Book Review to Come

I've just read a great book and can't wait to get the review completed! It definitely rates an I for Incredible! The book I just finished was I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore. It was clever and suspenseful and I can't wait for the second book...The Power of Six to come out in August. Stay tuned for the full review.

Everlost by Neal Shusterman

Title: Everlost

Author: Neal Shusterman

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing

Pages: 384

Source: Barnes and Noble

Back of Book Summary

Nick and Allie don’t survive the car accident…but their souls don’t exactly get where they’re supposed to go either. Instead, they’re caught halfway between life and death, in a sort of limbo known as Everlost: a shadow of the living world, filled with all the things and places that no longer exist. It’s a magical, yet dangerous place where bands of lost children run wild and anyone who stands in the same place too long sinks to the center of the Earth.
When they find Mary, the self-proclaimed queen of lost kids, Nick feels like he’s found a home, but Allie isn’t satisfied spending eternity between worlds. Against all warnings, Allie begins learning the “Criminal Art” of haunting, and ventures into dangerous territory, where a monster called the McGill threatens all the souls of Everlost.
In this imaginative novel, Neal Shusterman explores questions of life, death, and what just might lie in between.

My Review:

Characters:

It took me a bit to warm up to each of the characters in this novel.  Shusterman does a nice job slowing developing the characters. It seemed like I, just like Allie, Nick , and Leaf, was getting a feel for my surroundings. Like I was with them trying to determine whom my friends and foes were. It was an interesting way to be introduced to characters in a novel. It was hard at first, because I like to fall instantly

Plot, Conflict, Theme:

I struggled with reading Everlost. It took me a long time to get into the story. Once I really set down and was able to devote a couple of hours to reading this novel, it drew me in. I became engrossed in the story, trying to figure out ways to solve Allie’s problem. Or figure out if Mary Queen of Snots was good or evil. I loved walking the line of decisions. It made me really think and evaluate the characters and their every move. Shusterman does an excellent job drawing his reader into the intricate world of Everlost. I also enjoyed the variety of conflicts Shusterman uses to develop all aspects of his story. Each conflict individually was interesting, but also joined together with the other conflicts to form a well-fit puzzle. I am looking forward to reading the next two books in this trilogy.

Quality of Writing:

Neal Shusterman is a story man. I would recommend each of his books that I’ve read because each one is very unique and fascinating in its own right. The dialogue is great- very realistic. There is also a great flow to the writing that makes this novel a easy, relaxed read. 

My Rating:

Cover: B for Basically Brillant

Book: B for Basically Brillant

Washington, D.C. Visit

I have been blessed to attend the Schools to Watch conference in Washington, D.C. this week. While I was here I've heard many great speakers and am able to take a whole slew of ideas back to my class for the coming school year. One perk to being In the nation's capital is all of the historic sites that are available to view.

The place that I was so very excited to visit was the Library of Congress. As a reading teacher and lover of all things related to reading, I was in heaven! The exhibit that I found to be the most powerful was Jefferson's Library. The collection and variety of books stored by Thomas Jefferson was astounding. I am thrilled to see that our country values knowledge in this manner and makes it available to us not only at the LOC but in an online digital database! In Jefferson's own words "I cannot live without books."

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Linger
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Pages: 362
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc
Source: Barnes and Noble





 





Back of Book Summary:
   
In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other.  Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack.  And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.

 My Review:
Characters:
   The characters in Linger are sculpted very well. I love the development of the characters in Linger. Grace bucking from her 'good girl' ways as her parents try and become more attentive parents. I felt myself rooting for her and encouraging her to tell her parents how badly they had raised her over the last years. That being said, I also rooted for the parents and hoped that they would pick up on the dangerous illness that was plaguing Grace's days and nights. That their new attentiveness would indeed become the help that Sam needed...that wasn't the case regardless of how hard I wished.

   The new werewolves were a great new development to the novel. They were well written and developed. I loved the personal conflicts that Cole brings to the mix.
  


    Plot/Conflict/Theme:
    Linger was very enjoyable, though I didn't enjoy it as much as Shiver because it was set up as a lead in to the third book. Shiver was impeccably written, and my expectations for Linger were set extremely high. Linger's plot kept my attention by creating and sustaining tension for the reader as the conflict for Grace develops. I did like the contrasting conflict between the two novels- Shiver and Linger. In Shiver- Grace struggles to keep Sam human. In Linger, Sam and Grace have seemingly conquered the Were disease, until Grace becomes mysteriously sick after finding a dead wolf in the woods. Sam's fight becomes keeping Grace alive and human- again furiously fighting the Were disease. There is additional tension added as Sam steps in as the leader of the pack and has to help the new werewolves adjust to their new lifestyle.
   
Quality of Writing:
     I very much enjoy Ms. Stiefvater's style of writing. She creates a delightful voice through her writing style. I am looking forward to reading the third installment in this series.

Rating:
Book: B for Basically Brilliant
Cover: B for Basically Brilliant

Summer Reading- Suggestion List

Okay All!!

I've been remiss in my posting. I've been wrapping up my year of teaching and haven't bee able to devote the time I want to to reading a whole slew of YA literature. But, I am now in the final count down of the school year. (7 days)

My plan for the summer...READ...READ... READ!!

I have started a list of books that I intend to read, but I am open to any suggestions you have for me, too. Please leave the title and author's name in your comments.

Thanks-
Jhildred

Everlost, Everwild, Everfound by Neal Shusterman
Linger by Maggie Steivfater
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy, Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover, I'd Tell you I Love you, But then I'd Have to Kill You, and Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter
The Demon King by Chima
Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez
The Compound and The Gardener by S.A. Bodeen
Three Black Swans by Caroline B. Cooney
The Maze Runner by James Dasher
Just Listen, Lock and Key, Someone Like You, The Truth About Forever, and What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
Battle Dress by Amy Efaw
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Scorpia Rising and Crocodile Tears by Anthony Horowitz
How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier

Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Title: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Author: John Boyne
Pages: 216
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Source: Barnes and Noble







Back of Book Summary:
If you start of read this book, you will go on a journey with a nine-year-old boy named Bruno. (Though this isn't a book for nine-year-olds.) And sooner or later you will arrive with Bruno at a fence.


Fences like this exist all over the world. We hope you never have to encounter one.
    

 My Review:
Characters:
Bruno is an naive nine-year-old German boy. He is spoiled and sheltered. He has a sister Gretel who is almost 13 at the start of the book. She is also spoiled and sheltered. Their father is the appointed Commandant of Aushwitz during WWII. He keeps his children in the dark about his work and what is going on just past the front yard of their property line. Bruno's mother is also attempting to keep her children in the dark. Both parents are successful- to the detriment of the child.

    Plot/Conflict/Theme:
The story starts out by introducing Bruno. The reader gets to see things only through the eyes of Bruno. It is very frustrating as an adult to experience Bruno and Shmuel's naivete. Neither boy truly grasps the gravity of the situation they are in. It is painful to experience this as a reader, knowing what Bruno and Shumel don't. The gruesomeness of the situation isn't really apparent to either of them.  The plot develops rather slowly. I found it to be so slow that it was difficult for me to read at times and I struggled to finish.
     The conflict was, I believe, focused not on the terrible events of the Holocaust, but on the darkness that it was kept in. It was kept a secret from Bruno and this secret resulted in a terrible loss of innocence. The conflict was not thrilling and it didn't build to much tension for the reader. It did however make me terrible sad as I read the novel. It made me disappointed in humanity as I reflected on all the history I knew about and all that I don't know about. It was immense and overwhelming to me to realize that it isn't just children who are naive and innocent of the goings on in our country and around the world. It also inspired me to be more aware and involved in the world.
   
Quality of Writing:
     The writing is good. Mr. Boyne does a spelndid job capturing the innocence of the children trapped in this terrible time of war.

Rating:
Book: A for Average - I didn't enjoy this novel, though I don't think that was its purpose. It was a difficult read. I can't give the book a better rating because it was lacking in the elements that keep my attention. Though it was thought provoking I believe that it could have been better written.

Cover: A for Average

Shiver

Title: Shiver
Author: Maggie Stievater
Pages: 400
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc
Source: Barnes and Noble







Back of Book Summary:
      -The Cold
Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf, her wolf- watches back. He feels deeply familar to her, but she doesn't know why.

     -The Heat-
Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace...until now.

      -The Shiver-
For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human. Grace must fight to keep him. Even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present , and the impossibility of the future.

 My Review:
Characters:
    Ms. Stiefvater crafts her characters in a delightful manner. Grace the main character is practical and self-reliant. She is an intelligent female role model who has been neglected by her mother and father. Graces' counter-part, Sam, is a mysterious young man with appealing yellow-eyes and a dedicated loyalty for Grace. These two characters, their flaws and strengths captured my heart. The supporting characters were less interesting and more difficult to identify with. For example- Olivia- while toward the end I gained some insight into her character, I never really understood the argument Olivia and Grace had. I got the desire to be a wolf- the pull for the solitary independent life, but not the disagreement between the two.

Plot/Conflict/Theme:
    There are several conflicts threaded through this novel- all of them enjoyable and creative in their own right. The tension that Maggie Stiefvater creates as Grace and Sam strive to stay together, and the ache the reader experiences when they are ripped apart is masterful. Ms. Stiefvater also is a craftsman when she provides subtle reassurance to the reader throughout the novel, piecing their (Sam and Grace as well as the reader's) shattered hearts back together.

Quality of Writing:
     This story was most appealingly written. Maggie Stievater does an amazing job incorporating the sublties that make the story shine. Letting the reader piece together the trail of clues the characters reveal as they too piece together the mystery behind the wolves and the development of the Were. 


Rating:
Book: B for Basically Brilliant 
Cover: B for Basically Brilliant

Jinx by Meg Cabot

Title: Jinx
Author: Meg Cabot
Pages: 288p

Publishers: Harper Collins

Source: Glenwood Springs Library








Back of Book Summary:
It's not easy being Jinx.
Jean Honeychurch hates her boring name (not Jean Marie, or Jeanette, just . . . Jean). What's worse? Her all-too-appropriate nickname, Jinx. Misfortune seems to follow her everywhere she goes even to New York City, where Jinx has moved to get away from the huge mess she caused in her small hometown. Her aunt and uncle welcome her to their Manhattan town house, but her beautiful cousin

Tory isn't so thrilled. . . .

In fact, Tory is hiding a dangerous secret one that could put them all in danger. Soon Jinx realizes it isn't just bad luck she's been running from . . . and that the curse she has lived under since the day she was born may be the only thing that can save her life.

My Review:
Characters:
Jinx (Jean) is a typical teenager- beautiful but full of low self-esteem and bad decisions. Tory is also a fairly typical teenager- beautiful but full of low self-esteem and bad decisions. Each of these girls- even though they are incredibly unique and stand out from the typical population, they each in their own way represent the majority of teenage girls. Something about girls doesn't allow us to be content with who we are. Meg Cabot captures the struggles and the angst that this self-inflicted pain causes through these two characters.

The only annoying aspect to these characters, was Jinx's total and complete dismissal of  her potential love interest. She was so overly unaware of the situation that it was annoying to the reader.


Plot/Conflict/Theme:
Bit by bit the plot develops. Cabot leaks the mystery behind Jinx's move from the countryside to the big city in acceptable, yet predictable amounts. I would have liked to have less predictable conflicts and twists that were presented. Though the novel lacked a standout plot, conflict, and theme, it was a fun, entertaining read.


Quality of Writing:
The writing produced was well written as far a the basic structure of the writing. There were places filled with good descriptions, but there were also parts that were left barren and uninteresting. The writing could have been better if it were more consistent. I believe that the writing was also greatly affected by the cliche plot line. There is only so much you can do with a story via writing if the plot is so so.


Rating:
Book: L for Lacking
Cover: L for Lacking

How to Ruin your Boyfriend's Reputation by Simone Elkeles

Title: How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation
Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 257
Source: Katie's Book Blog Presentation @ CO Teen Literature Conference






Back of Book Summary:
Guess who's jetting to the Holy Land this summer!

Yes, it's me- Amy Nelson-Barak. I've volunteered for ten days of military training in Israel with my friends. The Sababa brochure said it would be a "fun" summer experience. Okay, so I didn't sign up to prove I'm not a princess... I did it to surprise my hot Israeli boyfriend stationed at the same base.

Too bad nobody told me:
* It's hot in the Negev desert...like, so hot your makeup melts off and you get under-boob sweat spots.
* You can't sleep in until 11a.m.
* You shouldn't kill bees with your flatiron- don't ask
* Peeing in a hole isn't easy (when you're a girl)- double don't ask.

When I find out our team leader is my boyfriend Avi, I'm totally psyched... until I learn he has to treat me like all the other recruits. Can you say OY VEY!

My Review:
Characters:

The characters initially turned me away. I didn't unerstand, well, couldn't understand the draw between Avi and Amy. There differences- hard core soldier vs. spoiled American Teenage girl- couldn't be reconciled in my mind. I couldn't see what Avi saw in her. As I continued to read through the antics of Amy and her friends, the characters became real to me. Once they became real to me, I began to believe in their relationship... Well, in other words, when Amy and Avi's relationship became real to them, then I could fathom it and it in turn became real to me as a reader. Strange.

Plot/Conflict/Theme:
Hilariously fun chick novel! I very much enjoyed this light-hearted fun novel by Simone Elkeles. I found the conflict to be fun and wholesome. The characters, Avi and Amy, continue to battle eachother refusing to acknowledge that despite their surface differences they were made for one another. The struggle throught he hot Israeli summer fractures and forges their young loving relationship.

Theme- This novel's theme was rather unexpected. I was hit by the deep and powerful message thrumming throughout the novel. Don't let your differences hinder building a strong loving relationship. There is no reason to be anything but at peace with each other rejoicing in all that our differences bring to the collective table of good.

Quality of Writing:
This novel developed great voice. The characters were brought to life through this author's ability to create and imbue her voice through them.

Rating:

Book- A for Average
Cover- A for Average

Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

Title: Hearts at Stake
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Pages: 248
Publisher: Walker and Company
Source: Katie's Blog Session @ CO Teen Literature Conference





Back of Book Summary:
      Solange Drake always knew she was destined to become a vampire queen. And as the only female vampire ever born, not made, she is surrounded by danger on all sides- from vampire suitors who want to join with her lineage to bounty hunters who are set on destroying her and her family. When she is kidnapped, it's up to her older brother Nicholas and her human best friend, Lucy, to save her. But can Lucy save herself form Nicholas, who tempts her with every look? And what will be Solange's own fate if she surrenders her heart to the vampire hunter helping her survive the deadly intrigue a the royal court?
    Let the Drake family be your guide into a secret vampire society full of epic battles, Gothic seduction, undead drama, and wicked humor.

 My Review:
Characters:
    There are way to many characters to keep straight in this novel. Solagne's own family is huge. There are 7 protective brothers- of which only one truly stands out among the others. The parents and aunts and uncles seem to blend together. In addition to the direct family there too many enemies to keep straight. The number of suitors, the different types rogue vampires, the vampire hunters, and the current ruling court are so numerous that it is hard to distinguish who the real enemy is. Even among this mass of characters there were four that stood out. I like Lucy (Lucky) a lot. She Solagne's human friend who is immune, for the most part, to the vampire powers. She is fun and humorous and she stands out among the mass of other characters. Nicholas, I also like. He is Solange's only brother who stands out amongst the other 6. He a gorgeous, annoying, protective vampire who can be two things at once- a ferocious warrior and a gentle boyfriend. Solange is okay- though not my favorite character. There is something about her, I can't quite put my finger on it, but I don't like the way Harvey developed her character. The last character worth mentioning is Kieran, the bounty hunter who decides that Solange is worth saving. He is one that you just find intriguing because of his dark conflicted nature due to his grief over the death of his father.
     Other than these four characters, there are some minor characters that you can manage to keep straight if you really concentrate.

Plot/Conflict/Theme:
     I enjoyed the premise of the the novel itself, however, there was too much going on too quickly to be able to enjoy the novel. The romantic development between Lucy and Nicholas occurred extremely fast with little romantic indications. The same type of quick and dirty development went into the rest of the story. There were attacks and battles left and right, with no clear understanding of who or what the Drake family was actually battling. In the final battle of the book, there were so many changes and attempted plot twists that it was next to impossible to follow. This book moved like the Vampires- so quickly that it was all a blur.
    I think that the intention for all of the battles was an attempt to create a action packed novel that never let the reader rest, but instead the author created a confusing jumble of quickly moving vicious vampires and a helpless human battling about their political standing.

Quality of Writing:
     The writing was average. I was neither impressed or disappointed in the quality of writing produced by Harvey. The descriptions of the brothers, and the Lucy's family were interesting and well developed, but other than those incidents, there was nothing that caught my attention.

Rating:
Book: L for Lacking 
Cover: A for Average

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Title:Along for the Ride
Author: Sarah Dessen
Pages: 383
Publisher: Speak
Source: Barnes and Noble Book Store, Denver


 




Back of Book Summary:
      Ever since her parents' divorce, Auden has been unable to sleep. She's built a routine that gets her through each night; but when the opportunity comes for her to spend her summer at the beach with her father and his new family, she jumps at the chance to brak out of her rut.
     Life at the beach proves more challenging that Auden expects. In addition to trying to figure out how she fits into her father's new life, she also has to navigate the girls at work with their gossip and friendship and crushes. And then there's Eli, a fellow insomniac who becomes her nocturnal tour guide. With an endless supply of long summer nights between then, almost anything can happen. 

 My Review:
Characters:
     Sarah Dessen does a nice job developing different characters in her novel. I enjoyed Auden and her complexities immensely. Auden's spunky, socially awkward way was endearing and had me rooting for her all the way.  I also enjoyed the other characters that Ms. Dessen painstakingly developed from Eli and his tortured brooding sexiness to Jake and his tough guy exterior. Heidi with her independent will to survive as a new mother alone to Robert, Auden's selfish author father. Each character fit into the plot flawlessly.
   The one thing that I did struggle with in this novel was the age of the characters. I couldn't quite figure out how old they were because of the reckless abandon with which they conquered their town. There was a lot of drinking and clubbing and late night adventures. I wasn't sure if they were mostly college aged or if they were high school. Either way- This minor flaw in the character development is my only complaint.

Plot/Conflict/Theme:
     While I like the character's extremely well, I was disappointed a little in the plot. I was expecting something more than the canned romance story. Girl leaves home. Girl meets boy. Boy and Girl bond. Girl messes up. Girl proves she is sorry. Boy and Girl get back together again. This type of plot is too cliche for me to rave about the novel and give it a solid I for Incredible rating. Though Sarah Dessen does provide the readers with a unique setting and some interesting elements. (Like the trouble that is brewing between Auden's stepmom and her dad, and the growing fondness Auden has for her grumpy new infant sister, affectionately nicknamed Isby) There was a potential to draw deeper into these elements to create a more unique plot. For instance, I think delving into the world of cycling or further developing Auden's Quest that Dessen loosely threads through the novel would have strengthened the novel more if it had become a more focal part of the novel.

Quality of Writing:
     I enjoyed the quality of writing that Sarah Dessen produced in her novel. There were some clever word plays and enjoyable descriptions that lead the reader to really picture this small beach town that had managed to completely upset Auden's traditional way of life.

Favorite Line: Auden and Eli are discussing her 'quest' to retrieve her lost childhood years.

"There were endless ways to spend your days, I know that , none of them right or wrong. But given the chance for a real do-over, another way around, who would say no? Not me. Not then. Call it crazy or just chicken salad. But within reason, or even without it, I was in too" (Dessen 178).

  Rating:
Book: B for Basically Brilliant
Cover: B for Basically Brilliant

Demon Glass by Rachel Hawkins

Title: DemonGlass
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Pages: 359
Publisher: Hyperion
Source: Borders Book Store, Denver







Back of Book Summary:
      Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodiuium (a.k.a. witches, shapeshifters, and faeries). But then she discovered the family secret, and the fact that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.
     Turns out, Sophie's a demon, on of only two in the world- the other being her father. What's worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will either destroy her powers for good- or kill her. But once Sophie arrives, she makes a shocking discovery. Her new housemates? They're demons too. Meaning, someone is raising demons in secret, with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they're using Archer to do it. But it's not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

 My Review:
Characters:
   I was instantly drawn into this novel through the main character, Sophie Mercer. Sophie is a demon with a sarcastic witty quip at the ready. When she is stressed, scared, overwhelmed by love, or trying to wheedle her way out of the trouble she and her powers have managed to get her into, there is always a sarcastic comment on the tip of her tongue. As a naturally sarcastic person, I found these to be extremely humorous and delightful.
    Jenna- Sophie's vampire best friend is also a very fun and lovable character. She and Sophie display the typical A-Typical relationship of two teenage best friends. There is jealousy and angsty problems for these two deal with on top of the world ending troubles that threaten there friendship. 
    Cal and Archer- Sophie's two love interests are well crafted. Both equally cryptic in their intentions toward Sophie, both equally heart-throbby in their different and unique ways, and both equally troublesome to Sophie's choices.
    All of these characters- protagonists and antagonists alike- add to the fun and incredibly delightful mystery that Hawkins weaves.

Plot/Conflict/Theme:
   This series just keeps getting better. The conflicts in this novel range in their degree- from minor I-don't-want-to-wear-a-crown-on-my-birthday, to the mediocre umm-control-your-powers-or-shatter-a-million-mirrors, or ending with the extreme OMG-my-life-might-end-this-second-if-that-ghoul-gets-is-nasty-hands-on-me-HELP. These extremely fun and slightly dangerous conflicts lead to an even more hilarious and complex-stomach-lurching-turn-of-event-cliff-hanging second book.

Quality of Writing:
      Rachel Hawkins' writing if fun and lighthearted. There is something about her word play,  complex characters, and intriguing plot that is magic. Right now, as Sophie might say, "I'm drunk on magic and it might make me explodey if the next book doesn't come out soon."









Favorite Line: Sophie's dad is trying to teach her how to control her power. She just destroyed a roomful of mirrors during their 1st lesson. This is part of the conversation that follows. It has some wonderfully witty words!

     "I whirled around. Dad was still standing at the window, but he was holding both his hands out, and there was a fine sheen of sweat on his face. When he dropped his arms, he sagged against the widow seat and took a deep breath.
     'I'm sorry!' I blurted out. 'I told you, I suck at this. It's like any time I try to do a spell, it goes all big and scary and explodey, and-'
     Dad rubbed his forehead. 'No, Sopie, it's all right. That's what I'd hoped you would do.'
     'You hoped I'd commit mirrorcide?'"(Hawkins 152-153).




  Rating:
Book: I for Incredible
Cover: I for Incredible

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Pages:  352 (on the nook 196)
Publisher: Hyperion
Source: Barnes and Noble Nookbook







Back of Book Summary:

     Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It’s gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie’s estranged father—an elusive European warlock—only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it’s her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.
     By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
     As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

My Review:
Characters:
   Sophie and her group of Prodigium are delightful. The reader instantly falls in love with Sophie, her angsty vampire friend, the 'evil' witches who are trying to form a coven (forgive the word choice, I had to keep it clean- I wanted to use another word which would have provided some literary depth to my prose via assonance- JK me really- literary depth?), the grudge holding shapeshifters, and the out-for-blood-because-your-father-sentenced-me-here-to-teach-you-snot-nosed-juvenile-delinquents. Each one of these characters draws you further into the story. Enjoy.
     
Plot/Conflict/Theme:
      Similar to the characters, the plot has the reader wrapped around it's pinky finger. I couldn't put this book down. I was intrigued by the mystery that had enveloped Sophie and her new home at Hex Hall. I kept asking myself- yes- If you have to know, I'll admitted- I asked the questions aloud. 
Who could be committing these terrible crimes? Did Alice have anything to do with them? Jenna? Archer? The Vandy? Were Archer and Sophie ever going to discuss their growing attraction for one another, or let Elodie come between their potentially great- Romeo-and-Juliet- die for you love? I know- the vital question always comes at the end right? Ah-no, I'm not sappy or anything. I only focus on the important things when life around you is potentially experiencing apocalyptic type destruction.
      Well-to say the least. I loved this book and everything about it.

Quality of Writing:
   This novel was well crafted, balancing humor, sarcasm, difficult relationships, and complex and mysterious plot elements. Way to go Rachel Hawkins. I anxiously await your next novel and your new series!!


Rating:
Book:  I for Incredible
Cover: I for Incredible

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Pages: 272
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group

Source: Glenwood Spring Library







Back of Book Summary:

After traveling down a snow covered road in Oregon with her family, seventeen-year-old Mia is in a terrible auto accident. With the blink of an eye, she is suddenly watching her mangled body being taken from the wreck and experiences a life-changing out of body experience.

 My Review:
Characters:
    I liked the characters in If I Stay by Gayle Forman. Forman does an excellent job creating a fun, kind of eccentric, family. Each member unique in their own way, but also similar. All of them are a little rebellious and linked to music. Mia and her brother Teddy remind me a little of my brother and I- only our situation is switched. He was the protective older brother, and I the younger more vulnerable little sister. This connection with the characters is what kept me reading.
   For the most part I found the family and the characters to be authentic and three dimensional. However, there were some inconsistencies that I found out of place, throwing the story out of whack for me, but maybe I have a skewed perspective on what parents are really like/should be like.
1) I don't think that it is realistic that a parent of a high school girl would allow his/her child to stay out all night with a college student and not be remotely upset about it.
2) Along the same lines, a parent wouldn't be terrible supportive of their High School student drinking. 3) Again- there seemed to be little true 'adult supervision' or intervention when Mia made decisions that were not positive for a typical 17 year old high school student.

Plot/Conflict/Theme:
   The conflict- Mia being separated from her body in a horrible car accident fell flat. The author spent much of the time recalling past events in Mia's life. While interesting, it wasn't directly attached to the main question- Should I fight to stay alive or not? There didn't seem to be very much deliberation about staying or passing on.
   Like the conflict, there were some pieces of the plot that seemed flat when compared to the characters that Forman created. There was little tension built after the inciting incident that left the reader wanting.
  Theme- well, I'm not really sure about this one. Most of the ties that bound Mia to her life were severed, but the one or two remaining didn't seem reason enough to stay. I had a difficult time sorting out the message that the author was trying to convey in this story.
   
Quality of Writing:
   The author crafted the story well- in that Gayle Forman's writing had a flow to it that allowed the reader to move rhythmically from past events in Mia's life to her current predicament in the hospital.

Rating:
Book:  L for Lacking
Cover: B for Basically Brilliant- The cover is has an eerie and mysterious effect.

Gorgeous

Title: Gorgeous
Author: Rachel Vail
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 271
Source: CO Teen Literature Conference Bookstore







Back of Book Summary:
     Allison Avery's cell phone is possessed- literally. Maybe. Growing up between two sisters of blond beauty, fiery and sarcastic Allison is fed up with being invisible. When the devil appears in a dream and offers to trade Allison good looks for her cell phone, she makes the deal. How much damage can a little phone do anyway?

     Allison begins to get tons of attention: new friends, a boyfriend, a chance to win a modeling contest. Is it all the devil's work, or is something more mysterious happening?


My Review:
Characters:
    Allison Avery is a fun character, though not as fiery and sarcastic as the summary implies. As the novel progresses, she begins to stand up for herself, and becomes more and more fiery. I had a difficult time empathizing with Allison in the novel because she wasn't the character I had been introduced to in Rachel Vail's first novel, Lucky.
    The one character that I really enjoyed was Roxanne Greene. I enjoyed her character, finding her amusing and authentic. The other character that I found to be authentically crafted was Allison's ex-best friend Jade. There is always the one friend who thinks they know what is best for you, but what that is is usually what they think is best for THEM.

Plot/Conflict/Theme:
   When I first heard about this book, I just couldn't wait to read it. I thought that plot would be very clever and entertaining. I was sorely disappointed. The 1st half of the novel was telling Phoebe's story in Lucky from Allison's point of view. It felt like someone was summarizing what I had just read. I had expected the story to pick up where Phoebe's story ended. It did eventually, but it was so far into the book that there was little of the story left. Similar to Lucky, Gorgeous leaves its meaty and interesting plots/conflicts/and themes to the very end. The potential was there for Ms. Vail to burrow deep into the superficial world of money and modeling, and create well developed themes and conflicts to capture the heart of the reader, but she fell short.

Quality of Writing:
   The quality of writing was okay, but again, I felt like much of the story was spent summarizing what was happening instead of really delving in and creating a world for the reader to immerse themselves into. There were some clever lines and interesting word play, but for the most part it was only average.

Favorite Line: Allison is having an important conversation with Jade.

"[...] A person needs her friends to believe in her more than she believes in herself. Not less. A good friend sticks with you even wehn weird stuff happens- even when good stuff happens" (Vail 260).


Rating:
Book:  A for Average
Cover: A for Average

Fire

Title: Fire
Author: Kristin Cashore
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

Pages: 461

Source: Glenwood Springs Public Library







Back of the book Summary:
In the Companion Book to Graceling, turmoil plagues the land of Dells. Armies in the norther and southern regions build strength and prepare to invade King City and dethrone young King Nash. Outside the city, in the forests and mountains, spies and thieves lurk and loot. Young Fire, a girl who possesses irresistible beauty and can influence others' minds, resides here, and as her world crumbles with the looming war, she desperately searches for a way to save it.

My Review:
Characters:
    I love Fire. Cashore sculpts Fire brillantly. Fire is conflicted over her inner desires as a monster, her monster upbringing, worry over abusing her monster powers, and convincing others of her kindhearted and loyal disposition. The Characters- especially Archer, Brigan, and Nash are full of life dragging me into their world in the Dell. I can feel Fire's pain and conflicted nature. I can witness Brigan's touching interaction between him and his daughter Hannah. I can feel Archer's soul shattering disappointment when Fire turns away from his proposal. The characters are masterfully created to draw the reader into their story...to be a witness to their lives.

Plot/Conflict/Theme:
    The plot develops wonderfully. The twist and turns interlock beautifully. Each new development, conversation, and  interaction between characters builds almost unbearable tension for the reader. The reader is left with no choice but to continue reading to figure out how Brigan and Fire's relationship is developing. How is Archer feeling? What is the status of the developing war between the Lords?

Quality of Writing:
    Cashore's writing is well done. I enjoyed the rhythm and flow of her words unfolding the story before me. If it weren't for Cashore's ability to mold her words, her stories wouldn't be near as intoxicating to the reader.

Rating:
Book:  I for Incredible
Cover: B for Basically Brillant

Rikers High

Title: Rikers High
Author: Paul Volponi
Publisher: Speak- The Penguin Group
Pages: 246
Source: COTeen Literature Conference Book Store







Back of Book Summary:
At only seventeen years of age, Martin Stokes is arrested and jailed for something he didn't mean to do. And five months later, he is still in prison on Rikers Island. Just when things couldn't get worse, Martin gets caught in a fight, and his face is slashed. Scarred forever, there is one good thing that comes from the attack: Martin is transferred to a different part of Rikers where inmates must attend high school. There he meets a teacher who gives him hope. But can Martin take the help he is offered, or will he be consumed with getting revenge on his attackers?

My Review:
Characters:
Paul Volponi creates authentic characters in Rikers High. Martin, the main character, is brought to life through the descriptions and interactions with other characters. Ritz, Jessup, Sanchez, Brick, and Shaky are all inmates in Rikers. These characters each play a significant role in developing the authenticity of the novel. Paul Volponi pulls from his background knowledge to create this range of characters. In addition to the inmates, Volponi does an excellent job creating a diverse group of teachers and COs. I appreciate, as a teacher myself, the attention to the diverse teaching style of each of the teachers. Not everyone good, not everyone bad reflects the truth of teachers in a school.

Plot/Conflict/Theme:
Martin, 'Forty', is cut when he gets in the middle of an attack on another inmate. This inciting incident causes Martin to be removed from the main jail and moved to the Sprung. While at the Sprung, Martin is forced to attend school, at first reluctantly, then he began to enjoy attending classes at the jail high school. Throughout the novel, the inmates encounter various conflicts all depicting the difficulty of surviving each of them bring Martin back to his attack. Martin receives a letter from his father warning him not to fall into the traps and holes that keep inmates in prison for longer if not for life. Martin struggles with trying to avoid the traps and holes because of his conflicted desire for revenge and for freedom.

Quality of Writing:
For the most part Paul Volponi's writing is interesting, but there are weak parts in his writing. The vocabulary for instance is lacking and slightly boring. "Dudes and Herbs" were over used terms to describe other inmates. The lack of variety in word choice cause the reader to loose interest in the story, even though the plot and characters are interesting.

Favorite Line: Martin received a letter from his father. His father shared some advice with Martin. Unfortunately, now Martin and his father have something in common. Jail.
      "He never talked about any problems or if it was rough for him there. But things were different now. I could understand where he was coming from, and he could be straight with me. It felt bad to think about it, but being locked up was something we shared together.
       I kissed and put it in my pocket so I wouldn't lose it" (Volponi 166-167).

Rating:
Book: A for Average
Cover: A for Average

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Fallen Angels

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: McElderry Books

Pages: 424

Source: Barnes and Noble

Back of Book Summary:

The Mortal War is over, and Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She’s training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And – most important of all- Clary can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her. His mother just found out that he’s a vampire and now he’s homeless. Everywhere he turns, someone wants him on their side – along with the power of the curse that’s wrecking his life. And they’re willing to do anything to get what they want. At the same time he’s dating two beautiful, dangerous girls- neither of whom knows about the other.

When Jace begins to pull away from Clary without explaining why, she is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: She herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. The stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.

Review:

Characters:

            From the start, I have fallen in love with Clary, Jace, Simon, and Isabella in the Mortal Instruments series. The pattern followed suit in the 4^th book: City of Fallen Angels. Cassandra Clare brought these characters alive through her masterful storytelling abilities, so they might befriend the readers. Their pains, joys, struggles, and sacrifices feel like the reader’s pains, joys, struggles, and sacrifices. Even in this world of fantasy that Ms. Clare creates there are certain elements of realism- such as the characters and their day-to-day conflicts- that keeps the story grounded in reality. I rooted for Clary and Jace to solidify their relationship.

Plot/Conflict/Theme:

            The plot is complex. The flow of the story keeps you guessing- Cassandra Clare stays one step ahead of the reader as he or she tries to solve the mystery behind Jace’s tortuous nightmares, Simon’s stalker problems, and the mysterious killings of the former Circle members. Each of these conflicts intertwined together in the clash between Downworlders and Shadowhunters.

            I look forward to reading the next book in this series- as there was a bit of a cliffhanger at the end of City of Fallen Angels.

Quality of Writing:

            Cassandra Clare is a master storyteller. Her writing is full of well-developed descriptions of action scenes, characters, and setting. The dialogue is memorable moving the story forward, building tension, and revealing different sides of characters.

Favorite Line: Jace is speaking to Clary about his love for her. I thought it was extremely romantic

“”…You know that line from Dante that I quoted you in the park? ‘L’amor che move il sole e l’altre stelle’? […]” “It’s a bit of the very last verse from Paradiso- Dante’s Paradise. ‘My will and my desire were turned by love, the love that moves the sun and the other stars.’ Dante was trying to explain faith, I think, as an overpowering love, and maybe it’s blasphemous, but that’s how I think of the way that I love you. You came into my life and suddenly I had one truth to hold on to- that I loved you, and you loved me”” (408).          

My Rating:

Book: I for Incredible

Cover: B for Basically Brilliant

Mortal Instruments Series

     Okay- I'm not finished with City of Fallen Angels yet, but I just had to post my utter satisfaction with the novel thus far. I was drawn into the story immediately. The characters are alive and vibrant waltzing off the pages into my imagination, the plot's drawing me into every twist and turn making me sit on the edge of my seat in anticipation. I can barely set my book down to function in this world- good thing its Thursday- I only have a couple of school days left until I can completely abandon to the joy of a lazy day on the couch immersed in a good story.

     If you haven't already read the first three books to the Mortal Instruments series, get started now!

    City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

Lucky by Rachel Vail

 
Title: Lucky
Author: Rachel Vail
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 233
Source: Colorado's Teen Literature Conference Book Store


Back of Book Summary:
     Phoebe Avery has always been a lucky girl.  Popular, smart, and beautiful, Phoebe has it all. She's even planning the hottest party ever with her four best friends to celebrate their middle school graduation. With the perfect green dress picked out at Neiman Marcus and half her class clamoring for invites, plus a new guy to crush on, Phoebe could not be in a better mood--until it looks like the party might be over before it can even start.
     When Phoebe's family is suddenly faced with losing it all, she discovers that there is more at risk than just her designer jeans. In a town where gossip rules, Phoebe needs to keep everything a secret, or she may lose her friends too. Can lucky Phoebe really be out of luck?

Review:

    Characters: 
                       Initially, I was turned off by the book's characters. Phoebe seemed to be very shallow, I didn't empathize with her situation. Then toward the middle of the book I began to like her and root for her. In the end, Vail succeeded in drawing her reader into the main character. Phoebe became likable and thought provoking as she grew in understanding of her own situation.
                        Phoebe's best friend, Kaitlyn, on the other hand wasn't a character I thought fit with the story. Her character's description and actions didn't reflect the catalyst necessary to cause Phoebe's own change.

     Plot/Conflict/Theme:
                        The plot wasn't what kept me reading, though entertaining, it was slightly predictable. I would have liked a few more twists and/or a conflict that was less shallow and more substantial. Granted there was a underlying theme here that had the potential to take this book to the next level, but didn't quite make it. 

     Quality of Writing: 
                         I loved the quality of writing that Rachel Vail produced. She has a way with words that made the novel play out like music on a piano. The character's dialogue was realistic, and the descriptions brought vivid images to the reader's imagination.

    Favorite Line: Phoebe is speaking at her 8th Grade Continuation.
           "People think fourteen-year-olds are awful, and maybe we are. We're moody and nasty and maybe we sometimes have way too much...you know, personality. Maybe we drive you crazy, but trust me, it doesn't even come close to how crazy we drive one another. Or ourselves. But we don't completely suck" (Vail 222).

My Rating: 
        Book: A for Average
        Cover: B for Brilliant- Book cover was simple and elegant.

My First Blog Entry!!

I've started my first book for the Ink Slinger's Index. I am currently reading Rachel Vail's Lucky. So far the book is filled with humor. I look forward to finding out what happens to main character Phoebe and her friends as they plan their end of the year graduation party!!

CoTeen Literature Conference

     Today I was able to attend a GREAT Colorado Teen Literature Conference dedicated to Young Adult Literature. I was blessed with the time to spend with other bookies like myself.  This was the second time that I was able to really delve into my love of YA literature. 
     Last year the conference was so influential in my teaching that I couldn't justify skipping this year, even when I didn't really have the extra time to spare. Last year I was introduced to NaNoWriMo- National Novel Writing Month- which changed my life, as well as the lives of 47 of my students! I couldn't imagine what was in store for me this year. So far, each year I am impressed with the quality of information and resources that are provided to us as teachers and readers of Youndg Adult Literature. It seems to me that each year I come a way with a new challenge. Last year- write a novel in 30 days- this year... create a blog which inspires young people and...well people my age... to enjoy and embrace a life full of imagined worlds and harsh realities.