Teen Comments on Books Eligible for 2007 & 2008Awards
Waldorf, Heather Grist Red Deer Press 0889953473
Reader Logan
Age 13
Title Grist
Author Heather Waldorf
Galley No
My review: Shock is one of the first feelings I hade when reading this. Then it developed into hope that things would work out. At the end it was thoughtful and happy. Wow, I have never read a book like Grist. It is everything from a romance to a mystery to something much much more. Some might be a vended by the story line, but it is such an engrossing book that they will have missed out. Char's thoughts and feelings are realistic and truthful. The setting is stunning and descried beautify. Defiantly not for too young a reader, but those who are old enough to read it will be blown away. This book really makes you think, for me the question in my mind was what exactly is love?
Would you nominate this book for an award yes
Quality 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity 3P Some Teen appeal
Today's date November 28,2006
I would also like to say This book is also about Charlie's questions. Some are answered, some are not. This and Char's struggle with the events describe make it a book that even later generations will enjoy.
Reader: Deseray
Age: 16
Title: Stake That
Author: Mari Mancusi
My review: I absoulutely loved this book. I thought this was just going to be another lame vampire book, but it wasn't. The only thing that I really didn't like about this book was that the girl wrote her story in blogs, otherwise the book was fantastic.
Would you nominate this book for an award? No
QUALITY 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
POPULARITY 5P Everyone wants to read it
Reader Logan
Age 13
Title War Horse
Author Michael Morpurgo
Galley Yes
My review: Joey the red bay has a unique and touching story. From the being, I wanted to know what would he his fate. Would it be to die on the battlefield or to live on a farm, loved by a little girl? The honesty that shines through his words made him seem as if he were a friend I could tell all my secrets to. I love the people who help Joey throughout his narrative, for they eased the pain and sometimes cruelties that he was shown. I have one very favorite part however, which is the scene where Joey is between the two long lines of barded wire with the opposing armies on each side. I could see it in my mind, the hurt horse standing with two soldiers, who in any other time and place would have been the firmest of friends. That part struck me as the true essence of the war, the sadness and insanity of it. The pain and suffering of that equines and humans alike felt. This is a story about a horse, a war, the kind people and animals that loved him. I think I can safely say this is the perfect book for any one, child, adult, boy or girl, who ever loved a horse.
Would you nominate this book for an award yes
Quality 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity 5P Everyone wants to read it
Today's date January 10,2007
I would also like to say I actually have never been a true horse person, but after reading this I might have to start.
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Although this was a very short book, I thought that it was one of the better books that I have read. I especially liked how this horse (Joey) gets sent all over Europe, and he still manages to get back to his owner. Also, I thought that it was a much better book than Black Beauty, which is basically its counterpart as they both are about a horse that gets mistreated. The characters in this book, although simple and undeveloped, they were the most compelling characters that I have almost ever read about. It was one of my favorite books, and I think that almost any reader should read this book because it just so good. I would nominate it for any award. Should be nominated. 5Q, 4P. --Lewis, 13.
Kerley, Barbara Greetings from Planet Earth
Reader Andrea F.
Age 13
Title Greetings from Planet Earth
Author Barbara Kerley
Publisher Scholastic Press
Publication date April 2007
Galley Yes
My review: Despite the science fiction sound of the title, this book is far from it. Set in 1977, the main character Theo, has a class project where he has to contribute to the golden record. It's a record of what people view are the most important things on Earth, that's going to be sent on the Voyager 2, so that if any intelligent life forms find it, they can find out about us. But it's also rather a mystery book, and historical fiction as well. Theo starts to find out more about his dad, who disappeared just before he was supposed to come home from Vietnam. A book that really makes you question yourself, and what you do.
Would you nominate this book for an award yes
Quality 4Q Better than most
Popularity 4P Broad general teen appeal
I would also like to say I would like to have the galley copy of this book.
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Greetings From Planet Earth Kerley, Barbara
Scholastic Press 2007 - April
The main character, Theo, is fascinated by space. The book is set in 1977, near the beginning of space exploration. Theo’s teacher gives the class an assignment, that if you had one minute to tell someone about Earth, what would you say? What is the most important thing on Earth? Theo’s teacher asks thought provoking questions like “Who are we?” While Theo is wondering, he goes on a search to find out more about his dad who disappeared after the Vietnam War. Theo asks his grandmother questions about his father, because his mother would rather act like he never was there, and he also finds letters his dad wrote during the war. I did like this book. I thought it showed the time period well. As a reader, I really got to know Theo. I also liked all the other characters because of their various personalities. It was an easy book to read, so maybe a good audience for this book would be 4th to 6th graders. Would not nominate - 4Q 3P, -- Kara D., 13
Reader Andrea F.
Age 13
Title Eggs
Author Jerry Spinelli
Publisher Little Brown and Company
Publication date April 2007
Galley Yes
My review: This is the story of a relationship between 2 kids, Primrose 13 years old, David 9. David's mother has died, and he takes his anger out on his grandmother. Primrose's mother is Madame Duffee the palm reader, and is so kooky, that Primrose moves into the junker van in their yard. It's hard to understand how Primrose and David are friends, because they're always fighting, and they have large age differences. But there's a happy ending, but thankfully there's still a few loose ends floating around like in real life.
Would you nominate this book for an award yes
Quality 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity 4P Broad general teen appeal
Today's date 1/10/07
I would also like to say I would like to have the galley of this book.
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I liked the book because it took me back to when I was nine, but it was not as fun. It also left me wondering what is going to happen next and you never wanted to put the book down. The dialogue kept my interest. 5Q, 5P. --Nathan S, 17
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I think the book, Eggs, is a good book because it has a lot of detail and you can understand what they are saying about their lives. I would recommend this book to all teens. 4Q, 4P. --Tanner P, 13
Marr, Melissa Wicked Lovely 0-06-121465-5 Harper Teen 2007
WICKED LOVELY is just about the lamest title for a book I've ever heard. It's two adjectives! That doesn't even make sense! However, the book itself is much, much, much better than the title led me to believe. Aislinn is your normal seventeen year old girl. She goes to school. She lives with her grandmother. Oh, yeah, and she can see Faeries. Not the cute, nice kind, these are the Fey, the dangerous and malicious faeries of nightmares. And Aislinn is pretty much all alone. Luckily, faeries hate iron, so she's usually safe with her friend Seth, who lives in a train car. However, the Summer King, Keenan, has taken an interest in Aislinn. And while Aislinn doesn't want anything to do with this powerful Faerie who keeps following her, her only other choice may be death. The plot is really thick and original, like fresh cream for the first time. Or something. I'm bad at metaphors. Melissa Marr is good at them, so go ask her. There's this weird love-parallelogram-with-a-line-in-the-middle thing going on. It's like two triangles, but two of the points are the same on each triangle. Make sense? Just read it. There's some nice twists, foreshadowing, use of irony, etc. There's also quotes at the beginning of each chapter from crusty old books on faeries. Aislinn is a rocking protagonist, up there with Bella Swan and...well, that's really all I can think of right now. She's strong and self-empowered, but sometimes she can't do it all alone. She doesn't really have any major flaws, but she's really likeable, so you always feel like she's the victim, which is good. I found it weird that some of the faeries' names were Beira and Donia, while the King's name was...Keenan. Huh? That's a really common name, like Steven or Joe. But whatever. Paranormal fantasy, Faeries, and weird double love triangles. What's not to love? After all, it is WICKED LOVELY. Nominate? yes. 5Q. 4P. Robbie J., 18
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I did like this book, but it is definitely not one of my favorite books. It's about a girl named Aislinn who can see faeries and has to fight off a type of faery curse when the Summer King chooses her to be his queen. I thought the characters could have had more depth to them and that some parts could have been made more clear to the reader. Nominate? no. 3Q. 3P. Claire, 13
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Reader: (Heather) Shadow
Age: 17
Title: Wicked Lovely
Author: Melissa Marr
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication date: 6/12/07
Galley: Yes
My review:: The cover is designed beautifully and it seems to predict the story's shameful beauty. The most compelling aspect is just the general overlay of it. Two different worlds that rely on each other to survive yet only one (mortal) girl can see them.
Would you nominate this book for an award: yes
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it
Today's date: 1/25/07
I would also like to say: Its different. We always have books that show faries completely evil or completely good. In this book it shows them, like humans, good and bad consumes even the immortal.
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Despite hearing wonderful things about this book, I was very disappointed. I was loving the book until I got to the ending. It was just so neat. Sure there was a few problems, but it was unrealistically perfect. Otherwise I really liked everything else about the book, but the ending just kind of spoiled it for me. Nominate? no. 4Q. 4P. Andrea F., 14
Carman, Patrick Atherton: The House of Power
Carman, Patrick Atherton: The House of Power I have wanted to read Atherton for a while now, and when I got the chance to hear it on CDs I was curious how it would be done. I am blown away after listening to it. This story has more music and voices then I have ever heard on an audio book. In most stories on Tape or CD there is only music at the beginning and the end. Having music spaced throughout really made me see Atherton more clearly. Edgar is a vivid character but I think he gets a bit much hero worship. All in all, this book has a great storyline and i predict I will be much loved by middle school sci-fi fans. The only problem I had with the music, is sometimes the book would be describing the actions of the bad guys, and there would be bright happy music in the background. It made it confusing when you were trying to figure out the sides. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Logan, 14
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Reader: Lewis
Age: 13
Title: Atherton
Author: Patrick Carman
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co.
Publication date: May 2007
Galley: Yes
My review:: Atherton was a GREAT story that kept me reading for hours. Its unusual plot line of a man made planet made me think more about the future. Also, the characters were very "friendly" and I especially liked the boy who could climb anything. Carman has made an interisting book that I am sure that all teens will read.
Would you nominate this book for an award: yes
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Today's date: 1/23/07
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This is one of the best books I’ve read so far. I couldn’t put it down. It’s full of adventure and well-written. Edgar finds a treasure that he can’t decipher. He has to risk his life trying to get to a person he can trust to read him the message. It is a fantasy, but all readers will enjoy this book. Should be nominated. 4Q, 5P. -- Kelsten C., 15
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The one thing that made me truly sad about this book is when the book talks about the Dark Planet. I'm really looking forward to the sequel of this book, because there are a lot of questions left unanswered. I really liked how at the end you got to look at Dr. Harding's journals, with also linked up to the website. Nominate? Yes. I would like to have the galley copy of this book. 4Q. 4P. Andrea F. 14
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"Atherton" is the story of a boy who lives in a world made up of three levels, Atherton. The top level, the Highlands, control the water which goes down to the other levels, and is composed of the only people in the world who can read. The Tabletop is the next level down, made up of fig, rabbit, and sheep farmers who serve those who live on the Highlands. They can't have books, and if anyone finds one, they must immediately give it to someone from the Highlands. The third level is called the Flatlands, and it is a mystery. Our hero, Edgar, lives on the Tabletop, in the fig grove, but at night he climbs the cliffs leading up to the Highlands, looking for something, he doesn't know quite what. What he finds is a book, which leads him all the way up to the Highlands, looking for someone to read it to him. There are implications that Atherton is a made world, which adds to the mystery and intrege. I think that this book would attract fantasy and science fiction readers. I liked it somewhat, but the characters seemed older than thier professed age and the writing style didn't agree with me. The story was wonderful, and I think that others could enjoy "Atherton" much more than I did. Nominate? No. 4Q. 4P. Kirsten. 17
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Atherton: The House of Power was an interesting story about another world built on three layers. This world, Atherton, was built because Earth has been damaged to the point that no one can go outside without an oxygen tank. The differant levels present differant social status's. The top, the Highlands, is the highest social class. The middle, the Tabletop, is where all the middle class people live. And, on the bottom is the Flatlands, where only mysterious beasts roam. Our main character, Edgar, is a young boy with an amazing climbing ability, and love for adventure. When he finds a mysterious book, it's up to him to find out what it means, and save Atherton from complete distruction. This book was alright. It is definantly not as good as The Land of Elyon series, also by Patrick Carman. But, still, I enjoyed reading it. This book has a pretty small interest area. You have to be really into Sci Fi if you want to really enjoy it, and I'm not one of those people. Nominate? No. 4Q. 4P. Elle. 13
Reader: Lewis
Age: 13
Title: Web of Fire, the
Author: Steve Voake
Galley: Yes
My review:: As the second in the dreamwalker series, this book met my expectations and went far beyond. Sam gets sent back to another world where people are smaller, and is expected to save that world. You can guess what happens, but this book's great characters and interisting plot keeps you reading for hours on end.
Would you nominate this book for an award: yes
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it
Today's date: 1/23/07
Beck, Ian The Secert History of Tom Trueheart
Reader: Logan
Age: 13
Title: The Secert History of Tom Trueheart
Author: Ian Beck
Galley: Yes
My review:: Classic fairy tales have been done in so many different ways, some will get tried of hearing them over and over. "The Secret History of Tom Trueheart" though is fresh and entertaining. Old thoughts are presented in new and different way. Reader will follow Tom's adventure with interest. This is the adventure every one wants to go on. Meet Sleeping Beauty and Snow White to see if they are like you imagine them. Climb the bean stock we were introduced to somewhere in Kindergarten. Save the Land of Stories. Now we have to be brave and hope there is a sequel!
Would you nominate this book for an award: yes
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 3P Some Teen appeal
I would also like to say: This book will most likly have a greater appeal to younger teens as they are more likly to know thier fairy tales.
I thought this book was pretty good. At first I thought it was going to be another one of those I was mad at the world so I shot a bunch of people, but it wasn't. It was kind of hard to get through the first chapter but at the end of it you find out that he wasn't shot he shot himself(total shocker to me). I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read comming of age books. 4Q, 4P --Deseray, 16