My Awesome/Awful Popularity Plan by Seth Rudetsky

My Awesome/Awful Popularity Plan was a very different approach to normal YA literature. The protagonist is a young (and gay) Broadway fan. He is dying to go out with the quarterback of the football team. Unpopular Justin soon gets tangled up into pretending to be going out with Becky, a good friend of his...so she can cover up going out with the quarterback of the football team. A book that will make you laugh out loud and cry, in hopes that Justin will finally get what he wants.

To be very honest with you, I wasn't very sure about this book at first. But Justin is such a lovable character that you end up rooting for him. The ending was very cliche, but it almost made the book even better. As you delve into this novel, I highly suggest getting comfortable; this is a read-in-one-sitting book.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Silver Spring, MD USA

Fated (Soul Seekers Series) by Alyson Noel

Fate has brought together a pure soul and a dark soul in a girl who will change everything. Daire Santos, a daughter of a makeup artist, sees strange things and time stops around her. She feels like she is going insane with all the visions and ends up in Enchantment, New Mexico with her peculiar grandmother she has never met before. In Enchantment, she finds herself surrounded in magic and meets the beautiful boy of her dreams. She also encounters an enemy she is destined to destroy. Does Daire have what it takes to be a Seeker and save her people, or will she run away and leave those she loves perish?
Fated by Alyson Noel takes place in New Mexico with dirt roads and dusky, brown colors that are almost like a desert. I can picture the setting in my head with the mood of lonely and deserted feelings. Yet peace and happiness are there too. As for the main character, Daire Santos, she is a very strong girl with characteristics I wish I had. The author makes me believe Daire is a real person in high school. She argues a lot with people but it is appropriate. I liked the book and after a couple of chapters, I couldn t wait to keep reading. The writing was clear and had emotions that made me feel like I was there in that particular place and time. The end of the book was unsettling and it made me wonder: this is the end? This isn 't bad though since the book will continue as a series. When I finished Fated, I didn't feel the same as when I finished The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Towards the end of Fated, it seemed like everyone was in a hurry to end the scene to go to the next one, and I hoped the author would slow down to fill in all of the details. From the book, I learned to take care of nature and to help those who need it. It also made me think about what home and friends really mean to me in life. I would recommend the book to everyone because it makes people stop and pay attention, wonder what it 's like to find a home, and think about how people are all meant to live with purpose and destiny.

The Life in the Angel Carving by J S Warren

Miranda was carved out of stone long, long ago. For some unknown reason, she has a living soul and a mind that can think. But for many, many years she is trapped inside of the stone carving of an angel. She can only look and think, movement is impossible. The world passes her by. In the middle of a terrible war, Miranda falls from her high perch on the church into a pond down below. Much to her surprise, Miranda falls through a gateway into another world.  And she becomes human.

The story is about Miranda's life on Arbarron, the strange world she came to, and her quest to save the world from an unknown evil.

I thought 'The Life in the Angel Carving' was a good plot idea. It had great potential and I was curious from the beginning. But it took too long to get going. The story was very slow and it seemed as if there was too much unnecessary information, or information that just wasn't brought to life. My attention wasn't caught until the last few pages of the book. I thought the characters were nice, but nothing special. Also, some of the characters weren't described as well as I would have liked. I thought the King was an older man but in truth he wasn't as old as he looked. I thought that was a bit confusing because he spoke of how old he was and yet he didn't appear old.

In the story, there is a massive gateway in space connecting the Artex Galaxy with the Milky Way Galaxy. Earth is in shambles and is falling apart with every horrible thing imaginable. Disease, war, famine, drought, death, greed - the list goes on and on and it was very depressing. It was too much like someone was giving me a lecture on how bad Earth could become if we don't do something. The author portrayed humans as if they were the most detestable creatures alive and it was all their fault. Personally, I don't enjoy being "yelled at” when I'm trying to read an enjoyable book. It was much too heavy and gloomy to drag into the book. If the description had been shorter and not so terribly uncomfortable and preach-y, that would have been fine. But I'm so tired of everyone shouting to save the world while we can, to recycle and save Mother Earth! I find it tedious and not enjoyable to read about.

 Some of the words and phrases the author uses would be too hard for younger children to understand. There were a few curse words here and there that might bother younger children.  Also, the pages and descriptions about a futuristic Earth gone to shambles could be disturbing.

Reviewer Age: 15

Reviewer City, State and Country: Doylestown, PA USA

Faking It by Joseph K. Smith

The Revolutionary War was going on, and Deborah Sampson wanted to fight for her country. Disguised as a man, Deborah became a soldier. Although she experienced many setbacks and close calls, Deborah kept on trying. All through her life, she fought for what she believed in. Deborah gave many speeches and presentations. She inspires many people to be brave and go for their dreams. Deborah is now the official heroine of a state.
Although a wonderful topic, this biography seems to drag. It seems the story could have been more exciting; more of a page-turner. It is more of a narrative about her life than an engaging story. It has no dialog. The timeline was interesting because it showed what was going on in her life during famous historical events. The Introduction, Conclusion, and timeline turned out to be the best parts of the book. Faking It is much shorter than I thought, which could be good or bad depending on the age of the reader. All in all, it is sort of a dull book that I do not highly recommend.

Reviewer Age:11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Calhoun, GA USA

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

Taylor Dresden is not so sure she made the right move. After lots of drama many years before over her playing baseball, she is about to play again. However, this time she is playing on scholarship at a boy's private school. For a while, Taylor thinks everything is going along okay, but when one of her fellow scholarship classmates gets blamed for something she didn't do, Taylor is not sure what to do. As she struggles to stay at the school and earn her time on the field, she also struggles with mixed emotions for the guy who is trying to get her thrown out of the school. What will Taylor do? Will she last the year, or will she be singled out?

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Fresno, California USA

Spirit's Princess (Princesses of Myth) by Esther Friesner

As the daughter of her clan s chief, Himiko and her family knew she was destined for greatness. However, the greatness that finds her is not one that her clan will readily accept. To prove her family wrong, Himiko goes out behind her family's back to try and live her dream.  As she struggles to find her inner self, everything else in her life starts to crumble around her. Can Himiko make everything all right again? Will her will to live her dream ruin her chances of surviving?

Esther Friesner has done an amazing job on her latest book, Spirit 's Princess. Spirit 's Princess is the fifth book in the Princesses of Myth series, and Himiko is the third princess to be written about in the series. Out of all the books so far, Spirit' s Princess is my favorite because of Himiko' s spirit. She is lively and at times wild, but she has a kind and wise soul. Himiko is a character you' d want to be best friends with, and the book is well written that one thinks it is entirely true. I recommend this book to everyone, and especially to those girls who take a chance to make their dreams come true.

Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Fresno, California USA

Gilt by Katherine Longshore

Kitty Tylney has always been best friends with Catherine Howard, living in the Duchess of Norfolk's manor with other young girls. Kitty and Cat have dreamed of the opulent court of King Henry VIII, but never expected to go. But when Cat is selected to attend to Queen Anne of Cleves, she leaves Kitty behind and begins her ascent. When Cat catches the eye of the king and soon after marries him, she invites Kitty to join her at court. Kitty is excited for the balls, pretty gowns, and expensive jewels, but she isn't expecting the gossip, secrets and power-seeking enemies. Can she protect Cat from those who wish to bring her down?

The Tudors and King Henry VIII is one of my favorite subjects, so I was very excited to read Gilt. I already had some knowledge about Catherine Howard, but it was interesting to read the story from the point-of-view of her best friend, Kitty. From what I can tell, most of the novel is pretty accurate, which is good for history buffs like me. Some parts of the book were a little boring because Kitty isn't at court as long as Catherine, but once she becomes a lady-in-waiting, the plot picks up. I knew what happened to Catherine, but I was looking forward to see how everything would end for Kitty. Fans of history and the Tudors will definitely enjoy Gilt.

Reviewer Age:20
Reviewer City, State and Country: Aston, PA United States

Bloodman by Robert Pobi

FBI Special Agent Jake Cole has the remarkable ability to recreate crime scenes in his mind.  Every detail and every clue is stored in his brain to help him solve the most difficult cases.  However, this skill comes with a price-a delicate and compartmentalized psyche developed in an attempt to forget his broken past.  Jake is forced to revisit this haunted past when he returns home to care for his father, one of the most influential American painters of his era, after an accident caused by his affliction with Alzheimer's puts him in the hospital.  Upon his arrival, Jake is called to investigate a grisly double murder that catapults him into a whirlwind of mystery, violence, and shattered memories.  Jake will have to confront the very things he spent 25 years to avoid in order to find the Bloodman, a cold-blooded killer that won't leave Jake alone.

Bloodman is not an easy read, nor is it an incredibly fast read.  However, Bloodman is certainly a rewarding and enjoyable read.  To fully grasp the essence of the book, one must explore in a manner similar to a painter constructing a masterpiece, a central theme in the book.  In a similar fashion, the pace of the book varies.  The excitement and drama of the beginning and final acts are offset with a slower-paced middle.  This allows for plenty of tension while also providing an opportunity for characters and back-story to develop.  The ending is satisfying and unexpected, although it may be considered during the course of the story.  However, the thrilling plot may not be the landmark of Bloodman.  Instead, it is the character study of Jake Cole that steals the show.  His journey is exhilarating but also difficult to swallow as he ponders what must be done to protect his friends and loved ones from the past and perhaps more importantly, himself.  Robert Pobi has written and outstanding thriller that I recommend to mature readers.    

For language, graphic violence, sexual content, and drug references.

Reviewer Age:22
Reviewer City, State and Country: Eden Prairie, Minnesota United States

Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould

Laura della Scalla has finally adjusted to the monotinous routine of daily life in the convent where her father banished her when news comes that she must come back to her home in Venice. Instead of being able to relish the new freedoms of her old life, Laura reels with the shock of her sister's death and the revulsion of having to marry her sister's hideous old fiancee. Just when she thinks there is no hope left, Laura is approached by a member of the secret sociey of women in Venice, the Segretta. These women have the power to change Laura's fate, but they require one dangerous entry fee - a secret. Laura must balance her new responsibilities of her newfound life, as well as deal with her increasing attraction towards a mysterious painter and the powerful yet dangerous members of the Segretta. Laura struggles to accept her sister's passing as it seems more and more apparent that her death was no accident, reminding her of the danger of meddling with the wrong people in Venice, as well as the power even one secret can have.
Sasha Gould's Cross My Heart was the perfect mixture of romance, mystery, and historical fiction. Laura's character appeals to any audience because of her sweet and naive nature as well as her undaunted courage and bravery. I especially loved the theme of appearance vs. reality prevalent throughout the book as Laura struggles to understand who her friends and enemies really are. I was constantly engaged and the ending proved to be an unexpected surprise as the conditions of Laura's sister's death are revealed. I loved this book, and I would recommend it to any historical fiction enthusiasts, as well as anyone looking for a good book. I am looking forward to any more books by this author!

Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Bayside, WI USA

Wild Horses (Sadie's Montana) by Linda Byler

This book is about a girl named Sadie.  She was being driven to her job as a housekeeper, when Sadie and her driver saw a hurt wild mustang in the middle of the road.  Some men were also on their way to work.  They stopped and said they would take the mustang with them to drop off at the vet.  Sadie s boss surprises her by getting the horse back for Sadie.  Sadie had to choose her husband out of her two favorite men.  At the same time, her mom is struggling with mental problems that her father refuses to accept.  Sadie has tough choices to make.  Will they be the right choices?  Or will they not?

I think this book is a really great book.  The literature was very impressive.  It had strong words and good writing.  I liked the way she had to deal with so many struggles, but she kept her head.  I would recommend it for anyone.

Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Leesburg, Virginia USA