A Joint Project of
Genrefluent and the Center for Adolescent Reading

Harmon, Michael Skate Random: Knopf 2006 - October I thought Skate was a good book for troubled teens because a lot of us have had to take care of ourselves and our little brothers and sisters. Incarcerated kids would like this book because it explains our lives. *I would like a copy of this book. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Tanner P 13
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Harmon, Michael Skate Random: Knopf 2006 - October I like this book because of its realness. The character in this book has real life emotions. It also shows how you can get caught up in the system. It shows how a teen can react in a situation where they are going down the wrong path and how they can change there ways for the better. Nominate? yes. 5Q. 5P. Jon W. 17
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Harmon, Michael Skate Random: Knopf 2006 - October This was a great book that related to kids living in the ghetto. It shows how a kid can put his family before his judgement and how two kids can make bad decisions for good reasons. Nominate? yes. 5Q. 5P. Justin S. 17
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Harmon, Michael Skate Random: Knopf 2006 - October Skate was a very good book. It is about a kid named Ian who goes to school and has to take care of his brother because his mother is a coke head and never home. When Ian is at school he is taunted by coaches and other students. He gets in trouble because of a conflict with a teacher and fears the authorities will arrest him. Who will take care of his brother? His solution is to run away with him and search for their dad. This book was hard to put down because of all the action. I would recommend it to anyone. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Nate H 17
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Harmon, Michael Skate Random: Knopf 2006 - October It is about a 15 year old boy living with his drug addict mom and little brother. He feels responsible for his little brother. They get into trouble and run to find their dad. I liked this book because it kept me wondering what would happen next. It was an easy read. I could relate to it because he’s about may age and likes to skateboard. I recommend this book for all ages. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. John L., 15
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Harmon, Michael Skate Student Review: I say that Skate is a book to read if you have a fierce bond with a brother or sister or both. It starts off with Ian McDermott having problems at school. His mom is a drug addict and is rarely home and his little brother Sammy is getting picked on at school. Ian hit a teacher and broke the teacher’s jaw at school. He starts to run away with his little brother and hopes they can find their father at 1313 Walla Walla in Washington. Sammy gets sick and a cop gets hit in the leg hard. Then stranded, they end up stealing a truck. It says to me--Don’t run from your problem, but simply walk away. Nominate? yes. 5Q. 5P. Jptivb Gsjfstpo, 15

Hess, Kina A Practical Guide to Monsters

I believe this book is very useful if you are a gamer; D& Boulders gate and D& and I have found a lot of use for it and learned some stuff about the monsters I fight in the games with the monsters so I like this book a lot. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Jptivb Gsjfstpo 15

Jacques, Brian Eulalia Penguin: Philomel

In this continuation of the Redwall series a badger looses his parents and is now out for revenge. Unlike most Redwall books the enemy commander is fairly smart and can suppress his greed until the object he wants is in his grasp. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Tyler, 15

Murphy, Pat The Wild Girls Penguin: Viking 2007

I really liked the main character of this book, Averie. She was headstrong and independent, going as far as she could without crossing the line. Averie was betrayed by one she called a friend, losing her father, and her home. However in the end, she rose above the struggles of life and found contentment in the wonders of travel. Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. Emmy, middle school student
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I know what you're thinking when you hear a title like "The Wild Girls". Chick lit, but I would have to say it's pretty much the complete opposite. This is a book for wild girls, the girls who never worried about makeup, and made up stories when others played with Barbies. The kind of girls who built a fort in the woods, and caught newts in the streams. It was actually a very deep book that really gets to the heart of the question "Is someone truly evil?" New fav book, a must read for wild girls everywhere. Nominate? yes. 4Q 5P. Andrea F., 14

Shinn, Sharon General Winston's Daughter Penguin: Viking 2007

General Winston's Daughter was a refreshing read that let me taste good fantasy once again, something I've been craving for a while now. The interesting thing about this book is that it doesn't really have 'magic' per say, but a parallel world with it's own history that makes it seem as if it could be a real place. General Winston's Daughter begins with our main character, Averie, as she sets sail from her native land of Aebria to visit her father (a general army) on an extended visit in Chiarrin, which the Aberian army has recently invaded. Her fiancee, Morgan, is their as well. But soon, everything seems turned upside down when Averie questions the army's decision to invade Chiarrin, and when she finds she's given her heart to a differant man. As she discovers the beauty of a differant country and befriends new people, Averie learns a ton about herself. This book was entertaining and held my interest, but at points Averie didn't seem very realistic. But overall, I would definantly recommend General Winston's Daughter. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 3P Some Teen appeal. Elle, 14

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This is one of the few fantasy books that doesn't have magic in it. An amazing feat in itself, but to have a GOOD fantasy book without magic... Wow. It's set in an alternate world, but it feels like the character is 19th century English. Summary: The main character is the daughter of General Winston, the commanding officer of the invading forces of Aebria. Averie goes to meet her father in the just invaded Chiarrin, and learns to love the new country she lives in. She also starts to question many things before that she took for granted, and of course falls in love. Major plot twist at the end. I really hope there's a sequel. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 5P. Andrea F., 14

de Lint, Charles Little (Grrrl) Lost Penguin: Viking 2007

This book was a pretty original story about a girl who moves to the city from the country and discovers a six inch tall girl living inside of her walls. When the six inch tall girl, named Elizabeth, discovers an author who has written correctly about her people, she convinces her normal sized friend TJ to go try to find this author. This book was definitely not one of my favorites. It was incredibly random, and not in a good way. Also, the way the author described how the characters looked and acted didn't fit their personalities. I wouldn't recommend this book to many people, although it was written very well. You have to enjoy certain types of fantasy to enjoy this book. Nominate? no. 3Q. 3P. Claire, 13

Sharenow, Robert My Mother the Cheerleader

This is a brilliant historical fiction novel. It deals with the Civil Rights Movement in 1960. I enjoyed every moment of this book, for there was that much entertainment. Either it was describing Morgan Miller, the man that stepped briefly into the main character's life and changed it, or telling about the segregation in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, or describing the relationship between her and her mother, but this book always kept you interested. One thing that makes the book great is that no matter how little the topic relates to you, the main character will still make it good to read about. I can see this book becoming challenged or banned because some parents might not like the strong language used or the racism issue or the mothers method of keeping truckers coming back to her inn. The only criticism I have of this book is the ending was a little too brief. It felt like it just cut the story off after the action was done, for there was no time for reflection. It was a pity to see such a glorious book ending so suddenly, but it still makes my Top 10 list for the year. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 5P. Kara D., 13

Morgenroth, Kate Echo

This book is kind of weird but good at the same time. The tv, a master of machinery, controls life or death in this case. One kid wants to watch a different show but his brother won’t let him, so he starts searching around his dad’s room. His brother said, “I always win”. Then he found his dad’s gun and said, “Not this time” and pointed the gun at his brother and his brother said, “shoot me if your man enough.” Then he points the gun at his own head and his brother said you shouldn’t be playing with dad’s gun and then all of a sudden all you hear is the crack of the gun going off and killing his brother. Now every day he hears a voice telling what to do and what not to do and he relives the same day over and over. Nominate? yes. 4Q 4P. Jptivb Gsjfstpo, 15
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I enjoyed this book for the most part. It was a very quick read. There were some things that bothered me about the book. The way the book went was that a lot of what the author wrote was repeated. But that was the way it was so the story made sense. But it was a pretty intense book. Nominate? no. 3Q. 4P. Hfbuifs Hpehtpo, 16

Ciencin, Scott Charmed High Spirits

I would have to say this book is better than the other charmed books that I have read so far, but it gets a little long in some parts. Thanks for the privilege for letting me read the book Charmed High Spirits. Nominate? yes. 3Q 4P Jptivb Gsjfstpo 15

Cle, Troy The Marvelous Effect Simon & Schuster

This book creates a fantesy world parellel to our own, then combines the two worlds. I find it interesting how Troy CLE creates a balance between the worlds so that one none 3rd dementional object can not come into our the 3rd demention unless a 3rd dementional object comes to the 6th demention. I would recomend this book to someone who can comprehend high level thinking. Nominate, yes. 3Q 4P Tyler, 15

DeCandido, Keith R.A. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Deathless

This book was OK. I would say it is better than most. Not the best but tolerable. But I like it and hope more come out this year. Nominate, yes. 4Q 4P Jptivb Gsjfstpo 15

Hopkins, Ellen Glass

I read half of this book in just less then a day. That for me is very good because I dont read books. In my point of veiw I will say that you proubly have to relate to the story to enjoy it. It is a wonderfull book and Ellen is a awsum auther. I will definitlz be reading more of her books. Nominate? yes. 5Q 5P Brieanna, 15

Kephart, Beth Undercover

The story is about a girl who writes poems for boys to give to other girls. I can't say anymore without giving it away. I found it refreshingly mindless and simple. Nominate? no 3Q 3P Allyson, 16

Klause, Annette Curtis Blood and Chocolate

I love this book so much. At first, I thought it was a bit boring but it captured me during the middle of the story. I'm a little skeptical about books about werewolves but any other teenager would love it as much as do. f anyone is looking for a really good book to read, then you should read this one. Nominate? yes 4Q 5P Jemima 14

Stolls, Amy Palms to the Ground 2005

Old book, I know, but still worth reading. Calman has been going to a shrink since he was 3. No joke. His parents are overly protective and constantly psychoanalyzing him. But finally, he's going to go to a place to have FUN. He goes to Walla Walla Washington to meet his sarcastic tough pen pal Rizzy. It's got a wonderful cast of characters, very hilarious, overall wonderful book. Andrea F. 14

Van Name, Mark One Jump Ahead

This was a very exciting, quick read. A great book for reluctant and avid readers alike, One Jump Ahead is about a man, Mr. Moore, and while he tries to help a man named Jon Slake on the tourist planet Macken, Moore unknowingly starts a chain of events that will require him to risk his life to save a lot of people, corporations, and planets. It was good for reluctant readers because it has a lot of action and isn't slow at all, but is also good for those who read a lot because Mark Van Name builds the characters and settings so vividly. I really liked it, and especially liked how it ends. Nominate? yes. 4Q 4P Lewis, 14

Blackman, Malorie Naughts and Crosses Simon & Schuster 2005

Well please don’t criticise to much its my first review!!!! Its an easy book to get into i admit that. i felt reading it aloud helped me understand it a lot more. It opens with callums mum who is a nought being fired from her job with a family who are crosses. Callum is around the age of 16 very cunning and emotional. Sephy, soft and wants change. The 1st chapter when you meet callum and sephy is strange to us i feel and slightly disturbing. so teher we are sephy and callum on a beach callum snogs her shes bit UGH! about it. So callums a nought. noughts are not treted as fairly as crosses and to get into this cross school they had to pass a difficult test. Callum learns during the holidays of sephy. So the 1st day of school the crosses are acting racist to the noughts and the noughts are gewtting hurt by the Crosses. I wont say anymore i enjoyed this book very mcuh and really recommend this to people of 13 upwards. Thank you for reading. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Chris D., 13

Cooney, Caroline B.  Diamonds in the Shadow Delacorte Press 2007

this book combines the elements of fact and fiction with masterful story telling to make a beliveable window into two familys lives. Cooney spins a yarn with all kinds of story types comedy, suspence, and fiction to make you want a sequel. Nominate? no. 2Q. 3P. Johnathan, 16

FitzGerald, Dawn Soccer Chick Rules

This book interested me for a little while, but not long. The main character, Tess, loves sports and is on the soccer team, but a tax levy wants to cut funding for school sports. I related to the character in the way that I love soccer too, but not in any other way. This may be a good book for reluctant readers though because the language is one like every teenager uses, is about sports, and has strong characters. Nominate? no. 3Q. 3P. Kara D., 13.

Flanagan, John Ranger's Apprentice Book Three: The Icebound Land Penguin: Philomel 2007

A totally amazing book! Anticapated for being the Third book in Flanngan's riviting series. This one is about the Ranger Halt and the Warrior appretice Horace journy to find Will and Evanlyn from the clutches of the skandian's. It is an exelent book the best one in the series so far. Oh and a Ranger to me seems like a mix of a Legolas and an Aragon from the Lord of the rings trilogy. THis is what the book reminds me of with the Wargals and other enemies. It is now one of my most favorit series and I recommend it to all. THough you should read the other two books first. Read this book its amazing. I couldn't put it down. Nominate? yes. 5Q 5P. Brittany, 18
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A wonderful continuation of the series. I couldn't put it down. This book really shows what kind of person Evelyn was. Nominate? yes 5Q. 4P. Allyso,n 16

Golding, Julia The Gorgan's Gaze

This sequel is one where it would be a benefit to read the first one before the second. Since I've read the first though, I enjoyed the next part in the series. I thought it backed up the first and had a nice plot which was distinguished from the first, though it followed the same structure-there was a climax in the middle of the story and then another at the end of the book. I enjoyed the new characters like Uncle Hugh and Rat and can tell they will have a part in the next books. Nominate? no. 3Q. 4P. Kara D., 13
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A wonderful addition to the Companions Quartet. I thought the story held everything that it should. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Allyson, 16

Grove, Vicki Rhiannon G. P. Putnam's Sons 2007

The ship rocked out in the open ocean. The waves were easy, calm, and serene- but something horrid was afoot. Suddenly, the ship began to slip below the gentle waves and tumble below the surface. An entire generation of nobles lost, and along with them, the crown prince... Fourteen-year-old Rhiannon lives atop a bluff in twelfth century England. Along with her grandmother and mother, she aids the unwanted invalids of the city- those with mental illnesses, or bodily disabilities. But, one day, a murder is commited just below there bluff, and one of the invalids is accused of being the murderer. Along with the help of a friendly young monk, Rhiannon sets out to disprove the accusation. But, along the way, she finds other mysteries, involving an amnesia-striken young man and the shipwreck in which the prince of England was drowned. Or was he? This was an excellent book, filled with historical fiction and fantasy, mystery and love that all history-mystery lovers will eat up. I look forward to reading more of Vicki Grove's stories. Excellent! I would like this book, if possable. Galleys or actuals are wonderful, either way! I would like this book, if possable. Galleys or actuals are wonderful, either way! Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Elle, 13

Mitchard, Jacquelyn  Now You See Her

This book was disappointing and I didn't finish it. All the character did in the first twenty pages was complain about how horrible her life was and how her parents were unfair. So I skipped to the end of the book and read that to see how it ended. Nominate? no. 3Q. 2P. Kara D., 13

Flinn, Alex Beastly HarperTeen 2007 - September

It always makes me sad to see how many retellings of Cinderella there are, but so few of Beauty and the Beast. And there are only a few of Beauty and the Beast that I think are worth reading. Beastly in my opinion, is right up there with Ella Enchanted. It's got quality, humor, and overall mystery. It has a great modern twist to it, and it's wonderful to hear from the Beast's point of view. Wonderful character development. It's not like the Beast woke up and went, "I was such a jerk. I must reform!". No, he gradually changes like a real person. And you never forget that he is mentally still a teenage boy. I am especially grateful that Alex Flinn took so much time to really look at the different variations of the tale before beginning her book. Looking forward to reading more of her books! Nominate. yes. 4Q. 5P Andrea F., 14

Velde, Vivian Vande All Hallow’s Eve: 13 Stories Harcourt 2006

The stories a suspenseful and scary without going overboard or taking away from the story. The most compelling aspect was that several of the stories have twists that you only see in the last few paragraphs. 3Q. 4P. Melissa C., 17