full-ride (343 Pages)

I think I've read just about every book Margaret Haddix has written, starting with her Shadow Children series. This book follows Becca, a young girl  who is just finishing 8th grade. Her father has been arrested for bilking millions of dollars out of people and after a grueling trial, has been found guilty. His sentence is for ten years in jail. Becca and her mother are put into a witness protection program. Meanwhile, Becca is in her final year of high school and goes for a scholarship. In doing so, however, she must reveal some information from her past. Obviously this is a major block in her path. The book is a mystery and has an interesting outcome.

Fangirl (433 Pages)

Who wouldn't want to read a book authored by someone with the name Rainbow?  I hesitated with her first book, but it became my favorite book of the year for me!In this book, Rainbow addresses a number of conflicts: twins growing up (and apart), a mother's rejection and disappearance for ten years,  a father with manic depression, self perception,  and the first year of college. Interspersed are some romances that are just adorable. The twins names are cute Cather and Wren. Get it? when you put them together, it sounds like Catherine! As both girls adjust to their freshman year of college where they are not rooming together for the first time in eighteen years, the reader sees Wren fall into the problem area faced by so many students as she falls into the dangerous point of alchahol poisoning. Throughout the book Cath is writing an eline column taking the characters developed by an author in a series sounding a little like Harry Potter.... One thing I didn't like was seeing Cath's writing put into the pages. Not only was the print of her writing too little for this old lady to disentangle, I wasn't interested in reading about her characters. However, the romance that developed between Cath and Levi was absolutely wonderful. Lots of kissing but no real sex. The kissing was so romantic- it was perfect! I was really pulling for Levi and Cath to last....Ah ever the romantic! You girls will LOVE this book.

The Dark Endeavor (298 Pages)

Kenneth Oppel has written this prequel to Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. It is subtitled "The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein". I was so interested to read about the wealth of the Frankenstein family as well as the relationships of family members and the unusual, somewhat progressive thinking of the parents. Also, I needed to keep reminding myself that medical treatment in the 19th century, was not what it is today. We take so much for granted in terms of medicine where as they were still using leeches to bleed patients of sicknesses!  The book is filled with exciting escapades as Victor, Cousin Elizabeth, and friend Henry attempt to find a cure for Victor's twin brother, Konrad. It is an exciting read ending with Victor's statement, "I promised that I would see my brother again- even if it meant unlocking every secret law of this earth, to bring him back." The book is called Book I, which promises a future read.

The Other Story (307 Pages)

Some of you may have read Tatiana De Rosnay's first novel, Sarah's Key. This is her fourth book, and it is a wonderful read. It is NOT a YA book, but is very interesting. I mention it, because I want to reiterate that I believe schools today need to reach beyond Anne Frank's Diary. Not to negate the importance of that book,  it seems important for educators to look at the many new books that have been written to address the importance of remembering World War II and the Holocaust. I've mentioned several in my posts, and feel it is even more important for teachers to consider as I heard on the news last night that an appalling number of people under the age of 30 have NO knowledge of the war and/or the Holocaust. I am not talking about jerks, such as the former president of Iran. I'm talking about Americans! The Other Story is not about World War II, it just gave me an opportunity to get on a soap box and expound my feelings.

The Maze (374 Pages)

I'm sure I'm the last person to read book one of this James Dashner series....and I must say, it's a little weird. Thomas finds himself in a large, black box being mechanically raised. He is frightened because he can't remember how he got in the box. As a matter of fact, he can't remember anything except his name. When the box stops moving, he finds himself in a peculiar compound inhabited only by boys. He soon is introduced to several of these boys including Alby (the leader of the group), Newt (Alby's second in command),  and several other boys. He discovers that there are specific rules of behavior here, and the boys are known as Gladers. Thomas has a feeling he has been here before, and that he needs to be a Runner. Runners go into the maze every day, trying to find a way out. The walls of the compound move electronically every night,  and it is important for the runners to be back inside the compound before the walls are sealed shut for the night.  If they aren't back in time, they risk being killed by the Grievers. These are mechanical monsters that are programmed to kill the boys. The story continues with Thomas finding out more and more about the mystery of the maze. It is an exciting, fast moving plot that readers will find difficult to put down.

The Invention of Wings ( 359 Pages)

Sue Monk Kidd has such a wonderful knack for developing characters, and Hetty "Handful"  Grimke lives up to this reputation. Handful, is the name her mother gave her, but as was common in the South, pre-Civil War, owners named their slaves and gave these slaves their own last name. Handful and her mother were slaves owned by the Grimke family. Handful was "given" to Sarah on her 11th birthday, and so starts the book which is rich in character, setting, and family values, but also does not spare the reader of the injustices of slavery. The relationship between Sarah and Handful changes slowly over the years and as the book's chapters bounce between Sarah and Handful, the reader sees both characters thoughts and beliefs. I loved every minute of it. Although not written as a YA book, it is one which will be enjoyed by 8th graders on up.

If I STAY ( 234 PAGES)

I just finished reading this book by Gayle Forman, and it's a four kleenexer that girls will love. At the beginning of the book, Mia's family is enjoying the inch of snow that has caused the Portland, Oregon schools to be cancelled for a "snow day". Mia, is in her senior year of high school, and in a split second her life changes. The family decides to get in the car and visit family friends and end up at their grandparents' home for dinner. But they are in a horrible car accident that kills all of her family, and Mia is then the voice telling the story.....even while she is in a coma. The main message becomes  the idea stated by a nurse in the ICU that "It's all up to Mia. She's the one in charge." Thus, the title. The reader discovers Mia's family life, each member, her boyfriend, her one BFF, all told by Mia . It's an interesting idea, one that affirms we are all in charge of our lives and the direction is one we choose.  Your girls will LOVE this book!