Teen Readers
Book Reviews
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Could Be Worse…But Not by Much. |
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Adequate |
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Well Worth the Read. |
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As Good as It Gets! |
Click on the title of each book to link to the library's catalog.
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Beddor, Frank. The
Looking Glass Wars.
Remember Lewis Carroll’s ridiculous tale of Alice
in Wonderland? Did you know that it was simply an exploitation of the
story of Princess Alyss Heart of Wonderland and the ruthless coup brought
on by her sinister aunt Redd?
Similar to Gregory Maguire’s Wicked, Beddor reveals the truth behind
the famous children’s story. On her birthday, Queen Genevieve, King
Nolan, and other high-officials of Wonderland are slaughtered as Redd
fights to gain control of the Queendom. Alyss is forced to escape to Victorian
England, and is taken in by the Liddell family. While she struggles for
twelve years to make peace with her true identity in a world where her
tales of her former life are considered nonsense, a group of rebels—calling
themselves Alyssians—prepare to battle with Redd to save Wonderland.
When Redd discovers that her niece is still alive, she sends her assassin,
Cat, after her. Saved by her childhood friend, Dodge, she is returned
to Wonderland and joins the Alyssians to restore the throne to its true
heir.
While the book’s plot is not difficult (good vs. evil), the imagination
Beddor uses to illustrate the “true” Wonderland is fascinating.
References to characters of Alice in Wonderland, such as the royal bodyguard,
Hatter Madigan (“The Mad Hatter”), and Alyss’s tutor,
Bibwit Harte (“The White Rabbit”), keep readers on their toes
to recognize allusions to Carroll’s story. The bloody battles and
high-tech weaponry of both armies make the book inviting to all seekers
of adventure. (Kitt-17)
Funke, Cornelia. Ghosthunters
and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost.
Reading Level: Middle School
Ghosthunters is really funny and exciting, and just a little scary. If
you like exciting stories that when you start reading you can't stop,
you'll love Ghosthunters. (Tara-13)
Klass, David. Whirlwind
Reading Level: Middle and High School
The second book in the caretaker trilogy, Whirlwind was
more adventurous than the 1st Firestorm. I would recommend this book to
boys and girls ages 12 and older. This book was very interesting and I
didn't even know how fast this book went by. It is really intriguing.
(Nizar-13)
Tarita, Doru. A Way of Escape.
Reading Level: High School and Adult
A true story, that's very suspenseful. As Doru tries to
escape from Romania, dodging border guards, spies, undercover shepherds
with their sheep, mad dogs, and many more. A great story for people who
love action packed stories! (Dalin-15)
Blume, Judy. Are
you there God? It's Me, Margaret.
Reading Level: Middle School
"Are you there God? It's Me, Margaret." is about four sixth grade girls that are best friends and all the changes they are going through as preteens. I enjoyed this book because I can relate to the girls in the book. (Erika-14)
Cabot, Meg. The Mediator Series.
Any Cabot novel is worth reading but this series is my favorite! Meet
Suze, a rough-and-tough mediator (a liaison between ghosts and the living)
from NYC. After her mother gets remarried, Suze is forced to leave the
city behind and live in sunny California (in a room that’s haunted
by a hot ghost named Jesse) and go to a Catholic school. By the first
day of school, she’s already entangled with a ghost’s revenge
plot. The Mediator series is sure to please—check it out! (Kitt-18)
Dessen, Sarah. This
Lullaby. 
Reading Level: Middle and High School
Remy thinks she knows all about relationships, since her mom is now marrying her 5th husband. Remy doesn't believe in love, until she meets Dexter. At first he is annoying, but after a while they begin to bond. (Abby-12)
Johnson, Maureen. The
Key to the Golden Firebird: a Novel.
Reading level: Middle and High School.
After the death of their father, the Gold sisters must come to terms with growing up fast and grieving through the loneliness left in their lives. Their father had been a strong presence, and because of financial difficulties, their mother must work most nights. The teens are left on their own. The decisions they make shape their future and affect the rest of their family members. (Shelley-staff)
Moriarty, Jaclyn.
The Year of the Secret Assignments.
Emily, Lydia and Cassie, students at fashionable Ashbury
High, the rival school of the working-class Brookfield High. When the
schools decide to use a pen pal program to ease tension between the students,
they are certain it will never work. Emily and Lydia discover that their
pen pals, Charlie and Sebastian, are actually funny, charming guys. Cassie,
on the other hand, is paired with the unpleasant Matthew. Outraged when
he shatters their sensitive friend, Emily and Lydia team up with their
new Brookfield allies and vow to seek revenge.
The story—told in the letters, emails, memos, Lydia’s notebook
and Cassie’s journal—offers each student’s views and
voices. As readers will find, the messages and events between the writers
are often linked to their friends’ escapades, making for side-splitting
comedy as romances unfold. A great book to curl up and read to brighten
your mood! (Kitt-17)
Oke, Janette. When
Calls the Heart.
Reading Level: High School and Adult
I loved this book!!! It's about a lady named Elizabeth. She moves out
west with her half-brother for a teaching position. Not willing to let
herself fall in love, but she does fall in love with a man named Wynn.
Their love grows but she decides to go back East. Thinking he does not
love her, she packs, devastated and heartbroken. Will he stop her or let
her go back East, even though he really has feelings for her? (Hannah-13)
Scott, Elizabeth. Perfect
You.
Reading Level: Middle and High School
It's sad but funny at the same time. Kate has to deal with her Dad's midlife
crisis and her parents divorce. She has to understand her friend really
isn't her friend. And she likes the player of the school while she tries
not to. (Michelle-14)
Steffen, Sandra. Ex's
and Oh's.
This book is about a woman and her ex-boyfriend. When she left her boyfriend she found out that she was pregnant. Then she sees another fine man who she later finds out is her friend's ex-boyfriend. (Amber-13)
Van Draanen, Wendelin. Flipped.
Reading Level: Middle School
'Flipped' is a wonderfully written, flowing story of love, denial, anger,
and forgiveness. The reality of all that happens helps kids like me relate,
and the emotion, feeling, and absolute magic etched into every detail
of the story draws you in. The day-to-day setting is normal—nothing
extravagant; not extravagant, but most certainly magnificent. Most definitely
one of the best books I have ever read! (Jessica-13)
Austen, Jane. Pride
and Prejudice.
Reading Level: High School and Adult
Pride and Prejudice is a book about two sisters who try to find love. Although it is not easy they overcome many obstacles and find happiness at last. I would recommend this book because it is an amazing love story. (Toyin-13)
Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit
451.
This book made me realize that you must always question the government.
No matter what everyone else says. The plot is thick but smooth. It also
cast a bleak look into the future, where the media casts a blanket over
wars so people at home don't know the truth on a lighter note, the book
is a thrilling piece of dystopian fiction, making you sweat until the
very end. This is one of the few books that had me sad when it was over.
(Chris-15)
Chopin, Kate. The
Awakening.
Like most (if not all) of Chopin’s works, The Awakening is a feminist
novel. It tells the story of Edna Pontellier, a woman living in Louisiana
in the 1800s who goes through a series of “awakenings” that
lead her to independence and retaliation against society’s dictated
role for women. I honestly couldn’t get into this book, which was
disappointing since I really like some of Chopin’s other works,
like “The Silk Stockings.” The other girls in my AP English
class really liked it, and there are some instances of genius that I did
appreciate. I would suggest reading another novel of this period (such
as Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte) to get used to common motifs and symbols
of the time, or doing some serious background prep and note taking if
you are reading this for a class; if you are a fan of the literature of
this time or feminist subject matter, you might enjoy this and not need
any prep at all! (Kitt-18)
Homer. The
Iliad.
Interesting 10 year war between Troy and Greece. (Adam-13)
McCarthy, Cormac. The
Road.
In the post-apocalyptic world of ash and darkness, an unnamed man and
his ten year-old son struggle along a road to find safety. Facing starvation,
cannibals, and the emotional and psychological effects of fighting against
a sealed fate, readers follow the characters across the barren landscape
of despair. Though the book is depressing, readers are left to ponder
the possibilities of the future and human nature. This best-selling novel
is perfect for AP English students and those looking for an enthralling
read. (Kitt-17)
Twain, Mark. A
Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.
I read this work for a research paper for my AP English class. It’s
the story of a Connecticut Yankee, Hank Morgan, who’s been transported
to King Aruthur’s Camelot. Morgan begins to modernize the kingdom
and show-up Merlin with science. The concept is really good, but it can
be a little rough to read because of the mix of nineteenth-century dialogue
with Old English. At first glance, it might be hard to appreciate the
novel—many literary critics say it’s hardly worth reading
compared to Huck Finn or Tom Sawyer. I would suggest reading up on the
background BEFORE you read it so you can see where Twain’s coming
from; he wrote it for himself in response to political goings-on of his
time, and only published it when a poor investment ended in near-bankruptcy.
Definitely a good work for a paper because it has many topics for discussion!
(Kitt-18)
Applegate, K.A. Animorphs: The Extreme
I didn't like this book at all. You shouldn't read it, there were scary
aliens. (Dustin-11)
Carey, Janet Lee. Dragon’s
Keep.
Reading level: Middle and High School.
Six hundred years ago, Merlin made a prophecy regarding the ancestors of Arthur’s exiled younger sister, Evaine. When Evaine married an outlaw, her father, King Uther, banished her to Wilde Island. As she fled England, Merlin read the stars and declared her fate, “The signs all point to the twenty-first queen of Wilde Island…She shall redeem the name Pendragon. End war with the wave of her hand. And restore the glory of Wilde Island.” However, the twenty-first princess has a great secret. She was born with a dragon’s claw. Can the prophecy be wrong? (Shelley-staff)
DeLint, Charles. Waifs
and Strays.
This is a collection of fifteen previously published short stories by the popular fantasy writer, Charles deLint. From a teen vigilante vampire to an elf falling for a black biker, these tales are perfect for anyone looking for a touch of magic. This book is especially good for a school leisure-read because it is easy to recover from an interruption (such as class starting). If you find you like this author, check out some of his other works in the CHCBL catalog, or just stay tuned for more reviews! (Kitt-17)
Funke, Cornelia. Inkheart
I think that this was a great book and would recommend it to anyone. It
has all the elements of a good book (action, suspense, etc.) Plus it has
an amazing plot that I'm not going to reveal here. If you like a good
long book, this one is for you, plus there is a second one! (Ediobong-15)
Hale, Shannon. Princess
Academy.
Reading Level: Middle School.
When the king’s priests announce that the next princess will come from Mount Eskel, all the eligible girls are forced to go to Princess Academy. The school is supposed to prepare the girls in meeting the prince and attending a royal ball. However, fourteen-year-old Mira learns more about herself and the courage to succeed in life. This book will only appeal to girls, but it is such a strong and lovely story. (Shelley-staff)
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Just
Ella.
Reading Level: Middle and High School
I loved this book because it tells what happens after the prince takes Cinderella off to Happy Ever After. There's a twist; living in the castle isn't all it's cracked up to be. She is supposed to marry the Prince in two months. During that time she learns who she truly loves and the truth behind the ball. She couldn't take anymore and escapes the castle so. If you want a Cinderella story with a twist then read Just Ella. (Candynce-13)
Johnson, Jane. The
Secret Country.
Reading Level: Middle School
It all begins in a pet store, when a small black and brown cat with shiny gold eyes and a determined arm snags young Ben's jacket. Iggy (as the cat likes to be called) has been taken from his home world and Ben is the only one who can help him get home; along with all the other creatures who were also taken from that world, called The Secret Country. (Nikki-14)
Mead, Richelle. Vampire
Academy.
Vampire Academy is a really good book. It's got romance, drama, and fight
scenes. It's a good book for young girls to read. (Jessica-13)
Pierce, Tamara. Alanna:
The first Adventure.
This book is about a brother and sister. She wants to be a knight and
he wants to be a mage. She just pretends to be a boy because only boys
can be knights. (Sam-14)
Pierce, Tamora. Sandry's
Book.
Reading Level: Middle School
With a plot and characters that seem so life-like, you can definitely imagine yourself living in the same time the main characters did, even if this book is fictional. Yay, Tamora Pierce! (Sarah-13)
Schreiber, Ellen. Vampireville.
Reading Level: Middle and High School
Raven has a boyfriend named Alexander, who is a vampire. When a bad vampire comes to town, Raven and Alexander have to save themselves and everyone else. (Bronte-14)
Snider, Zilpha Keatley. The
Bronze Pen
This book is a perfect novel for anyone who loves fantasy. What I love
about it is that I never know what is going to happen next. It's about
a girl named Audrey who experiences a lot of mystery and change. (Meg-12)
Snyder, Maria. Fire Study.
This book is great. It is full of adventure, romance, and suspense. I could hardly put it down once I started it. This book took up all my spare time. It is the final book of a trilogy by Maria V. Snyder, all of which I would recommend. Poison Study, Magic Study, and Fire Study. (Gretchen-15)
Vanak, Bonnie. Empath.
It's very boring at first but then this veterinarian Maggie Sinclair gets
introduced to the love of her life, which she never knew she had. He ends
up being a wolfman and she finds out she's a wolf to. Then she finds out
that she's his mate and that his pack is her family and they must kill
the pack's archenemy. (Heather-16)
Godbersen, Anna. The
luxe.
Reading Level: High School
First, I just want to say I love this book and I couldn't put it down! The Luxe is full of mystery, not affairs, backstabbing friends, and true love. The Luxe tells the story of Manhattan's high society's sweethearts, who aren't so sweet as they appear. Reading this book, you'll find out just how far people will go to get what they want. (Destiny-13)
Hale, Marian. Dark
Water Rising.
Reading Level: Middle School.
Sixteen-year-old Seth Braeden and his family have recently moved to Galveston, Texas to make a new start. His father hopes Seth will become a doctor, but it is Seth’s dream to follow in his father’s footsteps and be a carpenter. For a few weeks at the end of the summer, Seth is allowed to be a carpenter’s helper. Then the unimaginable happens. Recounting the Galveston Storm of 1900, Dark Water Rising mixes fact and fiction to tell the devastating story of a hurricane and its aftermath. (Shelley-staff)
Kidd, Ronald. Monkey
Town.
Reading level: Middle and High School.
Fifteen-year-old Frances Robinson has a crush on her teacher John Scopes. In hopes of putting the small town of Dayton, Tennessee on the road to fame and fortune, Frances’ father convinces Scopes to test the Tennessee law that prohibits the teaching of evolution in school. The rest is history. (Shelley-staff)
Lisle, Janet Taylor. Black
Duck.
Reading Level: Middle School.
The elderly Ruben Hart tells the story of his youth when bootlegging overtook his small Rhode Island town during Prohibition. When Ruben and his friend discover a dead body washed up to shore, the two boys become involved with the deadly game of smuggling. Ruben even meets the captain of the famous speed boat, the Black Duck. A great action-packed book for boys, but could also appeal to girls. (Shelley-staff)
Oke, Janette. When
Calls the Heart.
When calls the heart is a great book about a girl who goes on her journey
to the west and how she accidentally finds love. (Helen-15)
Rinaldi, Ann. A Break With Charity.
Rinaldi has a special gift for writing, but this is one of her best books yet. The way she uses a story to teach one more about life makes me want to soak up every word. She is a master. (Jessica-14)
Schmidt, Gary D. The
Wednesday Wars.
Reading level: Middle and High School.
Set in the late 1960’s, The Wednesday Wars tells the story of seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood. On Wednesdays, half of the class goes to Hebrew School and the other goes to Catechism. Not Holling-he is the only Presbyterian. Because of this, his teacher, Mrs. Baker, has to relinquish her free Wednesday afternoons to stay with him. To fill in the time, Mrs. Baker makes him read Shakespeare! She must really “hate his guts.” Throw in two escaped rats, bright yellow tights, bullies and a touch of romance and he has quite the school year. This is a wonderfully written book full of humor, compassion and warmth. One of the best YA books I’ve read in years. (Shelley-staff)
Weaver, Will. Full
Service.
Reading Level: High School.
In the summer of 1965, Paul Sutton takes on a job at the Shell station in his hometown of Hawk Bend, Minnesota. His strict religious background has sheltered Paul from the ways of the world and his mother decides that he should “meet the public.” And boy does he. This is a great book for teen boys. The characters are well developed and the story is very appealing. (Shelley-staff)
Akino, Matsuri. Pet shop of Horrors
If you love animals and horror stories you'll love Pet Shop of Horrors.
It's about this strange pet shop in Chinatown that sells exotic pets.
Strange things happen to the new owners of these pets, some good, some
bad. (Janet-14)
Arakawa, Hiromu.
Full Metal Alchemist.
Alchemy, what is it? Alchemy is the mystical power to alter the natural world, something between magic, art, and science. When two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, dabbled in this power to grant their dearest wish, one of them lost an arm and a leg... and the other became nothing but a soul locked into a body of living steal. Now Edward is an agent of the government, a slave of the military-alchemical complex, using his unique powers to obey orders... even to kill. Except his powers aren't unique. The world has been ravaged by the abuse of alchemy. And in pursuit of the ultimate alchemical treasure, the Philosopher's stone, their enemies are even more ruthless than they are. (Nikki-14)
CLAMP. Tsubsasa:
RESERvoir CHRroNiCLE.
CLAMP fans rejoice—this manga involves most of the major characters
out of all of their past works! The story begins in the Kingdom of Clow,
where Princess Sakura is sneaking away to visit Syaoran at an archeological
dig site. Her arrival sets off a series of events resulting in Sakura
and Syaoran being sent to the Dimensional Time Witch (Yuko from XXXholic).
Sakura’s memories have been turned into feathers and scattered throughout
the worlds, and Syaoran vows to retrieve them. The price of the Witch’s
help? Sakura’s memories of him. Once the agreement is made, Syaoran
is partnered with the cheerful magician Fai and the grouchy warrior Kurogane.
The group is then given Mokona—a playful creature that will transport
them through the worlds—and is sent on their quest. Little do they
know that a shadowy organization is after Sakura’s memories.
As they travel through worlds facing various challenges to retrieve the
feathers, readers will become as enthralled in the story as the characters.
Did I mention that the library has all of the books and is working on
obtaining the DVDs, too? (Kitt-17)
Ikumi, Mia.
Tokyo Mew Mew: Vol. 1.
This is the first book in a rather fun series, and is well worth the read! The book is about 11-year-old Ichigo who is out on a hot date with her crush when suddenly she's involved in an odd incident in which her DNA is merged with the DNA of an almost extinct wildcat. When four other girls' DNA is merged with the DNA of four other almost extinct animals, it's apparent that they're part of a much bigger plan. Ichigo and her friends have been chosen to become part of a secret project called "Mew project." Their mission: To protect the planet from aliens who are using the planet’s animals to attack humans. Only time will tell if these super natural superheroes will be up to the challenge. (Nikki-14)
Takahashi, Rumiko. Inuyasha
This book is a series of books with drama, action, and comedy mixed together.
The book is about a demon, actually a half demon/half human, and a girl
named Kagome, and a few others who meet up along the way, Miroka, Sango,
Shippo, Kirara, Keatey, and Kykyo. (Ralph-12)
Asher, Jay. Thirteen
Reasons Why.
This chilling novel follows a quiet high school student, Clay Jenkins,
as he listens to cassette tapes left by Hannah—a classmate who committed
suicide. The tapes tell the story of the thirteen people involved in her
eventual death. While the writing itself is not phenomenal, the subject
matter and gripping plot keeps readers attached to the book until the
story comes full circle. A particularly interesting factor is that readers
know the end of the tale first, and journey through the beginning to understand
Hannah’s reasoning. I will warn you that it is very sad and haunting,
but it still makes for a very good read. (Kitt-18)
Bunting, Eve. A
Sudden Silence.
Reading Level: Middle School
It's about Jesse's brother who was deaf and got killed by
a hit and run driver. Now Jesse has to find the killer of his dead brother
Bryan. (Willie-12)
Byars, Betsy. Cracker
Jackson.
Reading Level: Middle School
I love this book. I realized that people are being abused. There was a boy named Jackson and he had a friend whose husband, Billy Ray was beating her up. Jackson helped her escape. (Amelia-12)
Fleischman, Paul. Whirligig.
Reading Level: Middle and High School
I believe that this book has a strong message in it that I think everyone should learn by reading this book. (Darius-15)
Flinn, Alex. Fade
to Black
Reading Level: Middle and High School
Fade to Black was a fiction book that seemed non-fiction because of how
realistic it was. The book was about a guy with HIV/AIDS and how he was
treated differently. It showed how people are ignorant and scared of what
they don’t know, for example how kids thought they could catch AIDS
by breathing the same air. It is a quick and easy book with substance.
I encourage you all to check it out. (Courtney-16)
Lubar, David. Sleeping
Freshmen Never Lie.
Reading Level: Middle and High School.
It is hard to be a freshman in High School. When Scott Hudson begins his first year at J.P. Zenger High, his life becomes a tangled mess of girls, friends, bullies and homework. Could life get any worse? With its laugh-out-loud charm, this novel is a great read for all teens. (Shelley-staff)
Paulsen, Gary. Brian's
Winter.
Reading Level: Middle School
It was a cool book about a 13 year old who survived with only a hatchet. He faced dangers, ate animals he killed with a bow he made, and started fires with rocks. This is a book everybody should read. (Nathan-14)
Peck, Richard. The
Teacher's Funeral.
The comical book was about a teacher dieing and the replacement being
a nightmare. Lots of adventurous things occur in the school halls. (Terrence-13)
Shusterman, Neal. The
Schwa Was Here.
Reading Level: Middle and High School.
When eighth-grader “Antsy” Bonano befriends a functionally invisible classmate, his somewhat average life turns into a series of crazy adventures and quirky mishaps. Calvin Schwa has a knack for blending into the background, and often times, going completely unnoticed by everyone around him. Antsy and his friends try to determine what is causing this “Schwa Effect” and if Calvin’s mother disappeared years ago because of this unusual condition. This is a great book for boys, but should appeal to girls as well. (Shelley-staff)
Sonnenblick, Jordan. Drums,
Girls, & Dangerous Pie.
Reading Level: Middle and High School
This book was interesting because this little boy has cancer. His big brother leaves all his important stuff to comfort him. Then at the end this girl the big brother made friends with dies of cancer and leaves a package for him. Read the book to find out the rest. (Kristin-14)
Westerfeld, Scott. So
Yesterday.
Reading level: High School.
When Hunter meets Jen in the East River Park, he knows right away that she is an Innovator. In fact, Hunter is so impressed with Jen that he takes her to a “cool tasting.” So Yesterday is an exciting adventure and a clever commentary on crazed consumerism and current fads. (Shelley-staff)
York, Carol Beech. Please Write I need your Help.
It's boring. Somebody likes to write letters in the book for others to
read. I didn't get the whole book. (Bennie-13)
Alphin, Elaine Marie. The
Perfect Shot.
Reading Level: High School.
Brian Hammett is a star basketball player for his Indiana high school. When his girlfriend Amanda, along with her mother and brother, are found shot to death in their family home, Brian begins a life and death struggle to find the truth. Finding similarities with another murder case, the 1913 death of a factory girl in Georgia, Brian realizes that the justice system just might send the wrong man to prison. This is a very insightful and suspenseful book. (Shelley-staff)
Avi. The
Man who was Poe.
Reading Level: Middle School
It is a mystery book and great to read. It makes you think who took his sister and mother. (Danielle-13)
Avi. Wolf-Rider.
Reading Level: Middle and High School
Wolf-Rider is an excellent book. When Wolf-Rider starts it's interesting. Throughout the whole book, you're on edge, as Andy becomes a lifesaver. (Akina-13)
Coben, Harlen. Hold
Tight.
Reading Level: High School and Adult
This book is about 3 different stories. A man named Nash had kidnapped two women, named Marrianne, and Reba. Another story is about a boy needing a kidney transplant, and if he doesn't get it quick he's going to die. The last one, a boy named Adam his best friend killed himself and Adam's parents put a e-spy right control on him. Adam ran away! You should read it; it's good. (Kiara-13)
Duncan, Lois. Locked
in Time.
Reading Level: Middle and High School
Nore moves in with her stepmother, who keeps trying to get rid of her. Join Nore in her story to figure out what her stepmother is up to and why she is trying to get rid of Nore.(Charlotte- 13)
Duncan, Lois. Stranger
with my Face.
Reading Level: Middle and High School
Just imagine someone watching and waiting to steal your life. A person you've never met, but you find out that you are identical. This person has already been sneaking around and fooling people into thinking it was you! (Jazmonyque-15)
Giles, Gail. Dead
Girls Don’t Write Letters.
Reading level: High School.
Sunny’s life turned upside down when her sister Jazz died in an apartment fire. Her mother became seriously depressed and her father buried himself in alcohol. Sunny thought she could handle her family situation, but then a letter arrives from her dead sister. This is a page-turning thriller that will appeal to even the most reluctant readers. (Shelley-staff)
McGrew, Chandler. The
Darkening.
Reading Level: Adult
This book is action-packed, suspenseful and out of this world. You will be drawn in by the characters and the setting. If you love suspense around every corner, then this book is for you! If you read this book, you will never want to put it down because it will mesmerize you until you finish reading it! I implore you to read it!! (Amber-14)
Preller, James. A Jigsaw Jones Mystery: The Case of the
Sneaker Sneak.
It's a great mystery. It is funny. Lost of excitement finding the answers
to the mystery. It's a great book. (Jordan-13)
Aiken, Clay. Clay
Aiken: Learning to Sing.
You get to learn more about American Idol Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken.
Follow him as he talks about his abusive birth father, the friends in
his life, the bullies and the women that guide him through life. This
Best-Selling book has advice for everyone who's suffering. (Dominique-15)
Bolles, Richard Nels. What
color is your parachute? 2008 : a practical manual for job-hunters and
career changers.
Reading Level: High School and Adult
This book helped me decide what I want to be when I grow up. There are so many options that it can be hard to decide. This book helped me narrow down my skills and interests to find a career that is right for me. I recommend this book to anyone who is having trouble deciding on a career. (Alyssa-15)
Bradley, James. Flags
of our Fathers.
Reading Level: Middle and High School
The book Flags of our Fathers is told from the interesting
standpoint of a World War II Veteran's son. (Joshua-12)
Calhoun, John C. A Disquisition on government.
Reading Level: High School and Adult
John C. Calhoun wrote an amazingly perceptive critique of the American Governmental system that expands on James Madison's Federalist Papers. It also includes some prophetic insights pertaining to modern day America's political parties. (Teen-16)
Gies, Miep with Alison Leslie Gold. Anne
Frank remembered : the story of the woman who helped to hide the Frank
family.
Reading Level: High School and Adult
After reading the Diary of Anne Frank, I wanted to learn more about Anne Frank. When I read this book, it really gave me the inside look of what it took to hide a Jew. (Lydia-13)
Griffin, John Howard. Black
Like Me.
Few of us can imagine what it would be like to not be allowed to use a
public rest room, get a drink of water, or even just sit at a park bench.
Yet, not so long ago, many Americans experienced this as a second-class
citizens, or as John Griffin says, "as tenth-class citizens."
Black Like Me, written by Griffin, depicts the actual horrors of bigotry
in apartheid America, not in a watered down politically correct textbook
fashion, but in an unavoidable direct confrontation of the brutality of
a racist country. Black Like Me Takes you on an unforgettable journey
through the eyes of the Caucasian author who took medication and dyed
his skin to pass as an African-American in the Deep South during the 1950's.
A haunting experience through the rotting stench of segregation's carcass,
this book is a vivid reminder of how irrational a society becomes when
infected by villains of hate and prejudice. (Michael-16)
Latifa. My
Forbidden Face:growing up under the Taliban : a young woman's story.
Reading level: High School and Adult
This book is about a girl named Latifa who lives in Kabul, a city in Afghanistan. When the Taliban take over, 16 year old Latifa and her family have to face hardships. The Taliban treat women unfairly and abuse and murdere many people. Read this book to find out more about this important piece of history in this book! (Ashley-13)
Marx, Jeffrey. Season
of Life.
The book is very interesting and teaches young adult men the true way
of how to be a man and what illusions that some people form that are not
true. (Chaz-15)
Mertz, Barbara. Temples,
tombs, & hieroglyphs : a popular history of ancient Egypt
Reading level: High School and Adult.
In Temples, Tombs & Hieroglyphs, Barbara Mertz takes the reader on a journey to ancient Egypt. The book is written in such a way that it seems as if you are right there at the coronation of Hatshepsut. Not like most history books, Temples, Tombs & Hieroglyphs, is more like the history of ancient Egypt is being told thru the eyes of a storyteller; fun, but also very informative. So if you would like to learn more about ancient Egypt then this is the book for you! (Seth - 16)
Adams, Douglas. The
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Reading Level: High School and Adult
The Hitchhiker's Guide, by Douglas Adams, is a most interesting
combination of science fiction and some of the most random comedy ever!
Though it is part of a series, the first is the best, in all ways. A definite
must read for all sci-fi nerds. (Jon-17)
Coville, Bruce. My
Teacher is an Alien.
Reading level: Middle School
Well this book gives loads of details and unlike other chapter books this
one has a few pictures. When I say it gives loads of details I mean it
explains the characters looks and tells you the date and weekday of the
events that happen. (Kamari-11)
Danziger, Paula. This
place has no atmosphere.
Reading Level: Middle and High School
In my own opinion, I think people should read this book because it tells teens that even though you move away from your home to somewhere new, you still can do most of the same stuff as before and still have fun. (Starlette-14)
Pfeffer, Susan Beth. Life
As We Knew It.
Reading level: Middle and High School.
After a meteor hits the moon and shifts its orbit, sixteen-year-old Miranda Evans and her family struggle to survive in their small Pennsylvania town. Widespread volcanoes, tsunamis, and earthquakes cause catastrophic death and destruction around the globe. Miranda’s family faces extreme weather changes, food shortages, no utilities and utter isolation. Told through journal entries, Miranda’s life unfolds from the normal life of a teen to the unthinkable fight to live. Life As We Knew It is a fascinating page-turner that should appeal to most teen readers. (Shelley-staff)
Zahn, Timothy. Heir to the Empire.
Reading Level: High School
This is an excellent book. It was hard to put it down, I once stayed up till 2:00 a.m. to read it. (Zach-15)
Mackey, Weezie Kerr. Throwing
Like a Girl.
Reading Level: Middle and High School
This is a multi-genre book. There's romance and sports and snobs being dissed. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It is chaotic but thoroughly entertaining. Enjoy! (Naima-13)
Smith, Roland. Peak.
Reading level: Middle and High School.
After Peak Marcello is caught climbing the Woolworth Building in New York
City, the fourteen-year-old is whisked off to Tibet to attempt the greatest
climb of all. Peak’s father, Joshua Wood, is a famous mountaineer
and his expedition company leads people to the top of Mount Everest. Joshua
recruits a former Sherpa, now a wily monk, and a Nepalese teen to help
Peak. If successful, Peak will become the youngest person to ever summit
Mount Everest. Excellent details about climbing Everest and packed with
action, this is a fabulous book for boys, not to mention adventure-loving
girls. (Shelley-staff)
Langan, Paul. Blood
is Thicker.
A boy named Hakeem Randall just found out his father is sick, and his
parents can't afford their home. His family has to move to his uncle's
house in Detroit. Once they arrive, Hakeem has to share a bedroom with
his cousin. Hakeem has to attend Bluford High School in South California.
Five months earlier his father was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer. Surgery,
chemotherapy and the sickness it caused had reduced his dad's strength
so much that he could no longer perform his job as a warehouse manager.
Hakeem and his boys are trying to make a demo CD. Later in the book Hakeem
arrives back in Detroit, then two days later a strange package is left
on his bed. The box has no return address, but inside was a notebook.
(Allysha)
How to Submit Reviews:
Email your submissions to library@lib.chattanooga.gov
Be sure to include author, title and a brief review. Reviews will only be accepted for books currently in the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library’s collection.
Also include number of “books” you would rate
the title. Example: 2 books or 2.5 books
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