The Friskative Dog by Susan Straight

Sharron is fourth grader who is in love with a stuffed dog named Friskitive. This is the dog her daddy gave her when she was in first grade. Her daddy is a SWIFT trucker and goes on lots of runs. One day, he goes on a run to Alabama and doesn’t come back. A year later, his daughter is still upset, and still in love with her dog as the present fourth grader. Everyone makes fun of Sharron for thinking this dog is real. One day, her dog goes missing, just like her father.

This was an awesome book. Definitely an easy read for advanced readers. It is about the struggle of a little girl through her time of need, facing things, she shouldn’t have to face. It was very sad when Sharron lost Friskitive, and threatened to make me cry. I hope everyone finds it as moving as I did.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7

Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Shippensburg, USA

The Raven League by Alex Simmons and Bill McCay

Archie Wiggins is a boy just trying to fit in. He was just kicked out of a gang called the Baker Street Irregulars. These kids have always helped Sherlock Holmes and Archie has never felt worse. Then all of a sudden, the famous detective himself, Sherlock Holmes, goes missing. It is up to Archie and his new friends, the Raven League, to help find Holmes.

The book, the Raven League, was a good mystery story and has many plot twists. The characters are well defined and their personalities shine through the story. The character dialogue greatly exhibits their emotions and feelings. Some of the actions of the characters lacked details but other than that, it was a good book. I would recommend this book to any mystery-novel reader under the age of 13 who is looking for surprises.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6

Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania Chambersburg

Inside Girl by J. Minter

Normal by day, famous by night is how fourteen-year-old Flan Flood is living her life. She has decided she needs a change in her life, and going to a public high school instead of the usual private one she went to would be the perfect solution. Flan’s parents are still away on vacation so she and her older brother, the famous Patch Flood, are left at home to fend for themselves. When her three celebrity friends Sara-Beth Benny, Philippa, and Liesel all start having tragedies in their own lives they decide to stay at Flan’s house for a while. Flan has to keep secret the fact that her superstar friends are staying with her because of fear of the paparazzi finding them. She doesn’t tell anyone about her popularity and how she goes to the hottest clubs at night with her famous friends while, during the day, she acts like a typical teenager who likes to hang out with her normal peers. Bennett, her boyfriend, invites her to a party at his apartment and against her better judgment, she decides to go. She had been doing such a wonderful job of keeping her true identity confidential until an unexpected guest reveals whom she truly is. How will Flan be able to explain this shocking truth to her new school friends who loved and trusted her?



Every teen girl who loves mild romance, drama, and real life novels should read this fantastic, one-of-a-kind story, ASAP! J. Minter is an amazing author who really understands the life of teen girls. I loved this book and constantly found myself thinking about what will happen next. Once you start reading this wonderful novel it is almost impossible to put it down. I extremely enjoyed reading about the unique characters, whom I thought had awesome personalities. Inside Girl should definitely be a “must read” on every teenage girl’s list.



Content:2

There were a few instances when drinking alcohol was involved. Also, sometimes the language wasn't overly appropriate.



Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9



Reviewer Age: 13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg , PA US

The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond by Victoria Foyt

Lexie Diamond is a young girl that is simply obsessed with computers. She doesn't really have any friends in real life because she doesn't believe that she belongs in the 'bubble'. The bubble is the real world. Lexie believes that there is another world, located in the internet. The only real friends she has are her mother and the mysterious webrider, who has been her internet pal for years. Suddenly, when her mother is mysteriously killed, things just get worse for Lexie. Her father meets a woman named Jane, who Lexie thinks is involved with her mother's death. Also, she sees her mother on her computer, and talks to her! The only person who really believes her is webrider. They work together to figure out how her mother really died, and how to get rid of Jane. In the end, webrider is someone that you would never expect them to be.

This was a good book to read. I thought it was VERY different than anything else I have read before. I don't think there are many books that deal with computers or the internet, so it was an odd book to read. Even though it was based on computers, the storyline was twisted in a way I would never imagine. The plot was set up very well with many surprises along the way. The only bad thing I would say about it, is that The Virtual Life of Lexie Diamond was only a page turner for a few spots in the story. I recomend this book to anyone who wants to read something different then normal or anyone who loves computers.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pa United States of America

The One Left Behind by Willo Davis Roberts

Eleven year old Mandy has just lost her sister Angel. She is all alone in her house except for her big, black, and hairy dog Herry. Together they struggle to remain happy and they find themselves pretending Angel is still there. Then things really start to get different when she meets Zander Vyland and his little brother Dusty. Mandy decides to help them because two other men are going to try to kill Zander, or hold Dusty for ransom. She helps them escape the men and eventually discovers that she will never be alone, even without her sister alive.

This book was a very quick book to read because it only had 140 pages. It wasn't really a page turner, however, I finished it in almost one sitting. The story kept you wondering what would happen next because of the different plot line. I also found myself worried about the characters and wondering if they would ever be alright. Sometimes I found it hard to remember which character was which because there were many mentioned in a short time, but other than that it was a great book. The story took two major problems that don't even relate and put them together. I plan on reading other books by Willo Davis Roberts in hope of finding more like this one.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pa United States of America

Gentle's Holler by Kerry Madden

Livy Two Weems (named after her older sister Livy One who died at birth) lives with her family of ten in their holler in Maggie Valley. Eleven if you count Grandma Horace’s surprise visit. Livy Two has to deal with lots, including all her siblings, her Daddy’s guitar songs that aren’t selling, and her sister Gentle’s bad eyes. When money starts getting real bad, her Dad signs her up for a musical competition in town. Livy Two has a good voice and is very good on the guitar, but she doesn’t know if she can sing in front of all those people. Strangers. Her songs came from the Holler and they should stay there. She must sing though, she thinks, for her family at least!

A wonderful story of survival and family love! Kerry Madden’s first book in her Maggie Valley trilogy made me laugh and cry. I didn’t think it possible to interact with a book and its characters the way I did. I now wish I could go and visit the places that were in the book. Highly Recommend!

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9

Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: , Idaho USA

Hitler's Canary by Sandi Toksvig

Hitler's Canary is the story of the invasion of Denmark by the Nazis in World War II. Bamse's family is a quiet, peaceable family, but when the Nazis arrive, everything changes. His brother Orlando starts doing dangerous work for the resistance while his father believes they should sit the war out. But Bamse's friend Anton is a Jew, and soon working against the Nazis is no longer an option but a necessity.

This book was a fresh and interesting look at the traditional Nazi/Jew story. My favorite parts were the ones that talked about Bamse's mother's eccentric thespian ways, and their life surrounding the theater. I could definitely relate to this quote:
"We lived in a make-believe world and it was hard for me to imagine doing anything else with my life."
The writing was perhaps a little lacking, but the book is still worth reading. If a somewhat simple story, Hitler's Canary was still quite interesting and the characters' heroism inspiring.

Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Moscow, ID USA

Chandlefort by David Randall

Randall's sequel to Clovermead combine's elements of fantasy and history with good storytelling. Cerelune Cindertallow, the heir of a matriarchal family, has the unusual ability to turn into a bear. The story continues from the point where Clovermead, as Cerelune likes to be called, has settled into Chandlefort with her mother Lady Melisande Cindertallow. She has recently returned because she was taken as a baby by Waxmelt and removed to another town. Since meeting with her mother, their relationship has been strained and it really comes under stress when their enemy, evil Lord Ursus, attacks Chandlefort. Past relationships become significant again as Clovermead struggles to save her wounded mother. Above all, Clovermead matures as a young woman and learns about herself.

Chandlefort is an interesting read as it has elements of medieval Europe with a transformed view. For instance, instead of the usual male-dominated society we associate with with history, Chandlefort has a matriarchal society with a Lady as a god-like spirit. This is definitely a fantasy with Clovermead's ability to turn into a bear and other unbelievable aspects. I enjoyed the mystery and Clovermead's growth as a person, but I do not think everyone will enjoy this book. I found myself getting lost at times with character relationships and origins. I recommend it to people who have a basic knowledge of medieval European history because it will make Clovermead easier to understand and follow.

Reviewer Age:19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Kansas City, MO USA

Grief Girl by Erin Vincent

Can thinking something make it happen? That is the question roaring in Erin Vincent’s mind on October 23, 1983. She wished that her parents would die, and a week later, they do. This true story based on the real Erin Vincent’s life is a true heartbreaker. Unable to cope with losing he mother and father, Erin turns to her teacher for solace, since her sister Tracy can’t relate to what Erin feels and goes through. But when they take the teacher away, who will Erin turn to? Will she make it having to rely on only herself? And will they find out that they are being robbed?

I loved reading this book immensely. Page after page is full of shocking turns and twists that take you through the teenage years of Erin Vincent. I was shocked at how other people reacted to Erin’s situation. But her telling the true story of her pain and suffering makes it a perfect summer read. If you love reading diary, or true stories, this is the perfect book for you. Although if you just want a good read, just give Grief Girl a shot.

Content:2
laungage and sexual reference

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

The White Tyger by Paul Park

Miranda Popescu is back and has her friends with her again. Miranda Brancoveanu, the baroness, is still after Miranda. She finally catches her and makes her a prisoner. Miranda is finally reunited with her birth mother, Clara Brancoveanu. The baroness takes the title of white tyger and rules all of Roumania. How can Miranda stop her?

This book is a very complex read. I would suggest that only the most advanced teen reader try it. It was a little confusing because the book kept switching roles and characters, you didn't always know which one you were following. This was a good book, just a little confusing at parts.


There are a few parts were people talk about things maybe some parents will no want their children to read.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Shippensburg, USA