Undone

Her eighth grade year changes Serena Moore's life forever. A chance meeting introduces her to Kori Kitzler, known to the students as "The Dark Angel" of her school. The two girls soon become inseparable, even as Kori begins to spiral out of control several years later. When a tragic car accident leaves Serena alone she has to find a way to cope. That is when she discovers a list that Kori left behind. The cryptic list contains five things Kori wanted to accomplish. Serena sets out to finish her best friend's tasks. Along the way she discovers more about Kori and, more importantly, about herself.

As soon as I began reading this book, I became certain it was going to receive a glowing review. It was a captivating story with a lot of emotion. At one point, I was so touched that I called my best friend in the middle of the night to tell her how much I loved her and that she absolutely must buy Undone as soon as she could. The story was told from Serena's point of view which made it all the more engaging. It had a pleasant mixture of humor and drama. The vocabulary used was also refreshing, as it was accurate with teenage jargon. I would recommend this book to any teenagers, especially girls. Even though I am usually not a fan of realistic fiction, I enjoyed this novel thoroughly.

This book contains profanity, drug use, and sexual references.

Rating: 10

Reviewer Age: 14

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

Drive to Nowhere

Drive to Nowhere is a modern day Nancy Drew novel set in Australia. While on a four day school trip to the wilds of the Warrumbungle National Park, half of the girls go missing. Eeare, the daughter of a famous rock star, suspects the teachers have a hand in the disappearances, but no one else shares her views. Eeare sets off to find the culprits and her classmates.
I liked Drive to Nowhere, but I felt like the characters were unrealistic. At one point in the book, the girls were drinking at school and no one noticed or said anything. I also felt like the plot was lacking in some areas. The story dragged on, and I felt like the suspenseful parts weren’t really that suspenseful. While reading it, you know who committed the crime, and it gets rather boring. I would recommend this book as an easy read, but nothing more.

Reviewer Age:18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Dundee, Oregon USA
Rating:6
Content:1

Sweet Valley High: Double Love by Francine Pascal

Welcome to Sweet Valley High--a world of good girls and
bad girls, hot boys with fast cars, perfect tans and
natural highlights...all under the Southern California
sun. Twin girls, identical in every way--yet they
couldn't be more different. Jessica Wakefield is used to
getting what she wants--at school, with her friends, and
especially with boys--and she'll stop at nothing to get
it. Elizabeth Wakefield is used to letting her twin
sister have her way. There's not much that's worth
fighting her over--lost earrings can be replaced, petty
problems can be resolved, and rumors can be doused like a
fire. But when it comes to Todd Wilkins, Liz isn't so
sure she should step aside and make way for Jessica. This
time, Jessica Wakefield is going to have some competition--
from her own sister.

Sweet Valley High: Double Love was
an awesome book! It was like a special treat just reading
it. I loved it right from the beginning, and was sad when
it had to end. What I loved best was how I got caught up
in all the emotion, feeling everything the characters
felt. I also liked all of the drama, which made the book
more interesting. The only problem was that some of the
drama and events were a bit cliched and most of the time I
could predict exactly what would happen. Although it
seemed predictable, there were times when things extremely
unexpected happened, which made me like this book even
more. Sweet Valley High is beyond a doubt a great book,
and I can't wait to read the next one. I would definitely
recommend it to teenage girls.

Some of the events and
comments in this book may not be suitable for young
readers.

Reviewer Age:16

Reviewer City, State and
Country: Leopold, MO 63760

Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

In the beginning, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were each others only friend. They would spend time together but not at Cameron's house. Jennifer's mom prohibited her from going there because of his father. After Cameron moved away, Jennifer was told Cameron had died. Her life moved on and she is now known as Jenna Vaugn. She has a boyfriend, best friends and a normal life, but as her childhood friend she is faced with a lot of memories and problems that she doesn't know if even Jenna can face.

Sarah Zarr did a wonderful job of putting a picture in my head of each person, place, or thing. She makes me believe that Jenna and Cameron are real people because she describes their personality, description, and mood they are in each day. At the end, Zarr left you thinking. She didn't tell you what happened to the characters for the rest of their lives, but she gave you enough information to make an assumption. I would recommend Sweethearts to anybody that wants to read about friendships, memories and hard times. It is a real page turner.

Reviewer Age:11


Reviewer City, State and Country: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania United States

My Funny Dad, Harry

My Funny Dad, Harry by Karen Arlettaz Zemek is a collection of stories about the author's father, Harry. The stories are about many different aspects of Harry's life like his cats, some of his experiences, and some of his traits. Each story is unique and helps portray Harry as a whole. The stories are a great way to remember those who are deceased and are no longer part of our worlds.

Overall, I would say that this book is amusing, but also dull. It lacks the power to keep readers hooked on until the end. Some of the stories are not interesting. Also, the style of writing does not seem professional and reminds me of something that someone might write for fun but not to be published. Although the book was okay, I don't know if it was something that I would recommend to a friend because it just wasn't that interesting.

Rating:5

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Champaign, Illinois USA

My Life: The Musical by Maryrose Wood

Philip and Emily's love for the play Aurora is nothing short of an obsession. It is an obsession that takes them to see it on Broadway every week (with the help of a loan from Emily's Grandma). When the show threatens to close, Emily has some questions. Why is the show closing? Who keeps bad-mouthing Aurora on-line? Why does her English teacher hate the show so much? Most importantly, does Philip like Emily or not?

I thought this was a good book because the author clearly explained how the characters felt about problems and solutions. You could understand every single thing they did in the story. I wish the author said a little more about the actual play, though, to help the reader understand why Emily and Philip cared so much. That might help readers feel the magic. I found the book very interesting, possibly because I like musicals very much. I would recommend it to other readers who are theater lovers as well.

Reviewer Age:12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Exeter, NH USA

Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine

Morganville is anything but ordinary. Claire Danvers, a sixteen (almost seventeen) year old student, has been under strain like no other student in Morganville. Not only does she have the stress of friends, family, and school, but her wit and will are being tested. The alliance between humans and vampires is being tested more than ever. Who knows if she will have the strength to pull through.

This was the first book in the series I have had the priviledge to read so I got to look at it as a unit, and not a sequel. I am a huge fan of vampire books, so I of all people would have been a tough critic. However, I was surprised. Not only was I not confused when reading this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Rachel Caine did a remarkable job sewing together all the different elements in Feast of Fools. I recommend this book to anyone that likes fast-paced, thought-provoking page turners. When this book is sold in book stores, I will be the first in line!

Content: Some questionable language.

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Seaside, OR US.

Nick of Time

Twelve year old Nick McIver is always up for an adventure. Especially if it has to do with sailing around Greybeard Island, which he calls home, in his self made boat. While off gallivanting around the island with his sister Kate, Nick comes across a washed up chest. Nick and Kate manage to hide it in a cave until they are able to come back for it, but on the way back home, they encounter a terrible storm and run to their old friend Gunner's Inn for shelter. There they meet two mysterious pirates who scare them senseless. When the pirate Billy Blood hears Nick, Kate, and Gunner discussing the chest, he becomes very interested in it. Could Billy Blood possibly know the contents of the chest? After realizing Blood's suspicious fascination with the chest, Nick is determined to find out what lies in it, and keep it away from Blood. In order to protect the chest, Nick decides that he must take it to a supposedly abandoned castle. When he reaches his destination, Nick finds that it is far from deserted! There he finds that Lord Hawke and his trusty sidekick Hobbes are still living in the castle, hidden away from society, and know quite a lot about the contents of the chest. Even with the chest safely guarded at Lord Hawke’s castle, Blood finds it and is hot on Nick’s trail. It seems that blood will do anything to gain possession of the mysterious chest. Will Nick be able to keep the chest away from Blood?
While the plot was interesting, I can't say I loved the book. For me, there wasn't that extra something that completely pulled me into the book. When I was reading the book, I thought it was excellent. Once I put the book down, I found it very hard to pick back up again. However, there were many good things about the book. The story was a combination of spies, pirates, mystery, adventure, and war. Some of the scenes in the book reminded me a lot of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, which I really enjoyed. One other thing I enjoyed was the author's ability to make you vividly picture the scene in your mind. Every scene played like a movie in my head making it easy to relate to the characters. I would recommend "Nick of Time" to middle school boys as it deals with topics that they just seem to love!
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Currituck, NC, U.S.A.
Rating: 6
Content: 1

Gamma Glamma

Did you ever have two things, that you like, happen on the same day? Well, in the book, Gamma Glamma, Luz did. She was chosen to do a science experiment competition for her school, which was on the same day of the Homecoming dance. After thinking about it, Luz conducted her experiment on her friends. However, every time Luz did an experiment, it meant trouble.

I very much like this book because the author writes it in a humorous way. Luz is a little like me, because I love science and math. I like how the setting takes place in high school, because I get to know more about high school. Also, the author makes me want to read more of her books. Even after several readings, it always makes me laugh out loud. (I would recommend this book to people that like humorous book, because it will make you laugh like it did to me.

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: St. Paul, MN USA

Knowing Joseph

When Autistic first grader, Joseph, gets teased and bullied, Brian, his older brother, has to fend for him. Brian has to go out in public with Joseph even when he's kicking and screaming. A bully, named Louis, always makes fun of Brian for having a 'stupid' brother. If Joseph was normal, Brian would be able to go into public without being embarrassed and wouldn't get in trouble with Louis. When Brian goes camping with the family, he thinks it's going to be a horrible trip, because he doesn't get to bring a friend along. But then he meets Billy. Billy's best friend's brother is autistic, also. He knows all about kids like Joseph. Brian, Joseph, and Billy have adventures together. Read Knowing Joseph and find out what they do.

Opinion: Knowing Joseph is a great read. I read it in two sittings just because I never wanted to put it down. After reading it, I know so much more about autism than I had before. I can relate to Brian, because he’s a normal kid, just like me. Sometimes, you feel like nobody knows what is happening to you. Then, a kid like Billy comes around and makes you realize that you’re not alone. All in all, I would recommend Knowing Joseph to everybody, no matter what age.

Content:1

Rating: (0 - 10 scale): 8

Reviewer Age: 11

Reviewer City, State and Country: Oakmont, Pennsylvania United States

Dark Wars by Hideyuki Kikuchi

It is 1880 in Japan. Seventeen-year-old Daigo is extremely adept with a sword. Many people try to beat him in a duel, but no one can successfully win. The dojo head, Kashiwabara, is very proud of Daigo, and he asks if Daigo would like to marry his daughter Chizuru. Daigo refuses, and he starts to walk home. On the way back, he meets with his friend Saigo, Chizuru, and her little sister Akane. The girls drag the boys to an old mansion with an old painting of Millet's. Once inside the creepy house, Count Dracula shows up. Ever since then, Daigo has to try to find a way to get rid of Count Dracula and the horrible monster he is. Daigo is the only one who can save Japan from the bloodlust of the count's. Chizuru and the other people closest to Daigo are the ones affected most. Will he be able to defeat the strongest opponent he's ever battled?


Dark Wars: The Tale of Meiji Dracula was a very unique book. It contained a wide variety of Japanese cultural information that taught me random facts. Another interesting characteristic was that fantasy was worked into it. This mix of genres was very different from what I have read before. The vocabulary is extremely well-written for young adults. One problem I encountered was that the names were so authentic to Japanese that I couldn't really remember which name belonged to which character. Some words were also in Japanese so I would either have to ignore the word and keep reading or look in the small glossary in the back. Overall though, it was a great read with lots of irony and foreshadowing. The imagery was spectacular in every part as well. I recommend this book to fantasy or Japanese culture fans.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6

Reviewer Age: 14

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

Minima by Machiko Sakurai

Ame Oikawa is a very shy schoolgirl who barely has friends. Since she is shy, she doesn't talk to many boys. However, Ame has had a crush on a boy in her class, Sasaki, since the first day of school. When her class takes a field trip to an amusement park, Ame goes into a gift shop. While looking around the store, she sees a strange looking doll. Ame decides to purchase that doll because she has a strange feeling about it. The doll's name is Nicori, and he suddenly becomes popular when people find out he can talk. Ame and Nicori experience hardships with each other and with others. Ame is worried about trying to see if Sasaki loves her like she loves him. Meanwhile, Nicori is discovering how humans 'like', 'special like', and love things. Together they experience jealousy, sadness, happiness, and many more emotions. Just as they get over one of their little fueds, a man from the amusement park comes to strike a deal with Nicori. It would involve Nicori to live at the park and star in a television show. However, as this is happening, Ame gets captured by men who think Nicori is with her and plan to steal him. Nicori receives a phone call from the mysterious man saying that the only way to get her back would be to meet him at a certain place alone. Will Nicori get Ame back safely? Who will get hurt?

Minima was a fabulous book in all ways. It is a Japanese manga. The drawings were done beautifully and in a very nice manner. Since it was originally written in Japanese, the words are very well-translated and arranged. One of my favorite things about this book was the plot. As soon as one surprise was over, another would start. Nicori was a well-thoughtout character because his moods are fickle. His relationship with Ame is very similar to some of my experiences in real life. I loved how all the characteristics fit together so well. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who wants to read manga or a fictional adventure story.

Reviewer Age:14

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

The Girl Who Saw Lions by Berlie Doherty

What Berlie Doherty means when she says Lions is the people lions of the world. It ties in nicely to the fact that outside their village hut, while Abela's mom is fighting for her life, lions are pacing the dirt road. But those real lions aren't as scary as the lions of the world that are in her life. Her uncle traffics her into child slavery as soon as Abela's mother dies, taking her away from her beloved grandmother who is the only true family she has left. He ships her off to England, where Abela must cook and clean for her bi-polar aunt. Alone and shut off from the outside world, Abela must muster up her courage and try to escape, defeating her own lions along the way. But is that possible for a thirteen year old girl, thousands of miles away from her homeland, and who can barely speak English?

Every single teenager who thinks their life is so rough needs to read this book. It puts into perspective how lucky the kids of today's society are in comparison to real troubles and sorrows. It also makes you realize what real courage is, and how everyone can overcome their demons if they try hard enough. I loved this book, and I have no doubt in my mind that every other person will love it too. The Girl Who Saw Lions: By Berlie Doherty is an awesome book everyone will love.

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Casa Grande, Arizona United States

What Your Mother Never Told You by Richard M. Dudum

This book is about how to deal with things as a teenager. The author gives you advice about love, relationships, friends, parents, school, and much more. It also explains what you should do in different occasions where you might need help or where you are confused. I think the author's purpose was to write this book for teenage girls who don't have a good role model in their life. This book would fit into the nonfiction section.

I think this book is a very good book because it encourages you to do well and it also helps if you don't have role models to talk to. The book was interesting but sometimes it got a little boring because the author would repeat things. I learned that if you want to change the way you act, and if the people you hang out with don't have the same goals, you should choose new friends. I would recommend this book to teenage girls who don't have good role models or if you need advice. Overall, I found this book helpful but dull.

I rated the book a 3 because it talks about mature issues.

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: St. Paul, Minnesota United States of America

Promise of the Wolves

In this thrilling first book by Dorothy Hearst, the reader is immediately drawn into the adventures and misadventures of Kaala, a wolf whose very existence throws her pack into a gripping uneasiness. The trouble begins right away. It is clear from the start that Kaala will be an outcast. The pup's father is from another pack, and, as a result, Kaala's mother is exiled. Motherless, Kaala is forced to struggle through daily discords with the assistance of her two close companions. Through her explorations, the young wolf discovers a troubling secret that will not only alter her life, but the life of every wolf in the valley! Kaala's strong will and determination will win over readers of all kinds. Promise of the Wolves is a breathtaking beginning to a promising up-and-coming trilogy.

I loved Promise of the Wolves, and am beyond eager for its sequel. There was never a dull moment while reading, and I was captivated by the author's compelling voice. There was just enough description that I could easily picture the environment, though not so much that reading became monotonous. Characters were incredibly realistic and believable, something that took me by surprise, as the characters are wolves. The book was beautifully written, and I'd recommend it to everyone, especially lovers of Eragon or Twilight.

Reviewer Age: 14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Tipp City, OH USA

Operation Typhoon Shore

Doug and Becca MacKenzie are traveling on a ship to a remote island with their uncle on one of his missions. Their uncle, the captain of the ship, is involved in a special organization called the Guild of Specialists and right now his mission is to gather four missing artifacts whose purposes are unknown to the young MacKenzies. Doug, eager to join in the action, swears into his uncle's Guild, but Becca declines. Their parents are still missing, supposedly dying doing the Guild's work, and until she can find out exactly why they died and what they were doing when they died, she refuses to trust the Guild. This separation is very unsettling to the siblings, but when an unexpected danger strikes the island and true identities are revealed, Becca and Doug wonder where their alliances really stand: with their uncle's adventures or their parents' mysterious disappearance.

Joshua Mowll brings all his characters back for a second appearance in Operation Typhoon Shore. While everything would be crystal clear if the first book was read, his second book can stand by itself. Mowll draws the readers in at the very start with intrigue and curiosity. His writing is very good, but what really makes the book amazing is all the maps, pictures, sketches, and confidential material included through out the book that makes you feel like a real adventurer. I would highly recommend embarking on this exciting adventure and finding out for yourself what really happened the day of the Typhoon.

Brief language and possible disturbing moments.

Rating:7

Reviewer Age:16

Reviewer City, State and Country: Durham, NC USA

Chosen

In Chosen, by Kristin and P.C. Cast, Zoey Redbird’s life at the House of Night takes an unexpected turn. Zoey starts to question everything that she treasures, including the trust in her friends and the feelings of hate towards her enemies. She has to deal with betrayal, uncertainty, and three boyfriends as well as keeping her undead best friend a secret. Zoey’s life has started to come crashing down. Will she have enough strength to keep fighting?
The third installment in the House of Night Series harbors the most truth and uncertainty. It kept me reading without pause. The depth and honesty in each character rang true in this book showing both their virtues and their flaws. This book also showed me how life is unpredictable and illuminated the need to value friends more than anything in the world. Chosen, though from the genre of fantasy, highlights some real topics that are dealt with by most average teenagers. This book is beautifully written, and I will definitely read it again.
Involves actions and topics unsuitable for all readers.

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Midlothian, Virginia, United States of America
Rating: 8
Content: 2

Perfect You

Kate Brown is having a tough sophomore year. Her best friend Anna left her for the popular crowd, so Kate is virtually friendless. Her dad also quit his job to sell Perfect You vitamins at a small kiosk in the mall. Since this is a "family" business, Kate is forced to work after school and on weekends. Now lonely and stuck with an unwanted job, Kate finds comfort in her small encounters with obnoxious Will, a boy she pretends to hate. Suddenly, these small encounters lead to the two kissing in a back alleyway. Kate really likes Will, but is afraid that he thinks of her as just another girl.

Perfect You was really a spectacular read. Elizabeth Scott does a great job of adding humor to Kate's bleak and dismal life. Kate is very witty and she says and thinks things that make you laugh out loud. Everyone goes through tough times, so they can easily relate to her character. Even so, Kate carries herself with a certain grace that most people never see. The book is also funny and poignant and everything that a good book should be. It even teaches you a life lesson about happiness: you have to try to be happy in order to actually be happy.

This book may be unsuitable for younger readers because it contains mild language and adult themes.

Rating:9

Reviewer Age:16

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

Financially Free By 30 by Vince Shorb

Financially Free by 30 teaches people how to lay the groundwork for a successful financial future. This book provides step-by-step details on how to create a successful plan for the future. With this kind of plan, it is possible to make over a million dollars in less than five years. Setting goals is the foremost important aspect of the plan, and acts as a guide down the path to success. However, just setting goals is not enough. One will also learn how to recognize the limits of money: when to spend it, and when to save it. Afterwards, one will learn about being independent in this vast dog-eat-dog world. Jobs, credit cards, banks, debts, investment, the stock market, entrepreneurship, real estate, the internet business - they are all discussed in this book. Finally, the book offers several plans on becoming a millionaire in a short period of time, and a few last tips. This book helps the reader to become independent, and achieve dreams.

This book does bring young readers into the world of economics. In this world, everything is not so straightforward, and requires a lot of hard work and dedication. Financially Free by 30 teaches you how to set realistic goals and actually accomplish them. However, after reading this book, I feel that it is not hard to be able to earn $1 million dollars and become financially free by age 30. I get the feeling that if I follow everything in this book, I will be able to achieve the dream of no longer having to work by the time I'm 30. I know that this is not possible, because if everyone in our society can earn millions of dollars just by reading this book, our world will not be able to sustain itself and collapse. Nevertheless, I learned a lot of information about the world of economics, including the stock market and the real estate business. This book does not automatically get me to the top, but it helps guide me there.

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Urbana, IL USA

Chill

When you have school, sports activities, youth group, and family you can be stressed. Deborah Reber talks you through it with her book, Chill. There are tips on organization, time management, and journaling. There are real letters from real people struggling like you. There are also quizzes to help you through the tough times. Chill is a very informative book for everyone out there who is stressed and doesn’t know what to do.

This book was no help to me because I’m not stressed, but this information could be helpful in the near future. Even though I am not stressed, this book was enjoyable to read because I got to see what other people are feeling. I like that Reber has quizzes and letters from real people to help you through your most stressful times. After reading this book, I think you will have time for yourself, your family, your school work and anything else you are interested in. Reber did a good job of organizing the book, so that it is easy to find out what you need to know.

Reviewer Age:11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Oakmont, Pennsylvania, United States
Rating: 8
Content Rating: 1