Teen Comments on Books Eligible for the 2004 Best Books for Young Adults List page 14

Pedersen, Laura Beginner's Luck

First name or initials: Trystan

Age: 18

Book Title: Beginner's Luck

Author: Laura Pederson

Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults: undecided yes

Because: Though I began this book and was a little put off by the main character and the drawn out plot, now that I've finished it I enjoy more. The plot does take a little while to get going, and the main character is crass without good reason, but by the end of the story the new level of maturity of the main character was clearly visible. I could relate, however loosely, to the questions and life-altering choices she is forced to answer and make. My only concerns in recommending this book as a best book is that it won't likely appeal to people younger than 16, and even few of those old enough will probably not enjoy it. The book also alludes to many movies, novels, and poems. One has to be exceptionally well-read and watched to understand all of the allusions, and since most high schoolers (including myself) don't have that large of a novel/movie/poem background, some of the story will be sadly lost on them. The characters were refreshing and delightful, though quite unusual and eccentric. Overall, I'm glad I stuck with reading it, but I'm not sure if it is a best book.

Quality Rating:4 - Pretty good.

Popularity Rating:3 - Some will and some will not care to read it.

(Optional) I also want you to know...: If no one else wants this book when you are done with it, I would like it. Thanks.

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It was a really long read, and some parts were really slow to get into. I think the story in self has a good plot and good character development. Some events were hard-to-believe, therefore making it hard to relate.  I'm not sure that it's a best book, it's not a bad book either. For me, the story seemed to drag on, on events that weren't that interesting.  --Annie, 16

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First name or initials: Kim

Age: 13

Book Title: Beginner's Luck

Author: Laura Pederson

Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:no

Because: It looked like a good book, but it was so slow in the beginning that I couldn't go on. The character seemed to have a really good attitude and didn't keep my intrest enough. I wanted a book I could get in to, so I stopped.

Quality Rating:2 - Only for people who are interested in this

Popularity Rating:5 - Everybody was dying to read this yesterday. 2 - Only people who are looking for this type will read it

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First name or initials: Felice

Age: 15

Book Title: Beginner's Luck

Author: Laura Pedersen

Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes

Because: It's fun to read and the characters are good. Without coming right out and saying so, the book demonstrates that you can still enjoy yourself without drugs, alcohol and sex.

Quality Rating:5 - One of the best books I ever read

Popularity Rating:4 - Lots of people will want to read it.

Brooks, Martha. True Confessions of a Heartless Girl

Should be on the list because it portrays the reality of life for a teenage runaway. It is well written and easy to read. --Joie, 17, rates a 4

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This book was okay.  Definetly not one of my favorite books.  I think that while it is an interesting and different story, it's written in a way that most teens won't want to read it.  --Heather, 17

Du Prau, Jeanne. The City of Ember

First name or initials: Trystan

Age: 18

Book Title: The City of Ember

Author: Jeanne DuPrau

Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes

Because: I do not really have anything profound to say about this book. It was an enjoyable read but not one of the best books I've read. I think I'm not thrilled with it because it's more suited to a younger age - probably middle school - but definitely not for those on the edge of adulthood. I voted for it to be a best book because I think it would be for a younger audience.

Quality Rating:3 - OK

Popularity Rating:3 - Some will and some will not care to read it.

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BBYA?: Yes

Rate (1-10): 9

Overall Popularity (1-5): 4

Review: Lina and Doon are two kids living in the city of Ember but this isnÌt any ordinary city, this is an underground city. High voltage lights are what gives the people "sun" and it helps them go about their everyday lives. Every now and then the lights flicker and go off for a few minutes but this starts happening more frequently and people are starting to get scared.

At the age of twelve, students pick a job that they will do in Ember and when that day comes, Lina picks a plumber and Doon pick a messenger. Lina and Doon are both very disappointed. Soon afterwards Lina finds an old piece of paper in the closet of her house that just might help to save the city.

I really enjoyed reading, "The City of Ember" and I canÌt wait for the sequel. It has an excellent plot and a great ending.

*I'd enjoy owning this book. --Christa, 14

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This book was excellent.  I think the characters and the city were created very believably and readers will want to know more.  This should be a best book. --Heather, 17

Osa, Nancy. Cuba 15

Title: Cuba 15

Author: Nancy Osa

BBYA?: No

Rate (1-10): 5

Popularity (1-5): 3

I am not even going to bother telling what this book was about because it doesnÌt seem to be worth it. As much as I tried I couldnÌt get into it. Although it seemed like it would fit others tastes in books quite nicely but not mine. --Christa, Age: 13

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This book was very good, a best book.  This is a very good book that takes many points of view that aren't often written about, and the author does an outstanding job.  I loved it. --Heather, 17

Pierce, Tamora Trickster's Choice

First name or initials: Ashley J

Age: 17

Book Title: Trickster's Choise

Author: Tamora Pierce

Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:undecided

Because: We've all been waiting for George and Alanna's children to have adventures. Well, it's finally happened. I was a little disappointed, actually. It could have been much better, but it was still not too bad.

Quality Rating:3 - OK

Popularity Rating:3 - Some will and some will not care to read it.

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Should be on the list. --Josh, 16, rates a 5

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I was disapointed in this book.  Although the rest of Pierce's books are amazing, this one fell short.  I thought that Aly was very immature and didn't grow at all in the process of the story.  This was also lacking the adventure and the pretense that the other books have.  I felt that way too much time went into explaining the racism problem when the reader caught on early in the book and I thought that a lot of the parts of the book also recieved too much attention.  If a sequel to this was written, I would suggest combining the two books and editing them to be the same length as this one.  We need more substance, more adventure for this book to be a good one. --Heather, 17

Dent, Grace. LBD:  It's a Girl Thing

This book was great.  I loved it.  Finally a book from England that surpasses the awful Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging series.  The main characters were wonderful, loveable, and the adventures they lead are ones that teens will love to read.  It was a great read.  --Heather, 17