Chime by Franny Billingsley

Briony Larkin lives in rural Swampsea with her troubled sister, Rose, and her father. For years, she s kept the secret that she s a witch from everyone she knows, afraid of being sentenced to death. She also believes that she s responsible for her sister Rose s mental state. When Mr. Clayborne and his son Eldric arrive, she strikes up a friendship with the son. However, she doesn t reveal either of her two secrets to him. When Rose develops a swamp cough, Briony turns to the Boggy Mun, for help. Unfortunately, she gets into quite a bit of trouble.

Chime, by Franny Billingsley, was a surprisingly enjoyable read. Briony was a multi-faceted, interesting character. She seemed genuinely upset over her sister Rose s condition. The other characters, such as Eldric, were also quite intriguing. The plot, with its swamp cough and Old Ones, was unique. It did not seem like a retelling of another book, or a combination of books. The gripping writing style keeps the reader focused and interested. This book is certainly recommended to readers interested in fantasy fiction

Reviewer Age:18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Charleston, SC United States

Plan B by Charnan Simon

Plan B by Charnan Simon is a book about the challenges  and roadblocks teenage pregnancy can put in the way of an otherwise successful and responsible teen.  The plot follows the story  of a junior girl named Lucy who is  at the top of her class, a really good dancer, popular, and of course has a handsome boyfriend to top it all off. She and her boyfriend have long term plans to go to the same college and get married and live their lives out together in a picture perfect manner.  Of course, none of these plans include getting pregnant at 16! Now, Lucy and Luke are faced with difficult decisions and must make hard choices. With their relationship in shambles, they need to leave their carefree childhoods behind and quickly become adults.

This book would have fit perfectly in an after school special. You know, that moment when the concerned teacher character, or the best friends mom wants to help the at risk girl with the low reading level understand that pregnancy is serious business. Unfortunately, the book is as terrible as the majority of those after school specials were. In only 98 pages in (at minimum) size 16 point font, the plot manages to drag its heels and linger on the unimportant stuff. Even the sensual parts of the book did not managed to be interesting, merely a bit over the top. We hear way to much about her  dancing and how it s a metaphor for her life and not nearly enough about the only interesting part of the book, the relationship between the (also a teen mom) mother and Lucy. We walk away from this book with very little insight on either of the two main characters or what they are actually going to do with the baby once it comes. Unless I become a concerned teacher on an after school special, I would never consider recommending this book to anyone.

Sexual content

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Exeter, NH USA

The End by Nora Olsen

The End by Nora Olsen is about five kids that have all come
together by one strange thing, a magical amulet from mystical
gods who want them to save the world because of a nuclear war.
They have to learn to protect themselves from nuclear
radiation all while figuring out to travel back in time. The
pressure of saving the human race is on them. Will they be
able to handle the pressure and save the world?
The book is an adventure because they have to travel to all
different parts of the world to find everybody who has a
magical amulet.

I REALLY enjoyed this book! It kept me turning the page and
I couldn t set it down.
The author s voice was always very distinctive. The narrator
was always changing from every person and yet they all
reflected the author a little bit.  The main characters were
Julia, Vikki, Marly, Ginger, and Skilly. The characters were
hard to believe as actual people because they had magical
powers.
I wish the ending had been a bit different because it was a
little strange and also suspenseful so I hope she comes out
with a second book in the series.
I definitely would recommend this book to others because I
enjoyed it very much.

I rated the book a 3 because some of the characters were
lesbians and it also talked about sex.

Reviewer
Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Valparaiso, Indiana
USA

So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti

Sometimes Brooke Greene just knows things.  Not in the way of being super smart (thought she is a teenage genius as well), but in the sense that The Knowing is always right.  And right now, The Knowing is telling her that she and Scott Abrams were destined to be together. That explains why she followed Scott when he moved from a suburb town in New Jersey to the bustling New York City. But sometimes, life has a way of turning unexpectedly.  NYC brings out a side of Brooke that no one has seen before, a side hidden from insecurities.  So when her opportunity to be with Scott arrives, will she take it, or take another path?

I really enjoyed this book every page of the way.  Brooke has so many hidden layers and the reader learns so much more about her as the story goes on.  The stuff you will find in the book is real life drama it could happen to anyone, which is another reason why it is so interesting.  There is a great motto buried throughout the book Look Up that I love (you ll have to read the story to find out why this is so important).  I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading Sarah Dessen books because this shares a lot of the same qualities.

Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Gearhart, Oregon United States

Vlara's Song by Neil O'Donnell

Summary: Vlara's Song is a set of several stories - some short, some long. The first story is Vlara's Song, telling of a druid priestess who traveled a long way to her husband's family. She is haunted by visions of Harrison (her dead husband) throughout her journey. Wizard's Woe, the second tale, is about a wizard who kicked out a foolish apprentice and was never seen afterwards. In the third story a soldier loses his memory during a battle and can't remember whose side he's on. The fourth tale tells of a troll who refused to eat human flesh and eventually became a monk. The next three stories are: Siege's End - about the last days of a keep facing too many enemies, Master's Calling - the tale of a magician with unruly apprentices, and Hidden Temperament - about a wolf who, when angered, becomes larger and humanlike. The last story, The Realm of Author, tells how when authors die the worlds they created become real and the authors themselves become one of the characters.

Opinion: This book was astounding; not simply because of the stories themselves but because of the feeling I got while reading. For example, Vlara's Song was distinctly sad, Soldier Lost was full of confusion, and the author's notes were very humorous. Many of the characters were extremely determined and persevered in helping their friends. All these characters made it through many difficulties (with a little help from friends). I liked the ideas behind The Realm of Author, which would make it possible for authors to visit worlds from their favorite books. I would love to visit Narnia. (Guess I better create an awesome literary world.) I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to read stories where you can feel what the characters feel.

Reviewer Age:12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Lake City, IA USA

101 Ways to Become a Superhero by Richard Horne and Helen Szirtes

101 Ways to Become a Superhero is the definitive guide for anyone who wants to don a cape, fight super-villains, or leap tall buildings. The book has 101 "ways," or tasks, to become the ultimate superhero. However, you can also use these ways to become an evil genius. Each "way" outlines items you will need as well as objective to complete to master that "way" to becoming a superhero. It is a book that is meant to be written in, and there are spaces for you to place photos and stickers to track your progress. 101 Ways to Become a Superhero is the ultimate interactive journey to becoming your own hero. Warning: The book won't actually make you fly.

101 Ways to Become a Superhero is another book in the authors' "101 Ways" series. However, the subject of superheroes and super-villains is quite different from the other topics they have examined. The authors deliver a fun, enjoyable experience through this book. Each page has items to fill out as well as places for pictures and stickers (stickers are provided in the back of the book). Younger readers will get more value as they are more likely to do some of the tasks outlined in the book. They are advised to get some help from their parents in gathering materials and inserting pages and photos in the book. Although this book's main use is geared towards its interactive use, the book can also provide value for older readers who may be interested in writing their own superhero stories. The 101 ways give an aspiring author plenty of questions to mold an origin story for a new hero or villain. Overall, I think this book will give readers a very unique experience, and it is a great choice for younger children who want to have fun becoming their very own superhero.

Reviewer Age:21
Reviewer City, State and Country: Eden Prairie, Minnesota United States

Into the Unknown by Stewart Ross

Into the Unknown by Stewart Ross is a great teacher recourse. Not only are the maps big, detailed, and easy to follow and read, but the book is actually hard to put down! While some of the explorers you learn about most students already heard about, this book puts these explorers in a whole new perspective.  As I was reading this book, I also didn't realize how much inventions from other countries affected the explorers. I recommend this book to any student who has to learn about explorers, any teacher who needs a book on explorers, or any kid who is just interested in learning about explorers
In my opinion, this book was actually kind of interesting. It is not a book I would read if I had a novel with me, but if that was the only book I had I would read it. I was afraid this book would be a snore, but it wasn't. In a way, it was interesting to read because it was factual. I learned things I had not known about explorers and odd things, such as how silk is made. This book has improved my mind, and how things we take for granted, such as a compass, really have improved our world

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Nappannee, Indiana United States of America

The A Circuit by Georgina Bloomberg and Catherine Hapka

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The A Circuit has an unusual toleration/friendship that seems to work: Tommi, a billionaire heiress; Kate, a true working student; and Zara, the daughter of a famous rock star. However, Kate and especially Tommi don t want Zara around, which may have been because she was acting superior and expecting everyone to serve her. These girls do work through their differences, and eventually tolerate each other. The A Circuit is a fast-paced book and will keep any reader on their toes.


I enjoyed this book, however I would have enjoyed the book more if the language would have been appropriate. This book may not be a best seller, but the author has a lot of talent and could have some best sellers. This book is all about horses, so it will appeal to any girl who loves horses or thinks she does. However, parents would be advised to read this book before there child, especially if she is younger. If any young girl enjoys this book but would like a horse series with cleaner language, I would recommend the series Canterwood Crest.  
some bad language I would have made it a 1.5 but that was not available so I just put two.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Nappannee, Indiana United States of America

Departures by Christy Miller

   While heading out for summer vacations, Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen cross paths. They will soon realize the true meaning of friendship.


   After a high school graduation and a breakup from Todd, Christy Miller sets out with her family to Wisconsin for her grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary. While in her hometown, Christy reconnects with Matthew Kingsley, her old crush from junior high. As the two bond, Matthew shows a romantic interest in Christy. Christy will soon realize that this summer vacation will have a big impact on her future.


   Sierra Jensen's summer vacation is starting off great. Sierra is going to a lake cabin with her best friend Jana and Jana's family. As they arrive in Montana, Sierra soon realizes that Jana is set on getting a boyfriend and will do whatever it takes to get one. Sierra just wants to enjoy the vacation with Jana and hang out with the guys as friends. Sierra will need to discover her true feelings and realize that she is growing up.

 I really enjoyed this book. I liked both characters in the story. Christy's story line was a great way to show how two people can reconnect after such a long period apart. Sierra's story line was an effective way to show how girls grow up and what they will do to get guys to notice them. The plots and settings of these stories were used appropriately. The settings made sense in the story lines and the plot kept me turning pages in the book. 

  I would recommend this book to girls who love romance and friendship.

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Springfield, Ohio US

Start It Up by Kenrya Rankin

Start It Up is a complete guide that helps budding entrepreneurs realize their dream and expand their horizons. It covers the entire process of starting a business, from the initial planning to official paperwork filings to customer service. In each step, Rankin presents factual information required to accomplish the step, tips that will facilitate and enhance the process, and anecdotes from successful teen entrepreneurs. For example, this book describes the pros and cons of each of the three type of legal structures for a business: sole proprietorship/partnership, limited liability company, and corporation. It also provides several arguments for whether or not to form a partnership or go solo. Lastly, stories of teen entrepreneurs on their experiences throughout the process reinforce the themes described in the book. Founders of Free Mania and Milo.com, among many others, describe what they learned since starting their businesses as teenagers. There are also web resources at the end of every chapter that provide useful information to supplement the material presented. Overall, this is a very thorough manual to starting a business and should be an interesting read to anyone with a desire to become an entrepreneur.

Like I said before, the book is fairly thorough and covers pretty much every aspect of starting a business. Being an introductory book, it serves as a beginning guide for people (especially teenagers) who are interested in entering the entrepreneurship field. But it is certainly not detailed enough at every single step to be the sole consultant of a starting business. One of the most helpful features is the personal anecdotes by people who have gone through the same process and excelled. Reading their stories put things in perspective and helps us learn from their experiences.

Personally, I believe that the hardest part of starting a business is finding that Next Big Idea . The obstacle for an entrepreneur is not necessarily whether or not a company name is trademarked, but what product/service to provide in the first place. It often seems like every conceivable idea out there has already been thought of. In terms of finding that lightbulb moment, Start It Up offers little advice other than pursue something you are good at . While the stories do offer how other teen entrepreneurs first came up with their ideas, I'd prefer if more tips are given on how to come up with a unique idea that combines both a person's strength and a necessity in society. Other than that, the rest of the book will be of significant help to the beginning entrepreneur.

Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Palo Alto, CA USA