Teen Comments on Books Eligible for 2007 & 2008 Awards
Allston, Aaron Betrayal Del Rey 2007
I usually don't even read any movie based book. However, don't let that turn you aside from reading this GREAT Star Wars book. In it, Jaina and Jacen Solo work on saving the Jedi from a lady known as Lumiya or Brisha. However, as Jacen is teaching Ben Skywalker the ways of the force, he is seduced by Brisha and follows her as the next "nice" sith lord. I say that because he doesn't plan to just hurt people, he wants to save people, and the problem with that is that the line between right and wrong gets very blurred. Now this may sound like a load of baloney, but this is a very good book. Would not nominate. 4Q 3P. Lewis, 13
Spinelli, Jerry Love, Stargirl Random House 2007
Love, Stargirl is a companion book to Stargirl. In "the world's longest letter" to her ex-boyfriend Leo, Stargirl pours out her hopes, dreams, and feelings about everything that has happened since she moved from Arizona to Pennsylvania. I think that you would need to read Stargirl first to know what things that Stargirl is writing about. I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Claire, 13
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I absolutely adored 'Love, Stargirl', just as much as it's companion, 'Stargirl'. In this book, Stargirl's story continues, but away from Arizona ... and Leo. Life without Leo is lonely, but as only Stargirl can, she makes friends with the most unexpected people, including 5 year old Dootsie; hot-tempered Alvina; and Perry, who Stargirl may be falling for. Filled with mockingbirds, winter solstice, and many Stargirl moments, 'Love, Stargirl' is an excellent story, as realistic as life itself. Written in 'the longest letter ever' to Leo, Stargirl shares everything in her life, including the constant question she asks every morning... I loved reading 'Love, Stargirl'. It's one of those books that has to be read at the perfect time, perfect place, perfect situation in life to be enjoyed at it's best. And I read it at this point. Everyone may not love this book as much as I did because of this, but if you read it at the right time, like me, it will touch your heart in amazing ways. After reading 'Love, Stargirl', I truely saw the beauty in sunrises and waiting, and learned some life lessons I will treasure forever. You must read 'Stargirl' before reading 'Love, Stargirl'. Have fun! Nominate? yes. 3Q. 5P. Elle, 13
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First of all, I have to say I loved "Stargirl". The idea of such a uncomplicated, giving, almost perfect human being made me extremely happy but also somewhat sad, because I thought that there was no way in the world that such a person could exist. Then I found out I was wrong. Jerry Spinelli married Stargirl. Stargirl exists! I am so happy to know that such goodness doesn't only exist in the imagination. Anyway, on to "Love, Stargirl". This book is one long letter to Stargirl's ex-boyfriend, Leo. In it, we are able to see Stargirl from her own perspective and realize that she is human. We get to enter her angst and happiness and realize that she is a teenager. That is what I loved most about this book. Yes, the characters are wonderful, the plot works fabulously, and all that, but the reader gets to see that Stargirl is a normal teenager, who worries about the same things and gets angsty over boys, with one main difference. She also can get out of herself and think about others in a way most people (teens as well as adults)can only do with their very close friends if at all. She is an inspiration, but also someone you want to be friends with. So if my information is correct, Stargirl is probably very tired of this sort of babbling praise, but she deserves it. Everyone should read "Love, Stargirl" if only to see the other side of who before was only a character. yes to nominate. 5Q 5P. Kirsten, 17
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This sequel was not as good as the first, Stargirl. I just didn't fell like it was going anywhere and I became disinterested and stopped halfway through the book. But there were a lot of unique interesting characters, like homeless boy who stole but seemed very content with himself. Nominate? no. 5Q 3P Kara D 13
Brooks, Kevin Being Scholastic 2007
Hmmm interesting book. I was caught off guard by the lack of a SCI-Fi element. Mostly the book is centered around the boy and what he does. Not instead about the mystery behind his seemingly missing insides. He doesn't have the normal organs that humans have. The boy Robert has to run from some bad people. He doesn't even know who they are not traditional CIA or M16. But only they will kill anyone who gets in their way. Robert meets up with a girl named Eddi. She is smart, coy, and very good at making fraudeulent id's. Over the book the relationship grows. Some parts almost reaching PG-13 or higher. Then a suprising ending leaves the reader satisfied yet equally puzzled. 4Q. 5P. Susan, 13
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I really didn't enjoy Being, it has all the qualities of a great book, powerful characters, an interesting premise, and excellent writing, but it just didn't work. There was more blood and violence than was needed, and some descriptive HMMMM parts. There is another reason for my dislike, Being raised tons of questions about a variety of objects, then answered none of them. This really bugged me, when I read, I expect at least some of my questions to be answered. I wouldn't recomend it all, to anyone I know. Would you nominate this book for an award? no. Quality: 2Q Needs more work Popularity: 2P Only for special interest. Alice, 13
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I was expecting a lot more from this book. It had so much potential and it just fell flat. You don't really finds out what happens in the end. If there was a going to be a sequel, I would've liked it much better. no to nominate. 2Q. 2P. Andrea F., 14
Collins, Suzanne Gregor and the Code of Claw
This was a fantastic book, considering that it is the last in a series??? Usually, the author does not sum up all of the lines in their story. This book was however, an exception. Gregor once again has wild adventures in the underland, but this time he has mastered echolocation and has to kill a huge, white rat named "The Bane". In my opinion, this book was as good or better than all of the others in this series. There were some rather jolting twists in the end, but they just made the book better. My favorite character was Ripred the rat. yes to nominate. 5Q. 5P. Lewis, 13
Thompson, Kate The New Policeman Greenwillow Books 2007
Thompson's love of music and folk-lore shine through in this wonderful novel. She wrestles with the tricky subjects of time and music, which are all too often bungled. Thompson's involvement with music allows her to accuratly capture the joy and pain that accompanies the experience. Kindred souls with heartly warm to this novel, especially the fiddle tunes that follow each chapter. At the same time, a non-music person would still be able to enjoy the mystery woven into the story. A time leak offers a fresh perspective into the world of faery where time is running in while our world suffers a shortage. A wonderfully unique story that hits the right note with readers. The title didn't make much sense until fairly far in. Might make a reader pass it by of the shelves. An amazing novel. Nominate? yes. 5Q. 5P. --Kara L., 18
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The New Policeman is a book told in short chapters, each followed by a song whose title has something to do with the previous chapter, sometimes very synchronized with the plot at that moment and sometimes slightly far-fetched, but it always works. This book is a mystery which decided to go and play with the fairies. Everyone can identify with the feeling of losing time, that there isn't as much time in some days as in others. In the world of The New Policeman, time is actually disappearing and no one knows where it has gone. So JJ goes to find out what is happening to it, for a birthday present for his mother. While the title of The New Policeman doesn't make sense until the end of the books, the rest of the book is wonderfully interwoven between music, and time, fairies (of the darker, "Tythe" sort, not tiny with wings), and old Irish Gods. Any fantasy reader would love this book, and most mystery readers could probably like it as well. Would you nominate this book for an award: yes Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it. Kirsten, 17
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This book had an interesting problem in the story. Time is disappering from our world and the main character, J.J., has to go to another world to get it back. It was very creative but kept you interested just enough to keep you reading. The middle of the book I thought was slow cause there was no action. Nominate? no 4Q 3P. Kara D., 13
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It sounded very good but I could not even slog through the first few pages. I like the feel of the story but it doesn't have a very gripping begining Nominate? no. 2Q 2P Allyson 16