Teen Comments on Books Eligible for the 2004 Best Books for Young Adults List page 12
First name or initials: Kim
Age: 13
Book Title: Alt Ed
Author: Catherine Atkins
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: This book was very fun to read, and it was very intresting to read. It
was very well written and I'm SURE others would enjoy this book too.
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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This story definitely provided a different perspective from what we usually read. From the view of an overweight, bullied teenage girl, Alt. Ed is about a group of at-risk teens joining a support group. The situations were realistic, and I enjoyed the ending a lot. Rating: 4 -- Lisa, 14
Should be on the list because at first I thought this would be a dumb book, but as soon as I started reading it I was hooked. This is a great book. --Jerrod, 17, rates a 5
This book illistrated crime from a innocent victims point of view. It is very realistic and has good word useage. Rating 5 one of the best books ever read. --Joie age 17
Brett is the ultimate snob: he's rude, spoiled, and is filthy-rich. However, his life takes a 180 degree turn when his dad is jailed for cheating in the stock market. Suddenly, his family is completely broke, he has to live with his aunt, and worst of all, must find a job. But after working with Alfie, a retired man who cleans pools, Brett learns values of life that he never would've realized. I enjoyed this book, and how the plot came from the view of a rich-gone-poor kid. Rating: 5 (again, after you don't need it anymore, this is another book that I wouldn't mind keeping, if that's okay)
Should be on list because it's a really easy book to get
into.--Sergio, 14, rate 4
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Restless is a major best book. This story is told from a ghost's point of view who watches his brother and what he does. His brother, Herbie, keeps seeing a ghost in the cemetary. The ghost wants something. -- Karlie,13
Armstrong, Jennifer and FIRE-US - Keepers of the Flame
Should not be on the list. I did not like the plot. --Nathan, 13, rates 2
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Should be on the list because it had good meaning and so true. The cover is really eye catching too. --Vence, 17, rates a 3
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This book is the second part in a series about 7 kids who survive for 5 years after a virus wipes out all the adults. After thinking they are the only ones in the world left, a kid turns up at their doorstep. This stranger suddenly swipes them up in a journey to find the Presedent of the United States, so they can get some answers about what happened 5 years ago. Truly, I expected more from this book after the first one was so good. I thought they put alot more qusetions into view than they answered, which bothered me a bit. I wouldn't put this up for best books. --Kelli, 12
Aborhoson was an intense book full of action. The first book made a
intesting nagging in my brain to read this one. I found that it is an asome.
tail of demon like creators and like magic. I like the mysteries you find, just
little ones that make you wonder. I like the little history you don't really
find out for a while on one of the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I was drawn to it by the cover and the intriguing information of the inside.
--Heather Z., 14
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The book Sabriel, also by Garth Nix, was what got me hooked on this
series. The story telling is supreme, the characters are likeable, and of
course action. An excellent blend of all 3 makes this a wonderfull book. (Huge
Garth Nix fan) Best Book, no hesitation.--Kara, 15
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"Abhorsen" is the third part in a siries about a world where gifted people are able to access the place where you go when you die, and how these people use these things for good or evil. I really got into this book and liked it, but I'd advise anyone not to read the third one first. It made sense most of the time, but some words that the author made up, like "nearocomancer" made no sense. I would definetly put this up for best books, just read the first two before this one. --Kelli, 12
First name or initials: Trystan
Age: 17
Book Title: Inkheart
Author: Cornelia Funke
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: "Inkheart" is one of the best books I've read in a very long
time. It's a book about books, how they take you away, put your mind at ease, or
scare you half to death, all in the comfort and security of your own home.
Funke is obviously an avid reader herself; she describes books with a love that
only a reader can understand. She begins most chapters with a quote from a
book, all sorts included, some the reader has probably heard of and some that
he never knew existed.
I loved the plot, the characters, the way Funke writes, and the overall theme
of the novel.
I tried many times to guess where the novel was headed, where its climax would
occur, but very rarely did I guess correctly. It's kind of a long book, but I
speed through its pages quickly and with much joy. Definitely a best book; it's
the best one I've read so far this year.
Quality Rating:5 - One of the best books I ever read
Popularity Rating:5 - Everybody was dying to read this yesterday.
(Optional) I also want you to know...: I would love to have a copy of this
book. If you decide to do a drawing for it, would you include my name please?
A tale of a kidnaping, ghost children, and prophesising dreams; definitely
for children in middle school, but a little underdeveloped for high school age
kids. A good plot and lots of action round this book out. Not a best book.
--Hilary, 16
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First name or initials: Trystan
Age: 18
Book Title: Pirates
Author: Celia Rees
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:undecided
Because: Everyone who had read this book before me raved about how good it was.
No one gave it a bad report, so I was excited to read it.
Though the plot was entertaining, I felt that the author's narration was a
little boring. The most exciting pieces of the adventure seemed glossed over
too quickly. The plot and foreshadowing seemed to be rising to an exciting,
nerve-racking conclusion, but I personally thought the climax was
disappointing.
I agree that the plot is a good idea; the author just did not play it out to my
satisfaction. I don't think it is a best book personally, but so many others
have loved it I think it is just the result of a clash between reading/writing
styles. I leave my vote at undecided.
Quality Rating:3 - OK
Popularity Rating:4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
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This book is a great pirate book, with a captivating plot you are sure to
read it non-stop. I loved the way she described the setting and characters
also. Nancy Kington lives with her family at their sugar plantation in the West
Indies. Her mother died when she was younger and she doesnt really act like the
average high-class 18th century girl. That all changes when her father
re-marries and her stepmother fixes her. But when she finds she is promised to
a disgusting man who wants nothing more than to keep her inside all the time,
she is determined to get away.
This is the first book I have read by Celia Rees and I plan on reading more . I
feel sorry for the people that have to wait until October to read this awesome
story. I would enjoy owning this book.BBYA: Yes
Rate (1-10): 9
--Christa, Age:13
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First name or initials: Kim
Age: 13
Book Title: Pirates!
Author: Celia Rees
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: This book really gives you a new window into the eighteenth century
and of course, pirates.
Nancy and Minerva find them in a sequence of events that leads them to piracy
and happiness.
I loved it because you can relate to either Nancy OR Minerva, who are near
opposites. I also enjoyed it because it was adventuresome, but realistic, one
quality that I prize.
Quality Rating:5 - One of the best books I ever read
Popularity Rating:3 - Some will and some will not care to read it.
(Optional) I also want you to know...: Could I have this book at the end of the
year/term/thing?
It should be on list because it's a good mystery.--Sean, 13, rate 5
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Should be on the list because I feel like it was a good book but the ending
wasn't that good.--Vince, 17, rates a 3
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This book should be on the list because ti is a
wonderful book on every day life. rates a 5
--Chad, 17,
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Should be on the list because it's an excellent
book you want to keep on reading to find out what happens next. --Jerrod, 17, rates a 5
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First name or initials: Kim
Age: 13
Book Title: Zipped
Author: Laura and Tom McNeal
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: Zipped is a VERY good book! I liked it because it had a good sense of
reality from a teen's
perspective, but felt good because you could tell it was fiction.
It was a Romance/Adventure book, and a very good one at that!
Quality Rating:4 - Pretty good.
Popularity Rating:4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
(Optional) I also want you to know...: This is a "parents behaving
badly" book!!!!!