2006 Teen Comments page 9

Visions and Dreams
Edited by Jerry and Helen Weiss

Reader: Elle
Age: 12
Title: Dreams and Visions
Author: M. Jerry Weiss and Helen S. Weiss
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Publication date: 2006
Galley: No
My review:: Dreams And Visions was a very interesting book. I thought it was a great idea of M. Jerry Weiss and Helen S. Weiss to make one book of fantasy short stories. There was a wide variety of stories, from a world on fire to a now-a-day teen fantasy writer. I really enjoyed about half of the stories, but the other half didn't really appeal to me. Some of them didn't seem like they belonged in a fantasy book, and some of them were just plain weird. I would recommend this book to fantasy lovers from ages 12 to adult, because everyone in the world is bound to find something in it that they enjoy. Some of the ideas in the stories were so rich, and amazing, I wondered (and still do) how some of the authers- Tamera Pierce, Nancy Springer, S. L. Rottman- came up with such interesting story lines. Overall, this was about an average book.
Would you nominate this book for an award: no
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Today's date: January 15, 2006
I would also like to say: I know I sound kind of negative in my review, but there were some GREAT stories in Dreams and Visions.
_________ __________

Coming out just shortly after Tor's other anthology,
"The Year's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy for
Teens", "Visions and Dreams", edited by the husband
wife duo Jerry and Helen Weiss, ranks a bit ahead.
With such noteworthy YA authors such as Charles DeLint
and Tamora Pierce writing stories for the collection,
it came out as an eclectic mix. As a plus, each
author's distinctive style works as well as they do in
novels.

~Robert Johnston
Age 16
boomobile.cjb.net

Peters, Julie Anne Between Mom and Jo

Peters, Julie Ann Between Mom and Jo It was a good book about different families and their issues. It was sad, but it had a good ending. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 3P. Cpej Csbjh, 16
________ ________

This is a book about a boy who has two moms. One is an alcoholic and one has breast cancer. He gets picked on. His moms split up and he suffers heartache because he misses his mom Jo. Then at the end [ spoilers deleted] Nominate? yes. 5Q. 5P. Jptivb Gsjfstpo, 15
______ ______

I really enjoyed this book from the moment I opened it. Nomiant? Yes. 5Q. 5P. Jptfhi Vbmefy, 16
------------- --

Reader:          Amanda L.
Age:          18
Title:          Between Mom and Jo
Author:          Julie Anne Peters
My review:          It was very nice to see a book that addressed issues that are going on right now in our world! I book about two mothers, that is something that this world needs. There is so much credibility in literature; maybe if there were more books about the subject, it would help people to be more understanding. As for the book, I really did enjoy it. It wasn't the best book that I've read, but I liked it before I started it because I just really loved that it discussed such a 'forbidden' subject in society! I found most of the story to be very good at times, frustrating at others-but overall, I did enjoy it and was happy to read it.
Would you nominate this book for an award?          Yes
QUALITY          3Q Readable
POPULARITY          3P Some Teen appeal
_______ ________

One of the things that bugs me most in the world are
inconsistent authors who deliver awesome books one
time and horrible mangled pieces of snot the next.
Luckily, Julie Anne Peters always delivers books that
are awesome.

In "Between Mom and Jo" Ms. Peters once again shatters
the walls that surround taboo topics and delivers an
excellent novel, this time about two lesbians trying
to raise their teenage boy the only way they know how.
In a bold and touching account of the boy's struggles
through his parents' divorce, Peters creates a
powerful statement about the bonds between parents and
children.

The plot of "Btween Mom and Jo" is simple enough to
begin with, but moves into darker themes and problems
later such as alcoholism, cancer, and cooking
competitions.

As always, I am delighted to say that Julie Anne
Peters' new book is an exquisite masterpiece as rich
and full-bodies as her previous. Also, Luna is out in
paperback now :)

~Robert
Age 16
http://www.bookmobile.cjb.net

---- ____ ____

First name or initials: Cordi
Age: 17
Book Title: Between Mom and Jo
Author: Julie Anne Peters
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults: yes
Because: Yet again, Julie Anne Peters has tackled a subject that few what to dicuss with care and charm. Between Mom and Jo tell of Nick, a young boy going through the nasty separation of his two mothers. The story is compellingly told through Nick's eyes throughout his first fourteen years of life, and endnotes from the present, as he looks back on the disaster. The novel has enormous appeal as it speaks not only to those in this specific situation, but anyone with gay parents, divorced parents, or parents at all. We all relate to the struggle and how our parents fights affect us, the kids.
Quality Rating: 5 - One of the best books I ever read
Popularity Rating: 5 - Everybody was dying to read this yesterday.
(Optional) I also want you to know...: READ IT!!!!
----------- ----------- -----

Quick Picks because I didn't want to put this book down. Having gay
parents isn't what you normally hear about, so that was interesting to
me. The author does a good job of making this unique family seem normal
with love and marital problems. I would have liked to see the author
elaborate more on how the kid struggled at school and with society. To
some this is a sensitive issue, but the author did a good job using
facts and humor to soften the uncomfortable issues.
-- Ashleigh M, age 17, rating 5
*would like this book
------------ ------------

Peters, Julie Anne Between Mom and Jo

I really enjoyed this book from the moment I opened it. Would you like this book? Nominate? Yes. 5Q 5P Jptfhi Vbmefy, 16

Lester, Julius - Day of Tears
It's short and easy to read. It is very exciting
with a lot of details.--Jesus A., age 15, rating 4
*would like this book

Underworld, Catherine Macphail
Quick Picks because this book was easy to read and I had fun reading it.
Ther personalities of the characters in this book are so true to my
experience and I could really relate to the situations they were in. I
especially could relate to the lives of Liam, Axel and Fiona. Rating 4.
-- Cinthia R., age 17
*would like this book
___ ___ __
No award...Stopped reading...didn't like the fake parts
-- Hector S., age-17, rating-2
______ ____
Its way to hard to follow. I don't think any
young person would be able to follow it or get into it.
Tyler J. age, 15. rating 3
_______ ______

It didn't have very good descriptions of
characters and it was just BLAH! I thought it was boring and couldn't
get into it.
James H., age, 17. rating 1

Haydon, Elizabeth The Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme, Book One: TheFloating Island

The Floating Island is a fabulous tale about a boy of 50 years who finds himself on an adventure (something he always wished for) that would take him places, and make friends, that he would have never imagined. This tale is delightful form the creativity and excitement each page holds to the lovely illustration hiding between the pages. I look forward to more tales and adventures Ven Polyphene will have and the magic he will find. -- Katherine, 18
_________ __________ _

Reader:          Ellen A.
Age:          middle school student
Title:          The Floating Island
Author:          Elizabeth Haydon
Galley          Yes
My review:          I loved this book! I couldn't put it down! And i can't wait to read the sequal, either, so hurry! It captures your attention and holds it 'till the end. I loved it all!
Would you nominate this book for an award?          Yes
QUALITY          5Q Hard to imagine a better book
POPULARITY          4P Broad general teen appeal

JK Rowling spoiled me forever. I have been reading fantasy since I was little but nothing has made me think and feel the way I felt the first time I read Harry Potter. I’ve read alot of books I liked since then, but the magic hasn’t been the same.
Until now.
The magic returns in The Floating Island, the first book in the new Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme books series. While nothing like Harry Potter it is every bit as magical, and gives me goosebumps of excitement at the end pf every chapter.
I love the hero, Ven Polypheme, who is of a different race than the majority of humans who live in his seaside town. Ven’s family is hilarious. His brothers are fighting with each other one minute and biting off the thumbs of people who bother their sister the next. Ven us curious. He longs for adventure, and for a place in the family business, and for his father to respect him, but he only gets one of the three…an adventure that takes more twists and turns than a horde of snakes. By the time the book ends, which was way too fast for those of us who just finished reading it he has battled pirates, been saved by a great sea creature, seen amazing sights, been falsely accused of crimes that he could be executed for, learned a tone of lore and figured out what the story of his life is going to be. I can’t wait to see what happens next on his journey.
The girls in this book are way better than the girls in Harry Potter too. (Forgive me JK) Hermoine should really be more of a hero because she is the smartest, but Harry rarely is anything but perfect and brave. I love that Ven is a more human, well, Nain hero, with more moments of weakness and self doubt. The girls who are his friends are very cool, uncluding Clem, the head of the girl’s house, Ida, a very unpredictable thief, and my favorite Saeli, who is shy but can talk to animals. She can also speak in flowers. All the characters are very different and interesting.
The best part about this book is that the author seems to take the whole thing seriously and claiming that Ven actually wrote the journals. Reading his point of view mixed in with the actual story makes you see this fantastic and fascinating world through Ven’s eyes.
My reading group fought over who was going to get to read out loud next. The book has more than 300 pages. But it only took us three meetings to finish it. It is absolutely the best fantasy since Harry Potter and everyone, I mean EVERYONE should read it. You will not be disappointed. --Sabrina, age 12
_______________ ____________ __________________

Blending aspects of fantasy, mystery, horror, and many other genres, Elizabeth Hayden crafts a magical world
that wills pellbind readers to the last page in "The Floating Island". Young Ven Polypheme, a member of the
dwarf-like Nain race, embarks upon a journey on the day of his fiftieth birthday. Unbeknownst to him, he
will traverse lands far and wide, from a magically Floating Island to a haunted crossroads, and meet a
colorful cast of characters such as the merrow Amariel and the magical Spice Folk.

The story of "The Floating Island" begins simply enough, but soon the reader is encapsuled in a vast
web of mystery and magic. Several plot lines are opened up, which will serve well later in the series,
I am sure. Aside from the obvious fantasy elements, there are sections for people who love pirates,
ghosts, and underwater adventures. There is something for everyone in this book!

The characters are varied and flavorful. No two characters are even remotely similar, and Haydon
creates an excellent feel for each of them. Not only is it remarkable easy to picture the characters, it is
easy to hear the feel them, as well. Ven Polypheme is an excellent hero, and I welcome him into the world of
literature. In his journey to find his purpose in life and place in society, he matures and blossoms
exquisitely. Add in the journal entries spalshed into the story and there is a rich feeling of connection
between the reader and Ven.

This book was excellent, and I am writhing with anticipation to see Helquist's illustrations to bring
the colorful world of Elizabeth Haydon to life even more. No one will be able to dislike this book,
because there is something for everyone to love.

Although this book had a lot of great characters and side plots, it did not really grab me. I was expecting a little more excitement. However, this book will doubtlessly appeal to other teans more than it did to me. I did like how the author kind of led you slowly into the world, describing all of the things as she went. This really gave the realism of the world a much more solid basis than it would have otherwise. One of my favorite parts of the book was when the people stepped onto the floating island that looked like a conch shell. There, they could talk to everyone in the world, or just a few. I would nominate it for an award, not very many, and it probably won't be as popular as some other books. 3Q, 4P. --Lewis, 13

Trollbridge was an innovative story with a founding in the “Three Brothers Billy Goat Gruff” (I think that that is the title, it’s the tale about the three goats and the troll living under the bridge). By no means is this book that story though. Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple made it their own by tossing in 12 dairy princesses, 3 boys from a boy band (the goats I assume) a musical fox, an extended kingdom under a bridge, and some interesting song lyrics all shaken together. I read pay the piper and must say that Trollbridge is far better as well as the music lyrics. This book, like Yolen and Stemple’s other work is continued in a simple story that they then completely make their own to the where it is nearly impossible to remember that the story is founded on another. The tale is all its own, and while it was shorter than I would prefer, I applaud the authors on another story with a flair of originality. I cannot wait to read another creative tale is published. If the next follows the pattern of the first two it hold the promise of being spectacular. --Katherine, 17
______ _____ ___

I enjoyed "Pay the Piper", the first Rock 'n' Roll
Fairy tale by the mother-son team Jane Yolen and Adam
Stemple. However, I was thorougly disappointed in
Trollbridge, the second installment in this innovative
series.

Trollbridge lacked any forward motion, and I didn't
have any feeling towards the characters. After 76
pages, I decided that I didn't care if the 12 Dairy
Princesses got the magical fiddle and made it out of
Trollholm or what would become of the three brothers
that sang songs.

The lyrics to the songs were quite a bit less inspired
than their predecessors, with bad lines such as
"badder than my better girl."

I look forward to the next piece of the collection,
hoping that it is less disappointing.

Krovatin, Christopher - Heavy Metal and You

Reader: Ben P.
Age: 13
Title: Heavy metal and you
Author: Christopher Krovatin
Publisher scholastic
Pub. Date june 2005
Galley No
My review: a awsome book. there is lots of character in it and more desripion than anything. i could really feel like i was in his head. thats all i can really say.
Would you nominate this book for an award? Yes
QUALITY 4Q Better than most
POPULARITY 3P Some Teen appeal
______

Reader: Kirsten P.
Age: 17
Title: Heavy Metal and You
Author: Christopher Krovatin
Galley No
My review: For two teen drama books from the boy's point of view that came out at the same time, "Heavy Metal and You" and "Nailed" could not be more different or more similar. The characters are both rebellous, but Krovatin's character is more happy with who he is. They both have trouble with girls, but Jones' female character is awful and Krovatin's is merely human. Krovatin's writing is engaging, and his use of play, stop, rewind, and fastforward symbols is brilliant. Any teen who has ever had a relationship will enjoy "Heavy Metal and You." Not to mention that it has good music.
Would you nominate this book for an award? Yes
QUALITY 4Q Better than most
POPULARITY 5P Everyone wants to read it

________

Sam Markus is a metalhead, with freinds whose "way of
saying 'I care' is 'I did your Mom.'" He's perfectly
happy getting drunk and high and listening to death
metal when along comes the love of his life and rips
him from his native environment.

"Heavy Metal and You" is a great testament to a
much-less written about type of character. Most main
characters in YA fiction today are noble and kind or
utterly preppy and girl-power-ish. I liked Sam Markus
because he isn't the kind of character I usually read
about, and thus is totally seperate from other
characters. His outlook on life isn't that different
than other poeple's but the way he thinks is, and it
was great to see into his head, because otherwise I
wouldn't have had a chance.

The writing easy to read, and I had no problems with
it. It seemed very natural--almost like talking. The
character development was kept to a minimum aside from
Sam, but it did an excellent job there and by the time
I finished I knew what he would do in most given
situations. The story is utterly genius, and so
obviously perfect that I'm surprised no one thought of
it sooner. It made me laugh at times and make me
almost cry at others (note: almost). The wise range of
emotions and obstacles faced by Sam lead to a diverse
ride into his world.

However, there's a problem with this book, though I
hate to admit it. The last thirty pages or so were
terrible anti-climactic. There's a great climax, but
then the book blathers on for awhile longer, and it's
boring. I found myself skimming the last few chapters
because they were so pointless and overly angsty.

Still, despite the minor bumps at the end, "Heavy
Metal and You" is still an awesome book, and I enjoyed
it thoroughly.

~Robert Johnston
Age 16
http://www.bookmobile.cjb.net

Scdoris, Rachel and Rick Steber No End in Sight

Reader Andrea F.
Age 13
Title No End in Sight
Author Rachel Scdoris and Rick Steber
Publisher St. Martin's Press
Publication date February 2006
Galley Yes
My review: Most biographies I hate. The authors state the facts in the most boring way, that even if the person who the book was about is tortured for information by being burned, you don't feel any real pity for the person. You can't really sympathize with them. And often times, if people try to do autobiographies, they turn out terrible, because some people just simply can't write. However, this biography put new hope into me for biographies. You feel like you and Rachel have been good friends for years when you're done with it.
Would you nominate this book for an award yes
Quality 4Q Better than most
Popularity 4P Broad general teen appeal
Today's date 01/03/07
I would also like to say I would like to have the galley copy.

Sage, Angie Magyk

Reader Luke G.
Age 14
Title Magyk
Author Angie Sage
Publisher HarperCollins
Publication date 2005
Galley No
My review: A very exciting book. Every page kept me wondering what would happen next. A princess is whisked away by an extraOrdinary wizard for protection from from the evil DomDaniel where a new adventure unfolds. I strongly assure you, it's a great book! Read it!
Would you nominate this book for an award yes
Quality 4Q Better than most
Popularity 4P Broad general teen appeal
Today's date December 7, 2006
I would also like to say Read it!

Benz, Derek and J.S Lewis The Revenge of the Shadow King

Reader Logan R.
Age 13
Title The Revenge of the Shadow King
Author Derek Benz and J.S Lewis
Galley Yes
My review: Creepy monsters and magic card games. What more could you ask for? I really think that a younger crowd will enjoy this book more because though some parts are creepy for a wimp like me, the characters are and act younger. It is a great book to read at night but some parts seam a bit unrealistic. Like all the oh so narrow escapes the characters have from the Shadow Goblin. Are they magic lucky? Or just with the same dumb luck I have? I think that there is a good chance that this could be a great horror fantasy for those slightly younger readers. However, I hope to see more terrible spots the characters get out of using their own cleverness and mind in the second book. Magic and magical creatures to the rescue just seam a bit too easy.
Would you nominate this book for an award no
Quality 4Q Better than most
Popularity 3P Some Teen appeal
Today's date December 5,2006
I would also like to say It kind of bugged me that the King of all the bad guys is named Oberon, because I rather liked him in A Midsummer's Night Dream. I'm more use to it now, but it still kind of bugs me.
_________ __

Reader: Lewis
Age: 13
Title: The Revenge of The Shadow King
Author: Derek Benz & J.S. Lewis
Publisher: Orchard Books
Publication date: 2006
Galley: Yes
My review:: Although this book looks like just another part horrer book, it really isn't. A kid named Max and his group of friends, the Grey Griffins, find about a sinister plot to bring an evil being into the real world called the Shadow King. I thought that this book was a little childish in some parts, and better in others. Thats probably because all of the kids are in elementary school and what are the chances that they can take on a whole cast of vile characters and denezens. I really liked it after I got through the beggining where the book was pretty slow.
Would you nominate this book for an award: no
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal