Joining Up by John Jack McGuire

Best friends Will and Bobby have always dreamed of escaping
from the orphanage to join the 14th Regiment. One day, the
opportunity presents itself and they take it. On their
adventure, they meet many people including Dinky Dolan, the
devious merchant, and Daniel, a young African American
teenager who is wise beyond his years. A story of survival,
war, and adventure, 'Joining Up' will keep you on the edge
of your seat!
I did not enjoy  reading 'Joining Up'. The
storyline was very sporadic and it was very hard to follow.
There were also many punctuation and grammatical errors that
were difficult to ignore. The author also had difficulty
bringing harmony into the story.


Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country:
Tatamy, PA USA

Grey by Rachel Karns

After being left alone in the family jewelry shop for her 18th birthday, Maggie becomes intertwined in a mystery she never saw coming. When she reads a newspaper article on the mysterious unnamed "John Doe", she becomes too curious to help herself. After many days, she's too far in to back out. Will her mistakes effect everyone? Who is this man? Is Maggie not ready for the challenges ahead? All of this is answered throughout the mystery of Gray, a novel by Rachel Karns.
I wouldn't put this book in the genre of mystery, but the suspense at times definitely keeps the pages turning. The problem was there are also some parts that were on the boring side. If you're into some mushy romance, this is partly that. But it is also an intense book on how a teenager goes through difficult decisions, and through this finds herself. In that aspect it is a good book, but this still doesn't make it one of my top choices. I did like the way that it was narrarated through the main characters point of view though. It gave a new prospect on the way she saw people and places instead of descriptions where you could interpret your own views. It was a fresh read and there were parts that I did enjoy.

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Hermantown, Minnesota USA

Dead to You by Lisa McMann

Dead To You is the story of Ethan DeWilde. When he was 6 years old he got into a car with total strangers and was abducted, sending not only himself but also his family, into a total nightmarish whirlwind. 9 years later, after scouring the internet in search of his family, Ethan finally finds his way back home. Unfortunately for Ethan and his family, his return isn't quite the happy ending he was hoping for. Unable to remember anything that happened before he was abducted, Ethan is searching for answers to his many questions. Will he uncover something that he wished had stayed hidden?

The author did such an amazing job of weaving the story together along with the character development and all of the raw emotion of what these character's are feeling. I could feel his parents' heartbreak from the loss of their son, and the shock of his return as well as their struggle in how to best handle the situation while getting to know their son all over again without neglecting their other two children. I felt Blake's jealousy when suddenly his long lost brother returns and gains the attention of everyone around them. There was definitely some major middle sibling issues Blake was dealing with, and at times I wanted to reach my hand through the pages and slap some sense into him. I even felt for little Gracie as she struggles to get to know a brother she never met or even knew she had!

Mostly though, my heart ached for Ethan. I cried for the little boy who was taken from his family and far from home. I wanted to hug the young man who no one trusts, and who everyone blames for getting in that car in the first place. His struggles with adjusting to his new life and his family were compelling. I felt like I wanted to protect him from all of the anxiety plaguing him.

Dead To You is a masterfully written journey into the life of a young man who is simply trying to find his way home.

 There was some language in this book and readers should be cautioned that the f word is use several times in the book. Parents may want to take this into consideration when considering this book for their children.
Reviewer Age:26
Reviewer City, State and Country: West Columbia, Texas United States

The Sharp Time by Mary O'Collell

Sandinista Jones isn’t like other girls; she has a punk rock name with a punk rock attitude. Oh, and a dead mom. Sandinista is now living on her own during her senior year with only a few months left till graduation. She’s doing well especially when she lands the job at the Pale Circus, her favorite local vintage clothing shop with a workaholic boss and Bradley, a mysterious boy who claims to be a dedicated Catholic. But one day in Algebra, everything changes. Sandinista turns bitter, buys a little pink gun, and stops going to school. Sandinista’s life isn’t the same anymore; too much has changed and things aren’t the way they used to be.

I enjoyed reading The Sharp Time. It was a little hard to follow at times, so I had to re-read a chapter or two, but once I got more into it, it got easier to understand and sympathize with Sandinista. That was another good thing about this book, the character development. I thought that the author gave everyone a very interesting background story that developed within each new chapter and made it easier to relate to. The plot was also very intriguing. I had predicted in my mind what would happen, but the end result was totally different. Overall, I really liked this book, and am looking forward to any new books that this author may write. 

Explicit language & themes, use of illegal drugs and alcohol. 

Reviewer Age:15

Reviewer City, State and Country: Hopkins, Michigan United States of America

Once Upon A Toad by Heather Vogel Frederick

Catriona (Cat-reen-ah) Starr doesn't want to go to Portland, Oregon to live with her dad and literally evil stepsister while her mom is on the International Space Station.  She likes her stepmother and stepbrother Geoffrey, but Olivia (her stepsister) is horrible.  Eventually, she calls her mom, who sends Great-Aunt Abysinnia to the rescue!...or not.  Things go from bad to worse.  Toads start appearing when Cat speaks, while Olivia gets flowers and diamonds!  When the secret gets out, Geoffrey is kidnapped, and Olivia (a.k.a. Diamond Girl) is wanted for ransom.  Can Cat learn to work with her stepsister so they can save the one thing they both care about?

I have always been a fairy-tale fanatic, and love reading rewrites of the originals.  This new version of Toads and Diamonds wasn't only a rewritten fairy tale, it also touched upon the different aspects of middle school life.  I feel a little bit sorry that Cat's fairy godmother is a little mixed up, but any fairy godmother's better than none, right?  As I read this book, I could hardly stop laughing.  It was absolutely hilarious!  I especially liked the part where the toads came out of her bassoon!  This is my idea of a good teen fiction book.  I think anyone could read this book and love it.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lake City, IA USA

A Traveller in Time by Alison Uttley

Have you ever wanted to enter a world where history and fact intertwine and intrigue lurks around every corner? Welcome to the world of Thacker s farm. Populated by the Thackers family of Devonshire, the ancestral family farm is also home to some unusual and unnoticed guests the family and servants that lived on the farm during the Elizabethan times. The older inhabitants of Thackers are avid supporters of the young princess Mary, known more commonly as Mary Queen of Scots, and will do anything to aide her in usurping England s throne. When a young girl named Penelope is transported from her present day to the Elizabethan era Thackers, she is immediately caught in a twisted web of plotting and deception. She has the knowledge that has the potential to doom or aide the original Thackers family, but will she be able to convince them of her origins in time to save them?
I liked A Traveler In Time by Alison Uttley because of its intricacy and incredible attention to detail. However, the book seems to ramble unnecessarily in places and is difficult to get into. Still, if you are a fan of historical fiction this book is a great read!!

Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Virginia Beach, VA USA

Ice Shock by M.G. Harris

Ice Shock is about 14 year old Josh, an adventurous youth with both Mayan and European ancestry. In his quest to answer many questions about his father s mysterious death, Josh learns of a secret Mayan society called Ek Naab. Ek Naab is an underground Mayan city where Mayans are trying to discover the way to stop the feared 2012 prophecy. Josh soon discovers that his ancestry plays a major role in the future for both the Mayans and the entire planet. Ice Shock is packed with action, major discoveries, betrayals, and a surprise ending.
Harris first book, Invisible City, was given to me as a gift. I started reading it and was instantly intrigued. I knew that I wanted more when it was over and that was exactly how I felt at the end of the second book, Ice Shock. When I finished reading, I felt like I read a really good book, but not like I read something that makes me feel like I could be a part of it. When I read a book, I want to feel as though I can create another character to be me in the story. And as much as I liked this book, I didn t feel as though I could be a part of it. Other than that detail, the story is phenomenal. I also loved the cliff hanger at the end of the story, the suspense of wanting to know more will get M. G. Harris readers lapping at his feet for another release in the series. I would definitely recommend Ice Shock and The Joshua Files to any readers aging from preteen to an easy read for any adult.

Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Charlotte, North Carlina United States of America

Unwelcome by Michael Griffo

Michael and Ronan are now living with each other in Archangel Academy. Michael finally faced the fact that he is gay. It was only the beginning of their problems when they find out someone near them is evil and wants to destroy their types of vampires, water type. That's not the only problem Ronan and Michael face. They both are dealing with jealousy and realize that they haven't been completely honest with each other. This is a thought- provoking novel that will leave you wanting more.
This is a very different novel than we may be used to. It's different, but it could be a good different. There may be some parts that may be confusing because the points view kept changing and the author didn't specify who the narrator was. Other than that the author has great descriptions of the protagonist's personality which makes it easy to relate to them.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Killington, Vermont United States

Private Cathay's Secret by Rebecca O. Hayes

The historical fiction book Private Cathay s Secret by Rebecca O. Hayes, is a
mind-blowing novel that you will love. In the novel, soldiers took a slave girl, Cathay, to be their cook. She traveled many places with her cousin, Jasper, who was also a slave, and the soldiers, and along the way, she learned how to cook better. When she was able to finally be free, and not a slave, she was lonely and didn t know what to do with herself. She then decided to join the army as a man. It was a hard task not being caught, but she pulled it off. In this novel, you will read of all the different places she went and what she went through on the way. Private Cathay s Secret is a fast, easy read that you will enjoy.

I thought the book was an amazing book because seriously, how would you be able to join an army as a man and not get caught. It also taught me that you can accomplish anything in life, even if it s from joining the army, to working at Walmart. I think Rebecca O. Hayes did a really nice job with writing this book, and getting the right idea of it. She stepped into Cathay s shoes and expressed what Cathay would feel, think, and even say. Private Cathay s Secret was a really good novel.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chittenden, Vermont United States

Switched by Amanda Hocking

Life is confusing for Wendy Everly. She doesn’t know why, but she feels as if she doesn’t belong --- not just at school, but at home, too. When her mother accuses her of being a monster, Wendy believes her to be insane. The police agree with her, and her mother is shipped off to an asylum. Ten years later, Wendy finds out a startling discovery: Her mother was right. Wendy isn’t human at all; she’s a monster.

A good author will make the reader feel something, ANYTHING, for the main character of the book. I felt nothing for Wendy. The only time I felt anything for her was in the Prologue! By the end of the book, I didn’t care if she ever saw the light of day again. Why? Because I couldn’t relate to Wendy. She would obsess over stupid things, blowing them way out of proportion. Her obsession with Finn was downright ridiculous. She complained about every little thing that happened to her. Overall, I found her to be very bland, obsessive, and depressing. She was a disappointing main character.

Though the back cover of this book promises excitement, magic, and new worlds; the only thing this book produces are long, boring, and drama-filled events with hardly any magic in them at all. There is no new world, it’s an exact replica of our world.

The only reason I rated this book so high was because of the amazing short story in the back of the book. I adored it. The characters were three-dimensional, believable, and realistic. In these 5 short chapters, the characters came to life. I was sucked into this short story, feeling compassion, heartbreak, and sorrow along with the characters. I was hoping and praying they’d survive to see another day. Too bad the main book wasn’t as enjoyable.

There are multiple scenes with cursing (including a couple f-bombs) and a bit of innuendo. There are quite a few scenes with sexual and suggestive elements as well.

Content: 2
Rating: 3
Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Yucaipa, California USA