A Joint Project of
Genrefluent and the Center for Adolescent Reading

de la Pena, Matt Mexican Whiteboy

I really liked this book. This book is a good book to read and I would suggest it to all Read and I would suggest it to all readers because I can relate to this book. Nominate? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 5P Everyone wants to read it. --Joseph, 16

Flanagan, John Ranger's Apprentice: The Battle for Skandia Penguin: Philomel 2008 - May

The 4th book in the Ranger's Apprentice series, Will and his mentor/father figure Halt are finally reunited. But of course there are new enemies to fight, the Temujai. They've kidnapped Evanlyn, Will's best friend and are planning (what else?) world domination. They can do it too. They are the ultimate enemy because they don't care what victory costs them, they are completely without mercy. Now the Araleun and their long time enemies the Skandians must join forces to stop the Temujai. But can they? The Ranger's Apprentice series are a must read for any Lord of the Rings fans, with humor, battles, and friendship. I've been reading them since the beginning and this latest installment didn't disappoint. I would suggest though reading the other 3 books before this one, as it's not a stand alone. I would like the copy of this book. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Andrea F., 14

Hague, Michael In the Small Little, Brown

In the Small is a graphic novel is about when a mysterious blue flash suddenly shrinks mankind to a few inches high. Nothing else is shrunk, just humans everywhere. It is impossible for them to use any of their technology, they have a hard time even opening doors. The animals that used to be pets are now enemies, and cruel gangs are formed. It is a story about the fight for survival, and the ignorance of us all. I don't read many graphic novels, but I found this one very interesting. There is definitely going to be a sequel at the least, which I will look forward to. I would like the book club's copy of this book. Nominate? No. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Andrea F., 15
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its funny how people get turned into 6inches high and it is horriable that your house cat can eat you it is a very interisting way of saying what would happen in the future. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 5P Everyone wants to read it. --Kelly, 18
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this is a good book and i sugest that this a kid book. Nominate? Yes. 3Q Readable. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Jordan J., 13

Horowitz, Anthony Snakehead

Snakehead by is a very well written spy book. There is less action than some of the other Alex Rider books I've read and a lot more spying. This is defiantly a recommended book. Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Tyler, 15

Hurley, Tonya Ghostgirl

"now i lay me down to sleep, i pray the lord my soul to keep. if i should die before i wake, i pray the popular attend my wake." says the blurb on the back. tonya's first book i believe did not make it up far in my standards. i felt that persoanlly the book was for a younger crowd because frankly it's a little sad to try t be popular even after your dead. charlotte usher isn't one of my favorite characters nor will she ever be. the book wasn't terrible or bad. i do think how it could've been written better and made a little more tuned in towards older readers. Nominate? No. 2Q Needs more work. 3P Some Teen appeal. --Codi, 15

Khidekel, Marina The Quiz Life

I liked this book because it is a book full of quizzes and I am the quiz kind of person. I think anyone who likes to take quizzes should read this book. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Kelsey, 17

LaFaye, A. Stella Stands Alone Simon & Schuster 2008 - May

This was a great historical fiction about the south after the Civil War. Stella is a recent orphan and has a passion to keep her home and plantation though neighbors keep trying to trick her out of it. Stella is despised by most of her town because of the respect she gives to slaves, just like her father did. Stella is an amazing character because she acts just like a boy by working in the fields and running the plantation. She also has a strong faith in God which plays a big part in the book. Nominate? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 3P Some Teen appeal. --Kara D 14

McDonnell, Margot Torn to Pieces

I loved this book. A young woman who always is moving with her mom, because she gets a new job some place new, funny stuff starts happening like her mom starts telling her about her will. The teens not sure what to think about all this till one day……..you have to read this book, it’s a great suspense book!!! Nominate? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 5P Everyone wants to read it. -- Kaslynn, 17
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I really liked this book. This book made me think and realize anything could happen. This book was very sad but was well written. I would recommend this book to all teens. This book was one the changes outlooks on life. It was amazing. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Taylor, 17
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Torn To Pieces was a very phenomenal quick read book. Now me, I honestly don’t like to read at all, but this is one book I didn’t want to put down! It was a fast-paced read that made me want more! The way the author mixed in the letter from Anne’s mom in with the rest of the story was an extraordinary idea. After I got into the book I did NOT want to put it down I just wanted to keep reading to find out what the ending brought upon me. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal.-- John, 16
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I really liked this book because it kept me interested, I would recommend this book to any teen because it is a good book. Nominate? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 5P Everyone wants to read it.-- Joseph, 16
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I liked this book because it kept me on my toes. I think a person that likes mysteries would like this book. Nominate? No. 3Q Readable. 3P Some Teen appeal. --Jesse, 16

Meyer, Stephenie The Host Little, Brown and Company 2008 - May

Great!! It was definately worth the read. I usually don't read much SciFi, but know how amazing the Twilight Series has been I just had to give it a try. I wasn't dissapointed. The irony of Wanda's situation was well written and the overall plot kept me interested. Even my dad, who typically only reads westerns, couldn't put it down. I would recommend this book to just about anybody. Nominate? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 5P Everyone wants to read it. --Crystal 18
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I am apparently a TWILIGHT fan and not a Stephanie Meyer fan. THE HOST is her first novel for adults, and as such it is different from the TWILIGHT books. It is slower paced and more controlled. It was too slow for me, but I am also not its target audience. Nominate? No. 3Q Readable. 3P Some Teen appeal. --Robbie, 18

Millar, Martin Lonely Werewolf Girl 2008

it has everything a reader would want; love drama, hate, fights, exclusion. intriguing to the point where you can not put it down until it's finished. Nominate? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Alejandra, 16

Popescu, Petru Birth of the Pack Tor: Starscape

This book was about an adventure and was magical. I can’t wait to read the sequel to this novel. Petru could be the start of a similar Harry Potter series. I definitely recommend this book to young adults seeking an adventurous and magical thriller. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Greg, 16

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This book is awesome for teens who love soccer and suspense between good and evil!! Nominate? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Kaslynn, 17
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I didn’t really like this book. It was a little too girlish. I read it anyway, but I recommend it to girls. Nominate? No. 3Q Readable. 3P Some Teen appeal. --Chance, 16

Powers, J.L. The Confessional 2007 - July

I thought this book would be an ok book nothing to good ... right now i think it is one of the best books i have ever read. The story takes place on the border between Mexico and America. The story starts in the perspective of Mac. Mac is a good kid but he got a anger problem. In the beginning of the story Mac beats up a Mexican kid. The Kid has to go to the hospital. When Mac gets home the next day he is stabbed to death. Since it was a Mexican that Mac beat up the day before his murder everybody assumes that some Mexicans killed Mac. Pretty soon Mac's friends and enemies are trying to figure who Mac while being caught up in a racial was. Nominate? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 3P Some Teen appeal. --Brady, 12

Salvatore, R.A. The Ancient

This book has a load of different characters. The main one is Bransen with his soul stone Bransen is pretty much unstoppable in a fight but without it he becomes the crippled stork. Cormack is a Abellican monk but unlike the other monks Cormack questions his religion and thinks that all the separate religions are somehow connected, he shares these thoughts with Milkeila a shaman of the barbarian people of the north. Milkeila is a shaman which means she is a position of power with her people, she longs to see the wider world beyond the island she has lived on all her life. Mcwick is a powire dwarf which is a blood thirsty race his world is changed when he meets Cormack. Now we come to the villain of the story Ancient Badden. He leads the Sammahist religion he is completely merciless. The book was really good not the best book ever but good. Nominate? No. 3P Some Teen appeal. --Brady, 12

Sleator, William Test

I loved the action this book had, but I thought the quality it had fell apart completely at the end!Throughout the book, there are really strong characters and lots of detail about what is going on, but the end was really weak. It gave very brief descriptions of what happened to the characters like an epilogue. But there wasn't an epilogue. The end really disappointed me. Nominate? No. 3Q Readable. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Kara D., 14

Springer, Nancy Dussie Walker 2008 - March

I really like how the author wrote from how Dussie had changed from a school girl and became what at first she hated. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Alejandra, 16

Berman, Steve, ed. Magic in the Mirrorstone Mirrorstone/ Wizards of the Coast 2008

i like it have have not seen a book with a bunch of short storys in one book for a long time and i perfer to read them because of the fact that when you have to take finalls you don't have to worry about a novel you can just get a book with a bunch of short storys in it. i also like to read it to kids that i might babysit to keep them quite. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Kelly, 18

Dahme, Joanne Creepers Running Press 2008 - August

creepers is about a girl that moves into a house that use to be a cematary house. it creeped me out on some parts but it was realy a good book Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 3P Some Teen appeal. --Kelly, 18

Flanagan, John Ranger's Apprentice: The Battle for Skandia Penguin: Philomel 2008 - May

The 4th book in the Ranger's Apprentice series, Will and his mentor/father figure Halt are finally reunited. But of course there are new enemies to fight, the Temujai. They've kidnapped Evanlyn, Will's best friend and are planning (what else?) world domination. They can do it too. They are the ultimate enemy because they don't care what victory costs them, they are completely without mercy. Now the Araleun and their long time enemies the Skandians must join forces to stop the Temujai. But can they? The Ranger's Apprentice series are a must read for any Lord of the Rings fans, with humor, battles, and friendship. I've been reading them since the beginning and this latest installment didn't disappoint. I would suggest though reading the other 3 books before this one, as it's not a stand alone. I would like the copy of this book. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Andrea F., 14
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An excelent continuation, I can't wait to see if there is more. I loved the story from beggining to end and couldn't put it down for more than a few minutes. I hope to read more from John Flanagan. Nominate? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Allyson, 17

Gonzalez, Julie Imaginary Enemy Random: Delacorte 2008 - March

Most people have had a imaginary friend at one point or another in their life. Jane White has an imaginary enemy. If anything ever goes wrong in her life, it is automatically Bubba's fault. She writes a letter to him every time, asking him why he's so terrible. We follow Jane from the age of 7 to 17, meeting her crazy neighbors, voodoo dolls, and Gothosaurs. Then one day Jane gets a letter back from Bubba. And he wants to meet her. Imaginary Enemy is unlike many teen books in the fact that we follow the character through her life, and see true character development as a consequence. Jane reminds me of Emma in Jane Austen's work. You kind of hate her sometimes, but then at the end of the book she finally shapes up her life. I would give this book a 4 out of 5. I would like the book club's copy of this book. Nominate? No. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Andrea F., 15

Harmel, Kristin When You Wish Random: Delacorte 2008

'When You Wish' is about Star Beck, a pop star who is absolutely sick of her life. Her bodyguards who follow her everywhere, the paparazzi, the interviews, the shows, the fauxmances, the tour bus and the tours, and the many lies she has to live in. And when she learns that her mother has kept her father, and letters that he has written for the last six years from her she (while her mom is out) disguises herself leaves New York and heads to Florida to find her long lost father.[Spoilers deleted] This book is good because it’s exciting and fun at the same time and I would recommend it to ANYONE!! Nominate? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 4P Broad general teen appeal. Rachel G., 12

Harmon, Michael The Last Exit to Normal Random: Knopf 2008 - March

Ben is only 14 when his dad Paul announces that he's gay. Ben's mother takes off, Ben and Paul move in with Edward, Paul's new boyfriend, and Ben spends the next three years trying to punish his dad for ruining his family. Countless joints later Ben is finally arrested. After he is arrested his dad decides logically that it's time to move to Edward's hometown. Edward's hometown in the middle of Montana, with a population of about 400 people where everyone owns a gun. Edward's hometown which he was kicked out of 20 years ago for being gay. So now Ben has to deal with not only being a skate boarding city punk in Montana, he has 2 dads in a homophobic town. Highly recommended if you've ever read anything by Chris Crutcher. It has the same mixture of seriousness, humor, and darkness. But minus the sports. I would like the book club's copy of this book. Nominate? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Andrea F., 15

Lowry, Lois The Willoughbys 2008 - March

The Willoughbys are an old fashioned family. They have 4 children, Timothy, Barnaby A, Barnaby B (twins), and Jane. But the children realize to be truly old fashioned children they must become orphans, like in Anne of Green Gables or Pollyanna, so they concoct a plan to off their parents. But little do they know that Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby after reading Hansel and Gretel are inspired to scheme to get rid of their children. This book truly is an old fashioned book, with babies left on doorsteps, candy tycoons in depressions, dressing up as furniture, and yodeling in the Alps. This book reminds you of something that Roald Dahl would write, but with a good deal of originality thrown into the mix. Recommended for younger readers, but I enjoyed it very much being a long time Lois Lowry and Roald Dahl fan. Nominate? Yes. 5Q Hard to imagine a better book. 5P Everyone wants to read it. -- Andrea F. 15

Matas, Carol The Freak and Visons

The Freak was a good quick read. Jade is a regularly teenager until she gets sick to the point where she almost dies.When she wakes up she feels completely fine except for the fact that she is seeing things about people that she shouldn't be able to. Soon Jade realizes that she can read peoples minds and predict the future. Then she starts having dreams predicting terrible events can she stop them in time. Yes. 3Q Readable. 3P Some Teen appeal. --Brady, 12

Mikaelsen, Ben Ghost of Spirit Bear I recommend this book to troubled teens. These two books help you to see things others feel and think and it also shows you ways to clear your head. It helps a lot but read Touching Spirit Bear first. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Chance, 16
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it’s a fast read. It’s an ok book. I’ve read better, but for a fast read it’s a good book. Nominate? No. 3Q Readable. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Austin, 15

Miller, Ron Digital Art

It’s an ok book but I’ve read better. If you like computer generated art, this is the book for you. No. 1Q How did it get published? 1P Yech! Forced to read it. --Austin. 15

Nimmo, Jenny Griffin's Castle Orchard Books 2007 - November

This book was interesting because of intriguing word choice and captivating story line. Eleven year old Dinah has a runaway imagination that magically brings stone animals to life. Jenny Nimmo's choice of words brings the book to life. I would recommend it to my friends who love fantasy. No. 4Q Better than most. 3P Some Teen appeal. Emmy, middle school student.

Varrato, Tony Fakie

I thought it was a good book. I would recommend it to anyone. 4Q Better than most. 4P Broad general teen appeal. --Chance, 16

Volponi, Paul Hurricane Song

This book was intense. It made me realize how dangerous natural disasters can be. The book was packed with great detail and, I’d have to say this was the most amazing book that I’ve ever read. I would most definitely recommend this book to young readers. Yes. 4Q Better than most. 5P Everyone wants to read it. Taylor 17

Vrettos, Adrienne Marie Sight

I like this book because it was a mystery and it kept me reading. I paided attention . I think a person that likes mysteries would like to read this book. Nominate? Yes. 4Q Better than most. 3P Some Teen appeal. --Jessie, 16