Book Reviews by Young Adults
RSSSneak Peek Reviewers Club
The Sneak Peekers have knocked it out of the park once again! Seventeen reviews, 15 titles (we have back to back reviews on two books). Of course, some of the windfall is because there's only one issue of SLJTeen this month, but I know that their crazy enthusiasm for the task and their love of reading is what drives them to overwhelm me, in a good way. I credit their fearless leader, Chris Selig, for keeping the flames fanned, and thank all of the publishers who provide the fuel. JESCHONEK, Robert T. My Favorite Band Does Not Exist. Clarion, July 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN: 978-0-547-37027-9. Gr 7 Up–My Favorite Band Does Not Exist takes place in two different realities. In one reality, there's Reacher Mirage. He's the singer for his band, Youforia, but he's afraid to go public, so they keep the band secret. Even so, information about Youforia is getting out on the Internet and generating a lot of attention. Reacher is determined to find out who's been leaking this out. In the other reality is Idea Deity. He has run away from home, and is on the move across the country. Idea believes that he's a character in a book, an idea that's supported by strange events in his life. For fun, Idea runs an website about his made-up band, Youforia. He has done such a good job of it that people think that it's real My Favorite Band Does Not Exist is a decent book. The beginning and end were OK. It's best in the middle, as the suspense slowly rises toward an unpredictable climax. During this time, the characters grow and the plot progresses. The characters change and learn skills to face their conflicts. The book takes place partly from Reacher's point of view, partly from Idea's, and partly from the book that they are both reading. At the end, the storyline gets a little nonsensical. Overall, this was an enjoyable book.–Jacob M., age 14 PORTER, Sarah. Lost Voices. Harcourt, July 2011. $16.99. ISBN 978-0547-4825-07. Gr 7–12—Even after losing everything, including both her parents, and being stuck with her abusive uncle, Luce still has hope. It isn't until after her uncle tries to rape her that she finally loses it, letting herself fall off a cliff and into the ocean. Turning into a mermaid is a shock for her. She soon finds out that all abused, unloved, or unwanted girls turn into mermaids. Luce is given friends and a new home after her transformation. Soon, though, she finds out the secret horror the girls share: a thirst for the death of humans. Unlike the other mermaids, she doesn't share this lust, and it pushes her away from the rest of the tribe. The book is based on the story of the girls living together, and the troubles Luce goes through to change the tribe. The book has a good story line and is unpredictable. The cover draws the eye, but will most likely appeal only to female readers. The characters are well developed and go through drastic and surprising changes as the story progresses. The author reveals the details slowly and there's a big twist. The outcome at the end was a surprise and it will have the reader waiting for a sequel. Parts of the book seemed to be to light and not fully described, and there seemed to be a lot of loose ends towards the end. Will they be tied up in future books? All in all, this book was a fun read and definitely worth reading.–Moiré B., age 12 SEDGWICK, Marcus. White Crow. Roaring Brook, July 2011. $16.99. ISBN 978-1-5964-3594-0. Gr 7 Up–White Crow, a suspenseful novel by Marcus Sedgwick, is about a girl, Rebecca. She's pretty much the stereotypical modern-day city girl, and the stereotypical Goth girl. (That part's too overdone, though. There's too much "it was a Goth thing.") Rebecca moves to Winterfold, a tiny village with only a dozen houses but a lot of secrets. After almost falling off a cliff, she meets Ferelith, a genius girl with not too many friends, who quit school because she was too smart. Her intelligence is overplayed and kind of unrealistic, although the way she speaks sometimes makes the book interesting, and her character is certainly very comical. The prologue draws the reader in with its haunting language, but the first chapter is kind of a disappointment. The character development is excellent—all the characters are unique, and they interact well with each other—you can still clearly see all of their personalities even during chapters from another character's point of view. The fact that each chapter is from a different character's point of view, though, is slightly confusing, but not so much that it detracts from the story. Also, nondescript words like "stuff" are used a lot. Overall, it was a good book with a good plot and good characters, and even though some things are too overdone, the story still keeps readers on the edge of their seats.—Tess B., age 13. YOUNG, Janet Ruth. The Babysitter Murders. S & S/Atheneum, July 2011. Tr $16.99. July 2011. ISBN 978-1-41695-944-1. This was a fantastic book because the reader is frustrated, nervous, excited, and worried along with Dani. I would recommend this for students in grades 8 to 11. This story is somewhat predictable at times; however, it's an addicting read. The characters are believable, but some of them are so pessimistic and irritating that other readers may not agree. Also, the main character didn't really change throughout the course of the book. The Babysitter Murders will make you think about the media in a way that isn't usually seen. The biggest negative about this book was that it ended both the way that everyone would want it to end and too rapidly. Many—but not all—important questions are answered, which leaves the reader wondering, is there more about Dani Death in the works?-Julia C., age 14. GREENMAN, Catherine. Hooked. Delacorte, August 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-3857-4008-1. I would rate this book a six and a half out of ten. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great. It seems like many books these days are about young love, and the stories are repetitive. Average girl meets above average guy. Lack of originality was my main problem with this book. However, I did enjoy reading it. I recommend this book for somebody above 14 because of the content and the semi-controversial subject. Overall, the story is well written, but it could have been more original.—Brianna M., age 16 FLAVIN, Teresa. The Blackhope Enigma. Templar, August 2011. Tr $15.99. IBSN 978-0-7636-5694-2. Gr 5–9—The Blackhope Enigma is an exhilarating story that incorporates an exciting adventure with mysterious characters and even more enigmatic settings. The story begins with a flashback to Fausto Corvo, a painter of the late 1500s who had a peculiar ability to create paintings that have more going on than meets the eye. These paintings were kept secret and out of the hands of Soranzo, a man whose intentions weren't clear, but were definitely not good. These paintings had depth of the most bizarre quality. So much depth, in fact, that you would literally be sucked into them. About 500 years later, Sunni Forrest and her brother Dean wander about the intriguing labyrinth Corvo created, where one of his paintings still lies. By chanting a magic word while walking through the labyrinth's paths, they're mystically transported to a world that Corvo tried to conceal. The two then attempt to find their way back home while exploring the esoteric world he created-this story captivates the reader with a curious and sometimes dangerous adventure. Flavin's novel presents an interesting take on paintings that could draw young readers to local art exhibits to see what there is beyond what one sees in a simple glance. She incorporates the idea of "underpainting," a story and setting within the background of the painting. Flavin also incorporates elements from Greek mythology, astronomy, and magic to spice up the story and to give general background to those who know very little about the subjects. While this may be an enticing book for young readers, it's not necessary a book for young adults. The story is very predictable at times and more advanced readers may lose interest in it. All in all, Flavin has created a mysterious and fun story that many can enjoy and think about as they stroll through their local museum's halls.—Catherine C., age 18 A Second Take on The Blackhope Enigma... Fourteen-year-old aspiring artist Sunni Forrest is led to the mysterious Blackhope Tower in search of inspiration for a school project on her favorite artist, Fausto Corvo. But when her step-brother vanishes into a painting, Sunni and her classmate Blaise follow into a living, hidden world within the masterpiece. As the three of them search for each other and a way out of the painting, they're pulled deeper into the center of the Blackhope Enigma, the mystery that surrounds Fausto Corvo's art and the labyrinth that led them into the painting. They soon realize that the seemingly perfect universe within the artwork is full of danger and treacherous characters in search of an even deeper secret. Sunni finds herself wondering when and if they will ever escape from the mystery of the Blackhope Enigma. Flavin's debut novel is a thrilling, adventure-filled story with surprises and cliff-hangers in nearly every chapter. The central characters are extremely relatable to young readers, both boys and girls. I'd especially recommend this book to middle school readers. The story's ending, however, was a bit too perfect and would have been more interesting if it had left a part of the mystery still up to the imagination. That aside, The Blackhope Enigma is an exciting book, perfect for lovers of fantasy, mystery, and art.—Claire G, age 15 PETERS, Andrew. Ravenwood. Chicken House, August 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-5453-0550-1. This is a terrific fantasy book. It's a completely new world that lets you figure things out on your own. The characters are all realistic. The hero of the story is made even more notable by his unlikely background. Common things in the world like ravens become the stuff of nightmares in Arborium. The author took normal things and actions and turned them into breath-taking feats.—Loren T., age 14 SHEEHAN, Anna. A Long, Long Sleep. Candlewick , August 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-5260-9. Rosalinda has to deal with nightmares, isolation, and lots of unexpected plot twists. A Long, Long Sleep is a compelling read, but unfortunately Rosalinda's character doesn't grow or change very much throughout the story. Also, the story is mostly dark and heavy, and the ending is unsatisfactory.—Rachel A., age 17 JAMES, Nick. The Pearl Wars: Skyship Academy. Flux, September 2011. Tr $18.95. ISBN 978-0-7387-2341-9. This is an interesting story, full of mysteries, action, and suspense. Jesse's character is enjoyable because he tends to make accidental mistakes. However, he and Cassius both feel tormented and betrayed because of the secrets kept from them by the people they are close to. Jesse and Cassius learn about their past, where their loyalties should be, the secret of the Pearls, and how to control their powers. The writing is quite strong and descriptive. For example, at the beginning of the story, readers can feel Jesse's anxiety when he's hanging from a rooftop and attacked by the Fringers. The dialogue is also good and helps the plot move along. Teens who like sci-fi will want to read this book because it's about a post-apocalyptic world, aliens, and flying ships.—Hansley W., age 14 LEVINE, Ellen. In Trouble. Carolrhoda Lab, September 2011. Tr $17.95. ISBN: 978-0761-3655-87. Gr 7–12—In Trouble is a novel about two teenage girls, set in the 1950s in New York. Jamie and Elaine are pregnant. Elaine wants to marry her boyfriend, and Jamie can't bear to think about the nightmare that happened to her. While Jamie tries to help Elaine keep the secret from her parents and find a way to get a "procedure" done, she's unknowingly carrying around a little trouble. And as Jamie tries to accept her own reality, she discovers what's most important to her. As a teenage girl, I understand the terrors of being a young girl "in trouble." However, unlike Jamie and Elaine, I've never been in that predicament. If I were, circumstances today are definitely different, and being a pregnant teen is no longer shameful or isolating. Girls today have more options than they did back in the 1950s. In Trouble is a great book that compares society in the 1950s to present-day society. It certainly makes readers more appreciative of today's society. Jamie is a girl with whom every reader will form an emotional bond. It's a great book, but definitely not a beach read. In Trouble is a book filled with surprises and mystery that readers won't be able to put down until the very last page.—Liane Y., age 17 NESS, Patrick. A Monster Calls. Candlewick, September 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN: 978-0-7636-5559-4. A Monster Calls is an intriguing book, and I had a hard time putting it down. The story has a bit of everything—from confronting your inner darkness to dealing with the horrors of the outside world. On a scale of one to 10, this book deserves a 9.5. The ending has a twist that I didn't expect. Usually it's easy for me to guess how a story ends, but this one had something fresh and different. It's good to be able to read a book that surprises you.—Martin G., age 14. PERERA, Anna. Guantanamo Boy. Albert Whitman, September 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-3077-1. Gr 8 Up—Khalid lives an ordinary life for a 15-year-old in Rochdale, England. He's on the soccer team and works hard at school but tries not to show it. The only difference between Khalid and his friends is that he's Muslim. One day his father announces that the family will be traveling to their native Pakistan to see his sisters. Khalid wants to stay home, and in the wake of 9/11, he's scared of what it might be like in Pakistan. Once there, Khalid's worst nightmares come true. His father soon disappears, and when Khalid goes looking for him, he's reprimanded and taken into custody by the United States government. The book goes on to tell his quest to survive the horrors of Guantanamo Bay. Guantanamo Boy shows both sides of an issue most of us as American citizens never think about or have rarely heard about. It shows that there are no black-and-white sides of a war, even in the 21st century. It reminds me of Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, a story about the world's unfairness and how some people strive to protect the innocent. Everyone should read Guantanamo Boy. It's a classic story with a strong message. It's different than other young adult books because it makes you think—and it shows that in war, there are really no good guys.—Christopher L., age 14. A Second Take on Guantanamo Boy
Khalid is a good kid. He's loyal to his friends, does OK in school, and helps his family when they need a hand. But a few problems occur in Khalid's life when he turns 15. He takes a family trip to Pakistan, and his dad gets lost (or kidnapped), and a few days later, Khalid is stolen from his aunt's house in the middle of the night! Then he's sent to prison! People living in his hometown try to bring him home from his prison at Guantanamo Bay. Will they succeed? Guantanamo Boy starts really slowly. The author talks about day-to-day life too much and it makes the story quite boring. However, the book gets better and better as it goes on, and in the end, all the parts really came together to produce a great story.—Tyler L., age 12 RYAN, Amy Kathleen. Glow. Griffin, September 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN: 978-0-312-59056-7. The story flips back and forth between Waverly's and Kieran's perspectives, which prevent readers from getting bogged down by one story. As the novel unfolds, readers discover that each character harbors a private agenda that's both admirable and crazy at times. Ryan flawlessly incorporates topics of artificial reproduction, religion, and politics into her work and forces readers to ponder these issues. In fact, the issue of religion proves extremely controversial, as the two ships, one religious and the other atheistic, impress their visions on their inhabitants. Glow is fast-paced and leaves teens itching to find out what happens next. Readers will appreciate the intriguing and thought-provoking read that provides entertainment and substance to a strengthening teen science-fiction genre.—Sonia R., age 18. GOLDING, Julia. The Glass Swallow. Marshall Cavendish, October 2011. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7614-5979-8. Gr 7–12—Girls are forbidden to work in Holt's glassmaking profession, but Rain has been secretly creating her father's successful glass-window designs for years. When the country of Magharna requests a glassmaker for its royal palace, Rain leaves home, keeping her secret hidden and hoping to explore the outside world. She arrives with the Magharnan ambassador and her cousin, but is soon attacked by bandits. She's rescued by Peri, the falcon trainer. Rain is thrust into the harsh conditions of the city and learns the hostile and rigid social hierarchy of Magharna, while continuing to encounter the calm Peri. Riots erupt from the lower citizens as the Master and the high officials, called Jettans, ignore their city's crisis. How will Rain save Magharna, and who will she go to for help in such a strange and dangerous land? The Glass Swallow was definitely an action-packed story that kept me flipping the pages. I was never bored. The characters, especially Rain and Peri, had strongly defined personalities. Their love was very heart-warming, and I could really relate to their attitudes toward each other. However, I felt that the dialogue was a little cliché, especially between Mikel and Rain. Her fluency in the Magharnan language happened a little too fast to be realistic, but I can understand that the story has to move on quickly. The plot, nevertheless, is excellent and Golding has a way of infusing love, war, and family into a tight, exciting plot. I really enjoyed it, and I'm impatiently waiting for her next novel!—Winifred C., age 18. This article originally appeared in School Library Journal's enewsletter SLJTeen. Subscribe here.
. One day, he finds a song by Youforia and becomes determined to find the people he thinks are claiming to be his imaginary band and taking advantage of the popularity. Reacher and Idea are somehow connected, and the plot centers on their journey to meet, which ends with an interesting plot twist.
The third main character is a priest, who exists in the late 1700s, and whose role in the story is confusing at first. The book has to be read pretty far in for the priest's role to be fully understood. However, the way the priest narrates his part is always extremely poetic and well-written.
Gr 7–12—The Babysitter Murders is about Dani Solomon, who takes care of a little boy named Alex. After hearing about a local murder, Dani has thoughts of not only killing Alex, but also of insulting her mom, as well as her best friend, neighbors, and other community members. Although she confides her thoughts to those she trusts, the story is soon leaked, and she's labeled "Dani Death" by the local media. She has to deal with the bad press and her awful thoughts without destroying her family and her friendships.
Gr 7 Up—Hooked tells the story of 17-year-old Thea Galehouse. Thea is the average teenage girl; she goes to school, and complains about the usual things like her appearance. Thea's parents' divorce is one of the most difficult events in her whole life. One day, while at school, Thea meets Will, who's like most boys in stories like these. He's cute, has a "bad boy" vibe, and is a senior. Thea and Will start dating, and she immediately falls head over heels with him, something that has never happened to Thea before. A sudden surprise changes everything in their relationship; Thea becomes pregnant. Between the ups and downs, Thea and Will must try to find a way to keep their relationship strong, not just for themselves, but also for their son.
Gr 6–11—Ravenwood is an amazing and unique fantasy story about the world of Arborium, a magnificent tree city. The bark of its trees is highly valued by the Maw, a race of people that rely on glass and metal. When Ark, a 14-year-old plumber, accidentally overhears a plan to strip Arborium's bark for profit, he's suddenly thrown into a dangerous situation. Racing to save his home and himself, Ark has to leave Arborium and travel down to the dreaded ground. Only luck will keep Ark alive.
Gr 9 Up—Rosalinda Fitzroy awakes from peaceful stasis-induced dreams to a harsh reality in which everyone she ever knew is dead. Now it's up to her to adapt to her new world, but can she overcome a time gap of over 60 years? Will Rosalinda discover the truth about her past or be consumed by it?
Gr 12 Up—After mysterious scarlet bombings kill nearly everyone on Earth and contaminate the world, the world is divided into three factions: the Fringes, surface areas of high temperatures outside the chosen cities and only inhabited by salvagers, traders, and the poor; the Chosen, cities powered by the Pearls and chosen to be safe havens from the Fringes at a cost; and the Skyships, rebels against the Chosens who hijack giant skyships powered by Pearls and live above the clouds. Jesse Fisher, a skyship academy slacker, crosses paths with Cassius Stevenson, a young but highly trained surface operative, when they both enter the Fringes in search of Pearls, cosmic objects from space that are the only energy sources for their devastated Earth. The encounter gives each boy powers that their governments would stop at nothing to get. Enemies with a common goal, Jesse and Cassius make their way to the ruins of Seattle and uncover the secrets about their past that their governments have hidden from them.
Jamie is the poster child for making decisions, not necessarily because she chose to do the right thing, but because she made the decision to do what was in her self-interest—something that many girls in her situation wouldn't do. Although society says it's easily juggle children, work, school, and a relationship, that's not always humanly possible. Jamie shows readers, and the people around her, that it's sometimes alright to put yourself first. And in doing so, she gives a new perspective to a choice that many people see as selfish, murderous, or wrong.
Gr 7 Up—When Conor suddenly wakes up just past midnight, he discovers a monster outside his window. You'd expect him to be terrified, but he isn't-he's seen far worse. What scares him most is the nightmare he's had since his mother told him about her illness. This monster has come for Conor and all it wants is the truth. Although Conor isn't sure what the truth is, he fears it has something to do with his nightmare.
Gr 7 Up—As one of two ships tasked with continuing the human species on New Earth, the Empyrean has proved successful thus far on its voyage. Two members of the first generation of successful offspring born aboard the Empyrean, Kieran and Waverly, attempt to navigate their young romance in the midst of outside pressures. However, their love is put on hold when its sister ship—the New Horizon—attacks, kidnapping the girls and putting the remaining pioneers in danger. While the girls plot to escape the clutches of New Horizon inhabitants, the boys must band together to recover the Empyrean. Yet in order to continue the mission, both Kieran and Waverly must first confront the ugly secrets of the ships, the captains, their companions, and each other.
