Touching Spirit Bear

Touching Spirit Bear

Ben Mikaelsen; Harper Trophy

Summary: Cole Matthews is a troubled teen who commits various crimes and is a bully to everyone. When Cole robs and trashes a hardware store, a 9th grader by the name of Peter Driscal tells the police. Cole confronts Peter after school and starts smashing Peter Driscal's head on the sidewalk, and is arrested for his violence. Cole must either  go to jail or he must join Circle Justice. Cole chooses the Circle Justice, where he is sent to a remote island in Alaska for a year. After causing more trouble Cole is confront by a Spirit Bear and critically wounded. Can Cole change? 

My Review: This is one of those books where you watch the main character go through a major change. In Cole's case he changed for the better and it really touched me. A very good read about one's journey and redemption.

Watch out for: Violence and Anger.

The Killer's Cousin

The Killer's Cousin
By Nancy Werlin;Delacorte Books


Summary: 17-year-old David has moved to Massachusetts to complete his senior year after recently being acquitted of accidentally killing his girlfriend. His aunt and uncle offer him a place to stay in their apartments. His attic apartment is full of ghostly shadows and sounds, and his cousin Lilly is hostile. Soon Lilly's behavior becomes a threat, and David wonders what secrets lurk within her. The more he thinks about it, the more he is forced to deal with his own past.  Is Lilly a killer too?


My Review: Ok I am going to be totally honest with you. This book gave me the creeps. I did not like it at all. The plot and everything was good, but these kind of books are not up my alley. 


Watch out for: Language, murder, violence, pranks, and sensual content.

The Kingdom Keepers

The Kingdom Keepers: 
Disney After Dark
By Ridley Pearson; Disney Editions 2005

Summary: Five young teens are transformed into hologram projections that guide guests through Disney's Park. By using the technology called DHI(Disney Host Interactive or Daylight Hologram Imaging) these five teens find out that this new technology has unexpected effects on them. They find themselves transported in their DHI forms into the Magic Kingdom at night. They soon learn that the Park is in danger and led by the evil witch Maleficent, who threaten the future of Walt Disney World and the world outside the Parks walls with her and her band of Overtakers. Can these teens put a stop to the Overtakers?

My Review: Have you ever wondered what goes on after dark in the Magic Kingdom?  Well this is a fantastic thriller that throws you into the world of Disney and explores the "behind the scenes" of the Park at night. It is a gripping tale that will thrill those who have ever dreamed of Walt Disney World after hours. It was especially amazing to me because I love Disney and I know all the charters, rides, villians, etc.. It was an excellent read!

Things to Watch Out For: Fights, Scary Villians, technology...

That Adoration of Jenna Fox

The Adoration of Jenna Fox
By Mary E. Pearson; Henry Holt and Company 2008

Summary:Who is Jenna Fox? Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a coma, they tell her, and she is still recovering from a terrible accident in which she was involved a year ago. But what happened before that? Jenna doesn't remember her life. Or does she? And are the memories really hers?




My Review: After waking up from a year long coma, Jenna Fox finds herself very lost and confuse on how her situation came to be. How is it that she can remember things in history, but nothing about herself or her life? She watches home videos and remembers a few things about her past, but something just isn't right.

Ahhh! This is an exciting gripping novel with suspense and mystery.This is definitely a sci-fi book because it takes place is the near future. There are ideas that are brought in this book are so intriguing and unique. I know that Mary E. Pearson has quality books because the book Scribbler of Dreams (I still need to review that one)  This books is fascinating and kept me wanting more and more. Just read it!

Watch Out For: Violence, brief language, flashbacks, natural disasters, some kissing, and drinking

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

By E. Lockhart; Disney & Hyperion Books

Summary: From being her father's "bunny rabbit" to a gorgeous girl with the perfect senior boyfriend, life seems to be going great for Frankie. But life isn't all that its crack up to be. Her boyfriend Matthew Livingston is great and all, but he seems to be keeping alot of things from her because she is a girl.

Soon Frankie discovers that Matthew is apart of the schools exclusive male-only secret society.She first begins spying and trying to prove herself to Matthew that she is capable of anything. Frankie soon finds herself pranking, sneaking, and wrapping herself in the society's business without any of the boys knowing it.

My Review: I absolutely love Frankie! Her skills in the means of crime are fabulous. With her sharp tongue, wit, and humor she doesn't let anyone push her around. Frankie is a daring girl who dares to step out of her comfort zone and play the game her way. She is a genius, but most of all a criminal mastermind. The only thing that really bothered me was that I think she became too obsessed with secret society that the boys where in. I believe she went too far in a lot of ways. But all and all  I absolutely that it hilarious!

Watch Out for: Pranks,sensuality, and the occasional drinking and smoking.

Locked Inside

Locked Inside

By Nancy Werlin; Laurel Leaf Books

Summary: As the daughter of the wildly successful inspirational singer-author Skye – who died in a plane crash when Marnie was young – Marnie Skyedottir stands to inherit great wealth. But until she is old enough, she must survive a dreary life in private boarding school. She endures by escaping into an online role-playing game as much as possible, and steering well clear of the other girls. So when Marnie is kidnapped by someone who also claims to be Skye’s daughter, she is terrified. With her reclusive tendencies, will anyone even notice that she’s gone? And will her online gaming skills be of any help to her in this real-life drama?

My Review: This mysterious thriller kept me guessing and wanting to know what would happen next. It has clever twists and entertaining suspense. To be quite honest I found this book to be quite weird. I am into gaming and everything, but you don’t see me having conversations in my mind with video game characters.  I did however love the relationship between Marnie and Elf. If you are into weird thrillers then I would recommend it. But in my opinion, most people could do without reading it.

Watch out for: Some physical abuse, some violence, kidnapping, and extreme online gaming.

Number the Stars

Number the Stars

By Lois Lowry;Houghton Mifflin Company Boston 1989

Summary: For Annemarie Johansen, life in Copenhagen is a complicated mix of ordinary home and school life, with food shortages, and have the constant presence of Nazi soldiers. When the German troops begin thier campaign to relocate the jews. The Johansens take Annemaries best friend, Ellen Rosen and make her a part of the family. Can the Johansen's help Annemarie's friend and save some of the Jews from German oppression.

My Review: I remembering reading this when I was a child and it still remains one of my favorites to this day. Its a story of friendship, Jewish struggle,I highly recomend Number the Stars!

Watch Out For: Nazi oppression, mild violence.

Harriet Tubman, Secret Agent

Harriet Tubman, Secret Agent:

How Daring Slaves and Free Blacks

Spied for the Union During

the Civil War

by Thomas Allen;National Geographic 2006

Summary: Its the story of Harriet Tubman, the ex-slave and conductor of the Underground Railroad. Her work was to help others escape, but she also played the role of a spy. Tubman assisted Northern troops by tapping into a group of ex-slaves working in the South and passing information on to the Union forces.

My Review: By reading this book, I dicovered  many great things about Harriet Tubman and the great work that she did. I also found out more information on slaves, Abraham Lincoln, and many others through this informative read. It really brings to light what people went through in those days.

Watch out for: War and slavery.

Bird

Bird

By Angela Johnson; Dial Books 2004

Summary:

Bird, a thirteen-year-old girl with a mission, has run away in pursuit of her stepfather. She's sure she'll be able to convince him to return home—to fill the hole he left in their family. And while she hides near his sister's farmhouse, she becomes entwined in the lives of three people who also have holes to fill: Ethan, whose heart troubles have kept him too sheltered from kids his own age; Jay, whose brother has died unexpectedly; and Mrs. Pritchard, whose house has been too empty since her husband was moved to a nursing home. 

Through the unique voices of the three kids, an eloquent, affecting story unfolds—the story of how one individual's warmth and kindness can heal so many hurts. Bird will leave you thoroughly uplifted.

My Review: Bird is a heartwarming story of family and friends. Bird is set on finding her father Cecil and bringing him back home. She misses her bedroom, her friends, and her mother, but most of all she misses the feeling of family. This part made me sympathetic to Bird, because all of us all have this sense of belonging and being apart of something.  I would label this book as a pre-teen book because it’s boarder line from Children’s Literature to Young Adult.  It's a short read, but so fulfilling at the same time!

Watch Out for:  Runaway’s, death, medical conditions, and feelings of loss. 

Inexcusable

Inexcusable

Chirs Lynch; Simon Pulse 2007

Summary: 

I am a good guy.

Keir Sarafian may not know much, but he knows himself. And the one thing he knows about himself is that he is a good guy. A guy who's a devoted son and brother, a loyal friend, and a reliable teammate. And maybe most important of all, a guy who understands that when a girl says no, she means it. But that is not what Gigi Boudakian, childhood friend and Keir's lifelong love, says he is. What Gigi says he is seems impossible to Keir....It is something inexcusable — the worst thing he can imagine, the very opposite of everything he wants to be.

As Keir recalls the events leading up to his fateful night with Gigi, he realizes that the way things look are definitely not the way they really are — and that it may be all too easy for a good guy to do something terribly wrong.

My Review: It is inexcusable not to read Inexcusable! It is an intense read and you will enter the mind of a complex character. Its a haunting read, but oh so worth it! Keir is by far one of the most complex characters I have ever come across. At times I believe him, but at the same time I don't trust him. I wish I could explain how crazy this book is! If you are into books that are suspenseful, complex. and interesting this is a book for you.

Watch out for: Rape, sexuality, and language.

Fire

Fire

Kristin Cashore; Dial Books 2009

Summary: Beautiful creatures called monsters live in the Dells. Monsters have the shape of normal animals: mountain lions, dragonflies, horses, fish. But the hair or scales or feathers of monsters are gorgeously colored-- fuchsia, turquoise, sparkly bronze, iridescent green-- and their minds have the power to control the minds of humans. 

Seventeen-year-old Fire is the last remaining human-shaped monster in the Dells. Gorgeously monstrous in body and mind but with a human appreciation of right and wrong, she is hated and mistrusted by just about everyone, and this book is her story.

My Review: I loved Fire! Kristin Cashore is a brilliant writer who throws you into this spellbinding wonderful world and makes you never want to leave.

Fire is the last remaining human monster. With her vibrant and unnatural hair color, an indicator of her monster status, she lives in a world where she is both hated and loved because of her unique power to control minds. When Prince Brigan comes to take her to King City to help uncover the plot against the king, she comes to realize there be more to her power then she ever dreamed. Her power could save the King's Kingdom, if only she wasn't afraid of becoming like her father.

Eek! I swear that woman Kristin sure can get me hooked to her stories. How she comes up with this stuff I will never know but I hope to see more and more of it. Fire is a great book. I had so much sympathy for Fire because so many people hated her. She couldn’t help it that she could read minds. She also couldn’t help that she was beautiful that all the men wanted her.

This book was just as amazing as Graceling and I vote that people who are monsters to read it.

Watch Out for:  Fantasy violence, torturing, assassinations, non-graphic rape, murder, and a bit of love. 

War is...

War is...

Soldiers, survivors, and storytellers talk about war

Edited Marc Aronson and Patty Campell;Candlewick press

Summary: A book composed with twenty pieces of fiction and nonfiction about war.

My review: I recommend this book to all those who want to join the military. This book changed my views on the issue of war and how it effects everyone. Its nice to read something that actually comes from real people, with real stories.This is the kind of book that will influence your decision about war. It was an excellent read.

Watch out for: Graphic details, language, violence, harassment.

La Linea

La Linea
By Ann Jaramillo; Square Fish

Summary: Miguel is a fifteen year old boy who dreams of joining his parents in California. His parents left him behind in Mexico when he was nine years old. Now the day has some for him to make his journey north to the border also known as la linea. Miguel and his tag-along sister must face the dangers of thieves,the mant gente, border guards, and the desert. Can they make it to the border alive?

My review: La Linea was a heart-wrenching story of family and dreams coming true. Miquel has a courageous hear for someone who is only fifteen, and his sister Elena will not let anything stop her or get in the way of her goal. Overall its a really great book.


Watch out for: Mild Violence