The Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew Piff by Jason Lethcoa

Ever since his parents died in a tragic accident, poor Ben has been stuck at Pinch's Home for Wayward Boys, scrubbing pots and eating mush and other normal orphanage-type stuff. He even forgot his birthday, until a kind friend brings him a cake. When he sneaks a slice to eat, he stares thoughtfully at the candle a moment. Finally he closes his eyes, blows, and makes a wish. Little does he know that his wish could change the whole world.

This was a fun, cute book that I zipped right through. The characters were disappointingly flat, but the plot was inventive and the story over-all engaging. A light read that young children who enjoy "wishes-go-wrong" stories are sure to enjoy.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Moscow, ID USA

Booth's Daughter by Raymond Wemmlinger

Edwina Booth has just reached her 18th birthday and is beginning to experience the benefits of adulthood. For one, her father, the famous American Shakespearian actor Edwin Booth, is finally allowing her to see him in his title role in King Lear. For another, she's being invited to all sorts of social outings and parties for young people. The advantage of the latter is obvious - in Edwina's practical mind, she already has plans to find a husband (an artist, preferably) who she can marry and support. In fact, it seems her entire life is planned out precisely the way she wants it. But meanwhile her stepmother's illness worsens, her father has to keep up with his life as an actor, and there's always The Subject that threatens to interfere with the lives of the Booth family. You see, Edwina is the niece of John Wilkes Booth, the man who assassinated President Lincoln.

From a performer's point of view, I rather enjoyed reading a non-performer's view of an actor (Edwina's father) and his struggles and triumphs. The book itself is one that you have to be in just the right mood for, otherwise I suppose it might drag a bit. Edwina's voice seemed just a little flat. Yet I was quite drawn into Booth's Daughter; it was a refreshing and interesting historical tale of one girl's struggles into womanhood. A relaxing read to curl up with.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Moscow, ID USA

More Horowitz Horror by Anthony Horowitz

Horrowitz has done it again! In this new book, chiller tales that will send a shudder up your spine await the reader, as normal everyday people(*cough*) go through expierences that you would only immagine to be found in story books. From a man being baked alive, to a house intent on killing all woman who set foot in it. Of course you cant forget about the the lost boy, and the cannibals can you? More Horowitz Horror has it all! Perfect for people who love to be scared by things that could actually happen.

I enjoyed reading this book. However, some of the stories were a little bit dull( like the phone call from the dead), but overall, this book takes the cake as far as scary stories are concerned. I think this book would be perfect for most guys, and girls who love to be freaked out. I thought some of the storries the author could have done a better job on, like the one with the girl and her hearing aid, but other then that this book was as good as gold.What surprised me the most was that the book actually got me thinking, "Hey! What if this actually happened! It is possibile, of course." So in my opinion, two thumbs up for More Horowitz Horror

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Casa Grande, AZ United States of America

Billy Creekmore by Tracey Porter

Billy Creekmore has a pretty low life. He believes his mother died and his father ran away because of his birth. His nurse admitted him to an orphan boarding house, but he is forced to work on his “masters” land all day long. Fortunately he has a couple of very good friends. One day, actually, the day he was planning on running away, his long lost uncle came to the orphanage to take him home. Billy thought that all his problems were over. But, unbeknownst to him, they were just starting. With blood thirsty mine owners and lying, cheating circus managers, Billy has to learn what his true identity is, and if he wants to accept it or not.

Tracey Porter does a wonderful job bringing her readers into the past with believable characters and a fitting vocabulary. Even though this book was a very entertaining read, it had a lot of sad happenings and in the end I didn’t feel that her character had solved all his problems. As a writer, I was very interested to know that Tracey named all of her boy characters, besides Billy, after boys that had died working in coal mines. I would describe this book as a “revised version” of Oliver Twist.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: , Idaho USA

Horse Crazy: The Saddle Club by Bonnie Bryant

“OMGosh, the MTO (Mountain Trail Overnight) is coming up and I just HAVE to go!” Stevie and Carole have been planning to go on the MTO together for a very long time and now Stevie might not be able to go! Stevie’s mom said that if she didn’t raise her math grade then she wouldn’t pay the fifty dollars for Stevie to go. The only way to raise her grade is to do a dreaded math project, but Stevie comes up with a brilliant idea; instead of doing the math project she could earn the money she needs to go by doing chores for other people. When she tells Carole at the stable where they take horseback riding lessons, Carole doesn’t think that Stevie could possibly go through with it since she hardly knows the definition of “work”. A new girl named Lisa joins horseback riding but when a couple of pranks are pulled on her and she thinks Stevie did them, things turn from bad to worse as the girls try to get back at one another.

Horse Crazy, the first installment in The Saddle Club series written by Bonnie Bryant, is a pretty good book that could keep your attention for a while. The characters were enjoyable and I liked Stevie Lake the best because she had a lot of personality. I didn’t overly like Veronica though because she acted like a stuck-up snob whom I definitely wouldn’t want to be friends with. The Saddle Club series is a wonderful series for horse lovers to read. If you’re 9-12 years old and looking for a quick read, then Horse Crazy is for you!

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA United States

The Specialists: Model Spy by Shannon Greenland

Kelly James is a sixteen year old genius. Her technological advancement has brought her to the college level. As a foster child, she is constantly moved around, always in a different place. Until a man named TL offers her a home and a family that would be for good. After Kelly breaks into the government's main computer system, she realizes how life-changing this event has become. She is offered to change her identity and become a tennage spy. Kelly Spree, joined by several other teenage masterminds, becomes immersed in a world of top secret business and intense training. The eighteen year old David, who has been near her side during this experience, grows even closer to Kelly, or Gigi (her new nickname). Kelly's first assignment is to find David's dad. She must become a model and go undercover with David, TL, and others to help save one man's life. The Specialists: Model Spy by Shannon Greenland is a novel that follows the life of a teenage girl into her (although,constantly changing) skin.

I really enjoyed The Specialists: Model Spy. Kelly is a kluzty and likeable girl, she learns the importance of family and togetherness during her experience as a "specialist". The novel is filled with spunky, quirky characters that are introduced as Kelly's "team". An enjoyable ride, The Specialists: Model Spy is an action-packed, exciting adventure that has its readers frantically turning pages.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Concord, Massachusetts United States

Diary of a Whimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

The book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid was about a kid named Greg Heffley and his personal diary. How everthing he did went some how wrong. Everything that went wrong ended up to be exactually the opposite as he planned. While his best friend Rowley got the attetion for mostly doing nothing. Greg had a smaller brother who usually got all the attention, and never got in trouble from his parents. He got everthing for christmas, when Greg had got a sweater by mistake. Greg usually picked on his brother and on his best friend Rowley.

I thought the book was good, because it kept me reading on, and interested to what is going to happen next. The best part of the book was when Christmas time was around and Greg got a sweater that was for the giving tree guy, on mistake. There was never a part that didn't make sense or that I didn't like. I really liked the ending because it was interesting. I thought the author really made the book interesting. It kept on making me want to read more.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8

Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Sandy, Oregon United States

When Your Teen Is Struggling by Mark Gregston

Mark Gregston is the founder of Heartlight Ministries, a residential counseling facility for teens in crisis. He has more than 30 years helping teens in crisis and uses his experience to help parents going through a crisis or just wanting to prevent a crisis in their lives. Gregston's book is divided into chapters which strive to give hope to parents, to explain the causes of their teen's crisis and to provide solutions to the problems. Each chapter has personal examples of teens and parents to assist the parent in understanding the examples.

This is an outstanding book to assist a parent experiencing difficulties with their teen. The author states clearly that hope is action. Without action there is no hope. Reality is also emphasized in this book when it states that not all teens will be helped, but by putting our trust in God our relationship and outlook can change. We can change the way we communicate with family members and deal with crisis in our life. This book will help any Christian family facing turmoil in their teen's life.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9

Reviewer Age: 59
Reviewer City, State and Country: Spring, Texas USA

Girl of the Moment by Lizabeth Zindel

Lily Miles, entering her senior year of high school, had decided she needs an internship that will set her apart from the rest of the applicants to the school of her choice, Brown University. When her orignal summer plan fails, she begins to wonder why she isn't off at soccer camp like the rest of her friends. That is, until she gets an intership with the Hollywood starlet, Sabrina Snow. As Lily becomes more invested in her relationship with Sabrina her life begins to spin out of control. She notices that her primary support, her dad and her best friend, begin to fade out of the spotlight. Girl of the Moment is a great story that focuses on the importance of love and friendship. Maybe fame isn't everything its cracked up to be.

I really enjoyed Girl of the Moment. I found that the protagonist was incredibly likable. Lily is a good student as well as a good person. Her experiences with Sabrina teach her that people who care and support you are the people you should surround yourself with. This book was an excellent read, a complete page-turner. I fell in love with all of the characters, even the complicated and bratty Sabrina. I would definately recommend this book.

This book contains some teenage drinking and weight related issues. It is not a book to be severely worried about but there are some 'wild' attributes of the characters.

Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Concord, Massachusetts United States

Anything But Ordinary by Valerie Hobbs

When he is thirteen, Bernie Federman moves to Pittstown, New Jersey. Proudly different than anybody else, he doesn't know anyone in the eighth grade, and from the very first day of school sits in the back of the classroom. Then he meets Winifred Owens, also fiercely individualistic, and possibly the only person less popular at school than Bernie. They fall in love and begin planning their life together. Both very intelligent, they are at the top of their class and apply to all the same colleges, neither of them dreaming they'll end up somewhere different than the other. Then, shortly before graduation, tragedy strikes for Bernie, and all his dreams fall apart. He stops going to school, dropping to the bottom of the class, and starts working in a tire shop, abandoning his plans for college. Winifred is heartbroken, but presses on, going across the country to attend the University of California at Santa Barbara. Once there, she realizes just how much she doesn't fit in, and with the help of her new roommates, she gets a makeover and becomes 'Wini,' changing her major from nanoscience to communications and spending her time partying, gossiping, and drinking lattes. Meanwhile, Bernie realizes he may have lost her forever, so he travels crosscountry to catch up with her. However, once he finds her again and realizes that she's become 'ordinary,' it may be too late for them.

I really loved this book. It's different than a lot of the teen romances available today in that it deals with the dark horses, the underdogs, the "unpopular" kids. You really find yourself rooting for Bernie and Winifred to make it work, for Winifred to wake up and realize how silly she's being, and you want them to get back together in the end. From the moment I picked it up, I didn't stop reading ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY, and I would definitely recommend it. It's a great look at the first year of college and how much it can change a person (for better or for worse), and although the ending is slightly bittersweet, it still leaves the reader with a smile. I'll definitely keep my eyes open for other books by Valerie Hobbs.

Adult guidance recommended, as this book involves the lives of college students and deals with alcohol and sexual situations.

Reviewer Age:18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Little Rock, AR USA