Lorenzo and the Turncoat by Lila and Rick Guzman

LORENZO AND THE TURNCOAT, by Lila and Rick Guzman, is about Lorenzo Bannister, a former member of the Continental Army, now a doctor. The book starts out as a British general, Robert Hawthorne, is throwing a party in honor of the British Army’s latest victory. In the middle of the party, a messenger bursts in, telling Hawthorne that his cousin has been hung for treason by Colonel Galvez, leader of the Spanish Army, in New Orleans. Hawthorne sets out for New Orleans on a mission to clear his family name. Meanwhile, Dr. Lorenzo finishes a pleasant lunch with his fiancée, Eugenie, and heads to work. When he arrives, he meets with a most curious patient, Charles Peel. Charles has been having strange migraines. After prescribing Charles some “medicine,” Lorenzo walks home as a hurricane is starting to brew. Unfortunately Lorenzo is approached by Colonel Galvez, who notifies him that Eugenie has been kidnapped! Will Hawthorne clear his family name? Will Lorenzo rescue Eugenie? Read LORENZO AND THE TURNCOAT to find out!

I thought LORENZO AND THE TURNCOAT was a great book even though it is not of the usual Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre that I usually enjoy. The book was filled with historical events, times, locations, and people, which was interesting. The only thing I did not care for in the book was the excessive detail in places. But all in all it was a really good book. I would recommend LORENZO AND THE TURNCOAT to anyone who enjoys reading about the Revolutionary War or who liked the book OCTAVIAN NOTHING: TRAITOR TO THE NATION, by M. T. Anderson.Content:2For vague sexual references: e.g., "I will not ravish you. . . . I have never bedded an unwilling woman" (p. 49) and "He had slept with so many women, he had lost count and had never caught a disease. And now he had caught one from a woman he had shared a bed with, but had not slept with" (p. 101).

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Saugerties, NY USA

Killing Miss Kitty and Other Sins by Marion Dane Bauer

Killing Miss Kitty and Other Sins by Marion Dane Bauer is a collection of five fictional short stories that are based on Marion Dane Bauer's childhood. Claire, the protagonist in each story, is a lovable character with an innocence and an interest in writing. Based in the 1950s the stories discuss issues of the time (and of more recent years as well); segreation, one's relationship with God, the truth, and learning about one's sexuality. The first story describes Claire's interaction with Dorinda, a black girl who stays in Claire's town for the summer. Claire befriends Dorinda and she begins to realize how wrong and hurtful segregation is. The second story portrays Claire as a new girl at her junior high and how friendless she is. Until she meets a Pauline, who introduces her to a bible study where Claire learns to befriend God and take Him into her heart. The third story implies that secrecy is an awful weapon. Clarie tells the tale of her mother killing her cat. The fourth story discusses sin as Claire feels guilty pranking several worried adults. The final story, the fifth story, tells of Claire's high school years and when Claire begins to realize she is not like the others.

I enjoyed Killing Miss Kitty and Other Sins by Marion Dane Bauer. I found myself interested in Claire's character and understanding her confusion. Growing up is not an easy task, Claire demonstrates this in each of her tales. The characters that surround Clarie are fiesty and life-like. Marion Dane Bauer wrote believable and captivating stories to portray the hardships of growing up.

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

Keesha's House by Helen Frost

This book is mainly told in the views of seven teenagers. All six of them want to have a chance to get away from their, abusive fathers, foster parents, upset mothers, worried grandmothers, or just plain get away. So, they go to Keesha's house, a house set back off the street. Stephie is worried about revealing her secret and worried about letting down her boyfriend. Jason is trying to get the reality of what is happening around him and which way he should choose. Dontay is just plain misunderstood. Carmen knows she should stop drinking, but she can't, until she gets in big trouble. Harris is all alone once he gets kicked out of his house. He meets some pretty weird people on the way to Keesha's house. Katie didn't want her mom to get married in the first place. She never felt safe around her new "daddy." But she knows once at Keesha's house, she always has a choice on whether or not she can let people in through the door. And finally Keesha. Back at home things were horrible. Her dad was mean and her brother was in trouble. So she left, and landed at Joe's house. She now knows she isn't alone.

Keesha's House, in my opinion, was very touching. All these teenagers have problems that they are trying to deal with or are running away from them. And in the end they all find a place where they are welcome to do just that, or time to deal with it. Each character has their own feelings about the house, and somehow the are all inner-connected. It was also nice to read it in the poetic way. It was a little confusing, because Helen Frost used a lot of symbolism in her writing, but after reading it for a while& you get hooked

Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Minooka, IL United States

Falling by Doug Wilhelm

Falling starts you off very strongly with Matt Shaw, the high school's best basketball player, walking down the street listening to music. The reader finds out very quickly that at Matt's house there are 'losers' that come for his brother Neal. Lately Neal has been rude to Matt and he keeps to himself a lot. Katie, a girl with four main best friends called the Trust, meets Matt on an online chatroom. They find out who they actually are and begin to hang out. When Matt tells Katie his secret, and Matt's neighbor tells one of her friends Matt's secret, the whole school finds out. Matt blames it on Katie, but it really isn't her fault at all. Will they end up happily together or just a mess?

Falling was a very well written book. It had very realistic characters and a good plot. However, I think the story could have had more tiny details. It gave enough information for the reader, but maybe if it had a little more it could be even better. The vocabulary was perfect for a young adult level. The book leaves you hanging in the end, but not so much that you don't understand it. I know that if there is a sequel I will want to read it.

Content:2
In this book there is some mild swearing at times. It also talks about drugs throughout it.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pennsylvania United States

How to Steal A Dog by Barbara O'Connor

Georgina hates the smelly, dirty, cramped space of her car. Ever since her father left leaving two rolls of quarters and a mayonnaise jar stuffed with dollar bills, her, her brother, and mother have been living in their car. She keeps asking her mom when are they gonna be able to sleep in a bed. Her mother always says the same thing, soon. It bothered Georgina until she came up with the perfect plan. That's right, steal a dog. She thinks that there will be an award and she will finally be able to have her own bedroom. She keeps record of the process on how to steal a dog. And along the way she meets some interesting characters. And in the end she realizes& crime never pays&& for a house.

How to Steal a Dog was definately interesting. There were some quirky characters thrown into the jumble. I thought it was a good/bad idea to steal the dog. It was defiantly fun to read Georgina's guide on how to steal a dog. I don't think Georgina told her entire story though. She gave her thoughts about the dog, but never about her mom, or her father, or her best friend. Were they best friends, how did Georgina take it? We don't know what she thought about Carmella, or even what Carmella felt. Did she feel sad, mad, or disappointed?

Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Minooka, IL United States

Split Screen: Bride of the Soul-sucking Brain Zombies by Brent Hartinger

Russel is trying to find a boyfriend, while trying to live through his parents persecutions about his being homosexual. They even make him go to a fricken priest, to try and make him heterosexual. Em is trying to understand why her girlfriend won’t come out of the closet. Also, why her girlfriend cares about what her friends think about being gay. And Gunnar is learning what it takes to give good advice. Through stories(gasp). Yes, life isn’t easy for this group of friends. None of them can realize why the people around them cant just be themselves and accept other for who they are to. While they are trying to figure this out though, they are working as extras on a new zombie flick that will reach the cinema’s soon(in the book, not real life). But when Russel’s boyfriend comes to town, temperaments flare and choices are made. The only question is, what are the consequences?

Opinion: I enjoyed reading this book. Brent Hartinger has a way of spinning a magical web that will catch you and not release until you finish the reading book. The way that his words can relate to you in person, is a rare gift you feel when reading. I also thought that it was awesome how there were two stories in the book. One version is viewed through Russel's eyes, and the other is viewed through Em's. It really makes you think how there are two different sides to each story. All in All, Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies RULE!

Content:3
homosexual comments and relationships

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Casa Grande, AZ United States of America

The Hollywood Sisters: On Location by Mary Wilcox

It's a mystery! It's a Hollywood tale! Its (drum role please)...The Hollywood sisters, Jessica and Eva! in this new novel by Mary Wilcox, Eva is moved from country to country, to film herself for the family sitcom Two sisters! Of course Jessica and her mom are right the with her, helping her prep her lines and solving a mystery. Well that's only Jessica, but anyway. Will Jessica solve the mystery before everyone on the set thinks that she herself is the culprit? Will Their Mom ever find the right parenting book?Will Eva ever learn to express her soul when saying the line: hahahahahahahaha?Find out in The Hollywood Sisters: On Location

And The Oscar Goes to... Hollywood sisters! I thought that this book was a classic Hollywood tale. Back-stabbing girls who steal other stars boyfriends; Someone sabotaging the set. Really classic story. But just because it was classic, that doesn't mean that there isn't a twist to make it original. I was with the book the whole way, never asking questions because I could fallow the story line easy. This book was enjoyable, and a story I felt I could relate to. I would recommend this book for anyone who wanted a good story about the fancy lives of the rich and famous. Not a guy book, nor a tomboys. This book is totally, Full-Fledged, Girly girly! but that's why I enjoyed it so much.

Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Casa Grande, AZ United States of America

Ace of Spades by David Matthews

Ace of Spades is an memoir of David Matthews’s search for racial identity in an America that is obsessed with skin color. David Matthews was born on November 8, 1967 to a black nationalist father and a white Jewish mother. His mother was mentally unstable. Matthews’s father had to rescue him from his mother. His mother then moved to Israel. David lived with his father and sometimes with his father’s abusive girlfriends near Washington, D.C. for many years. David and his father then moved in with David’s grandmother in Baltimore, Maryland. When David entered the fourth grade at his new school in Baltimore, he had to choose between being “black” or “white”. Only one student offered him the choice of being “mixed.” David chose “white” because he always imagined that his white mother had a life of luxury. David pretended he was Jewish; he got away with it because there were very few Jews in Baltimore. David became a white supremacist in response to the fact that in Baltimore black children targeted white children for fun. He and one of his friends even burned a cross in the style of the Ku Klux Klan. When David entered high school, he was caught trying to be Jewish by some Jewish students. When David was older, he became a black nationalist. David started lecturing his white friends about their prejudices of black people. David finally reached a peace between his “white” side and his “black” side in the atmosphere of equality in New York City. The memoir ends in the spring of 2002 when David Matthews’s father was dying and David decided to do some last minute research on his mother. David found out that his mother had suffered from severe schizophrenia. Both of her parents had severe schizophrenia, which did not help her. David discovered that she really loved David’s father and never gave up her married name of Matthews. After she left David’s father, she had a daughter with the mayor of Jerusalem that she put up for adoption. The daughter, Mari, was severely abused by her adopted family and her life was a wreck. David’s mother died in New York City on May 1, 1977 from choking. David realized that his mother had really loved him and that his parents had truly loved each other. David realized that he had had a good life and that things could have been a lot worse for him. At the end of the book, David Matthews saw a picture of his mother for the very first time.

Ace of Spaces by David Matthews reflects the nightmare that really exists, as opposed to the dream that Martin Luther King, Jr. had, for a color blind America. As David Matthews crudely illustrates in his book, America is anything but color blind. I could have done without the crude language and the brief sex scenes. Despite that, the end of Ace of Spades is very touching and it was worth reading the entire book for that one part. David Matthews writes with true honesty and a bit of anger about the state of race relations in the United States. As a white person, this book gave me insight on how it must be to be a “mixed” person, because they don’t belong to either white or black culture. Some people may find his writing style and life choices crude. I found it a must read for anyone who wants to find out about race relations in the United States.

Content:2

I suggest that adult guidance be recommended for the Ace of Spades by David Matthews. This book has sexual content, crude language, child abuse, and a disturbing scene about Matthews and his friend where they burned a cross in the style of the Ku Klux Klan.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Urbana, Illinois United States of America

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