A Joint Project of
Genrefluent and the Center for Adolescent Reading

Kinney, Jeff Diary of a Wimpy Kid Amulet Books 2007

I love Diary of a Wimpy Kid! It is a great book for all ages and great for times when you just want to have fun and not think! You have pictures to help explain the story but it isn't like in kindergarden, but they are for fun and funny purposes. I can't wait to read the sequel! Nominate? yes. 5Q 5P Kissondra, 14

Kinney, Jeff Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Amulet Books 2008- Feb

Just as the first one is a blast to read; I couldn't put this down and now I can't wait for the third one. If I had a say, it is only under Eragon as how great a read it is. Nominate? yes. 5Q 5P Kissondra, 15

Colfer, Eoin Airman Hyperion Books 2008

Conor Broekhart was born to fly. Actually, he was born flying in a hot air balloon. Conor and his parents live on the Saltee Islands, and he is a good friend of the king's daughter there. But one day Conor learns a terrible plot against the king's life, and is subsequently framed and imprisoned on Little Saltee where he is forced to dig for diamonds in inhumane conditions. The only way he could possibly escape is by flying. For years he plans and fails with various designs for flying machines, growing harder by the day. He escapes finally, but can he prove his innocence to his parents and the new Queen? Airman is classic Eoin Colfer with adventure, death, love and betrayal. I've always loved the Artemis Fowl series, so it's nice to get something new from this fantastic author. I would like the book club's copy of this book. Nominate? yes. 5Q 5P Andrea F., 14
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Airman is about a boy named Coner Brokehart who was born to fly. The strange thing about this is he was born flying. Conor was born in a hot air balloon. As a boy Conor spends most of his time playing with his best friend Isabella who is the kings daughter. everything is going great until Conor is framed for the king's murder and is sent to a brutal prison. There is only one way to escape and that is to fly. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 3P Some Teen appeal. Brady 12

Hernandez, David Sucker Punch

This is a really great book about two brothers growing up in a brother’s home. One brother has to deal with the pain of having only four fingers and the other being beat up by his father. When they find out their father is going to come home, [spoilers deleted] I would recommend this book to anyone. It’s a perfect ten. Nominate? yes. 5Q. 4P. Mjdibfm Gpnfa, 15

Sones, Sonya What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know

This book was very well written. I loved this book . I would recommend this book to teenage girls and maybe some boys. Nominate? Yes. 3Q Readable. 3P Some Teen appeal. --Taylor, 17
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The book was funny and easy to read. It was a typical teen love story. The title fooled me. I thought it would be more for boys then it was for girls. I liked the book very much. I didn’t want to put the book down. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Kelly, 15
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I really liked this book because its about teenage love. It’s like you don’t have to be an adult to know what love is. It also showed me that if you really love someone that you will do anything to be with them. I recommend this book to teenage girls and boys because it proves a point that no matter how old you are you can hang out with younger people and older people. This book showed me that eventually if you are bullying someone they will get back at you. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I can relate to this book because I have been in the situation were I have lost friends because of the guy I was dating, and I have been made fun of because of the guy I was dating. Being made fun of and losing friends should not make you want to stop being with the guy you love. If they were your true friends they would support you on your decisions. The people who make fun of you are just jealous because they don’t have the type of relationship that you have. I really hope that more teenagers read this book because it really does get a good point across and I think that it could change the way teens treat each other and I honestly think it could help a lot with saving sex until marriage. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Jfmmjgfs Zpvmhcmppe, 15

Rodda, Emily The Key to Rondo Scholastic Press 2008 - February

Leo is left a music box by his Great Aunt Bethany, with 3 rules about it. 1. Turn the key only three times. 2. Never pick up the box while its playing. 3. Never close the lid until the music has stopped. Great Aunt Bethany left it to Leo because he reminds her of her favorite relative who was "so steady and responsible." The goody two shoes of the family. Then Leo's troublemaker cousin Mimi comes to stay, and of course the adventure begins when Mimi breaks the rules of the music box. They end up in the magical world of Rondo thats inhabited with hidey-holes, fairies, and talking ducks. The Key to Rondo is not as cliche as it sounds. It's refreshingly original with good character development and a good portrayel of the confusion that happens anytime characters enter a new world. It's intended for younger readers but I know a few adults that I think would enjoy it too. I would like the book club's copy of this book. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P, Andrea, 14

Benway, Robin Audrey, Wait! Razorbill 2008 - April

A sassy girl, anyone can relate to, well except for being stalked by, a) kids at her school. b)people who hate her for breaking up with Evan and C)all kinds of bands who want her to be their muse. 16 year old Audrey is an awesome girl who only awesome people would hang out with. you can tottaly relate to her except for the problem that the song her ex-boyfriend wrote about her became a chart topping hit and turned her world upside down. Robin Benway i think did a wonderful job with this book. I loved her sassy characters however i thought that end could be better. this book i would deffiently like to have on my shelf. i can't wait for it to come out. the book was about every girl out there only with an added problem. her book was sassy witty and fun. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. Codi 15
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Audrey is just an average teenager who recently broke up with her wanna-be-rocker boyfriend, who in just a few short weeks manages to: 1. Write a song about how she tore out his heart (even though she didn't really). 2. Makes it such a good song that it becomes the number one hit in the U.S., and 3. Making it impossible for her to go anywhere without photographers and journalists following her every move. Audrey, Wait! is one of those books that is so hilarious it hurts to laugh. I believe its Robin Benway's first novel, but it doesn't show at all. I think this sums it all up "the Princess Diaries with a soundtrack."I would like the galley of this book. Nominate? yes. 5Q. 4P. Andrea, 14

Marr, Melissa Ink Exchange Harper Teen 2008 - March

a marvelous work of darkess mised with faeries and lost love here and there.Nominate? yes. 5Q. 4P. Alejandra, 16

Peters, Julie Anne grl2grl

As a teenager, I don't like reading short stories. I have never heard of a teenager who did. Here is why: in schools, a majority of English teaching is done through short stories. Thus, teenagers associate short stories with school and being forced to read. Julie Anne peters is a superb author, and I love all of her novels. However, the number of novels she has written that I have not liked (0) is the same number of short stories in this collection that I liked (0). Nothing against Julie Anne Peters, but teenagers don't like to read short stories. Nominate? no. 4Q. 1P. Robbie J., 18

Lecesne, James Absolute Brightness Laura Geringer Books 2008 - February

Phoebe's cousin is moving in. Her younger, annoying, determined to be the biggest loser on the block cousin Leonard. Leonard wears platform sneakers with rainbow trim and sings Broadway tunes while helping style hair in Phoebe's mom's salon. Enough said in Phoebe's opinion. But just when Phoebe starts to like him, Leonard disappears. And with all light, it is noticed the most when it is gone. Now the race is on to discover where Leonard is, if he's just a simple runaway, or involved in a more sinister scheme. The only part I didn't enjoy about the ending was that it wasn't resolved. Phoebe discovers new info about a so called enemy, and you never find out what happens. It just leaves you hanging, but it doesn't feel like there's going to be a sequel. I'd give it a 9 out of 10 rating. Nomiante? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Andrea F., 14

I lost interest in this book right in the middle after I found out committed the crime. It was good for a while though. I lost interest because I couldn't see it going anywhere, even though my friend told me there was a twist at the end. Nominate? no. 3Q. 4P. Kara D., 14

Bodeen, S. A. The Compound

This book started out a little slow, but soon I found I couldn't stop reading! This book is about a boy who's family is living in a compound underground after a nuclear explosion hit the U.S. He finds out his father is keeping secerts from him and becomes suspicious about the world. I loved this book because you know only as much as the main character. It has a quick pace and the end is surprising! Nominate? yes. 5Q. 5P. Kara D., 14

The Restless Dead Candlewick 2007 - July

y It was fun to read. The stories were sometimes hard to get into because they changed place and time. Anyone that like stories about zombies, vampires, ghosts would want to read this book. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. Jeffrey A. 17
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This book has all you can ask of short horror stories: killer damsals, greedy kids, dark magic, mad science, and stories that seem all too real. Nominate? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 4P Broad general teen appeal. Melissa C. 17

Abadzis, Nick Laika First Second 2007

This is a graphic novel based on the story of the great space race between the U.S. and Russia. Specifically, following the life of the special dog who was sent into space by the Russians, never to return to Earth. It follows Laika from the time she was a small puppy to the day she dies in space, and all the people she touches along the way. It is confusing at times to know who to trust, just like in real life. I would've like a follow up on the lives of the people who know Laika, to see what happened to most of them. Otherwise I really enjoyed the novel. I would give it a 7 1/2 out of 10. Nominate? No. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. Andrea F. 14

Abel, Jessica, Gabe Soria, and Warren Pleece. Life Sucks

This was a really good book. It has action, romance, and vampires. It’s also a graphic novel.Vampires + Graphic Novel = Awesome! I hope they make a Sequel. Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 4P Broad general teen appeal. Jeffrey A. 17

Beaufrand, Mary Jane Primavera Little, Brown and Company

I'm not exactly sure what I thought of it, frankly. I loved the general storyline of two families competing for power, and the setting of Italy during the Renaissance. I also adored the characters of Flora and Emilio, and the twist of the character Nonna. But, some of the themes I thought cliche, and I think the book could have been fine without them. It was almost as if they were added in to try and make the book have more of a moral, but it already had a fine one. The main character is Flora, who spends all her time in her garden, and in the shadow of her beautiful older sister, Domenica. Both are members of the Pazzi family, who are in constant rivalry with the Medici for the top position in town. One day, a page boy, Emilio, arrives with a message for Flora's father, and he (the page boy) and Flora meet, and become fast friends. As Flora tries to find herself, the Pazzi and Medici's conflicts grow worse and worse. How long will it be before one family takes over, for good? This was overall an excellent book, and I would recommend it to those interested in history and those who appreciate touching moments throughout the story. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 3P Some Teen appeal. Elle 14
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This was very good historical fiction about the Medici and Pazzi family in Italy, in the 15th century. One daughter of the Pazzi family witnesses the power struggle between the two. This isn't often a lighthearted book, but it does have bright parts. Nominate? yes. 4Q. 4P. Kara D., 14

Fukui, Isamu Truancy Tor 2008

This book takes place in a city that is completely dependent on its corrupt education system. The students can be beaten for making the slightest mistake. The only alternative is a rebel organization made up of children called the Truancy. The main character Tak is an average student until he stumbles into an abandoned District and befriends a boy that has been living there. The boy teaches Tak how to fight and when Tak's sister is killed by the Truancy's leader Tak vows to use those skills to get revenge. but when Tak joins the Truancy he is torn between a desire to help them or kill their leader. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. Brady, 12

Halpern, Julie Get Well Soon Feiwel and Friends2007 - October

This book was quick for me but sweet. It is about a girl who is suicidal (more or less) and gets committed to a mental hospital. It's about her two week stay and the people she meets there, including a very cute boy named Justin. It seemed liked she'd stayed there longer then just two weeks, more like a month. The main character has charisma and personality and reminded me a lot of some of my own friends. It is a book that makes you laugh out loud, though probably more intended for girls then guys. Nominate? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 4P Broad general teen appeal. Kara D., 14
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One thing you gotta love is a depressed hospitalized girl with a wicked sense of humor. This book definately shows the lighter side of a mental hospital and tells the tale of some very unique kidsd. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 3P Some Teen appeal. Melissa C., 17

Lockhart, E. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks Hyperion 2008

This book was about a girl, Frankie, who finds out about a secert male scociety that her boyfriend is in and decideds to become a part of it. There was a lot of lead up to the main plot of this book and all of it made you want to find out what happens next. The book was written as a narritive and they pulled it off well. Nominate? No. 4Q Better than most. 3P Some Teen appeal. Kara D., 14

Malloy, Brian Twelve Long Months Scholastic 2008

There are some books that have a group of characters and a very loose or nonexistant plot. Most of these are very bad. Some, like Seinfeld, are amazing. TWELVE LONG MONTHS falls somewhere between the two.

The story follows Molly, from La Sueur, Minnesota, best known as the home of the Green Giant canning facility. She has been hopelessly in love with her sort-of-friend, Mark; he shows no interest in her. Molly goes to Columbia Universit for college, and Mark ends up in New York, too. 'Course, he tells her he's gay, so that opens a whole new can of worms.

I've never lived in New York, but I imagine that this book captures it fairly well without alienating people who are from other places. I know that the college humor is on, and some of it had me in fits of giggles. In particular, referring to the coffee pot as the Refuge of the Damned, only to be used when nothing else is available. The humor is right on and is spread throughout the whole book.

The plot is very loose, and it could be condensed a good deal. There is a lot of extraneous exposition and description as well as wallowing in self-pity that I could have done without. It definitely holds the book back from true greatness, but it isn't so pronounced that the whole novel is dragged down.

The character are great, if a bit archetypal. Molly, our heroine who discovers the joys of makeup and martinis; Mark, the gay guy who is so excited to come out that he dates total jerks; Simon, the nerdy boyfriend; and the obligatory sidekicks, who are into indie films, know where all the hot clubs are, and are always available to our heroine for whatever.

Overall, the book will probably appeal to readers of GLBTQ fiction, but it may appeal to New York people or avid readers. Nominate? No. 3Q Readable. 3P Some Teen appeal. Robbie 18

Takemiya, Keiko Andromeda Stories vol. 1, 2, & 3 Vertical 2007

I did not like how the book started but it got interesting after you got past the boring stuff i can't realy say that other people will like it but i did because it was interesting to me on there could have been a planet that was advanced enough that it went out and tryed to take over other planets that where almost advanced as them and i was glad that a read it. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. Kelly, 17

Shakespeare, William Richard Appignanesi, and Sonia Leong Manga Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet Amulet Books 2007 - April

I absolutely love how the story of Romeo and Juliet is portrayed in this manga. I liked this bettern than the play or any movie I have seen on Shakespeare's tragedy. Nominate? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 4P Broad general teen appeal. Melissa C. 17

Wilson, N.D. 100 Cupboards Random House 2007 - December

When i first picked up this book i really didn't think it would be any good i quickly discovered i was wrong.The story begins when Henry is sent to stay with his aunt and uncle's house. On his first night there he hears a thump from the ceiling. Henry decides to ignore it but the next night Henry wakes up with bits of plaster in his hair. When he scrapes the plaster off the wall he finds 99 cupboards. He and his cousin soon discover that the cupboards are portals to other worlds. soon they discover a black cupboard and behind this black cupboard is a terrible evil. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 3P Some Teen appeal. Brady 12