Tangerine

Edward Bloor

Scholastic, New York, 1997

Genres: Family, Violence, Multicultural, Death, Friends & Society, Sports

Reading Level: Young Adult (12-18)

Pages: 294

Awards: MLA Top Ten Books, Horn Book Award

Summary:

Paul Fisher's family just moved from Texas to Tangerine county, Florida. He faces many changes in his life, including: School, friends, environment, and soccer. Two don't change though, his geeky thick glasses, and his fear of his older brother. This story is told through the journal of Paul and gives the reader a great insight into family relationships and the importance of supporting each other.

Reaction:

I couldn't put this book down until I had finished reading it through. Took me all night, but it was a powerful and gripping story. I highly recommend this book for all teens, regardless of age or situation. It also deals a lot with social, racial, and sexist issues. Great book. Adults shouldn't be afraid to pick this one up either, it's a great read with lots of deep concepts hidden within the story.

Cautionary Note: Violence, death, family discord. Suitable for anyone over the age of 12.

War Is...

Editors Marc Aronson & Patty Campbell

Candlewick Press, Cambridge, 2008

Genres: Informative Non-Fiction, War

Reading Level: Young Adult (14-18)

Pages: 194

Summary:

This is a compilation of writings by various writers on the subject of war. It's divided into three sections: Deciding about war, experiencing war, and the aftermath of war. It goes through the experience of both soldiers and reporters who cover wars and it is real. This teaches teens the reality of war, not what is commonly known.

Reaction:

Great book, one that I think all teens should read, especially while they are in high school. It eliminates the glory of war and forces you to see it for what it really is, destruction. It's also great because it's not all one sided, but is written by many different authors with many different back grounds. I would recommend this book to anybody 14 or older, including adults. I wish this was a required reading for high school students.

Cautionary Note: Some of the writings have language, some deal with violence and are graphic, and they very realistic.

Beast

Donna Jo Napoli

Atheneum, New York, 2000

Genres: Fantasy, Journey, Mystery, Love, Adventure

Reading Level: Young Adult (14-18)

Pages: 272

Summary:

Orasmyn is a prideful Persian prince who angers a fairy and gets turned into a lion. He is forced to leave his family to avoid being killed by his own father. Then begins a quest to not only find a cure, but to survive in his new form. This story is similar to Beauty and the Beast, yet different in so many different ways.

Reaction:

I must admit that I couldn't finish this book because I didn't really find it to be all that gripping. I know some people absolutely love it and can't put it down, but it wasn't really my style writing. It does explore some interesting questions, and I think that it teaches some good lessons, but I'll have to finish it before I can fully react to it.

First Boy

Gary Schmidt
Listening Library, 2005

Genres: Adventure, Violence, Mystery
Reading Level: Young Adult (12-18)
Length: 4 Hours 45 Minutes

Summary:
Cooper's Grandparents have just died, leaving him all alone on a dairy farm. Everybody says that he should go live with somebody else, but he's determined to stay and work the farm, all by himself if necessary. Then mysterious things start happening at his far. People are prowling around and questions are being asked. Cooper is forced to question who and what he really is.

Reaction:
I liked it, though it wasn't the most exciting reader I've ever heard. I thought that some of the voices were a little corny. I think I would have preferred to read this book, but it's a perfect book for teens who are struggling with reading. The ending wasn't really surprising, but I liked the values it taught.

Cautionary Note: Violence,intimidation, and mild law breaking.

Eight Plus One

Robert Cormier

Bantam Doubleday, New York, 1965

Genres: Short Stories

Reading Level: Young Adult (14-18)

Pages: 196

Summary:

Robert Cormier, unlike himself, actually manages to write 9 short stories that aren't completely depressing. I liked the Chocolate War, but these stories are different and creative and make a specific point. He introduces each story by telling the background and inspiration for the idea, allowing the reader to get a sneak peek at the author's life.

Reaction:

They were all different from each other and different from what I expected. It's hard to describe what they're about without giving everything away, so I'll merely say that they were interesting. I won't say that this was my favorite Cormier Book, but it isn't very difficult to read.

Cautionary Note: Some of the stories have mild language, but mostly it's all clean.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing

M. T. Anderson

Candlewick Press, Cambridge, 2006

Genres: Historical Fiction, Multicultural, Family, War

Reading Level: Young Adult (14-18)

Pages: 353

Awards: National Book Award, Printz Honor, Horn Book Award, ALA Top Ten Books

Summary:

Octavian has always know that he was different, though he hasn't really known why. Certainly he grew up under the tutelage of many scholars, and his mother was an African Princess, and they weighed and measured his feces, but he still couldn't seem to figure it out. Then he went into the forbidden room and discovered the truth about his existence.

Reaction:

Well written, though a little slow at the beginning. This is a book that really makes you think about what it means to be human and equal. It addresses slavery, patriotism, scientific ethics, and many other issues without actually lecturing the reader. There were a few parts towards the end that got me very excited about reading history and learning more about the revolutionary war. It's a good book for most ages, and it's excellent for stimulating discussion.

Cautionary Note: Violence, Slavery, Some Graphic injuries, Unethical Science Experiments

Looking For Alaska

John Green

Dutton Books, New York, 2005

Genres: Death, Sex Related, Friends and Society, Humor

Reading Level: Young Adult (Only By Special Recommendation)

Pages: 221

Awards: Printz Award

Summary:

Miles is 16 and he has decided that he wants to attend school in another state, at a boarding school, away from home. He doesn't have friends and he's really unsure about what's in store for him. Then he meets Skip and Alaska and his life changes completely. This is a story about escaping a Labyrinth of life and trying to understand why.

Reaction:

I really liked this book, but it's not for the faint of heart. I thought that they story was well organized and the characters had a lot of depth, but parts of it did bother me. I wouldn't recommend this book to most teens because they're not really mature enough for it, and it does have some questionable material. I really liked the interactions between the main characters and parts of it even reminded me of some of my high school friendships, though not as extreme. Looking For Alaska deserves the award it got, but it isn't really appropriate for most teens.

Cautionary Note: Lots of Language, Sex, Alcoholism, Smoking, and Rule Breaking

Inexcusable

Chris Lynch

Simon Pulse, New York, 2005

Genres: Sex Related, Sports, Family, Friends and Society, Violence

Reading Level: Young Adult (16-18)

Pages: 165

Awards: National Book Award

Summary:

This is the story of a teen who thinks that life is great and that he is a good boy. Too bad he's making most of it up, because he's just done the worst thing imaginable. It's so bad that he can't come to grips with it. This horrifying story is told from his point of view, something unusual in young adult literature.

Reaction:

This book scared me, and I must admit that I didn't really understand why this teen was doing what he was doing. It's full of illusions and fantasies, yet it's so real that it's scary. I'm afraid that this book isn't recommendable for younger teens because it deals with drugs, sex, and violence, but it does make a very good point. It's a book that makes you think.

Cautionary Note: Rape, Sexual References, Drugs, Alcohol, Mild Language, Violence

Impossible

Nancy Werlin

Penguin, New York, 2008

Genres: Sex Related, Family & Friends, Society, Fantasy, Violence

Reading Level: Young Adult (16-18)

Pages: 364

Summary:

Lucy's life is great except for one thing, her crazy mother. Constantly plagued by her rants and random encounters, it was hard to accept her situation. Then she got raped by her prom date and everything turned upside down. Yet there is still another crazy twist waiting to further mess her life up.

Reaction:

Weird and very scary. Not scary like ghost scary, but haunting and too emotional. I didn't like it the entire time, yet I couldn't put it down until I finished. NOT for younger teens. I can't really say much more because I don't want to give anything away.

Cautionary Note: Rape, violence, craziness, and adult emotional junk.

The Witch's Boy

Michael Gruber

Harper Tempest, New York, 2005

Genres: Fantasy, Animal/Nature, Journey, Body/Self

Reading Level: Young Adult (12-18)

Pages: 377

Summary:

This is a story about a Witch and her son, a very ugly and unfortunate son at that. It's about this son's journey to discover himself and to also accept what he is. Tossed into the mix is a demon, bears, fairies, a human cat, and a very bad attitude.

Reaction:

I'm a huge fantasy fan, and something of a buff on the genre, so when I say that this wasn't my favorite book, you'll understand that perhaps I'm just a little picky. It wasn't a bad idea, but the story seemed to drag on without any really good developments. It's nice and clean and easy to follow though, so it's a good book for all ages. It could even be read by older children, though it's geared towards teens. I think that the first part of the book was the best, and then I felt like it got long and ridiculous, but that's just me.

Cautionary Note: Revenge, death, witchcraft, bad attitude.

Speak

Laurie Halse Anderson

Scholastic, New York, 1997

Genres: Sex Related, Friends and Society, Violence, Family

Reading Level: Young Adult (16-18)

Pages: 198

Awards: Printz Honor, Golden Kite Award, ALA Top Ten, Publishers Weekly Best Book of Year.

Summary:

Melinda Sordino called the cops during a party and now everybody at school hates her. She's a freshman, and she no longer has friends, a life, or even much self respect. Her life is falling apart and nobody but her knows the reason why. This is the sad, but engaging story of a girl who has been hurt and is seeking recovery.

Reaction:

Wow! This isn't a book for the young of heart, because it will leave them scarred. It's very realitic and powerful though, something that I appreciated from this genre. I do NOT recommend this book for anybody younger than 16 unless if they're dealing with these issues at present. I don't want to give the story away, so I won't say what happened to the girl, but you can probably already guess it was bad. It was very well written, so I liked it.

Cautionary Note: Violence, Sex, mild language, Attempted Rape, nothing too graphic, but it's all there.

I Am The Cheese

Robert Cormier

Laurel-Leaf, New York, 1977

Genres: Mystery, Family, Journey

Reading Level: Young Adult (14-18)

Pages: 214

Awards: Phoenix Award

Summary:

This is about a boy named Adam who is in search of his father. He sets out on a bicycle, yet somehow travels back through time as he tries to remember who he is and what happened to his father. This mystery must not be solved if Adam is to survive.

Reaction:

Weird, but very interesting. I wouldn't say it's my favorite Robert Cormier book so far, but I wouldn't say that it's without merit. I liked the psychological mystery involved, but I thought that the ending was a little too confusing. I wouldn't recommend this book for teens younger than high school because it's requires a little bit more maturity to deal with the content.

Cautionary Note: Violence, some language. Death.

Stuck In Neutral

Terry Trueman

HarperTempest, New York, 2000

Genres: Body Self, Family

Reading Level: Young Adult (16-18)

Pages: 114

Awards: Printz Honor Book, ALA Best Book for Young Adults

Summary:

Shawn McDaniel is fourteen years old and he's trapped within his body. Oh yeah, also he thinks his dad is planning to kill him. This story takes you into the mind of a "retarded" teen who is forced to deal with a family that is falling apart.

Reaction:

I couldn't really get into this book at all; I had to force myself to finish it, even though it was so short. It deals with very serious issues that require a certain level of maturity to understand. For that reason, I wouldn't really recommend this book for anybody under that age of 16. I didn't entirely find the character of Shawn to be realistic, but the father was portrayed amazingly well. This book is great for fueling debate and discussion.

Cautionary Note: Very mature content, meaning moral issues of murder and death. It also has some language and sexual references. Ages 16 and up.

Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

Brandon Mull

Aladdin Paperbacks, New York, 2009

Genres: Fantasy

Reading Level: Young Adult (12-18)

Pages: 526

Summary:

This is the fourth book in the Fablehaven series. The plot continues with Kendra and Seth Sorenson fighting to prevent a secret society from destroying the world. Now they've joined forces with the knights of dawn to break into a dragon sanctuary. Once again we return to a magical world of fantasy mixed with the modern world.

Reaction:

I was already a fan of the Fablehaven series, having read the first three books last summer, and I was excited to read the fourth book. I really think that these books are easy to read for teens, and they're also engaging. Best of all, they're clean. I would rate this series up with Harry Potter and the Hunger Games for awesomeness. Don't get me wrong, they are simpler and easier than both of those series. If you plan to read this book, start at the beginning of the series.

Cautionary Note: There are some mild action scenes, and a few characters get killed.

Running Out of Time

Margaret Peterson Haddix

Scholastic, New York, 1995

Genres: Mystery, Family, Accomplishment

Reading Level: Tween (12-14)

Pages: 184

Awards: ALA Best Book

Summary:

The village of Clifton, Indiana is on the frontier of the US in the year 1840. Life seems to be pretty normal for Jessie until her Ma sends her on a mysterious mission to find help against an outbreak of diphtheria. Leaving her home behind, Jessie discovers a world that is more dangerous and new than she could ever have imagined.

Reaction:

I thought that the idea was a good one for a novel, but the author went way too quickly and glossed over far too many details. It isn't a hard book to read and it's very innocent, perfect for a young reader who has a hard time comprehending reading. Like I said, it's a good idea, but I found the ending to be very quick and disappointing, almost as if the author didn't want to take the time to come with a decent ending. Probably not a good book for High School age kids.

Cautionary Note: Nothing.

The Chocolate War

Robert Cormier

Laurel-Leaf, New York, 1974

Genres: Violence, Body Self, Friends and Family

Reading Level: Young Adult (14-18)

Pages: 263

Summary:

Jerry Renault dares to disturb the universe, just like a poster tells him, and it's causing an uproar in his school. The annual chocolate sale has began, yet Jerry won't sell his share of the chocolates. Everything seems tolerable until the school's secret society gets involved.

Reaction:

Awesome book, but definitely not a happy one. The story really gets into some of the emotional issues that high school ages kids deal with, plus it deals with issues such as peer pressure, popularity, and standing up for oneself. The ending isn't a happy one, so don't read this book on a rainy day.

Cautionary Note: Language, Sexual references, violence, peer abuse, and rule breaking is mostly what the book is about, so don't expect it to be pretty.

Catching Fire

Suzanne Collins

Scholastic P, New York, 2009

Genres: Dystopia, Violence, Death, Adventure, Science Fiction, Love

Reading Level: Young Adult (14-18)

Pages: 391

Summary:

This is the second book of the Hunger Games Series, and the plot is becoming even more intense and dangerous. Katniss has returned home after the games to find that nothing has changed: The capitol is still in control, her friends are starving, and she still hunts for food. But something has changed, and it's going to affect her life forever.

Reaction:

I'm raving about this book! I started it with high expectations because of the last book, but after the sixth chapter I couldn't put the book down. It delivered everything that I wanted in a good YA book, and it had some interesting twists along the way. I rate these two books along with Harry Potter for excellence. They recommend these books for ages 12 to 18, but I'm thinking that perhaps it's a little too intense for some younger kids. Other than that, It's just a great book for all ages.

Cautionary Note: Like the last book, they describe the death scenes. There's lots of action, drama, and suspense. I didn't notice any language though. This isn't a children's book.

Author's Website: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac

Gabrielle Zevin

Square Fish, New York, 2007

Genres: Family, Body Self, Love

Reading Level: Young Adult (14-18)

Pages: 271

Summary:

If Naomi had picked tails, she would have won the coin toss, and then she wouldn't have hit her head, and she wouldn't have gotten amnesia. But she did pick tails, and now her life is upside down. She can't remember anything from the last four years, and boy does that make school hard. Even worse, she can't remember her friends, her boyfriend, or even what she likes to do. This story is about self discovery and true friendship.

Reaction:

When I first read the title I was intrigued, but not extremely excited. After a few chapters, I found that I couldn't put the book down. It's similar to Adoration of Jenna Fox, but different as well. I'd have to say that this book is more realistic, and probably less controversial, but still tons of fun. It does go on quite a bit about James, her savior, but I liked the twist at the end.

Cautionary Note: Some language, especially towards the end. References to sex, drinking, and severe depression, including suicide.

Blood Secret

Kathryn Lasky

HarperCollins, New York, 2004

Genres: Journey, Historical Fiction, Multicultural, Family, Religious

Reading Level: Young Adult (14-18)

Pages: 236

Summary:

Jerry is a 14 year old girl who hasn't spoken since her mother left her. Now she's living with her great aunt and starting to discover who and what she is. In the cellar she stumbles upon a mysterious trunk that takes her back into time, back to the Spanish Inquisition, and back to family cursed by blood.

Reaction:

I don't usually gush about most YA books because they tend to be poorly written, but this book was powerful. I loved how it made me feel and how honest it seemed. I felt like I was there, living in their shoes, suffering the same things that the characters were. The book started out slowly, and at first I thought it was going to be another partially lame book until she discovered the trunk. This book is perfect for High School age teens, in fact I would say that it is a must read. It teaches about finding yourself through your roots.

Cautionary Note: Graphic torture descriptions, and mature persecutions. I wouldn't recommend this book for teens under the age of 14.

Son of the Mob

Gordon Korman

Hyperion, New York, 2002

Genres: Humor, Family, Mystery

Reading Level: Young Adult (14-18)

Pages: 262

Summary:

Vince is the son of a powerful mob boss and his life is anything but normal. His first date he finds a kidnapped person in his trunk, his father is a suspect in a murder case, and Vince is dating the FBI Agent's daughter. This book is about a kid who is trying to find out who he is and whether he wants to join into the "family business". Can he be a Luca and date the enemies daughter at the same time?

Reaction:

I liked this book, though it is a guy book. The main character is amusing as he deals with his best friend Alex and his girl friend, and his dealings with his family are interesting, but it wasn't as gripping as it could have been. I think that it would be perfect for a male teen who is 14-16, but much older than that they might think it's lame. Vince's relationship with his girlfriend was little too much, not gross, so much as dumb, but perhaps that would appeal to a younger age.

Cautionary Note: Not much swearing, but there's drinking, crime, violence, and lots of kissing. Overall, a pretty clean book for the subject matter.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

Mary E. Pearson

Henry Holt Co, New York, 2008

Genres: Body Self, Science Fiction, Friends and Family, Mystery

Reading Level: Young Adult (15-18)

Pages: 265

Summary:

Jenna Fox survived an accident and now she can't remember anything: Parents, friends, herself, life, nothing remains. She does remember random facts though, and this is part of the mystery. What really happened to Jenna, and why won't her family ever talk about the accident? This is a story of self discovery.

Reaction:

When I first started reading this book, I though that I already had it figured out, but as the story progressed, I found that I knew less and less about Jenna Fox. It's a rare book that truly takes me by surprise, and this one is one of them. That's why I would recommend this book, especially to older teens who are struggling to understand themselves and where they stand in the world. It deals with many serious issues that younger teens probably won't be able to grasp. I won't say that I loved this book, but I couldn't put it down until I finished it (about 4 hours).

Cautionary Note: I can't remember much, but there is some mild language, kissing, an almost rape scene, fits of anger, and lots of controversial themes. Like I mentioned earlier, I wouldn't recommend this book for anybody younger than 14 or 15, and they need to be mature.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Sherman Alexie

Little Brown, New York, 2007

Genres: Humor, Multiculturalism, Graphic Novel, Body Self, Sports, Friends and Family, Death

Reading Level: Young Adult (14-18)

Pages: 230

Awards: National Book Award, ALA Best Book, Horn Book Award Winner, New York Times Best Seller

Summary:

Junior Spirit is 14 years old and he's an Indian living on the Washington Reservation. The problem is that he wants to get off the Reservation and do something with his life. A world of trouble awaits him when starts attending an all white high school 20 miles from home. Friends, Family, and Tribe all turn against him, yet he discovers a new world of friends and most important of all, he discovers who he really is.

Reaction:

I loved this book because it tells the genuine experience of an Indian growing up in two worlds. I loved the relationships that Junior had with friends and family because it all seemed much more real than some fiction I've read. The way that Junior faces challenges and what he thinks about them is honest to the point that at times I felt like I was being smacked in the face. It's not a good book for anybody younger than the age 14 because it does deal with some serious issues such as sexuality and death, but I would recommend this book to any high school age teen.

Cautionary Note: There is language, Sexuality references, Death, Racism, and strong Indian Opinions, not to mention all of the Native American problems described.

Bird

Angela Johnson

Dial Books, New York, 2004

Genres: Family, Friends, Multicultural
Reading Level: Young Adult (14-18)

Pages: 133

Awards: Caretta Scott King Award

Summary:

Bird is 13 and she's run away from home to look for her father Cecil. She ends up in Alabama living in a shed. Ethan is the boy who lives in the house next to the shed and Jay is another boy in town. This books tells the story of all three of these teens and how their stories are entwined.

Reaction:

This book was an easy read for me, since it's short and simple, but the ideas portrayed in it are anything but simple. I liked how Bird influenced everything around her and she struggled to define her life. Even though the story doesn't really end, it left me with a content feeling of completion. I would recommend this book to someone who is struggling to find out who they are.

The Looking Glass Wars

Frank Beddor

Penguin, New York, 2006

Genres: Fantasy

Reading Level: Young Adult

(12-18)

Pages: 358

Summary:

Young Alyss is heir to the Wonderland throne and her life is just great, until her evil aunt Redd invades the Kingdom. Fleeing for her life, Alyss falls through a mysterious pool that takes her to our world in the 1800s. Suddenly, life isn't as easy for the young princess as she struggles to survive and remember all that she has lost. Meanwhile, back in Wonderland Redd has overturned the peaceful kingdom, turning into warren of crime and suffering. Can Alyss return and retake what is rightfully hers?

Reaction:

This book was well written and gripping, though at times I felt that the author left out too much information. I liked the parody on the Alice in Wonderland characters, and I was especially impressed with Hatter Madigan, the real version of the Mad Hatter. It's not as well written as some YA fantasy that I've read in the past, but its a good read for all ages, and it teaches good morals.

Cautionary Note: There are scenes of violence and graphic blood. Redd likes to kill all of her opponents. There is also stealing, but other than that, it's really very clean.

The Moves Make the Man

Bruce Brooks

HarperCollins, New York, 1984

Genres: Sports, Multicultural

Reading Level: Young Adult

Pages: 280

Awards: Newbery Honor

Summary:

Jerome Foxworthy is twelve and he loves basketball. For him there is nothing better than to spend an entire day practicing his "moves" and beating imaginary opponents. Everything seems to be going well until he starts the new school year as the only black kid in a white school, his mother get into an accident, and he meets Bix. Bix is a strange kid whose emotions sometimes run out of control. Can Jerome learn his dark secret in time to help him.

Reaction:

I loved this book from the very start. When I first read the cover I was worried that it would all be about sports, but I found that sports took a minor role in the overall story. This story goes into the inner workings of an ordinary family without dwelling overmuch on racial profiles. I also liked the relationship the developed between Jerome and Bix. I would recommend this book as a good read that has the possibility of inspiring some deeper thought.

Cautionary Note: I can't remember, but it seems there might be some language. Bix explodes and has some minor episodes of anger. There is also some mild racism. One scene also has some mutilation of flesh.

Bomba The Jungle Boy: The Underground River

Roy Rockwood

McLoughlin Bros, New York, 1953

Genres: Adventure

Reading Level: Young Adult (12-18)

Pages: 204

Summary:

Bomba is a white kid who has lived his entire life in the Amazonian Jungles. He sets out on an adventure to discover the fate of his mysterious parents. Every page he finds himself beset by adventure and trials. The story is an obvious imitation of the popular series Tarzan.

Reaction:

I thought that it was poorly written, though to a young boy perhaps it might be interesting. I grew up reading the Hardy Boys, which I think are far more interesting and less cheesy that this book was. I also think that the way that Bomba was portrayed was very racist.

Cautionary Note: This book is racist, in that the White man is dominant and better than the natives. There are some fight scenes, but nothing graphic is described.

Maus: A Survival's Tale

Art Spiegelman

Pantheon Books, New York, 1973

Genres: Historical Fiction, Holocaust, World War 2, Graphic Novel

Reading Level: Young Adult

Pages: 159

Awards: 1992 Pulitzer Prize

Summary:

This is the story of Vladek Spiegelman, who is a Jew living in Poland during WWII. It is written about his experiences of living under German rule and the many sufferings that Jews went through. To make the story more interesting, the Jews are portrayed as mice, the Germans as cats, and the Polish as pigs.

Reaction:

I didn't like this book at all until the second half, when I wasn't able to put it down. The main character Vladek isn't lovable, and he doesn't really inspire the reader with his attitude, but the story is gripping. I must confess that I've never really enjoyed graphic novels, so this book was difficult for me to finish. I would say that it's an easier way for teens to get into the mentality of the Holocaust.

Cautionary Note: There is strong language towards the latter half of the book. There is reference to adultery, harassment, sexuality. There is also two pictures that have nudity in them. This book is better for ages 14 and up.

Twilight

Stephenie Meyer

Little Brown Books, 2008

Genres: Romance, Supernatural, Fantasy

Reading Level: Young Adult

Pages: 544

Summary:

Bella Swan is clumsy, ordinary, and new in town. Edward Cullen is beautiful, smooth, perfect, and a vampire. Somehow, these two get together to create one of the most unusual couples to walk this earth. Set in Forks Washington, the story is about forbidden love, unreal challenges, and overcoming weakness.

Reaction:

I'm a guy, so naturally I didn't particularly enjoy this book. I can say that it wasn't the worst book I've ever encountered, though. The romantic emotions were a bit excessive at times, and I felt that the author's grammar was a bit confusing, but judging by the world's reaction, I would have to say this book is perfect for teen girls.

Cautionary Note: Some language, lots of sensual and heavy emotional stuff, and a couple scenes of violence.

Ender's Game

Orson Scott Card
Tor, New York, 1977

Genres: Science Fiction
Reading Level: Young Adult (12 and up)
Pages: 324
Awards: Hugo Winner, Nebula Winner, New York Times Best Seller.

Reaction:

I read this book ages ago, yet it remains one of my all time favorites in the genre of Young Adult Fiction and Sci-Fi. I recommend this book to anybody from the age of 12 and up. I made this movie for a class as a sort of introduction. I hope you enjoy it.

Summary:

Cautionary Note: Contains language and intense battle scenes.

The Taking of Room 114

Mel Glenn

Dutton Juvenile, 1997

Genres: Poetry, Mystery, Suspense
Reading Level: Young Adult (14-18)
Pages: 192

Summary:

This story is written in free form poetry and tells the story of a senior history class that is being held hostage by their teacher. Each of the student's stories are told through creative poems, and the story is riddled with doubts concerning the mysterious room 114.

Reaction:

The poetry was gripping to me, and it helped set the tone of the story. I liked the way that the author profiled all of the different students in the class, giving us a glimpse into mixed up world of high school. It's a good book for mature high school age teens interested in understanding different backgrounds of their fellow students.

Cautionary Note:

Some language and Sexual content. The teacher is also armed and crazy, but nothing graphic is described.

Wednesday Wars

Gary D. Schmidt

Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 2007

Genres: Historical Fiction, Humor
Reading Level: Young Adult

Pages: 264

Awards: Newbery Honor

Summary:

Holling Hoodhood is an ordinary 12 year old boy living in the year 1967, and is worst enemy is his extraordinary teacher, Mrs. Baker. Forced to spend his Wednesday afternoons reading Shakespeare, Holling learns something more about life. Set during the Vietnam War, this story humorously depicts the experiences and mentality of an ordinary family and school in the US.

Reaction:

I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anybody who is looking for a light and funny read. The way that the author displays human nature and the development that Holling undergoes makes this an excellent book for teens.

Cautionary Note:

This book doesn't have any problems with language. There are some mild descriptions of the Vietnam War.