The Time it Takes to Fall by Margaret Lazarus Dean

Dolores had never imagined that life in Cape Canaveral could be anything but perfect. She loves the launches, the broadcasts, her family, her friends, and knows everything there is to know about space. She keeps a journal of every launch, dutifully recording all of the relevant facts in order to further her dreams of becoming an astronaut, confirming the details with her NASA technician father and her best friend, Eric. She's the best in her class, her teachers love her, and, most importantly, she's happy. But without warning, everything changes. When her father is fired, Dolores' mother has to go to work, coming home every day too exhausted to do anything but argue. As if that weren't enough, Dolores enters high school a year early, finding herself among older strangers who tease her for her intelligence. And the worst is yet to come, because although Dolores doesn't know it yet, the Challenger launch is fast approaching and soon she'll be forced to face her greatest nightmare.

Although it starts out slow, The Time it Takes to Fall proves worth the wait. Margaret Dean has created a masterful first novel, certainly an example of historical fiction at its best. While most first time authors would focus on the effects of the Challenger tragedy on a would-be astronaut, Dean instead writes about characters-- unique, lovable, characters -- who are all entirely, believably human. These characters connect the reader to the book, and even the most unenthusiastic reader will find him- or herself sympathizing as he or she is drawn into their lives. A reluctant historical fiction reader myself, I found that I was actually guessing what would happen next! The plot never falters, and the characters only get stronger as the story goes on. This is one book that's certainly worth a read!

Although parts of the book seem to be geared toward younger readers, there is a sex scene and a rather frightening description of the deaths of the Challenger astronauts. Many characters smoke.

Reviewer Age:15

Reviewer City, State and Country: , Maryland United States

Likely Story by David Van Etten

Flamingnet Student Book Reviewer MDG

Mallory's life feels like it should be a TV show: her mother's an actress on a popular soap opera and her boyfriend won't break up with his girlfriend. Mallory needs less drama in her life, not more. So when she writes her own soap opera, entitled Likely Story, she wants it to be about real people with real problems. However, this seems to cause more catastrophes. Her mother is now jealous, she needs to get her best friend the lead on the show, and she thinks she might be falling for the lead male actor. What's a girl to do?

The best way I can describe this book is that it was okay. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great, either. The plot was interesting; not many normal teenagers have a semi- famous mother, although this made it slightly hard to relate to Mallory. She is a likable character, though her moral compass might be spinning in the wrong direction. For example, she has a boyfriend that already has a girlfriend, which makes me think that she doesn't respect herself. However, this book is part of a series, so hopefully the rest will be better.


Reviewer Age:16

Reviewer City, State and Country: Aston, Pennsylvania United States

She Came From Heaven by Rosanne Pellicane

She Came From Heaven is about an interior designer named Rosanne who is temporarily living alone with her pets in New York City. After a separation, her husband Jim is moving back in after living and working in Washington DC. Jim joins her in their New York house, and starts his own business from home. Life seems to be getting better until Jim's business flounders, and things go terribly wrong. Rosanne's pets become a source of comfort to her during her struggles.

This book started with an interesting premise but failed to hold my attention. The content and vocabulary seemed to be for an older audience. As the book progressed, the emphasis on religion and God became overbearing and seemed to supplant the story line. I would recommend this book to people who are animal lovers and enjoy stories with strong religious messages.

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Renton, WA United States

Rating: 4

Content Rating: 4

Mad Kestrel by Misty Massey

Kestrel, a female pirate, leads a life full of adventure. She grew up on the streets, eventually finding work in a local tavern. She then signs on as a crew member of the Wolfshead. One day Kestrel sees a "ghost ship" during a storm. This ship takes shelter in Kestrel's home town's harbor, along with the Wolfshead. While they're there, Kestrel's Captain Artie is arrested and taken on a Navy ship to be hanged. He leaves Kestrel his log book, instructing her to take it to Lig, the King's advisor. Kestrel is left to captain the remaining crew, rescue Artie, and solve the mystery of the Wolfshead log book.

I enjoyed reading this book. It had a good plot and likable characters. The only thing I had trouble with was that it wasn't really a 'page turner'. When I read it, I liked it a lot and got pulled in, but when I had to stop reading halfway through a chapter, I didn't feel all that curious about what would happen next. I think this is probably just me, but that's my opinion. All in all, I would recommend this book.

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Hockessin, DE United States

Dark Well of Decision by Anne Kimberly

Imagine you are a teenaged girl whose curiosity has taken over and you end up inside a cold forbidding well? Thats how thirteen-year-old Zoe feels in the novel Dark Well of Decision by Anne Kimberly. Being a teenager is pretty harsh on Zoe, and when she ends up trapped in a well she is suddenly nursed out of hypothermia by a bunch of five-inch descendants of God, which is when life gets even crazier. She adjusts to life in this miraculous world of Gods miniature creatures, but Zoe realizes that evil captors are gnawing into a safety rope called Jasper. Zoe believes that there is a God, but she doesnt know of the dangers of the devil she is about to face in Dark Well of Decision.

I didn't find Dark Well of Decision as appealing I had intended to, even though I did enjoy the ending quite a bit. The beginning and middle of the novel were a bit boring, and I had to continue reading to let the meanings really sink in and tie everything together. The novel is Christian-based and focuses on good defeating evil. The age level should be lowered to about 7-10 rather than 9-12, because the plot seemed juvenile. Bits and pieces were boring, but the climax drew 100% of my attention.

Reviewer Age:11

Reviewer City, State and Country: Osseo, Wisconsin United States

Sweet Valley High 2, Secrets

For Jessica Wakefield everything pretty much comes easy...or in other words, she gets what she wants. But now what she wants more than ever is to become homecoming queen, and more importantly, to get Bruce Patman. The one thing that is keeping her from getting what she wants is Enid Rollins. Enid is the best friend of Jessica's twin sister Elizabeth. When Jessica finds out one of Enid's deep dark secrets it's only a matter of time before the world would knows. Elizabeth is the only one who can possibly stop her sister before it's too late.

If you're looking for a good easy read at the beach this summer this is a great choice of book! It's a sweet traditional teen story which has your typical mean girl versus good girl plot line. The book could be a little more moving or have some more action just to entertain the reader. This story isn't a page-turner, however it's not boring either. You should definitely put this on your summer reading list!

There are a few swear words and some mature references.

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pennsylvania U.S.

The Morganville Vampires: Dead Girls Dance by Rachel Caine

Handsome. Charming. Trapped. Dead. Michael is all of those: trapped in the glass house he died in, the handsome and charming crush of Eve, and Shane’s best friend. Eve and Claire, two best friends, live in the same house as Michael while they go to school in Morganville. Life is good, until they get on the bad side of the local police, who just happen to be vampires! Between the psycho, battling vampires, Eve’s un-known brother popping up out of nowhere, and a kick-butt party, this year is sure to be very interesting.

The second in the Morganville Vampire series, Dead Girls Dance by Rachel Caine starts with a bang! As the first chapter started, I was a little wary; I hadn’t read the prequel, so I was a little unsure of the people and places, and the beginning started fast. Fortunately, Caine left little to be desired in her catch-up and I was ready to press on in no time. The ending wasn't the kind to spoil the whole book, but one that simply closes it (as in, I could tell you how the book ends, but I won't!). The entire book was everything the title evoked in me: fear, wonder at the subject, and a need to know the truth about the Morganville Vampires.

Rating:8

Reviewer Age:15

Reviewer City, State and Country: Marblehead, MA USA

The Schoolboy by Tony Rosa

Sam Parma does not like to golf. He's a baseball player, not a golfer! But one summer morning, his outlook changes quite a bit. Reluctantly entered in the Schoolboy, a junior golf tournament, Sam only participates to please his mother. After all, what's the harm in a day at the golf course? But conflict arises quickly as Sam is grouped with an experienced golfer, a foul-mouthed cheater, and an intimidating bully for the day's golfing. Thus an innocent tournament soon evolves into a test of character where winning is the least of Sam's worries.

Overall, Tony Rosa's "The Schoolboy" is not a bad book, though the exposition is not convincing, and overuse of golf lingo distracts from the story. The book picks up speed as it continues. Laced with life lessons, each chapter serves a specific purpose. Though well-intended, many of these points are too preachy for its audience. That a few hours of golfing could change the main character's outlook on life is not believable, especially considering that the point of view is that of a fourteen-year-old boy. In the words of Rosa himself, "sometimes you just can't make them all."

Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tipp City, OH USA

Barefoot by Lizann Bassham

Opal spends her childhood in a small town with her mother's family and friends. Her mother died when Opal was only seven years old and Opal feels that it is her fault, because before her mother died, Opal hadn't been following directions. Her father is off traveling and Opal's dearest cousin has gone to war. Opal is always afraid that if she does the slightest thing wrong, her new family will leave her. But as she grows older, Opal learns that through thick and thin, the people who love her will always be there.

The book was intriguing, and, although slow at first, became more and more entrancing as I got deeper into the story. Lizann Bassham, an amazing author, made detailed scenes that were easy to imagine. Opal and her family went through many tragic events, in which the author captured the emotions of the family, especially when Opal's cousin went off to war. This book shows the pros and cons of small-town living in the 1960's. The realization of Opal's that her family will not leave her is built gradually, which makes for an interesting story. It a sweet, yet sometimes tragic page-turner, and I would recommend it to everyone over the age of ten.

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Boothwyn, Pennsylvania USA

The Gorgon's Gaze by Julia Golding

When Connie Lionheart's great-aunt and uncle try to keep her away from the Society for the Protection of Mythical Creatures, they don't count on her being the most important member, the universal companion who can communicate with all mythical creatures. Connie has to find out why Great-aunt Godiva hates the society so much. In doing so, she discovers a dark part of her family's past. Meanwhile, the evil Kullervo stirs up trouble for the society. When Kullervo starts bringing some of the mythical creatures and their companions to the dark side, who can Connie trust?

I really liked this book. I thought that it would be confusing to someone who hadn't read the first book, Secret of the Sirens, though. The author did a good job creating a subplot with Great-aunt Godiva. The plot moves quickly. I liked how this book had many mythical creatures.

Rating:7

Reviewer Age:12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Exeter, New Hampshire United States