Page 8 Teen Comments on Books Eligible for Awards

Lee, Tanith. Piratica: Being a Daring Tale of a Singular Girl's Adventure Upon the High Seas.

This book started out very predictable, became unpredictable near the middle, and ended with a scene right out of Pirates of the Caribbean. I have become so accustomed to Lee's wonderful fantasy books, that the novel about a girl who becomes captain of a pirate ship, seemed to fall flat, especially considering its similarity to The Adventures of Charlotte Doyle. Unlike Charlotte Doyle, I felt nothing for Lee's main character.
Best Book: No --Cordi, age

Close Kin was fantastic. It follows The Hollow Kingdom and isn't a bad follow-up. The first was better, but Close Kin continues the story and makes it's own story at the same time. It leaves off at the end rather ominously, so I'm looking forward to the next one in the series. I would say that Close Kin is almost a best book, but not quite. --Kirsten, 15

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"It's a good, quick book that a person can count on giving them an escape while discussing a few situations teens go through."
Ramar H. --Age 17.Rating 4

Collins, Suzanne. Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane

Gregor and the Prophecy of the Bane followed its predesecer well. Gregor the Overlander is a breathtaking adventure, and Gregor and the Prophecy of the Bane was the same. New characters are added, old ones still there, and old problems dealt with. It takes a suprising turn at the end, just like the first one, and leaved the reader wanting for the next one in a good way (i.e. not frusturated because it ends to soon, but eagerly awaiting the next installment of the series). It could be a best book. --Kirsten, 15

Reed, Kit. Thinner Than Thou

Thinner than Thou left me feeling amazed. It is, unfortunately, a plausible plot at this time of weight obsession. The writing is a bit confusing; for every character, the author changes writing style and, for one, tense. The story continues unhindered though. It didn't grab me until about a third through the book, but once it did I was stuck. I couldn't put it down. It isn't quite a best book because it is confusing at times, but it is definetly a good read. --Kirsten, 15

Should not be nominated because it just didn't catch my interst so I
quit reading it. --Nicole, age 17, rating 3

The Boy in the Basement, Shaw
Top 10 because it will teach children how other kids are still abused
severely to this day and how if you get abused, tell someone. There is
a better way of life than abuse and other people will help.
Kienin M
13
5
*Would like this book.
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Boy In The Basement, shaw
Printz Award, this is a great book. I would recommend it to others and
I would read it again.
Ashley J
16
5
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It turned out to b a really good book because the boy was
trapped in the basement then he was saved.-- Sara R. age 16. Rating 4
__ __

Top 10, because it's a good teens book and I feel other teens like me
would enjoy it as much as I did. --Savannah H., age17. Rating 4
*Would Like this book

City Of One: Young Writers Speak to the World. From WritersCorps, edited by Colette DeDonato

Teen top 10. I think this one of the best books I've read because it
relates to me and my life. --Justin D., age 16, rating 5
*Would really like a copy of this book.
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"Young children and adults are telling their feelings. It touched me reading nine year old's poems. I have felt and experienced some of the words said in the poetry. We all have a voice and this was a good way to hear them." -- Ashley J. Age 16. rating 5
*Yes
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"A great book of poems that really expressed feelings on the inside and out. I would read it over and over again." --Savannah H., Age 17. Rating 5
Yes, I would like this book.

This novel ws a sequal to a book I have not read, so I can say that this one stands alone. One girl must live without her mother and in a very new world. She has to go to school on an island and live with a family whom she would rather not. . . . Overlal this book was good with some elements of adventure and self awareness entwined in the plot.-- Hillary, 17

Coming to terms with her mother's abandonment, this teen must cop with raising her family (her younger siblings) and keep the house while dealing with some issues of the heart. After becoming frusterated, she takes off to live the life her mother wished to live, she realizes that she and her siblings hve survived when all odds were against them. She comes home to find that she has all she ever wants right in front of her, and tht she no longer needs her mother to be at home.-- Hillary, 17

After going separate ways, two childhood friends see eachother on a bus. After the resulting confruntation, one dissapears. The other must find a way to see past herself and see into her true self and find true friends in the process.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was well put together and all teens should be able to relate to the questions raised and answered within the pages of this book. -- Hillary, 17

Hi my name is Roxanne and i'm in the 6th grade and i'm 12 years old. I read '' Missing Abby''. I liked the book. The moral of the story is how the girl found out that no matter how someone looks or how they change, if they matter to you, they will always be your friend. I really recommend this book.

An intruiguing look into the mind and feelings of one girl with a less that normal upbringing. She finds that life means nothing to her, and everything to a boy she hardly knows yet seems to enjoy the life she wants. Finding a friend and her true self is the backbone of this short yet complete book.
Written in a style I have not encountered much, it was a neat way to see the everyday, dull, things we do. -- Hillary, 17

A new twist on an old tale, this book depicts a girl scarred for life by an attack by a werewolf. A man is cursed to change for a few nights every month, and both must find a way to come to terms with thier heritage and eachother. Love, Action and advenure abound in this tale of Little Red Riding Hood. -- Hillary, 17

Another book on the coming of age for one girl. After a well liked high school athlete dies of a reported heart failure, questions arise that the truth has not been told. One girl who knew him a little, fnds that she may have had much more in common with this popular boy than never before realized. She gets involved with anther boy who has come from an ancient and differnent culture. He must find himslef and helps her to discover the truth she feels she must know. -- Hillary, 17

Zahn, Timothy. Dragon and Soldier

"One of the best things about this book is that the boy was only fourteen when he was in war with his Uncle and became one of the leaders. He was so young and learned so many things." --Johnny T. Age 16. rating 5
*Yes

"Because it is something that people of all ages would like and it has a great story. Vince is going away to college to get away from his families' mob business, or so he thought." -- Aaron D. Age 15. rating 4
*Yes

this is a wonderful book. It is filled with facts. This
is also a very funny story in some parts. It makes you feel the bond
betweeen brothers and you can't put this book down until the last page. --Aaron D., age 14. rating 4
*would like this book
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Private Peaceful, Michael Morpurgo
Top 10 because it has suspense, action and love. I thought it had good characters and a good study. --Justin D., age 16, rating 5
*Would like this book.

I can really relate to Desert. The way the author writes makes me feel like I am actually Desert. -- Sarah C. age, 12, Rating 5
*Would like this book.