At almost the same time that Nate moves to town and meets some new friends, Sweet Tooth Ice Cream and Candy Shoppe opens its doors. Nate and his three pals make the acquaintance of the kindly (yet mysterious) old shop owner, Mrs. White. Soon they discover that her delicious sweets and yummy treats have more to them than meets the eye. Some of them actually have magical properties! And Mrs. White promises to give the candy to them free of charge - if they will do a few (very) odd jobs for her in return.
I really liked the premise of this book with all of the fun, bizarre magical candies. The characters, however, were hugely lacking in depth. Without caring about them, I found it difficult to find motivation to continue reading, despite the adventure-packed plot. After the author's extremely enjoyable debut 'Fablehaven', I expected more from this, his third novel. Unfortunately, the shallow characters and unremarkable writing resulted in a very unsatisfactory read.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 4
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Moscow, ID USA
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Questors by Joan Lennon
Questors is an exciting fantasy book about three kids, Madlen, Bryn, and Cam, who set out on a journey to save the worlds from an energy leak. The three travel ten years into the future to find three objects of power from each of the three worlds, Trentor, Kir and Daldrodia. Unexpected events occur, and they never know when or what will set their minds astray from the job that needs to be done. They battle zombies, strangers, dragons, soldiers, storms, apples, a plane, and themselves along the way. They struggle with the tension of the new worlds because they are not used to the climates, traditions, or people of the worlds. They find several facts of the three strangers that they soon know as family. Their journey is full of heat, snow, buildings, and a huge London House.
This book contains, laughter, suspense, fun, mystery, and magic. At first, the book seems a bit confusing, but the plot soon settles down and becomes familiar. Questors contains some mild language, but includes very unique word choices. Joan Lennon’s book will please readers who want a good laugh and who like fantasy or mystery; protagonists are similar to today’s teens or preteens. Questors is very well written, and includes surprises to readers who keep thinking about the situation. Questors is DEFINITELY a page turner. This will be a big hit in stores all over the country. (I predict that.) Join the Quest by reading this book!
Content: It has mild language.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Ocala, Florida United States
This book contains, laughter, suspense, fun, mystery, and magic. At first, the book seems a bit confusing, but the plot soon settles down and becomes familiar. Questors contains some mild language, but includes very unique word choices. Joan Lennon’s book will please readers who want a good laugh and who like fantasy or mystery; protagonists are similar to today’s teens or preteens. Questors is very well written, and includes surprises to readers who keep thinking about the situation. Questors is DEFINITELY a page turner. This will be a big hit in stores all over the country. (I predict that.) Join the Quest by reading this book!
Content: It has mild language.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Ocala, Florida United States
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Stray by Stacery Goldblatt
Stray is about a 16 year old girl named natalie who has been under her mothers claws ever since her father left them for another woman. To get away from her mom she spends most of her time with her dogs at home and at her job at her moms veterinary clinic. To make matters worse her mom has invited her friends son, Carver to stay with them for the summer, and she has given the room over the garage to him as well. Even after her mom promised it to her. expects the worst summer of her life little does she know Carver and her have a little bit more in commmon than she thought.
I really enjoyed this book. It's a very cute story that mainly is about how a 16 year old teenager deals with her overbearing mother. Natalie has to make a lot of hard decisions throughout the book, and most of them are against her mother's decisions. I really think by reading this book you realize how a mother should and shouldn't act towards a teenager. Sometimes being overbearing doesn't always work out.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Dundee, Oregon USA
I really enjoyed this book. It's a very cute story that mainly is about how a 16 year old teenager deals with her overbearing mother. Natalie has to make a lot of hard decisions throughout the book, and most of them are against her mother's decisions. I really think by reading this book you realize how a mother should and shouldn't act towards a teenager. Sometimes being overbearing doesn't always work out.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Dundee, Oregon USA
Starnge Relations by Sonia Levitin
Strange Relations is a book of faith and believing in yourself. Marne’s parents are going away for the summer and Marne has no where to go. Then she remembers her mysterious Aunt Carol in Hawaii. What Marne finds there is not what she expected. Everything is different, the girls wear long skirts and long sleeved shirts, they have way too many kids, and the are very religious. When an accident happens Marne finally learns what it is like to have faith.
This book for me was especially interesting because I was born and lived in Hawaii for a short period of time. And so it is fun for me to read about Hawaiian religion. But it wasn’t what I expected. It was good but I don’t think the author really thought about other things like all the characters feelings etc. I just had a feeling that the author rushed into things.
Content: fatih-based
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 5
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Minooka, IL
This book for me was especially interesting because I was born and lived in Hawaii for a short period of time. And so it is fun for me to read about Hawaiian religion. But it wasn’t what I expected. It was good but I don’t think the author really thought about other things like all the characters feelings etc. I just had a feeling that the author rushed into things.
Content: fatih-based
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 5
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Minooka, IL
One Way Ticket by Malin Alegria
Even though seventeen-year-old Sofi Mendoza was born in Mexico, she's lived in California for most of her life. But on a spring break trip to Tijuana with her friends, Sofi gets an unexpected crash course in local culture. Then, on their way back, their car gets stopped at the border and Sofi is shocked to learn that she's not a U.S. citizen so she isn't allowed back into the country. Fortunately, there are relatives Sofi can stay with while her green-card situation is sorted out. Unfortunately, her cousins live on a ranch with no indoor plumbing. Confused and abandoned, Sofi is forced to adapt to her surroundings, but as she faces--and overcomes--her challenges, she comes to appreciate her place on both sides of the border.
One Way Ticket was an awesome read. You could definitely say this book was a page turner, because I stayed up all night finishing it. I thought this book was great because it was based on a true story. It was very interesting to read about the problems Sofi dealt with and then realize that real people have had the same experiences. Reading this book made me appreciate my life and see how lucky I am. This book has a great plot, filled with humor, drama, romance, and sorrow. The characters were very likeable and realistic. I also liked that this book had some Spanish in it and that there was even a "Spanish Survival Guide" in the back that translated what the characters had said into English. The ending was also good, because I wasn't left hanging. I think all young adult readers would love reading One Way Ticket!
Content: This book contained underage drinking, profanity, and sexual comments.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Leopold, Missouri USA
One Way Ticket was an awesome read. You could definitely say this book was a page turner, because I stayed up all night finishing it. I thought this book was great because it was based on a true story. It was very interesting to read about the problems Sofi dealt with and then realize that real people have had the same experiences. Reading this book made me appreciate my life and see how lucky I am. This book has a great plot, filled with humor, drama, romance, and sorrow. The characters were very likeable and realistic. I also liked that this book had some Spanish in it and that there was even a "Spanish Survival Guide" in the back that translated what the characters had said into English. The ending was also good, because I wasn't left hanging. I think all young adult readers would love reading One Way Ticket!
Content: This book contained underage drinking, profanity, and sexual comments.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Leopold, Missouri USA
The One Where the Kid Nearly Jumps to His Death by Mary Hershey
In this novel by Mary Hershey, you’ll meet Alastair, an amputee who is forced to visit his ex-father in California. While living with his dad, Alastair tries to come up with a plan to make his father regret leaving his family. Alastair also meets his step mom, a double amputee who tries the best she can to be a great step, but Alastair is determined to find a way to get back home. Alastair (or Stump) meets Jesse, who encourages him to enter in an athletic race. Since he has only one leg, and he likes Jesse, he goes through intensive swimming training with Coach, the local high school swim coach. When Stump discovers that Jesse’s “secret” boyfriend is on their team for he race, it suddenly becomes more than just a race. The story ends with a tragic death, and Alastair forgiving his dad.
The One Where the Kid Nearly Jumps To His Death and Lands In California was probably the best book I have ever read. With the main character’s sarcasm, this book was hysterical! I couldn’t put it down at all, especially at the end. The event was completely unexpected and made me cry. The plot was fantastic with its twists and surprise. I’d have to recommend this novel to anyone who likes adventuress love stories.
Content: It contained many rude words and critcism
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Coatesville, Pennyslavania U.S.A.
The One Where the Kid Nearly Jumps To His Death and Lands In California was probably the best book I have ever read. With the main character’s sarcasm, this book was hysterical! I couldn’t put it down at all, especially at the end. The event was completely unexpected and made me cry. The plot was fantastic with its twists and surprise. I’d have to recommend this novel to anyone who likes adventuress love stories.
Content: It contained many rude words and critcism
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Coatesville, Pennyslavania U.S.A.
An Unexpected Aprentice by Jody Lynn Nye
Orphan Tildi Summerbee's family is working when her brothers are kidnapped by thriks, giant bird-looking creatures. On the same day of Tildi's loss, the town decides that Tildi must marry to keep the family land. They decide that she must marry someone she hates, so Tildi decides to run away. Disguised as one of her dead brothers, Tildi runs to a wizard named Olen. She takes up an apprentinceshp with him and pretends to be her dead brother for three months. During that time, she learns about runes: markings that every object in existance has. All runes are kept in a book called the Great Book. At the end of three months, she tells Olen she's a girl and finds that the Great Book has been stolen. She is requested to go on a quest with others to find the Great Book and return it to Olen. Once they find the Great Book and its kidnapper, Tildi and the kidnapper, a man named Nemeth, magically fight for the book. Tildi wins and at the end of the book has to return the Great Book to Olen.
The book reminds me of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, except that the main character is a girl. I liked the book, though I think the book could extend its action scenes. Out of all the characters, I would have to say that I liked Nemeth and Tildi best of all. Tildi showed that women CAN be the heros of the story, though her town decides that women aren't capable of taking care of themselves. I like Nemeth because he shows loyalty to his master. I think the ending was good, though the author could have extended it. I think it was a good book for it showed women in a different light; as heroines.
Content: The beginning of the book contains a lot of death.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Pottstown, PA United States
The book reminds me of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, except that the main character is a girl. I liked the book, though I think the book could extend its action scenes. Out of all the characters, I would have to say that I liked Nemeth and Tildi best of all. Tildi showed that women CAN be the heros of the story, though her town decides that women aren't capable of taking care of themselves. I like Nemeth because he shows loyalty to his master. I think the ending was good, though the author could have extended it. I think it was a good book for it showed women in a different light; as heroines.
Content: The beginning of the book contains a lot of death.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Pottstown, PA United States
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Head Case by Sarah Aronson
One mistake. One bad night. One too many drinks. Frank Marder is a head, paralyzed from the neck down, and it's his fault. He was drinking. He was driving. Now Frank can't walk, he can't move, he can't feel his skin. He needs someone to feed him, to wash him, to move his body. When you're a head, do you ever feel like a whole person? Will Frank ever get to forgive himself? But if you ask most of the people who are posting on www.quadkingonthenet.com, he hasn't been adequately punished. Two people are dead because of him. Frank should go to jail. Only "Anonymous" disagrees.
Head Case was a really, really good book. I mostly liked reading this book because it taught a lesson about drinking and driving. While reading, I was drawn into the plot immediately. I felt connected with Frank because he was like a real person. The only thing I really didn't like about the book was the ending, because we don't find out what happens to Frank. I think the author could have improved the story by giving readers the point of view of the Stein family, whose daughter was killed in the accident. All-in-all, this book was wonderful. Every teenager should read it because it has such a strong message.
Content: This book had sexual content and profanity.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Leopold, Missouri USA
Head Case was a really, really good book. I mostly liked reading this book because it taught a lesson about drinking and driving. While reading, I was drawn into the plot immediately. I felt connected with Frank because he was like a real person. The only thing I really didn't like about the book was the ending, because we don't find out what happens to Frank. I think the author could have improved the story by giving readers the point of view of the Stein family, whose daughter was killed in the accident. All-in-all, this book was wonderful. Every teenager should read it because it has such a strong message.
Content: This book had sexual content and profanity.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Leopold, Missouri USA
Miracle Wimp by Erik P. Kraft
Thomas Mayo is your everyday nerd. With a last name like Mayo, he was bound to be made fun of, and so of course, Mayo’s clever fellow classmates dubbed him Miracle Wimp (Get it, It’s like Miracle Whip, except they say Wimp instead!). This is a book about him. Together him and his two good friends embark on lame but enjoyable adventures. Some of these adventures are for Mayo alone. For instance he is forced to take wood Shop with a bunch of donkeys and Mr. Boort--the bouillon cube eating teacher who wears Lucky star designer Jeans. Come to think about it, Wimp encounters more than one problem involving pants. I won't give it all away though, you will just have to read the book to find out more about donkeys, pants, girls, Mr. Boort, funky dancing and all those other fun things that come when you're growing up as "Miracle Wimp."
I think what I liked most about this book was that the chapters were short, as too not overwhelm, and most of his thoughts are short, sweet and to the point. Instead of dragging on in detail about each day Mayo only mentions completely random or somewhat interesting parts of his day. It’s easy to relate to Mayo because we’ve all gone through similar embarrassments and problems. I love Kraft’s ideas and perspective, he really makes you want to root for the “Hero” he’s created, otherwise known as Thomas Mayo. Though--like many books--it goes through the motions of high school, Kraft uses a unique writing style and a likeable main character, to produce a simple yet delightful tale of a boy named after a sweet sandwich spread and/or salad dressing.
Content: It's a book set in High School, need i say more? Well there's references to smoking, and i think there's a little swearing.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: sandy, Oregon United States
I think what I liked most about this book was that the chapters were short, as too not overwhelm, and most of his thoughts are short, sweet and to the point. Instead of dragging on in detail about each day Mayo only mentions completely random or somewhat interesting parts of his day. It’s easy to relate to Mayo because we’ve all gone through similar embarrassments and problems. I love Kraft’s ideas and perspective, he really makes you want to root for the “Hero” he’s created, otherwise known as Thomas Mayo. Though--like many books--it goes through the motions of high school, Kraft uses a unique writing style and a likeable main character, to produce a simple yet delightful tale of a boy named after a sweet sandwich spread and/or salad dressing.
Content: It's a book set in High School, need i say more? Well there's references to smoking, and i think there's a little swearing.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: sandy, Oregon United States
Tasting the Sky by Ibtisam Barakat
The book is a story of a young girl growing up during the Six-Day War in the Middle East. She talks about the trouble her family went through. They sacrificed a lot to keep their family alive and well, even if it meant the separation of the family. Ibtisam Barakat describes how the events effected her life and made her become who she is today. She talks about soldier being stationed outside of her home, about her brothers' and their adventures, and about learning to care for her little sister. Ibtisam Barakat is a gifted writer.
Ibtisam Barakat did a wonderful job in this novel. She described everything is vivid detail. I learned so much about the Middle East from this book. I could see everything in my mind like I was actually there during her childhood. She was brutally honest throughout the entire story and she just tells it as it is. This book is a sad tale but definitely an inspiration to all who read it.
Content: The brutal truth may be too much for younger readers. Also, younger readers might not understand the disguised actions of her childhood. An example is when she is almost raped by a neighborhood teenager.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Phoenixville, Pennsylvania U.S.A.
Ibtisam Barakat did a wonderful job in this novel. She described everything is vivid detail. I learned so much about the Middle East from this book. I could see everything in my mind like I was actually there during her childhood. She was brutally honest throughout the entire story and she just tells it as it is. This book is a sad tale but definitely an inspiration to all who read it.
Content: The brutal truth may be too much for younger readers. Also, younger readers might not understand the disguised actions of her childhood. An example is when she is almost raped by a neighborhood teenager.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Phoenixville, Pennsylvania U.S.A.
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