Anne is a city girl moving to a laid back west coast area. She's left her friends and her boyfriend, to move to Laguna Beach to live with her dad. At first she doesn't fit in and she doesn't know why but she meets some girls that help her through it, and her dad's paid male helper also gives her some tips while pushing her to try surfing. Finally Anne gives in and she finds that Surfing is really what pulls people together on the West Coast.
I really didn't think I was going to like this book because I don't really like the types of books that are about snobby rich girls in mini skirts and driving BMW's. This book has a way different angle on their life style and it shows them as human beings and not rich witches. I really enjoyed Laguna Cove and I would recommend it to any girl who was interested in a book about a girl moving away from her comfort zone.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Dundee, Oregon USA
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Soccer Dreams by Leah Lauber
The book Soccer Dreams is about a 12 year old girl who loves soccer. It tells about her soccer years on a select team and how much fun she had with her friends. When Leah was 10 her friend found out about a compotation to become a member of the X-press. That was a local newspaper that was having kids be reporters. So Leah went to all kinds of events and she met so many people. When she went to women’s world cup twice and some other soccer games, she got to go down on the field and interview the players. She got a cool pass too. In 1999 the women’s World Cup was happening so she when, and saw Mia Hamm’s last game. She also broke the world record. Then the U.S. won it all.
This book was great! If you like soccer you will love this book. It tells a lot about the U.S. women’s soccer team. It is an easy book to read but it is filled with information. I like soccer so I enjoyed this book a lot. I would read this book any day.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania United States
This book was great! If you like soccer you will love this book. It tells a lot about the U.S. women’s soccer team. It is an easy book to read but it is filled with information. I like soccer so I enjoyed this book a lot. I would read this book any day.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania United States
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Out of Patience by Brian Meehl
Jake Waters has a hard life. He lives in the small town of Patience, Kansas. His father is crazy with the idea creating the ATM (American Toilet Museum). He’s working hard to win the World Series of Workup. Plus, he has to save his small town from complete destruction! All the trouble began when Jeremiah Waters (the founder of Patience) made the first plunger to unclog his Dolphin Deluge Washdown Water Closet (indoor toilet). A very religious man named Andars Cass didn’t like the idea at all, and then trouble followed. Cass was banned from Patience, not before he placed a curse on the town: ‘The day the Scepter of Satan (a.k.a. the Plunger of Destiny) returns, the final destruction will begin!’ Now that the Plunger of Destiny has returned, Jake and his friends are trying to save Patience and everyone in it. Will they succeed?
I found that it was a bit hard to stay focused during the beginning of the book. This book may be a little confusing to readers who don’t understand much about baseball, but the author does explain about the competition called the World Series of Workup. The book began to gain interest as I read on. The plot was very good. There were many exciting parts that leave you wondering what will happen next. I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy thrillers and those who understand a bit about baseball.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg , Pennsylvania United States of America
I found that it was a bit hard to stay focused during the beginning of the book. This book may be a little confusing to readers who don’t understand much about baseball, but the author does explain about the competition called the World Series of Workup. The book began to gain interest as I read on. The plot was very good. There were many exciting parts that leave you wondering what will happen next. I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy thrillers and those who understand a bit about baseball.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg , Pennsylvania United States of America
Friday, August 18, 2006
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Child prodigy Colin Singleton has only ever dated girls named Katherine. No Catherines or Katrinas or any other name; only Katherines. Nineteen of them, to be exact. When K-19, the one he really loved, breaks his heart, he and his best (and only) friend, Hassan, set out on a road trip, and end up in, of all places, Gutshot Tennessee, where Archduke Franz Ferdinand is supposedly buried. In Gutshot, Hassan and Colin meet some interesting people, but Colin has other things to worry about as well. He's always wanted to have a Eureka moment, and now he's had one. Colin thinks he can come up with an equation to predict how a relationship between two people will go. People are, after all, predictable.
As a fan of John Green's first novel, Looking For Alaska, I had high expectations for this book, and I was not disappointed. While very different from the more emotional (not to say this book is never emotional, but it's also quite amusing), it's a fabulous book, with very funny, well-written, and unique characters, not to mention a very creative and interesting plot. After all, how many books do you read where a guy thinks he can predict romance using math? Perhaps there's another one out there, but I haven't read it. Every aspect of this entertaning novel is funny (but without being stupid); it's a real page-turner!
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Asheville, NC USA
As a fan of John Green's first novel, Looking For Alaska, I had high expectations for this book, and I was not disappointed. While very different from the more emotional (not to say this book is never emotional, but it's also quite amusing), it's a fabulous book, with very funny, well-written, and unique characters, not to mention a very creative and interesting plot. After all, how many books do you read where a guy thinks he can predict romance using math? Perhaps there's another one out there, but I haven't read it. Every aspect of this entertaning novel is funny (but without being stupid); it's a real page-turner!
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Asheville, NC USA
The Judgement by Clem Martini
In The Judgment, the final installment of Clem Martini’s trilogy of “Feather and Bone: the Crow Chronicles,” Kyp Kym, Kaf, Kata and the others continue their trials through the world of crows. The group struggles with questions of community and responsibility. Traveling to avoid being destroyed by a massive group of crows called The Collection, Kyp’s crows hone both their fighting and negotiating skills while learning the importance of fear putting “extra wind under your wings.” The world is turned upside down as the crows confront human and other enemies. The search for a haven involves many miles and much loss of crow life. Readers who have not read the other segments will still be enthralled with the story.
Clem Martini’s clear language invites readers into the world of the crows. To see our human world from the crows’ perspective is a treat. Cars become “moving boxes.” A rabbit probably ate shooting stars and pooped lightning to become so fast. Now there’s a vivid image. The challenges of the escape invite and destroy the fragile community of the flock. This story will appeal to those who like animal stories, fantasy, and quest tales. Its message of courage and cooperation offers life lessons for readers. Recommended for middle schoolers.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 59
Reviewer City, State and Country: Timonium, MD US
Clem Martini’s clear language invites readers into the world of the crows. To see our human world from the crows’ perspective is a treat. Cars become “moving boxes.” A rabbit probably ate shooting stars and pooped lightning to become so fast. Now there’s a vivid image. The challenges of the escape invite and destroy the fragile community of the flock. This story will appeal to those who like animal stories, fantasy, and quest tales. Its message of courage and cooperation offers life lessons for readers. Recommended for middle schoolers.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 59
Reviewer City, State and Country: Timonium, MD US
Dial L For Loser by Lisi Harrison
After being expelled from OCD, the pretty committee, or Massie, Alicia, Dylan, Kristen and Claire, have to find something to do. Luckily, the girls manage to score backstage tickets to meet two of the most popular teen actresses. When one the of the actresses quits, Alicia, Massie and Claire fly to Hollywood to audition for the part. When Claire ends up with the lead, Massie's world is turned upside down and it's all about revenge from then on. It's finally Claire's turn to be the center of attention and she loves it.
I haven't been keeping up with the Clique series for a while now, but while reading this, I was able to pick up on what I missed. From the first page, the story captured my attention. I couldn't stop reading it. The only thing I don't like about the book is the age of the characters. I can't believe that these girls are only in middle school. Other than that, these books are the perfect summer reads. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA
I haven't been keeping up with the Clique series for a while now, but while reading this, I was able to pick up on what I missed. From the first page, the story captured my attention. I couldn't stop reading it. The only thing I don't like about the book is the age of the characters. I can't believe that these girls are only in middle school. Other than that, these books are the perfect summer reads. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA
The Queen Geek Social Club by Laura Prebble
Shelby Chapelle, a dork, is one of a kind. Until Becca Gallagher comes into the picture. Together, Shelby and Becca create a club, The Queen Geek Social Club, to unite others of their kind. As more and more girls join, they begin a campaign to feed the models (to help girls realize that they don't have to be skinny to be pretty) and create National Boy Invisible Day (to show that girls can have fun without guys). Shelby has her doubts throughout the campaign, and it is made worse by the fact that a jock, Fletcher Berkowitz, seems to have taken an interest in her and the club.
I thought that this was a really cute book. I think all girls can relate to Shelby and Becca in certain ways. The book was also unique and modern in that Shelby's father created a robot to live in the house. That was a nice touch and it did make the story interesting. There was nothing I didn't like about this book. Once I picked it up, I couldn't stop reading. I'm definately looking forward to the next book that Laura Preble writes!
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA
I thought that this was a really cute book. I think all girls can relate to Shelby and Becca in certain ways. The book was also unique and modern in that Shelby's father created a robot to live in the house. That was a nice touch and it did make the story interesting. There was nothing I didn't like about this book. Once I picked it up, I couldn't stop reading. I'm definately looking forward to the next book that Laura Preble writes!
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Devilish by Maureen Johnson
It all started with a cupcake. It was a normal, everyday cupcake, but it changed Jane’s life forever. Her best friend suddenly gets a Little, or freshman tag-along, because she threw up on someone after eating the cupcake. Weird. Ally shows up at school the next day with dyed, cropped hair and a major personality change. Jane can’t figure out what is going on, until Ally confides that a demon has control of her soul. Jane is determined to save her friend, but she might have to give up her own soul in the process. Can she save her friend? She has to try.
This story paints a portrait of the perfect friend: loyal, trustworthy, and willing to do anything to help when trouble comes your way. Maureen Johnson builds off of the mystifying beginning to create a world of demons, angels, and lost souls. Devilish is perfect for the young adult crowd looking for a girl power book with emphasis on the supernatural.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA United States
This story paints a portrait of the perfect friend: loyal, trustworthy, and willing to do anything to help when trouble comes your way. Maureen Johnson builds off of the mystifying beginning to create a world of demons, angels, and lost souls. Devilish is perfect for the young adult crowd looking for a girl power book with emphasis on the supernatural.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA United States
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Good Girls by Laura Ruby
Audrey is the perfect girl, smart, has friends, and is in a friends-with-benefits relationship with one of the hottest guys in school. But just as she breaks the relationship off, she is caught in a compromising situation. When a picture is spread around the school, and even sent to her parents, Audrey's life changes. She starts to lose friends, her parents can't talk to her, her teachers are disappointed in her. But as time goes on, Audrey learns about true friendship and see how things can become just right in the end.
From the minute I read the description of the book, I wanted to read it. I can relate to Audrey very much, and she was a good character to read about. The story just got better and better as I read along. The ending was such a pleasant surprise and I was very happy with how it ended. I'm looking forward to reading more by Laura Ruby.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA
From the minute I read the description of the book, I wanted to read it. I can relate to Audrey very much, and she was a good character to read about. The story just got better and better as I read along. The ending was such a pleasant surprise and I was very happy with how it ended. I'm looking forward to reading more by Laura Ruby.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA
Jennifer Scales and the Messenger of Light by MaryJanice Davidson and Anthony Alongi
When she was 14 years old, Jennifer Scales discovered that she was a weredragon - as is her father, as is her grandfather. She is able to change form from human girl to a beautiful dragon. Not only that, but she is the Ancient Furnace, an extremely special dragon fifty generations down the line. Furthermore, her very existence shocks both sides of her lineage, because her mother is one of the beaststalkers, sworn enemies of weredragons.
Her parents' generation is made up of various wereanimals and beaststalkers who populated a small town in Minnesota, where life is otherwise normal.
Many of the adults are riddled with venom and cruel intentions which they have passed on to their children, who grew up together. They go through the motions - school, work, and home - for the sake of all of the "normal" people who also live there.
Jennifer celebrates her fifteenth birthday early in this book, cake and all. Shortly thereafter, her family tree gets shaken up. A horrid beast is attacking those near and dear to her father. It's up to the Scales to figure out who it is and how to stop it. When they discover the truth, they are struck close to home. Jennifer and her family must re-evaluate their senses of tradition and loyalty.
Even though Jennifer would like nothing more than to go to the Halloween dance and be a normal tenth-grader, she never denies her destiny nor tries to change her true nature. In fact, she enjoys being a weredragon. It is her love for her parents and grandfather that sees her through the darkness and the battles.
This is the second book in an ongoing series. The first, Jennifer Scales and the Ancient Furnace, was released last year. I always recommend reading series in order, so although Light does recap previous events, I encourage readers to get Furnace first and see if they like it.
Her parents' generation is made up of various wereanimals and beaststalkers who populated a small town in Minnesota, where life is otherwise normal.
Many of the adults are riddled with venom and cruel intentions which they have passed on to their children, who grew up together. They go through the motions - school, work, and home - for the sake of all of the "normal" people who also live there.
Jennifer celebrates her fifteenth birthday early in this book, cake and all. Shortly thereafter, her family tree gets shaken up. A horrid beast is attacking those near and dear to her father. It's up to the Scales to figure out who it is and how to stop it. When they discover the truth, they are struck close to home. Jennifer and her family must re-evaluate their senses of tradition and loyalty.
Even though Jennifer would like nothing more than to go to the Halloween dance and be a normal tenth-grader, she never denies her destiny nor tries to change her true nature. In fact, she enjoys being a weredragon. It is her love for her parents and grandfather that sees her through the darkness and the battles.
This is the second book in an ongoing series. The first, Jennifer Scales and the Ancient Furnace, was released last year. I always recommend reading series in order, so although Light does recap previous events, I encourage readers to get Furnace first and see if they like it.
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