Teen Comments on Books Eligible for 2006 Awards
Lubar, David Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie
The first thing I ask myself when I think about Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie is when did David Lubar come to my school? Apparantly he did, because this book is an amazingly accurate portrait of Freshmen society. What's even better is that it's not only accurate but also a good read filled with anecdotes and hilarious not-a-diary entries.
So Scott Hudson's an average Freshman. With a friends, a crush, and a family. Then his friends drift away. And his crush gets him into more than he can handle. And his family starts preparing for a baby. How much more can Scott take?
A lot more, I hope, because this book was easy to read
and hilarious to boot, so I look forward to more from
David Lubar.
~Robert , 16
Dunkle, Clare B. By These Ten Bones
JC, Age 18
Did the cover tempt you to pick up the book or turn you off? Did it reflect the contents? It certainly didn't turn me off; though it wasn't a terribly precise relfection of the book's contents, I liked the art, and the colors drew your eye. It was intriguing.
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
If yes, what would you say to convince him or her to read it? It was a consistently told story with sympathetic characters and a mystery and tragedy you wanted resolved. The writing was clear and concise, and flowed without the usual akward catches of teen fiction.
Describe the most compelling aspect of the book. Its dealing with the aspects of reality and the stories we tell, and the way that they are often intertwined was undoubtably one of the most compelling sides of the story. The twist on what a werewolf is - well, it's the first story I've read in I don't how long that has told something I've never heard before.
If you were disappointed with the book, why? No disappointment.
Did you finish the book? Yes
Check all age ranges of readers suited for this book: 14-15 16-17 18 up
Check one Q (Quality) rating: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Check one P (Popularity) rating: 4P Broad general teen appeal
If you nominated this title for Teens' Top Ten, what makes it special enough to qualify? It's difficult to find a book unique and well-thought out these days. All teen fiction seems irrevokably tied up with ripping-off another book that came before and was popular. This, though certainly the supernatural is something common on the bookshelves, was not in the least posing or mimicking. It told its own story, drew its own characters, and did it all well. It held one's attention to the end, and was no let-down by its conclustion.
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This author also wrote The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy, which I loved. I
expected a good book, but this was amazing! Two mysterious travelers
wander into Maddie's village. An old man and a young carver who
distances himself from other people. Maddie is more than a little
intrigued by this handsome, laconic stranger and becomes even more
interested when he is attacked by a mysterious demon.
Most books start to show a plot-patern early on, but this kept
changing and becoming more complicated as the moral and personal
struggles Maddie faces grew. It engrossed me to the last page,
where a blank page gave me a rude surprise. A beatiful story that
portrays conflict needs and the internal struggle between right and
wrong. It completely posses the reader to the point where Maddie's
emotions are hard to seperate from tthe reader's. A heroine whose faith
is unshakable. A Best Book, Teen Top Ten and whatever other awards they offer!
Check all age ranges of readers suited for this book: 14-15 16-17 18 up
Q (Quality) rating: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
P (Popularity) rating: 5P Everyone wants to read it
I haven't read somethig this good in a long time. Beautifully crafted with a sublime mix of tensoin, good, evil and that tricky gray borderland, and a well developed herione. I would fight for this one to win teen top 10 and best books.
Another great book to Dunkle's name. I can't wait to see what she does next! --Kara, 16
Kelli, Age 13
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults yes
The Fortelling by Alice Hoffman, although a short read, was certainly an intriguing and well written book; I couldn't put it down.It's origional plot and detailed characters definitely pulled you into their world,which was absoluetly full of violence and tradition. Rain, daughter of the amazon warrior Queen Alina, goes through definite changes as her life in the Woman-Warrior tribe develops, which adds to this book to make it a great read.
Quality Rating 4 - Pretty good.
Popularity Rating 4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
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Cordi, Age 17
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
If yes, what would you say to convince him or her to read it? The Fortelling is a tale of the Amazonian women, warriors who live without men, under the rule of a single queen, and were the first to ride horses. The Fortelling is also the story of a mother and a daughter that she did not want, the result of her rape. This short novel has everything; romance, family, action, adventure, and fantasy. All together a great way to spend an hour or so.
Describe the most compelling aspect of the book. I found the relationship between Rain and her mother the most compelling aspect of The Fortelling. How Rain continually searches for her mother's love - love she is unable to give to her daughter, but gives freely to a captured slave woman - and how she eventually comes to terms with her origin and destiny, following in the footsteps of her mother.
Check all age ranges of readers suited for this book: 14-15 16-17 18 up
Q (Quality) rating: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
P (Popularity) rating: 4P Broad general teen appeal
The story was exceptional, well-written and intriging. I imagine the book would apeal to a great number of teens because it is a cross genre novel. There is fantasty, action-adventure, family story, and romance.
Velde, Vivan Vande Three Good Deeds
The idea is simple enough, and deeply rooted in traditional children's literature: A bad boy gets turned into a goose by an old witch until he does three good deeds. However, Vivan Vande Velde takes it and draws it out into a painfully hollow novel that is thankfully only 160 pages.
The character of Howard seems underdeveloped and has little motivation. The old witch, while funny, doesn't feature prominently, so it leaves us with a main character that we don't like.
The inhabitants of the originally named 'Goose Pond' are interesting, to say the least. With names like "Sunset-Dances-like-Flames-on-her-Feathers" and "Sees-Better-Through-Her-Left-Eye-Than-Her-Right", a good portion of the book is taken up with monotony. While some aspects of the book were obviously meant to be funny, they turned out to be annyoing or idiotic.
The result is a sadly disappointing attempt from Vande
Velde, and I look forward to better writing from her
in the future.
~Robert, 16
At first glance, Defiance seems to be one of your dime-a-dozen stories about a child who befriends an old lady. Further examination, however, reveals that it is a heartwarming story of self-discovery.
The characters in Defiance aren't very well developed or described. It seemed that the book should have been at least twice the size it was to capture the emotions and personalities of the characters better. The book left a feeling of disappointment, because what could have been truly wonderful turned out to be only 'good'.
Still, Defiance had an ease of reading to it, as well as a lack of needing to think, and it came out as a good book for a quick read.
~Robert, 16 bookmobile.cjb.net
Reader: Ronnie B.
Age: 12
Title: Twilight
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Publisher Little, Brown and Company
Pub. Date September 2005
My review: Twilight will capture the readers heart from the time you turn the first page until the last sentence has been read. I would recomend this book to anyone who loves to read a heartstopping thriller. This is an intensifying book for anyone who loves the unknown.
Would you nominate this book for an award? Yes
QUALITY 4Q Better than most
POPULARITY 5P Everyone wants to read it
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This book was fantastic!,its one of the best vampire books ive read in a long time. The story is well structured and its very exciting.It has romance,action,mystery,and suspense.The book will keep you guessing until the end. Stephanie meyer wrote a great story! you get to really know the characters and know how each of them view the circumstances. Read the sequel, "New Moon." 4Q, 4P. Lily, 18
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Reader: Amanda L.
Age: 18
Title: Twilight
Author: Stephenie Meyer
My review: I picked up Twilight and wasn't able to stop. I haven't been able to get into a book for such a long time, and it was amazing to pick up a book and read it straight through for once! I can't even put my finger on why I liked it so much. There was a certain charm and appeal about the characters, an incredible force that kept me reading the whole time. The characters were very deep and sometimes frustrating, but I found myself able to connect with most of them. Though the Cullens couldn't really exist in real life, I found myself believing they were just as real as the next person! I was thrilled to have such interesting people in a story, it was awesome to have such a twist in the characters alone, to have them seem so real despite the obvious reasons that they couldn't exist. Then there was the story itself. I haven't encountered such a gripping story in a long time! Meyer truly knows how to write a good story for teens, I couldn't put the book down. I would recommend this book to just about any teen, or any adult for that matter. Something about it is just amazing! It's worth reading more than once, I'd do it!
Would you nominate this book for an award? Yes
QUALITY 4Q Better than most
POPULARITY 5P Everyone wants to read it
Kelli K.
Age: 14
Usually, I am not fond of Romances- I can't abide anything that is too soppy, or seems too unrealistic to happen between two people. For this reason, I was wary to pick up "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer. But even after reading it for some while, I found myself wondering how the story would end. Isabella Swan moves to a boring, lifeless town in Washington, only to find the most interesting person she has ever met- Edward Cullen, who seems to be straight out of a modeling magazine, as do the rest of his siblings. Isabella slowly becomes obsessed with Edward, as much as Edward tells her to stay away from him. Her persistent prying discovers Edward's horrible secret, and puts her life in almost constant danger- although she never seems too perturbed about it.
Through most of this book, I was interested to see just how far their romance would go, before something happened to either Edward or Isabella- and it didn't seem too soppy, so I was quite satisfied. This book is for anyone who isn't just reading romances for the touchy-feely stuff- this book has a bit of a gothic twist that may keep you interested when the romance does not.
I would nominate this for for an award.
Quality Rating: 4 -Better than most.
Popularity Rating: 4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
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Cindi
Age: 14
Book Title: Twilight
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults: yes
Because: In my opion I think this is a book that most readers will enjoy.It was way well written, readers of all types will love this story. It leaves them at the egde of their seats dieing for more.
Quality Rating: 5 - One of the best books I ever read
Popularity Rating: 4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
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Did the cover tempt you to pick up the book or turn you off? Did it reflect the contents? I thought the cover was beautiful. It was simple yet eye-catching. Also, it reflected the contents of the book. It's an image that portrays the books bigger picture; will you give into temptation?
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
If yes, what would you say to convince him or her to read it? The writing is fantastic. It's easy to read but also very deep and romantic. The characters are easy to like and very real. Even the inhuman ones. Also, the love between the two protagonists isn't rushed or fake. It takes a long time for the feelings to brought out. Reading it is an amazing experience.
Check all age ranges of readers suited for this book: 14-15
Check one Q (Quality) rating: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Check one P (Popularity) rating: 3P Some teen appeal
If you nominated this title for Teens' Top Ten, what makes it special enough to qualify? The characters. Your crave being in their company, reading this book makes you feel like you're a part of their love and their adventure.
Additional Comments If you're into vampire books (some people aren't, but many would be pleasantly surprised) read this book. It will easily claim a spot on your top ten list. --Alexandra, Age 14
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In my opion I think this is a book that most readers will enjoy.It was way well written, readers of all types will love this story. It leaves them at the egde of their seats dieing for more.
Quality Rating 5 - One of the best books I ever read
Popularity Rating 4 - Lots of people will want to read it. -- Cindi, Age 14
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It is unlike any other vampire book I've read and it deals with so many issues teenagers face. It is just so original and it has great morals. It is made of the romance teens want. --Katherine, 16. Rating 5Q 5P ages 12 and up.
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I don't usually enjoy books about vampires, in this world of Gothic terror and angst, but Twilight wasn't as much of a vampire book as it was of just a good one. Sure, the main character falls in love with a vampire, but other than that, it feels more like a love story that could have happened to two normal people, except for the whole 'there's a maniac after the main character's blood' thing.
Twilight is written a little oddly, in that the language patterns used in writing it are more neo-classical than most of the literature written for young adults these days. The effect is that the book seems disjointed from other books, and it is nearly impossible to compare it to anything, but it feels right, so I'm not complaining.
Another thing that I noticed while reading this book is that while Edward is amazingly dynamic, the main character Bella is contrastingly static, but it only adds to her, because then at the end her single-minded determination is all the less expected.
Usually cliffhanging endings that allow you to beleive either of two possible outcomes aren't a smart chice, as they're not very enjoyable for the reader, but Stephanie Meyer has crafted the perfect sense of anxiety. You know which ending you want, and since she leaves it open, you are free to beleive it.
Don't be fooled when considering Twilight for a reading selection, because it's better than you'd think. I suggest reading it, whether you like Romance, Suspense, or Vampires, because it will satisfy your thirst.~Robbie, 16
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Kirsten, Age 16
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
If yes, what would you say to convince him or her to read it? "Vampire love story in the modern age. Do I really need to say more?"
Describe the most compelling aspect of the book. It is out there. It is not normal but manages to have something that can speak to the reader.
age ranges of readers suited for this book: 14-15 16-17
Q (Quality) rating: 4Q Better than most
P (Popularity) rating: 4P Broad general teen appeal
This book has well-developed characters and a strange but wonderful plot. This book could have easily been horrible (it could have gone into the cheesy teen romance area) but it is fantastic and is not just a romance at the heart of it.
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Printz Award because it was a brilliant book and I think the author put
alot of effort into it. The characters were intersting. The plot was
good and easy to follow. It seemed like it was real. Teens in general
could get into this book. -- Nick M., age 16, rating 5
*Would like this book
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Twilight, Stephanie Meyer
Printz Award because this book was a beautiful love novel that kept me
hoping for nothing less than what was dished out in this romantic
novel. -- Shelly R., age 17, rating 4
*Would like this book.
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Top 10, It's a good book because of its romance and suspense. The
author detailed everything so you have a clear picture of what's going
on in the book. -- Tyler W., age 13, rating 4
*woulld like this book
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I thought that this book was very well thought out and had an excellent story line. The ending leaves you begging for more. I hope she continues this story. The best part of this book was the way the story grabs you and doesn t let go. I d recommend it to anyone that enjoys love stories with a little comedy and danger mixed in. 5Q, 3P. Joshua M. S., 16.
Andrea, Age 12
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults no
Because I thought 'South Beach' was distasteful and trashy. Borderline nasty. Girls who are still in high school are dancing on bars, 'being' with random guys and drinking tons of beer. It's disgusting
Quality Rating 1 - Yecch! Force read only.
Popularity Rating 4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
(Optional) I also want you to know... I don't have any problems with the writer, she's doing her job and I respect that but I think it got too out of hand and wild to be a good book.
Kirsten, Age 16
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
If yes, what would you say to convince him or her to read it? "The Tempest, by Shakespear, from Ariel's point of view. It is hard to like at first because the author actually tells you that your main character is a heartless being, and then follows through on that, but once you start reading, you appreciate the characters around her more because of her."
Describe the most compelling aspect of the book. THat it is The Tempest from Ariel's point of view.
If you were disappointed with the book, why? The main character is not likable. It's hard to read a book where you disagree with everything that the main character does.
Check all age ranges of readers suited for this book: 14-15 16-17
Check one Q (Quality) rating: 3Q Readable
Check one P (Popularity) rating: 3P Some teen appeal
Kirsten, 16
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
If yes, what would you say to convince him or her to read it? "Th story takes place in a version of the Scottish Highlands where each clan has a magical gift of some sort. It begins in the mind of the main character who has the gift of Un-making (which is unmaking things, such as untying knots or even killing animals and people) but has been blindfolded for years so that he can not use his gift for some reason. From there, the book is a flashback and well done."
Describe the most compelling aspect of the book. It is a familiar part of our world put into someone else's world.
Check all age ranges of readers suited for this book: 12-13 14-15 16-17
Check one Q (Quality) rating: 4Q Better than most
Check one P (Popularity) rating: 4P Broad general teen appeal
The plot and the characters are well written and believable (for fantasy) and the reader can connect with the character and understand his motivations.
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In the Uplands, every family has a power, a 'gift'. Some can shoot knives with their mind, enslave people to their will, or call animals. Orrec's family can 'undo' things by using eye and hand and breath and will. However, Orrec's power doesn't use his will, so he cannot control it. Forcing himself to be blind so as not to hurt the ones he loves, he learns about his power and himself in this expertly crafted novel from the author of the Earthsea Cycle.
Gifts has three main phases of story. The first third or so is the backstory that is essential for understanding how the people of the Uplands live. Continuing on, we come to the part of Orrec's life when he discovers the frightening power of his gift. Finally, we come to the uplifting ending, where Orrec learns about himself and his true gift.
The writing in "Gifts" has a lilt to it that allows you to be absorbed by the characters and the plot. While at first I felt that I didn't know the characters intimately enough, as they progress and grow with the novel, the feeling of connection to them grows and they begin to seem more like real people.
The underlying themes of "Gifts" are several, but I noticed particularly that it focused on using the gifts you have and finding the true gift inside you. While these may seem overly senitmental themes, Le Guin doesn't make the novel sappy and still manages to evoke strong feelings from the reader.
~Robert, 16
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Barrett, Tracy On Etruscan Time
Kirsten, Age 16
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
If yes, what would you say to convince him or her to read it? "Time traveling is used in a different way here, with a person traveling from the past to recieve the help of a person in our time. Normally, it's the other way around."
Describe the most compelling aspect of the book. The main character is expected to save the life of someone who died two thousand years ago. That is wierd and compelling at the same time.
Check all age ranges of readers suited for this book: Under12 12-13 14-15
Check one Q (Quality) rating: 3Q Readable
Check one P (Popularity) rating: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Priest, Cherie Four and Twenty Blackbirds
Kelli, Age: 13
Book Title: Four and Twenty Blackbirds
Author: Cherie Priest
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults: undecided
Because: For the most part, I throughly enjoyed this book; I thought it was extreamly spooky, and had an interesting "southern gothic" feeling, as it says on the back cover of the book. However, as interesting as this mystery/ghost story is, it did have a few things that disapointed me. Firstly, some details of the story where harder to understand, such as the parts that had to do with the main character's family, and how everyone was related.... I kept on getting confused, and wondering who was related to who. Another problem I had was that some details explaining the story were poorly explained, or not explained at all. The quote "Four and Twenty Blackbirds" was only mentioned maybe twice throughout the whole book, so I wasn't sure why it got the privilage to be the title. Otherwise, "Four and Twenty Blackbirds" was an enjoyable, if not confusing, way to spend some of my time.
Quality Rating: 4 - Pretty good.
Popularity Rating: 3 - Some will and some will not care to read it.
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Kirsten, Age 16
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
If yes, what would you say to convince him or her to read it? "You are with the main character from about six years of age to early twenties, getting to watch her grow up and into a series of weird events all linked to her at the center. It is a mystery fantasy and very spooky."
Describe the most compelling aspect of the book. It happens in the modern age but is very much a story of witch craft.
If you were disappointed with the book, why? The book did not explain everything. People often say that authors tie everything together at the end of their books but this ending was a rat nest. For example, the title is never explained. You never find out what four and twenty blackbirds have to do with anything.
Check all age ranges of readers suited for this book: 14-15 16-17
Check one Q (Quality) rating: 3Q Readable
Check one P (Popularity) rating: 3P Some teen appeal
Thomas, Jane Resh The Counterfeit Princess
Kirsten, Age 16
Would you recommend this book to a friend? No
Describe the most compelling aspect of the book. The plot. It could have been a good book.
If you were disappointed with the book, why? It was horrible! The characters were shallow and unlikable, the dialogue was stilted, and the writing itself jumped to improbable ideas from the simplest sentences.
Did you finish the book? Yes
Check all age ranges of readers suited for this book: Under12
Check one Q (Quality) rating: 1Q How did it get published?
Check one P (Popularity) rating: 1P Yech! Forced to read it
Fisher, Catherine The Sphere of Secrets
Kirsten, Age 16
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
If yes, what would you say to convince him or her to read it? "After you have read the first one, don't dispare! This book is much better. Set in a land like Egypt, the story plays with the lives of a boy god, the god's speaker, and a clerk from the City of the Dead. It continues an interesting story."
Describe the most compelling aspect of the book. It is the sequel to the Oracle Betrayed.
If you were disappointed with the book, why? The ending was horrible. A lemming ending in the extreme (lemming ending=ending that just ends, like a lemming jumping off a cliff. Term invented by Kara L.).
Check all age ranges of readers suited for this book: 12-13 14-15 16-17
Check one Q (Quality) rating: 4Q Better than most
Check one P (Popularity) rating: 3P Some teen appeal
Edwina is an eleven-year-old girl who makes lists for everything, for no apparant reason. She also wears six different colord ruybber bands around her wrist and 'snaps' them for various reasons. "Snap" focuses around the friendship of Edwina with Sally, who lives with her Grandmother Willie. When Willie gets sick with a 'blood problem', Sally and Eddie's friendship takes a turn for the worse.
The writing in "Snap" is hollow and dry. Too much of the book focuses on unimportant things such as sprinkled doughnuts, and the snapping of the rubber bands becomes almost trivial. This book did not awaken any feelings within me, and I only felt a close connection to one character, who only speaks once in the whole book.
"Snap" was bland and boring, and not really worth the
time it takes to read it.
~Robert, 16
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Haworth-Attard, Barbra Theories of Relativity
Kelli, Age: 13
Book Title: Theories of Relativity
Author: Barbra Haworth-Attard
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults: undecided
Because: I thought that Theories of Relativity by Barbra Haworth-Attard was a very melancholy, rather dark book about a sixteen-year-old boy trying to make a life for himself living homeless in a city full of drugs, sex, and violence. This book really brings into light the problem of teens living on the streets, and the never-ending cycle of drugs, sex, and money. I enjoyed the depth of the main character, and the connection throughout the book with Albert Einstein. All together, it was intriguing
enough to spend some time reading it.
Quality Rating: 4 - Pretty good.
Popularity Rating: 4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
Moriarty, Jaclyn The Year of Secret Assignments
Zoe, Age 13
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Yes
If yes, what would you say to convince him or her to read it? Its Very Interesting
Describe the most compelling aspect of the book. The characters were very compelling.
Check all age ranges of readers suited for this book: 14-15
Q (Quality) rating: 4Q Better than most
(Popularity) rating: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Its just an all around GReat book!