Teen Comments on Books Eligible for 2007 & 2008 Awards

Beam, Matt Getting to First Base with Danalda Chase Dutton 2007

Getting to First Base is a hysterical book, I loved it. It's about this baseball crazy, called Darcy. After hearing kissing described as 'getting to first base' he goes about trying to get to first base with one of the popular girls at school. The consequences are many and varied. Though this is a lighthearted book, it does deal with some serious issues, and deals with them well. They don't take over the book, and are done tastefully. I would reccomend this book, with one warning, for those of you not sure what going out swinging means, or what a check swing is, READ THE CHAPTER HEADINGS, it makes the book much more enjoyable. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Alice, 13

Dowd, Siobhan A Swift Pure Cry David Fickling 2007

Judging by the cover of the book I thought it would be a soft, goody-goody book. I was pleased to find out it wasn't. It was about a girl named Shell. Her mother has died, her father is neglectful, and she takes care of her two younger siblings. Shell becomes pregnant and tries to conceal it. Father Rose, the new preacher, wants to help her family, but has to keep his distance because of a recent scandal in the church (which the book never tells you want that was). It was interesting how from the first chapter you can tell that Shell's faith in God was going to be a part in the book, which I liked. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 5P. Kara D., 13
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A really touching novel. Shows the troubles a young girl goes through. How she finds a way to believe again after the loss of her mother.All from a new friend Shell finds. His name is Father Rose.He speaks wonderfully about Jesus and his good works. Shell then becomes preganent. It is rumored that the father wasFather Rose. Which is not true, but Shell doesn't wish to say whothe real father is. I think because of the religious standpoint the booksspectum of readers is limited. 2Q. 3P. Susan, 13

Ellsworth, Loretta In Search of Mockingbird Henry Holt 2007

I liked this book overall, although the plot has been done before. It was about a girl, Erin, who sneaks out one night and takes a road trip to Monroeville, Alabama to find Harper Lee, author of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. She wants to learn about her mother, who died, from an old notebook her mother kept. She meets interesting characters along the way. I liked this book because of the characters she meets. The book was a bit unrealistic, but a good story nonetheless.  Nominate? no. 4Q. 4P. Kara D., 13
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I did enjoy In Search of Mockingbird despite the fact that its plot has been used before. It is about a girl named Erin whose mother is dead and whose father has recently announced that he is getting remarried. Like her late mother, Erin's favorite book ever is Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. So Erin sets off on a cross- country bus trip to try to meet Harper Lee. I liked this book, but I think that the plot is slightly overused. Nominate? No. 4Q. 4P. Claire, 13

Enthoven, Sam The Black Tattoo

 This book was completely hilarious and was one of the better books I have read for quite a while. The main character is the nerdy, un-cool Jack Farrell, who just happens to be friends with Charlie Farnsworth who is the exact opposite. When Charlie gets superpowers, it just confirms what everybody thought: that Charlie is the real hero of the book. However, when they journey to Hell (where demons live - not the bad humans)Jack learns the startling truth. Charlie is possesed by a demon, and it all winds down to whether Jack can stop Charlie and the demonin their plan to destroy the universe. Nominate? yes. 5Q. 5P. Lewis, 13

Ferraro, Tina Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress Delacorte 2007

This book is a great way for teenagers to be able to relate to the character(s). Its about a girl named Nicolette on the volleyball team. She was asked to the dance by the hottest guy in school. He ended up ditcher her for his old girlfriend. Nicolette is mad and hurt, but cannot find it in her heart to get rid of the beautiful prom dress that she had dreamed of wearing. Throughout the book her mom is struggling with her job, and her Dad is taking care of his other daughter more than her. I think that many teens can relate to her and the way she feels in many situations. The reader is able to experience all the joys and/or problems she runs into. This book is perfect for any girl that has ever had drama with boys and friends. This book is perfect for any teenage girl. Nominate? yes 4Q. 4P. Valerie, 16
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I know people always say don't judge a book by it's cover, but I still do sometimes. When I saw the cover of this book I immediately thought ditz book. Then a friend made my read it and I loved it! Nic is a smart likable character that just wants what any high school girl wants. The story line is entertaining, and not to complicated, which makes this a great summer read. This book is more for older readers. D, could i have this book when everyone's done with it? Thanks. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 5P. Logan, 14

Hall, Barbara The Noah Confessions Random: Delacorte 2007

I really liked The Noah Confessions, it was a interesting, thought-provoking book, that I really enjoyed. The Noah Confessions isabout a girl, named Lynnie, who gets a letter from her mother, who died when Lynnie was young, on her 16th birthday. The letter is to a mysterious Noah, and gives and her, and her family's history. I liked the letter more than the book itself, but I understand that the story of Lynnie is a necessary background to the real story of her mother. I liked the book as a whole, and would reccomend it to anyone really, it would interest anybody. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Alice, 13
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The book was one VERY long monologue. It did not show enough about the main character's personality. The slow story line made it hard to read. It misleads you to think that the story is focused on the girl, but really you hear much more about her mother. Nominate? no. 1Q. 1P. Susan, 13

Hohlbein, Wolfgang and Heike Magic Moon, vol. 1 TokyoPop 2006

When i first read the back of this book i thought it would be really cheesey. After reading it however i was suprised. There are more twists in the storyline then i expected. Also, the characters are realistic and their fates efect the reader because you begin to love them. I think the best part by far is the way the land and towns are described. I could really see Magic Moon in al it's brillence. Though i think the story line will appeal to younger readers, older readers will like it too. I would also like to say: I thought Tokyopop only did graphic novels... Nominate? yes. 3Q. 4P. Logan, 14
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Magic Moon was reccomended to me by a friend who loved it, and I feel myself of the same opinion. It is about a boy called Kim, whose sister is in a coma-like sleep, at the hospital. Magic Moon begins when Kim first discovers his sisters problem, then continues through twists and turns both on Earth and Magic Moon. Much more than that can't be told without betraying the general idea. It is a lively and entertaining book, that caught my interest within a few pages, and held it till the very end. The characters seem real, and the plot, though understandable, is engaging, with many twists and turns throughout the entire book. Magic Moon is a delightful read that I would reccomend to anyone who enjoys fantasy, it is a wonderful book. I was somewhat confused about the two million copies already sold. But I figured it out eventually. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Alice, 13

Horowitz, Anthony Ravens Gate Scholastic 2005

This was a very fascinating book in that the characters were very strong, and the author made the world building look easy. I don't usually like mysteries, but I thought that this book was very good. In it, Matt (Matthew Freeman) gets sent into a town called lesser malling to be cared for by one Mrs. Deverill. He is a juvenile delinquent, and has chosen the LEAF (Liberty and Education Achieved through Fostering) project over jail. However, Mrs. Deverill and the townspeople are really creepy... Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Lewis, 13

Hunter, Erin Warriors: Sunset HarperCollins 2006

Although I've been following these books for 2 years now, this is the only one that has struck me as childish. The characters were largely stupid, and the ones that were smart didn't do anything because the were afraid to hurt someones feelings. Overall, It was ok, but that was only because they had such a great story line in the first place. The characters were pretty vivid, but they weren't all that great.I would recommend this book for readers below 12, and I think that they would really like it. Nominate? no. 3Q 3P. Lewis, 13

Beddor, Frank Seeing Redd Dial 2007 - August

I loved the first looking glass wars book. Mostly becuase it is so much more exciting, and interesting, than the original Alice in Wonderland. The sequel, is not a disappointment, in fact I think it's almost better than the first. You've already gotten used to Wonderland, and the characters, and I for one wasn't nearly so confused about things as I was in the Looking Glass Wars. There is so much more in this book too, and I love the way it switches perspectives every chapter or so. Anyone who loved the first book would have to work hard not to enjoy Seeing Redd.I would also like to say: I went to the website, www.lookingglasswars.com, it is so cool. They have clips from the soundtrack, yes there is a soundtrack, and previews of the Hatter M. comic books, and all sorts of stuff. You really should check it out. Nominate? no. 4Q. 4P. Alice, 13
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I didn't like this book nearly as well as the first one in the looking glass series Mostly because Alyss kept making stupid decisions to save her boyfriend rather than her entire country. However, the book was pretty good, but I just thought that the plot could use more work, and at the end, the battle just ends and thats it. Book over. What I did like was how creative the world was and how the book grabs you on the first page. So, in conclusion, I thought it was a little above average and that little kids would like it more than older kids. Not for adults! Nominate? no. 4Q. 3P.Lewis 13

Burge, Constance M. Charmed: High Spirits Simon & Schuster 2007

This book is excellent. It has a good theme and great characters and has just the right amount of suspense and emotion. But it could have a few more horrors and scenery and more description of the characters. 3Q. 3P. Andria, 17

Castellucci, Cecil Beige 2007 Candlewick

Beige features teenage angst as its main character. When Katy finds herself apart from her mother for the first time and with her unfamiliar, punk rocker Dad in LA, she is hit in the face with change. She doesn't even like music, and is suddenly shoved into a world composed of rock, grungy scenes, and more rock. Almost everyone can relate to her struggle to fight the changes in her life and learn how to live with it. The titles of the chapters are all punk songs, similar to Heavy Metal and You. An easy read focused mainly on emotion, life lessons, and teenage rebelion, its a great book for high school libraries. I loved the character Lake, perhaps even more than Katy. She's a tough girl, who has issues and is not about to spare anyone her wrath of rocking. A good read, but with a few hiccups. I had a hard time liking Katy, though. She was almost inert at the beginning, bottling everything that bothered her up, but then morphed into attitude girl in a few weeks. She also goes from a passive liking of music to a blossoming passion for all its complexities in a mere two months. I found it difficult to find her transformation believable. Not the deepest, but not bad either. Nominate? no. 4Q. 4P. Kara L., 18
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This book was awesome because it had the element of punk rock on every page. I also liked that it was about a girl. This is a very different book and I really enjoyed reading it. I only wish it was longer. It almost seemed like the author was trying to make it look longer by double spacing it. I would recommend this book to someone who is looking for a quick enjoyable read. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Joshua W., 16
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I thought the book Beige was an all right book. I liked the start but thought it would turn out a lot different. I would recommend this book to those who like punk rock music and that culture. Nominate? no. 3Q. 3P. Matt S., 16
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Beige was a good book. I liked it because the story line was good. I also liked it because of how the author expressed the story. The author went through the book nice and slow so the reader could understand what it was about. I liked the plot of the main character being not very outgoing to the happiest person with no problems. 4Q. 4P. Tanner H., 15
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Beige was a very good book. I can see how it can bring in teen appeal and I, for one, can relate. I think many people can relate to the narrator’s situation. The writing itself was fairly good. The author gave great detail and it was like I could see whatever he described. The story was unique and compelling. We need more books like this. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Alex, 16
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Again, this was a book where I found the ending disappointing. I really loved the rest of the book, the ending just wasn't very satisfying. Nominate? no. 4Q. 4P. Andrea F., 14

Funke, Cornelia Igraine the Brave

I've loved all of Cornelia Funke's books, and Igraine the Brave is no exception. It's a fun, interesting book, that takes a traditional knight in shining armour story and turns it on it's head. I loved the result. Igraine's parents, great magicians, accidentally turn themselves into pigs, right before their new neighbor, Osmund the Greedy, invades, trying to still the singing books of magic. Igraine goes on a quest to find the ingredients her parents need to return to human form, and has quite a few adventures along the way. I loved this book, it's funny, heartwarming, and adventurous, all at once. I'd reccomend it to anyone who can read. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 5P. Alice, 13

Golding, Julia Secret of the Sirens

Secret of the Sirens was a very compelling book. I couldn't put it down. The main character's name is Connie. She goes to live wirh her aunt while her folks traveled. Connie's aunt Evelyn is a very secretive person, with a lot a on her mind. But when Evelyn and her comrades find out that Connie is very important, and somone is out to get her, everything flips. Suddenly, Connie is in mortal danger, and the lives of people( or maybe not people) depend on her. Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. Emmy, Middle School student
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I thought this was a wonderful book. It was original and led up to the climax well. I loved all the mythical creature that were involved and how humans are companions to them. This was a fantasy book that did not include a different world, but instead a society that protects mythical creatures and keeps them secret to the rest of the world. I can't wait to read the second book! Nominate? yes. 3Q 5P Kara D., 13
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Secret of the Sirens is a very good twist on the very old theme of talking animals. It does involve talking animals, but these ones are not cute and cuddly as they usually are, picture a giant bird that can shoot lightning from it's claws, not very cuddly. That isn't the only difference though, some of the beasts are evil, and the entire fate of the human world is at stake. That's not something you see much in this kind of book. Besides the fact the Secret of the Sirens isn't your usual talking animal book, I liked it because it goes beyond the mythical creatures vs. forces of darkness fight. It deals with alot of issues in the here and know, including enviromentalism, and censorship. That's what really made it a good book, the balance between fantasy and reality, that entertains and makes you think. That's the mark of a good book. I'd reccomend it to just about anyone, there's something to interest everybody. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Alice, 13
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Though book is probably for a younger audience, I still enjoyed it. Connie is a character we can go connect with and envy. I mean, who wanted the ability to speak with every single magical creature on the plant? Ride dragon back to school, get swimming lessons form the selkies. The list goes on. The members of the society might be angery with the author however, as now a whole new generation of kids believes in magical creatures. The characters at times made me a bit frustrated when they coundn't see Connie's powers right in front of thier faces.  Nominate? yes. 3Q. 4P. Logan, 14

Koertge, Ron Strays Candlewick 2007

This book was good. I liked the story. I liked how the story was told, but one throwback was that it kind of skipped through a couple of different plots. Other than that, I liked the way it was told, how it was told and the fact that it was first person. I like first person books because they tell more about the story than a third person book. I would like this book. I would like this book. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Tanner H., 15
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I thought that the book was kind of hard to get into because it’s just not a book for me. There are others that liked the book very much but I just didn’t quite get into it. But I did like how he developed more self-respect and gained self-confidence. 4Q. 4P. Julienne, 14

McClintock, Norah Bang Orca 2007

McClintock, Norah Bang I like this book. It’s all about how your best friend could turn on you. After a big mistake happens to the two kids, they are looking at prison for murder. It’s a very good book for being so short. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 5P. Jfttf Esfltpn, 17
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Bang was a good book, but it was too quick of a read. The story line was good and the plot was good. The author told the story to fast, he should have added more of a story instead of telling it so fast. Tanner H., 15
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In my opinion this book wasn’t very good at all. I didn’t like how it was written in first person, past tense. I felt that this book was written for an “intellectually challenged” group because the way it is written it feels like it was told so non-intellectuals could understand. If not for the content in the book I would say McClintock wrote for a very young audience. 3Q. 1P. Alex, 16
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I thought this was a good book. It has a good moral to it. I like how the author ends it—Everything ended up the way I would want it to. I don’t like the way some things occurred and it didn’t tell me when they did it. 3Q. 3P. Matthew, 17

Pow, Tom Captives Roaring Brook Press 2007

I thought the book was really good except for it never finishes itself. It shows their lifes up until they were captives for a a few months and then it stops and has a flashback of their former lifes and never finishes whats going to happen to them. That was the only downside to the book. It was a good book up until the part where it never finishes itself. It is a good book. I would like to know if there is a second to this book that finishes the story? Nominate? no 4Q 4P Jimmy C. 14
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This book has a lot of strong ideas. It may be, if not entirely biased on it's views. But more it is only seeing things as would anyone with morals. In the book Martin and his family are on vacation. They get captured by guerilla fighters. Only their brother and grandparents are left to go free. The reason they are fighting is a company the United Nickel is hurting their familys and controlling their lives. Forcing people to workfor little money in damaging conditions, as a choice between not having any food. Martin over the course of the book learns that everything is not always as it appears.But in the end which side will he choose. The one that frees him, or the one that sets his mind free... 4Q. 4P. Susan, 13
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I thought the book was really good except for it never finishes itself. It shows their lifes up until they were captives for a a few months and then it stops and has a flashback of their former lifes and never finishes whats going to happen to them. That was the only downside to the book.Would you nominate this book for an award? no.Quality 4Q Better than mostPopularity 4P Broad general teen appeal. I would also like to say It was a good book up until the part where it never finishes itself. It is a good book. I would like to know if there is a second to this book that finishes the story? Would you nominate this book for an award? no.Quality 4Q Better than mostPopularity 4P Broad general teen appeal. Jimmy C., 14
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This was a good book, not great, just good. There was a massive lack of detail. The setting left a lot to be explained. In a forest there are tons of different plants and animals and even the ones he mentioned were vague descriptions. The story was good, but the plot was missing something. More affection or intimacy should be shown between characters. 3Q. 3P. Alex, 16
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Captives was confusing. I did not like the story. I think that the author has a great imagination. I think Captives should have been a movie instead of a book. I say this because the book was hard to understand. It went through the story too fast and not enough detail. 2Q. 2P. Tanner H., 15

Trueman, Terry Seven Days in the Hot Corner Harper Tempest 2007

Seven Days in the Hot Corner was one of the best books I’ve had the pleasure of reading. The author captured my imagination with the use of his unique type of writing appealing to teens and the provocative setting that could very easily be turned into a real life situation. This book was revolutionary and gave me a better understanding of people in Scott’s position. A truly mind-changing book. Nominate? yes. 3Q. 4P. Alex, 16
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It is a book about a high school kid that plays baseball and is intrigued with a few bumps in the road. The city championship is one week away for his undefeated team. Nominate? no. 2Q 2P. Dvtuz Ksvccf, 16