After Amy’s Cambodian mother abandons her, Amy is left with her loving, timid, Cambodian father. Her “Once so wonderful” world has been rearranged. The friends that she had had in St. Petersburg, Florida, were left behind when her dad suddenly decided to move them both to California. He begins to drink, gamble and smoke in a matter of hours after Amy’s mom leaves. Amy feels so scared and confused in the mature world her new life in California sucks her into. She battles her drunken father and settles into her life when she can. Then, her life finally becomes pleasurable.
This book was well-written, but traveled at a slow pace. Many Li put lots of passion into the story, but a few chapters off and on were a bit slow moving. I liked the book, but it didn’t exactly grab my attention and hold it as I would have preferred. I recommend this to anyone who likes a challenge from a book.
Content: Lots of alcoholic drinking. Some adult situations that some may not understand. Some frightening situations.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Osseo, Wisconsin United States
Monday, September 03, 2007
Boot Camp by Todd Strasser
Boot Camp by Todd Strasser is about fifteen-year old Garrett. Garrett is very smart. So smart, in fact, that he can skip school and still make honor roll. He's also dating his teacher, who is eight years older than him. Though these are hardly crimes, Garrett is sent to Lake Harmony, a boot camp designed to teach teenagers to obey their parents. Garrett undergoes physical and psychological abuse every day. The only way to freedom is to escape-but how does one break out of a prison?
I thought that Boot Camp by Todd Strasser was an interesting read. It was an eye-opener, because I had never know about these secret boot camps. It was shocking to see the abuse that goes on behind closed doors. Some of the tactics to train teenagers to obey their parents could be considered torture-laying facedown on the floor for days at a time. The book was very sad and radiated helplessness throughout the story--I had no idea how Garrett was going to make it out alive. The books ends on a semi-good note: Garrett's parents come to take him home. The bad part is, Garrett becomes just as brainwashed as the other kids who walk through Lake Harmony's doors.
Content: This book is only for mature readers because there is physical and psychological abuse throughout the story, which may be unsuitable for younger readers.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Aston, Pennsylvania United States
I thought that Boot Camp by Todd Strasser was an interesting read. It was an eye-opener, because I had never know about these secret boot camps. It was shocking to see the abuse that goes on behind closed doors. Some of the tactics to train teenagers to obey their parents could be considered torture-laying facedown on the floor for days at a time. The book was very sad and radiated helplessness throughout the story--I had no idea how Garrett was going to make it out alive. The books ends on a semi-good note: Garrett's parents come to take him home. The bad part is, Garrett becomes just as brainwashed as the other kids who walk through Lake Harmony's doors.
Content: This book is only for mature readers because there is physical and psychological abuse throughout the story, which may be unsuitable for younger readers.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Aston, Pennsylvania United States
The New and Improved Vivien Leigh Reid by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout
Vivien Reid pretty much blew her career away!! She acted like such a diva and ended up losing her job! But now shes back and better than ever! Shes's back to make things right with her career. While managing all of that she's also helping her mom get ready for her wedding along with who she calls her evil to-be stepsisters! Things are not going as well as planned, in her new role in Freak Force the cast consists of all guys who don't really want a girl there. With all this going on will Vivien be able to contain her inner diva?
This book was okay. It was nothing like other books I've read although it was a cute little story. It didn't really keep my interest! Usually if I'm really into a book I will be reading every night and sometimes late into the night but not for this book. The one thing I did like about this book was the ending! It wrapped the book up very well and brought it to a close. The one thing I learned from this book is you need to think before you speak or you may regret it.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, PA United States
This book was okay. It was nothing like other books I've read although it was a cute little story. It didn't really keep my interest! Usually if I'm really into a book I will be reading every night and sometimes late into the night but not for this book. The one thing I did like about this book was the ending! It wrapped the book up very well and brought it to a close. The one thing I learned from this book is you need to think before you speak or you may regret it.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, PA United States
Labor of Love by Emily Franklin
As Love Bukowski prepares for her senior year at Hadley Hall, she faces many changes in her life. Love is meeting her mother, Gala, for the first time since she was an infant, she also discovers that she has a half-sister, Sadie, which she then learns is actually her full sister. All through this, Love is dealing with her once-boyfriend Jacob; however, the definition of the relationship in its current state is unclear. Luckily, Love has her friend Chris, who is dealing with his own relationship issues, and her boyfriend who could possibly end up being something more, Charlie, to help her throughout this chaotic time. In the end, Love finds balance and happiness and learns to accept change as just another part of life.
Labor of Love by Emily Franklin is a wonderful novel that explains that although change is inevitable, it does not always have to be for worse. This main idea made the novel very enjoyable. It helped me to realize that if a person learns to accept change; rather than, try to prevent it, coping will be easier. Also, then novel was funny and a definite page-turner. I felt so wrapped up in Love's life that I felt as if I were living it. I look forward to reading not only the next book in the series, but other books by Emily Franklin as well.
Content: I recommend adult guidance for this book because it mentions sex, and this topic may be inappropriate for younger readers.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: East Islip, New York United States
Labor of Love by Emily Franklin is a wonderful novel that explains that although change is inevitable, it does not always have to be for worse. This main idea made the novel very enjoyable. It helped me to realize that if a person learns to accept change; rather than, try to prevent it, coping will be easier. Also, then novel was funny and a definite page-turner. I felt so wrapped up in Love's life that I felt as if I were living it. I look forward to reading not only the next book in the series, but other books by Emily Franklin as well.
Content: I recommend adult guidance for this book because it mentions sex, and this topic may be inappropriate for younger readers.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: East Islip, New York United States
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Survival Op: The Fear in the Wilderness by Scott Allen
A runaway boy named Marcus is kidnapped in the dead of night. He is drugged and taken to a top secret government operations base in the Bermuda Triangle. There he is forced to live out in the wilderness for a program called Survival Op. Survival Op. is a branch of the government whose job it is to study the stress levels of how surviving impacts a soldier. Once he begins his journey, Marcus meets a girl his age named Lynn, with her help he begins to adjust to the wilderness. The only problem is, they aren't alone.
The beginning of this book seemed to drag on forever. Once you get to page 80, though, the action begins to pick up. One thing that bothered me was that the main characters were supposed to be about 14, but they didn't talk like people that age really do. They barely used contractions and sometimes it felt like the author was trying too hard to make them seem realistic as teenagers. The ending didn't provide adequate resolution to the problem, because it left the reader wanting more. I felt as though it could have gone a little longer. I would recommend it only to the people who will have enough patience to get through the tedious start.
There is occasional violence which can be graphic.
Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA United States
The beginning of this book seemed to drag on forever. Once you get to page 80, though, the action begins to pick up. One thing that bothered me was that the main characters were supposed to be about 14, but they didn't talk like people that age really do. They barely used contractions and sometimes it felt like the author was trying too hard to make them seem realistic as teenagers. The ending didn't provide adequate resolution to the problem, because it left the reader wanting more. I felt as though it could have gone a little longer. I would recommend it only to the people who will have enough patience to get through the tedious start.
There is occasional violence which can be graphic.
Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA United States
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
The Alchemyst by Michael Scott
When the twins Sophie and Josh Newman found out they were working in two stores across from each other, Josh in the Fleming's bookstore and Sophie in The Coffee Cup, they were ecstatic. That is, until the fateful day that Dr. John Dee stepped into the bookshop and changed both of their lives forever. After a vicious fight with Dee, the twins find out that Nick Fleming, owner of the bookshop, was really Nicholas Flamel the famous alchemist. The twins also learn about the Book of Abraham, in which exists the power to destroy the world and the secret of eternal life, and the desperate need to keep that information out of the hands of the evil Dr. John Dee, servant to evil Gods that would destroy the human race. Pursued by Dark Elders that they believed could have only existed in myths, Sophie and Josh have to figure out how they fit into a prophecy in the book and find their powers. Guided by Nicholas Flamel, an ancient warrior, and an ancient goddess, the twins are drawn into a war in an attempt to save the world from a dismal fate at the hands of the Dark Elders.
Well-written with beautiful uses of imagery and humor, “The Alchemyst” was most definitely a page-turner. Many goddesses that are very prominent in mythology such as Bastet and Hekate are shown in a whole new light and the detailed description that went with each goddess provokes a very clear picture in your mind. I found many of the characters very endearing as Michael Scott gave each one of them a different and in many cases, lovable, personality. One of the most major things I loved about the main characters was that they weren’t perfect. Sophie and Josh both had their own personal fears and like normal fifteen year olds, they were not immune to making mistakes. This makes them a lot easier to understand and connect with. Also, there is a lot of mythology mentioned in this book, and afterwards, I had an incredible urge to go read some mythology for myself, making this book a good start on becoming interested in mythology. “The Alchemyst” is a fabulous book and I would recommend it as a must read for young adults.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona United States
Well-written with beautiful uses of imagery and humor, “The Alchemyst” was most definitely a page-turner. Many goddesses that are very prominent in mythology such as Bastet and Hekate are shown in a whole new light and the detailed description that went with each goddess provokes a very clear picture in your mind. I found many of the characters very endearing as Michael Scott gave each one of them a different and in many cases, lovable, personality. One of the most major things I loved about the main characters was that they weren’t perfect. Sophie and Josh both had their own personal fears and like normal fifteen year olds, they were not immune to making mistakes. This makes them a lot easier to understand and connect with. Also, there is a lot of mythology mentioned in this book, and afterwards, I had an incredible urge to go read some mythology for myself, making this book a good start on becoming interested in mythology. “The Alchemyst” is a fabulous book and I would recommend it as a must read for young adults.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona United States
The Rise of Lubchenko by Michael Simmons
The Rise of Lubchenko by Michael Simmons tells the story of an average teenage guy, Evan Macalister. One day, he receives a call regarding strains of the smallpox virus. As far as Evan knows, his father's business partner plans on releasing these to terrorists. Evan must team up with friends Ruben and Erika to save his father's life, not to mention the world as he knows it. All the while, Evan must balance this action-packed part of his life with the need to pass classes so he can avoid being sent to a military academy.
Simmons's book resembles the Alex Rider and Maximum Ride series with a touch of James Bond. Therefore, The Rise of Lubchenko would certainly appeal to teenage boys who typically cannot bring themselves to read. However, even as a female, I enjoyed reading The Rise of Lubchenko and would have to say it surpasses the first in the series. As well, this is a novel that is particularly interesting due to today's political atmosphere. Anyone with an interest in international affairs or espionage would also likely enjoy this book.
Reviewer Age:18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Farmington, CT USA
Simmons's book resembles the Alex Rider and Maximum Ride series with a touch of James Bond. Therefore, The Rise of Lubchenko would certainly appeal to teenage boys who typically cannot bring themselves to read. However, even as a female, I enjoyed reading The Rise of Lubchenko and would have to say it surpasses the first in the series. As well, this is a novel that is particularly interesting due to today's political atmosphere. Anyone with an interest in international affairs or espionage would also likely enjoy this book.
Reviewer Age:18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Farmington, CT USA
Monday, August 27, 2007
Little (Grrl) Lost by Charles de Lint
TJ is a fourteen-year-old girl who's having some difficulties fitting in at her new school and adjusting to her new life in the city. TJ's a farm girl, but financial difficulties forced her family to sell the farm and move to a suburb where all the houses are identical. TJ, however, discovers that her typical suburban house, however, is home to something not so typical: a family of Littles. Six-inch-high people who live in the walls. She thinks they're mice at first--but then she meets Elizabeth, a girl a couple of years older than TJ who's running away from her family. Elizabeth and TJ have a lot in common-but Elizabeth is small enough to worry about being hunted by TJ's pet cat!
Little (Grrl) Lost is the second of Charles de Lint's books that I've read. I adored The Blue Girl, so this book had a lot to live up to! While I think that in the end, The Blue Girl was a little better, but this book still did not disappoint. It's a wonderfully creative fantasy adventure, quite fast-paced and enjoyable. I preferred Elizabeth's chapters, but both TJ and Elizabeth, as well as the supporting cast of characters, were fantastic! Little (Grrl) Lost is well worth reading, and is so fast-paced and absorbing that it can be easily read in an afternoon.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Asheville, NC USA
Little (Grrl) Lost is the second of Charles de Lint's books that I've read. I adored The Blue Girl, so this book had a lot to live up to! While I think that in the end, The Blue Girl was a little better, but this book still did not disappoint. It's a wonderfully creative fantasy adventure, quite fast-paced and enjoyable. I preferred Elizabeth's chapters, but both TJ and Elizabeth, as well as the supporting cast of characters, were fantastic! Little (Grrl) Lost is well worth reading, and is so fast-paced and absorbing that it can be easily read in an afternoon.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Asheville, NC USA
Al's World: Monday Morning Blitz by Elise Leonard
After being bumped into at the bus stop, Al, a high school student, finds a mysterious flash drive in his pocket. Al goes to John, the smartest kid in school, to discover what's on the flash drive. After being in a bus crash and caught in gun fire, Al's simple life has turned chaotic. The safety of the United States is at risk. Al must somehow avoid the terrorist chasing him and return the vital information to the FBI.
Al's World is a quick easy read. It has a lot of unexpected twists and turns. I wish the author would have expanded on the plot and made it a longer book. In other books I've read, the teenager is related to a knight or a spy so they're destined for adventure. However, in Al's case he's just your everyday kid who winds up in a crazy situation.
Content: A knee injury was bloody and there was some shooting.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Hamilton, OH USA
Al's World is a quick easy read. It has a lot of unexpected twists and turns. I wish the author would have expanded on the plot and made it a longer book. In other books I've read, the teenager is related to a knight or a spy so they're destined for adventure. However, in Al's case he's just your everyday kid who winds up in a crazy situation.
Content: A knee injury was bloody and there was some shooting.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Hamilton, OH USA
Blood Brothers by S. A. Harazin
Clay has known Joey just about all his life. When they were young they spit into a coke bottle making themselves official blood brothers because they considered saliva on a par with blood. One night when Clay was visiting Joey he found his friend out of control and obviously drunk or on drugs, this was not like him at all! Now Joey was in the hospital fighting for his life. Clay, having been blamed for Joey’s condition must prove his innocence, keep his job at the hospital, and recount painful memories to find out who ruined his best friend’s life, perhaps permanently.
Blood Brothers is a novel about the painful and gruesome facts and stories of teenage drug and alcohol abuse. This book broadened my view of this tragic and widespread problem. My heart aches for any person struggling with substance abuse. Also, many people don’t consider the pain of parents and friends watching their loved one destroy their lives. This wasn’t a warm, fuzzy, feel-good novel nevertheless I respect the author’s realistic presentation of the grim circumstances surrounding illicit drug use. This story will probable stick with me for the rest of my life.
Content: Unfortunately, this book has offensive language, graphic detail of surgical procedures, and sexual references.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: , USA NC
Blood Brothers is a novel about the painful and gruesome facts and stories of teenage drug and alcohol abuse. This book broadened my view of this tragic and widespread problem. My heart aches for any person struggling with substance abuse. Also, many people don’t consider the pain of parents and friends watching their loved one destroy their lives. This wasn’t a warm, fuzzy, feel-good novel nevertheless I respect the author’s realistic presentation of the grim circumstances surrounding illicit drug use. This story will probable stick with me for the rest of my life.
Content: Unfortunately, this book has offensive language, graphic detail of surgical procedures, and sexual references.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: , USA NC
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