Teen Comments on Books Eligible for the 2004 Best Books for Young Adults List page 5
This should be on list because it was so good I
never wanted it to end. Pattrick, 17, rated a
4
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Should be on list because overall it was a good
book. However, some parts were boring and I personally didn't like how it went
back and forth. --Adrian, 16
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Should be on the list because it is by far one of
the best books I've ever read. It keeps you on the edge the whole time you are
reading it. --Mike, 15, rates a 5
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Should not be nominated because it is hard to
understand. I jumps around too much. --Juan,
17,
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First name or initials: Kim
Age: 13
Book Title: The Goblin Wood
Author: Hilari Bell
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: The Goblin Wood is about a hedgewitch and a knight saving the goblins,
but behind this simple summary is a very intresting book. This was a very very
good fantasy/adventure book, that was very easy to get hooked on. It was very
original and I think had a good set up for a sequal.
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: Sara
Age: 15
Book Title: The Goblin Wood
Author: Hilari Bell
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: The Goblin Wood is about a hedgewitch named Mckenna who vows to avenge
her mother who was drowned. While running away from the town that would kill
her too, Mckenna joins the goblins and their fight against men. Five years
later Sir Tobin seeks her out to help get rid of this "sorceress" for
the priests and reclaim his honor. The best thing about this story was that the
goblins are good guys, which goes against the mold. There are different types
of goblins that have different powers, charmers and metal workers, for example.
I also liked the ending. It led up to be dissapointing but at the last second
turned out great. This was told exceptionally well, and that's why it is 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.
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First name or initials: Trystan
Age: 17
Book Title: The Goblin Wood
Author: Hilari Bell
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: Last time an author split her point of view between two characters it
left me feeling disjointed, but I felt no such complaints this time. I enjoyed
the perspective of two different characters. It enhanced the already enjoyable
plot and gave the reader keen insight into both characters. I liked everything
about this book. Others who have read it have said it needed more detail, and
it might, but I love dialogue, and the book supplied ample amounts that more
than satisfied my reading tastes.
It was not only a good story, but it raised some interesting points on right,
wrong, and the possibility of a middle ground.
I think it should be a best book. It had a good plot, if not good then human
characters, and a little touch of fantasy which, though not essential, is
desirable.
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...: I'd love to have a copy if possible.
Thank you
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This book was so good and should be considered a best. This girl named Makenna joins "forces" with the goblins. While everyone is thinking that she is a great sorceress and kills for pleasure, she is really just an ordinary hedgewitch. Sir Tobin is banned from his home and goes searching for this "great sorceress." --Karlie, 13
Jones, Diana Wynne. The Merlin Conspiracy
A good book, great story line & wonderful characters. It creates
an alternate reality that seems so real you expect it to exist. I hated
the ending though. A good book, must read, but not a best book.
--Katherine, 14
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Should be on the list. It's a great fantasy. It's creative and has lost of fascinating charactors. --Stephen, 16, 4
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Should be on the list, a good book for all ages. Keeps your interest. --John, 17, rate 5 ,
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This book should be on the list because it's a great fantacy. --Josh, 16, rates a 5
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Should be on the list because it really keeps your
interest. It would be good for all ages. --Brandon,
17 rates a 5
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First name or initials: Trystan
Age: 17
Book Title: The Merlin Conspiracy
Author: Diana Wynne Jones
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:no
Because: I am an avid fantasy reader, but this fantasy novel just didn't appeal
to me. The author splits her point of view between two characters, and there
were times when the author's tone didn't clearly distinguish for the reader one
character's section from the other's. The split also confuses issues of time;
the story will stick with one character, get to a later point in the story,
then switch to the other character and race to catch up. The whole time I was
reading I felt jarred and split. The story was an enjoyable one, but it took
too long to reach a predictable, somewhat boring, and disappointing end. I would
have enjoyed the story more if the author took less time telling it or perhaps
chose to tell it from only one character's point of view, or maybe just handled
the split point of view a little better.
I don't think this should be a best book. There are many fantasy books out
there, and this one just didn't have that special luster that sets it above the
others.
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
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This was a great book! I loved it. The story was fun to read and
enjoyable. I think it's one of the best fantasy books I've read this
year. --Heather, 17
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I have just finished reading "The Merlin Conspiracy" by Dianna Wyne Jones and really liked it. I thought it tooka while to get started, but it ws realy great. I like how the authoress described things ad brought it all togeher in the end. It was a great book. would recommend this for the bbya list. --Elise, 17
This was a really good book but I can't decide if it should be a best. This girl lives in the most boring place in the world (that she thinks) and doesn't know what to do over the summer vacation. But little does she know that it is going to be a summer to remember. -Karlie, 13
This book was really good and I think it should be a best. a girl named River tries out for a basketball team but ends up on the B-Team, not the A. She pulls the team together for the time of their lives. -Karlie, 13
This book was okay, I'm not entirely sure how it will place on the best books list, however. I think it's a pretty good book for a collection of short stories. I think people who like short stories will like this book. --Heather, 17.
Alice, is an antisocial 15 year old, due to the fact of a traumatizing first grade, that lead to being home-schooled. She also goes to Teens in Transition group which is meant to help teens get back on track in life and to be ready for the real world. Then she decides that she wants to go back to school and everything in her life comes out upside-down. This book had a good-crazy plot with superb character development. I recommend this book to anyone who needs a funny book to lift them up. Also to anyone who likes Meg Cabots style of writing (but Susan Juby adds a zing to that style). Rate (1-10): 9 --Christa, 13
This book was hard to get into and didn't really catch my attention and make me want to read. I don't think this should be a best book. --Heather, 17.
Rylant. Cynthia. God Went to Beauty School.
Should be on list. It's funny and a great
adolescent book. Appeals to the human side. --Seaira,
12, 4
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Should be on the list because it is really good
poetry. I like the contents and thestyle of this poetry. --Josh, 16, rating 5 I would like a copy please.
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First name or initials: Kim
Age: 13
Book Title: God Went to Beauty School
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: God Went to Beauty School is a collection of short poetry like
stories. They are very hilarious from the first to the last poem/story, with
names like "God caught a Cold", "God got a Dog", and
"God got a desk Job". It also voices a hilarious view too.
I have to say I was laughing all the way through the book!
Quality Rating:4 - Pretty good.
Popularity Rating:5 - Everybody was dying to read this yesterday.
(Optional) I also want you to know...: My Mom, my little sister, my 13-year-old
friend and I all were laugh at excerpts so it's not just for teens.
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"God Went To Beauty School" is a bunch
of small poems about God, and how he's a lot like us. I enjoyed this book, but
I didn't have much to think about after I read it, like I usually do with
books. I like this book because I thought it was very funny, and at ease with
the whole religion thing. I would put this up for best books, just because it's
funny, and a nice short read. --Kelli, 12
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First name or initials: Lainy
Age: 17
Book Title: God Went to Beauty School
Author: Rylant. Cynthia.
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: I found this book so humorous. It definantly was an easy read but well
worth my time. I would buy this book to read and I found myself sharing some of
the poetry from it with friends while i had it in hand. I feel that if a book
is of such quality that you want to share it with others it is worth owning as
well.
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...: I would like to have this book at the
end of the year.
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First name or initials: Trystan
Age: 17
Book Title: God Went to Beauty School
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Should this book be on a list of Best Books for Young Adults:yes
Because: Although this is a short book of poetry, I really enjoyed. The poems
manage to have pleasing rhythm, humorous voice, and thought provoking content.
I was pleasantly surprised when I started it and ended up staying up late one
night just to finish it all in one sitting.
I think it should be a best book because it's fun, thoughtful, and unlike any
other book I've seen. I actually typed out a couple of the poems because I like
them so much and wish to reread them many times.
Definitely Best Book material.
Quality Rating:5 - One of the best books I ever read
Popularity Rating:4 - Lots of people will want to read it.
(Optional) I also want you to know...: Di, could you put my name in the drawing
for this book if you decide to give it away later?
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This is a funny book of poems about things that god did and does. It was
good but I don't think that it should be a best book. - -Karlie, 13
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This book was funny, but the poetry was really badly written. I don't think I could vote this book as a best book just because it was funny. --Heather, 17.
This book was pretty good for non-fiction. I think a lot of teens could get something from this book. --Heather, 17.
I didn't like this book. I read halfway through it to see if it got any better, the beginning didn't catch me, but eventually I just quit-I couldnt' get into it. --Heather, 17.
The Speed of Light - Ron Carlson
This book is an extremely well written story of
three youths, whom apparently are all in various stages of punishing the reader
for not skimming through the book. Although it is extremely well written, and
the book moves along with quite a little bit of grace, the atrocities that
occur throughout the book really detract from it. The main character scams his
dimwitted friend by selling him half eaten snow cones and extracts payment by
requiring him to steal cans of mandarin oranges from his mother's cache of
food. One child lives in abject poverty, and his father kills his pet alligator
and beats him on numerous occasions, the father also puts in many appearances
running his car into their dilapidated house, and swearing at the children. As
for the third, clueless as they come, he steals food from his house to pay off
debts a tenth the value, and his mother is in the process of dating around to
find a new dad.
Although I didn't really care for it, the story actually might earn a best book
nomination from me. Few books can really elicit any emotions from the reader
like this one, its just I wish it wasn't so often guilt. --Ryan, 17
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This book was boring. I couldn't get into it at all. I also think the characters in the book are too young for teens to really connect with. --Heather, 17.
Zusak, Markus. Getting the Girl.
This book should be on the list of recommended
because it brings a point to the kids in the future and what to expect from
their brother. --Jose, 15, Rate 4
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Should be on list because it's all about teen and their problems with lonliness
and what to do about it. --Angel, 13, rates
book a 5
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This book was okay, but I wasn't particularly impressed. I didn't think the story flowed well and I thought a lot of parts were unnecessary while some parts weren't developed enough. There wasn't any interesting twist to the story that changed it from a story that's been told into one that you want to read. --Heather, 17.
How I Fell in Love and Learned to Shoot Free Throws - John Ripslinger
At first, this story seemed like the typical teenage romance with a twist on basketball. But as I soon found out, the message of this book was much deeper than just love. Danny, a basketball player, asks Angel, his crush, to help him brush up his free throws. Little does he know, Angel has a secret that will hurt both of them if revealed. This is by far one of the best books I've read. Rating: 5 (when you're finished with this year's books for the list, if no one else wants this book, I'd love to ad it to my collection) --Lisa, 14
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A very cute story. It made me laught. It was a little on the easy read side, but I believe that anyone would enjoy it. I think this could be a best book, I love all the twist and turns the guy tried to get the girl. Ripslinger can make you believe in one thing, but can end the story on a totally different note. This shows how far a guy will go to get a girl. --Annie, 16.
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This book was really good, I liked the new twist on how the story was told. I think there is a lot of material in this book that most teens don't get the chance to read about and would enjoy reading. I really liked this book. --Heather, 17.
Johnson, Angela The First Part Last
Should be on list. Good because it was about
things that happen to kids a lot now a days. So it ells ways of how to help you
heal with your problems like this. --Vice, 17,
5
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Should be on the list because it talks about teen pregnancy and the responsibilities and obsticles that go along with it. --Ofelio, 17, rate 3
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This book should be on the list. It would be a
good book for young mom's and dad's. It's a
good book with lots of good tips on life and what it's like to be a young
parent. --Vence, 17, 5
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This book was so dull !! I did not like it how the story
is being told in this "now and then format" The ending stink
because I wanted to know what Bobby was going to do with his daughter Feather.
You sort of have to guess what he is going to do THIS IS NOT A BEST BOOK.
It was mostly Bobby's thoughts and there was little dialogs. Not my kind
of book. --Annie, 16
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This book was about a 16(+) year old boy that now has to take of his
girlfriends baby because something happened to Nia (his girlfriend) but it
doesn't come right out and tell you what happened. --Karlie, 13
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"First Part Last" is a book about a 17 year-old boy who undertakes
the care of a baby born by his girlfriend. I thought this book was very good. I
liked how the author organized the story and how the author made it sound just
like a 17 year-old in New York. I think this book deserves to be a nomination
for "Best Books".-- Kelli, 12
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This book was a quick read, but it was still good. The end was a bit confusing, but at the same time all the information the reader needed was there. It was a very good book-best book material. --Heather, 17.
Crowe, Chris . Getting Away With Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case
This book should be included on a list of recommended books for teens because it gives a great interview/summary about what happened and gives great facts. -- Ofelio 17 rates it a 4
This book should be included on a list of recommended books for teens because it's a really good book and it is a page turner. --Ofelio, 17 rates this a 5
This book should be on the list because it's very good, quick read and it's interesting.--Josh, 16 rates it a 4
Hartinger, Brent. Geography Club
This book should not be on list because it has a good story but wasn't onthe edge during the book --Chelsea, 14 rates it a 3
Koertge, Ron. Shakespeare Bats Cleanup
This book wasn't my favorite, with the whole sports thing and the whole poetry thing, but it did get my thirteen year old brother who hasn't picked up a book in years to read, so I think it should be a best book. At least fanatic baseball playing teenaged boys will accidentally pick it up then, thinking it's just a book on baseball, and learn there is another world outside of the diamond. --Heather, 17
This book was really good and I think it should be a best. A 14 year-old boy gets mono and starts writing poems about baseball and his mom.--Karlie, 13