Check It Out!

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey (reviewed by Bear Schacht)

2011-09-07T08:24:00.002-06:00

Mon-strum-ol-o-gy n.

1: the study of life forms generally malevolent to humans and not recognized by science as actual organisms, specifically those considered products of myth and folklore

2: the act of hunting such creatures

It was a spring night in 1888 when Will Henry, orphaned assistant to Dr. Pellinore Warthrop, was called out of bed by the arrival of a grave robber who had found something more gruesome and terrifying than anything the twelve year old boy had yet experienced in his year of working for the doctor. The find launches them into a case of nightmarish monsters, some human, and some very much not.

There were so many things I loved about this book; I almost don’t know where to start. The cast of the story included some really interesting characters, characters that not only stayed interesting, but got more interesting as the story went on. Doctor Warthrop struck me as being similar to Sherlock Holmes in many ways, if Holmes hunted monsters instead of criminal masterminds. You also get the sense that there is something more to Will Henry than meets the eye, though I can’t really put my finger on what it is. Of course, Dr. Kearns (if that is his real name) is the scariest character I have encountered in a long time. He definitely knows about monsters, and you know how they say it takes one to know one…..

Then there was the gore, something that you can’t ignore with this book. I have the habit of eating while I read, but if you are at all weak of stomach I would not recommend doing so with this book. I am not usually the biggest fan of gore and horror, but this was different. The way the story was told had the perfect blend of emotion-capturing horror as well as the slightly detached journalistic reporting of facts. With these two flavors of storytelling working together, even the most over the top grotesque parts of the book seemed more believable and less gratuitous than other horror I have read.

I could go on about this book some more, but I would much rather go read the sequel now. I guess that means you will just have to go get the book and read it for yourself, but remember that “Yes my dear child, monsters are real. I happen to have one hanging in my basement.”

Ah, Bear. An amazing review of one of my favorite series ever. Think you can handle it? Click here to check our catalog to see if The Monstrumologist is on our shelves.

Misfit by Jon Skovron (reviewed by Xian Eutsler)

2011-08-01T14:31:00.002-06:00

Misfit by Jon Skovron is a book about a teenager named Jael who is a half demon, and what takes place after she has embraced her demon side. When she learns that Belial (One of the Grand Dukes of Hell) is after her because of what she is, Jael has two choices. Keep running, or stand and fight. Of course she is tired of running and chooses to fight. With the help of her demon uncle Dagon and her father, she may just get the hang of being a demon.

What I really like about this book is that it incorporates elements of the Bible, and other cultures gods. It also shows what happen in the past between Paul and Astarte. How they met and why they had to keep running from Belial.

Misfit uses the past and the present to create a story about survival and standing up to your fears. Though the help of the demon uncle does make things more manageable; I really like this book. The fight against Grand Dukes of Hell isn’t an easy one. Throughout the book Jael learns to influence the elements water, air, earth, spirit, and fire. Not control but influence, this is the first time I have read a book where you couldn’t control the elements. They have to be influenced, or persuaded, to do what you want. Which I thought is another cool way to view the elements.

I hope there will be another book coming out, as I have enjoyed this one immensely. It looks like Jael will have much more to achieve if she is to fight off the Grand Dukes of Hell that want a go against her. Luckily she has her dad and her uncle to back her up!

Thanks Xian for this amazing review. Xian reviewed Misfit from an Advance Reading Copy, but I saved this review until the today because today is Misfit's release day, hoorah! \o/ Happy book birthday to Misfit! After Xian's review, we're definitely buying a copy, so keep your eyes peeled!

Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an advance reviewer. We have lots of ARs waiting for your reviews, so ask today!

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson (reviewed by Amethyst Collins)

2011-07-19T20:30:00.002-06:00

Oh, where to start. I LOVED this book. Absolutely adored it. I figured out the ending about halfway through, but then for the rest of the story the author had me second-guessing myself. The words “historical fiction” usually have me running and often screaming as I go, but I’m beginning to learn that the fiction is usually more prominent in the story. (History is not my favorite subject.) I recently read another “historical fiction” novel that I really enjoyed, though, and I think I’m discovering a love for a new genre.

The author did a lot of research for this book, and it was very realistic. Apparently she loosely based the story on Sleeping Beauty, but there was only one moment where I was reminded of that fairytale. In my opinion, that’s a good thing, because it means she brought a lot of her own ideas to it. The romance in this story made me extremely happy. I kept exclaiming out loud so much about events that were happening, my mom actually came into my room to see what was up - I think she thought I was talking with a friend, and it was getting to be late at night.

This is one of those books that I never want to end because the world I’m in is so interesting and the characters are so lovable and the writing is so real. I envy you who are going to read it for the first time, because it will all be a surprise. Do I recommend? With all of my heart.

YAY, Amethyst, is there anything better than finding a new genre and a new book to love!? Want to see if you could fall in love with this book too? Click here to check our catalog to see if The Healer's Apprentice is on our shelves.

Family by Micol Ostow (reviewed by Alanna Cover)

2011-07-19T20:25:00.003-06:00

“when i was six years old, i drowned”

After Melinda Jensen runs away from a sexually abusive stepfather, Uncle Jack, and the empty shell of a mother at the age of 17, she's lost. She's given up. She gave up on mirror-mel who taunts her. She will become new. And she does, with the help of a man named Henry.

Henry is everything amazing. The stars, the sunset, Jesus Christ, messiah, beautiful music, and infinity all rolled up into one. She wants and he has.

Henry has infinity.

And Henry has a message. A message of love. He takes her home, to a ranch, to a family she always dreamed of. Or not. Either way, it's a family. An open, loving family. People Uncle Jack would call, “dirty hippies.” She is accepted, loved. She is chosen. Henry enjoys her. Drinks her up. She loves. They're full of love. Something she's never seen before. Something she has never experienced before. Love.

Henry is their god. Their father. Their husband. Their family. Their everything.

And Mel will do anything for him. Die. Kill. Anything. Anything to spread his message. Their family. Their love. Their open-armed, free love. Happiness.

But will she truly kill for the sake of a message? Will she give herself away?

When a man doesn't come to hear their music, hell breaks open. Henry is upset. And his family will do anything to help him, to make him happy again. He has told them to kill the man. He has chosen four of his “children” to do his bidding. Junior. Leila. Shelly. Mel. Will Mel help her family, or save herself?

This book was written amazingly. The language is so alluring, entrancing, beautiful. I could not put it down. Written in episodic-verse, the words flow easily, in a dream-like, thought-like environment, where you're so captivated, you forget where you are. Who you are. It made me wanna read a little more about the Manson Family.

Wow, Alanna - what a beautiful review of a book that truly sounds stunning. Click here to check our catalog to see if Family is on our shelves.

The Warlock by Michael Scott (reviewed by Carolyn Adkins)

2011-07-19T20:20:00.003-06:00

The Warlock, The Secret of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, is the 5^th book in the 6 book series by mythological writer Michael Scott. Do you know what’s better than seeing William Shakespeare battle non-human creatures on space ships? Nothing. Which is exactly what happened in this book, nothing. It was boring! The battles were lame and the story only advanced what, a couple of hours? Going back and forth to four or five different locations with different characters, being introduced to characters that have nothing to do with the plot, and being told one thing then told another all amounted to one thing. Yes, you must go through the entire boring and drab book, where nothing happens, to read the last sentence. The last sentence, not even the last paragraph, the last sentence is probably the biggest twist in the entire series! I highly recommend this book, just as long as you read the first four, just so you can read that last sentence. And to watch William Shakespeare battle non-human creatures on space ships.

Oh, Carolyn - this was hilarious! I love an honest review, but is anything more frustrating than when a series doesn't turn out the way you want? Click here check our catalog to see if The Warlock is on our shelves so you can see if you agree with Carolyn.

Nightspell by Leah Cypess (reviewed by Amethyst Collins)

2011-05-31T08:38:00.005-06:00

This is an intriguing new installment by Leah Cypess that, while showing her ability and style in writing, manages to create an entirely different story in a world previously created. I love the way she took something often used in fiction stories – ghosts – and made them entirely her own. Only people who were murdered stay as ghosts, and they only stay until they avenge themselves. Also, they have weaknesses such as silver and sunlight, can eat food and fool people into thinking they’re alive, and their whole reason for existence comes from a spell. Cool, no? And while romance was practically nonexistent, there is a lot of love in this story.

One of my favorite lines goes something like: “I don’t like my sister, but I love her.” I think a lot of people can relate to this feeling, even if it’s only at moments. The basic plotline is a girl going to save her sister from a forced marriage to bind two kingdoms together. In case you haven’t guessed, things don’t go quite according to plan. I enjoyed the time I spent reading Nightspell, and there were several instances where I would be so drawn into the book that I would gasp out loud. Would I recommend it? Well, though I liked Mistwood better, Nightspell is definitely a story well worth reading.

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Thanks Amethyst for this great review. Amethyst reviewed Nightspell from an Advance Reading Copy, but I saved this review until the today because today is Nightspell's release day, hoorah! \o/ Happy book birthday to Nightspell!

While you wait for the library's copy of Nightspell to arrive, you can click here to see if the companion novel, Mistwood, is on our shelves!

Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an advance reviewer. We have lots of ARs waiting for your reviews, so ask today!

Paper Towns by John Green (reviewed by Emily TenCate)

2011-04-04T11:52:00.006-06:00

If you're anything like me, if I told you that the novel Paper Towns by John Green detailed the lives of a gamer and a popular girl in their last month of high school, you would be bored (or at least pretty skeptical) already. If I told you the novel also included romance, beer, and mischief, you'd groan and mutter, "Typical," and you'd probably cross the book off of your list without a second thought. Paper Towns is, indeed, about all of these things. But it's also about something more, and, in fact, that's the whole point of Paper Towns: it's impossible to sum something up if you only look at its components. To understand something, you really need to have seen the whole.

Paper Towns points out in excruciating detail that we (especially as high schoolers) only see people by parts. Take Margo Roth Spiegelmann, for example, the enigmatic sort-of-protagonist who is usually summed up (incompletely) as queen bee of the high school. When you get to know her, though, she's actually a marvelous prankster, with a head full of plans and stories and metaphysical theories about life. Take Quentin (also known as Q), an avid gamer and the boy-next-door, whose undiscovered inner hero only surfaces when Margo goes missing. Take "Bloody Ben", another obsessive gamer, whose whole life is defined by one embarrassing incident.

Throughout the book, these people discover that everyone has three dimensions. (Well, mostly everyone; the drunk jocks in this novel are as senseless and two-dimensional as ever.) They learn that you have to read people the way you read poetry: you can't understand the meaning if you only read and understand a couple of lines. You have to understand the poem as a whole before you can really say what it's all about.

And if you think philosophy is too boring and you'll never read this book, never fear, because Paper Towns is also deliciously, unexpectedly hilarious! And when I say hilarious, it's not just funny, it's laugh-out-loud ridiculous. It's intense, engaging, and (though this is coming from a senior in her last couple months of high school), completely understandable... well, maybe all except the part about naked graduation. Read it; you won't regret (or forget!) it.

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OH EMILY, WHAT A GREAT REVIEW OF ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS OF ALL TIME. I can only express my feelings about Paper Towns as such - <3 <3 <3

If you haven't read anything by John Green, you need to fix that ASAP, so click here to see if Paper Towns (or anything else by John Green) is on our shelves.

Eon: Dragon Reborn by Alison Goodman (reviewed by Carolyn Adkins)

2011-04-04T11:07:00.006-06:00

Eon: Dragon Reborn takes place in a world where one of twelve dragons makes a pack with a dragoneye. Together, they fight for peace, but that peace is about to be destroyed. Eon is a new dragoneye fighting to protect the peace, but Eon is not as he seems, because Eon is a girl and girls are not allowed to be dragoneyes.

Eon is a book that is hard to put down and jammed-packed with actions that both teens and adults will find thrilling. Eon takes you to a world with vibrant description and you know exactly what is happening and there's never a dull moment. I love this book and can't wait for the second!

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I love this book too, Carolyn! Soooo good. It reminded me of Tamora Pierce and who doesn't love Tamora Pierce, right?! Click here to see if Eon: Dragoneye Reborn is on our shelves.

Carolyn reviewed Eon: Dragoneye Reborn so she could have a chance to read an advance review copy of Eona BEFORE it came out. How did Carolyn find out about this awesome opportunity? She's signed up for the library's teen e-mail list, so she gets to hear about all the latest news, promotions, programs, and events first. Want to be on the list? Send us an e-mail at ysweb @ lacnm dot us to get added! You can also hear about what's happening by visiting the library's teen website!

Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an advance reviewer. We have lots of ARCs waiting for your reviews, so ask today!

Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon (reviewed by Xian Eutsler)

2011-03-29T08:48:00.007-06:00

Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon is the next and last book to Silver Phoenix. The first book is called Silver Phoenix. They both follow Ai Ling and Chen Yong, then in Fury of the Phoenix Zhong Ye, the emperors most trusted advisor.

In Fury of the Phoenix Ai Ling accompanies Chen Yong to look for his father. During the journey Ai Ling is haunted by Zhong Ye and the time she spent with him. They meet Sea Shifters, storms, pirates, and months on a ship called Gliding Dragon.

Ever since I read Silver Phoenix I was thinking if there would be another book, and there is! This book takes place mostly outside the Kingdom of Xia, people who come from the kingdom are referred to as Xian. (My name is Xian, without the apostrophe between the i and a.) When I started reading Fury of the Phoenix I could not put it down. At first I was confused as to why the point of view of Ai Ling changed to someone else’s point of view. Then I found out it was from Zhong Ye’s point of view, and how he met Silver Phoenix. (Ai Ling’s previous reincarnation.) The book kept switching between the two points of view. Ai Ling and Chen Yong on a journey to find Chen Yong’s father, and how Zhong Ye gained immortality and came to love Silver Phoenix.

This book has adventure, romance, secrets, revelations, action, and suspense. There was nothing I didn’t like about the book. I was most interested in the truth about Zhong Ye and his status with the emperor, and with Silver Phoenix.

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Thanks Xian for this great review. Xian reviewed Fury of the Phoenix from an Advance Reading Copy, but I saved this review until the today because today is Fury of the Phoenix's release day, hoorah! \o/ Happy book birthday to Fury of the Phoenix!

Cindy Pon liked Xian's review so much she sent us some amazingly cool bookmarks and cards and if you show up at a library teen event, you just might get some, yay.

While you wait for the library's copy of Fury of the Phoenix to arrive, you can click here to see if Silver Phoenix is on our shelves!

Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an advance reviewer. We have lots of ARs waiting for your reviews, so ask today!

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting (reviewed by Xian Eutsler)

2011-02-14T19:54:00.003-07:00

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting is the second book in The Body Finder series. It takes place after the serial killer was revealed in The Body Finder.

Violet Ambrose is approaching seventeen years old, and is dating her best friend, Jay Heaton. On a trip with Chelsea to visit one of the islands in western Washington Violet hears an echo. It is something only she can hear. It calls to her, the source however is something once living. The echoes are the dead calling to her. The dead that have died violently, such as murder; they call to her. When she follows the echo to a cargo container she knows what is inside; a dead body. No one else besides her uncle, mother, father, and Jay know about her ability to find dead bodies. Now the FBI wants to know about Violet’s ability. Not only does the discovery of the body remind Violet about what happen last time; but there is another string of murders. All leading up to a murderer who is closer then she thinks.

When I heard that there was a second book in this series, I couldn’t wait to read it. In this book Jay and Violet have begun dating. The relationship has some rocky parts, but all turns well. In this book the points of view switch between Violet’s and another person’s point of view. In the mind of the mysterious person makes you think about what is going on, and who it might be. This book kept me guessing till the end. The suspense, action, mystery, romance, and horror; all come together in the second book in The Body Finder series.

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YAY, Xian! Last year Xian wrote an amazing review of The Body Finder, the first book in this series. The author, Kimberly Derting, was so amazing, she sent us a bunch of great stuff (like bookmarks and stickers!) because of Xian's review. Whooo! Click here to check our catalog to see if The Body Finder is on our shelves.

This year, Xian had the chance to review an ADVANCE READER'S COPY (ARC) of the second book in the series, meaning she got a chance to read it before it was published and she had a chance to let the library know if it she thought we should purchase it for our shelves or not.

Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an advance reviewer.

And guess what? Kimberly Derting liked Xian's second review so much she sent us more great goodies!! If you show up at a library teen event, you just might get some too! ^___^

The Host by Stephenie Meyer (reviewed by Amethyst Collins)

2011-02-14T19:51:00.000-07:00

Do you love science-fiction? Aliens? Romance? World apocalypse, peaceful style? Intense conflict and personal enlightenment? If you answered yes (or maybe) to any of those, then The Host is the book for you.

As a reader, I first liked The Host because of its size. I want a book I can lose myself in, and that doesn’t usually happen in the 200 pagers. At over 600 pages (hardback copy), I was definitely drawn toward this novel.

Told almost entirely in first person, this story is unique in being able to tell the story from two points of view – without actually switching point of view. How is this possible, you ask? Well, you see, the most main character, Wanda, is a parasite, an alien, who has been inserted into a human body, Melanie, and taken complete control. Or at least, that’s what’s supposed to happen. This particular human is not going down without a fight, and even though she has lost her body, Melanie is not giving up her mind.

This is where the romance kicks in. Since Melanie is still present in Wanda’s head, Melanie’s thoughts and desires are a major distraction. And one person is thought of a lot. That would be Jared, Melanie’s partner before her capture. Wanda’s tie to Melanie’s body is complete, and Melanie wants Jared, so isn’t it natural that Wanda would want Jared, too? But Jared is still free, still part of the resistance, and he no longer trusts Melanie – or whatever it is that is inside her.
Wanda was supposed to receive the joys of Earth – the sights, the emotions, the experiences – without a pesky human interrupting her attempt at a normal (for them) invasion. Their species, of which the individual is called a “soul,” has taken over many, many planets in the galaxy. They have technology far advancing the human race – there is no disease, no hunger, no pain – and when they take over a planet it is peaceful. One could rightly argue they make that world a better place. On Earth they cured cancer, eliminated conflict and murder. They truly improve everything around them; but the cost is each individual’s presence in the world. Is it really worth that?

I don’t want to spoil any more of it for you, but by the time you finish this book you will see some things differently (and you will find at least one male character that you love; unless of course you yourself are a male, and then you will just enjoy the violence of the resisting humans and the intricate plot design).

And for anyone who is put-off because this is by the same author who wrote Twilight? Don’t be so ridiculous. Whatever your judgment of Twilight is, put it aside for just a moment. You don’t want to miss out on this because of negative bias.

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OMG Amethyst, I totttttalllly agrreeeee. There's nothing worse than judging a book by comparing it to another book. And this book is a crazy-good-sci-fic romp! I hope she writes another one soon! Click here to check our catalog to see if The Host is on our shelves.

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke (reviewed by Bear Schacht)

2011-02-14T19:21:00.003-07:00

When browsing for a book at the library the title The Thief Lord caught my eye. I recognized the author's name, Funke, from another book I enjoyed, Dragon Rider. The Thief Lord takes place in Venice, Italy and follows a small band of thief children. The story focuses on Prosper and Bo, two runaway brothers, and Scipio, the group's leader, a boy who wants to be grown-up. When the guardians of Prosper and Bo send a detective after them the band of thieves's way of living is shaken up and Scipio gets the biggest job he ever has to do. The friendshop between the children, especially the brothers, and how they use their wits to get by, combined with some very amusing bits and some mystery as well, made it very enjoyable to read. Unlike most of my other favorite books, The Thief Lord is not part of a series. It is a very solid, self-sufficient story that is about 350 pages long. I would recommend this book to just about anyone.

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I love Cornelia Funke! This one had an ending I did not see coming, which was a real surprise for once. Click here to check our catalog to see if The Thief Lord is on our shelves.

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa (reviewed by Xian Eutsler)

2011-01-16T14:41:00.006-07:00

The Iron Queen by Julia Kagawa, is about a soon to be seventeen Meghan Chase, an exiled winter prince, a comical fey, a war against the Iron Fey, and her return to the Nevernever.

When sixteen year old Meghan Chase is summoned by her fey father Oberon to come and help fight the war against the Iron fey, she doesn’t have a choice. Along with the winter prince, a childhood friend and a cait sith must fight a war with the Iron fey. A war that could destroy the Nevernever, and everyone Meghan cares about.

I couldn’t put this book down! I read the previous books, The Iron King and The Iron Daughter. Now there is The Iron Queen!

This book has suspense, mystery, romance, action, and adventure. All the characteristics that make the series exciting! There are riddles and the mysteries characters, secrets and sacrifices. This book is one of my favorites, it’s something I’ll read over and over again.

There is nothing that I didn’t like in this book. All the elements that make a book exciting are here. This kind of book combines the nature of the Fey, with modern time alternate universe aspect. It is a world that could be very real...it’s there, we just don’t see it.

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Since Xian was such a huge fan of this series and she writes such great reviews for us and she tells EVERYONE to read Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series, I contacted the publisher to see if they could send us a review copy. A BIG THANKS to HarlequinTeen for sending a review copy for our teen ARC reviewers to take a look at! YAY!! ^___^

Xian reviewed an ADVANCE READER'S COPY (ARC) of this book, meaning she got a chance to read it before it was published and then she had a chance to let the library know if it she thought we should purchase it for our shelves or not. Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an ARC reviewer.

Click here to check our catalog to see if other books in Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series are checked in or to pre-reserve the The Iron Queen today!

An Infinite Thread by Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton, and Brenna Yovanoff (reviewed by Amethyst Collins)

2011-01-16T14:19:00.003-07:00

The genre of short stories is one that I think is very overlooked. (I myself am guilty of this.) However, the stories, or perhaps I should say scenes, in An Infinite Thread are proof of how short stories could be making a larger appearance in public reading.

This book was put together as a collection of writing exercises by the three authors, who call themselves the Merry Sisters of Fate. This means that they often leave the reader in suspense, wondering what happens next. Many times they start right in the middle of an important moment, and only by reading on can the reader get an idea of what is happening. (Isn’t that the point of a story? To get someone to read it?) I think they are good because they have realistic descriptions and even the tensest moments often have humor. Example: Your best friend is deadly vampire staring at you silently, about to bite you, and the author makes a subtle diss on Twilight. Perfect.

I like short stories because they give me a good stopping point. If I have homework or chores to do, but I really want to read, I can pick up a short story book and read a story in ten minutes, do some of my work, read another story, do more work, read another story… And it’s also nice in school, because when I finish my work early I can take it out, read a story and be at a stopping place before I have to pay attention again.

Each of the Sisters has their own unique style of writing, and every reader I’ve talked with has their favorite. The Sisters also have a website, so after reading the book you can go there and read more by your favorite author. Also, they self-published An Infinite Thread, so I give them major kudos. Recommended? Yes.

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Our FIRST review of a short story collection, woot!

Amethyst reviewed a book that wasn't yet added to the library's collection to let us know if she thought it was worth adding to the shelves. Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy or add books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be a pre-reviewer for certain titles! (and yes, we're definitely adding this title, so keep your eyes on the shelves for your chance to check it out!)

We used this book for prompts and discussion in our library's teen writing group and we all loved it so much! We loved it SO MUCH we asked Brenna Yovanoff to be our next featured author in our Best!Book!Ever! book club and she agreed! She'll be live-chatting with us about her book The Replacement on MARCH 1, 2011! Starting reading today to join the conversation! Maybe we can ask her questions about stories from An Infinite Thread too!

Click here to check our catalog to see if Brenna's The Replacement is on our shelves. Interested in some of the amazing Maggie's books? Click here to check out catalog to see if any of Maggie Stiefvater's books are on our shelves. And, of course, keep an eye out for Tessa's debut novel Blood Magic, due out this April. (Why, I might even have an ARC of Blood Magic just waiting to be reviewed ...)

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman (reviewed by Emily TenCate)

2011-01-16T14:11:00.004-07:00

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman is the factual tale of an extremely isolated tribal mountain people, the Hmong, who are driven from their homes in the Laotian mountains and eventually are relocated to America, where they are confronted with Western ideas, values, and science. The novel details the case of Lia Lee, an epileptic Hmong child. Hmong tradition believes that epilepsy is a condition where "the spirit catches you and you fall down," which refers to the spirit temporarily leaving the body to commune with other spirits. The Hmong regard this as a gift from the gods, and the afflicted are treated as royalty. When Lia's parents immigrate to California, though, and she has a severe grand mal seizure, her parents decide to take her to nearby Merced Medical Center.

The doctors on call instantly sedate the seizing child according to protocol, taking the parents' terrified silence as consent. The parents, frightened and confused, watch as their child is hooked up to foreign machines and injected with strange, colorful substances. They fear that these strange procedures might scare Lia's spirit and drive it away permanently. The hospital staff provides instructions for medications, but Lia's parents cannot understand them and turn to their own traditional methods of animal sacrifice and prayer. This goes on for a very long time because of the unrecognized communication gap, and Lia's condition deteriorates.

Finally, one social worker does recognize the real problem. She makes a concerted effort to teach Hmong young adults how to speak English and pursue higher learning which they can then bring back to their own community. It's a long and arduous process, but she's successful in coaching several young Hmong so that they are able to gain admission and successfully graduate medical school. They are finally able to explain Western science to their parents, relatives, and the entire Hmong community in a way that is compatible with their traditional beliefs.

Through the efforts of this lone woman, the growing Hmong refugee community in Southern California was able to integrate itself positively into Western society without losing its cultural identity.

I REALLY recommend this book; it's a fascinating window into a completely different culture and how its people overcame huge adversity and stereotyping.

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Yay, Emily, our first ever review of an adult non-fiction title! Click here to check our catalog to see if The Spirit Catches You and you Fall Down is on our shelves.

This book was selected by YALSA for their 2009 Outstanding Books for the College Bound lists. These lists cover a wide array of subjects and genres and the books on them are AMAZING. If you're feeling like reading some different, interesting, challenging, and great books (like this one!) try some selections off these lists!

Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne (reviewed by Bear Schacht)

2011-01-16T13:58:00.005-07:00

Journey to the Center of the Earth is one of those classic pieces of fiction that has survived for many years and it is still a gripping and exciting story about mans desire to explore the unknown. It is slightly difficult to read and the more scientific bits are sometimes hard to get through, but otherwise it is a fantastic adventure story that makes you wish it was actually possible to descend through a volcano down to an underground ocean and prehistoric monsters. I think Journey to the Center of the Earth is a book that anybody could enjoy reading.

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Ah, Bear! A true classic! Who doesn't love some Jules Verne?! ^___^ This is also a good reminder you can review ANYTHING for this blog (as long as the library has a copy or you're writing as an advance reviewer/pre-reviewer) it doesn't have to be a brand new.

Click here to check our catalog to see if Journey to the Center of the Earth is on the shelves.

The Comet's Curse by Dom Testa (reviewed by Amethyst Collins)

2010-12-17T12:14:00.005-07:00

Every adult in the world is dying, and quickly. The human race is going to disappear. Is there anything that can be done?

This book takes place many years in the future, another apocalyptic story. A comet passed by the Earth, too close for comfort but far enough away that scientists believed we were safe. They were wrong. Once you turn 18 you become infected with a disease that will kill you. Some more quickly than others, but everyone is guaranteed an early demise. So what do we do? Well, in Testa’s world, we create a ship that will transport the smartest, healthiest, and most able teenagers to a planet in another galaxy, a planet that has the same basic design as Earth and the greatest chance for their survival.

This story is great because it goes back and forth between the teens flying in the ship and the background to how they got there. It ties past and present together, so the explanation parts do not slow down the events occurring. And it has mystery as someone tries to sabotage the ship and most likely bring the complete end to the human race.

I like this story because I like apocalyptic type stories, and I like science-fiction type stories. There is a hint of romance, great character development, an invented sport, and the most hilarious narrator you will ever read. His name is Roc, and he is a computer.

It’s one of the shorter stories, which means I finished it in one night and then stayed up for another hour and a half thinking about it. I love it when that happens… except when I have school the next day. So maybe you should wait until a weekend to check it out, because this is a story you will not want to have to put down.

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The Comet's Curse was the one of the recent book selection of our Teen Book Group. Our group discussion involved a live, online chat with the fantastic (and funny!) author, Dom Testa, who answered all our questions about the book and how he wrote it! Want to make sure you get to participate in the next book group and author chat? Ask for more info at the youth services desk about how you can join the next conversation.

Super-special-extra thanks to Amethyst for not just the review but also for being part of the book group!

Click here to check our catalog to see if The Comet's Curse or other titles in Dom's Galahad series are on the shelves.

The Julian Game by Adele Griffin (reviewed by Emily TenCate)

2010-12-17T12:10:00.002-07:00

According to its cover, The Julian Game was supposed to be an intriguing tale about high school and modern-day life in the form of misrepresentation through the Internet. Yet the book itself was sorely misrepresented by the cover-summary.

Hence my main complaint: the author was trying REALLY HARD to make her characters relatable and interesting and, most of all, MODERN (aka, good at technology), but it's clearly been a while since the author was a teenager.

It's as if, having forgotten what it was like to be in high school, the author emphasized every awful thing she read about in other teen romances. Everything is taken to ridiculous extremes, particularly the characters.

The in-crowd (cleverly titled "the Group") includes a fashion model and four other psychopaths who refer to each other as "Loozer" (I can only assume the spelling is meant to reflect the mental capacities of the Group?), "Lardass," (self-explanatory) and "Nerbit" (which is supposed to mean something like "nerd" but instead sounds like a rather charming combination of "gerbil" and "armpit"). They also drink lots of Irish Whiskey, invent fake Facebook profiles in attempts to get guys (is this a common custom among high school girls? I wouldn't know...) and go to way too many parties. There is a significant lack of schoolwork involved.

The antagonist, naturally one of the in-crowd, is so obnoxious that she's actually unreal: her routine revenge scheme typically involves something along the lines of causing an entire family to go bankrupt. Oh, and of course she draws on body fat with gel pens at sleepovers and creates slanderous blogs demolishing others' reputations - but as Queen Bee of high school, those are in the job description.

On the other side of the equation, you have the main character, who is a nerd. Fairly typical: nerdy characters are in vogue for teen fiction these days! But the author, once again, decides she wants her hero to really stand out, so she emphasizes the nerdiness like none other and inadvertently creates a cliche that is more cliched than I have ever seen before. As a result, our main character, who is named after some freakishly obscure painter, is into Star Trek, Star Wars, video gaming, and Mandarin Chinese tutoring (I will admit that this is cool, while perhaps a bit unrealistic). She's unathletic and scrawny, and to complete the image, she wears XL hoodies and baggy pants all the time. (Naturally, though, when she dresses up, she's drop-dead gorgeous - how else would she attend a million parties?)

Speaking of character development: the novel includes numerous demented, forced character quirks that are JUST TOO WEIRD to be real. For example, the antagonist rehearses her password (out loud, in normal conversation) 94 times - precisely- the month before she changes it. It's not only ridiculous - it's also just bad computer-use policy in general. I never knew that there was such a thing as "too unique," but this book has convinced me that there is.

While the characters are definitely pushing the far bounds of believable with their quirkiness, the plot does anything but. As per usual, our nerdling hero pines after the in-crowd. Violently so. She'd do anything to talk to them - even offer to tutor antagonist master in Mandarin Chinese! She simply yearns to be addressed by those offensive, derogatory, but somehow oh-so-wonderful nicknames!

So she invents this fake online profile and then shares it with Evil Antagonist from the in-crowd so that they can talk to gorgeous, unattainable, athletic, bit-of-a-player, most-popular-guy-at-the-nearby-boy's-school Julian. Well, except evil antagonist doesn't want to talk... she wants to get back at hot-jock! With her typical overblown MO, she invites hot-jock, through an incredibly convoluted scheme, to a party where he gets both beaten up AND arrested! Because that totally happens all the time in high school!

Through yet another convolution (after all the directions it's been twisted in, the plot looks like a balloon animal!) hot-jock and main character nerd make out!

And then decide they don't like each other.

Thank goodness, the end.

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Thanks for the total honesty, Emily! We appreciate it when people tell us how they REALLY feel in their reviews.

Want to check out The Julian Game and decide for yourself? Click here to check our catalog to see if The Julian Game is on the shelves.

The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Birth of A Killer by Darren Shan (reviewed by Zach Fields)

2010-12-17T12:06:00.002-07:00

An interesting mixture of action and suspense. it lives up to the rest of the Cirque du Freak series. There should be more to the story though, in my opinion. This book has a great opening line which keeps the reader wanting to find out how the it happens. And it just keeps you interested. Truly a hard book to put down. Shan did an excellent job with this book. I hope to read more!

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Zach reviewed an ADVANCE READER'S COPY (ARC) of this book, meaning he got a chance to read it before it was published and then he had a chance to let the library know if it he thought we should purchase it for our shelves or not.

Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an advance reviewer.

Worldshaker by Richard Harland (reviewed by Bear Schacht)

2010-12-17T10:26:00.002-07:00

Yay Steampunk!

Length: 3,956.9 meters (12,982 feet)
Width: 1,170.4 meters (3,840 feet)
Weight: 3,110,776.4 metric tons (3,429,044 tons)
Upper decks population: 10,040 approx.
Filthies: 2,130 approx.

Worldshaker is a steam powered juggernaut as big as a city. Col Porpentine is the grand son of the supreme commander of Worldshaker, destined to take over the position. He has known nothing but the easy life, and as he is a member of the most important family, he has the best of everything. Then he meets riff, a Filthy girl from below decks, and his world is turned upside down.

I enjoyed reading this book. The world/ship and the politics between families were detailed and interesting. I also enjoyed the development of the main character, his gradual realization that what he had been brought up to believe was wrong and the people around him, people he trusted, were living lies.

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YAY, STEAMPUNK! I couldn't have said it better myself, Bear. Who doesn't love a good dirigible every now and then? ^___^

Click here to check our catalog to see if Worldshaker is on our shelves.

Huntress by Malinda Lo (reviewed by SoYoung Choi)

2010-11-22T16:27:00.005-07:00

With the winters prolonged, the whole nation is greatly disturbed; no one knows when the winters will cease. The people are starving and begging on the streets for food. Many have deserted their beloved homelands and have sought refuge.

Huntress by Malinda Lo is an epic tale about true love and self-battles. The book centers around Kaede and Taisin who are destined to go on a journey that will not only change the fate of their kingdom, but will also bring about a transformation within themselves.

Kaede who is valiant and strong is at the academy to become a sage, but to her dismay, she can ever be one for she lacks the talents. Taisin is quiet and calculating; as a Farmer’s daughter she has been offered a great opportunity to attend the academy. She is one of the academy’s greatest pupils.

Kaede and Taisin are both pulled in by the oracle stones. In the King’s stead, they are to journey to the Fairy Queen in Taninli where sunshine and evergreen are undisturbed. Their journey will be harsh and seemingly endless. Will Kaede and Taisin prevail? Or will they fall into the very depths of despair?

Not only are they destined to go on this quest, but they are also having conflicts of their own. Taisin has had a vision and is struggling with its true meaning: will she eventually love this Kaede? Or will she obey the law of abstinence and become a sage? Kaede’s father, the King’s chancellor has made an engagement for her to marry a lord from the South in order to end a war; will she do what is best for her country? Or will she engrave her own path? They both struggle to find their true selves.

Only one huntress is needed for this mission. Is Taisin or Kaede willing to part with one another forever?

This incredible tale of love and suspense will put you on your toes till the end. The bond between Taisin and Kaede will make your heart thump for more. I really enjoyed this novel because it showed me that true love could be displayed in many ways: through sacrifice, through glances, through smiles. Not only that but the novel made my heart jump at times because Taisin and Kaede’s bond is so intertwining that nothing can pass through between them. I really hope you enjoy this novel. Because I sure did!

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YAY, another first-time reviewer! Thanks for submitting and joining the ranks of the amazingly super-cool people who review things, SoYoung!!! Huntress won't be released until April 2011 but you can click here to check our catalog to see if Ash, the companion novel to Huntress, is on our shelves.

SoYoung reviewed an ADVANCE READER'S COPY (ARC) of this book, meaning she got a chance to read it before it was published (five months before it was published!!) and then she had a chance to let the library know if it she thought we should purchase it for our shelves or not.

Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an advance reviewer.

The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith (reviewed by Amethyst Collins)

2010-11-22T16:12:00.006-07:00

Katie used to be a normal girl. That is, until her mother died. Now she has a secret, a secret that comes out through her drawings; she sees ghosts. And until she meets Law, everyone just thinks she’s crazy, including herself. But one person can make a difference.

This story is very intriguing. From the very first line the reader starts to get sucked in, “The man is hanging from the stairs again, which means it’s going to be another bad day.” And the vivid detail does not stop there. Smith does not hold back in her descriptions, both bad and good.
Smith also does an awesome job at a history lesson. This may seem weird when describing a book, but it’s true. Nerdy Law is a black boy, and his chapters are filled with info and arguments about slavery. He talks a lot about “reparations,” a lesson passed along from his father, who is also black. (I mention that because his mother is white, which adds another facet to Law’s character; his personal dilemma of not belonging to either race.)

At first the reader may be lost, because switching between Katie’s point of view to Law’s is quite a change, but it quickly sorts out, which shows the skill of the author. Each character has a very distinct personality, and since the book is written in present tense, the reader will feel as if he/she is experiencing it right along with the character. There is mystery, too, especially when Law’s knowledge and Katie’s ability combine to reveal a HIDDEN TREASURE! This treasure isn’t exactly gold and jewels (though there is some of that), but it IS within a house that many people want to tear down, destroying the mystery within. And since when do adults listen to teenagers?

For those of you who like romance, this book has that, too.

The romance here is very real. There is confusion, there is angst, and there is conflict. Nothing is simple, and Smith doesn’t try to make it that way. What else are you going to get when a black boy likes a white girl who everyone thinks is crazy? And disapproving parents makes it much worse. (Yes, his father is very hypocritical at first.)

Unfortunately, I was forced to put the book down several times due to school and lack of time, but if I had had the opportunity I would have read it all in one go – it’s that good. I definitely recommend this book to everyone ages 13 and up (some of the ghosts are rather… disturbing).

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YES, a first-time reviewer (whoo, Amethyst!) and a great review too. I know we are going to be seeing many more reviews from Amethyst ^___^ so I can't wait! You, too, can review for this blog. Send us your reviews via e-mail or drop them off at the library today and next thing you know, they'll be up here on the blog.

Amethyst reviewed a book that wasn't yet added to the library's collection to let us know if she thought it was worth adding to the shelves. Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy or add books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be a pre-reviewer for certain titles! (and yes, we're definitely adding this title, so keep your eyes on the shelves for your chance to check it out!)

For the Win by Cory Doctorow (reviewed by Bear Schacht)

2010-11-22T15:40:00.003-07:00

For The Win is an extremely powerful and moving story about the capacity that the younger generation has to change the world.

The world in this book is not much different from our own, the biggest difference is the games. These video games are so big and so popular that they contain several of the worlds largest economies.

They are virtual economies, but that doesn't make them any less real.
you can but stocks in items like you can in companies, and if you are good at it you can sell game things for real money (it is kind of interesting, there bits of economics lessons sprinkled throughout the book. Don't worry though, they are very interesting). There are black markets where you can buy everything from pre-leveled characters to gold to items.

I won't try to give a summary of the plot, that would take too long, but the story is basically about a group of young people who use their talent with the games to fight the government that is oppressing them.

It is a story about courage and sacrifice and standing up for what is right. You won't want to put it down.

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YES, this book itself is totally FOR! THE! WIN! Thanks, Bear! Click here to check our catalog to see if For the Win is on our shelves.

Bear reviewed an ADVANCE READER'S copy of this book through a give-away at Cory Doctorow's website. (it is my shame-face fault that this has not been posted before. Boo, me!) Do you want to know about cool give-aways (and so much more?) like this? All you have to do is get on the library's teen e-mail list, so you'll gets to hear about all the latest news, promotions, programs, and events first. You get a chance to participate in give-aways like this and are reminded to write reviews for the blog! ^____^ Want to be on the list? Send us an e-mail at ysweb @ lacnm dot us to get added!

Palace of Mirrors by Margaret Peterson Haddix (reviewed by Kristi Davis)

2010-11-22T14:55:00.004-07:00

I liked this book because the main character Cecilia is very brave. She goes out on a journey to reclaim her position as the true princess. Some of the things in the book confused me, like the other girks who think they are the true princess and the story Cecilia believes. But Cecilia braves a music competition and taunting on her journey. She still carries on when she finds out some awful truths about the advisors and knights. Harper, (her best friend) Ella, (the queen of the land they are fighting) and Desmia (the girl who has been on the throne) help her find the truth of herself and her whole kingdom.
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Thanks for the review, Kristi. I LOVE this book and all of Margaret Peterson Haddix's books. She writes so many different types of books SO well!

Click here to check our catalog to see if Palace of Mirrors is on our shelves.

Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn (reviewed by Carolyn Adkins)

2010-09-05T11:57:00.006-06:00

When modern technology clashes with ancient monsters, 17 year old Kay and her unlikely dragon friend, Artegal, are caught in the middle. Can their friendship stop a war?

Even though this book already came out, I read the ARC and it was great! Just some editing tweaks here and there (which probably already happened) and it would go on the must read books shelf. The modern day setting with ancient dragons mixed very well. I would, though, only recommend it to the mature.

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Hurrah for first time reviewers, we always love to hear from new people! :)

Carolyn reviewed this book when it was an advance reader to let the library know if she thought we should buy it. She liked it so much, we decided we should buy it! (see how cool it is to be an advance reviewer?! Don't forget that you can contact YS to see how you can have a chance to read books and suggest purchases for the library!)

Thanks to Carolyn, you can now click here to check our catalog to see if Voices of Dragons is on the shelves.

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers (reviewed by Xian Eutsler)

2010-09-05T11:44:00.003-06:00

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers is about a girl named Frannie who has been targeted by Heaven and Hell. Each side sends their best, Gabriel the angel, and Lucifer the demon.

Lucifer the demon had lived for seven millennia, tagging souls for Hell. All he has to do is give the mortal a little push, and they’re on the way to Hell. With good looks and power at his disposal you would think tagging Frannie for Hell would be easy. The only thing standing in his way is Gabriel.

Gabriel is an angel, and works for God. His job is to shield the souls the demons are looking for. Then tag the souls for Heaven. Easy right? No, Gabriel and Lucifer have met before. But, this time is different both are drawn to Frannie. Gabriel and Lucifer know it’s wrong to get involved with a mortal, especially a mortal who is wanted desperately by both sides.

What I liked about this book is the comedy. That and the points of view, it switches between Frannie and Lucifer. To hide their real names Gabriel goes by Gabe, and Lucifer by Luc. This book has the drama of the real world, just a little modified. High school has started and Frannie is a junior. Luc finds her first, and then Gabe comes along. Frannie's friends, Taylor and Riley, want to find out what is going on. Who does she like? Truth is she likes them both, and angel and a demon. Luc is mysterious, dark, and handsome. Gabe is handsome, soothing, and trusting.

There isn’t anything that I didn’t like about this book. It has comedy, suspense, tragedy, and acceptance. Since the book is split up into two points of view it gives you a more information about the character. What they are thinking and the choices they have to make. Luc not only struggles with his love for Frannie, but also the order he is given with: tagging Frannie for Hell.

I also like this book because it describes Heaven and Hell as we see it in our minds. Lisa Desrochers knows what she wants and how to write it. I like that Frannie has a power that reminds her of the tragic accident that happen ten years earlier. It’s very similar to us, without the power. We all have things we don’t want to talk about. We just have to accept the facts and move on, or be haunted by our own personal demons.

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This book, the first in a fantastic new paranormal series, is going to be the next big thing. Make sure you stop by the author's blog for tons of info about the book.

Xian had a chance to read this hot book months before it came out! How?

Xian reviewed an ADVANCE READER'S COPY (ARC) of this book, meaning she got a chance to read it before it was published and then she had a chance to let the library know if it she thought we should purchase it for our shelves or not.

Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an advance reviewer.

Enna Burning by Shannon Hale (reviewed by Kristi Davis)

2010-09-05T11:38:00.003-06:00

I liked this book a lot. The main character Enna was very brave but she wasn't very smart because she was also proud. When her brother was burned by his own fire-abilities she thought that she was stronger than him and looked at the vellum that gave her brother fire ability. Another thing I mostly liked about this book is that Isi can speak and control the wind and Enna can kind of speak with fire and heat but she can hardly control it. I got really angry when Enna started to give into the fire and Sileph, who has a people-speaking ability. I also got a little angry when Enna actually believed she was falling in love with Sileph, when Finn, one of her best friends was risking his life to save her because he loved her!

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Thanks for another great review, Kristi! Ah yes, is there anything worse than when the main character can't see what's right in front of their eyes? ;)

Enna Burning is part of the fantastic Books of Bayern series. Click here to check our catalog to see if Enna Burning is on our shelves.

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (reviewed by Renata Hartman)

2010-08-18T12:28:00.007-06:00

Beautiful Creatures is mysterious and thrilling as you’re thrown into a story like never before. This book keeps you wanting more as the romance and action get hotter and more dangerous by the chapter.

Ethan Wate begins the story as the main character in his normal life stuck in the middle of nowhere. Nothing ever changes in this town where there are no secrets until Lena Duchannes arrives. She shakes up the town, first by living with her uncle, the town’s shut-in, but as the days go by, the town realizes there is something more to Lena. When they try to run her out of town, Ethan is willing to throw his life away for her, as though they were brought together by a dream. Once Ethan finds out about Lena’s sixteenth birthday he doesn’t care that she only has months left to live and they fall hopelessly in love while they fight for her life. Many things are discovered during their race against time and they only have one chance to make it right.

I really liked this book because it is so well written it kept me interested. It takes you in to a different world full of suspense and wonder that you would think you are in the story. I love the plot and find it amazing that Beautiful Creatures finds a way to bring two worlds together in a race against time.

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Beautiful Creatures is a big, awesome book! Click here to check our catalog to see if Beautiful Creatures is on the shelves. Hoorah, first time reviewers! Thanks to Renata for her first (of many, we hope!) contribution. YOU TOO can review for this blog. Just write a review of something you liked and send it to us and before you know it, it will be up here on the blog for everyone to read!

Renata reviewed Beautiful Creatures as part of our special summer promotion: review a book and get the ADVANCE READING COPY (ARC) of the sequel, giving her a chance to read it MONTHS before it was released! How did Renata find out about this amazing promotion? She came into the library and talked to the librarians! You can find out about all of the best books, newest programs, and cool promotions just by asking someone at the library! (and we'll even recommend amazing books like Beautiful Creatures!)

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (reviewed by Joe Stradling)

2010-08-18T12:01:00.003-06:00

This is the first book of an amazing series and documents a truly impressive fantasy world. It is set in New York City and spins around a world set in the background of the mundane which holds angels and demons in constant war, with vampires, werewolves, the fair folk, warlocks, and shadowhunters, or Nephilim, arrayed between. This book starts when Clarissa, a redheaded artist living with her mother, goes to a club with her best friend, Simon. Clary witnesses a brief glimpse of shadowhunters killing a demon intent on exsanguinating humans.

After leaving the scene of this sudden execution, Clary goes to her house to find that her mother has been taken by demons, as well as a rear guard resolved to kill her. She was saved by a shadowhunter by the name of Jonathan Wayland, or Jace, who takes her to hallowed ground that houses a sanctuary filled with other shadowhunters. It is revealed to her that she and her mother are shadowhunters and her mother posseses the mortal cup, a member of the objects that the angel Raziel passed on to humans to help fight the evil that the demons were spreading in the world. The man who abducted Clary’s mother, Valentine Morganstern, is a fanatical Nephilim, banished for trying to overthrow Nephilim government, or the Clave, and who is looking for the cup. She gets her friend Simon into a deep mess, is taken to a city made of the bones of Nephilim, falls deeply in love with Jace, and finds out that her mothers best friend is a werewolf. She finds her mother and her father and her brother and a traitor in the people that she hates and loves, encounters triumph, evil, loss and pain and discovers the whereabouts of the mortal cup.

I liked this book and this series a great deal. Not only was it based on a clever and intricate history and structure, it also had engaging dynamic characters, a cute love story, amazing narrative drive, spectacular settings, a viable conflict, and, best of all, a sequel.

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Mmm, Shadowhunters. (amIright?!) Click here to check our catalog to see if City of Bones is on the shelves.

Joe reviewed City of Bones as part of our special summer promotion: review a book and get the ADVANCE READING COPY (ARC) of the prequel, giving him a chance to read it MONTHS before it was released! How did Joe find out about this amazing promotion?! He's signed up for the library's teen e-mail list, so he gets to hear about all the latest news, promotions, programs, and events first. Want to be on the list? Send us an e-mail at ysweb @ lacnm dot us to get added! You can also hear about what's happening by visiting the library's teen website!

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles (reviewed by Alanna Cover)

2010-08-18T11:43:00.003-06:00

Another majorly spoiler-y (and majorly epic!) review from Alanna, huzzah!

Caleb hit Maggie. Caleb hit Maggie with car. Caleb go to jail. Maggie stay in hospital. Caleb wants everything go back to normal. Maggie want go to Spain. I stop Caveman talk. Now.

When Caleb is released from prison, he's back to Paradise, back to school, back to his sexy girlfriend, Kendra, back to his old buds, and back to his family. But, when he's back, he figures out that it's nothing that he remembered, or would ever remember. School moved on without him, his best friend is dating Kendra, and his family is so whack: his twin sister is totally emo, and his mom is overdosing on her depression meds.

CRAP! What's Caleb to do? For now, he lives like it was... and Kendra has something deep in mind for him.

Maggie? Well... everything has changed for her too. An avid tennis player, she gets home from the hospital with a leg that she can hardly walk on. Ugly scars cover it, and she fears she'll never get anywhere in life. That's why she's decided to leave, everything has changed around her, she's lost all of her close friends, she's a loner, and her mom is... a bit protective. But life has different plans for her. Her scholarship wasn't accepted for the college she wanted to attend. Life sorta crashes around her at that point, because Caleb comes back, and for one, she's terrified of him. And then she's more ignored at school. Then a nice lady, her mother's boss' mother, offers to give her a job to pay for college. Maggie agrees.

Caleb, basically having to go to his community service after school everyday is given a job, to help a the same lady, Maggie and Caleb have to work together for a few weeks. Maggie planting bulbs, and Caleb building a gazebo. One day, he gets into a fight on the way to the bus stop because a couple of guys dissed Maggie. Because Maggie and Caleb were best friends before, Caleb feels the same as he ever did. It was an accident, he didn't mean to. Then things go crazy with Maggie's life, her mom starts to date Mr. Reynolds, Maggie's boss's son. (confusing, huh?) ANYWAYS!! She freaks out... and calls her dad. Who doesn't care. Like, reeaally doesn't care. She loses it, and the first number her fingers dial is her ex-best friend, person-who-hit-her-with-car... isn't that enough information? She calls Caleb, they meet, and she pours her heart out to the boy who hit her with his car... and then he kisses her. WHOAH!!! It was so cute though. :3 Eh... but she runs. Anyways, on the bus the next day, they sit on the bus together again, and they hold haands. and this and that and they keep working... and then when EVERYTHING goes perfectly..

Mrs. Reynolds dies, Caleb learns he isn't supposed to have any relation with Maggie, Kendra corners Caleb in the hall (after deciding for them both that they have a secret relationship. ooh la la-NOT. it was kinda ewwie tho.. >_<) and makes him say that he doesn't like Maggie, who is behind him, who slaps him, and the perfect relationship is over. But then Maggie figures something out. She becomes strong. And with that, she's determined to stay and finish high school and figure everything else out later. Caleb leaves his whacked up house (he was gonna be kicked out sooner or later, anyways...), and they meet on the road where it all happened, Maggie realizes that Caleb didn't hurt her. It was Leah, Caleb's twin sister, who couldn't take what happened, and Caleb, being a good brother, took the blame for hitting her. Caleb says goodbye, he is Leaving Paradise. Probably for good. And thus ends the story. It killed me. CLIFF-HANGERS FAIL!!!! D= That's that. End of Leaving Paradise... go home children, nothing else to see... BUT WAIT!! What is that I see in the near horizon of September? No.. IT CAN'T BE!! IT'S THE SEQUEL TO LEAVING PARADISE!!! :O Can't wait :3

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Simone Elkeles is the BEST! Click here to check our catalog to see if Leaving Paradise is on the shelves.

Alanna reviewed Leaving Paradise as part of our special summer promotion: review a book and get the ADVANCE READING COPY (ARC) of the sequel, giving her a chance to read it MONTHS before it was released! How did Alanna find out about this amazing promotion?! She's signed up for the library's teen e-mail list, so she gets to hear about all the latest news, promotions, programs, and events first. Want to be on the list? Send us an e-mail at ysweb @ lacnm dot us to get added! You can also hear about what's happening by visiting the library's teen website!

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (reviewed by Bear Schacht)

2010-08-18T11:23:00.002-06:00

A prison like no other........

Long ago Incarceron was built, and many prisoners were placed inside. It was intended to create a perfect society, but something went terribly wrong. On the inside, everything is in chaos. The strong rule the weak, and the living prison does nothing but observe. On the outside time has been outlawed, and everyone is forced to live in a past era, and most of them have no idea what is going on inside.

Claudia is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron. Finn is inside, but has vague memories of the outside.

Both struggle in their different worlds, until they both find mysterious crystal keys with which they can communicate. Claudia finds her way into incarceron, and they try to escape back out, something that has been done only once before. Trouble is, that's against the rules. The prison was designed to keep people in, and it does not want them to leave.

A gripping and complex story, masterfully told with plenty of suspense and plot twists, a must-read for any steampunk fan.

(and then, at the end, with the thing, and it's like...... SOOOO awesome!)

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Ah, Incarceron, one of my favorites!! Click here to check our catalog to see if Incarceron is on the shelves.

Bear reviewed Incarceron as part of our special summer promotion: review a book and get the ADVANCE READING COPY (ARC) of the sequel, giving him a chance to read it MONTHS before it was released! How did Bear find out about this amazing promotion?! He's signed up for the library's teen e-mail list, so he gets to hear about all the latest news, promotions, programs, and events first. Want to be on the list? Send us an e-mail at ysweb @ lacnm dot us to get added! You can also hear about what's happening by visiting the library's teen website!

The Gorgon's Gaze by Julia Golding (reviewed by Kristi Davis)

2010-07-06T19:24:00.003-06:00

The thing that I liked the most about this book is that some of the people are paired with different magical creatures that are not supposed to exist. Like unicorns, storm-birts, and dragons. The main character, though, is the only one through the whole book who is paired with all the creatyres and has powers the rest of the people don't have. I like how Col and Connie save each other from Kullervo the evil shape-shifter. I liked it also when Connie got another specific companion other than the shift-shaper. Her other specific companion is Argans the golden undefeatable dragon. It made me angry when her great-aunt took her away to her prison-like house where she forbid Connie to talk to or have anything to do with the society.

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Huzzah for new reviewers, thanks to Kristi for her first (of many, I am sure) contribution! You, too, can review for this blog. Send us your reviews today and next thing you know, they'll be up here on the blog. Kristi submitted her review as part of our amazing summer reading program, by reviewing a book she has a chance to win an amazing prize in our end of summer BIG PRIZE BONANZA. YOU still have time to be part of summer reading. For more information, come in to the library today or visit our website.

This series, The Companions Quartet by Julia Golding, is one of my favorites and a great read-alike for Percy Jackson fans! Click here to check our catalog to see if The Gorgon's Gaze is on the shelves.

I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells (reviewed by Joe Stradling)

2010-07-06T19:14:00.008-06:00

The hero of I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells is John Wayne Cleaver. His main struggle is that he is dealing with a set of problems that stem from his uncanny emotional resemblance to other serial killers at his age, with symptoms up to and including arson, animal cruelty, and sociopathy. He lives in a mortuary with his single mother and his name is eerily similar to the name of the infamous murderer John Wayne Gacy plus the iconic implement of butchery and horror flicks. His (apparently entirely reasonable) belief is that the universe is aligning circumstance so that he will become a full-blown serial killer, however unwillingly. His goal is to prevent this seemingly forgone conclusion.

Regrettably, his will is tested when he oversteps the rules in which he has encased himself out of fascination for a murderer who is striking in his town. The draw to this like-minded celebrity is too much for him to handle and he starts to use his vast and, in some cases, personal knowledge to track down the killer and hopefully bring him to justice. His efforts start to prove successful but the task vastly different than it appears and, perhaps, impossible.

I liked this book. The character found in John Wayne Cleaver is engaging and unique, there was good narrative drive, and the plot was surprising. It had an unorthodox view on the thoughts and feelings that accompany the emotionally blind and deaf. It was graphic and bloody and interesting. It was a story of destiny and redemption, and was overall a good read.

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Huzzah for new reviewers, thanks to Joe for his first (of many, I am sure) contribution! You, too, can review for this blog. Send us your reviews today and next thing you know, they'll be up here on the blog.

Joe reviewed a book that wasn't yet added to the library's collection to let us know if he thought it was worth adding to the shelves. Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy or add books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be a pre-reviewer for certain titles!

Impossible by Nancy Werlin (reviewed by Alanna Cover)

2010-07-06T18:44:00.003-06:00

Another spoiler-tastic and FANATASICAL review from Alanna, turn away if you don't want to be spoiled, but read on if you want a great review!!

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Impossible is amazing. ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY AMAAAAZING!!!~

The book starts out with little Lucinda Scarborough at age six finding a compartment. Nancy perfectly describes the amazement of a child when she finds something seemingly magical and secret. Her hiding place for anything. She finds a letter inside, but since she cannot read cursive, discards it, hides it in her older friend's birthday gift to her: a Yastrzemski Red Sox shirt. She hopes it'll fit her the next year, on her seventh birthday, but she completely forgets about both the letter and the T-Shirt. Thus ends the awesome prologue.

Lucinda Scarborough, 17 years old, wants to be normal. But how can she do that when her birth mother, Miranda, is mentally ill and decides to follow her around? She sings this song over and over, it's a haunting song that her foster father, Leo, taught Lucy, having been taught by Miranda before she went beserk. But how can she tell any of her friends that that crazy homeless lady that wanders around the school with a shopping cart is really her mother? She doesn't. Why would she? But, despite that, she IS a normal girl, with everyday problems. Her best friend, Sarah, has so many boyfriend problems, she's a pretty average student, and is on the hurdling team for her school's track team. Life couldn't get any worse, or better, really... but could it?

Her childhood friend, Zach, is coming home that summer to live with them from college, and Lucy is going to her first prom... with a guy! A real life guy! All's well until Miranda shows up at her house and throws glass and plastic bottles at them. Hurting her date's car. The guy drives off, and Lucy feels terrible. Miranda is picked up by the cops, Soledad, Lucy's foster mother and Miranda's best friend, is hurt (more about the fact that Miranda doesn't seem to listen to her, but also because Miranda elbowed her in the nose.) and their guest is oddly fine with it. Lucy's date drives back and picks her up, to Lucy's glee, and takes her to prom after all. Where, simply and something you actually wouldn't expect, he rapes her. Then crashes into a tree.

Whoah... WHAT?!

Back track: yes, after he raped her, he drove off and smashed into a tree... THIS BOOK IS INTENSE!!! ^-^

Anyways, Zach picks her up and takes her home, and he is not happy. Not happy at all. They don't tell the police about what happened, when they are questioned about the way the boy crashed into the tree.

Things start to happen after that... they find out that Lucy is pregnant with Gray Spencer's baby, they find Miranda's journal, they find the letter in the hidden compartment again, and they learn of the three tasks. They learn of her curse. Lucy's maternal family has the same fate: Give birth and go crazy. And the funny thing? They all got pregnant at the same age: 18. And they were all unmarried. Whoah... creepy. After researching more into this (after Zach proclaims his undying love for Lucy (awww... sweeet!! ^-^)) they have no choice but to try to complete the three impossible tasks: make a seamless shirt without needles, find an acre of land between the land and sea, and plow it with a goat's horn and sow it with one grain of corn.

Ouch much? How do you make a seamless shirt? Without needles? What the..? I've been kinda obsessed with my own sewing machine, I know how to make clothes, and seamless? Without needles? Impossible!! Hah! Not for them... They someone used felt and a washing machine to fuse the felt together to make a shirt. As Lucy makes the dummy for the shirt using Zach as a model, he asks her to marry him (^-^) she accepts, it's the best thing for her daughter if she goes crazy.

Then, they have trouble on the second task: I mean, how do you find an acre of land between land and sea? Is there such a thing? And an acre? I was thinking of something related, but it wouldn't ever be an acre anyways.

Anyways, so Zach and Lucy get married as soon as possible, and they fight to get the last two tasks, buying goat horns and wheelbarrow, she figures out how to do the third task... but where is the land? Several of the chapters was trying to find the land, which she soon finds after she meets the Elfin Knight, the man whom put the curse on her family. It is one of Soledad's colleagues: the drop-dead handsom Padraig Seeley. Anyways, they get to the land in Canada, where at high tide is saltwater, and low tide is land. And Lucy begins to plow. She fights as hard as she can with a due date in the next couple of days, and plows as hard as she can, sowing what she plowed with tiny corn particles mixed into sand. On her last three rows, she meets again with the Elfin Knight who gives her a new option: Stop working, and I'll get rid of the curse, if you come with me, if you be my true love.

Lucy gives up! She walks away to stand with her husband, who pushes her back, and helps her push the wheelbarrow again. They finish it right before the tide comes in. And Lucy is in labor. She went into labor three quarters of the way through. And their baby girl is on the way.
Zach rushes his wife to a nearby house and delivers the baby, they give her the name Dawn Greenfield. Not Dawn Scarborough Greenfield. Dawn Greenfield. Simple as that. The Elfin Knight comes to take her. Zach steps in, when he finally sees him, and gives him something the other two did not think of. Lucy did not voice her give in... therefore, it doesn't count. The Elfin Knight, in a fit of rage, leaves.

Lucy is free, the Scarboroughs are free. HAPPY ENDING!!!

But wait!! What happens to the other women who were previously mentally ill? Miranda shows up to a celebratory party... perfectly fine. Goodbye illness!! ^-^

Amazing ending! I was not expecting that!! I thought the Elfin Knight would keep them =/ BUT THIS IS BETTER!! ^-^

Nancy, you are an amazing author!! ^-^ Now I'm gunna read your other books that are lying on my bed ^-^

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Soooo true, Alanna, Nancy IS an amazing author and Impossible is very, very good!

Click here to check our catalog to see if Impossible is one the shelves.

The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller (reviewed by Bear Schacht)

2010-07-06T18:30:00.006-06:00

Have you ever fallen in love at first sight? Do you long for places you've never been? Do you often experience the sensation of dejavu? If you've answered yes to any of these questions, you may have experienced a previous life.

Haven Moore is a girl trying to survive a few more months until she turns eighteen so she can go to New York to find Ethan. Just a few problems, namely that the has not been to New York, or met someone named Ethan, but she knows a lot about both. She knows this stuff from the visions she has had since a very young age.

Nevertheless she escapes from her grandmother, goes to New York and finds the guy she thinks is Ethan. He whisks her off to Rome, which is where they met in a previous life.

I enjoyed this book, and it was written well enough that I changed my mind a few times about wether or not this Ethan guy (now called Iain) was a good guy or a murderer. I also thought that the idea of people who retain memories or skills from their past lives was pretty interesting. I think that it would come in handy to have some skill, without the hassle of actually learning it :)

I would recommend reading The Eternal Ones, but it actually coming out until August, so you might have to wait...

(Haha!)

(I mean, that is really too bad for you.)

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I have to agree with Bear, this is one of my favorites of the year so far. Such cool past-lives stuff going on. The author, Kirsten Miller, has an amazing blog for the book that has these really neat "Who Were You?" past life vignettes. Go read!!

Bear reviewed an ADVANCE READER'S COPY (ARC) of this book, meaning he got a chance to read it before it was published (six months before it was published, that's why Bear was laughing...) and he had a chance to let the library know if it he thought we should purchase it for our shelves or not.

Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an advance reviewer.

Solitary: Escape from Furnace 2 by Alexander Gordon Smith (reviewed by Zach Fields)

2010-05-24T15:23:00.003-06:00

This was a well paced book that was even better than the first. I look forward to the third. This book mixed suspense with a little bit of comedy. It was a thrilling book to read. I didn’t want to put it down. I can’t wait to find out what happens next. Even though most sequels aren’t as good as the first book, this one pulled it off! Keep it up!

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Hoorah for new reviewers, thanks to Zach for his first contribution! You, too, can review for this blog. Send us your reviews today and next thing you know, they'll be up here on the blog. You might even get lucky and get the chance to review an ARC like Zach did.

Zach reviewed an ADVANCE READER'S COPY (ARC) of this book, meaning he got a chance to read it before it was published. (FIVE MONTHS before it was published!) and he had a chance to let the library know if it he thought we should purchase it for our shelves or not.

Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an advance reviewer.

Taken by Norah McClintock (reviewed by Alanna Cover)

2010-05-24T15:20:00.003-06:00

Stephanie Rawls is a normal girl with an average girl. She is the daughter of a widowed woman who hasn't understood her for a long time, she has good friends that worry about her, and a goofy and annoying stepfather.

When reports of missing girls come closer to their town, many people lock up, terrified of whatever monster there might be out there that is killing these girls and burying them nearby. But Stephanie is skeptical about these reports, and believes, as many of us would, that it could never (I mean, absolutely NEVER!!) happen to her. But she is VERY wrong. Because one night while walking home from her average weekend shopping trip with her best friend, she is caught from behind and knocked out with some kind of drug injected into her arm.

She wakes up, tied ankle to wrists, and begins her freaking out stage. When she pulls herself together, she finds an outcropping of nail in the wall and cuts herself free. Taking what she can from the empty little abandoned shack that she was placed in, she runs into the endless woods. Taking sight of a far off town, she uses her survival skills her grandfather taught her to get there.

Except for many problems along the way which include a horrifying fear that whoever it was will come after her, hunger, dehydration, a heavy cold, and a badly sprained ankle. She's terrified that she won't get help soon enough, or that she'll die along the way. Eating what is under the bark of birch trees, she gets along as well as she can without a stove or any other food.

One morning, the day after she fell into a hole and sprained her ankle, she runs into a bear. Almost literally, too! It runs after her, and she knows that she's dead, she won't make it to safety because she cannot run, until a gunshot sounds loudly. Is it the man? The man is gruff to her, but kind. Finally, she believes that he's not the serial killer. This man is a ranger named Zeke. He carries her to a nearby cabin which is residence to a police officer named Les Adruksen. Les informs her parents, and she gets checked out and questioned, and she is sent home.

And then something weird starts to happen. She still has the chain which she pulled from the man's neck. And Gregg, her stepfather who is a slob, leaves some really messy clothes in the bathroom the night she gets home. His socks are muddy, the collar of his shirt is bloody, and his pants aren't too pretty either. She dismisses it at first. But then, she looks at his running log (he does these runs to get more money, getting to machines and emptying the money from them and coming back with what he has, it's not much, but it helps him get by.) and on the days that the girls before her were taken, his running logs went for a day or two. On the day that she went missing, the log was also a longer period of time. She makes some calls, and finds that he was late to the call he was supposed to make the day she was gone.

She calls the officer immediately. They have the chain, and ask questions on the necklace her mother gave him. It turns out it was the chain around his neck, and he is taken into interrogation.

Gregg kidnapped her.

Unfortunately, he wasn't the serial killer. He had used the instances with the other two girls her age to make it seem like it wasn't him who had kidnapped Stephanie. He just wanted Stephanie's mother and his relationship to start from scratch, without her daughter in the way, like they had first met. He is put in jail. Stephanie's mother vows never to date anyone else (Which, honestly, is a little rash.) and Stephanie vows never to walk home alone at night.

This was an amazing story of courage and fear. The thing that will always be in my mind is the rules she went by: Give up or go on.

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Wow, Alanna, that sounds like a complete page turner and too scary to read alone at night! ^__^ Thanks for the review!

Click here to check our catalog to see if Taken is on the shelves.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (reviewed by Bear Schacht)

2010-05-24T15:17:00.003-06:00

If you take an intriguing setting and a cool space station training camp, then you mix it with a lot of tension and a zero gravity combat game and a twelve year old boy who saves the world, then you put a big surprise at the end and you get one of my favorite science fiction books, Ender’s Game. Ender’s Game is a very intense, keep the pages turning kind of book, but is fairly easy to read, and being just over 300 pages it is not all that long. I would recommend Ender’s Game to any science fiction fan looking for a good read.

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And what a surprise it is! ^___~ This is one of my classic favorites!

Click here to check our catalog to see if Ender's Game is on the shelves.

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett (reviewed by Adam Sayre)

2010-05-24T14:44:00.006-06:00

The curious mind of Terry Pratchett has produced yet another Discworld novel. This is the tale of Moist von Lipwig, criminal and con artist. After being hung, he comes back and is offered the job of Postmaster General. Problem is, the postal service hasn’t run in decades, what with the clocks transmitting messages at the speed of light. Ever since the postal service shut down, letters have been piling up. Literally. What Moist thought would be an easy job turns out to be more than he expected. What will he do?

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MORE Terry Pratchett, huzzah! Believe it or not ... this is Adam's last submitted review. O_o Can it be?! Until he submits some more reviews (sooner than later, right?) I want to thank Adam for being a top reviewer. He always had something to say and that always made this blog better. (and for being a top reviewer, he got lots of perks, like the first peak at many books and lots of advance reader books . . .) Just think YOU could also be a top reviewer ... if you just start writing some reviews for this blog.

Click here to check our catalog to see if Going Postal is on the shelves.

Looking for Alaska by John Green (reviewed by Alanna Cover)

2010-03-12T17:13:00.004-07:00

Looking for Alaska by John Green was an amazing addition to my inspiration library. I cracked its spine and found a world of wonder within.

The book is about a boy whose name is really Miles Halter, but for now we'll call him Pudge, as nicknamed in the book-who is looking for something. Have you ever had that sensation, that you're looking for something of great importance? Something that is so important that no one can comprehend why you're looking for it because-guess what?-even YOU don't even know what it is?

Well... That's Pudge's case. Pudge enjoys memorizing people's last words. An odd hobby, you have to admit, but I was enthralled by how amazing the hobby could be, what positive outcomes it could give. Furthermore on Pudge's situation, he doesn't know how to find that Great Perhaps (definitely the appropriate name, kudos to John Green and his obsession with last words as well!!) with a maximum of two friends, and practically no life.

Easy and most reliable solution: Go to the private school your father went to when he was in high school.

And Pudge does just this, and finds himself at Culver Creek in Alabama, far from his Floridan hometown. Who does he meet? A short and gruff roommate, named appropriately, for his sharp tongue and habits, as the Colonel; a beat-boxin' Japanese crunchy-fries-lover who can talk with his mouth full (Wonderful, isn't it?) named Takumi; a pretty, noble-born Romanian girl named Lara; and a beautiful, charismatic, tobacco and alcohol addicted girl named Alaska, whom Pudge falls helplessly head-over-heels for.

Things are getting better in his view as his life becomes normal for a simple teenage boy living in a private school, until a prank occurs. They dye the rich-kids' hair blue, and send out forged progress reports.

At first, it seems even better, as he begins to date the Romanian beauty, Lara. But soon, he finds himself mouth-to-mouth with the girl of his dreams: Alaska. Alaska has dared him to "hook-up with her," and he does just that. And around midnight, they stop making out and she gives him an unkept promise, "To be continued..." And comes in a few hours later, crying and screaming, saying that she forgot something, and she needs Pudge and the Colonel's help to get her off campus. The next day, The Eagle-the principal of the school-calls the entire school into the gym for an important announcement. Alaska is dead.

At this point in the book, I was very depressed at the thought of Alaska having died, it really ruined my entire day, to be honest. But as I continued to read, I found out why this was the only best solution for the story, otherwise, it would be just a boring book about some kid's life.

This is because the Colonel and Pudge go out of their way to find out why and how Alaska died, besides the basics. Yes, she was in a head-on collision with a police officer, but how did she die? What really happened that night?

As they get down to the nitty-gritty of their friend's end, Pudge learns a valuable lesson. Only by the last page does John Green have Pudge learn his entire lesson. And Pudge writes a paper to his teacher with his lesson. After being confused over whether or not he should be mad at her, or himself, he found that he forgave her. And he forgave himself. Why? Because she forgave him. She doesn't care anymore. It's been months since her death, and he forgives her.

This book was amazing, it really had me on the edge of my seat for a month, and I apologize to the library for keeping it overdue! There was certainly more to it than the cover gave away. I definitely recommend it to all teens and up. Preferably above 13, please. It does contain material unnecessary for certain audiences, with heavy sexual and alcohol themes. Now, I'm on to reading An Abundance of Katherines!

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Thank you, Alanna, yet another superb first time reviewer. I have to admit: I LOVE THIS REVIEW...almost as much as I love John Green's amazing, one-of-a-kind, EPIC book!! What's especially cool is that Alanna decided to read this book after recommendations made during our last Teen Book Club author chat, as both the author (Gail Giles) and her fellow book club members recommended the book. Onward to Nerdfighteria! \o/

Click here to check our catalog to see if Looking for Alaska is on the shelves.

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting (reviewed by Xian Eutsler)

2010-03-12T16:57:00.004-07:00

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting is about sixteen year old Violet Ambrose, her best friend Jay Heaton, a serial killer, and a secret that threatens not only Violet, but everyone around her as well.

When sixteen year old Violet Ambrose finds a body at eight years old, her life changes forever. Now sixteen years old, Violet discovers new feelings for her best friend Jay Heaton. At the same time her secret ability threatens the work of a serial killer. While figuring out her feelings for Jay, and finding out who the serial killer is, Violet has enough to worry about. What makes matters worse is that for every body and clue she finds the closer the serial killer gets to finding out who is finding the bodies and stirring up secrets he doesn’t want found.

Now this isn’t supernatural fiction, but it’s a great read. Having the ability to find dead bodies (murdered ones) is not my idea of a wonderful ability. But then again, anything is possible. Though this book doesn’t have extreme romance, it makes up for it with a haunting story. This book had me reading nonstop. We all know how love is, complex, frustrating. Add to that an ability to find the bodies of murdered girls.

The great thing about this book is that it kept me reading. First telling the story through Violet’s point of view, then switching to the serial killer’s point of view every few chapters. Then when Violet starts experiencing new feelings with Jay, she knows that he will support her through whatever happens, whether the serial killer is found or not.

There is nothing I didn’t like about The Body Finder. This book has its own special touch. The kind of ability is possible, though not exactly like this. But there are instances like this, this book just tells the story from a sixteen year old’s point of view at a time when teenagers experience new things, natural and supernatural.

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Hoorah for new readers, thanks for submitting a fantastic review, Xian! You, too, can review for this blog. Send us your reviews today and next thing you know, they'll be up here on the blog, huzzah! ^__^ You might even get lucky and get the chance to review an ARC like Xian did.

Xian reviewed an ADVANCE READER'S COPY (ARC) of this book, meaning she got a chance to read it before it was published and she had a chance to let the library know if it she thought we should purchase it for our shelves or not.

Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an advance reviewer.

Blackbringer by Laini Taylor (reviewed by Bear Schacht)

2010-03-12T16:42:00.004-07:00

Magpie Windwitch, granddaughter of the West Wind, is a fairy, but unlike the other faeries she travels around with a bunch of crows catching snags (devils). These snags were all caught and trapped by the legendary hero Bellatrix (As a Harry Potter reader, that name threw me. Bellatrix the hero?) but after the mannies (humans) came along with their curiosity and stupidity and started opening the bottles the snags were trapped in, well, things took a turn for the worse. Then the greatest snag of all, worse then a snag, the Blackbringer is let lose. Now Magpie has to figure out how to stop it. Unfortunately, the faeries have forgotten much of their past, so the only one who knows the awnsers is the Djinn who dreamed up the world in the first place....

I enjoyed this book very much. It was a fun read, with an interesting take on the different species and a new magic system (I love those). Jacksmoke, do you really need any more reasons to read the book?!

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Thanks, Bear. This (Faeries of Dreamdark) is one of my favorite new fantasy series too! Who doesn't love them some hardcore faeries?!

Click here to check our catalog to see if Blackbringer is on the shelves.

The Promethus Deception by Robert Ludlum (reviewed by Adam Sayre)

2010-03-12T16:35:00.003-07:00

This book is better than most! Nick Bryson works for the Directorate, a freelance combination of the CIA and the FBI. But when an undercover mission goes south, the Directorate gives him a new identity, effectively firing him. Three years later, when his cover is blown, he's on his own. He learns that the Directorate is not what it seems, and is heading into an endgame with disastrous implications. The director of the CIA hires Bryson to infilitrate the Directorate and stop them from doing whatever it is they're doing. Bryson's field skills are rusty, his contacts unreliable, and, just to lighten the pressure, millions of lives hang in the balance.

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Thanks as always, Adam. ^__~ This review is a reminder that this blog welcomes reviews of ALL library material, not just teen stuff. You can review adult books, magazines, books on CD, DVDs, music CDs, video games ... anything you can get at the library, you can review on this site!!

Click here to check our catalog to see if The Promethus Deception is on the shelves.

Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley (reviewed by Emily TenCate)

2010-02-04T19:51:00.001-07:00

Emily's parents just died in a tragic plane crash, and the only thing the firefighters found intact was a tray table with the words "Emily, please forgive me," scrawled in bright red lipstick. So what does Emily do?

If you guessed anything besides a full body makeover (say, for instance, trying to figure out what her dying mother's final message meant), you're wrong.

Emily's next move is, of course, to become popular queen at her new high school, speedily attracting the attentions of the two cutest boys in school. Our endearing, two-dimensional protagonist then proceeds to spend the rest of the book trying to figure out what boy she actually wants.

I suppose a person less fundamentally opposed to the genre of fluffy teen romance might call what Emily is doing "moving on." All I'm seeing here, though, is a desperate, grasping attempt by the author to make your typical high-school romance a tad more interesting than usual. That's a tall order, as it turns out, but throw in a gay hairdresser, (and absolute must when you're trying to avoid cringe-worthy cliches!) a couple of backstabbing friends, and a super rich and famous relative and you've practically got the whole novel mapped out in front of you.

And here I was expecting a mystery story. In 284 pages, the book manages to mention Emily's mother's dying message a grand total of 4 times, dealing conveniently with the issue by letting Emily find a journal explaining everything in less than a chapter of the novel. This, of course, allows Emily to pursue more suitable interest - namely, boy-chasing. The only real mystery in this book is the strange, out-of-context appearance of blatant moralizing -- and, of course, why any self-respecting hairdresser (even a fictional, gay one) would speak the words, "Owen is a hot-boy name!" I'll be cringing for the next three weeks.

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OUCH EMILY, TELL US HOW YOU REALLY FEEL!!! ^__~

Big thanks to Emily for her amazing, completely honest, unvarnished review that pulls no punches. That's what I like to hear, people passionate about books!

Emily reviewed an ADVANCE READER'S COPY (ARC) of this book, meaning she got a chance to read it before it was published and she had a chance to let the library know if it she thought we should purchase it for our shelves or not.

Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an advance reviewer.

Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley (reviewed by Lauren TenCate)

2010-02-04T17:24:00.004-07:00

The book Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley is an okay book. It begins with a girl named Emily, who is being left home alone (with her aunt to check on her) while her parents go on vacation. Unfortunately, Emily's parents die in a plane crash on their way there. The only thing that people could find among the wreckage is Emily's Mom's last words - Emily, please forgive me - scrawled with her mother's hideous red lipstick on a tray table. Before she can figure out what this means, Emily is whisked away to live with her aunt in New York (who is a makeup artist). There Emily tries to fit in at her new school. However, the tray table incident has made her very popular and two boys are pursuing her: Owen, who is popular and Anthony, her chemistry partner. Owen is rather inconsiderate of other's feelings as Emily finds out. Anthony, on the other hand, is nice, funny, and smart. Eventually, she gets together with Anthony, finally finds out what her mother's apology meant and all is well.

What I didn't like about this book was that basically the whole idea of it was that this girl Emily was trying to find out what her mother's apology meant except that's only mentioned 3 or 4 times throughout the whole book. Basically, it's a romance novel. If you're into mysteries, don't bother. Another thing about it is that it's mostly written for older girls. However, it was interesting and the beginning was funny. All in all it was a "not that great" book in my opinion.

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Thanks for the honesty, Lauren, we appreciate it!

Lauren reviewed an ADVANCE READER'S COPY (ARC) of this book, meaning she got a chance to read it before it was published and she had a chance to let the library know if it she thought we should purchase it for our shelves or not.

Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an advance reviewer.

Extra thanks go out to Lauren, who passed this book along to her sister Emily . . . who is going to review this book next. Do you think she liked it any more. . .

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld (reviewed by Bear Schact)

2010-02-04T17:14:00.005-07:00

Steam punk is a genre I had heard of, but wasn't familiar with. Leviathan is based around fact, and is set in the summer of 1914, before WWI. However, the two opposing sides are the Darwinist power and the Clanker power. The Clankers use complex machines (that clank), while the Darwinists learned to use DNA to create new species, like the airship Leviathan, actually a whale that is mixed with some other stuff so it can produce hydrogen, and fly (or float, actually). A sky whale. Weird, huh? I enjoyed the story (I read it in one day actually), which was told from the perspective of two different characters, one from each side. The illustrations were pretty cool as well. I am definitely looking forward to the sequel.

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We're all dying for the sequel, Bear!

Click here to check our catalog to see if Leviathan is on the shelves.

Steampunk is so hot right now. Remember if you ever read a book you like and want more like it? The library can hook you up! Another steampunk book you might like is Larklight by Philip Reeve, which is reviewed right here on our blog!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith (reviewed by Adam Sayre)

2010-02-04T17:07:00.006-07:00

This is a quirky take on a classic novel that we all know. The twist is that Britan has been overrun with a zombie plague. Elizabeth and her sisters have been highly trained in Chinese fighting arts and Mr. Darcy is a renowned zombie killer. At first glance, the book seems to be a bad zombie thriller with the classic gentry lady missing something, namely her throat and jaw. The book holds to the original plot. More or less. The author just couldn't resist adding the occasional fight and zombie attack. Austen and zombie lovers alike will enjoy this amusing book.

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And who isn't a little of both, right Adam? ;)

Click here to check our catalog to see if Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is on the shelves.

The Soldiers of Halla by D.J MacHale (reviwed by Bear Schact)

2009-11-18T16:22:00.006-07:00

I have enjoyed the other books in the Pendragon series a lot, and The Soldiers of Halla was no different. Besides the story, which I thought was good, the writing style and pacing was very engaging and easy to understand. It had been awhile since I read the ninth book, so I had forgotten how much needed to be tied up and explained, and this book explained everything about the travelers and visited several territories of Halla. It was pretty cool to see them again, even if they were all messed up by Saint Dane. I would recommend the Pendragon series to just about any fiction fan, as it is possibly my second favorite book series after Harry Potter.

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Thanks to Bear for the review of another series favorite!

Click here to check our catalog to see if The Soldiers of Halla is on the shelves.

Abhorsen by Garth Nix (reviewed by Adam Sayre)

2009-11-18T16:17:00.002-07:00

This book ends the thrilling Sabriel trilogy. Lirael is now Abhorsen, commanding life and death with her magical set of bells. With Sam’s help, she must prevent the most terrible of things from happening, and save Sam’s normal friend! Hoards of the dead have been called and the final battle nears. Nick, Sam’s friend, has a dream of a Lightning Farm, but it’s not very benign! Sam must muster his courage and stand with the others against the greatest evil our heroes have faced yet!

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Thanks Adam for another review of an "old" favorite! ^__~

Click here to check our catalog to see if Abhorsen is on the shelves.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (reviewed by Lauren TenCate)

2009-11-18T16:13:00.002-07:00

Artemis Fowl is perhaps one of my favorite books. In it, 12 year old boy genius and master mind Artemis Fowl plans to restore his family fortune by kidnapping a fairy and holding them for ransom. Oddly enough, Artemis succeeds in his plan but the fairies are smart too. They get a kleptomaniac tunnel dwarf named Mulch to break into Fowl Manor (where Artemis lives) and steal the fairy out. Unfortunately, Holly (the fairy who was kidnapped) can’t leave because she is under orders not to. (and if a fairy breaks orders they lose their magic.) It’s a very interesting book and it’s funny too. I thought it was a great book, if a little outlandish.

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Thanks Lauren, for that review of an old favorite. Don't forget, you can write reviews of 'older' books you REALLY LOVED too.

Click here to check our catalog to see if Artemis Fowl is on the shelves.

Troy High by Shana Norris (reviewed by Vickie Wang)

2009-09-02T12:23:00.003-06:00

Troy High by Shana Norris is a novel that retells the classic tale of Homer's Illiad to be a modern high school drama, complete with cheerleaders, football players, band geeks, the like. When former Spartan High cheerleader, Elena, falls in love with Troy High's football hunk Perry, it sparks a rivalry of practical jokes and pranks that get more and more out of hand... And poor Cassie, Perry's little band major sister, is stuck in the middle of it, having to choose between loyalty to her school and the her best friend, and love of her life, who is a Spartan.

I personally did not like the novel that much. The characters were kind of FORCED into being their Illiad counterparts. For example, Perry was supposed to be like Paris from the Illiad in the aspect that both were very vain and did not want to be forced into battle; however, Perry not wanting to go play football is not like Paris not wanting to go to war. The book just seemed to water down the excitement of the Illiad. However, the author did a really good job making parallel characters; I just wish the Troy High characters also had some more personality of their own as well.

Troy High seemed to downplay the drama of the Illiad to make it fit into a novel that high schoolers could relate to. I really liked the idea of modernizing the Illiad. I just wish that Norris did so in a way with a twist so that it was both relateable but not completely predictable for those who know the Illiad (such as adding a flaw to the hero, or getting into the head of Helen/Elena).

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Vickie reviewed an ADVANCE READER'S COPY (ARC) of this book, meaning she got a chance to read it before it was published and she had a chance to let the library know if it she thought we should purchase it for our shelves or not.

Do YOU want a chance to read and review books before they're published? Do YOU think you could give your opinion on if the library/other people should buy these books? If so, you can ask at youth services or send us an e-mail for more information on how you can get a chance to be an advance reviewer.

Extra big thanks to Vickie for her great review and her hard work being one of our advance reviewers!

Harry, A History by Melissa Anelli (reviewed by Bear Schacht)

2009-09-02T12:14:00.006-06:00

I have been a fan of Harry Potter for about half my life, but when I was first introduced to it I was too young to do anything except enjoy the books. The biggest Harry Potter related event I ever attended was the midnight release of the seventh book, which only had about 200 people and was over at 3 AM. Reading Harry, A History was a different perspective entirely. It told all the stories, from the original idea through the early days of the series, the birth of the online fandom, the origins of wizard rock, the controversy over and the banning of the books, interviews with J.K. Rowling, and the 'shipping wars at conferences to the Harry and the Potters concert in Boston's Harvard Square that was attended by 15,000 people. If you are a fan of Harry Potter and curious about the phenomenon, you should read this book.

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Big thanks to Bear for our VERY FIRST EVER non-fiction review. Whooo! Yes, you can review non-fiction books too. So find a book about something too amazing/gross/cool too be made up and write a review!

Click here to check our catalog to see if Harry, A History is on the shelves.

A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer (reviewed by Anna Wermer)

2009-09-02T12:10:00.003-06:00

This book was great. The story is simple but broke down into more complicated parts. It's a story of a 12 year old that is working her way into womanhood, so every preteen can relate. It's a foreign book about tribes and old beliefs that put you into someone else's shoes. A Girl Named Disaster is full of adventure and laughs. There were intense parts that kept me reading. I didn't want to put the book down. I liked the book because it was an interesting topic that I could somewhat relate to, but there were boring parts that went on and on. Also, since it was about being in a tribe and there were different beliefs, it was confusing and sometimes hard to relate to how the characters are feeling or thinking. I would still recommend the book to preteen girls.

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Thanks, Anna for another great review!

Click here to check our catalog to see if A Girl Named Disaster is on the shelves.

Thud! by Terry Pratchett (reviewed by Adam Sayre)

2009-09-02T12:03:00.003-06:00

In Thud! by Terry Pratchett, city watch commander Sam Vimes is confronted with some dire problems. The Trolls and the Dwarves are fighting. Again. It's the anniversary of the Toom Valley Battle, where the Trolls attacked the Dwarves or the Dwarves attacked the Trolls. The conflict is splitting the city and Sam's watch. Now it's up to him to find out, once and for all, who started it.

Oh yes, at six o'clock every day, Sam must go home and read Where's My Cow? with all the right barnyard noises. There are some things you have to do!

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Good review of a classic, Adam!

Click here to check our catalog to see if Thud! is on the shelves.

Swoon by Nina Malkin (reviewed by Lindy Jacobs)

2009-09-02T12:00:00.003-06:00

"Swoon" by Nina Malkin, has one of those titles that usually scares me off right from the get-go. I mean, with a name like that it's practically guaranteed to be a typical teen romance, right? Well, this book is a romance, but it's not completely typical. The main character, instead of falling in love with the top jock, is in love with a ghost. And instead of becoming a happy twosome with a long future ahead, they go their separate ways in the end (though with the conclusion that she “doesn't need Sin here to be with him”). The basic plot is reasonable and goes at a good pace—it doesn't randomly skip years for no good reason or drag over scenes that should be short—and it introduces characters well. My main complaint is that this book seems really into discussing sexual relationships, including one rather creepy spanking session, using sentences of a length usually expected only in elementary school. The diction is fine for the most part. However, the number of times the book takes a break from the plot to start talking about the sexual positions everyone happens to be in at that particular moment in time, as well as the detours it seems to make simply to encompass more sexual comments, is a little scary. I'd actually say that this book is perfect for middle schoolers: it talks frequently about sex and relationships using short sentences combined with somewhat high diction, which seems to be a mixture most people that age enjoy.

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Thanks for the totally honest opinion, Lindy, that's the kind we like the best! ^__^

Click here to check our catalog to see if Swoon is on the shelf so you can try it out for yourself and see if you agree with Lindy!!

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, vol. 1: The Pox Party by MT Anderson (reviewed by Adam Sayre AND Lauren TenCate)

2009-08-18T11:08:00.006-06:00

OUR FIRST EVER DOUBLE REVIEW! Whoo! (do you want to review books with a friend? This can be a great chance to get both your voices heard...even if you disagree!)

ADAM:
From the author of Feed comes the peculiar tale of Octavian. Set in and around Boston as the Revolution begins to take its first breaths, Octavian is housed at the Novangelian College of Lucidity and is part of an ongoing science experience attempting to find out whether or not "Negroes" are as intelligent as "Whites." Then the college suddenly changes hands, and the experiment takes a turn for the worse. Having journeyed from the faraway country of Africa, all Octavian's mother, Cassiopeia, wants, is a safe home for her son. And that's exactly what he doesn't get.

LAUREN:
The Pox Party by MT Anderson was a really good book. It was really interesting. It's about a young "Negro" boy named Octavian living far from his homeland in a house of scientists, as they experiment. Eventually with the help of his friend, the servant Pro Bono, he escapes. Out in the real world he stumbles on a bunch of people who like him for who he is. Unfortunately, the scientists capture him, but luck is on his side. The scientists turn on one another and the one who actually cares about Octavian for who he is, not because he's the experiment, takes him. The only bad things about this book was that at times it got a little difficult to figure out what was going on because of the language the author used and it got little dull at times. The things that I really enjoyed was the fact there was plenty of turns in the plot and that the middle of the book was written in letters. That was cool. It was a very serious book, though, all things considered. I thought it was a pretty good book.

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Thanks Lauren and Adam for ALL your reviews and for taking the time to read and review a challenging book that is one of my *all time* favorites! Yay!

Click here to check our catalog to see if Octavian Nothing, vol. 1 is on the shelf.

Nightmare Hour by R.L. Stine (reviewed by Samantha Padilla)

2009-08-18T11:02:00.004-06:00

Nightmare Inn (one story in Nightmare Hour) is about a girl named Jillian that has to go with her mother to buy an Inn. But when her mother leaves toi go to real estate office to but the Inn, Jillian meets a man named James that turns into a werewolf! And then Jillian has to be on the run with a life and death situation.
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Yikes! Thanks for the hair-raising review, Samantha.

Click here to check our catalog to see if Nightmare Hour is on the shelf.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (reviewed by Anna Wermer)

2009-08-18T10:58:00.002-06:00

I love this book. Stephenie Meyer writes in a way that is easy to understand, so you don't need a broad vocabulary. It's really easy for girls to relate to because its in a girls point of view, but it's an amazing book for the whole family. Twilight starts with what seems to be normal, but turns into a complete twist, which makes it interesting. Even though it's a fictional story, Twilight has conflicts in it that every teenager can relate to. The love and the passion in the story glued me to the book and once it was over I was sad and couldn't wait to read the next book.

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Thanks for being the first person to review Twilight, Anna ... I am sure some other people have some thoughts about this book/author too! Let's hear them!! ^__^

Click here to check our catalog to see if Twilight is on the shelf.

The Secret Language of Girls by Frances O'Roark Dowell (reviewed by Anna Wermer)

2009-08-18T10:48:00.002-06:00

This book is one of my favorites! Every preteen girl can relate and would love this book. It's a story about a close friendship and growing up. The Secret Language of Girls had the same conflicts and feelings in it that I was going through. This book is full of laughs and emotions that keep the story flowing with experiences that every girl goes through. Best friends have most likely experienced the same problems that have happened in this nook and can learn a little bit about how to solve their friend-related problems by reading this. Any preteen girl growing up and learning to deal with friends and family should read this book.

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Wow Anna, thanks for the rave!

Click here to check our catalog to see if The Secret Language of Girls is on the shelf.

Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix (reviewed by Katelyn Skeen)

2009-08-18T10:44:00.002-06:00

Double Identity is a sci/fi novel about cloning. Parents are abandoning their daughter at a relatives house and won't tell her why! A mysterious man seems to be a spy. What could happen? You will have to read to find out! Any of Haddix's books are great!

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Thanks Katelyn for your first (of hopefully many!) reviews!

Click here to check our catalog to see if Double Identity is on the shelf.

Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz (reviewed by Adam Sayre)

2009-07-02T23:37:00.001-06:00

Would you venture into an abandoned mental hospital? At night? This is the premise of author Laurie Stolarz's book Project 17. Main character Derik LaPointe joins up with Liza, Mimi, Greta, Chet, and Tony to make an amateur movie for a contest. The group ventures to Danvers State Medical Hospital, in the middle of the night. With an appearance of the number 17 in a surprising number of places the kids find out a little more than they bargined for, about Danvers and themselves.
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Project 17 was the last book selection of our Teen Book Group. Our group discussion involved a live, online chat with the fantastic (and cool and kind!) author, Laurie Faria Stolarz, who answered all our questions about the book and how she wrote it! Want to make sure you get to participate in the next book group and author chat? Ask for more info at the youth services desk about how you can join the next conversation.

Super-special-extra thanks to Adam for not just the review but also for being part of the book group!

Click here to check our catalog to see if Project 17 is on the shelf.

The Highwayman's Footsteps by Nicola Morgan (reviewed by Lauren Tencate)

2009-07-02T23:25:00.001-06:00

Inspired by a poem (The Highwayman), The Highway Man's Footsteps is full of adventure, friendship, and emotional conflicts. It begins with Will, a young rich boy running away from home because his family doesn't appreciate him. Unfortunately, he has to steal some money, which causes the militia to come after him. Seeking refuge, he rushes into a shack only to find himself a gunpoint by a young highway man, Bess. She is sick so Will cures her. They decide that chances of survival are better if they stick together. Together, they have many adventures, bonding them closer.

Nicola Morgan does an excellent job of portraying characters feelings such as Will's feelings when an old lady betrays him. Morgan also makes the book interesting, bringing in new characters at every turn and combining sorrow and happiness.
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Woo, Lauren for submitting that review!

Click here to check our catalog to see if The Highwayman's Footsteps is on the shelf.

Amber and Ashes by Margaret Weis (reviewed by Adam Sayre)

2009-07-02T23:19:00.001-06:00

Well, Dragonlance fans; she's back! Margaret Weis returns to the world of Krynn for another trilogy. After Thaksis death, Mina has no where to turn. That is until she is discovered by Chemosh, the god of death. The two, strangely, fall in love, and Mina becomes Chemosh's High Priestess. Together they try to thwart the gods.

As well as expanding the life of Mina, the book introduces a new character, Rhys, an ex-monk of Majere. He works wth Zeboim, the goddess of the sea, to stop Chemosh and Mina.

With a Death Knight and plenty of action, Margaret Weis again produces a smashing hit.
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Yay for Adam's amazing review!

Click here to check our catalog to see if Amber and Ashes is on the shelf.

Larklight by Philip Reeve (reviewed by Vikki Lee)

2009-07-02T23:14:00.002-06:00

Larklight is an amazing book with a twist in practically every chapter. You won't expect anything. Some of the characters and creatures I could never have thought of in a million years. It's one of the best books I've ever read. In the last chapters the story totally changes when an important character is brought into everything at just the right time! It's an action packed adventure in outer space during the 1800s!
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Thanks, Vikki for this awesome review, our very first, w00t! :)

Click here to check our catalog to see if Larklight is on the shelf.