Teen Comments on Books Eligible for the 2004 Best Books for Young Adults List page 10
This is the best book of the year! I loved it. I think anyone who reads it will love it as well and teens especially will be able to connect to it and the characters. I would love to have this book.--Heather 17
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Should not be on the list. I read one chapter and it was dragging on, so I quit. --Ashley, 17, rate 2
Hearn, Lian. Across the Nightingale Floor
I found that this book, this book was amazing. I loved the detailed cover
and the descriptive words. I liked the plot and the history of the origin in
the background. I found that there was no really boring parts in this book. I
liked the characters and how they developed during the settings and changes.
P.S. Can I have it, please? --Heather Z. m 14
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Was o.k. I didn't really like it. It held your attention and made you want to read more, and the ending is a surprise. But, if you are a romantist at heart like me, it's a bad surprise. I would not recommend it as a best book although I do want to read the book after this when it comes out. It's because it leaves too much to the imagination.--Kirsten, 14?
Browne, N. M. Warriors of Alavna
Title: Warriors of Alvana
Author: N.M. Browne
BBYA: Yes
Rate (1-10): 9 or 10
Review: At first when I started reading "Warriors of Alvana", I
thought, oh this is okay its not the best. Well I was wrong. It has great
characters and I enjoyed how the two main characters developed throughout the
story. Imagine one day youre on a history field trip and you walk through an
enveloping mist, back in time. What would happen if armed men with swords
(etc.) surround you and you have no clue where you are whatsoever? Or the first
person you see when you come out of a yellow mist after running miles, is a
girls dead body? Well this is just the beginning for two British high school
students, Dan and Ursula.N.M. Browne, tells a story that makes you start
reading and stop only when you reach the ending. I gave this book a nine
because the ending was really abrupt. If there is going to be a sequel, I give
it a ten because it was a good ending for a book that is in a series. *I would
enjoy owning this book* --Christa, 13.
Warriors of Alavna is a story of two teenagers, Dan and Ursula, who are transported into a parallel world similar to 75 AD. Dan finds out he is a natural born warrior that can steadily kill with no feeling, called a berserker. Ursula discovers a strong, magical power pulsing inside her. It is up to these two to save the British tribes from the Ravens, with their unique abilities. Warriors of Alavna is a great example of fantasy. There is great action in the numerous battle scenes, and great magical power intertwined with everything. Browne does an excellent job of describing the setting, and developing the characters. I really enjoyed the plot and all the unique twists. What I loved the best was the history influencing the worlds. I was a little dissapointed that the book just ended, and didn't tell of what Dan and Ursula did after their adventure in the parallel world, but I still think it was definently a Best Book. --Sara, 15
First name or initials: Trystan
Age: 17
Book Title: Sky Bounce
Author: Deanna Miller
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: I confess, the real reason I picked up this book was because one of
the main character's name is the same as mine, but it was surprisingly
delightful read. Its plot is very similar to that of Philip Pullman's HIS DARK
MATERIALS trilogy. Both books are founded on the existence parallel worlds and
discuss theological questions such as the true nature of God. While I think
that Pullman pulled it off better than Miller, SKY BOUNCE was still an
enjoyable and thought provoking read (after all, Pullman had three books and
Miller only one). I think it should be a best book.
Quality Rating:4 - Pretty good.
Popularity Rating:3 - Some will and some will not care to read it.
Le, Thi Diem Thuy. The Gangster We Are All Looking For
Should be on the list because it's a book that you want to keep reading. It has a good story and easy to read. --John, 17, rate 5
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Should not be on list because all it talks about is how she misses her familythat are in South China. --Sergio, 15, rate 1
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This book should be on list because it was a type
of reading material that you want to keep on reading. It has a good story and
easy to read. John, 17, rates book a 4
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I thought this book was just a little boring. It was weak, how the story was developed. It kept going from the past if what happen in Vienam to their life now. The ending was really weak, it just left me hanging, I thought there would be more. Some parts were confusing such as the little girl running away. I got lost. The book, overall was alright, but not quite a best book. I do like how on some settings in the story, the little girl decribes it so well, that you can picture it perfectly. --Annie, 16
Torrey, Michele. To the Edge of the World
First name or initials: Trystan
Age: 17
Book Title: To the Edge of the World
Author: Michele Torrey
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:no
Because: This type of novel usually doesn't interest me, but I picked it up
because I thought I'd give it a try. Portrayed from a cabin-boy's perspective
on the circumnavigation of Magellan, the book is as historically accurate as
fiction can be. Its beginning was interesting and at first I couldn't put it
down. It only went downhill from there; it became less interesting and more difficult
to continue reading. The ending was a letdown after an exciting beginning.
Parts of it were well done, but it is not anything special or exciting.
Definitely not a best book.
Quality Rating:3 - OK
Popularity Rating:3 - Some will and some will not care to read it.
Yolan, Jane. Sword of the Rightful King
Should be on list because I think it is a good
book. Adrian,16, rates a 3
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Should be on list because it is well written, has
a good story and draws you in quick. --Joie, 17 rates book 4
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Sword of the Rightful King is a King Arthur story. Arthur is High King, and Merlinus uses the sword in the stone to prove to the North witch, Morgause, and other unloyal subjects that Arthur is the true king. If you're a fan of Arthur stories you'll like this one along with others you've read. The plot is great and it's not confusing. The ending is a great one, definently one of a best book, but the rest of the story seems undevoloped. Yolan could easily make this story a 500 page story compared to the 300 pages it has. I think the more devoloped, longer, imaginary book would be one of the best, but Sword of the Rightful King isn't good enough to be a best book. Even though this book needs work I still enjoyed it. --Sara, Age: 15
Dickinson, Peter. The Tears of the Salamander
Should not be on list. I only read a 4 chapters
but it was too hard to get into. It starts out slow and had difficult
terminology. --Craig, 17, 2
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Should not be on the list. To slow and boring.--Ofelio,
17, 2
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First name or initials: Trystan
Age: 17
Book Title: The Tears of the Salamander
Author: Peter Dickinson
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes undecided
Because: I really enjoyed the premise of this book but disliked the author's
writing style. I personally like intense, frequent dialogue in a novel, and
when three of the four main characters are a reticent older man, a mute woman,
and an "idiot," the reader is left with little but descriptive
writing. The author did a wonderful job with his descriptions, however. He
describes the passions of the main character with a beauty I have not read for
a long time. I am left with no choice but to call it a best book, but I do warn
dialogue-lovers to be aware of the descriptive bias of the author.
Quality Rating:3 - OK
Popularity Rating:2 - Only people who are looking for this type will read it
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The Tears of the Salamander is about a young boy named Alfredo, who is part of the lineage of an ancient family. After Alfredos parents die is a tragic fire, his uncle takes him to Casa di Sala in southern Italy. I absolutely loved this book. I is a unique fantasy, where good must battle evil. The whole story revolves around the salamanders that live in the fiery molten rock of the earths core and their mystical powers. Dickinson has written an excellent plot of sorcery and mystery. Even though it is rather predictable, the Tears of the Salamander keeps readers attention and draws them into the story. This is one of the best books Ive ever read, and is definitely award worthy. --Sara, Age: 15
Mass, Wendy A Mango-Shaped Space
First name or initials: Trystan
Age: 17
Book Title: A Mango-Shaped Space
Author: Wendy Mass
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: Ever since I first heard about this book I've been waiting for my
chance to read it. I was not disappointed after such a long wait. The premise
of the book (a rare condition where a person often associates letters and
numbers with colors) is interesting and unknown to many readers. Though some
books focus too much on what living in a different world is like, I found that
this book didn't overdo the differences. The author managed to portray
believably a different kind of existence while making the focus of the book
what is universal to all humans: the relationships between people and the
sorrow that losing such a relationship can bring. I was hooked by the book from
the beginning because of the interesting condition of the narrator. I was held
because it was good fiction: a mostly untrue tale that tells the truth about
life's best and worst experiences. I would vote it a best book on all accounts.
Quality Rating:5 - One of the best books I ever read
Popularity Rating:5 - Everybody was dying to read this yesterday.
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First name or initials: Kim
Age: 13
Book Title: A Mango-shaped Space
Author: Wendy Mass
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: I absolutly loved "A Mango-shaped Space". This book is aobut
a girl named Mia who finds out she is a synesthetes, someone who see letters,
numbers, names and sounds, among other things, with color. It describes Mia's
trials and tribulations and is fun book to read!
Quality Rating:5 - One of the best books I ever read
Popularity Rating:4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
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I loved this book, even though I am a bit biased. I think that it tells a story that people need to hear. It wasn't written extremely well and the plot wasn't entirely done well, but I still think it could be a best book for lower level teens. --Heather, 17.
This book was very well written and told a story that many people never get to hear. I think this should be a best book. Many teens will enjoy reading it. --Heather, 17.
Donnelly, Jennifer. A Northern Light.
*YAWN* I don't know anyone who could get through this book! --Heather, 17.
Brooks, Martha. True Confessions of a Heartless Girl
This book was good, but depressing. I thought it was a bit hard to get through and some of the parts weren't necessary. I don't think it should be a best book. --Heather, 17.