Review: Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein

Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 2013
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780385743297

Review: Dinah's life seems to fall apart when her cousin, Claire is driven to slitting her wrists leaving her in a coma fighting for her life. In Premeditated by Josin L. McQueen shows readers just how far someone is willing to go because of love.

Dinah is a high school student with one goal in mind. She wants to take down the boy who drove Claire to attempt suicide changing everything about herself, Dinah sheds the piercings, dark hair, and clothes in exchange for a private school girl, uniform, and blonde hair. Dinah's determined to infiltrate Claire's school, which is made possible because Dinah is staying with her aunt and uncle as she awaits Claire's recovery. As Dinah becomes one of "them", she finds everything is not always as it seems.

Premeditated is a clever book incorporating unique well-developed characters. Dinah's friends from the past, as well as her new private school friends, come together to create a dynamic blending of personalities. Dinah's character in particular is witty, wise, and at the same time very self-conscious and sensitive. She refers to one girl as "Abigail-Not Abby" throughout the book as one example of her wry humor. The plot development is also strong, leading readers in unpredictable directions. Aside from a slow, unclear beginning, Premonition is a book that will ring home for many adolescent readers. However, without reading the book jacket, readers will spend the first portion of the book confused. As one who does not read the inside flap, it took quite a while to understand Dinah's motivation. The inside flap should really be the first page of the book. Other than that, the endearing characters and plot development will keep readers enticed to the very end.

Review written by Margo Nauert.

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Premeditated for this review.

Have you read Premeditated? How would you rate it?

Review: Somebody Up There Hates You by Hollis Seamon

Somebody Up There Hates You by Hollis Seamon.

Algonquin Young Readers
Publication Date: October 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9781616202606

Review: When everything in life goes badly, it's only logical to place blame somewhere. For Richard Casey, a spunky teenager who is awaiting his last days in the hospice unit, there is only one culprit - the "Big Dude." In Somebody Up There Hates You by Hollis Seamon, Richie is determined to make his last days count!

Richie has lived through it all - chemotherapy, radiation, surgery after surgery, but he finds as he faces the end that he really hasn't lived at all. Determined to make up for all the lost days ahead of him, he embarks on a journey to truly live. Then Sylvie, a sixteen-year-old patient across the hall throws a wrench in his plans as she, too, wants to live - at least until she is taken away for good. Together they grow up, face the world, and even face their fate. Richie's lust for adventure and self-discovery alongside Sylvie's drive for love bring about the wonders of life, but they also create the wall that is forced eventually to divide them.

Somebody Up There Hates You is a unique coming-of-age novel where the author shares a glimpse into the life of a teen whose fate has already been decided. Not only is the sadness shared, but also the humor and need to feel alive. Richie is presented in such a way where readers are drawn in instantly. His raunchy, funny, and authority-challenging character appeals to teens, and readers quickly forget he's dying. His frankness from which he views life makes a depressing topic exciting. "Hey, I'm totally reliable, sweartogod. I, Richard Casey - aka the Incredible Dying Boy - actually do live, temporarily, in the very hospice unit I'm going to tell you about." Richie's goal by his end is to experience "it all", and although authority figures try to stand in his way with every roll of the wheelchair he makes, his determination (along with Sylvie's determination) make "growing up" in the face of death actually possible. This life-affirming novel will make readers laugh and cry as they see that life is worth living - even if it's only for a short while.

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Algonquin Young Readers for providing a copy of Somebody Up There Hates You for this review.

Have you read Somebody Up There Hates You? How would you rate it?

Review: Strangelets by Michele Gagnon

Strangelets by Michele Gagnon.

Soho Press
Publication Date: April 2013
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9781616951375

Review: Three unconnected teens around the world plunge into death at precisely the same time find themselves in an abandoned hospital with no understanding of their whereabouts or how to leave. Strangelets by Michelle Gagnon explores an alternate reality in which the earth has been nearly destroyed, and a horror awaits those that try to fight the evil that lies beyond the hospital doors.

Sophie, Declan, and Anat awake in separate rooms in a stark hospital that has long since been abandoned. Discovering that three other teens are also held hostage in the hospital, they all set out together to find a way past locked doors. Once they reach the outside world, they find that it is not what they expect. Instead of the green, grassy earth with wildlife and beautiful architecture, they are faced with destruction. It becomes abundantly clear that something or someone has brought them together, but why? Off in the distance, a horrifying sound emanates. It is the sound of a beast - a beast with the power to kill and the need to consume human flesh. Trying to make sense of their purpose and the world that surrounds them, the six teens head out on a terrifying quest for answers. But, will the answers be ones they want to hear?

Michelle Gagnon has written an intriguing alternate-reality novel. Teens will find themselves identifying with the main characters who experience the breadth of human emotions as they seek answers. A love triangle, a boy seeking his father, and angry teens just wanting to return to their real lives are easy characters to appeal to the target audience. Some characters however are nearly annoying. It doesn't take long before readers wish the beasts would remove Anat from the story. Undoubtedly, Gagnon created Anat to add dissonance between characters. But, the dissonance may have been too much. Additionally, Gagnon creates a world that can only be found in a nightmare. Readers will find themselves gripping onto the book as they forge ahead into the wee hours of the night awaiting the anticipated moment when all the questions will be answered and life will return to normal. A complex science lies at the center of the explanation, which might be confusing for readers; however, it is the only logical way to explain their fate. Strangelets is the epitome of creepy and weird, and it is perfect for teens who enjoy reading horror novels that stretch beyond reality.

Review written by (th grade student).

We would like to thank Soho Press for providing a copy of Strangelets for this review.

Have you read Strangelets? How would you rate it?

Review: If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan

If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan.

Algonquin Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2013
List Price: $16.95
ISBN-13: 9781616202514

Review: In Asia lies a culture that is foreign to the rest of the world. Although Iran is a country that is seen throughout the news, Sara Farizan takes readers into the more obscure parts of Iranian culture in her debut novel, If You Could Be Mine. Sahar, a seventeen-year-old intelligent student with a bright future ahead of her, is plagued by her love for her best friend. Sahar has been in love with Nasrin nearly her entire life. They've grown up together, loving one-another, making promises of a romantic future. But, in Iranian culture, homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment or even death.

Sahar is madly in love with Nasrin who is more or less the selfish, rich girl. But Nasrin returns Sahar's love. Sahar is the only person who truly understands her. However, when Nasrin's parents announce Nasrin's impending marriage, Sahar's life is turned upside down. No longer can she stand being the hidden figure of Nasrin's lust. She wants more. Tormented by Reza's obvious love for Nasrin and Nasrin's acceptance of their marriage, Sahar turns to more dramatic ways to solve her dilemma. Because Sahar cannot live a life of homosexuality in Iran, she turns to the only alternative. It is not a crime to be a man trapped in a woman's body. Sex change is legal because these feelings are accepted as "nature's mistake". Once Sahar is a man, Nasrin and she will be able to be together legally. But will she be too late? Will Nasrin already be married? Will she turn away from Reza for her? Is Nasrin worth giving up her true self?

If you Could Be Mine is a thought-provoking novel. Not only does it open the reader's eyes to the culture if Iran, but it also shows what it means to truly love someone - anyone, and it shares with readers the pain and suffering homosexual and transgender people face in Iran. As the understanding for an alternative life style is more and more accepted in the rest of the world, it is disheartening to see how it is perceived in other corners of the world. In a fresh, respectful manner, Farizan shares the pain that is faced by people who want to act on their true desires but who can't because of the risk of death. Young adult girls in particular will be drawn into the love felt between Sahar and Nasrin, and they will feel the pain as Sahar is faced with the most challenging decisions of her life.

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Algonquin Young Readers for providing a copy of If You Could Be Mine for this review.

Have you read If You Could Be Mine? How would you rate it?

Review: Scowler by Daniel Kraus

Scowler by Daniel Kraus.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385743099

Review: Life is nearly normal for nineteen-year-old Ry and his mother and sister. After his abusive father, Marvin Burke, destroyed their lives, Ry has worked to shed his life of the terrifying memories. In a horrific look at mental illness, Daniel Kraus takes readers into the minds of Ry and Marvin in Scowler.

On their dilapidated farm, Ry, his mother, and sister try to eek out a life that brings some normalcy to their damaged lives. They think they've succeeded until an escaped convict shows up on their property. After learning of the catastrophe at the prison and finding out that Marvin had been transferred to that prison, Ry and his mother know it's time to leave their farm behind and run away to a new life. But, when Marvin surprises them as they are packing, they know their hopes of escape are shattered. Fourteen minutes later, a meteor crashing onto their land offers a distraction and hope, but the fervor of Marvin's find sends their lives into an even more disturbing tailspin. As imaginary friends of Ry's past come once again to life, he finds that maybe there is a monster lying in wait inside him too.

Scowler is an unnerving look into the world of the mentally disturbed. It is filled with symbolism and depth that is often not present in young adult books of this genre. However, Scowler could just as easily been a novella. In fact, it might have been more effective. At times it seems as if Kraus is trying to fill pages by adding unnecessary details. Readers might find themselves saying, "Get on with it . . ." The overall storyline has the potential to be truly terrifying, but the over-development of inconsequential details takes the reader away from the actually in-depth plotline. Nonetheless the fear, blood and gore, and disturbing characters will definitely appeal to young adult readers.

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Scowler for this review.

Have you read Scowler? How would you rate it?

Review: Promises to Keep by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Promises to Keep by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 2013
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385741927

Review: Growing up in this generation most young adults will picture a glittering, supernatural, human fighting against other strange, fictional characters when they hear a book about vampires. After reading Promises to Keep by Amelia Atwater- Rhodes, it will change that perspective on vampires completely.

It all begins with a crashed party and an epic clash of events. At the center of all this chaos is Jay, a young witch and vampire hunter. Somehow he finds himself in a situation no one has ever expected. He finds himself at the vampire empress Kendra's fabled Heathen Holiday bash where he is dragged into a trap. He has always raced his way though these dangerous conditions, but this time he won't be able to get out of it so easily. Throughout this nerve-wracking evening he meets an insane vampire and another mysteriously supernatural person in the middle of the forest floor. In this thrilling story, Jay Marinitch may be the only hope to stop the rise of a vampire-controlled slave empire called Midnight.

Personally, I think that this book is decent. It definitely will catch any reader's eye. It has a very unique and interesting plot. I recommend Promises to Keep to readers age 12 and older because there is some language in the story that would not be recommended to be read by younger readers. A weakness of this book is that it is a bit vague in the beginning. But in spite of that, I gradually became more interested. However, I know that other readers will be captivated by this unique story from the very beginning.

Review written by Lauren (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Promises to Keep for this review.

Have you read Promises to Keep? How would you rate it?

Review: How to Lead a Life of Crime by Kirsten Miller

How to Lead a Life of Crime by Kirsten Miller.

Razorbill
Publication Date: February 2013
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9781595145185

Review: Predators. That's the term we use here. The alumni hate being labeled sociopaths or psychopaths - and they'd be furious to hear you call them monsters. They don't want to be thought of as mentally ill. And they're not. No one at the Mandel Academy is insane. Psychopaths and sociopaths are not defective humans. As a matter of fact, I'm convinced they're superior beings." Thus is the belief behind the long-standing, highly respected Mandel Academy, a school for the chosen few who graduate to be the most powerful leaders in the world. In How to Lead a Life of Crime by Kirsten Miller, readers will enter alongside Flick as he follows in his father's footsteps and attends the Mandel Academy.

Flick is a teenage boy, not terribly different from other teenage boys except he lives a life of crime. After escaping abuse from his father and suffering from the knowledge that his brother was murdered by the hands of the very same father, Flick resorts to the streets and makes a life as a pickpocket. When Flick is offered a deal to finally get the proof to send his father to jail, he accepts the invitation into the Mandel Academy. However, once he's admitted - even though he is seen as the most formidable competitor - he notices that the school is not just training criminals, but it is also eliminating those who are not strong enough to succeed. Since no one can leave the academy without being fully trained and willing to keep the true agenda of the Academy secret, they find a different, more alarming way to eliminate the weak. Flick finds himself conflicted and when an old flame is admitted and they are pit against each other with the threat that only one of them will survive, will he find a way to reach his goal and save the only girl he's ever loved?

How to Lead a Life of Crime has the most unique premise for a novel to date. It takes some of the excitement of The Hunger Games and mixes with it a grueling explanation of what genetic attribute leads to power. "Those who inherited the gene were smarter, stronger. Better. They became predators. Those without the gene were weaker, less intelligent, more prone to illness. They were the predator's prey. That's what psychopaths and sociopaths share in common. Both possess the mutant gene." Readers are grabbed from page one, and their attention is held to the very end. Not only is the backdrop to the novel engaging and exciting, but the character development also adds to the novel's ability to captivate its audience. Every character is significant and developed to the fullest detail so that readers can immerse themselves in the adventure, in the horror that is the Mandel Academy. The New York Times bestselling author has done it again. How to Lead a Life of Crime is bound to be recognized as a one-of-a-kind young adult novel.

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Penguin Group for providing a copy of How to Lead a Life of Crime for this review.

Have you read How to Lead a Life of Crime? How would you rate it?

Review: The Little Woods by McCormick Templeman

The Little Woods by McCormick Templeman.

Schwartz & Wade Books
Publication Date: July 2012
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780375869433

Review: Three girls disappear; their bodies are never found. The only connection is the woods - the woods behind St. Bede's Academy. McCormick Templeman has written a captivating novel of intrigue and mystery as Cally Wood tries to unravel the mystery behind the disappearances. This quest is personal, because one of those girls is her sister.

With a distraught home life, Cally uses her superior intelligence to gain a scholarship to transfer to St. Bedes in the middle of her junior year. The Academy is filled with other academically talented students, but they are different from Cally because they represent the highest echelon of society. Although challenging at first, Cally finds her way around the life of the rich with the extravagant parties and illicit romances. But that is not her goal. Her goal is to solve the mystery behind her sister's disappearance. A body has never been recovered, so Cally holds onto the hope that her sister is out there somewhere, but if she isn't, then Cally is prepared to hunt down a murder. Ten years separate the disappearance of Cally's sister and her friend from the latest disappearance of Iris, a somewhat quirky girl at St. Bedes. Cally encounters criticism, hate and love as she muddles her way through age-old clues in search of some answers. Can she solve the mystery before yet another girl disappears?

The Little Woods is a mysterious coming-of-age novel. Teenage girls will most definitely relate to Cally's character. Attending an elite academy and hanging with the rich, and being sought after by the cutest guys, what more could a girl ask for? But, most girls will more likely relate to the isolation and pain Cally feels as she hears girls gossiping, knowing she will never really "fit in." The characters in The Little Woods epitomize high school girls and the drama that undoubtedly ensues. Second to the social dynamics is a captivating mystery. The woods become a beacon of fear as students are not permitted to enter the them. The puzzles Cally encounters add a sense of intrigue. This combination of a mysterious disappearance, clues in the form of puzzles, and the social drama of St. Bedes, work together to create a novel that young adults will enjoy. However, had the mystery truly been at the forefront instead of the social dynamics, the novel would have been far more exciting and even disturbing. But if readers ignore the quote, "Unexplained disappearances. Suspicious deaths. There is something wrong with the woods behind St. Bedes," they will most certainly approach the novel with a more appropriate expectation. The quote presents a novel of fear and suspense, and that is not truly achieved. That being said, The Little Woods, is still a worthy young adult novel.

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Little Woods for this review.

Have you read The Little Woods? How would you rate it?

Review: The Warrior's Heart: Becoming a Man of Courage and Compassion by Eric Greitens

The Warrior's Heart: Becoming a Man of Courage and Compassion by Eric Greitens.

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: October 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780547868523

Review: Do you have what it takes to become a Navy SEAL? Do you want to know what being a Navy SEAL is like? Do you like memoirs? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you found the book for you! The Warrior's Heart is a memoir written by Eric Greitens, a former Navy SEAL.

Eric Greitens wants to test his strength and serve the country at the same time, so he joins the Navy SEALS. Prior to entering the Navy, he helped countries in need. When he entered the SEALS, he put himself through the toughest regimen that America has to offer. The question is: Will Eric Greitens have the strength, the will, and countless other attributes to push through the challenges and complete the requirements of the SEALS?

I personally love this book. I would strongly recommend this book to boys and girls in grades six and higher. Some readers may think that The Warrior's Heartstarts sort of slow but overall, the book is very fast paced and filled with action and lessons. The Warrior's Heart is about 260 pages, not too short and not too long. The author takes you through his life. For example, during college he travelled to many different countries helping the aid workers take care of orphans and refugees in search of safety. If you appreciate emotion, this book has some very sad moments. On the other hand, it also has some very happy moments. Mr. Greitens is very detailed, taking the reader through his training and the process of becoming a Navy SEAL. For example, while Eric is in his training, he explains every part of each exercise. I found it very interesting to read about his combat missions overseas. This book is meant to appeal to older mature audiences who can appreciate the rigorous training and combat required of Navy SEALS. There is nothing inappropriate in the book. To recap, The Warrior's Heart is a great book about one man and the Navy seals. I strongly suggest that you check out this book!

Review written by Jacob (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of The Warrior's Heart: Becoming a Man of Courage and Compassion for this review.

Have you read The Warrior's Heart: Becoming a Man of Courage and Compassion? How would you rate it?

Review: The FitzOsbornes at War by Michelle Cooper

The FitzOsbornes at War by Michelle Cooper. The Montmaray Jounals, Book III.

Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 2012
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780375870507

Review: How would you have liked it if the Nazis forced you out of your homeland? This happens to Sophie FitzOsborne, a princess of Montmaray, a fictitious island near Cornwall, England. Sophie takes refuge with her cousins in Britain. Michelle Cooper creates an extremely realistic setting in her conclusion to the Montmaray Journals Trilogy, The FitzOsbornes at War.

The FitzOsbornes at War begins as Britain declares war on Germany. Sophie's brother Toby joins the RAF to help the war effort while Sophie goes to London to work at the Ministry Of Food. A family friend, the Colonel, gets her to infiltrate cocktail parties at the American Embassy to find out if there is a spy in the midst. A couple years later, Toby gets shot down over Belgium, Axis territory, and his chances of survival are slim. Read the book to find out what happens to Sophie and the FitzOsbornes.

The FitzOsbornes at War did not appeal to me. Although there are historical facts, realistic characters, and compelling details of the Blitz, I found that I was not the best audience for what the book has to offer. First, I felt it was inappropriate for my age group because it includes mature content that made me uncomfortable. Also, because the book is written from a girl's perspective, girls would most likely enjoy it more. Probably the most significant reason that I did not fully enjoy The FitzOsbornes at War has more to do with the fact that I hadn't read the first two books. Without reading the first two books, it is hard to follow the characters. For instance, I didn't know what happened to their mother and father, so I wasn't up to date. Therefore it is critical that the first two books are read before beginning this one. Overall, the right audience for the book might have truly enjoyed the realism and strong historical story line, but I did not. I might have enjoyed this better if I had read the first two books. So I would not rule out The FitzOsbornes at War, but I would recommend that the readers know the background and are more prepared for the mature content.

Review written by Ian (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The FitzOsbornes at War for this review.

Have you read The FitzOsbornes at War? How would you rate it?

Review: His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg: Courage, Rescue, and Mystery During World War II by Louise Borden

His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg: Courage, Rescue, and Mystery During World War II by Louise Borden.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: January 2012
List Price: $18.99
ISBN-13: 9780618507559

Review: Would you be willing to stare death in the face to save somebody you didn't know? Raoul Wallenberg has done this every day of his life in Hungary during World War Two. In the book His Name was Raoul Wallenberg Louise Borden tells a great story of this hero,

Raoul was born in August 1912, near Stockholm, Sweden. Because his father died from cancer before Raoul was born, his grandfather became his mentor. Gustaf Oscar Wallenberg was a man of bold ideas. From an early age, Raoul liked to read and draw and through that his parents discovered that he was colorblind. Raoul Wallenberg stood apart from his classmates because of his curiosity. His grandfather wanted him to become an independent citizen of the world so Raoul traveled to Turkey, England, and France, and found his talent for languages. Raoul studied architecture at the University of Michigan, discovering his talent in that too. After graduation, he traveled to South Africa, Palestine, Genoa, France, Athens, Egypt, and Haifa. When WWII's first shots were fired, Raoul was working in an import-export business. The War Refugee Board wanted a courageous man who spoke German or Hungarian and had been to Budapest to organize help for the Jewish people in Budapest. Raoul was the man for this job. To find out what happens to Raoul in his conquest to save the Jews, you should read this book.

I give this book 4 stars out of 5 because I generally like stories about wars. Even though I knew that Raoul's fate has not been found, I was still disappointed to be in the dark about his death, which made this 1 star short of perfect. Students 8 years old and older will enjoy reading His Name was Raoul Wallenberg, especially if they enjoy war stories. Louise Borden sets up the text of His Name was Raoul Wallenberg almost like a poem which adds a touch of creativity and breaks the text into easier to read phrases. Louise Borden included fascinating facts, like "he was given no clear instructions... and no one really knew how or if he could succeed." A task is hard enough when you are given specific instructions, even harder if you don't know what to do. Raoul had the creativity to make the schutzpass, a fancy document used to put Jews under the protection of the Swedish government. Reading this book made me want to meet Raoul Wallenberg because he was courageous, even though he had a disability, color blindness. He was as cunning as a fox in tricking his foes and he was brave to ignore the consequences of being caught helping to save thousands of Jewish lives. If you read this book, you may be able to come up with a theory of Raoul's outcome but I'm sure you'll be impressed with this detailed account of this World War II hero's life.

Review written by Ian (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg: Courage, Rescue, and Mystery During World War II for this review.

Have you read His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg: Courage, Rescue, and Mystery During World War II? How would you rate it?

Review: All You Never Wanted by Adele Griffin

All You Never Wanted by Adele Griffin.

Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375870828

Review: Two sisters, one beautiful and popular, but plagued by fear; the other has her intelligence, but is only a shell of her older sister. In All You Never Wanted by Adele Griffin, Alex and Thea Parrott work to come to grips with the weaknesses that control their very existence.

Alex Parrott has everything, and now that her mother has remarried, she has more money than she can ever imagine. But, a horrific event has changed her. She has stopped eating, avoids drinking anything, and keeps herself tied to her home. This event completely controls her life to the point that she is at risk of losing everything. Thea Parrott wants too much to change her image from the Òsmart girlÓ to someone more like Alex. She becomes a chronic liar as she tries so desperately to work her way into the inner circle at school. As she gets closer to achieving her goal, her lies start to tear her apart. Thea's greatest accomplishment is the party of the year; she just has to get Alex to agree. Through unexpected romance and the party that Thea and Alex's boyfriend have planned, the Parrott girls' lives are turned upside down.

What sisters haven't secretly coveted what their sister has and they're lacking? They see their sister's attributes as better than their own. In All You Never Wanted, this desire is taken to an alarming level as Thea's own identity disappears when she realizes she will never be her sister. The novel is written chapters that alternate between Thea and Alex. This is confusing at first in that Thea's chapters are written in first person and Alex's chapters are written in third person. Oddly this fact easily goes unnoticed. However, once readers come to understand the format, it proves to be highly effective. Readers get insight into how Thea feels about herself and how she views Alex. Both girls' lives are exciting and tragic in their own ways, and teen girls are destined to find a little bit of themselves in Alex and Thea. The final caveat to All You Never Wanted is the surprising ending. Adele Griffin has truly captured the hopes, dreams and fears of teenage girls.

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of All You Never Wanted for this review.

Have you read All You Never Wanted? How would you rate it?

Review: Yesterday by C. K. Kelly Martin

Yesterday by C. K. Kelly Martin.

Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375866500

Review: “Winston Churchill said, ‘Sure I am of this, that you have only to endure to conquer. You have only to persevere to save yourselves.’ I swear his words will be running around in my head for the next fifty years at least." These are the thoughts of sixteen-year-old Freya Kallas - the protagonist in Yesterday, a new dystopian thriller by C. K. Kelly Martin.

Freya Kallas of 2063 is living in a world that has been dramatically affected by the lack of attention paid to the environment in the 20th and early 21st centuries. She lives in a land that is no longer the United States, but is rather the United North America - a result of dwindling governments. In the UNA, climate has been dramatically altered, and coastal destruction has left much of North America desolate. Her world is fearing ecoterrorism, facing the rise of the robot, and a plunge into a virtual world. Family structures have been altered, and as a result of the Bio-net, typical health issues become nearly non-existent. One night, however Freya is fearing for her brother’s life when the SecRos remove her and her mother, give them an injection, and when Freya wakes up, she has no recollection of 2063, but she knows something is not quite right with her life in 1985. Nothing seems real to her until she sees a mysterious boy. But how does she tell him that he’s the subjects of her dreams of a life so far removed from there. How does she tell a total stranger that he’s the only true reality for her?

Martin has written a fantastically unique thriller. 2063 is close enough that readers will fear what could be in their future if changes do not happen today, and the disconnect that Freya feels is utterly believable. Yesterday draws readers in from the first page and keeps them wanting more. Although readers can begin to predict how Freya (and Garren) are transported back in time, the way in which their situation is handled by friends and foe is unpredictable, keeping readers tense and in fear until the very end. While readers are learning about Freya and her adjustments to a new school and a new life and watching her transform into something she’s not merely to have something that seems “real" in her life, readers become more and more passionate about her and her quest to find something that feels right. So when she meets Garren, readers have an investment in Freya’s character and every action becomes personal. Readers will find themselves cheering for her, fearing with her, and crying with her as she faces the most difficult time in her life. Yesterday is filled with enough suspense, mystery, and passion to enthrall any young adult reader.

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Yesterday for this review.

Have you read Yesterday? How would you rate it?

Review: Every Day by David Levithan

Every Day by David Levithan.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2012
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780307931887

Review: "I didn’t think of myself as a boy or a girl -- I never have. I would just think of myself as a boy or girl for a day. It was like a different set of clothes." David Levithan has taken a unique look at adolescence through his novel Every Day - a story about A.

Every night A goes to sleep, and every morning A wakes up in someone else’s body. A is used to this as it’s been the routine since birth. However, when A wakes up in Justin’s body, everything changes. Through Justin, A meets Rhiannon -- a beautiful yet unhappy girl who changes the way A looks at the world. Because of Rhiannon, A finds the rules begin to change. No longer can A avoid being noticed. No longer can A not interfere. And most importantly, no longer can A avoid becoming too attached -- because A is in love. Even if A is able to reach out to Rhiannon and convince her that although he changes daily, he wants to be with her always, how can two people really be together when one of them can never predict who or where he’ll be in the morning?

Creative doesn’t begin to describe Levithan’s latest novel. Every Day centers around a theme of love and the sacrifices people make for love. Never, however, has that theme been exemplified in such a unique fashion. Through A’s life, readers’ eyes are opened to so many different lifestyles. Every Day chronicles 40 days in A’s life, and with each day comes new challenges. A experiences a drug addict, a suicidal teen, a family with strict rules, a family with no rules. It’s like experiencing 40 unique characters in one! Aside from the obvious storyline, readers enjoy the little snippets of every life A enters. While inhabiting the lives of these different teens, readers learn more and more about A’s character, and they will find themselves wishing as much as A that he and Rhiannon can find a way to be together. Every Day is not only a fascinating exploration into character study, but it is also a love story that will leave readers wanting more. Young adult readers will not be disappointed!

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Every Day for this review.

Have you read Every Day? How would you rate it?

Review: Beyond by Graham McNamee

Beyond by Graham McNamee.

Wendy Lamb Books
Publication Date: September 2012
List Price: $15.99
ISBN-13: 9780385737753

Review: Being afraid of your own shadow takes on a whole new meaning in Graham McNamee's ghost story, Beyond. Beyond is a tale of Jane, a teenager who is afraid of her own shadow, and she has every right to be because her shadow is something menacing and horrifying that haunts her day and night.

Jane has had a bizarre life. Some might say she has a death wish. "It started with my difficult birth. Mom nearly died having me. When they finally dragged me out into the world, I was limp and lifeless, born without a pulse. They had to shock my tiny heart into beating. Born dead. That set the mood for everything later." Her parents believe that Jane is a miracle - the beautiful little girl who will grow up to be strong and healthy. But something haunts Jane from that day forward. After a series of events brought on by the pull of the shadow that threaten her life, Jane's heart stops once again. This time, however, when she's brought back to life, instead of a shadow that "merely" forces her to hurt herself, the shadow becomes more angry and haunts her day and night - speaking to her in a menacing voice, driving her insane. If it weren't for her one true friend, she'd probably have given up a long time ago. Lexi is the one person in which Jane confides her fear of her shadow and its increasing power. Together, they try to make sense of this specter and find a way to get it to stop before Jane runs out of "lives" and the shadow takes away her last one.

Beyond is a "one-of-a-kind" book. It is so much more than a ghost story where a ghost acts frightening and can be harmful. In Beyond, the ghost is attached to you! And, it forces you to hurt yourself with the hopes of killing you. This is so much more unsettling because everyone has a shadow, and everyone has jumped at some time or another at their own shadow. So any reader can relate to a fear of shadows. But the fear that a shadow can indeed be menacing and deadly will keep readers up at night. Simply stated, the plot is intriguing. However, the plot is not the only strength of Beyond. McNamee uses such matter-of-fact prose that readers quickly begin to relate to Jane. "I remember dying. After I got injured my heart stopped and I flatlined. I was done and gone. But I wasn't alone. There was something waiting for me when I died. Something dark and cold tried to take my soul away. When they brought me back to life I escaped from it. Left it behind. But what if it came back with me, followed me home like a hungry stray?" Instantly a reader is eager to read more. Plus in light of Jane's frequent "accidents" she is seen as an outcast at school. Teens are constantly concerned with their image, but Jane's character reminds readers that there is more to a person than their image and that it's okay to be "you". When Jane is faced with names like "Psycho Jane" or "Reaper Creeper", Jane takes it for what it is and moves on giving her a strength many teens lack. But, Beyond wouldn't be a good ghost story if it wasn't packed full of suspense - and it is. Every chapter ends forcing readers to think "just one more chapter" and next thing they know the hour is late, they are huddled under a blanket for protection, and they are turning the last page of the book. Then they are left with the nightmares of the shadow - their shadow!

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Beyond for this review.

Have you read Beyond? How would you rate it?

Review: Scandalous!: 50 Shocking Events You Should Know About (so you can impress your friends) by Hallie Fryd

Scandalous!: 50 Shocking Events You Should Know About (so you can impress your friends) by Hallie Fryd.

Zest Books
Publication Date: February 2012
List Price: $13.99
ISBN-13: 9780982732205

Review: Gamblers Pay Chicago White Sox to Throw World Series (1919)

"Tennessee Puts Science Teacher Scopes on Trial for Teaching Evolution" (1925)

"Senator Kennedy Involved in Mysterious Death of Young Woman" (1969)

And the list goes on . . . . Scandalous! 50 Shocking Events You Should Know About (So You Can Impress Your Friends) by Hallie Fryd is the most "scandalous" account of 50 shocking events that have shaped contemporary society.

Beginning with the 1906 account of "Famous Architect Stanford White Murdered by Ex-Lover's Rich Husband" all the way through 2000 to the account of "Tight Gore-Bush Election Results Lead to Bitter Battle Between Parties", Scandalous! takes readers on a journey through some of the most interesting events that have kept reporters enthralled throughout the 20th Century while their readers look on both aghast and in awe. These historic events are brought to life once again in a reader-friendly fashion to share the great scandals with today's teens - because after all, everybody loves a scandal!

The fifty scandals that are highlighted in Fryd's book are widespread - including all sorts of secrets involving celebrities, scientists, criminals, and politics. Each scandal is organized in an exciting fashion. They begin with "The Scoop" which looks similar to a newspaper and headlines. The next section is "What Went Down." In this section readers learn the basics of the scandal. Within the text is a picture of a spiral-bound pad of paper that includes "The Players" so readers can keep abreast of the main people involved in the scandal. Also included are a Polaroid photo of a key player or object and a section for "Quotables." In this section, readers can read actual quotes surrounding the scandal. In "The Aftermath" section, readers find out what happened as a result of the scandal, and Fryd brings the event closer to home in the "Why We Still Care" section. Each scandal is then followed up with a "More" section that shares other similar incidents throughout history.

Scandalous! will most certainly intrigue, entertain, and even teach young adults about history. Hopefully readers will not merely take away that some people did some really bizarre things, but instead consider how these scandals in essence shaped the society we live in today. Plus they will notice how history has a tendency to repeat itself - and not always in a good way. Regardless, without some of these scandals, the world would be a very different place today!

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Scandalous!: 50 Shocking Events You Should Know About (so you can impress your friends) for this review.

Have you read Scandalous!: 50 Shocking Events You Should Know About (so you can impress your friends)? How would you rate it?

Review: Seven Kinds of Ordinary Catastrophes by Amber Kizer

Seven Kinds of Ordinary Catastrophes by Amber Kizer. A Gert Garibaldi book.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385734325

Review: Well, I guess everyone's life is full of ordinary catastrophes. These are mine. Hi I'm Gert Garibaldi. Welcome to my crazy life. The life of a teenager can sometimes be summed up as a compilation of catastrophes - ordinary catastrophes, and Gert's life is no different. In Seven Kinds of Ordinary Catastrophes , Amber Kizer's sequel to Gert Garibaldi's Rants and Raves: One Butt Cheek at a Time , Gert faces one catastrophe after another as she navigates herself through the nucleus of catastrophes - high school.

Gert is just like any other high school student. She must tackle complex homework assignments, deal with boys, family, a job, her friends and as if that's not enough, Gert must plan for her future! Gert has a boyfriend. This should make her lucky, right? Not if he kisses like a vacuum cleaner! And what does that say about Gert if she doesn't like kissing her boyfriend? And how sad is it that "said boyfriend" dumps Gert? Then, while Gert is dealing with this boy crisis, her father ends up hospitalized giving her far more responsibility at home than she might be ready to handle. Getting fired from her barely-minimum-wage, grease-infested job doesn't help the situation either. Fortunately, Gert has wonderful friends who divert her attention from her personal catastrophes to engage her in wacky schemes that ultimately involve her in more drama. And seriously, how is a girl who is putting one fire out after another even supposed to think about her future?? Well, Gert somehow finds a way - though she leaves a few bumps and bruises along the way.

Seven Kinds of Ordinary Catastrophes is a hysterical look at adolescence that teenage girls will stay up all night reading. Most of the novel is written from the frantic perspective of Gert. Readers are drawn in on the first line when Gert says, "Oh, Holy-Mother-of-High-Heels-and-Dropping-Balls, what does a girl wear to a New Year's Eve party?" The candid prose engages readers throughout the novel and keeps them chuckling along the way. Then interspersed between chapters are Gert's "Rants". For example, her first rant is about the word "orchard" (which is really an analysis about the etymology of the word "date" and how a "wizened piece of fruit" has become associated with boys and girls). These are somewhat random, and oftentimes humorous, rants that are presented in a handwritten form to take on the appearance of a diary of sorts. The reader feels as if Gert is talking (or ranting) to her - -making readers want to respond and carry on the conversation! Readers will fall in love with Gert and her sarcastic outlook towards life. Although it is not essential to read Gert Garibaldi's Rants and Raves: One Butt Cheek at a Time before reading Seven Kinds of Ordinary Catastrophes, if it is even half as entertaining as this book, it is certainly recommended. Gert Garibaldi is a little bit of every high-school girl out there, and she'll touch the hearts of readers everywhere. Hopefully Amber Kizer won't stop here, but will instead continue sharing Gert's world with teenage readers far and wide.

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Seven Kinds of Ordinary Catastrophes for this review.

Have you read Seven Kinds of Ordinary Catastrophes? How would you rate it?

Review: The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan. a Forest of Hands and Teeth Book.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 2011
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780385738590

Review: What would you do if you knew you had only a few days left to live? This haunting question plagues Annah as she battles for not only her life, but for the lives of all other living people in Carrie Ryan's third installment in her Forest of Hands and Teeth series - The Dark and Hollow Places. In this dystopian novel, Annah must come to terms with her past - leaving her sister in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, the horrific scars she endured from the barbed wire, and her uncertain feelings for Elias after he left to join the Recruiters - if she has any hope of ever having a future.

Annah's world ended when Elias left to join the Recruiters, and the longer he stays away, the more she realizes she's on her own - alone to try to escape the horrors of the Return. Over time, Annah becomes self-sufficient and learns secrets to avoiding the Horde and the Unconsecrated. However, a hole exists in her soul without Elias. In many ways she's as dead and void of life as the desolate world that surrounds her. But, when she runs into Catcher, a boy who in many ways reminds her so much of Elias, she finds that there might be a little life still left inside her. Catcher, however, is mysterious and comes to Annah with not only hope, but also heavy laden with secrets that cloud his past and more importantly link to her past as well. As Annah's feelings for Catcher grow, it becomes very clear that her past will come back to haunt her and she just might have to decide what she would do if she only had a few days left to live.

Carrie Ryan blends horror and romance in such a way that will capture the hearts of young adult readers. The Forest of Hands and Teeth series is about a dystopian world in which people don't merely die, but they come back to haunt and feed off the blood of the living. To truly understand the world in which Annah lives, as well as the characters and challenges they face, it is critical to start at the beginning of the series. However, readers will be excited they did! The Dark and Hollow Places is thought-provoking and makes readers take a look at the world in which they live. When Annah is trying to make sense of her world, she says, "Maybe, I just wonder sometimes if that's why all this happened. If there wasn't enough good in the world and that's what caused the Return. People got greedy and selfish with their lives and were unwilling to let it go in the end when it was time." Readers can't help but wonder what the lasting effects of a greedy world will be - and maybe seeing Annah's world is enough to make people think twice about how they live. Also, the character dynamics are well developed. Annah is a complex character that grows exponentially throughout the series. She makes realizations in The Dark and Hollow Places that show a wealth of maturing, plus her relationships with Elias, her sister, and of course Catcher, light the pages on fire. The story is complex, yet so compelling, readers find themselves reading into the wee hours of night - and then checking under the bed for an Unconsecrated! Although there does not seem to be a sequel in the making, it certainly seems like Annah's story is not finished - which will certainly make Carrie Ryan fans very happy!

Review written by Margo Nauert (6th grade teacher).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Dark and Hollow Places for this review.

Have you read The Dark and Hollow Places? How would you rate it?

Review: FLIP by Martyn Bedford

FLIP by Martyn Bedford.

Wendy Lamb Books
Publication Date: April 2011
List Price: $16.99
ISBN-13: 9780385739900

Review: Flip by Martyn Bedford is an amazingly suspenseful book that is packed with marvelous description. This book is a fantastic book for readers who enjoy extraordinary happenings. Martyn Bedford has created a spine tingling story that keeps the reader going through the book. 14 year old Alex wakes up one school day, but not in his body. What he does and what he learns may cause nightmares.

Alex wakes up on the wrong bed in the wrong room in the wrong house. His first thought is that he is in his best friend's house, David. Suddenly he hears the noise of a lady calling him down using the name "Philip." When he looks down, he sees that he is not in his body! He goes to school as Philip Garamond, but he is clueless. On the first day, he takes some of Philip's money and goes to the train station where he is caught by one of Philip's school teachers and is taken to school. There he is forced to go to classes and deal with Philip's friends and even more complicated his two girlfriends. In his attempts to contact home, he learns that his real body is in a coma. Desperately, Alex searches the web for answers to the body switch. He learns that Philip and he were both born on the same day, in the same hospital, at the same time. He finds a solution. Alex is one of the many people who have had their souls switched! But, the question is . . . can he get it back?

Martyn Bedford has nailed this thriller with a soul whose will to live has no limit. The details on every page give you the feeling that you are a part of the journey. This book traps you in its suspense and keeps you reading from the first page. The characters in this book are also very interesting because with the problem of a different body Alex also has to deal with his love life which I think is a fantastic twist. I think Martyn Bedford really captured the essence of teenage life in this book and expressed the problems in a great way. The writing in Flip is very creative, and this creative plot makes this book better than many. The way Alex thinks changes throughout the story like a child growing and developing. He goes from wondering if he should attempt to go back and risk a life or if he should live in the body he now inhabits. To conclude, the ending of this book is very captivating like the grand finale of a firework show. At this point there is no stopping until the book is complete. All the major events lead up to an amazing climax which is unpredictable. Readers will race to the end, but I hope Martyn Bedford's creative writing does not.

Review written by Ravi (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of FLIP for this review.

Have you read FLIP? How would you rate it?

Review: The FitzOsbornes in Exile by Michelle Cooper

The FitzOsbornes in Exile by Michelle Cooper. One of The Montmaray Journals.

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2011
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780375858659

Review: Historical, enjoyable, and suspenseful all describe The FitzOsbornes in Exile. This amazing book by Michelle Cooper tells the story of a teenage royal girl, named Sophie, who is exiled out of her beloved country. She tries to make her way in a new world. The second book in The Montmaray Journals series highlights a never before seen way of thinking about World War II. This historical fiction book is about a time when the world was upside down, and Michelle Cooper shows the world a new way of thinking about international affair.

The story begins when the Germans bomb the beloved island of Montmaray. The royal family has to evacuate and moves to England to live with their Aunt Charlotte. As they live in England, many problems present themselves. The marriage season is a difficulty while Sophie and Veronica look for husbands. Veronica is chased by a crazy person who wants her not alive but dead. The campaign to help Montmaray does not go well until certain pieces of evidence come to the eyes of the people running the campaign. While the Germans are bombing the nation of Guernica, refugee children come to live in the second house that the FitzOsbornes own. Many difficulties block Sophie and her crew but she works through it nonetheless. One moment and one speech could change the entire campaign for Montmaray. Will the campaign work or will it fail to do what is right for Montmaray.

The FitzOsbornes in Exile is a book that is a must read for anyone looking for a good book. It informs the reader of what life was like in the1930's and 40's. This unique blend of historical fact and amazing fiction creates the world in which Sophie FitzOsborne lives. Places and events that occurred are all true but the country of Montmarary is not. Michelle Cooper brings together truth and fiction to create a breathtaking book. This different perspective lets the reader look into what life was like during a war of astronomical importance. The preparation for the war and the tearing apart of families is explained in a new fashion. Life still goes on but just not quite in the same way. This book shows how difficult it was to be a civilian in a time of war. The FitzOsbornes in Exile shows what women were expected to do. How the women had very little political power and were perceived as much lower than men and that they could not possibly be equal to a man. The way that women's ideas were taken back then is really emphasized, and I liked that. The FitzOsbornes in Exile engulfed me in its pages and took me away to the place of the characters. I had to rip myself away from the book so that I could do what needed to be done (like homework). The story showed me that there is always more than one way of looking at a situation. Who knows? Maybe one will be the right way. The FitzOsbornes in Exile deserves every star in the sky but since only five are allowed, five will have to do!

Review written by Kathryn (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The FitzOsbornes in Exile for this review.

Have you read The FitzOsbornes in Exile? How would you rate it?