Baxter Moon Galactic Scout by John Zahour

Baxter Moon: Galactic Scout is a fun science-fiction novel about a young, ordinary space cadet who is surrounded by an unordinary cast. A boy-genius, a super-strong girl, and a genetically altered chimpanzee complete Baxter Moons shuttle team. The book accounts Baxter's training as a pilot at the Galactic Academy of Scouts, and it also describes Baxter's unlikely first mission. Much like a sinister plot from a James Bond movie (see Tomorrow Never Dies), a group of evil robots called TVTrons attempt to ignite a war between Earth and the planet Aqua. The TVTrons main weapon: a TV signal that leaves victims in a zombie-like state while being addicted to watching TV. In such a perilous situation, Baxter Moon is Earth's only hope to prevent an unnecessary intergalactic conflict. Loaded with action and humor, Baxter Moon: Galactic Scout is a fun and entertaining adventure.

My first reaction when I finished the book was: "That was a lot of fun." For literary readers looking for great universal messages, this probably isn't the book for that. Still, the author subtlety raises some interesting themes. Baxter Moon, the protagonist, is really the only character in the book from "our generation" - the only one not genetically enhanced or influenced by future technology, making it easy for readers to relate to him. By examining the motives of the TVTrons, readers might see some realism in a futuristic setting: in our world of globalization and free trade, our society is bent on consumption and the dollar, just as to the TVTrons, this staged war is all about getting ratings. Maybe there is something to be said about this. The author also pokes fun at politicians in the end of the story saying, "They made more progress on that one-day trip than they had in weeks of negotiating." Thus, in the concerns of today's intellectuals, the author shines a cheerful light on the subjects. What made this work so enjoyable was the author's ability to expand our imaginations of science-fiction while providing an escape from our society's worries about an uncertain future.

Reviewer Age:18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Eden Prairie, Minnesota United States

The Secret Rites of Social Butterflies by Lizabeth Zindel

When Maggie moves from her home in New Jersey to live in NYC with her mother, her life drastically changes. At her new school, she feels like she doesn't fit in and her only friend is the school's biggest nerd. But she soon finds herself becoming part of the in crowd. While hanging out with Victoria, Lexi and Sydney, she finds herself privy to a very big secret. Thing are starting to look up; she has cool friends, she's found a boy she likes, and her family problems aren't as bad as she first thought. Just when she thinks everything is getting better, the secret is revealed to everyone in her school. Maggie finds herself just as responsible for what has happened and has to find a way to make things better.

This story reminded me a lot of Mean Girls. I thought the idea behind the story was pretty interesting. But it was unrealistic to the point that I couldn't really connect with any of the characters. There was never a point where I wanted to stop reading, but I didn't read this in one sitting. This book is great for teenage girls looking for a fun beach read.

Reviewer Age:21

Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA

Lamplighter by D.M. Cornish

D. M. Cornish starts his latest novel in the Monster Blood Tattoo series (a planned trilogy), Lamplighter, where his first book, Monster Blood Tattoo, left off. Lamplighter follows a Foundling (orphan) boy, Rossamond, who has been summoned to train under the military branch of the Lamplighters, soldiers who walk the Empire's monster-plagued streets and light the Great Lamps for the safety of travelers. Rossamnd arrives at the Lamplighters' barracks, Winstermill Manse, and begins his training as a prentice. Not extremely long after his beginning at Winstermill, Rossamnd's military prentice quarto (that is, the group he is assigned to) heads out on a prentice-watch to light and dowse the Great Lamps from Winstermill to the Wellnigh House, along the Wormway, but after the overnight stay at the Wellnigh House, on the way back to Winstermill, a carriage comes racing headlong down the Wormway -- a carriage with vicious horn-ed nickers attacking it! Will Rossamond survive his first theroscade, or monster encounter, as a Lamplighter? Who is in the carriage? Read Lamplighter by D. M. Cornish to find out!

I absolutely loved Lamplighter. I was excited when I saw that D. M. Cornish had come out with a sequel to Monster Blood Tattoo. The book matches, if not outmatches, the creativeness of its predecessor. I thought that the characters all showed their personality well, and you could see Rossamond transform from a weak Foundling boy into a courageous adventurer. Like the first book in this series, the text is filled with words that you would never find in Mr. Webster's dictionary  terms like "gretchen-globe," "enkle," and "slot and drag." But not to fear  both books include their own glossary, and it's a whopper at nearly 100 pages. (By the way, you'll also find a few of Mr. Webster's odder words in there too: "pledgets" and "sillibub" make an appearance.)

I recommend this book to readers who liked Monster Blood Tattoo as well as anyone who enjoys intricate plots and detailed descriptions of the fictional world that a story is set in.

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Saugerties, NY USA

Escape From Castle Cant by K.P. Bath

There's a war going on in Pauline and Lucy's town. Everyone wants gum, but others think otherwise. Loyalists say Pauline is the heiress to the throne, but then the rebels say Lucy Wickwright is the rightful heiress. Lucy and Pauline run away to find gum plants so they can restore peace and stop the war.


Then, a guy name Vladmir Orloff, a postal commissioner for gum chewing, is chasing them around. He wants to put Pauline on the throne because he killed Lucy's family when she was little.


The girls were resting when a swineherd said he will kill Lucy if they didn't come along. He tells them that it really doesn't matter if Pauline tags along, he just really wants Lucy with him. But secretly he is Vladmir Orloff. So they go with him to a swineherd hut. When they arrive at the hut, they They find out that Vladmir is actually Blaise Delegrassi, a guy who works at the castle. Later, Orloff tells Lucy to surrender, so she grabs a sword, and the girls escape, using the stolen horses. Do Lucy and Pauline get killed? Do the girls destroy the Gum Plants? Read this book to find out!

This book was AWESOME. There were suspenseful parts and the whole book was silly in a good way. Like, when they are having a war over gum, it was really funny. The suspensful parts were, for example, when they were running away with the horses. I'd recomend this to anyone because this book is packed with fun.

Reviewer Age:12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Norristown, Pennsylvania USA

Seven Deadly Sins: Sloth by Robin Wasserman

After an accident that left one girl dead and another injured, the seniors at Haven High are shaken and scared. And understandably so: Harper's return to school and Kaia's permanent absence are making everyone uncomfortable. Harper is haunted by nightmares of Kaia and the accident; the events of that night are still foggy and frightening. Beth's determined to make Spirit Week memorable, but she finds herself slipping up. Miranda misses the old Harper; the new one seems to be pulling away from everyone and everything. The boys are stumbling as well: Adam's falling behind in school, Kane's partying, carefree; and Reed's surprised to find Beth leaning on his shoulder.

While each of the characters are plagued by varying degrees of guilt over Kaia's death, the only thing that seems certain any more is that nothing will ever be the same.

In Seven Deadly Sins, no one is blameless, and everyone has something to hide. This series takes the parties, dating, makeups and breakups of TV shows or series such as Gossip Girl, sets it in a small town called Grace where everyone knows everyone, and throws in a murder mystery. If you like the Sevens series by Scott Wallens or the Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard, you'll like Seven Deadly Sins by Robin Wasserman.

Sloth is the fifth in the Seven Deadly Sins series. It is recommended that you read the series in order:

Lust
Envy
Pride
Wrath
Sloth
Gluttony
Greed

Drinking and drug use, and other situations

USA

Misspelled by Julis E. Czerneda

This book of short stories explores the world of magic. It especially shows what can go wrong through a misunderstanding or by a mispronunciation. From various points of views and differing authors, this book illustrates the consequences of mistakes. In the magical world, you have to be perfect, and if you aren’t, this book demonstrates some of the grim consequences together with humorous side effects. From the musical magic to the fairy tale endings this book is full of misspells.

This book is confusing and mediocre compared to most that I have read before. In each of the seventeen stories, you are assaulted with different types of magic, diverse characters and only a few pages per story to become acquainted with each tale. Though some stories illustrate true potential in the writer, most can be distinguished as baffling. I wouldn’t truly recommend this book to most people unless they are prepared for a bumpy ride.

Rating:3

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Richmond, Virginia USA

Mozart's Ghost

Mozart's Ghost by Julia Cameron is about Anna, a "thirtysomething Midwesterner", who moved to New York in search of a chance to fall in love or to become one of the many proud single women living in New York City. Anna works as a substitute teacher by day, but she has a secret talent. By night, Anna works as a medium. By sharing messages from the deceased to their loved ones, Anna pays the rent. Acting like she doesn't need a man, Anna falls hard for Edward, the new pianist who recently moved into her apartment building. Edward constantly practices. At first, Anna finds Edward's music, which is constantly pouring through her window, annoying, but as she falls for him Anna begins to love his music in spite of herself. As their feelings towards each other grows, Anna wonders if she should risk their relationship by telling Edward about her gift.

Mozart's Ghost by Julia Cameron is a very unique book. I have never read a book where science fiction, romance, and culture has been mixed. Julia Cameron weaves the idea of ghosts, love, and classical music all into one book. This unusual combination exists in a book that keeps the reader interested in what might happen next. I found this novel to be new and exciting. It is very different from every other book that I have read. I highly recommend it to mature readers.

This book contains inappropriate material for young readers such as bisexuality and sex.

Reviewer Age:12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Potomac, Maryland United States of America

The Temptress Four

The Temptress Four is about four girls named Fiona, Killian, Alma and Yoli. The girls have just graduated from high school, and they decide to celebrate by going on a cruise. The night before the cruise, the girls go to a fortune teller who predicts that there will be trouble during the trip and that one of them may not return. The fortune teller’s comment makes the girls think about whether they should still go on the cruise. After a lot of debate, the girls decide to go. They will soon learn whether the fortune teller is correct.

The Temptress Four was one of the best books I have ever read! Unlike most books I have read, this book kept me on my toes. When one problem gets solved, there is another problem waiting. I also loved how the author made the book unpredictable. That made me want to read the book even more. I‘d highly recommend this book!

Reviewer Age:10
Reviewer City, State and Country: Potomac, Maryland USA
Rating: 10
Content:1

Back Creek by Leslie Goetsch

It's 1975. Eighteen-year-old Grace Barnett is overwhelmed by the situations presented to her in what becomes one of the most important summers of her life. Waking up one morning, she witnesses a deadly boat crash in the creek behind her house. As though this wasn't enough of a trauma, the accidental nature of the crash comes into question. Soon, many people have come to the unspoken conclusion that Tommy White, the man who died in the crash, may have crashed the boat on purpose. To add to this, Grace's sister Lillian decided to resurface in the family from her five-year absence on the very day of Tommy White's funeral. This is the very same day that Grace's mother sneaks away from her family, claiming to be leaving for a short time while she has no plans of returning. Coupled with the confusing signals of Cal, a boy Grace doesn't know if she has a crush on, the summer is full of emotional situations. Further along in the book, it becomes apparent that Lillian is pregnant. Grace must delve into the circumstances surrounding her sister's disappearance and pregnancy while trying to prepare for college, getting her mother to return, and deciphering Cal's mixed signals. But is it too much for one summer?

Back Creek takes a believable protagonist, Grace Barnett, and presents her with some of the most difficult situations a teenager can face- all in one summer. I very much enjoyed the complexity and truth of the many plots. Grace's feelings were real and pure, and I felt a connection to her as though to a friend. She struggled through her issues with inspiring strength and perseverance. The plot moved at a good pace and every issue was resolved by the end of the book. The setting of the book, both time and place, provided an interesting twist to the book, the Vietnam War just coming to a close. Devotion, lack of devotion, pride, and the act of unearthing secrets are explored in this book, creating a strong basis for a well-constructed plot. Leslie Goetsch has succeeded in writing a heart-warming coming-of-age story that every girl will love. Back Creek is beautifully crafted and easily relatable: an instant winner.

Rating:9

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Melrose, MA United States

Frozen Fire

Dusty was just like any other normal 14-year-old, until a phone call turned her world upside down. A strange boy called her phone and told Dusty he was dying. The stranger said he needed someone to talk to in his last hour. He claimed to be named Josh, the name of Dusty's missing brother. Dusty figured out where "Josh" was, and decided to investigate. Caught by three men, also searching for the boy, they tried to make Dusty tell them where "Josh" was hiding. Dusty got away and figured out "Josh" was not actually dying. With only a few clues, Dusty found the strange boy, who was definitely not her brother. "Josh" had snow white skin and hair, always wore a duffel coat, was convicted of rape, and also had the strange power of being able to immobilize and hurt people. Eventually, Dusty got into a lot of trouble, because she hung around the boy so much. People thought that Dusty was in league with him. Dusty fell into a whirlwind adventure as she tried to find her missing brother, while dealing with a mysterious boy.

Tim Bowler did an amazing job making this book into, not just a mystery, but also an extraordinary thriller! He had diverse characters that all had a place in the story, not one character was there that did not have its own purpose. The characters were also very well developed in terms of personality. The plot was thick with suspense and thrill. At the very end, Bowler dropped a huge secret that was the solution to the book. It was the biggest shock in the whole story. He also did an amazing job with the diversity of the characters' language. This book was one that I could not stand to put down!

This book talks a lot about rape and issues only appropriate for the age recommendations.

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Shippensburg, Pennsylvania USA