Summer Reading '06: Young Adult Reviews

The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket

Genre: adventure
The Boudelaires become volunteers and join a crew that is looking for the sugar bowl. In this book, Sunny almost dies. I like that Klauss gets his first kiss.
--Reviewed by Tatiana G.

The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket

Genre: adventure
Count Olaf has cooked up another scheme to steal the Baudelaire fortune by killing, or trying to kill, one of the children in a brain-removing surgery. I disliked that one of Count Olaf's troupe died in a fire.
--Reviewed by Tatiana G.

Animorphs by K.A. Applegate

Genre: fantasy
Rachel is morphing out of control. I disliked the part when she turned into an elephant and most of the house collapsed on her.
--Reviewed by Fatima I.

Be Careful What You Wish For By R.L. Stine

Genre: mystery
In Montrose Middle School, Samantha was the laughing stock. Then Clarissa gave Sam three wishes, and her life got worse. I like the part when Judith liked Samantha so much that she could not stop following her and bugging her.
--Reviewed by Fatima I.

Parsifal's Page By Gerald Morris

Genre: historical fiction
Piers travels with Parsifal and later Gawain on various quests, while discovering what it truly means to be a knight. I loved that the knights were portrayed realistically and yet also humorously.
--Reviewed by Ingrid M.

Here Lies the Librarian By Richard Peck

Genre: realistic fiction
Eleanor (who'd prefer to be a boy) and her older brother Jake try to fulfill their dream of winning the Hendricks County Fair Automobile Race despite several obstacles in their way. I loved that the heroine was a real rebel!
--Reviewed by Rachel M.

Title: Five Ancestors Series: Fu Author: Jeff Stone

Genre: fantasy adventure series
Fu, a tiger-style Cantonese monk, steals the dragon scrolls from Ying, a former monk who was going to use them for evil.  I have to get the other 6 volumes to finish the story.
-- Reviewed by Sheldon G. Branch: CL

Title: Five Ancestors Series: Malao Author: Jeff Stone

Genre: fantasy adventure series
Malao, another Cantonese monk, tells his side of the story about his relationship with the white monkey.
-- Reviewed by Sheldon G. Branch: CL

Title: Samurai Girl Series: Book of the Pearl Author: Carrie Asai

Genre: historical adventure series
A six-month-year-old girl survived a plane crash and was named "Heaven" and adopted by a wealthy family.  Now she is old and her wedding was crashed by Samurais.  She must survive the villains and return to her father who is in a coma in Tokyo, Japan. The one thing I did not like was that Heaven was shy.
-- Reviewed by Sheldon G. Branch: CL

Title: A Child Called It Author: Dave Pelzer

Genre: memoir
This book is about the author's childhood where his mother abused him, treated his brothers better than him, stabbed him in the stomach, and treated animals better than him.  What I like about this book is that it teaches you about child abuse and how to get out of it.
Reviewed by Nickie C. Branch: CL

Title: The Great Ghost Rescue Author: Eva Ibbotson

Genre: fiction
A family of ghosts is thrown out of their castle that's to be modernized, so a human boy named Rick decides to help them and other ghosts to get a ghost sanctuary.  However, when the ghosts are in danger of an exorcism, one not-so-horrible ghost rises up to save them.  I love the original plot of this book!
Reviewed by Rachel M Branch: CL

Title: Under the Jolly Roger Author: L.A. Meyer

Genre: historical fiction
Mary "Jacky" Faber undertakes another seafaring adventure....and soon finds herself with her own ship and crew and a price on her head!!  The story is a complete adventure from start to finish!!!
Reviewed by Rachel M Branch: CL

Title: The Riddles of Epsilon Author: Christine Morton-Shaw

Genre: mystery/fiction
Jess is put in a difficult position when she must solve a dark mystery to save her mother -- and perhaps even the world. I liked that there weren't any pieces of the mystery that didn't fit.
Reviewed by Ingrid M. Branch: CL

Title: Plastic Angel Author: Nerissa Nields

Genre: realistic problem story
The plot is about a girl whose mother wants her to be a model, but the girl would rather be a singer than model.  What I like about this book is that it compares the life styles of two different girls.
Reviewed by Delina deV. Branch: CL

Title: The Secred Language of Girls Author: Frances O'Rourke Dowell

Genre: realistic problem story
The plot is about two girls who have been friends for a long time, but when they get to junior high, they grow apart.  What I liked is that it relates to girls today.
Reviewed by Delina deV. Branch: CL

Title: The Three Musketeers Author: Alexandre Dumas

Genre: adventure
A group of three men called the Musketeers go on many adventures and fights to save people.  The most important was saving the Queen from Cardinal Richelieu and his murderous spies. What I liked about this book was when they said "One for All and All for One."  That means like if you had a close friend and you have been friends with that person for three years, and she was going to fight, you got her back.
Reviewed by Nickie C Branch: CL

Title: That's So Raven Series - Smother Dearest Author: Michael Poryes

Genre: fiction
Raven likes this boy at school, but he doesn't even notice her.  So one Saturday Eddie and Ricky were going to the movies, and on the same day Raven's mother Tanya is going to the movies.  So instead of spending time at the movies with her mom, she hangs with Ricky and Eddie.  At the end of the book, she learns a valuable lesson. I didn't like how she dissed her mom just to hang out with a boy she likes. Otherwise it was a good book.
Reviewed by Crystal S. Branch: CL

Title: Two of a Kind Diaries Series: Mary-Kate and Ashley Dare to Scare Author: Judy Katschke

Genre: mystery
Mary-Kate was trying to scare this girl Miranda, but she couldn't because every trick she did was funny.  Ashley tried to scare Dana, but she said nothing could scare her.  So Mary-Kate and Ashley decided to scare Dana, but instead it scared Dana and Miranda at the same time. I liked when they finally scared the two girls.
Reviewed by Crystal S. Branch: CL

Title: Every Man's Battle Author: Steven Arterburn, Fred Stoeker and Mike Yorkey

Genre: nonfiction, inspirational
This book is a religious point of view of pornography.  It gives you strategies to fight it and free you from those chains. I like that it is told straightforward.
Reviewed by Rubén M. Branch: EFP

Title: High School Musical: the Junior Novel Author: N.B Grace

Genre: realistic fiction
It's a story of Troy and Gabriella, a pair that wants to sing in the school musical, "Twinkle Towne" but are driven away by their friends. I llike that the book makes your brain picture the story.
Reviewed by Rubén M. Branch: EFP

Title: Don't Scream Author: Joan Lowery Nixon

Genre: mystery
Jessica is curious about the new family next door, the Maliks. She is especially curious about Mark Malik, who's good-looking and charming.  Then there is a second new guy at school named Scott Alexander.  Jess gets curious when two known cats are missing; she thinks there is a connection between the two boys.  One was given a new identity; the other is seeking revenge.  Whom can Jess trust? I really liked the mystery and the curiosity in the book.
Reviewed by Dominique W. Branch: EFP

Title: The Trap Author: Joan Lowery Nixon

Genre: mystery
Julie goes to visit her great aunt and uncle at the ranch in Texas.  Once she's there, Julie learns that pieces of jewery and other objects are missing.  Then two or three men fall to their deaths.  Julie must discover the killer's identity, or she could be next. This book is very well thought out and very well written.
Reviewed by Dominique W. Branch: EFP

Title: Daughter of Time Author: Josephine Tey

Genre mystery
Detective Alan Grant is forced to bedrest after he severely breaks his leg. Since he is overcome by boredom, his friend suggest he try to solve an academic mystery of the past. She sends him different portraits of historical mysterious figures, and his attention is caught by a portrait of Richard III. Was Richard really the monster that history has written him as? I was very interested in how such a solid historical fact can be disproved if someone took the time to dig deeper.
Reviewed by Sarah A. Branch: EFP

Title: Mates, Dates and Tempting Trouble Author: Cathy Hopkins

Genre: teen realistic fiction
TJ is working on a project with a guy named Luke who is her friend's boyfriend. As TJ finds herself falling for Luke, she is extremely confused as to what she should do. What will happen to her friendship is Nesta (Luke's girlfriend) if she tells someone what is happening? I liked how the four friends knew better than to keep fighting over an untrustworthy boy.
Reviewed by Sarah A. Branch: EFP

Title: Open Ice Author: Pat Hughes

Genre: realistic problem story
Nick loves to play hockey, but is not allowed to play anymore when he receives his fourth concussion. This totally interferes with his lifestyle, because hockey is all that he knows. I liked that the characters and their reactions were very realistic to what high school is really like.
Reviewed by Sarah A. Branch: EFP

Title: The Truth Cookie Author: Fiona Dunbar

Genre: modern fantasy
Lulu Baker, a 12-year-old girl, tries to get rid of her mean stepmother and stepbrother. I liked everything about this book.
Reviewed by Makalah M. Branch: EFP

Title: The Hardy Boys: the Wailing Siren Mystery Author: Franklin W. Dixon

Genre: Mystery
The Hardys become involved in a mystery after a wallet with $2,000 in it is dropped from a helicopter and lands near their boat during a bad storm. I liked the mystery, but this was not one of the better books about the Hardys.
Reviewed by Makalah M. Branch: EFP

Title: Ryan White: My Own Story Authors: Ryan White and Ann Marie Cunningham

Genre: part autobiography, part biography
This book tells about Ryan White's experiences of growing up with hemophilia and AIDS. I liked that Ryan White was honest about what he did, what he thought, and how he felt.
Reviewed by Mkalah M. Branch: EFP

Title: Goosebumps Series: Night of the Living Dummy III Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: horror
Trina and her brother Dan's father used to be a ventriloquist and had a dummy collection upstairs, but when their cousin Zane comes to visit Trina and Dan are getting in trouble. But Rocky is actually alive and moving himself to get them into trouble. It's not scary, but ok; it's not boring.
Reviewed by Nickie C. Branch: CL

Title: Tokyo Mew Mew a la Mode Vol. 1 Author: Mia Ikumi

Genre: shojo manga adventure
With Ichigo in England, Tokyo isn't as protected as it was, and two new groups are threatening the earth.  Enter Mew Berry, the only Mew Mew to have two kinds of animal DNA engrafted into her. Cute!
Reviewed by Sarah P. Branch: SA

Title:  Seeing Sugar Author: Cynthia L. Brinson

Genre: realistic problem fiction
Sometimes things like glasses or braces change you on the outside, but it doesn't change who you are on the inside. I liked that it was about real problerms and how to solve them.
Reviewed by Ashley M. Branch: SA

Title: Ripped at the Seams Author: Nancy Krulik

Genre: romantic
Sami Granger, an 18-year-old designer, plans to go to New York to further her designing career.  At first when she arrives her dreams are crushed, but soon after, she finds a job in a lingerie store that turns out to be a success. I liked how this book kept my eyes open.  This book is an eye-catcher, a romantic novel that allowed the reader to "experience" what it's like to be Sami Granger.
Reviewed by Targie G. Branch: PP

Title: Eleven Author: Lauren Myracle

Genre: realistic problem fiction
An 11-year-old girl named Amanda starts a new school as a 6th grader.  She goes through the usual problems of a 6th grade girl, but mainly she and her best friend are outgrowing each other. What I liked is that a lot of the problems happen in real life.
Reviewed by Dorothea P. Branch: PP

Title: The Report Card Author: Andrew Clements

Genre: fiction
The book is about a young girl who is in fifth grade and is on the level of a sopohomore.  She doesn't want to be put up because she'll be ridiculed and wouldn't be treated the same.  What I liked is I can understand what the girl is feeling.
Reviewed by Dorothea P. Branch: PP

Title: Lifted Up by Angels Author: Lurlene McDaniel

Genre: realistic problem story
The plot of this story takes place in summer.  The main character Leah gets a job and a place to stay near Ethan's family.  Well Leah is happy because she loves Ethan and his sisters.  She knows them from the first book in the series, Angels Watching Over Me.  Ethan and Leah spend a lot of time together.  But ner the end, Ethan's little sister dies because a truck hits her. I liked that Ethan was always there for Leah.  I thought that was sweet.
Reviewed by Andrea F. Branch: PP

Title: One Last Wish Author: Lurlene McDaniel

Genre: realistic problem story
This story is about a 15-year-old girl who has cancer and needs to have a bone marrow transplant to get rid of it.  But she finds out she was adopted and that her parents weren't her "real" parents.  So she has to find her mother, so she can be a donor for her.  She finds her and improves.  And in the end she was happy with her brother. I liked how she kept hope and was brave through the hard times.
Reviewed by Andrea F. Branch: PP

Title: The Mediator Series: Shadowland Author: Jenny Carroll

Genre: science fiction
Susannah can see ghosts, and her job is to help them move on.  When she moves to California, she finds a ghost boy in her room.  Then at her new school, she meets a ghost.  Susannah gets rid of the ghost girl, but finds herself falling for the ghost boy. I liked this book a lot because it's about ghosts.
Reviewed by Shelby R. Branch: PP

Title: My Name is Chloe Author: Melody Carlson

Genre: realistic problem story
This book is the Diary of Chloe who is Josh's sister and becomes a Christian.  But in the beginning she has a lot of problems.  Then at the end, she starts playing Christian music and makes new friends. I liked how she changed.
Reviewed by Andrea F. Branch: PP

Title: Meet Kit, an American Girl Author: Valerie Tripp

Genre: realistic problem story
Kit is a nine-year-old girl who likes to write newspaper stories.  Fussy Mrs. Howard and her son come to stay with them during the Depression.  Things start happening that make their household go upside down. I liked the book, especially when Kit loved the sound the typewriter keys made as they struck the paper and the ping! of the bell when she got to the end of a line.
Reviewed by Shelby R. Branch: PP

Title: What Janie Found Author: Caroline B. Cooney

Genre: realistic problem story
Janie finds a folder labeled HJ, and in that folder is the place where her father went money to his real daughter, who is also Janie's kidnapper.  Even though her father is very sick, she goes to meet her kidnapper.  Instead of meeting her kidnapper, she gives her a check for all the money in the account. I like that Janie belongs to two families; it makes the story more interesting.
-- Reviewed by Lynn B Branch: SA

Title: Full Tilt Author: Neal Shusterman

Genre: fantasy/thriller
Quinn, Maggie, Russ and Blake go to an amusement park with dangerous rides, and they need to go onto seven rides before dawn.  Blake manages to go through eight rides, and the amusement park falls apart, and all the people who were trapped in it are free. I like the way, in the end, that everything has an explanation, except that Quinn, Maggie, Russ and Blake remember what happened.
  Reviewed by Lynn B Branch: SA

Title: Hard Love Author: Ellen Wittlinger

Genre: realistic problem story
Through 'zine writing, John meets a girl named Marisol, whom he falls for, but she is a lesbian. She teaches him about honesty, openness and unlikely relationshipsl I liked that the plot and themes were unusual, but completely honest.
-- Reviewed by Samantha M. Branch: SA

Title: Without You: a Memoir of Love, Loss and the Musical Rent Author: Anthony Rapp

Genre: autobiography/memoir
This book tells about Rapp's experiences growing up and being in "Rent".  He discusses everything from influences to drugs to hearing "Seasons of Love" for the first time ever. I liked the honesty and details Rapp writes about, and "Rent" is my favorite play/movie.
Reviewed by Samantha M. Branch: SA

Title: Girls' Dinner Club Author: Jessie Elliot

Genre: realistic problem story
Three girls develop friendships with one another while learning to cook every week. I liked how in the book the girls help each other to deal with their problems, and teach each other important life lessons.
Reviewed by Alexandra M. Branch: SA

Title: Make Lemonade Author: Virginia Euwer Wolff

Genre: realistic fiction
The novel is about a 14-year-old named LaVaughn who offers to help babysit two little children.  Their mother is 17, has little education, not much of a job, and is trying to raise two children by herself.  LaVaughn tries her best to help out.  I enjoyed how LaVaughn stuck with the babysitting job even though her mother and friends told her differently.  I also liked LaVaughn's determination to succeed in life.
Reviewed by Kristen DeA. Branch: CL

Title: Dead Girls Don't Write Letters Author: Gail Giles

Genre: mystery
This book is about a girl named Sunny Reynolds whose perfect older sister Jazz dies in a fire.  The whole family falls apart, and Sunny tries to keep everything under control.  One day a letter arrives in the mail from Jazz.  A girl follows who looks like Jazz and knows all the family jokes and secrets.  Everyone wants to believe it's Jazz, but no one is really sure. I liked how Gail Giles made ths story very suspenseful.  I enjoy books that are hard to put down and this one certainly was.
Reviewed by Kristen DeA. Branch: CL

Title: Princess Lessons Author: Meg Cabot

Genre: non-fiction
Mia, the Princess of Genovia, explains how to be a princess. She tells about everything from beauty to guys. I liked how funny and useful this book was!  Great for any princess in training!
Reviewed by Bridget B. Branch: CL

Title: The Five People You Meet in Heaven Author: Mitch Albom

Genre: general fiction
Eddie, the protagonist, tries to save a little girl from getting hurt.  But instead Eddie gets killed in the accident.  Eddie has to meet five different people when he gets to heaven. What I liked about this book was that the author described each place that Eddie went.  You were able to picture the places.
Reviewed by Bridget B. Branch: CL

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