Genrefluent's Bistro Book Club Teens Talk About Books

Welcome to Bordertown edited by Holly Black and Ellen Kushner (5 reviews)

2012-01-18T20:26:00.000-07:00

Andrea F.,    18
Multiple Authors edited by Holly Black and Ellen Kushner
Welcome to Bordertown
Random House    2011

        According to the introduction, Bordertown is a concept that originated in the 1980s when urban fantasy was just beginning to get a foothold in the literary world. The concept is this: There is a town between the two Realms, the Realm of Fairy and the Human Realm where runaways from both worlds can begin new lives and where magic and technology only work most of the time and are often combined together to make devices such as motorcycles that run on spellboxes. After the world was created some of the greatest names in fantasy were unleashed to write short stories and poems within Bordertown. Among those great names were Charles de Lint, Terri Windling, Emma Bull, Patricia McKillip, and Will Shetterly who brought their love of rock and roll and elements of the cities they had lived in to create a city where the blood red river water turns you mad and elves and humans are in the best rock and roll bands ever. Their characters became friends, stories crossed over, and everyone managed to contribute something original without straying from the accepted parameters of the world. Unfortunately because there have been no new writings since the 1990s Bordertown has become a little known world to 21st century teen readers. Therefore a new anthology has been formed to introduce the kids who grew up on Harry Potter and Twilight to the wonders of Bordertown. Many of the original anthology writers have contributed as well as some more familiar names for younger readers: Neil Gaiman, Holly Black, Jane Yolen, Alaya Dawn Johnson, and Annette Curtis Klause. Altogether there are 13 short stories, 8 poems, and 1 graphic novel that made a collection of short stories that I could barely put down. I loved Cory Doctorow's story of the struggle to bring the Internet to Bordertown where bytes are transmitted by carrier pigeon and Janni Lee Simner's tale of what happens when two teens raised on Twilight face real vampires and werewolves. Despite the general dislike for short stories I think that teens will embrace Welcome to Bordertown wholeheartedly. Crank up your favorite rock and roll music and go looking for Bordertown.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book
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Anthony,     16
Many authors
Welcome to Bordertown
Random house    2011

            Bordertown is a place on the border between the human and fey (although they prefer trueblood) world. Bordertown was recently lost for thirteen years on the human side but only thirteen days on the borderside. This is a collection of stories from many authors about life on the border. Lots of stories I liked and some I didn't. There is a story for everyone in bordertown.

Rating4 Better than most
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Briana,    16
Welcome to Bordertown
2011

       I do not enjoy scary or depressing stories. This book was not a favorite, but it was captivating.    This is a collection of dark and funny stories that made me laugh, cry, and cringe as I read it. I enjoyed some of the stories and suffered thru others. This collections of stories covers numerous types so most people will find at least one story to love and relate to.

Rating: 4 Better than most
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Kaysee,    15
23 different authors
Welcome to Bordertown
Random House    2011

        Welcome to Bordertown by twenty-three authors is an outstanding book. While this my be short stories it holds you to the book there are all diffrent types of writing. There is something for everyone in this book no matter what you like to read. The book is a complete stand alone.

Rating: 4 Better than most
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Philip, 15
Many Authors
Welcome to bordertown
Random house children books
2011

Welcome To bordertown was a great colection of different storys for the town of bordertown and was a great book

Rating: 4 Better than most

The Future Of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

2012-01-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

Amee, 14
Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
The Future Of Us
2011

This book takes place in 1996 where two friends had discovered facebook. Emma and Josh constantly try to do things to face their future and rely on the aspect of time change. This is a great book to always keep you guessing! This book is good for those who have always wondered what little things you do in a day may change your future.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

A Web of Air by Philip Reeve

2012-01-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

Dalen, 14
Philip Reeve
A WEB OF AIR
SCHOOLASTIC PRESS
2010

A WEB OF AIR was a book of epic poportions. A steam Punk instant classic. The storyline takes place in the future and i loved it. (had not read Forest Crumb)

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

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anthony,    16
philip reeve
a web of air
scholastic press    2011

        I really loved the first book so i decided to read this one. I thought that in a web of air, fever was a completely different character than before. In the first book she was strong-minded and didn't want to back down. In this book, at the end, she completely just gives in to her mother and lets them keep flight generations away. She also begs arlo to take her with her in a complete breakdown.I thought this removed her good character factor. Overall I thought it was a very disapointing sequel.

Rating: 2 Needs work

The Space Between by Breanna Yovanoff

2012-01-18T20:07:00.000-07:00

Dalen, 14
Breanna Yovanoff
THE SPACE BETWEEN
Penguin Books Ltd, 2011

The Space Between is a book about the daughter of Satan and she urns to be in the Earth with the humans. It's an intense journy with a bit of intensity. i dont want to spoil the story so you will have to read it to understand.

Rating: 4 Better than most

Between by Jessica Warman

2012-01-18T15:47:00.000-07:00

Luna, 15
Jessica Warman
Between
2011

this book is one of my new favoirtes even tho i kinda hate it haha Liz truned from a jerk to a sweetheart and i love happy endings. this book really got me thinking about what if there are ghosts and are watching us but cant make any signs to let us know kinda freaky :D i think ever teen should read it, ill bet you love it!:)

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Eve by Anna Carey (2 reviews)

2012-01-18T15:29:00.000-07:00

Darby, 15
Anna Carey
Eve
Harper 2011

Eve is one of the most original books I've read for awhile. The plot entails a different twist that I absolutely loved. The main character, Eve, has a compelling personality while being rather funny.

Rating: 4 Better than most
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lolita, 16
Anna Carey
Eve
2011

amazing book i loved the way the writer described the way the main carecter felt and the way things went. left me hungry for more cant wait fo the next book

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Soul Thief by Jana Oliver (2 reviews)

2012-01-17T13:37:00.000-07:00

Ashley, 18
Jana Oliver
Soul Thief
St. Martins Griffin 9-2011

Soul thief is a great second book to Demon Trappers Daughter. In this book Riley realizes who she should trust. She loses someone she loves and she tries to find her father. I would recommend this book to anyone who read the first book.

Rating: 4 Q. Better than most.
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Brandon, 16
Jana Oliver
Soul Thief
2011

This is a great book. I absolutely loved it. This book tells the life of a very unfortunate girl who has to deal with the death of both her parents and betrayal from everyone she trusts.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book.

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver (3 reviews)

2012-01-17T13:33:00.001-07:00

The Demon Trapper's Daughter in US Forsaken in UK

Ashley, 18

Jana Oliver

The Demon Trapper's Daughter

St. Martins Griffin Feb 2011

This book was about a daughter and father who trap demons. Her father has an old apprentice and friend named Beck. Riley and Beck do not like each other but when circumstances change they end up only having each other.

Rating: 4 Q. Better than most.

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Brandon, 17
Jana Oliver
Demon Trappers Daughter
2/2011

This book is an action packed thrilling book. I would definitely recommend this book to people of all ages, boys and girls.

Rating: 4 Q. Better than most.

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Maddie,    14
Jana Oliver
Forsaken
The Demon Trapper's Daughter
2011

In The Demon Trapper's Daughter, Riley Blackthorn wants to follow in her dad footsteps by trapping demons. Everything was good until her dad was killed by a grade five demon. It creates a whole new life for Riley and she finds some mysteries along the way. This book has a lot of action and is a great read. I think the demons make the book a great read because you are almost bound to find a demon you love.   I can't wait for the second book.
Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

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Payback Time by Carl Deuker

2012-01-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

Andrea F., 18
Carl Deuker
Payback Time
Houghton Mifflin 2010

Mitch True has wanted to be a reporter since he was six and watched "All the King's Men" and his ambition has made him the best writer at his school newspaper. Now that it's his senior year he expects to finally receive his rightful place as editor but instead he is delegated to the sports section by the new editor who won by mere popularity. Mitch is informed at the beginning of the year that he can only write what the coaches want but he can't help from noticing that something fishy is happening on the football team. Why is the football coach keeping the new player on the bench when he's one of the best high school players Mitch has ever seen? What seemed like just another sports book quickly turns into an investigative novel where the surprising corruption behind high school football is revealed. With characters that you can't help but care about and a plot resembling a thriller movie I only put this book down with extreme reluctance and picked it up again as soon as possible. It has the great advantage of being able to be read by most teen audiences. Those who love sport books, those who like mysteries, those who like realistic fiction, possibly even reluctant readers, and it is completely appropriate for all age groups including middle school.

Rating: 4 Better than most

Forgotten by Cat Patrick (3 reviews)

2012-01-17T13:08:00.001-07:00

Ashley, 16
Cat Patrick
Forgotten
Little, Brown and Company

The general theme of the book is Mystery. It's about a girl who was in a car accident when she was little. She ended up losing her short term memory. Every night when she goes to bed she writes a note teller her abou the day before. She ends up meeting a guy that she knew from her childhood and falls in love. But she has been having strange dreams that she thinks are memories so she decides to investigate. She ends up finding out information that changes her life.

Rating: 4 Q. Better than most.
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Linsey, 15
Cat Patrick
Forgotten
Little, Bronw and Company 2011

Forgotten is about a 16 year old girl named London Lane, but before she goes to sleep she must write down what had happen that day. when London wakes up she will forget what had happen or what happens that day or week. When any thing can't get any worse with high school and forgetting everthing scenare with school, dating the hot guy whose name that she forgets. London starts having some really weird experience with disturbing visions. She realizes its time to learn more about her past that she always to be forgetting........ Before it destroys London further. This book had to do with a mystery a bit of romace, and psychologica drama as well. It makes you think what will happen next in the book. Its a slow but yet a fast paced kinda book. when i read it it was slow, but it slowly works its way up.

Rating: 4 Better than most

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Danielle, 15
Cat Patrick
Forgotten
Hachette Book Group 2011

Forgotten is a story about a sixteen year old girl who loses her memory every morning when she wakes up. She tries to discover things about her past but her mother wants to keep her in the dark. This is a thrilling tale that had me thinking late at night. It was interesting and the characters were well thought out.
Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Sharks & Boys by Kristen Tracy

2012-01-17T13:04:00.000-07:00

Brie, 18
Sharks & Boys
Kristen Tracy
Hyperion 2011

When reading Sharks & Boys, it was really hard to follow and get into. Something’s weren’t as detailed as other where it was slow moving and didn’t grab my attention. Over all the entire Theme is great. Eight teens do what they can to do in order to survive. It’s realistic and intense in some areas. Something like this can actually happen, so it gives the reader a perspective on what it’s like to be stranded with no food and no water. I don’t think I can recommend this book. I guess it just depends on who is reading it if they like it or not.

Rating 3: Readable

Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett (2 reviews)

2012-01-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

Drake, 13
Tracy Barrett
Dark of the Moon
2011

This twist of the old tale, in my oppion, is far greater than the original. it was a fantastic read that I felt was brilliantly crafted.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book
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Danielle,    15
Tracy Barrett
Dark of the Moon
Harcourt Children's Books    2011

        Dark of the Moon was an excellent book. I enjoyed reading the new takes on many Greek myths. The character Ariadne is a very interesting person who is destined to be the next Goddess. She gives up everything to help her brother who was born a monster. It was very well written and I liked it a lot.

Rating: 4 Better than most

A Templar’s Gifts by Kat Black

2012-01-11T13:47:00.000-07:00

Drake, 13
Kat Black
A Templar’s Gifts
Scholastic Press 2011

I found it interesting none the less, but I felt like I spent to much time in Tormod's head.

Rating: 3 Readable

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

2012-01-08T14:02:00.000-07:00

Chelsea, 15
Mary Lindsey
Shattered Souls
2011

This book had me from the start, a book about ghost and love. The main character named Lenzi or she's knows as Rose to every unearthly friend she makes on her Adventure. She learns about her past lives and helps earth-bound souls along the way. She defies rules to save the love of her life and almost loses her life as she goes. This was an amazing book and I couldnt keep from turning the pages and reading on. If there is more books to come please tell.(: It was one of the best books I've ever read.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Athena's Son by Jeryl Schoenbeck

2012-01-08T13:48:00.000-07:00

Dani , 12
Jeryl Schoenbeck
Athena's Son
Papyrus Publishing 2011

I'm not a big fantasy fan so i was very happy to find the title of this book somewhat misleading. its not about magic and greek gods its about Arcimedes a young scientist in ancient egypt. its a great mystery with lots of surprises.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Enclave by Ann Aguirre (4 reviews)

2011-12-23T07:24:00.000-07:00

lolita, 16
Ann Aguirre
Enclave
2011

this book is about the future when people live under ground where they are either labeld a breeder, builder, or a hunter. duece a young girl is out for a suprise when she begens to realize things arnt right with her partner ,fade, they set out for an adventure for their lives. its a type of book that will kill you to put down from the wanting to know what happens

is there another book after this one because i want to know ...

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

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Danielle, 15
Ann Aguire
Enclave
A Feiwel and Friends Book 2011

This book was an exhilerating read. I hated the ending but I pray for a second book. Enclave is about a girl named Deuce and a boy named Fade. They live underground and protect their enclave from the Freaks. When they are exiled they have to face the strange and terrifying land of Topside. There they encounter dangerous gangs and smarter Freaks. They meet new friends and together traverse this new world. I loved this book and it had me flipping pages well into the night.
Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

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Shaun, 13
Ann Aguirre
Enclave

Very crazy underground, Crazier topside. This book has a lot of emotion from sadness to pure unfiltered hatred.

Rating: 5 Q. Hard to imagine a better book.
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Josh, 17
Ann Aquire
Enclave

i just enjoyed reading it. I would recommend this book to people who like to be entertained and like suspenseful action books. The best part is the fact that you don't know whats coming next. Overall this is a really good book and I would recommend it to almost everyone.

Rating: 4 Q. Better than most.

Michael Vey The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Evans

2011-12-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

anthony, 16
Richard Evans
Michael Vey The Prisoner of Cell 25
mercury ink 2011

Michael Vey has always been able to emit electricity from his body at will and has had to move many times due to complications from his power. in his most recent town he discovers that the girl of his dreams taylor ridley also has electrical powers a bigger conspiracy is revealed and things start getting complicated. it was a really good book with likeable characters. really well written and entertaining i reccomend it.

Rating 5: Hard to imagine a better book

Wolf Mark, Joseph Bruchac

2011-12-14T16:23:00.001-07:00

anthony, 16
Joseph Bruchac
Wolf Mark
tu books 2011

Wolf Mark is a novel about Luke King who discovers that he is a skinwalker with the form of a wolf ( its basically and american indian werewolf) after his father is kidnapped by an evil corporation planning to use skinwalker blood to make supersoldiers. it was a really enterrtaining read and better than most werewolf novels are.

Rating: 4 Better than most

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

2011-12-14T16:18:00.001-07:00

Briana, 16
Maureen Johnson
The Name of the Star
g. p. putnam's sons 2011

Louisiana native Rory is tossed into a modern day rippermania in London. The book is fun, catchy , and kept me pulled in until the end. The ending was good, but it was almost an obvious cliff hanger. It was kind of odd, but still good.

Rating: 4 Better than most

Legend by Marie Lu

2011-12-14T16:14:00.001-07:00

Darby, 15
Marie Lu
Legend
G.P. Putnam's Sons 2011

Legend is another book set post-America like The Hunger Games and the Eleventh Plague. It's world includes an oppressive government, labor camps, and twist a bit familiar but worth reading all the same. A sequel will be needed and I found that it's explaination of the situation is confusing. Marie Lu relied too much on the reader's infering skills. To get through the book requiered me looking back multiple times and stopped every once in a while to prevent a brain overload. Still the book wrapped up well and held my attention.

Rating: 4 Better than most

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma (2 reviews)

2011-12-12T19:28:00.001-07:00

Ashley, 17

Nova Ren Suma

Imaginary Girls

Penguin Group 2011

I really liked this book. It kept me going and I didn't want to stop reading it. If I could explain this book in one word it would be surreal.

Rating: 4 Q. Better than most.

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Anqi, 12
Nova Ren Suma
Imaginary Girls
Dutton 2011

In this subtle little horrifying nightmare of a book, Nova Ren Suma explores the relationship between sisters while gradually entering the world of horror and paranormal. This novel starts as our narrator, Chloe, is asked by her older sister, Ruby, to swim across a resevoir to prove her unique water abilities. Ruby and Chloe share the tightest bond-through all their lives, they have lived and survived together, never counting on their always drunk mother to depend on. Not only that, but they admire each other, and Chloe to Ruby especially. Everybody admires Ruby-they will do whatever she asks them to do, and boys and girls flock to do her every bidding. So it doesn't come as a surprise when Chloe accepts, and starts swimming across the Resevoir, even though her sister tells tales of a town called Olive that resides deep in its watery depths, wanting revenge because of their people's watery death... And then (spoiler deleted) everything changes... Chloe is sent to live with her father, while Ruby remains in their little town. After two years of complete isolation, however, Chloe runs away back to her sister, and it is there she discovers that all might not be right with their 'little town' after all-and Chloe suspects it has to do with (spoiler deleted) the memory still haunting both of their consciences. Though eerie and grim, Imaginary Girls is a one of a kind book that you will never forget. It lays in your heart, no matter when you put it down, and it stays, much like the people of Olive stayed in the Resevoir of Chloe and Ruby's little town. And you will always remember the story of their sisterhood, their undenying love to each ther-you will always remember the beauty of family.

Rating 5 : Hard to imagine a better book
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The Locket by Stacey Jay

2011-12-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

Danielle, 15
Stacey Jay
The Locket
Penguin Books 2011

The Locket is a very exciting book. The ending almost gave me a heart attack. I relly liked reading theis book and it had me guessing until the end. Katie is a normal girl who finds a magical locket one day. She turns back the clock to the day she ruined her life. However as the new version of reality starts to unfold she has to wonder if her old life wasn't better. This was a thrilling book and very suspenseful with quite a bit of romance in it.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

iBoy by Kevin Brooks (3 reviews)

2011-12-11T19:04:00.001-07:00

Danny, 18
Kevin Brooks
iBoy
Scholastic     2011

This is a really good book if you like the computer sciences and it is a thrilling adventure that being a vigilantee is not always a good thing. I would recommend this book to any of my friends or family members who enjoy the si-fi of computer sciences.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book
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Hope P.,    16
Kevin Brooks
iBoy
Scholastic     2011

        Tom Harvey was a normal sixteen year old before the accident. He had hopes and dreams, and a best friend named Lucy. Granted, he lived in the worst part of town, he had to avoid being caught in a gang war every day, and he had money problems. But his life wasn’t really anything special. Until one day, Lucy is attacked by one of the gangs in his housing project, and everything changes. Tom gets his head split open by an iPhone during the attack, leaving bits of the electronic buried in his brain. He finds he has all the powers of the phone; able to surf the web, read any text message, hack any account. However, he finds he can also use his powers for other purposes, like electrocuting people. He begins to take the law into his own hands, going after the gang members to avenge Lucy. At least, that is what he tells himself. But are his intentions really that honorable? And what is right and wrong in a place where fear and violence is the only law? In this gritty, emotional, masterfully written novel, Kevin Brooks takes teens on a wild ride that will stick with them until the last page.     Be warned, this is certainly a novel for older teens. I would not recommend it for anyone under sixteen.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book
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Anthony,    16
Kevin Brooks
iBoy
Chicken House    2011

        The following review may sound comedic but it is not! Tom Harvey was an average teenage guy until someone throws an iPhone out of a 30th story window. The phone lands in his skull giving him superpowers. He uses these powers to battle a local gang. This book was one of the best I have ever read the writing was amazing and the story was really original. I chose to read it because it sounded comedic and I needed a laugh but it was not but it was amazing in so many different ways.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book
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Plagiarism

2011-12-11T18:46:00.000-07:00

The Bistro Book Club requires that all reviews submitted by our teen reviewers be original work. At book club meetings we have talked about what plagiarism means. All suspicions of plagiarism are reviewed. If a review is found to contain plagiarized material it will be removed.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (3 reviews)

2011-12-09T09:53:00.001-07:00

rebecca,    13
ruta septys
between shades of gray
philomel books    2011

          Lina and her family are taken by the NKVD and sent to a camp in Russia. they are separated from their father. Lina her little brother Jonas and her mother must survive living in this barren waste land of a camp. Andrius a 17 year old boy is with them too. Can she survive Russia and its version of the holocaust?

5 Hard to imagine a better book
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Anqi,     12
Ruta E. Sepetys
Between Shades of Gray
Philomel Books    2011

Between Shades of Gray is a heart-wrenching yet beautiful historical novel set in the country of Lithuania, where Stalin, the ruthless man who controls The Soviet Union, has captured The Baltics, also known as the countries of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. Our heroine, a fifteen year old girl named Lina on the cusp of adult life, is terrified to learn that her mother, brother, and father have been arrested and are going to be deported far from Lithuania. Forced to ride a cattle train where multiple deportees ride and ache over problems of lice, food, and torturous care, Lina contemplates the possible reasons her family could have been deported by. Enraged by this sudden cruelty, Lina devises a plan to draw and write out her troubles so that hopefully someone will save these melancholy people. Using her unique artistic talent, she sketches every moment that is important to her, and hides them in the depths of her suitcase. Cold and hungry, the deportees finally reach Siberia, where they are set to work in the freezing conditions and not allowed anything besides basic necessities. Set on the brink of World War II, this is a story seldom told because of the fear circulated through survivor's minds that if they do not harbor this cruel secret, they would have been surely punished by the Soviet's secret police. Through beautiful/gruesome passages, Ruta E. Sepetys describe the hardships endured by these people, people with seeds of hope planted deep in their hearts, and love sowed into their souls. She also creates endless characters, some disgusting and cruel, like "the bald man" who always is wanting to die, and Lina's mother, Elena, who is a beautiful and loving mother to her dearest children. All the characters, even minor ones, stay fresh in my memory, each stamped with their own personality and beam of hope. Ruta E. Sepetys is an exceptional author, and one is not to underestimate her just because this is a debut novel. It is, in fact, a beautiful, gritty, wonderful, morbid collection of words that should always deserve special attention and a place in your memory. Thank you, Ruta Sepetys, for a wonderful piece in which I will always savor and remember.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book
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Hope, 15
Ruta Sepetys
Between Shades of Gray
Philomel Books    2011

    Lina was only fifteen when her world was torn apart. One night Soviet Secret police violently break in into her home and deport her, her younger brother and her mother, on Stalin’s orders. Separated from her father, cut off from the outside world and losing hope fast, Lina must learn to survive in the harsh labor camps of barren Siberia. She has no idea why this happened to her family; why were they on Stalin’s list? Laced with potent flash-backs to a happier time, this novel follows Lina as she uncovers the truth about love, hope, survival, and the value of human life. This novel will have you reaching for the tissues more than once.

4 Better than most

The Midnight Palace by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

2011-12-08T18:38:00.000-07:00

Drake, 13
Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Midnight Palace
Little Brown and Company 2011

I loved it. I almost cried at the end. i couldn't imagine my life without my brother.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

This Girl Is Different by JJ Johnson (2 Reviews)

2011-12-07T15:23:00.001-07:00

Jessica, 15
J. J. Johnson
This Girl Is Different
Peachtree Publishers 2011

Evie is sensational! She doesn't accept the status quo, she goes against The Man, and she does it all with such a unique sense of individuality. There's really only one way to describe her: This Girl Is Different. Just . . . awesome.

Rating: 4 Better than most

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Anqi ,    12
J.J. Johnson
This Girl is Different
Peachtree Publishers    2011

       Evensong Sparkling Morningdew (she prefers to be called Evie, if you know what I mean,) has been homeschooled her whole life, and with senior year coming around the corner, she decides to spend her last year at high school, where she'll do a little bit of pop culture research (and maybe experience some "normal girl" tendencies, like attendance and mean girls and falling in love.) The thing is, when Evie gets there, things aren't as great as they're cracked up to be, but who,if not an eccentric homeschooler, can turn its system around and bring justice if not Evie? All goes well until the revolution starts to kick back, and Evie has to confront her worst fear-is this girl really different? I LOVED this book! Evie is the most sassy and loveable character I have ever seen come to life in a book's pages, and her spunk and butt-kicking abilities, as well as her love for literature and philosophical quotes, makes you want to cheer for her through the good and the bad. She may make mistakes, but boy, does she figure out good ways to battle them! The romance was subtle, but very cute and very funny-who knew that Evie had a match out there? It all came down to the page-turning plot; it was hours before I realized I had been sitting in the same place as when I had started, but Johnson's action driven plot wanted me to read more! I can't wait to see other work by the author of This Girl is Different, and let me say this: everyone will delight in J.J. Johnson's debut novel, and I guarrentee that Evie's journey is a fun, but different one.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

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The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

2011-12-05T18:22:00.000-07:00

AnQi, 13
Rick Riordan
The Lost Hero
Hyperion Books for Children 2010

After getting lost in a whole paranormal faze of reading, I needed something light, humorous, but still serious/adventure kind of book. It so happens that just a few days ago, The Lost Hero came out, adding another series to the Camp Half Blood stories, including the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Some might complain that some books need to end- for this particular book, I thought that too, until I actually read it. Now I'm thinking that Rick Riordan was right to continue this on-with his great creative plot skills, I now know I was in for a treat! The Lost Hero has certain elements that Percy Jackson does not have. I can see more character development with our main characters- Piper, Leo, and Jason- that does not happen with Percy, Annabeth, or Grover in PJ. This book was also written in third person, which lets you see different personalities at one time. I think that certainly added to the book. There are also more realistic events that actually happen in real life- abuse, loss, and difficulties. It definitely has a more sullen and realistic feel than PJ does. And added to that, there is a better developed, twisty and turning plot, that adds so much more elements than the Percy Jackson series ever did. All in all, this was a fantastic read, and I can't wait 'till Mr. Riordan has more for us.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

2011-12-05T18:12:00.001-07:00

AnQi, 13
Sarah Ockler
Fixing Delilah
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 2010

It was evident as I started Fixing Delilah that the plot was going to be similar to Sarah Dessen's The Truth About Forever, a beautiful novel about a teenager named Macy, who embarks on a self discovering journey and learns what it means to truly change. Although Fixing Delilah was definitely much shorter than The Truth About Forever, I had a feeling that it had something that The Truth...lacked. There were the heart breaking scenes of learning how to grieve about her grandmother's death, and the romantic and handsome childhood friend from her past, but there was also a feeling of breath taking scenes of adventure as Delilah learns about her deceased Aunt Stephanie and the secrets she held-the truth of her mother's argument with her grandmother eight years ago that separated the Hannaford family-and the desire to learn more about her late father, Thomas Devlin, who died when traveling Afghanistan as a journalist. The book flows with an almost poetic feel as we travel through Delilah's life in Red Falls, the place of her mother's birth, and the romantic feelings between Delilah and her old friend 'Little Ricky' now known as Patrick Reed. It feels beautiful through every thrilling and sad moment, and Delilah's human character livens it all when she displays the real core of her human nature. I will be most excited when I read Twenty Boy Summer, and I'm eager to call Sharon Ockler one of my most favorite authors now, with her excellent writing and beautiful characters and scenery. Thank you for such an inspirational novel.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Bistro Members Please Submit Your Reviews

2011-12-05T12:39:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

The following lists titles nominated for BFYA for which I have not received reviews. I know many of these titles have been discussed at Bistro meetings. Please submit your reviews as soon as possible. Thanks.

12 Things To Do Before You Crash and Burn by Proimos, James

Absolute Value of Mike, The by Erskine, Kathryn

Addie on the Inside by Howe, James

Akata Witch by Okorafor, Nnedi

Apothecary, The by Meloy, Maile

Ashfall by Mullin, Mike

Auslander, The by Dowswell, Paul

Beautiful Friendship, A by Weber, David

Between by Warman, Jessica

Between Here and Forever by Scott, Elizabeth

Big Crunch, The by Hautman, Pete

Blank Confession by Hautman, Pete

Blink and Caution by Wynne-Jones

Breaking Stalin's Nose by Yelchin, Eugene

Bronxwood by Booth, Coe

Brooklyn, Burning by Brezenoff, Steve

Bumped by McCafferty, Megan

Caleb's Wars by Dudley, David

Camo Girl by Magoon, Kekla

Chronicles of Harris Burdick by Van Allsberg, et al

Clean by Reed, Amy

Compulsion by Ayarbe, Heidi

Darkest Mercy by Marr, Melissa

Daughter of Xanadu by Yang, Dori Jones

Day Before, The by Schroeder, Lisa

Dead End in Norvelt by Gantos, Jack

Death Cloud by Lane, Andrew

Desert Angel by Price, Charlie

Dreamland Social Club by Altebrando, Tara

Dreams of Significant Girls by Garcia, Christina

Elephant in the Garden, An by Morpurgo, Michael

Eliza's Freedom Road by Nolen, Jerdine

Everything I Was by Demas, Corinne

Fall for Anything by Summers, Courtney

First Day on Earth by Castellucci, Cecil

Fixing Delilah by Ockler, Sarah

Flip by Bedford, Martyn

Floating Islands, The by Neumeier, Rachel

Flyaway by Christopher, Lucy

Future of Us, The by Asher, Jay and Mackler, Carolyn

Girl of Fire and Thorns, The by Carson, Rae

Girl Who Became a Beatle, The by Taylor, Greg

Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her Own Making, The by Valente, Catherynne M.

Glass Swallow, The by Golding, Julia

Glow by Ryan, Amy Kathleen

Guantanamo Boy by Perera, Anna

How I Stole Johnny Depp's Alien Girlfriend by Ghislain, Gary

Huntress by Lo, Malinda

Hurricane Dancers: The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwreck by Engle, Margarita

Hush by Chayil, Eishes

I am J by Beam, Chris

I Will Save You by de la Pena, Matt

Island's End by Venkatraman, Padma

Jersey Tomatoes Are the Best by Padian, Maria

Lark by Porter, Tracey

Last Little Blue Envelope, The by Johnson, Maureen

Latte Rebellion, The by Stevenson, Sarah Jamila

Life: An Exploded Diagram by Peet, Mal

Lola and the Boy next Door by Perkins, Stephanie

Long Walk to Water, A by Park, Linda Sue

Lost & Found by Tan, Shaun

Lost Crown, The by Miller, Sarah

Lost Hero, The by Riordan, Rick

Luck of the Buttons, The by Ylvisaker, Anne

Mermaid's Mirror by Madigan, LK

Miles from Ordinary by Williams, Carol Lynch

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom, Riggs

Moonglass by Kirby, Jesse

Mostly True Story of Jack, The by Barnhill, Kelly

My Life Undecided by Brody, Jessica

My Name is Mina by Almond, David

My Name Is Not Easy by Edwardson, Debby Dahl

Name of the Star, The by Johnson, Maureen

Nightspell by Cypess, Leah

Now Playing Stoner and Spaz II by Koertge, Ron

Okay for Now by Schmidt, Gary

Orchards by Thompson, Holly

Out of Shadows by Wallace, Jason

Paper Covers Rock by Hubbard, Jenny

Past Perfect by Sales, Leila

Pathfinder by Card, Orson Scott

Pearl by Knowles, Jo

Pick-Up Game: A Full Day of Full Court by Aronson and Smith, Jr.

Piper's Son, The by Marchetta, Melina

Pregnant Pause by Nolan, Han

Prisoners in the Palace by MacColl, Michaela

Queen of Hearts by Brooks, Martha

Queen of the Dead by Kade, Stacey

Rotters by Kraus, Daniel

Running Dream, The by Van Draanen, Wendelin

Sean Griswold's Head by Leavitt, Lindsey

See What I See by Whelan, Gloria

Seriously Norman by Raschka, Chris

Sharks & Boys by Tracy, Kristen

Small as an Elephant by Jacobson, Jennifer

Space Between, The by Yovanoff, Breena

Sparrow Road by O'Connor, Sheila

Stay With Me by Griffin, Paul

Stick by Smith, Andrew

Strings Attached by Blundell, Judy

Stupid Fast by Herbach, Geoff

Summer I Learned to Fly, The by Reinhardt, Dana

Survival Kit, The by Freitas, Donna

Sweetness of Salt, The by Galante, Cecilia

Take Me To the River by Hobbs, Will

Tankborn by Sandler, Karen

Ten Things We Did (and probably shouldn't have) by Mlynowski, Sarah

Texas Gothic by Clement-Moore, Rosemary

There Is No Long Distance Now by Nye, Naomi Shihab

This Thing Called the Future by Powers, J.L.

Threads and Flames by Friesner, Esther

Time of Miracles, A by Bondoux, Anne-Laure

Uncommon Criminals by Carter, Ally

Under the Mesquite by McCall, Guadalupe Garcia

Unidentified, The by Mariz, Rae

Virtuosity by Martinez, Jessica

Watch that Ends the Night, The by Wolf, Allan

What Can(t) Wait by Pérez, Ashley Hope

What Comes After by Watkins, Steve

What Happened to Goodbye by Dessen, Sarah

Where I Belong by Cross, Gillian

Where the Streets had a Name by Abdel-Fattah, Randa

Where Things Come Back by Whaley, John Corey

Why We Broke Up by Handler, Daniel

Winter Town by Emond, Stephen

Wolf Mark by Bruchac, Joseph

You Don't Know About Me by Meehl, Brian

List of BFYA Nominees with Teen Reviews

2011-12-05T12:27:00.000-07:00

Zevin, Gabrielle	*All these things I've Done*
Lynch, Chris	*Angry Young Man*
Perkins, Stephanie	*Anna and the French Kiss*
Blake, Kendare	*Anna, Dressed in Blood*
Bick, Ilsa	*Ashes*
Tharp, Tim	*BADD*
Bray, Libba	*Beauty Queens*
Castle, Jennifer	*Beginning of After, The*
Sharenow, Robert	*Berlin Boxing Club, The*
Sepetys, Ruta	*Between Shades of Gray*
Brown, Jennifer	*Bitter End*
Chow, Cara	*Bitter Melon*
Vernick, Shirley Reva	*Blood Lie, The*
Young, Moira	*Blood Red Road*
Flack, Sophie	*Bunheads*
Ward, Rachel	*Chaos, The*
Billingsley, Franny	*Chime*
Bauer, Joan	*Close to Famous*
McMann, Lisa	*Cryer's Cross*
Fisher, Catherine	*Dark City, The (Relic Master)*
Putney, M.J.	*Dark Mirror*
Taylor, Laini	*Daughter of Smoke and Bone*
Oliver, Lauren	*Delirium*
Roth, Veronica	*Divergent*
Hirsch, Jeff	*Eleventh Plague, The*
Aguirre, Ann	*Enclave*
Dixon, Heather	*Entwined*
King, A.S.	*Everybody Sees the Ants*
Marcus, Kimberly	*Exposed*
O'Neal, Eilis	*False Princess, The*
Jordan, Sophie	*Firelight*
Cooper, Michelle	*FitzOsbornes in Exile, The*
Suzuma, Tabitha	*Forbidden*
Bernobich, Beth	*Fox and Phoenix*
Haines, Kathryn	*Girl is Murder, The*
McCaughrean, Geraldine	*Glorious Adventures of the Sunshine Queen, The*
Frost, Helen	*Hidden*
Zarr, Sara	*How to Save a Life*
Goldberg Sloan, Holly	*I'll Be There*
Brooks, Kevin	*iBoy*
Kirby, Matthew J.	*Icefall*
Kittredge, Caitlin	*Iron Thorn, The*
St. Onge, Caissie	*Jane Jones:Worst. Vampire. Ever*
Silvey, Craig	*Jasper Jones*
Ostlere, Cathy	*Karma: A Novel In Verse*
Lu, Marie	*Legend*
Cohen, Joshua	*Leverage*
Bunce, Elizabeth	*Liar's Moon*
Smibert, Angie	*Memento Nora*
Ness, Patrick	*Monster Calls, A*
Wiliams, Michael	*Now is the Time for Running*
Deuker, Carl	*Payback Time*
Hopkins, Ellen	*Perfect*
Wilkinson, Lili	*Pink*
O'Brien, Caragh	*Prized*
Resau, Laura	*Queen of Water*
Nelson, Blake	*Recovery Road*
Black, Holly	*Red Glove*
Gier, Kerstin	*Ruby Red*
Stiefvater, Maggie	*Scorpio Races, The*
Peters, Julie Anne	*She Loves You, She Loves You Not*
McClintock, Norah	*She Said/She Saw*
Myracle, Lauren	*Shine*
Goodman, Shawn	*Something Like Hope*
Caletti, Deb	*Stay*
Dowell, Frances O'Roark	*Ten Miles Past Normal*
Gleitsman, Morris	*Then*
Oppel, Kenneth	*This Dark Endeavor*
Archer, Jennifer	*Through Her Eyes*
Anderson, R. J.	*Ultraviolet*
Hodkin, Michelle	*Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, The*
Yee, Lisa	*Warp Speed*
Reeve, Philip	*Web of Air, A*
Kushner, Ellen & Holly Black, eds.	*Welcome to Bordertown*
Forman, Gayle	*Where She Went*
Sedgwick, Marcus	*White Crow*
Murdock, Catherine Gilbert	*Wisdom's Kiss*
DeStefano, Laruen	*Wither*
Selznick, Brian	*Wonderstruck*
Reedy,Trent	*Words in the Dust*
Mull, Brandon	*World Without Heroes, A*
Downham, Jenny	*You Against Me*
Black and Larbalestier (editors)	*Zombies Vs. Unicorns*

Recovery Road by Blake Nelson

2011-12-04T12:01:00.002-07:00

Chavilah, 13
Blake Nelson
recovery road
Scholastic Press 2011

This was a tear jerker and i have cryed alot. I couldnt put the book down I read it in 1day. Its a book about recovery romance love trying to make it work when things go bad. Love seems to be less romantic and more family love. I would recomend this for 13 yearsold or older. Its a very mature book theres some inaproprete langauge ,drug and achohal refferacnes,and breif sex scences.

I absolutely loved this book. :0) I would like to own this book please di pretty please :0)

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book
-----------------------------------------------------

Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris (2 reviews)

2011-12-04T11:58:00.002-07:00

Luna, 15
Carrie Harris
Bad Taste in Boys
Delacorte 2010

i really didnt like this book. at first i did but i didnt really enjoy it in the middle things started to seem like i have read them before and i think things move too fast for the main people (Kate and Aaron)
Rating: 3 Readable

The Drop by Jeff Ross

2011-12-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

Michael, 17
Jeff Ross
The Drop
Orca Publishing 2011

This is a good book! This book was most appealing to me because I am a snow boarder and I know kind of what it is like to be caught in those "sticky" situations.

Rating: 4 Q. Better than most.

Department Nineteen by Will Hill

2011-12-01T12:45:00.000-07:00

RD, 12
Will Hill
Department Nineteen
2011

if you liked vampires and violence then this book is you it has lots of guns and monsters.the plot of the story is realy advenurest and you can see that the athur put a lot of thought in to it.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly (2 reviews)

2011-12-01T12:41:00.001-07:00

Danielle, 15
L.A. Weatherly
Angel Burn
Candlewick Press 2011

Angel Burn is one of my favorite books from all time. It is a twist on angels, portraying them as evil creatures that prey on human's energy. Alex is a hunter dedicated to killing them but it's interesting to see what happens when he meets a half angel, half human hybrid. Willow has always known she was different and, with the help of Alex, she learns who she is. This book is truly fantastic.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book
---------------------
Briana, 16
L.A. Weatherly
Angel Burn
2011

This is definitly worth more than one read. This is an origional take on angelic beings. As the protagonist deals with her psycic abilities and attempts to save the world, you become drawn into the story and feel connected to the characters.

Rating: 4 Better than most
-------------------

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

2011-12-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

Danielle, 15
Mandy Hubbard
Ripple
Penguin Group 2011

Ripple was fantastic. It was dark and haunting with thrill and suspense around ever corner. It had an alluring tone that kept me turning pages. Lexi is an in-depth character that shows the struggle inside of everyone. The twists that come later in the book just keep you guessing. It was wonderful and I loved it.
Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

This Dark Endeavor: the Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein by Kenneth Oppel (2 reviews)

2011-12-01T12:23:00.000-07:00

rd, 12
Kenneth Oppel
This Dark Endeavor
2011

This book envolved a very dark plot that had you thinking the whole time while reading.if you read frakenstien then you would understand this way more but if you didn't then this still is a really good. i would recamend this book for fantasy lovers or just regular readers even

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

-----------------------
Hope, 15
Kenneth Oppel
This Dark Endeavor: the Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein
Simon and Schuster    2011

    The cover for this book was very compelling and mysterious, a good choice for this novel.     Before Mary Shelley’s immortal classic Frankenstein, before the monster, before the well-known tale of horror and suspense, Victor Frankenstein was a simple fifteen year old boy, always getting into one adventure or another. One of those adventures involves finding a secret library full of outlawed alchemy books in his home. Victor’s father, the province magistrate himself, had banned these books, and forbade Victor from reading them. But when Victor’s beloved twin Konrad falls ill, the doctors are not able to cure him. Victor revisits the library, to find a book describing an elixir of life; an exotic mixture promising health to any who drinks it. Assisted by his beautiful ‘cousin’ Elizabeth, his best friend Henry, a mysterious alchemist and a trained lynx, Victor makes up his mind to create this elixir, no matter how hard the ingredients are to find, or that practicing alchemy is illegal. He will cure his brother, regardless of how many laws of nature he has to break; even if he has to give his own life. This engrossing novel has a little something for everyone, with action, humor, danger, romance, intrigue, raw emotions, and twists that will keep you hooked until the last page. Yet another masterpiece from Kenneth Oppel.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

What Boys Really Want by Pete Hautman

2011-11-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

AnQi, 13
Pete Hautman
What Boys Really Want
Scholastic Press 2012

So what do boys really want? In Pete Hautman’s unique romantic comedy, humor and reality meet as this question is explored again and again. Hautman perfects the he-said, she-said format in a book where both characters are immensely likable and distinct. The story adds on enjoyment with its true to life situations and is a quick and spunky read. Fans of Flipped will devour this well-written realistic fiction.

Rating: 4 Better than most

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

2011-11-28T09:42:00.003-07:00

Chelsea(: , 15
Amy Garvey
Cold Kiss
Harperteen 2011

Honestly, I can say this is a good book. It took a few pages to get my attention but it was also kind of drawn out to. I'd recommend this book to people who love a demented love story. This was a unique book and I liked it.

Rating: 4 Better than most

Perfect by Ellen Hopkins (2 reviews)

2011-11-21T08:42:00.003-07:00

AnQi, 13
Ellen Hopkins
Perfect
Margaret K. McElderry 2011

Okay, so you're just going to have to assume that I'm going to give every Ellen Hopkins book five stars. I know that's a bit prejudiced of me, but that's just how great of an author she is. Seriously. If you haven't read her yet, I'm going to throw you out of the window.

Perfect is kind of an indirect sequel to Impulse. In Impulse, we follow the lives of Vanessa, Toby, and Connor as they try to survive a mental institution called Aspen Springs all for trying to do one thing: suicide. Perfect is the story that takes place back at the lives they left (especially Connor's) in the duration of Impulse. In this book, we are introduced to four characters: Cara, Connor's twin, the 'perfect' one that wants (and needs) to follow in her mother's and father's footsteps; Sean, a baseball player who, with the help of steroids, is the star athlete of his team; Andre, a person who is wanted to live up to his family's heritage and ancestry but wants to pursue his dreams in another direction; and Kendra, who will do anything to perfect the imperfections in her mirror image. This book has all the things you know about in a Hopkins book; beautiful poetry, amazing characters, romance, steroids/plastic surgery/anorexia/orientation and basically all the things that completes the life (unfortunately) of teens today. Not only is she an extraordinary writer, but her books deal with real-life issues in a way that is not only entertaining, but a message you can take with a grain of salt. Looking for perfection can sometimes be a curse. I hope that in the future, we'll all be able to strive for what we want; and be happy for what we get.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

------------------
Hannah, 15

Ellen Hopkins

Perfect

McElderry books 2011

I really enjoyed this book. At the beginning i thought i should read the rest of the books she wrote, but this book has nothing to do with it. As soon as i got it I could barely set it down. I believe this is the best book I've read! I loved how the author set up the different characters paragraphs. Also i didn't too much favor the every three pages a new characters point of view. I very well recommend this book to others!

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

2011-11-19T14:51:00.000-07:00

Darby, 15
Christopher Paolini
Inheritance
Alfred A. Knopf 2010

AAAAAAAMMMMMMAAAAAZZZZZIIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGG! As the final book in the Inheritance Cycle, this book transcended my exceptions! Usually you get a decline of plot the farther in the series you go or it gets redundant. This book webbed together the plot that has stretched over the books and seemed to incline exponentially. Not only with in sync but it also revealed foreshadowing from its precedent. Christopher seemed to know where he was going with each small detail of his created world. I wish for more, but also accept its completeness that other novels lack. Overall, this book is simply amazing from every view.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima (3 reviews)

2011-11-19T14:47:00.000-07:00

Anqi,     12
Cinda Williams Chima
The Gray Wolf Throne
Hyperion     2011

       Set in a medieval world with wizards and queens, Cinda William Chima brings back to us the epic world of Hans Alister and Raisa 'ana Marianna in the third installment of the Seven Realms novels. As Raisa tries to ascend the throne after escaping from near death at her academy, more attempts on her life are made. With each near assassination, Raisa wonders who she can trust, none more so than Hans Alister, who is meanwhile dealing with his feelings for Raisia and his chosen path by the clans of the Fells. With more magic, political tension, and romance more than ever, The Gray Wolf Throne is an intense read from beginning to finish. Raisia is a confident female protagonist that thrives in the epic world of Chima's making, and Hans Alister is the hero we'll all be cheering for at the end of every novel. The romance is sweet and satisfying, and Chima's excellent story-telling leaves us feeling defeated, happy, confused, and downright mad with every turn of the page. I'm very excited for the next book to come out, and be prepared for the Seven Realms series to reach a climax that is intense and exhilirating.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

------------------
Anthony,    16
Cinda Williams Chima
The Gray Wolf Throne
Hyperion    2011

        This is the third book of the seven realms series about Hans "cuffs" Alister a wizard in training and protector of the princess of the fells Raisa. I thought That this book was as good as the other two but that there was not enough action. It was still a really good read and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

Rating: 4 Better than most
----------------------
Drake, 13
Cinda Williams Chima
The Gray Wolf Throne
Hyperion 2011

It was a fantastic book. Filled with love, romance, war, bloodshed, and most importantly Magic. With each new twist you are lost ot a maze of havic.

Rating: 4 Better than most

Wherever You Go by Heather Davis

2011-11-17T19:34:00.000-07:00

lyndsey, 14
Heather Davis
Wherever You Go
Harcourt 2011

i thought this book was just so sweet, and creepy at the same time i absoulutely loved it! i would read this book over and over again if i could. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Secrets by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur

2011-11-17T19:29:00.000-07:00

lyndsey, 14
Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur
Secrets
Greenwillow books 2011

I loved this book! I read the first one and immediatly wanted to read this one and now ive finished this one and cannot wait to read the third! it as funny and sweet, i just couldnt put it down.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Love Drugged by James Klise

2011-11-16T19:20:00.000-07:00

Lyndsey, 14
James Klise
Love Drugged
Flux 2010

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was very different from the kind of books i usually read and i as skeptical at first but i thought it was real intersting to see another view point form a different life style choice. i would definitely reccomend this book to all of my friends.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

How To Save a Life by Sara Zarr

2011-11-16T19:03:00.001-07:00

brittany, 17
Sara Zarr
How To Save a Life
2011

it was a very good book and it deals with real life issuses. it was very interesting and entertaing. it was beliveable. it was one of the best books i have every read.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Variant by Robison Wells

2011-11-15T20:22:00.000-07:00

Darby, 15
Robison Wells
Variant
Harper Teen 2011

Variant stood out among the books I've read in my lifetime because of its blunt character. The protagonist, Benson Fisher, caught my eye with his straight- forward get- it- done personality. Wells does a great job in character development. His main character contrasted from the others greatly like a grizzly bear in downtown New York. It was unique in my eyes. On the other hand, I never really bought into the twist. It was definitely... different and shocking. Still, it sort of appeared out of nowhere and didn't click. Overall I loved the book, even if I'm iffy on the flow of the plot.

Rating: 4 Better than most

The Death Catchers by Jennifer A. Kogler

2011-11-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

Devlin, 16
Jennifer A. Kogler
The Death Catchers
2011

Thrilling, intense, and action packed with a little bit of the past all put in to one book. It was a very good read and it was hard for me to put it down. It truely will make you have second thoughts on if and how King Arther died. Just dont read it at night.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

2011-11-15T19:57:00.001-07:00

Dylan, 14
Gabrielle Zevin
All These Things I've Done
2011

This book was amazing. I loved it. I recommend this book to those who like life of crime books.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Shifting by Bethany Wiggins

2011-11-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

Briana, 16
Bethany Wiggins
Shifting
2011

I loved this book. Recently there have been tons of werewolf/ vampire books and this one stands out. The use of skinwalkers made this a memorable, semi-unique book in a popular genre.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Beyonders, A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull (4 reviews)

2011-11-15T12:29:00.001-07:00

Andrea F., 18

Brandon Mull
Beyonders
2011
It is impossible to resist a book where the portal into another world is through a hippopotamus's mouth. Jason is volunteering at the zoo when he hears a strange music coming from the hippo tank. He goes over to investigate, accidentally falls into the hippo's mouth, and find himself in a world where musicians play as they float over waterfalls, where heroes are either corrupt or crippled, and where to make an enemy of the last wizard Maldor is a death sentence for all you hold dear. In attempting to find a way back home Jason makes himself an enemy of Maldor and is forced to embark on a quest for a word that if spoken in Maldor's presence would instantly kill him. He's joined along the way by Rachel, a homeschooler from our world, and Ferrin, a human looking creature who can divide his body into separate parts at will and live. What ensues is an exploration of a unique world and a book that will be loved by readers of all ages. A rip roaring adventure that has not been seen for some time. I am looking forward to the rest of the series. My rating: 9/10.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Darby,    14
Brandon Mull
Beyonders A World Without Heroes
Aladdin    2011

        This is the first book I have ever read from Brandon Mull. I have heard of the Fablehaven series but never picked it up. When I opened this book a sudden premotion overtook me. A enticing feeling of entering a different world engulfed me. I must say this book is amazing in every sense. From the moment that feeling came I knew this new series would addict me to the level on par with the Harry Potter series. I cannot wait for the next book and am stunned to finally feel the fimiliar tension of waiting for the contienuation of the plot again.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

---------------
Spencer,     13
Brandon Mull
Beyonders: A World Without Heroes
Alladin    2011

    I read this book just to try out Brandon Mull as an author, now I simply can't get enough of his books. I frustrates me beyond imagination that the next book in this series is only coming out in 2012! That's how great these books are! I would recomend this book in a heartbeat to any reader, including the anti-fantasy dweebs. :) The character build is perfect in this book and you immediatly fall in love with the characters, including the evil ones... The action moments are totally and utterly epic, and I truly could not have picked up a better book. I am very delighted to say that I have found the best book I've ever read... So far? Bravo to Brandon Mull and please, please, please... ENCORE?!?!
Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

---------------------
Anqi, 12
Brandon Mull
Beyonders: A World Without Heroes
Aladdin    2011

        A-MA-ZING! Brandon Mull's Beyonders, A World Without Heroes, was such a breathtaking novel that I don't even know how to begin describing it! It is definitely one of the best fantasy books I've read in a while-and also the best of Brandon Mull's portfolio of great middle grade fiction books! A World Without Heroes is about Jason Walker, an ordinary boy living in Vista, Colorado, who routinely works at the Vista Zoo, and on hearing mysterious music pouring out of the hippo's display area, he accidently gets swallowed and is suddenly; magically; in a dangerous new world. This new land, called Lyrian, is ruled by an emperor who governs with a malicious hand and is adept at controlling the citizens of Lyrian. Jason, who wants nothing to do with Lyrian, just wishes urgently to be sent back home to planet Earth, which people in Lyrian call the Beyond. Things take a surprising turn when Jason finds refuge at a queer building titled the Repository of Learning. Here, he ventures into a part of the library obviously banned by the owner, and comes upon a book bound by living flesh. Inside, scrawled by the author of the book, is the first syllable of a powerful word that can destroy Maldor. Now made a public enemy of the Emperor, Jason has to flee and track all the other syllables to possibly conquer Maldor and find a way home. On his way, he is accompanied by another Beyonder named Rachel, who was strangely drawn to Lyrian the same day Jason was. Together, they hunt for the syllables, hoping for a chance to journey home. Action lives throughout the whole book, and so is Brandon Mull's adept hand at humor, eye-popping surprises, and descriptive style. His characters and 'rules' of Lyrian are imaginative and vivid, making Lyrian seem not so far from home. I'm not shocked that the magic in this world is so rich and otherworldly-he took me in from the beginning in his first book, Fablehaven. I had noticed that in the Fablehaven series, Brandon Mull seemed to pay more attention to Kendra, the female protaganist, while in Beyonders he spends more time developing Jason, our male hero. It's nice to see that Brandon Mull is an expert at developing both genders. I also enjoyed the flitting romance in spots of the book- and when I say flitting, I mean it-although this did not disappoint me at all. It was enough to suffice, and I thought the premise of Jason and Rachel struggling to defeat Maldor was more important anyway. Although Beyonders starts out a bit slow, it rapidly captured my devout attention, causing me to read into the night and spending most of my daylight hours as well finishing it. It's so very sad that I have to wait 'till 2012 to continue reading the second book, but I will definitely keep my eye on it!

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

She Said/She Saw by Norah McClintock

2011-11-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

Colton, 17
Norah McClintock
She Said/She Saw

Norah made my experience reading the book very enjoyable. I would definently recommend her books to others. I can't wait to read another book of hers I loved the way the book was written. It was written like a play or TV show. It gave me a very un-usual visual effect while reading it. The author seems very in touch with teenages and how they operate. How teenagers reason, process and how if something as serious as death of friends were to occur. How would we cope with it? She grasped the idea the everything is more than it seems and how fast the story can change or get twisted.

Rating: 4 Better than most.

Outlaw by Stephen Davies (2 reviews)

2011-11-13T19:10:00.000-07:00

Colby, 13
Stephen Davies
Outlaw
Clarion Books 2011

The book is about how two teens get kidnapped, how they uncover a huge secret about a "terrorist" . Also how they go on an adenture all across a northern african country tricking currupted police and avoiding capture at every turn. I want the book!!!

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

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Hope P. , 16
Stephen Davies
Outlaw
Clarion     2011

       Jake Knight always wanted adventure; as the son of a British Ambassador he doesn’t have too much opportunity for it. When he breaks one rule too many at his boarding school, Jake is sent to Africa to stay with his parents, which suits him just fine. But he gets more than he bargained for when he and his sister are kidnapped by a ruthless group of outlaws. They are rescued by another group of outlaws, and this group is headed up by the most wanted fugitive in the Sahara-Yakuuba Sor. But is everything really as is seems? Is Yakuuba Sor the deadly terrorist everyone makes him out to be? This novel had plenty of wit, action, adventure, danger, and technology. It is an enjoyable way to spend a rainy afternoon, and any fan of James Bond style escapades and fast-paced plots should read this novel.

Rating: 4 Better than most