Demon Envy by Erin Lynn

In this book, a girl named Kenzie accidentally spills some of her acne cream down her bathtub drain. She accidentally opens a demon portal, and a demon, Levi, shows up in her bathroom. He starts helping her to close the portal, and he slips right into an average teenage life. Meanwhile, Kenzie has to deal with him living at her house, and juggle her day to day life, without letting it slip that Levi is really a demon. At the end of the book, she figures out how to close the portal. The only way for her to do that, that she could see, was to drive her parents' mini-van into the kitchen wall. She gets grounded, and the portal is closed.

This book was TOTALLY AWSOME! I liked Levi, because he was always acting as though Kenzie was a little kid and protecting her. I loved the ending because Kenzie drove the car into kitchen wall. This book compared really well to other books I've read, but I don't think it'll be the Harry Potter. I didn't really learn anything from this book, but it was still an awsome read. The vocabulary was appropriate for the ages it was written for. This author's style is awsome, and she tied up all the loose ends and answered all my questions at the end of the book. I don't think this book could have been improved.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9

Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Highland, MI USA

Queen Ferris by S.C. Butler

Months after Reiffen was saved from the clutches of the three Wizards, he returns to them. But this time he does it of his own free will, so that he can try and outsmart the Wizards. However, as Reiffen learns more magic, he is forced to do terrible things. When evidence of his deeds emerge, Reiffen’s best friends, Avender and Ferris, begin to wonder if the Wizards have “turned” him. As the countries are destroyed by war with the Wizards, Avender is forced to choose his loyalty. And Ferris struggles between the part of her that still believes Reiffen is good, and the part of her that wants to leave him behind.

At first I couldn’t really get into the book because it was a sequel and I had never read the first one. However, once I started getting deeper into it, I thought the book was really good. I really liked how S.C. Butler switched from Ferris’ point of view, to Avender’s to Reiffen’s. It added to the suspense and kept the book moving. Overall I thought it was a great book, and it is perfect for anyone who enjoys fantasy and magic.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7

Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Erlanger, Kentucky United States

Paper Hearts by Deborah Williamson

Imagine having no home, no family members, and only 22 dollars in your pocket. 15 year old Chancy Deel knows exactly how that feels. Chancy hitched here way from Pittspurgh, Pennsylvania to Wenonah, Oklahoma just to find a better life. When she arrives in Wenonah she is surprised by the kindsness of 1 sweet waitress, Corliss, a kind old man whose name is Max, with a dog, and a nice woman in a super market. Chancy doesn't realize it at first but she touched their lives just as much as they touched hers. With just a few simple acts Chancy feels like she has found her home in Wenonah, Oklahoma. Chancy happens to find a nice home with just the right numbers. She sneaks into the garage for a warm quiet night. Come morning Chancy finds that she has stumbled into none other than Max's garage. Max who planned on commiting suicide that day decides to give life a try one last time for a young homeless girl who captures his heart.

When I first started reading Paper Hearts I was expecting a tough girl who would spend the whole book defying everyone, and making enemies in every person she came in contact with. Instead I was completely taken back by the sweet generocity of Chancy Deel. She truly felt bad when she had to steal or lie to someone to make her way in the world. If she had to steal food from a store she would leave little paper hearts with the person who she stole from. I believe while reading this book that you tend to think about the person you are and the person that you are becoming, and it is because of the excellent protagonist that Deborah Williamson has created.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8

Reviewer Age: 18
Reviewer City, State and Country: dundee, Oregon USA

Kissing the Bee by Kathy Koja

Senior year is going by faster than anyone can imagine and Dana, her best friend Avra, and Avra's boyfriend Emil are going into a long windy journey that is going to change their lives forever. Dana is working on a project about bees that has her very interested and enthralled. Dana has a full scholarship and is planning to use it. Avra on the other hand has no plan whatsoever except shes leaving and Emil is going along with her. Prom is coming up and tension is starting to build for certain people. But why? Dana has a secret that has her slightly confused and even a little crazy. Will she be able to hold it in?

Wow, this was a really good book! I read it in one night because it kept my attention starting from the first page to the end. It had so many great descriptive details that it made me feel like I was actually there! The author just has such a great unique style of writing that anybody would enjoy this book. The author has a style that just automatically clicks with the reader. My favorite character was Emil. He just had a really sweet personality and he just was really creative and always went with the flow.I did but yet did not like the ending. The author definitely brought the story to a close I just personally thought it would have been somewhat.....different. There is still a piece of information that you want to know thats missing at the end.

Content: In this book there was some language and some adult situations would be better for mature readers only.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9

Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, PA United States

Clan Ground by Clare Bell

Thakur is concerned about the Red Tongue's power over the clan. Ratha leads the clan but her position is threatened by a newcomer named Shongshar whose life she spares. Thakur and Ratha grow closer as the clan grows strained and the Red tongue and Shongshar grow more powerful. Thakur learns a new way to tame the Red Tongue, but it is met with hate in the clan. As the clan becomes more violently divided, Ratha and Thakur must decide how to regain control.

This novel was very enjoyable. It is one of the best fantasy novels I have ever read, and probably one of the best novels I have ever read in any genre. It is great for someone who loves animals because the characters are animals, but they still have quasi human personalities. It is a generally well thought out novel. Though it is the second book in a series and I would recommend reading the previous one first, I enjoyed the novel despite the fact I had not read the first one. I am going to go back and read the first novel and then continue the series because I enjoyed it so much.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9

Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Royersford, Pa United States

The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John

A girl named Martine parents died in a fire so she had to live with a grandma she never knew about in Africa on a wild life preserve. She hears quiet gossip about a magical white girrafe living there, but no one has claimed to see the giraffe. Her grandma didn't believe it but she had mixed emotions about it. One night Martine see's the white giraffe...

In my opinion, I really liked the book because the plot is creative. The whole concept of being orphaned and having to move to Africa with a grandma she never knew about. I also thought the "white" giraffe is a creative twist in Martines life. In those parts it was hardest to put down because it had suspense and creativeness.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9

Reviewer Age: 11

Reviewer City, State and Country: Norristown, Pennsylvania United States of America

Genesis Alpha by Rune Michaels

The book Genesis Alpha was about a boy and his brother who even though they lived away from each other always found time to play an internet game called Genesis Alpha together every night. Then one day the boy realized that his brother had left his computer in the middle of the game without turning it off so he assumed something might have happened. You then find out that his brother was accused of killing a girl that went to his school. The police began to think that he had met her on this Genesis Alpha game and that he was doing this to many other girls. The book is mostly about their family trying to figure out if he is innocent or guilty.

Genesis Alpha was a great book and a really fast read. The story line was interesting, but you expect for there to be a big plot twist in the end but really the story goes in a perfect sequence to the ending. I do not think that this book was a good one for the genre it was placed in, however. The book has a vocabulary of about seventh or eighth grade and a highschooler may become bored with it. But, for the middle school crowd it would be a good book to read. It helps you realize that your judgement of someone, even a family member, may be wrong.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6

Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Nelsonville, Ohio United States

Bad Idea by Todd and Jedd Hafer

Uggh, a road trip! When 18-year-old Griffin Smith has to leave for college, his dad’s fiance’ decides that the whole family and his best friend, Cole, should drive up to his college in Southern California from their home in Kansas. Leaving his long time crush, Amanda Mackenzie, is really hard for him, but he is also eager to meet the mysterious Carrot, a girl he met online who goes to the same college he will be attending. On their way to college they will have to deal with many devastating problems from muggers to family affairs to a young child’s death. Once he arrives at the California college which he is attending on a running scholarship, Griffin quits his longtime addiction of burning himself with lighters and blow dryers with some much-needed help from his dad. This terrible habit started after his mom left when he was very young; he did it to punish himself for all of the horrible things he did that were not very Christian-like. Join Griffin Smith as he faces life’s tragedies and hopefully finds the best solution to solving each of them.

I think the authors, Todd and Jedd Hafer, did an awesome job at writing Bad Idea: A Novel (With Coyotes), because I didn’t think that I would enjoy this story and I ended up loving it! I thought that it was cool how the authors used coyotes as such a big part of the creation of this book, even though they weren’t actually mentioned a whole lot in the story. I didn’t overly care for the fact that there was a lot of misconduct and wrongdoing in this book, but after realizing how messed up his life was, he became a Christian. Overall, though, I thought this composition was well-written and an all-together amazing story. I recommend this wonderful book to young adults ages 12 and up, but mostly to boys who love running since it is a main topic in Bad Idea.

Content: There was drinking of alcoholic beverages, sexual content and references, smoking, burning their flesh (self mutilation),fighting, and suicide.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9

Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA United States

Vampire Island by Adele Griffin

'Vampire Island' tells the story of three siblings - Lexie, Maddy and Hudson. These siblings aren't your normal kids - or, I should say, your normal vampires. They're fruit-bat hybrids, so they only eat fruit. Although Maddy is starting to develop a further taste for protein. . . . Mysterious (and possibly dangerous) neighbors aside, these three are mostly just trying to survive there normal lives. Masking their identity and special-powers at school is harder than you'd think.

I have very mixed feelings on this book. On the one hand, I loved its dark humor - reminiscent of 'Pure Dead Magic' by Debi Gliori. I thought it was very cool to have a teenage heroine who quotes dead poets. Almost immediately I developed a sort of fondness for some of the characters, Maddy in particular. All that aside, this book was not exactly satisfying. It seemed to leave off too suddenly with too many loose threads. Obviously there's going to at least one sequel if not more, but this particular episode of the story didn't feel finished. The writing was not spectacular to begin with, and this leaving-off made me even more disgruntled. It was an OK read. If you're in the mood for an easy-read with slightly-ridiculous Gothic settings and situations (which I was, strange as it sounds) then you'll have fun with this. Just don't go into it expecting something great.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 5

Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Moscow, ID USA

Rahta's Creature by Clare Bell

Ratha is a member of the Named, a tribe of cats that has culture and language. However, when lightning strikes and Ratha tames the Red Tongue, she is made an outcast. She runs in with one of the Un-Named, whom she names Bonechewer. She grows up and learns the way of the hunter from Bonechewer, whom she then mates with. She and Bonechewer then go to a meeting of the Un-Named where she pretends to be mute. Much to her dismay, the Un-Named decide to attack her old clan. She is forced to take part as she cannot rejoin them and be accepted. However, Ratha is recognized and then kept from the fighting. Once the clan has been ousted, she and Bonechewer get a den where they stay for the winter. Come Spring, they returned to Bonechewer's territory where she gave birth. Unfortunately, because Bonechewer, although his mother was a Named, was part Un-Named, so Ratha's children were as dumb as many of the Un-Named. In her disappointment, Ratha attacks here children and Bonechewer, who banishes her. Ratha wanders until she runs into Thakur, one of the Named. Thakur takes her to the clan, where she is once again cast away. When lightning strikes, Thakur finds her and convinces her to defeat Meoran, the leader, with the Red Tongue. Ratha does so and becomes clan leader. Using the Red Tongue, Ratha and the other Named drive off the Un-Named raiders, among whom was Bonechewer. Bonechewer dies, and Ratha grieves for him. Then, Ratha takes full leadership of her clan.

Although at first I didn't believe I would like this book, it was surprisingly good. The way that the author makes the cats understand what cats would understand, and not as much as humans, makes it much more realistic. A little foreshadowing goes a long way to make the book a lot better. Each main character is like a real person, changing with the way the plot moves. Ratha's Creature gets an 8 out of 10 from me.

Content: Graphic descriptions of burning and injuries.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8

Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA United States

The Sam Gunn Omnibus by Ben Bova

Sam Gunn, the most notorious bussiness man, womanizer, adventurer, and friend in the universe, has been lost in a black hole. Jane, the young reporter, is going after the story of his amazing life. She feels this strong connection to him, that propels her onward through all her hardships and obstacles, to get the full story. As the story of his life unravels, Jade comes to admire this man, and all the greatness that he has done and not been given credit for. On and on she interviews, and closer and closer to Sam she gets. But how is this possible when Sam is thousands of miles away, sucked into a black hole?

This was a very good and entertaining book. At the begining however, it was a little slow to start. Once it started speeding up I couldn't stop reading. The book was exciting and very suspenseful. I would try to guess what would happen next, and what would happen in the end. When it was finished, i truly appreciated the book and realized how great of an intricate plot it was. The detail was perfect so that I could clearly paint a picture and see exactly what happened in my head. The book was definetly too mature for kids younger then 13. There was lots of inappropriate references. Overall, if your looking for a book that really gets your mind going, this is a great choice.

Content: Bad language, sexual terms, and multiple other more mature topics.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9

Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lutherville, MD USA

Bone by Bone by Bone by Tony Johnston

It’s 1951 in a southern town when young Malcolm and David meet. The boys quickly become comrades, and share countless, unforgettable adventures. Although the boys are as close as brothers, there is one barrier that eternally separates them: race. Malcolm is black; David is white. David’s father immediately forbids the friendship, which continues in secret throughout their adolescence. Even as their camaraderie persevered, run-ins with the Ku Klux Klan (not to mention David’s father) constantly jab at their unique bond. All the while, David is preparing to follow his father’s footsteps into the medical profession. When doubts about family, goals, and core values arise, David must make a life-altering decision, one that will cost him everything he’s ever known.

Bone by Bone is a work of literary art. Tony Johnston’s empathy towards the characters is apparent, and each individual is seemingly brought to life. Needless to say, the characterization is brilliant. I was captivated by her word choice; her voice throughout the book was smooth, truthful, and at times breath-taking. Though the plot may seem rudimentary, Johnston’s style brings the story to life in a whole new light. Bone by Bone is an outstanding contribution to the historical fiction genre. I was hooked by the first sentence, and mesmerized throughout the rest of the book. I would recommend this book to lovers of language, to those who love becoming the characters, and to all who have ever had a best friend.

Content: This book includes racial violence and language inappropriate for young readers.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9

Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tipp City, Ohio USA

The Secret Life of Josephine: Napolean's Bird of Paradise by Carolly Erickson

Everyone knows about Napoleon, the guy who wanted to take over the world and conquer everything. Well, what do people know about his first wife, Josephine? Not much, really. She’s always in the wings; no one ever thinks about her and her past. When Josephine was a girl, her name was Rose. It actually was Rose until she married Napoleon—he changed it because she needed to sound more French. Rose lived in a tropical paradise, moving to Paris when she was a teenager to marry her cousin. Eventually, her husband dies in “The Terror”, with Rose narrowly escaping the guillotine. After the Terror, Rose marries Napoleon, a famous general with a commanding presence. After that, the rest is history.

Carrolly Erickson made history come to life, but in a new way. I have always heard of Napoleon, but not his wife. She really influenced Napoleon in ways I didn’t think of. Carrolly Erickson’s novel made me think of all these things, and I learned much more about the time period. Because Erickson wrote so descriptively, I was never left in the dark how bad things were during “The Terror” and Napoleon’s rule. Erickson has other historical novels about wives of great rulers, and since I enjoyed The Secret Life of Josephine so much, I have ordered copies of her other books.

Content: Josephine slept with a lot of guys in this book, and Erickson described it. There is also crude language.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7

Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Boothwyn, PA United States

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

Book of a Thousand Days is a novel based on the fairy tale "Maid Maleen." A lady's maid and mucker (a nomadic peasant with the ability to heal through song), Dashti narrates her story of serving the doomed Lady Saren. Trapped in a tower for seven years unless she agrees to marry Lord Khasar, Saren begins her long imprisonment with Dashti by her side. Dashti writes of the lonliness and desperation she feels as Saren throws herself into silence of sobs or staring blankly at the surrounding brick walls. Visited by the terrible Lord Khasar and the gentle and kind Khan Tegus, Dashti determines that the girls must leave the tower. Book of a Thousand Days is the diary of a young teen who embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.

Shannon Hale writes a beautiful story about a determined young girl. Dashti has mottled features along her face and arms, she is deemed ugly and unlucky. Lady Saren is gorgeous but the spirit of Dashti overpowers Saren's. Based in ancient Mongolia and surrounded by fictional realms, the story of Dashti is a lyrical novel. An adventure that has its readers turing pages with excitement and fear, Book of a Thousand Days is a fantastic fairy tale for teen readers. Twisted with romance and dark fantasy, Shannon Hale writes a story that leaves readers with a slight tingle in their toes.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9

Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Concord, Massachusetts United States

They Came From Below by Blake Nelson

Emily and Reese spend their summers in South Point in Cape Cod. Arriving from different areas of the country the two girls can't wait to see each other and spend hours relaxing on the beach and spying on potential boyfriends. When seventeen year old Emily reunites with Reese they begin a summer that is different from any they have ever experienced. Strange occurences prove something eerie is happening in the ocean. When the girls come across two beautiful boys and learn that they are not truly who they say thay are, Emily and Reese's summer turns upside down. Aliens from the depths of the ocean, Steve and Dave have come chasing after a friend that washed up on the beach only recently. Emily and Reese begin to help these strange creatures and what seems like a surreal dream suddenly becomes an effort to save Earth.

They Came from Below is a science fiction/fantasy novel that binds together realistic characters with the strangest of stories. Blake Nelson writes in a rather primitive way, sentences are short and abrupt. There is no feeling of emotion from the novel, just complex and interesting thoughts about life and living. Nelson does a poor job with a female narrator, Emily lacks any real feeling--there is no passion in the novel. Though an interesting storyline and adventure novel, They Came from Below could have used more personality.

Content: Brief mentions of sex and drinking.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6

Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Concord, Massachusetts United States

Home Is East by Many Li

After Amy’s Cambodian mother abandons her, Amy is left with her loving, timid, Cambodian father. Her “Once so wonderful” world has been rearranged. The friends that she had had in St. Petersburg, Florida, were left behind when her dad suddenly decided to move them both to California. He begins to drink, gamble and smoke in a matter of hours after Amy’s mom leaves. Amy feels so scared and confused in the mature world her new life in California sucks her into. She battles her drunken father and settles into her life when she can. Then, her life finally becomes pleasurable.

This book was well-written, but traveled at a slow pace. Many Li put lots of passion into the story, but a few chapters off and on were a bit slow moving. I liked the book, but it didn’t exactly grab my attention and hold it as I would have preferred. I recommend this to anyone who likes a challenge from a book.

Content: Lots of alcoholic drinking. Some adult situations that some may not understand. Some frightening situations.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7

Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Osseo, Wisconsin United States

Boot Camp by Todd Strasser

Boot Camp by Todd Strasser is about fifteen-year old Garrett. Garrett is very smart. So smart, in fact, that he can skip school and still make honor roll. He's also dating his teacher, who is eight years older than him. Though these are hardly crimes, Garrett is sent to Lake Harmony, a boot camp designed to teach teenagers to obey their parents. Garrett undergoes physical and psychological abuse every day. The only way to freedom is to escape-but how does one break out of a prison?

I thought that Boot Camp by Todd Strasser was an interesting read. It was an eye-opener, because I had never know about these secret boot camps. It was shocking to see the abuse that goes on behind closed doors. Some of the tactics to train teenagers to obey their parents could be considered torture-laying facedown on the floor for days at a time. The book was very sad and radiated helplessness throughout the story--I had no idea how Garrett was going to make it out alive. The books ends on a semi-good note: Garrett's parents come to take him home. The bad part is, Garrett becomes just as brainwashed as the other kids who walk through Lake Harmony's doors.

Content: This book is only for mature readers because there is physical and psychological abuse throughout the story, which may be unsuitable for younger readers.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6

Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Aston, Pennsylvania United States

The New and Improved Vivien Leigh Reid by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout

Vivien Reid pretty much blew her career away!! She acted like such a diva and ended up losing her job! But now shes back and better than ever! Shes's back to make things right with her career. While managing all of that she's also helping her mom get ready for her wedding along with who she calls her evil to-be stepsisters! Things are not going as well as planned, in her new role in Freak Force the cast consists of all guys who don't really want a girl there. With all this going on will Vivien be able to contain her inner diva?

This book was okay. It was nothing like other books I've read although it was a cute little story. It didn't really keep my interest! Usually if I'm really into a book I will be reading every night and sometimes late into the night but not for this book. The one thing I did like about this book was the ending! It wrapped the book up very well and brought it to a close. The one thing I learned from this book is you need to think before you speak or you may regret it.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6

Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, PA United States

Labor of Love by Emily Franklin

As Love Bukowski prepares for her senior year at Hadley Hall, she faces many changes in her life. Love is meeting her mother, Gala, for the first time since she was an infant, she also discovers that she has a half-sister, Sadie, which she then learns is actually her full sister. All through this, Love is dealing with her once-boyfriend Jacob; however, the definition of the relationship in its current state is unclear. Luckily, Love has her friend Chris, who is dealing with his own relationship issues, and her boyfriend who could possibly end up being something more, Charlie, to help her throughout this chaotic time. In the end, Love finds balance and happiness and learns to accept change as just another part of life.

Labor of Love by Emily Franklin is a wonderful novel that explains that although change is inevitable, it does not always have to be for worse. This main idea made the novel very enjoyable. It helped me to realize that if a person learns to accept change; rather than, try to prevent it, coping will be easier. Also, then novel was funny and a definite page-turner. I felt so wrapped up in Love's life that I felt as if I were living it. I look forward to reading not only the next book in the series, but other books by Emily Franklin as well.

Content: I recommend adult guidance for this book because it mentions sex, and this topic may be inappropriate for younger readers.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9

Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: East Islip, New York United States

Survival Op: The Fear in the Wilderness by Scott Allen

A runaway boy named Marcus is kidnapped in the dead of night. He is drugged and taken to a top secret government operations base in the Bermuda Triangle. There he is forced to live out in the wilderness for a program called Survival Op. Survival Op. is a branch of the government whose job it is to study the stress levels of how surviving impacts a soldier. Once he begins his journey, Marcus meets a girl his age named Lynn, with her help he begins to adjust to the wilderness. The only problem is, they aren't alone.

The beginning of this book seemed to drag on forever. Once you get to page 80, though, the action begins to pick up. One thing that bothered me was that the main characters were supposed to be about 14, but they didn't talk like people that age really do. They barely used contractions and sometimes it felt like the author was trying too hard to make them seem realistic as teenagers. The ending didn't provide adequate resolution to the problem, because it left the reader wanting more. I felt as though it could have gone a little longer. I would recommend it only to the people who will have enough patience to get through the tedious start.

There is occasional violence which can be graphic.

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA United States