Review: Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials by Rosaline Wiserman

Book description:
Charlie Healey thinks Harmony Falls is the beginning of a whole new life. Middle School was brutal. Mean girls were all around her. But High School’s going to be Charlie’s big chance to start over and stay out of drama, except that on her first day who does she run into? None other than Will, her ex-best friend, who had moved away. Now he’s back, looking a lot cuter and hanging out with a questionable crew. But Charlie doesn’t understand just how questionable until an innocent delivery guy falls victim to a near-deadly hazing prank.



All Charlie wanted to do was have a drama-free freshman year, but now she must decide whether to turn in her very best friend, who just told her he loves her, or live with the guilt of knowing what he did.

Rosalind Wiseman’s first novel for young adults is a fresh, funny, and juicy read about friendship, betrayal, and how far some will go to be accepted.


Was this book worth my time?
Yes

This book is so close to the real-life trials and all out fun that high school brings. I found myself remembering the drama, the gossip, the heartbreaks, and the oddities as I read the book. 

Her characters are true to life, and I think you would be hard-pressed to walk into a school that didn't have the kids that were protrayed in the book. 

My favorite part of the book is the fact that Charlie realizes that she can stand on her own.  I was proud of her, and, honestly, a little jealous that she figured it out so quickly and it took me 4 years of high school to figure it out. 

I'm not usually a fan of "girlie" book about crushes and gossip; however, this is a book that got me because of deeper issues addressed.  I really am glad that I took the time to give this book a shot.  You should too.

The conflicts are real; the drama is real. 


What bothered me about this book?
Nothing

Review: One Survivors by Susan Shaw

Book description:
24 DEAD, 2 SURVIVORS



HOW CAN YOU FIX THAT?


TELL ME HOW!
Anger. Sadness. Rage. Grief. Guilt.


Joey Campbell experiences them all, even though he knows what he should really feel is lucky. Lucky to have survived the fire that burned Village Park High School to the ground. Lucky that his best friend, Maureen, also survived, when no one else in his freshman history class managed to make it out alive.


Writing in a journal provides some solace, but Joey knows that redemption lies with the living. If only the living students and parents didn't blame him for the fire...


Startling, relevant, and honest, Joey's story is simply unforgettable.

 
Was this book worth my time?
Somewhat. 
 
This book is only 199 pages and, thus, was a very short read.  It was a book the holds the reader in suspense in that you really aren't sure what happened on the day of the fire until about half way through the book. 
 
I was pleasantly surprised that the book got drastically better in the second half. Ultimately , this book left me full of joy. 
 
 
What bothered me?
The book is written partly as a novel and partly as Joey's journal entries.  Truthfully, the journal entries at the beginning were most ramblings and a little boring to read.  If the book wasn't so short I would've probably stopped reading.  Luckily, I didin't.  I just wish Shaw had connected her readers to Joey sooner. 

Review: Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

Book Description:
Restless souls and empty hearts


Brooklyn can't sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca, died only a year ago, and now her friend Gabe has just died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca visiting her dreams.

Nico can't stop. He's always running, trying to escape the pain of losing his brother, Lucca. But when Lucca's ghost begins leaving messages, telling Nico to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.

As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.


Was this book worth my time?
Yes. 

This book was such an easy, fast read.  I literally couldn't put it down.  I felt like there wasn't a good place to stop.  The story flows so seamlessly.  It never stops.  It never slows down. 

The free verse is wonderful and perfect for the story. I don't believe that I would've felt the grief that the characters were feeling if it was written in prose. 

It's haunting; it's devestating; it's joyful; it's triumphant. 




What bothered me?
NOTHING! Fabulous book especially for girls who claim they hate to read.  ;)

Review: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Book Description:
The longing.

Once Grace and Sam have found each other, they know they must fight to stay together. For Sam, this means a reckoning with his werewolf past. For Grace, it means facing a future that is less and less certain.


The loss.
Into their world comes a new wolf named Cole, whose past is full of hurt and danger. He is wrestling with his own demons, embracing the life of a wolf while denying the ties of being human.


The linger.
For Grace, Sam, and Cole, life is a constant struggle between two forces - wolf and human - with love baring its two sides as well. It is harrowing and euphoric, freeing and entrapping, enticing and alarming. As their world falls apart, love is what lingers. But will it be enough?






Was this book worth my time?
Yes, but I don't know if I would have been that interested in this book had I not been in love with Shiver. 

I love the idea of a cure for the cure.  I think it adds suspense and mystery to the novel, and I was surprised when I found myself trying to figure out the "cure" along with Cole. 

I also liked that Stiefvater gave Isabel and Cole chapters in the book.  It helps understand both of their emotions and motivations. 

Stiefvater totally set the stage for the next book of the series, and I am ready to see what is in story for the Mercy Falls wolves. 




What bothered me about the book?
I was disappointed that there was not more romance.  I was looking forward to being drawn in to Stiefvater's way of protraying the passion and love between Sam and Grace.  I didn't feel that like I did in Shiver. 

Review: Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Book Description:
In America's Gulf Coast region, where grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts, Nailer, a teenage boy, works the light crew, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota - and hopefully live to see another day.  But when, by luck or chance, he discovers an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane, Nailer faces the most important decision of his life: Strip the ship for all it's worth or rescue its lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl who could lead him to a better life . . .

In this powerful novel, award-winning author Paolo Bacigalupi delivers a thrilling, fast-paced adventure set in a vivid and raw, uncertain future. 

Was this book worth my time?
Yes. 

The world that Bacigalupi created is fantastic. I love that he made a world that futuristic, but still very true to our world today.  Even though New Orleans is flooded, the jazz and zydeco coming for the bars presents a world much like today.  I also loved the distinct line between good and evil that is protrayed in the book.  It was not over the top. 

I think that the book held enough action and suspense to make this a great book for struggling readers.  I also believe that adding a pirate-like aspect to the book adds to the danger that you feel as Nailer tries to save Nita. 

This is an intense and fast read. 

Review: Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Book description:
When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn't want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado. Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path - just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn't talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos' wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she's too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

Was this book worth my time?
AWESOME book. 

You know, it means a lot when I finish reading a book in only one day when I'm teaching.  This book was one of those books.  I started reading the book at about 8:00 last night, and I'm done tonight. 

This was a compelling romance.  It has a Romeo and Juliet/ West Side Story plot that pulled me in from the get go. 

Elkeles' details protraying the complicated inner conflicts of Carlos are vivid and had me cheering for him as well as laughing at his "tough" sense of humor.

I LOVED that both Carlos and Kiara's point of views were well-established in this novel as there is nothing better than having a story flow seamlessly from one to another and feeling, I  mean really feeling, each character's emotions.

This is a fast, easy, and romantic read. 


What bothered me?
Not one single thing. :)

A warning, though, this is not a book that I would put in my middle school library.  It deals with some tough issues. 

Review: Closed for the Season Mary Downing Hahn

Book Description:
Arthur and Logan, set out to solve the mystery of a murder that had taken place some years ago in the old house Logan's family has just moved into. The boys' quest takes them to the highest and lowest levels of society in their small Maryland town, and eventually to a derelict amusement park that is supposedly closed for the season.

 
Was this book worth my time?
Yes!
 
Interestingly enough, I hadn't ever heard of this novel until I came across it at our school's book fair.  Our libraian is fantastic and let me take a copy home to read it and review. 
 
Today, I returned the novel with a note that read, "AWESOME book.  Easy read, scary and funny!"  I wasn't lying.  This book was incrediably intriguing in it's plot line.  Hahn twists her story around central characters that all come together in the end in the most unexpected ways.  The main settings of the novel are "scary" and original. 
 
This novel  is an easy read. This is a great book for middle schoolers who like "scary" books!
 
 
What bothered me?
Nothing! Enjoy this mystery!

Review: Num8ers by Rachel Ward

Synopsis from book jacket:

Ever since she was child, Jem has kept a secret: Whenever she meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die.
Burdened with such awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. The two plan a trip to the city. But while waiting to ride the Eye ferris wheel, Jem is terrified to see that all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today's number. Today's date. Terrorists are going to attack London. Jem's world is about to explode!

Was the Book Worth My Time?
Not so much. 

I was very close to putting the book down.  However, last  night I skimmed through the 2011 Lonestar book nominations, and Num8ers was on the list.  I finished it hoping that I hadn't gotten to the part in the book that would make this a Lonestar nominee.

The plot is fantastic and compelling. Unfortunately, there were too many negative aspects of my experience reading this novel to compete with a create story line. 


What Bothered Me?
Frankly, I'm surprised I didn't put this book down on Chapter 6.  I am not a fan of books that have little conflict.  I wasn't sure why I was reading.  In fact, the only reason I kept reading was to see if Spider actually died in the end.  Other than that, I skimmed through paragraphs and tried to finish the book quickly.  I wasn't "in" the book.  The bombing isn't set up with a lot of depth and because of that I spent most of the book wondering if the event the book jacket talks about was something entirely different than the London Eye event. 

I think another reason I wasn't into the book was because the book holds much darkness.  Obviously, death is talked about in excess.  Jem also, like any person stuck with this horrible "gift" is depressed and finds solace only in being alone.  Like I said after reading Laurie Halse Anderson's Twisted, I'm just not a big fan of "dark" novels. 

Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Synopsis from the book jacket:

My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.
Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed.  Gale has escaped.  Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist.  There are rebels.  These are the new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.
It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it.  District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol.  Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans - except Katniss. 
The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem.  To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust.  She must become to rebels' Mockingjay - no matter what the personal cost.

Was this Book Worth my Time?
Yes, if only to find out what happens to Katniss and the country of Panem. 

No surprise that I'm going to rave about Suzanne Collins and her triology.  Hunger Games is my all-time favorite book.  In fact, just last week I read an excerpt of the book to each of my classes in hopes that my students would love the book as much as I do.  Not a minute after I finished the reading did the hands shoot up. 

Mockingjay is a wonderful conclusion to the triology. There are many "stories" that end, and, sadly, the fans of the triology will find themselves with no hopes of another book. 

The tone of this book is quite unlike the two previous books.  This book covers the idea of war at the highest and most violent moments.  Katniss is protrayed as a pawn, and this conflict that Collins forms is one that had my blood boiling.  It is impressive that Collins gives her readers such a vivid image of war especially the lack of protection of the innocent. 

Collins did not let me down in her writing.  I said it before, and I'll say it again - her writing makes you cheer when Katniss succeeds, cry when Katniss loses, and breathe in a loud "humph" when Katniss is crossed. 

 I left this book feeling impressed, satisfied, and hopeful. 


What Bothered Me?
Well, I guess I'm "bothered" by the fact that it wasn't as intense as I had hoped.  Unlike Hunger Games and Catching Fire, I never found my heart racing.  This book didn't enter my mind and grasp my thoughts like the previous books. 

I guess sometimes it's hard to top a great book.  This is the case with Mockingjay.  It's a good book, and, in defense of this book, I don't think anything could ever beat Hunger Games.