Teen Comments 2004
page 18
Hanley, Victoria The Healer's Keep
The book Healers Keep has long been my favorites. The author, Victoria Hanely describes a world where any person can be different if they try. The first book, The Seer and the Sword jumped at me, begging to be read. I read it in a heart beat. When the Healer's Keep was issued, I jumped to find it, knowing that I would be in magic and anther mysterious adventure through the author's words. The cover I personally did not really feel it fit the book but it did not stop me from reading it. --Heather Z. , 14
Tryszynska-Frederick, Luba Luba
Oooh, this is a goodie. When I first saw it, I thought 'this is a book for young adults?', but after reading it, I knew it was. The illustrations are wonderful oil on canvas with collage, which can richly illustrate the raggedness of some things and the detail of others. The story would not be apprieciated by a young child. Luba inspires people to go out and do something nice for someone. Definetaly should be a book on the list. --Robbie, 14
Saldana, Ren Finding our Way
Should be on the list. It relates to teenager's really
well. For the author, I'd like to say your wrote a great
book.--Ofelio, 17, 5
Tower, S. D. The Assassins of Tamurin
should be on the list . It is a suspenseful story and
keeps the reader reading.--Pattrick, 17, 5
Sis, Peter The Tree of Life: A Book Depicting the Life of Charles Darwin Naturalist, Geologist & Thinker
should be on list. I wasn't my type of book but other kids would like it. --Sean, 13, 3
Going, K.L. Fat Kid Rules the World
Should be on list. It's really good because it's about a boy who thinks he's no good, but then finds out he is good at something. Lots of kids think they are no good but they really are. Sean, 13, 5
Lisle, Janet Taylor The Crying Rocks
One of the most interesting books I have read is the Crying Rocks. This book
opened my eyes to see many things. One, past history may not always been
explained in stories, and that maybe in order to know your past you might want
to look to friends from the present. I found that this book was quite
interesting and made me see what a person could really feel when it comes to
being adopted, and like finding your true history. I found that this book had
been one of my favorites and would recommend it to any one. --Heather Z., 14
_______
Should be on list. It was interesting to read about different legends and the history of the people. --Jose, 15, 4
Utopia is written by Lincoln Child, and is about the best theme park in the world, Utopia, located in the Nevada desert. Its four worlds are completely believable, and its rides are state of the art. Sometimes it even feels like you're going to fall out of the car . . . and then one day, a kid does. Terrorists attacked Utopia for the millions of dollars it makes each week, and no one could stop them. They hacked into the source code for all rides and attractions in Utopia, and Utopia's only hope was the designer of the code itself, who just happened to be visiting with his daughter that day. Written in the style of Michael Chriton, Utopia is an action mystery. The climax is incredible, it keeps you turning the pages. I definently think it's a best book. --GJHS student
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi Purple Hibiscus
First name or
initials: Trystan
Age: 18
Book Title: Purple Hibiscus
Author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: I really enjoyed this book. I read it so quickly, and when I wasn't
reading it I wanted to be. The writing is wonderful; it has the added beauty of
African writing style and culture, which, being unfamiliar with, I enjoy
knowing more about. I thought the ending was appropriate, and the characters
real and relatable. I think this is a best book, though some of its content
would be better suited to the older young adults.
Quality Rating:4 - Pretty good.
Popularity Rating:3 - Some will and some will not care to read it.
Firebirds: An Anthology of Original Fantasy and Science Fiction. Sharyn November, ed.
First name or
initials: Trystan
Age: 18
Book Title: Firebirds
Author: Ed. Sharyn November
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: I had to lean a little to mark yes instead of undecided for this book
being a best book. I'm not a short story person. Things happen too quickly and
I don't feel like I have enough time to sink into the story. These stories were
enjoyable (except for a couple that I really didn't enjoy at all). I didn't
like this book as much as I have other books I thought should be best books,
but as I've said, I'm not a short story person. I bumped this book up a little
on my scale for that reason, and also because I believe the editor accomplished
what said she wanted to do with this project: a bridge from children's to
adult's fantasy. I'll call it a best book, but I'm still not a short story
person. :)
Quality Rating:3 - OK
Popularity Rating:3 - Some will and some will not care to read it.
Meyer, L. A. Bloody Jack: Being an Account of Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy
First name or
initials: Ashley J
Age: 17
Book Title: Blood Jack
Author: L. A. Meyer
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: Pirates have always been a great subject, and this one is expecially
good. This book appeals to everyone who loves adventure and close-calls. The
concept of a girl becoming a ship's boy and fooling his mates is very well done
in this book. This is definately a best book.
Quality Rating:5 - One of the best books I ever read
Popularity Rating:4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
Myers, Walter Dean Blues Journey
Should be on list, it is really good because it showed how a guy felt about what was happening around hes part of the world. Sean, 13, 5
First name or
initials: Trystan
Age: 18
Book Title: Full Tilt
Author: Neal Shusterman
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: I really enjoyed this book. I was momentarily devastated when I lost
it for a couple of hours (it was under the pillow - the last place I thought to
look), but after I found it again and finished it I was pleased. The plot is
intriguing and its possibility frightening. It's almost like Dante's Inferno,
though less allegorical and religious. It's more like a descent through one
person's personal hell, and after reading what he fears, it's interesting to
think about my carnival of hell would be like.
I think it is a best book. It's interesting in its plot and characters and
makes you think about your own fears, too.
Quality Rating:4 - Pretty good.
Popularity Rating:4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
Vande Velde, Vivian Heir Apparent
First name or
initials: Trystan
Age: 18
Book Title: Heir Apparent
Author: Vivian Vande Velde
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: Though the back cover of this book says it is most suitable for ages
8-12, I found it enjoyable. The plot was interesting, managing to be original
and still retain the most beloved elements of a fantasy. The only fault I could
find with it was the almost mushy predictability in the last chapter and the
lemming ending (which left a few of the main character's real world problems
unresolved). I think the age suggestion could be raised; it was a little below
my level, but I think that 15 and 16 year olds would really enjoy it. Though
the ending was a little depressing compared to the rest of the novel, the plot
(up to the last chapter) was intriguing, inventive, and unpredictable. I think
it should be a best book for that reason alone.
Quality Rating:4 - Pretty good.
Popularity Rating:3 - Some will and some will not care to read it.
Zahn, Timothy Dragon and Thief
I liked this book and I recommend it for other kids. This book had alot of action and excitment. Also I would like to nominate this book and I would like a copy please.--Andrew;13
A decent book dealing with a small town where any little thing can cause gossip and trouble. It has a slow beginning and the different views are a bit confusing. The latter half of the book is much more enjoyable than the first, but needs the first half to set up. Not a best book. --Hilary, 16
Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker For Freedom: The Story of a French Spy
Living in a town in France was never too interesting, until Hitler takes over. Being forced out of your home and struggling to find white sugar or coffee is hard enough. But now one girl has to pass on secret notes to other french spies, and it's getting harder and harder to keep her secret and dangerous job from her family and the nearby German soldiers. A best book.--Hilary, 16
Oates, Joyce Carol Freaky
Green Eyes
This
book is up for the worst book I've ever read award. I didn't like the
main character to start with, The whole plot of the book is a depressing
downward spiral. Yucky. Not a Best Book.--Kara, 15
Shaw, Tucker Flavor of the Week
1. Read the book.
2. Try the recipes.
3. Vote onto list.
4. Let cool and serve. --Robbie, 14
_________
Flavor of the Week is a newer, funnier, and
definately tastier verson of Cyrano D'Bergerac. (I think I just butchered
the spelling on that.) It's basically the same plot, but with food
instead of poetry. I would buy this book just for the recipes included in
it - which are cross-your-eyes-and-moan-with-pleasure yummy- but the story itself
is cute, too. The characters feel like real people, with real virtues and
real flaws.] Because of the tasty recipes and delicious characters, I
consider this a Best Book.--Emily, 15
__________
Flavor of the Week is a great book because of the recipes. Not a best book though. The story line is a little small. --Katherine, 14
Freymann-Weyr, Garret The Kings are Already Here
First name or
initials: Kim
Age: 13
Book Title: The Kings Are Already Here
Author: Garret Freymann-Weyr
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes undecided
Because: This book was an interesting idea and was written just like the
characters seemed they'd write. I liked how it ended out! Something i'd tell my
friends to read...
Quality Rating:5 - One of the best books I ever read 3 - OK
Popularity Rating:3 - Some will and some will not care to read it. 2 - Only
people who are looking for this type will read it
This was a very nice book, based on one of my
favorite Fairy Tales, East of the Sun, West of
the Moon. It is a love story, and adventure,
and diary-type book all at once. It captivated
me from the very beginning. Another thing I
enjyed about it was that the main character
was not a glamorous super-model type, as heroines
so often are today. Definetaly a best book. --Robbie
______
BBYA?: Yes Rate(1-10): 10 Popularity Rate (1-5): 4 Review: There's a family
of nine, the father is a map-maker and the mother is extremely suspicious. They
have seven children and Rose is the youngest. She has always felt out of place
somehow in the household. Unlike her siblings she has brown hair, not blonde,
while her siblings are calm and don't do rash things, she does. The only way to
make her sit still is to give her a loom and let her go to work. Soon after she
sees the wonders of the loom, a mysterious white bear begins to show itself to
Rose and what happens with them, will forever changes their lives... East, was
a great read, I stayed up till 1:30 A.M. finishing it, I couldn't put it down
after I started it. Edith Pattou uses vivid descriptions that paint
masterpieces in your mind. This retelling of, East of the Sun and West of the
Moon, is bound to become a classic. *I would enjoy owning this book. -Christa,
13
_______________
First name or
initials: Kim
Age: 13
Book Title: East
Author: Edith Pattou
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: East was a great to good book. I loved the idea and it was very well
written. It was written with enough details and in the sense you could get the
idea from all sides. Defintly something people should read.
Quality Rating:5 - One of the best books I ever read 4 - Pretty good.
Popularity Rating:4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
First name or
initials: Kim
Age: 13
Book Title: The Wish List
Author: Eoin Colfer
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:no
Because: This book wasn't very good. I felt the plot was rather scattered and
although it was an awesome fantastic creative idea, it wasn't superbly written.
I would reccommend this book just because it's by Colfer, but not enough to say
Best book
Quality Rating:3 - OK 2 - Only for people who are interested in this
Popularity Rating:4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
Colfer, Eoin. Artemis
Fowl - The Eternity Code
This is the third book in the Artemis Fowl
series. I was abducted into the world of Artemis Fowl with the first book
- Artemis Fowl! I thought Eian Calfer did a wonderful job of
transforming Artemis from unfeeling brainiac into an intelligent human being.
In this book, the "Fairys" must wipe Artemis's mind and also his
newfound heart that was the only part of the book I didn't like. Though
he did set up the plot so he could remember later. Best Book for sure! --Kara,
15
First name or
initials: Kim
Age: 13
Book Title: The Dark
Author: Marianne Curley
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:undecided
Because: Although, "The Named" was definitly a BBYA, I'm leaning on
"no" with "The Dark" because the big parts of the story
were the same. The lighter plot was way cool, but it's like the end was the
same...and very dissapointing. But I must read the next one.....
Quality Rating:3 - OK
Popularity Rating:4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
(Optional) I also want you to know...: You need to read "the named"
before this.
Hopkinson, Deborah Shutting out the Sky
First name or initials: R.H.
Age: 13
Book Title: Shutting out
the Sky
Author: Deborah
Hopkinson
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: My
teacher read us parts of this book because we are studying immigrants. She read us about Rose Cohen who had to
work at sewing for long hours. I
liked that part so much I got the book from the library. The pictures made me think about kids
who lived then and the way they had to work. This is a really good book.
Quality Rating:5 - One of the best books I ever read
Popularity Rating:4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
----
First name or initials: Dimitri
Age: 17
Book Title: Shutting out the Sky
Author: Deborah Hopkinson
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: This is definitely one of the best books I read this year. You really
feel like you are one of the immigrant kids who came to New York. It reads like
a story or a novel, not just information. And the pictures in the book are
awesom. I really like nonfiction so I hope this book gets nominated.
Quality Rating:5 - One of the best books I ever read
Popularity Rating:4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
Jacques, Brian Angel's Command
Title:
Angel's Command
Author: Brian Jacques
Grade: 11
Pages: 448
BBYA: Yes
Review: I absolutely loved ’ÄúAngel's Command,’Äù by Brian Jacques. I don't know how
he comes up with the ideas for the books that he writes, but this book was
amazing. Ben and Ned are on a quest to find an old man's grandson who was
captured by barbarians. I enjoy Jacques books because of his amazing imagery
and lovable characters. Everyone no matter his or her age would love this book.
--Megan
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
____________________
Grade:
11
Pages: 200
BBYA: Yes
Review: ’ÄúStorm Catchers,’Äù by Tim Bowler was a suspensful book that I was
nervous reading before I went to bed. One rainy night Ella while was home with
her younger brother Sam and her parents and older brother Fin were out, Ella
was kidnapped by a fifteen year old boy. Fin felt that her kidnapping was his
fault because he snuck out of the house instead of staying home with her. This
book tells the lengths Ella's family went through to get her back and has a
sick twist at the end. This is a best book and anyone twelve and up should read
it. --Megan
Grade:
11
Pages: 318
BBYA: Yes
Rwview: ’ÄúThe Divide,’Äù by Elizabth Kay, was about a boy named Felix who is
transported into another world from the Conitnental Divide. He meets many
amazing people and has an exciting adventure. I loved this book, the imagery
was amazing and the story was so imaginative. Everyone will like this book,
even if you don't like Fantasy. --Megan
Flake, Sharon G. Begging for Change
Should be on list because it tells people what it is like on the streets. --Sean, 13, rating 5
Seabrook The Haunting of Swains Fancy
Should be on the list because it has some parts that almost all teenagers could relate to. --Adrian, 17, rating 3
Stroud, Jonathan The Amulet of Samarkand
The
Amulet of Samarkand, by Jonathan Stroud, is the first book of the Bartimaeus Trilogy, and it's a best book because it has a great
storyline, realistic characters, and it's very
well written. The story is about modern London
run by wizards. Wizards aren't actually that powerful, their level is measured by the level of demon they can summon and
control. Demons, like Bartimeaus, can use
magic almost any way they want, depending on their level. If they're more powerful than their wizard summoner,
they'll destroy him/her. The main character,
Nathaniel, summons Bartimeaus after Nathaniel was
humiliated by a powerful wizard, Simon Lovelace. Nathanial found out that Simon murdered someone and orders Bartimeaus to steal
the Amulet of Samarkand to lure Simon into
revealing the murder. Nathaniel doesn't relalize
how powerful Simon is, or the extent of his plot, which involves destroying British Parliament. By stealing the Amulet,
Nathaniel and Bartimeaus get caught up in a
huge, thrilling plot that has a very exciting ending.
It's action, mystery, and comedy! --GJHS student
__________________
I read book one of the Bartimaeus Trilogy, the Amulet of Samarkand, by Jonathan Stroud, and I think it's a "best books" because it has a great storyline, great characters, and it's very well written. The story is about a modern londen run by wizards. Wizards only know basic magic. To get the real jobs done, they summon demons. Demons, like Bartimeaus, can use magic almost any way they want, depending on the demon's strength. The main character, Nathaniel, summons Bartimeaus after Nathaniel was humiliated by Simon Lovelace. He orders Bartimeaus to steal Simon's Amulet of Samarkand, so Nathaniel can prove that Simon murdered someone to get it. Nathaniel doesn't relalize however, that Simon is extremelly powerful and plans to destroy the ministry. By stealing the Amulet, Nathaniel and Bartimeaus get caught up in a grand scheme that very nearly kills them several times over. -- Alex, Age: 14
Duane, Diane Wizard's Holdiay,
Diane Duane is an excellent author who writes excellent books, and Wizard's Holdiay is no exception to the rule. The characters are complex and believable, and the plot, as always, is exciting and interesting. One of the best things about Duane is her continuing originality. Although Wizard's Holiday is the 7th in a series, the plot and tone of the story is different from those of the other six books. The only thing that I thought could've been improved was the flow. One of the major conflicts of the story just popped up about two thrids of the way through the book, and another didn't have enough foreshadowing, so it seemed rather sudden as well. Other than that, this was a fantastic book. I loved how Duane mixed science with magic and even tossed in some humor here and there. Definitely, definitley a best book.Emily, Age 15 (eligible for 2005)
This is the 4
1/2 installment of Mia's diary. I (mostly about her Spring Break) didn't really
like this book, mostly because it was only 50 pages. The other diaries were
good, quirky and light hearted.This was much the same, but I didn't think it
was a Best Book.
_____________
It was a horrible book about a hormonaly unballanced pricess, who is supposed to be helping build homes. All she is conserned with was kissing her boyfriend. This book never should have been published. . --Katherine, 14
Card, Orson Scott First
Meetings
A
great book, but you need to have read the rest of the Ender series. It
helps explain some of the things I was wondering about, from the series buy
doesn't stand on it's own. Not quite a best book. --Katherine, 14
Lasky, Katheryn Guardians of Gahoole
The Capture Part I of "Guardians of Gahoole"-- A fictional book all about owls who can talk, build, and fight much like humans today. One owl learns the truth about his brother, the "orphanage" he lives in, and friendship. Not long enough to be a best book. --Hilary, 16
The Journey Part II of "Guardians of Gahoole"-- The story continues with the owls living and learning all they can while traveling to a legendary tree where fire is controlled by owls to make weapons. Not long enough to be a best book. --Hilary, 16
An inside look at the loners of high school kids today. One girl's parents get a divorce and her father takes her brother, she withdraws into herself and becomes one of those kids that are targets for others to pick on. Some of her new friends want to get back at the bullies in a not-so-nice way. A best book. --Hilary, 16