Cracking the Ice by Dave Hendrickson

Cracking the Ice is about a black, smart, teen boy who has a passion for hockey. In 1968, the civil rights era, Jessie Stackhouse is given a scholarship to go and play at a private, all white, and all boys school in New Hampshire. Jessie has to leave behind all the things he loves in order to fulfill his hockey dreams.  Jessie knows he will have to face many racist people. Jessie is surprised when he finds out that he is in much danger, and his team and coach despises him purely for the color of his skin.

I enjoyed this book because of the suspense. Every event was always interesting. Hendrickson kept me intrigued into this book.  I never wanted to shut the front cover. Another reason is the way Hendrickson writes. The narrator in this book is half Jessie and half Hendrickson. You can hear the thoughts going on in Jessie s head, but then you hear things that Jessie hasn' t even heard yet. This book really touched me. It really showed me how hard it was to live in that era, and the danger that they lived in.  One thing that I disliked was that fact that Hendrickson took the violence a little too far in the book. By doing this Hendrickson disallowed younger children to read this masterpiece.
I rated this book a three, because the violence. In one point of the book, they try to kill a boy. There is also use of alcohol in the book. There are terms used in this book that are not appropriate for younger kids, and there are racist terms.
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Leawood, Kansas United States of America

Trance by Kelly Meding

Trance is a generally enjoyable book about a girl named Theresa, who inherits superhero powers and is fighting an invisible threat, a supervillan on the loose. Meanwhile she has to figure out her feelings for an old friend, who she has just been reunited with. Teresa is trying to figure out where her place is in her world. After she has been bouncing from one dead end job to another, and getting into a fair amount of trouble. It takes place in Los Angeles, California.
I think this book was interesting, especially since it's mostly action, with some romance. But, the beginning was a little confusing. At first I thought it was a sequel! There were too many new characters, while there was a lot of action, so it was a little to much to grasp all at once.  But after the first chapter, I  couldn't wait to finish the book. Once I got to the end, I was plesantly suprised by the way things turned out. Also I think the book needed a little mire humor, it seemed a little dull at times, and some humor would spice it up. The characters seemed well- rounded. But, a warning, this book has some sexual content. All in all I liked this book, and would reccomend it to others.
There is a sex scene in this book
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Sandy, Oregon United States

Scored by Lauren McLaughlin

Scored is set in a world where every kid is continually watched by cameras and scored according to their actions. Any kid who gets a high score is guaranteed a college education and a good job. However, a low score ruins any hope of a successful life. Imani is tested when her best friend's score drops suddenly and she has to choose between her future or her best friend. Imani's high score of ninety is in jeopardy. If the cameras catches her with her low scoring friend, Imani's score could drop considerably. What will she choose?

Scored is an interesting science fiction novel that has an original plot that I guarantee you have never considered. The choice between doing what feels right and what everyone says is right is very complicated and occasionally hard to follow. What makes this story so interesting is that I can actually imagine this happening. For example, an employer could say,"Hey we could hire people easier if we could watch them all the time." The novel's unique story line is fascinating and the writing competent.

There are some inappropriate actions surrounding her friends sudden plummeting score that may make this book difficult for younger readers.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Holland, Michigan USA

Vamparazzi by Laura Resnick

All Esther wants to do is be an actor. So an off-Broadway play is perfect for her, right? However playing the damsel in distress in "The Vampyre" may do her more harm then good. She must: work with an actor who claims he is a real vampire, crazed fans, and paparazzi. Then one of the fans turns up dead; all the blood was sucked out of her. When one of her fellow actors becomes lead suspect in the murder, she is determined to help. Even if it means putting her own neck on the line.
I found this book to be pretty boring. The plot contained developed characters, but the author used too much detail and I couldn't really relate to the characters. It is a definite twist from other Vampire romance novels, but is not a thrilling read like I would have expected. This was not a book that moved me or got me involved in the plot.
This book contains profanity and violence.
Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Coconut Creek, Florida U.S.A

Total Blueprint for World Domination (eBook) by Jolene Stockman

The Total Blueprint for World Domination follows a similar formula to Stephen Covey's highly acclaimed Seven Habits series.  Jolene Stockman directs readers through nine scenes towards dominating the only real world out there, yours.  These scenes help readers visualize the world they want to be in, develop an action plan towards accomplishing their goals, and ultimately following through with your blueprint.  Stockman moves readers through these scenes at a swift pace and as a result avoids overwhelming readers at each phase of the process.  Despite similarities that will be seen amongst all books that cover this subject matter, Stockman delivers enough unique messages and methods that will provide a great deal of value to the teenage/young adult group that the book suits best.

As I began reading the Total Blueprint, I wasn't immediately sold on Stockman's premise of an action plan towards world domination, and associated the book with most other self-help books I had read throughout my life.  However, as I continued to read through each scene, I found that Stockman reached a special niche that allowed the Total Blueprint to differentiate itself from other self-help books.  First, as mentioned before, the Total Blueprint is a fast-paced read.  Readers will not be bogged down for hours reading about what to do.  Instead, readers can act on Stockman's message as they read the book.  Second, there is a companion website to the book that will help you develop a digital version of your blueprint.  Finally, amongst all of the ideas and philosophical messages, Stockman points directly to action that can be taken immediately to reach your goals, and readers will develop the skills to discover what we can do today to dominate our future world.  Although this book may be best suited for teens and young adults, there is still value for older readers who would like a shorter book.  The Total Blueprint for World Domination is a worthwhile read for the unique features it brings to readers, and I recommend it to young adult readers in search of an action plan for success.

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

Scored by Lauren McLaughlin

*Scored *is set in a world where every kid is

continually watched by cameras and scored according to their actions. Any
kid who gets a high score is guaranteed a college education and a good job.
However, a low score ruins any hope of a successful life. Imani is tested
when her best friend's score drops suddenly and she has to choose between
her future or her best friend. Imani's high score of ninety is in jeopardy.
If the cameras catches her with her low scoring friend, Imani's score could
drop considerably. What will she choose?

*Scored* is an interesting Science fiction novel that has an original plot

that I guarantee you have never considered. The choice between doing what
feels right and what everyone says is right is very complicated and
occasionally hard to follow. What makes this story so interesting is that I
can actually imagine this happening. For example, an employer could say,
"Hey we could hire people easier if we could watch them all the time." The
novels unique story line is fascinating and the writing competent.

Boilerplate by Paul Guinan

Boilerplate is a robot soldier, written as a historical fiction novel in a graphic novel form.  A man named Campion made the robot.  The robot was meant to end real men dyeing.  Boilerplate was combat with Teddy Roosevelt and Lawrence of Arabia. Campion and his robot also circled the planet with the U.S. Navy, went through the South Pole, made movies. 
I liked the idea of a robot going to war.  The story was well written and is important now that we are finishing a war.  I think it would make some kids feel good that have parents in war.  Overall the pace was quick and the topic was interesting.

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Newburgh, NY US

Shatter Me

In a ruined post-apocalyptic world, seventeen-year old Juliette is locked in a mental asylum. Her ailment? Anyone she touches gets a surge of intense pain. She has been locked in a dreary, monotonous cycle in the colorless world of her prison. That is, until a strange boy is sent to be her new roommate and changes everything.

The beginning of Shatter Me read like a journal, with crossed-out portions and Juliette 's staccato thoughts. As the story progresses, the book turns more into a sci-fi romance adventure I didn' t see coming. The writing is very unique. Mafi uses a slew of metaphors to bring her heroine' s unique viewpoint to life. Although I did like this book (and couldn' t put it down at points), it got a bit too fanciful for me at points. I really enjoyed the fast-paced plot and adventure, but the story lacks when it slows down for make-out scenes, more overdone then Twilight, full of fondling and pulling of clothes. There are just too many cheesy romantic scenes that just got tedious and lengthy (read Hush; Hush for a romance with a touch more class) and pretty unrealistic. However, if you just sort of skim the steamy scenes, you actually get a pretty suspenseful story. The development of Juliette' s character is very believable, as well as her internal struggles. The end clearly leaves room for a sequel, which I will await with the hope for classier kisses and more chases. Overall, I would recommend this book to people fans of Twilight and paranormal romance.

There are some pretty steamy make-out scenes that get kinda iffy for younger teens.

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tigard, Oregon USA

Fort Mose by Glennette Tilley Turner

This book is about Francisco Menendez, a man born around
1700 in West Africa. He was captured and brought to North
America where he was enslaved in South Carolina. In 1724, he
and a small group escaped and traveled to St. Augustine
where they became free men. There he joined a militia group
and fought against the English for freedom.  In 1738, he
helped build Fort Mose, which was the first black community
and an actual stop for slaves looking for freedom on the
Underground Railroad. We learn about the groups of people
whom lived there and the struggles they went through to
remain free citizens.

   
    I found this book entertaining from beginning
to end. I think this book would be good for ages 10 + and is
filled with lots of good information and pictures that help
the reader get a clearer idea of what life was like back
then.


Reviewer Age:11
Reviewer City, State and Country:
Henrico, VA US

Arabat: Absolute Midnight by Clive Barker

Candy Quakenbush is back better than ever in the third and final Abarat book. Candy decides to return to Abarat, instead of staying home. She meets up with friends, new and old, to try and stop Mater Motley once and for all. With people telling her what to do and who to be, Candy becomes unsure of her abilities to stop Mater Motley. Secrets are told and steps are taken that could lead to the demise of Abarat and the rise of absolute midnight. Can Candy keep Abarat from going into eternal darkness, or will she fail and die?
Abarat: Absolute Midnight is the best book in the Abarat trilogy. Clive Barker did an amazing job ending this series. Although it could sometimes get confusing, the overall story is wonderful. I kept waiting for a little romance for Candy, and I finally got it in this book. Barker did a good job of making the story real as well. I could see the Sea of Izabella and the islands of Abarat in my mind. It is a good series and I recommend it to those who love action and adventure books.

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Fresno, California USA