Teen Comments on Books Eligible for the 2004 Best Books for Young Adults List
First name or initials: Trystan
Age: 18
Book Title: Slumming
Author: Kristen D. Randle
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:no
Because: Usually the way I decided if I thought a book was worth the time to
read is if it changed a piece of me, however small, or alter my thinking or
made me think about something I never had thought about before. I would be the
same exact person after reading this book, only with less disgust in my system.
I didn't like this book (if you couldn't already tell). The characters were
shallow, and I don't believe they improved by the end of the novel. There was
nothing charming or new or thought-provoking about this book. I just thought it
was bad. It left a "bad-taste" in my brain, and I just can't find
anything I liked about it. Why was it written? What greater purpose was behind
the plot? I don't know. There isn't anything inspirational about it, or hopeful
or meaningful or edifying. I don't think it's a best book.
Quality Rating:1 - Yecch! Force read only.
Popularity Rating:2 - Only people who are looking for this type will read it
____________
This book had a pretty good plot and a nice idea, but it wasn't very well developed. While I think people who don't read a lot would enjoy reading this book, I didn't think it was developed enough. The story line and characters could be better done. --Heather, 16
Bird, Eugenie. Fairie-Ality: The Fashion Collection from the House of Ellwand.
Here are the good things about Fairie-ality: it's very original and
the "clothes" are amazing. Fairie-ality is supposed to
be a catalgue of fairy clothing put out by one of the magical realm's most
influential designers, Ellwand. All of the outfits are made from
feathers, leaves, flower petals and assorted other things. None of them
use any kind of fabric, and they look fantastic. The bad thing about Fairie-ality
is that it's more of a conversation piece than a real book. (By
"real book" I mean a novel.) This is the kind of book you bring
out to show to your company, not the kind you pull out and look at by
yourself. Because of this, I'd say that Fairie-ality is
interesting, but not a Best Book.--Emily,15
_______________
Of course every girl and some guys love fashion I know I do! I think this
book should be nominated because it had a lot of detail to the fashion clothes.
This book I think people would love to read everyday when they go to school or
get out of school. They can also think of ways they could do fashion clothes.
Over all the other books I've read this is a very good book. --Amy, 13
__________________
First name or initials: Trystan
Age: 17
Book Title: Fairie-ality: The Fashion Collection from the House of Ellwand
Author: Eugenie Bird
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:no
Because: While this book is interesting, inventive, and unique, I do not see it
as a Best Book. Granted, the fairie fashions are elaborate and obviously large
amounts of work went into making this book, but it's not the type of book that
many people would really enjoy. Only the select group of people who are really
interested in this type of thing would enjoy it truly. Everyone else would take
one look through the book, pronounce it "neat," and never bother to
think enthusiastically about it again.
Rather than make "Fairie-ality" a Best Book, I would just leave it as
it is and let those who would enjoy it do so. It is not profound nor will it be
popular enough to make it a Best Book.
Quality Rating:2 - Only for people who are interested in this
Popularity Rating:2 - Only people who are looking for this type will read it
_______________
First name or initials: Robbie
Age: 14
Book Title: Fairie-Ality
Author: ?
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: This book is very intricately designed, and not for younger readers.
In it however, you are taken to the Fairyland, and see such items as The
Bracken Belfry, Coup de Grace, and The Hot Heel.
Quality Rating:4 - Pretty good.
Popularity Rating:3 - Some will and some will not care to read it.
I absolutely loved this book! The faerie fashion is drawn beautifully and I love that the clothes are made out of flower petals and feathers. I also liked the whole idea of faerie couture but even though i like this book I don't think this will appeal to everyone though the book is wonderfully designed. -- annie, 14 Ratings 5Q, 2P,
This book defines short & sweet. It's written in a metaphorical poetry
fashion, so most adults wouldn't take the time & younger children would be
confused. A great canidate for Best Books! The art throughout the book is
amazing by itself. --Kara, 15
________
Should be on the list. It was a really good book. It really shows how people deal with death and loss. --Ashley, 17, rate 4
_______
This book was amazing. I really liked it. I think it shows a view
that many people don't get to see, and I loved how Green was portrayed.
She was a very believable character, and also very likeable. Readers feel
sorry for her, but also keep reading to see what happens. This is a best
book. --Heather, 17
_______
This book was not as bad as I thought it would be.
It is a fantasy. I could see this being a best book. It was a quick
and easy read, and I love how the story is being told. It is so unique
unlike the other books, and it really brings the story to life for
me. I enjoyed reading it. It was cool to experience with Green (the main
character) as she changes into Ash, than back to Green. Awsome book.
--Annie, 16
________
Green Angel is about a girl named Green who looses
her family, and all she knew in a disastorus fire. Torn by her sorrow she
isolates herself wearing thorn studded clothes and drawing black tatoos all
over herself. Even though she changes her name to Ash and tries to care for
only herself, she helps the animals and people around her. I enjoyed this book
a lot. First the layout and art inside the book makes it appealing, and the
language and metaphors used are beautiful. The ending was satisfying. Through
all her troubles Green finds herself, more so than before the disaster. The
ending leaves a lot to the reader to make up, but not so much that it must be
made up. What I love most about the ending is that everything damaged is
restored. Another thing I loved, is that it wasn't realistic. Even though it
definitely wasn't fantacy everything had a certaint magic touch to it.If you
can't stand poetry though, I would not suggest reading it for it is quite
poetic. All in all Green Angel was terrifically written, and is absolutely a
best book. --Sara, 15
_________
This book should be included on the list because
it has a real life theme that teens can relate to. --Sonja, 17, I love to read, rate a 4 to 5.
_________
This book should be on the list. It is a great book to read if you've lost a
loved one. It's about a girl who lost her family and lives alone. She gets to
the point where she tatoos her body all over her skin and wears clothes with
thorns in them. It's good how her neighbor help turn her life around.--Chelsea,
14; rating 4.
_________
This book should be on the list. It was really good for others but not for
me.--Ofelio, 18
_________
First name or initials: Trystan
Age: 17
Book Title: Green Angel
Author: Alice Hoffman
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:undecided
Because: I am, as of yet, still undecided about this book. I liked it, but I
felt that the premise was more promising than the book proved to be. I found it
hard to really care about Green. All of her supposedly heart-wrenching ordeals
didn't affect me. I found myself wishing the depth of her pain be deeper or
maybe more profound so that it touched me. Instead I found it to be almost
annoying.
I didn't really enjoy the point of view from which the author chose to write it
from. It became a boring read after awhile, but again, because of my personal
tastes.
I liked the premise and the cover. Plus, I thought the inside art and division
pages were original. Overall, it failed to live up to my expectations and I
could have done without reading it.
Quality Rating:3 - OK
Popularity Rating:3 - Some will and some will not care to read it.
Hahn, Mary
Downing. Hear the Wind Blow
This was one of the only, if not single, historical fiction
books elligable this year. I enjoy historical fiction, so I tried this one
about the Civil War. I thought it was entertaining, but I don't think it was a
best book. (More of a personal taste thing) --Kara, 15