Scribbler of Dreams

Scribbler of Dreams

Mary E. Pearson;  Harcourt 2002

Summary: Romeo and Juliet had the right idea. About dating the enemy that is. They were true to their hearts. 

Kaitlin Malone know what it's like to date the enemy. She was raised to hate the Crutchfields, and absolutely does - until she meets Bram Crutchfield. It turns out he's a great guy - one she could talk to, share things with...even love. But when Kaitlin gives her heart to Bram, her world spins out of control. Soon the Crutchfields are here friends and she's a traitor to her own family. 

To make things worse ,Bram was raised to hate the Malones, especially Kaitlin's father - who murdered Bram's dad. Bram doesn't know Kaitlin is a Malone. If he did he would hate her, too. 

What's a star-crossed lover to do?

My Review: I am a sucker for Romeo and Juliet-like books. The tale of Romeo and Juliet has always been my favorite.  It’s the whole idea of forbidden love I think. I find it so tragically romantic.  It’s hard to be in that position where you love someone so much, but you know that your parents don’t approve. It’s also hard knowing that the person you care for’s family doesn’t approve of you either. It makes the relationship you’re in difficult knowing that you’re families hate one another. It’s this tore feeling, it hurts, but you don’t want to give up on the person you care about. 

Sounds like I’ve had experience in this huh?  I think this is why I like this book so much because I had to lie to the person I cared about. It was like living a double life. I was really stuck in between family and a person I truly cared about.  I think that’s why I like this book so much it is because it is relatable to everyday life. 

 Teenagers lie, fall in love, deal with family drama, and so much more. This may not be a book that is beyond any other amazing read you can imagine, but it is simple and has a truth to it. A truth telling us that love is real, forgiveness can happen, and that families are important.  I whole heartedly recommend it.

What Out for:  Fighting, mild language, hate, some kissing, and mentioning’s of death.

Love Me

Love Me

Marcia Lynn McClure; Distractions Ink 2006

Summary: Jacey Whittaker couldn’t remember a time when she hadn’t loved Scott Pendleton—the boy next door. She couldn’t remember a time when Scott hadn’t been in her life—in her heart. Yet, Scott was every other girl’s dream, too. How could Jacey possibly hope to win such a prize—the attention, the affections, the very heart of such a sought after young man? Yet, win him she did! He became the bliss of her youthful heart—at least for a time. 

Still, some dreams live fulfilled—and some are lost. Loss changes the very soul of a being. Jacey wondered if her soul would ever rebound. Certainly, she went on—lived a happy life—if not so full and perfectly happy a life as she once lived. Yet, she feared she would never recover—never get over Scott Pendleton—her first love.

Until the day a man walked into her apartment—into her apartment and into her heart. Would this man be the one to heal her broken heart? Would this man be her one true love?

My Review: This is a really cute sentimental book. Scott was the guy ever one dreams of. The hot jock who teases you, protects you, and just loves you. That one of the phrases that occurs most in this novel. "Just love me."  What I really like about this book is the music. It mentions specific songs like "Puupy Love" by Donny Osmond and "Love me" by Elvis. It was a short read and I really did enjoy it. 

Watch Out for: A whole lotta kissing!

Thirteen Reasons Why

Thirteen Reasons Why

By Jay Asher; Razorbill 2007

Summary: Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

My Review:  This is an intense haunting book. It deals with teen suicide and how bullying, gossip, and indifference can affect an individual. Every little action that you do can affect someone without you realizing it. It’s sad, but true.

It was hard watching Hannah go through what she did. Watching her thoughts slip to the worse and not being able to see hope was really hard for me. I wanted to save Hannah even though I knew she was already dead. I wanted to yell at those who hurt her and convince her that life is worth living, but I couldn’t. 

It really is a page turner and I could not put it down because I wanted to see how Hannah got to her point of action.   

The thing that I really got out of this book is how I can be a better person and what I can do to help others. We need to watch how we treat people and watch our actions. Here is a quote from Thirteen Reasons Why that really kit me. "You don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. Unfortunately, you can’t be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life. Everything. . . affects everything." 

I would not recommend it to children younger than 14. It is a really sensitive book and should be read by those who can handle it. A word to parents is to read it with their children and discuss the issues of suicide. I found this to be an educational book about suicide and a meaningful book about how we affect the lives of others. It shouldn’t take a tragedy to reach out to others.  I truly admire this book.

Watch Out for: Rape, depression, suicide, some language, death, fighting, and underage drinking.

Such a Pretty Girl

Such a Pretty Girl

Laura Wiess; MTV Books 2007

Summary: They promised Meredith nine years of safety, but only gave her three. 

Her father was supposed to be locked up until Meredith turned eighteen. She thought she had time to grow up, get out, and start a new life. But Meredith is only fifteen, and today her father is coming home from prison. 

Today her time has run out.

My Review: This is such an intense and emotional book. It deals with real problems that people face. This isn’t usually the kind of book I would read, but a close friend told me I had to read it and I am thankful she recommended it to me.

Meredith is a fifteen year old girl who lived through a nightmare of an experience that some of us can’t even imagine going through. Her father sexually abused her when she was little and her mother didn’t do anything about it. He abused several other children, but Meredith was the one who was injured and admitted to what was happening that put him in jail.  She thought she was finally safe until he comes back early.  Meredith has no one to turn to and she has to find the strength with in herself to overcome her biggest nightmare.

This is such a haunting book, but I am glad I read it because this stuff is real. It isn’t graphic, but you get the general idea of what happens to her. I really admire Meredith for her strength and courage to defend herself from her demons.

If you can handle it, then definitely read it.

Watch Out for: Violence, sexual abuse, sex, language, and mental flashbacks. 

Flipped

Flipped

By Wendelin van Draanen; Scholastic 2001

Summary: Bryce and Juli tell the story of their relationship. It all began in second grade when Bryce moves in across the street from Juli. Juli instantly has a crush on Bryce, who doesn’t reciprocate, and throughout elementary school he tries to avoid her. In middle school, they both start to realize Bryce’s flaws.  When Bryce begins to try to change, he starts to notice Juli’s good points. Their families and other things outside of them undergo several changes as well.

My Review: The chapters in this novel switch between both Juli and Byrce’s stories and their point of views with their interactions with each other. I laughed the hardest at Juli’s point of view because I can totally relate to her thoughts and actions. This entire book is hilarious because I believe all of us can relate to both of these kids.

Watch Out For: fights, crushes, thoughts of kissing.

Movie: 

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.