday - and shortly after the war in Sarajevo began.
As she and her family tried to live one day at a time, Nadja turned to her diary for comfort. Some days were better than others, and these she details happily. The sad days are here as well, as she dealt with the loss of loved ones and strangers alike.
Nadja, of course, hoped that her family would be safe for the duration of the war. She began speaking on radio programs, reading her poetry and talking about peace. With occasional poignant paragraphs, Nadja considers ways to fix the political situation. Even after she is hit with schrapnel and has to endure a long healing process, she never loses hope.
Eventually, at the age of 16, she is allowed a permit to leave the country. That in itself is another perilous journey. Her mother accompanied her but had to stay behind. Nadja came to America, where she now has a new life and new opportunities. Still speaking and writing about peace, it is obvious that she never will forget where she came from nor what she went through.
Review: The writing is very honest and straightforward. The text of the diary is presented as originally written, simply translated into English. Sometimes, portions of entries are reproduced so readers can see her handwriting - plus a doodle here and there.
Interjected throughout the book are paragraphs entitled "Looking Back," with the now-adult Nadja remarking on what she had written and what she had experienced.
Rating on a scale of 1 - 10: 7
Reviewer: Little Willow
From: California
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Wizards of Hastin by P. Ashar
This is a collection of folk tales and fables from the Indus Valley. It follows the rivalry of two sides of a warring family. Five of the warriors are known as the Prols, and they posess great talents that help them in the fight against the Telhoths. The Telhoths are the cousins of the Prols, and are made up of the 100 sons of Wardoria, the King, Lohas, and his foster child, Karna. The story goes like this. The Prols are the masters of half the kingdom. Then, the powerhungery Telhoths trick the Prols into a fixed game of dice which causes the Prols to go into hidding for many years. When the Prols finally come back, they find that the Telhoths have gone mad with power, and refuse to relinquish the kingdom! A great war ensues, and the fate of the kingdom is in the great warriors and their "Weapons" of great power. The Prols are outnumbered by the Telhoths, but have gathered many allies for the great battle. Who will win this clash of great powers in the Indus Valley? Read this book and find out!
I really liked this book, but I'm not sure it would be for everybody. I have a great love for Greek and Roman mythology, and this book mirrors these myths, so I found the paragraph long "stories" very entertaining. I say "stories" because each paragraph is like an individual, drawn out "fact" about the bigger story of the battle between the Prols and Telhoths. The storyline gets kind of confusing in the beginning because it introduces a new character almost every paragraph, some of which never show up again. Sometimes the vagueness of this book is also a problem, as in, and I quote, "So he discharged the Serpent weapon at Trilock. He aimed the weapon at the head of Trilock. If successful it would cut off Trilock's head." It does not go into any more detail about the "Serpent Weapon". It has about 10 "most powerful weapons" in the book. I think the Indus people had a problem with adjectives, because not all of those weapons can be the most powerful, or the best, or the most almighty. Overall this is a great collection of myths from the Indus Valley with a few minor problems. Otherwise I found that this book was extremely well written(retold) and there is, in fact, a chart at the beggining of the book that highlights most of the main characters.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambesburg, Pennsylvania United States of America
I really liked this book, but I'm not sure it would be for everybody. I have a great love for Greek and Roman mythology, and this book mirrors these myths, so I found the paragraph long "stories" very entertaining. I say "stories" because each paragraph is like an individual, drawn out "fact" about the bigger story of the battle between the Prols and Telhoths. The storyline gets kind of confusing in the beginning because it introduces a new character almost every paragraph, some of which never show up again. Sometimes the vagueness of this book is also a problem, as in, and I quote, "So he discharged the Serpent weapon at Trilock. He aimed the weapon at the head of Trilock. If successful it would cut off Trilock's head." It does not go into any more detail about the "Serpent Weapon". It has about 10 "most powerful weapons" in the book. I think the Indus people had a problem with adjectives, because not all of those weapons can be the most powerful, or the best, or the most almighty. Overall this is a great collection of myths from the Indus Valley with a few minor problems. Otherwise I found that this book was extremely well written(retold) and there is, in fact, a chart at the beggining of the book that highlights most of the main characters.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambesburg, Pennsylvania United States of America
The Girls by Lori Lansens
"The Girls," is a collection of stories about the lives and times of two conjoined twins. These stories are not in chronological order. They are memories of their relationships, their travels, their birth, and many other significant and not-so-significant moments of their lives. At many points in the story, the book is treated like a diary in which the sisters explain what is going on in their lives at the time the book being written. "The Girls," as they are known in their small Canadian town have been looked after by Aunt Lovey and Uncle Stash for most of their lives. They are soon to be the oldest surviving craniopagus (conjoined at the head) twins, and Rose is planning on writing a book of their memoirs. Ruby, her sister, is writing several chapters herself, as it is her life too. The point of view switches from one twin to the other, and the blanks that each sister leaves out is, in most cases, explained by the other.
Overall, it was an extremely enjoyable book. I chose it because it seemed like an interesting idea- I had never before read anything in the perspective of conjoined twins. While this wasn't what I would call a "pageturner" (it took me about two weeks to read, as I had exams at the same time), it is extremely well-written. Lansens has the unique ability to create two completely different characters and weave their stories so well that it is not difficult to believe that these two individual women have spent every waking moment of their lives connected. During some points in Rose's recollections, she tends to go a bit too deep into detail and description at the cost of plot stability, but I interpreted this more as a reflection of Rose and her writing style. I was also able to relate very well to Rose and somewhat to Ruby, despite the extreme differences in our situations. It was a fascinating experience to be able to "meet" these to characters and get to know them, and then to read about what they thought of each other and what happened in their everyday lives that they chose to relate to the reader (or not). "The Girls," is a very educational book- I learned a lot about life and relationships, not to mention the world and customs of other people. After the collection of stories, the ending is very satifying. I felt that in the ending, Lansens captured a true moment of real lives.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Des Plaines, IL USA
Overall, it was an extremely enjoyable book. I chose it because it seemed like an interesting idea- I had never before read anything in the perspective of conjoined twins. While this wasn't what I would call a "pageturner" (it took me about two weeks to read, as I had exams at the same time), it is extremely well-written. Lansens has the unique ability to create two completely different characters and weave their stories so well that it is not difficult to believe that these two individual women have spent every waking moment of their lives connected. During some points in Rose's recollections, she tends to go a bit too deep into detail and description at the cost of plot stability, but I interpreted this more as a reflection of Rose and her writing style. I was also able to relate very well to Rose and somewhat to Ruby, despite the extreme differences in our situations. It was a fascinating experience to be able to "meet" these to characters and get to know them, and then to read about what they thought of each other and what happened in their everyday lives that they chose to relate to the reader (or not). "The Girls," is a very educational book- I learned a lot about life and relationships, not to mention the world and customs of other people. After the collection of stories, the ending is very satifying. I felt that in the ending, Lansens captured a true moment of real lives.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Des Plaines, IL USA
Love Curse of the Rumbaughs by Jack Gantos
Ivy was born with the only kind of love she ever wanted, a mother's love. She doesn't know who her father is and has no desire to find out (though Ivy's mother reveals the truth on her sixteenth birthday). But Ivy's mother does let slip that Ivy has inherited the love curse. The curse entails obsessive love of a mother accompanied by constant worry that she will die. Ivy also develops an unusual hobby: taxidermy. She is aided with this pastime by her quirky neighbors, the Rumbaugh twins, who run the pharmacy across the street. The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs chronicles Ivy's battle between overcoming the curse and letting it consume her, and uncovering the secrets of the Rumbaugh twins.
The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs was a bizarre and unusual book. The novel presented different viewpoints on free will, love, and the concept of "superior genetics" which I found interesting. But the book took the taxidermy hobby and obsessive love of a mother a bit too far. Also, the time skipped around, which I found confusing. Overall the book peaked my curiosity but was somewhat morbid; it was interesting but not an attention grabber for me. I would recommend this book be read only by young adults or older due to some of the content.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 5
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Erlanger, Kentucky USA
The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs was a bizarre and unusual book. The novel presented different viewpoints on free will, love, and the concept of "superior genetics" which I found interesting. But the book took the taxidermy hobby and obsessive love of a mother a bit too far. Also, the time skipped around, which I found confusing. Overall the book peaked my curiosity but was somewhat morbid; it was interesting but not an attention grabber for me. I would recommend this book be read only by young adults or older due to some of the content.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 5
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Erlanger, Kentucky USA
Monday, May 29, 2006
The Callahan Cousins: Summer Begins by Elizabeth Doyle Carey
The Callahan Cousins: Summer BeginsAuthor: Elizabeth Doyle CareyISBN: 0316736902 Summary: At first, it would seem that The Callahan Cousins couldn't be more different if they tried. Kind, worrisome Kate loves baking. Phoebe is a perfectionist who likes order, cleanliness, and bohemian fashion. Neeve has lived all over the world and has a sophisticated flair. Hillary is still reeling from her parents splitting up and thinks up ways to rebuild her family. When these four get together for a parent-free summer at their grandmother's house, they bond almost immediately. They are twelve years old and determined to take over the world - or, at least, ride their bicycles around Gull Island and stir up an old family secret or two!
This is a good, clean story, just right for a breezy summer read. The book is suitable for ages 8 and up. Each reader will find a character to relate to, as each cousin has a distinct style, appearance, and main interest. Though the girls do engage in a little feud with another family on the island, their intentions are well-meant; they attempt to plant a flag in an attempt to mimic something their fathers did twenty years early. This summer does not only give each girl a self of independence, but one of togetherness, of family.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
This is a good, clean story, just right for a breezy summer read. The book is suitable for ages 8 and up. Each reader will find a character to relate to, as each cousin has a distinct style, appearance, and main interest. Though the girls do engage in a little feud with another family on the island, their intentions are well-meant; they attempt to plant a flag in an attempt to mimic something their fathers did twenty years early. This summer does not only give each girl a self of independence, but one of togetherness, of family.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Pish Posh by Ellen Potter
Pish Posh is the place to be in New York City. Superstars and wannabes dine at the aptly named restaurant, craving attention and enjoying the fabulous food. Each person secretly hopes that he or she will not be deemed the next Nobody, and everyone there fears the person who would deliver that verdict: an eleven year old little girl. Clara Frankofile, daughter of the Pish Posh owners and chef, wears a black dress everyday (she has hundreds of the same outfit) and looks down on people through her tinted sunglasses. What she says goes. An actress who walked in as the It Girl may be declared a Nobody before she is done with her meal.
Though I like Ellen Potter's Olivia Kidney series, I found myself wanting more from Pish Posh than I ultimately got. It begins as a sarcastic take on society and celebrity, which I liked, but the focus changed not once but twice before the story was through. Based on the jacket summary, I thought I was in for a cross between the book So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld and the film To Catch a Thief, as Clara befriends a girl barely older than her who is a jewel thief. It then became a story about past lives, in a way. I won't spoil the ending, but I will say it fell a little short of my expectations. Still, Potter delivers descriptive and funny writing, and I'll certainly continue to pick up her novels.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 23
Though I like Ellen Potter's Olivia Kidney series, I found myself wanting more from Pish Posh than I ultimately got. It begins as a sarcastic take on society and celebrity, which I liked, but the focus changed not once but twice before the story was through. Based on the jacket summary, I thought I was in for a cross between the book So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld and the film To Catch a Thief, as Clara befriends a girl barely older than her who is a jewel thief. It then became a story about past lives, in a way. I won't spoil the ending, but I will say it fell a little short of my expectations. Still, Potter delivers descriptive and funny writing, and I'll certainly continue to pick up her novels.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 23
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