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Teen Reviews
Author: Mike Tanner
Reviewed by: Helena
Posted: February 2008
This was a great book! In the beginning I wasn't very into it but it became
one of those books I couldnt put down!!
Author: Gayle Friesen
Reviewed by: Emma
Posted: December 2007
Even though I am a girl and I could connect, it was a little boring.
Anna and Zoe are inseparable--at least until Zoe breaks her arm and Anna finds
herself on her way to summer camp without her best friend. It was to be their
best summer ever, but by the time Zoe arrives at camp (with her arm still in
a sling), Anna is busy enough keeping peace between the complicated Isabel
and everyone else in Cabin 7. Isabel has rainbow-colored hair and a decided
lack of concern about the competition with Cabin 9, making her the natural
target for bossy Jennifer, and soon Zoe becomes involved. Anna and Isabel a
growing up and growing apart........
Author: John Lunn
Reviewed by: Emma
Posted: December 2007
When 15 year old Greta travels to an underwater lab, she has no idea what
is in store for her! What was supposed to be a trip of a few days turns into
a nightmare when an accident with the black hole spins them billions of years
into the future, trapping her dad along with the other scientists in a particle
of time. Three other kids live on the habitat, and, calling themselves the
Aquanauts, they band together with Greta to travel through layers of time in
a frantic attempt to save their parents and themselves from being locked under
the sea for eternity!
Author: Julie Burtinshaw
Reviewed by: Emma
Posted: December 2007
I really enjoyed this book because it is different than all of the other ones that I have read. This one was a historical fiction book and I did not want to put it down.
Jenny and her family has to deal with the hardships of black slavery in Clay
Country Missouri. When her father saves up enough money to buy them their freedom,
Jenny travels on the Oregon Trail to California. When her mother dies, she
leaves Jenny to deal with two kids which is a big responsibility. I really
feel for Jenny because I have baby siblings that sometimes can be a handful,
but at least I have a mother that does most of the work! That must have been
a few hard years for Jenny, but I am happy that she got together with Will.
He will make everything eaiser!
Author: Gayle Friesen
Reviewed by: Adam
Posted: December 2007
I really liked this book, despite the very girly atmosphere! Anna and Zoe
are best friends, they're insperable, like conjoined twins! But when Zoe breaks
her arm, Isabel feels that her summer is totally ruined! Her and Zoe were supposed
to leave for summer camp, to become CITs, but now Zoe can't go because she's
wound up in the hospital. Anna must leave the shadow of her best friend and
attend this one alone! Summer camp comes and so do the challenges, crushes,
and competitions! But can Anna spend the rest of the summer without Zoe?
Then...along comes Isabel.
Author: Julie Burtinshaw
Reviewed by: Adam
Posted: December 2007
The Freedom of Jenny, eventhough it sends a great message to the world about
black slavery, was, I have to admit, a little boring.
It tells the story through Jenny's perspective, a young black girl who's family
has just been granted freedom. This family must move to the free country, california!
But when they realize that California wasn't what they'd hoped for, they have
to, yet again, move to somewhere else. This time, they settle in Salt Spring
Island, and begin their new lives as free, proud people!
I really liked this book for it's message: black slavery bascially covered
the US during the 1800s, and they were treated unfairly, slaving for the white
people who felt that the world revolved around them. It just shows how ignorant
the people of our past are.
But, amongst all this, I found that it was fairly boring, not much action,
and too much description! I realized that I was reading many lines over and
over again as a result of my being unfocused.
If you're a person who really likes historical fiction, then you should like
this book.But I personally didn't like it all that much because I'm an action,
adventure kind of guy.
Author: Don Trembath
Reviewed by: Adam
Posted: November 2007
Rooster was an pretty good book. If you're extremely bored, it should keep
you entertained. The book is about a boy named Rooster, who is in grade 12,
and having trouble with school. If things keep going to ways things are going,
Rooster just might not pass grade 12, and teachers and the strict principal
will have to put up with his terrible behaviour and lack of work for another
year! So the principal and the school counsellor get together and come up with
a plan on how to get Rooster out of highschool.
Rooster is to spend the next four weeks with a group of mentally challenged
adults, at the bowling alley. They believe that he is up to the challenge,
while Rooster doesn't think he is!
I like this book because the author does such a good job of describing the
way mentally challenged people act! There are times in the book where you feel
extremely happy or sorry for them.
This is what I like to call a "real good feel good book"!
Author: John Lunn
Reviewed by: Adam
Posted: October 2007
This was an awesome book! It really kept me interested! The main
character is a girl named Greta Kovachi who goes to a habitat at the
bottom of the ocean, with her brilliant scientist father.
There she meets three kids who live on the habitat, and they band together
as the Aquanauts, as something terrible happens that bursts them millions
of years into the future! Now, they have to come together to break
a bubble that
they are stuck in (a bubble that is messing up time). It really is
very interesting how they all come together and fix the problem, how
they get
to know eachother
and relate to eachother, and how they defeat the evil Dr. Simms, who
has a crazy plan involving the particle of time.
It's a true teen sci-fi that's really awesome! One of the best books
that I've read!
Author:Francis Chalifour
Reviewed by: Adam
Posted: September 2007
Although this wasn't my favourite book, I label it as "Top of your reading
list" because of the power the book had when I read it.
The book tells the story of a teenage boy, Francis, who grieves with his mother
and younger brother over the suicidal death of his father. With lonliness, sadness,
and emptiness, Francis, Luc, and his mother learn to cope with their tragic loss
and pull even closer together as a family. This book is generally a sad story,
but as time goes on, Francis begins to overcome his overpowering feelings of
guilt and sadness with the help of his friends, the school phycologist, and of
course the rest of his family, therefore making the book lighter and lighter
as you get to the end.
Now, I normally don't like books of this type, but as I read it I realized that the author had done an outstanding job of writing it! I can really understand the feelings of the characters in the story eventhough I haven't gone through any experiences that traumatic myself!
This book is a definite page turner!
Author: Louise Rennison
Rating: I can't believe you haven't read this one!
Reviewed by: Nic
Posted: July 2007
Georgia is trying to reel in the gorgeous Italian Masimo, who can't seem to
decide between Georgia's enemy, Lindsey. Between snogging, Dave the laugh,
the ace gang and school, this is a great series.
Author: Rick Riordan
Reviewed by: Justin
Posted: June 2007
It is probably the best book ever!!!!!!!! It is a mix of fantasy/Adventure/Mythology! Try This Book! ITS DO OR DIE!!!!!!!!!!
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things
Author: Carolyn Mackler
Reviewed by: chocogirl
Posted: June 2007
Although it is a book targeted mainly at girls, it is a profound series of diary entries by a girl suffering from both a weight problem, social issues, and family trouble. An invigorating mix of both dark depressing and horrible events, as well as beautiful, uplifting events. You’ll love the characters for all their imperfection and charm.
The War of Mirrors
Author: E.J. Stewart
Rating: I can't believe you haven't read this one!
Reviewed by: Willie
Posted: May 2007
War breaks out in Larkwood when a mole forces some weasels to look at
themselves in a mirror. They weren't quite ready to see themselves as they
really were! The kingdom divides into two groups of animals, the Roots and
the Twigs. In the end, the Prince of Acorns stops them from destroying one
another. This is one of the best books I have ever read! There are three big
battles in all, and each battle ends in a unique, surprising way. No one
dies. When creatures are wounded in battle they have to go to a sanatorium
to recover! The War of Mirrors makes us think about how to get along with one
another. I rate it excellent!
Don't Cramp My Style: Stories About THAT Time of the Month
Author: Edited by Lisa Rowe Fraustino
Rating: I can't believe you haven't read this one!
Reviewed by: Liz
Posted: April 2007
This book is a collection of stories that are about "that" time of the month. Definately a girl's read. The book's stories are wide and varied. From worrying about pregnancy, to how a czarevna looks at monthly bleeding, or what it was like for a black "breeeding" woman who gets her moon time before she's ready to mate. I highly recommend this book to anyone, well almost anyone.
Author: Jean Little
Rating: Top of your reading list.
Reviewed by: Jessica
Posted: March 2007
This book is a great way to start the Dear Canada series. It is an awesome book but read it if you are into the 1800-1900s. Orphan at my door has a great story and has a great twist if you are anywhere 12-18. I totally suggest reading this! The Dear Canada series are all true stories researched and rewritten in the authors own words in diary form. Some of the diaries talk to you as a friend, book and much more. So if you are starting to read a series pick up this book its great!
Author: Megan Whalen Turner
Rating: I can't believe you haven't read this one!
Reviewed by: Brynn
Posted: March 2007
This is the second book of a series. It's really good. So read it if u want to know what its about. The first book is called: The Thief. The third book is called: The King. So read them all.
Author: R.L. Stine
Rating: Not Rated
Reviewed by: James
Posted: December 2006
In this book the main character is Luke, he is is superstitious and acts very weird through out the book. He starts off in the book by going to seventh grade and is very, very nervous he wares his lucky shirt and carries his rabbits foot. His friend Hannah is his only hope to survive seventh grade. Hannah is a lucky person, she is very good at basketball. Luke is very unlucky and he tries out for basketball and finds out that he is really bad at the sport but he makes the team. A few weeks Luke finds a tiny little skull with glowing red eyes. Suddenly Hannah looses her luck. After luke finds the tiny skull he has more luck then he can handle. He takes a lead place on the bench on the basketball team. Little did Luke know that hannah unwilling gave the skull to Luke. Fate Masters the diabolical person that is trying to destroy ruin innocent lives, gave the skull to Hannah in the first place. Hannah purposely gave Luke the skull and the skull was a device that let Fate Masters controls there Luke's fate. Luke has all this luck that almost gets him killed. Luke has to be good at one thing, win one thing, and he can brake Fate Masters control over Hannah and Luke. Luke defeats Fate Masters and by winning in a swim competition and brakes the Fate Masters curse.
I like this book so, so much because its so descriptive and its the type of
book l like, mysterious and horrifying. My favorite part of the book is when
Luke has all this luck and tries to do deathly stunts. He goes sown this steep
hill on the busiest street in town. Lucky for Luke he had his skull, he even
went blind folded. He lived but it was very scary for all the people around
them. I recommend this book to anyone who likes bloodcurdling books. I promise
you this book wont let you down.
Art Geeks and Prom Queens
Author: Alyson Noel
Rating: I can't believe you haven't read this one!
Reviewed by: Julie
Posted: December 2006
The book I read, Art Geeks and Prom Queens was excellent. The author, Alyson Noel, filled every page with great insight on the life of teenagers today. In one part of the book, Rio, the main character in the story, is dropped off late on the first day of her new school in Southern California, wearing a Juicy Couture outfit that her ex-model mother picked out for her. The author did a good job on telling who Rio was becoming. Thanks to Kristi, the cheerleader snob who ruled the school, Rio was just another wanna-be Kristi clone. Although I am not as old as the characters in the book are, I feel I connected with the main character. I think anyone could've.
Before Rio moved to California, she was an acne-prone skinned teen who wore a favorite faded red hooded sweatshirt with the words "Cape Canaveral" peeling off of the fabric. Kristi, who befriended Rio, thought it was gross and needed to be thrown out. Just one of the many controlling things Kristi was all about. Rio had undergone some body changes during the time just before she moved. She was now considered beautiful. I also really liked this book, because it told a lot about Rio's relationship with her parents. She felt like her mom was pushing her to be someone that she wasn't and her father was hardly around to help her with the things she was dealing with. I couldn't put this book down for more then 10 minutes; I finished within a day and a half. It was that intriguing. I can relate to a lot of pressures that Rio was dealing with: trying to fit in at a new school, trying to please your parents, and trying to figure out who you really are. Boys were another big factor in this book, but I will let you read about that. All in all this book was incredible. I recommended it to my friends and they enjoyed it as much as me. If you like teen novels, in which are very realistic, I suggest you read Art Geeks and Prom Queens.
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Rating: I can't believe you haven't read this one!
Reviewed by: Quack
Posted: October 2006
This is the dark and depressing yet funny and uplifting story of Melinda Sordino, a girl who's just entering the ninth grade. The rumors fly about her: this was the girl who called the police at a summer party, breaking it up and causing all the teenagers there to treat her like a freak. But why did she do it?
I lovedlovedloved this book. She writes very truthfully about highschool and family fights and teenage depression, but the main character is so smart and funny and quirky you'll never be bored. It also shows us through Melinda's world, her secrets and pain and when she can finally speak up and give the truth.
Author: Arthur Slade
Rating: I can't believe you haven't read this one!
Reviewed by: N
Posted: August 2006
This is a great book.It is about about a boy, butterflies and a rain machine. Love friendship betrayal. Who would accually take a kid for no reason? And why would he display an unbeliveable mirror?
Author: Scott Westerfiels
Rating: I can't believe you haven't read this one!
Reviewd by: Lindsey
Posted: July 2006
This book is the best book I read! I like the second one too called Pretties, and can't wait to read the third one. Specials. It is about how this ugly named Tally can't wait till she turns sixteen so she can become a pretty, but her friend runs away to the Smoke, and Special Circumstances won't turn her pretty till she goes there and brings her friend back, after she had promised her friend she wouldn't. It goes on and she goes there and then she wants to stay as well. She doesn't mean to but she accidently blows up a sensor that was on her and Special Circumstances comes. It is all hard to explain but go to your library and take this book out! It is awesome!
Author: Shakespeare
Reviewed by: Tanner
Posted: May 2006
I think that anybody that needs to read this book will feel much sorrow!
The Black Stallion's Blood Bay Colt
Author: Walter Farley
Rating: I can't believe you haven't read this one!
Reviewed by: Brittani
Posted: January 2006
The Black stallion has always had black fillys and colts but now here's a blood bay colt!! This blood bay colt named Bonfire has a coat of fire and people don't see where he can get a coat of fire , certanly not from his sire " The Black" or his dam " the Queen", Tom Messenger doesn't care where he got his coat from except that he had helped this colt live and breathe for the few weeks after Bonfires birth Tom Messenger had taken care of the Queen and Bonfire and then went back to Coronut and started training Bonfire with Jimmy Creech, an older vetran cart racer and his friend George. Tom Messenger thinks that Bonfire is the greatest and fastest colt to live!! Until miss elsie has a black filly out on the track named Princess guy, will this filly determine the racing future for Bonfire? Tom Messenger doesn't care, his colt is the best and the fastest and will beat that fiily.....no matter what.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Author: J.K. Rowling
Rating: I can't believe you haven't read this one!
Reviewed by: Arianne
Posted: January 2006
The magic of J.K. Rowling touches an audience of all ages throughout the world. Each of her books in the captivating Harry Potter series has been #1 on New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince follows suit. In fact, setting a world record for a first printing, 10.8 million copies hit stores on July 16, 2005. J.K. Rowling's awards include the Hugo Award and the Bram Stoker Award. She has also appeared on many talk shows.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince won the attention and applause of millions world wide. This exhilarating story of a young wizard's adventures in the magi and non-magical worlds can only be made more exciting with his new-found romance an his intriguing new textbook written by the mysterious Half-Blood Prince. Also, Dumbledore lets Harry in on a dangerous secret that's been hidden for many years. Harry may be in for a wild year. I recommend this book to people of all ages that enjoy a good read. Each page will draw you in deeper and deeper, making you unable to put this book down.
Author: Jerry Spinelli
Rating: Read only if you're desperate.
Reviewed by: Drew
Posted: January 2006
Jerry Spinelli, the well known writer he is, wrote the book Crash. He was born in Norritson, Pennsylvania. Dealing with a younger brother bill, he play football, baseball and managed to write songs, books and poems. His dram was to play short stoop for the New York Yankees, but he gave up that dream when he got cut from his baseball team when he was a junior. Now he is one of the most well known authors today. Jerry's favorite book that he has published is, Space Station Seventh Grade, only because it is the first book he ever published. To this day he has written 19 published books, but he really has written 23. The first four he didn't bother to publish because he was only 15. Jerry's favorite author is Eileen Spinelli, his own wife. All Mr. Spinelli has to say to young authors is, write what you care about.
Crash is about a dorky kid Penn. Crash is a big shot at school and Penn, the dorky kid lives next door. The two become friends when Crash finds out that Penn was a all star running back, but do to and injury he is unable to play. All Penn now does is participate in sports. Instead of going out for basketball he goes out for cheerleading with Penn. This book had no comparison to the summary on the back. This wasn't that good of book. The summary on the back of the book says. "Everybody knows Crash Coogan, 7th grade football sensation. He has been mowing people down since the time he could walk." Now that had very little comparison to the book. I personally think that the book is about Crash trying to get a dorky kid to be cool and have everybody like him. "Why don't I help the poor kid. I'm sick of him being himself and getting made fun of." I think that message is saying that if some one wants to be there self then let them. This book didn't really catch my eye, but if you want to read it more power to you.
Author: Karen Hesse
Rating: I can't believe you haven't read this one!
Reviewed by: Leticia
Posted: January 2006
Out of the Dust is an intimate novel about the struggles a fourteen yr. old girl goes though during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. The narrator, Billy Joe, is a talented pianist growing up without a mother and ignoring her father. Unlike her father, Billy Joe is eager to escape from the dust storms and swarms of crickets on their farm. Shea's planning to become a professional musician and travel the country. Her dreams are shattered when a tragic fire kills her mother and scars her precious, piano-playing hands.
I thought this book was spectacular! It had action peeking around every corner. I just couldn't put the book down. I could relate to her very well. I ignore my father who lives in Arizona all the time. I could read this book over and over again. Karen Hesse, a well-known children's writer, has written other books such as; Lavender, Music of Dolphins, and Letters from Rifka. She was born and raised in Baltimore. She lives with her 2 daughters and husband. When Hesse was in the 5th grade her teacher, Mrs. Datnoff, said she could be a professional writer and she succeeded. She won the 1998 Newbery Medal for Out of the Dust.
I would recommend this book to people who like to read about life in the 30's and 40's.
Author: John Wyndam
Rating: I can't believe you haven't read this one!
Reviewed by: Lindsey
Posted: January 2006
The Chrysalids is about how there are these kids who are telepathic and if someone found out they were they would be banished because they would be considered blasphemic. (if that is a word.) The one boy finds a girl with six toes and someone finds out so she gets banished to the desert. They hear a voice that is different than the ones they usually hear and are told to come to a place where they can live in peace. They go on this long journey and at the end, they get transported to a place where no one can get to. I don't think I explained it very well, since i haven't read it in a while. But it is very good!
September - December 2005 Reviews