The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

Bastian embarks on a wild adventure when he enters the magical world of Fantastica, a doomed land filled with dragons, giants, and monsters, and risks his life to save Fantastica by going on a very dangerous quest.







I had big expectations for this book because it is one of my all time favorite movies. It is a magical movie even if a lot of it may be a bit dated and cheesy...I can still watch it and enjoy it. I still get upset when Artax sinks in the Swamp of Sadness, excited when Atreyu is saved by Falkor, and slightly freaked out when Morla pops her head out of her giant shell. I expected all of this within the book. I received it...and then some. I have to say (all jokes aside) that this book went on and on and on. Once I reached the halfway point on the book, the the plot of the first movie had run its course. I was now stumbling upon something entirely different. I did realize that there were aspects of the second movie that showed up from the book but did not do it justice. Actually, the second movie is really bad in comparing it to the second half of this book. I enjoyed the second half of the book but I fear that it may have gone on for at least 50 pages too long. I liked Bastien less and less as the pages went on. I rooted for Atreyu even when Bastien labeled him (wrongfully) and traitor. It makes sense for The Neverending Story to branch off and create numerous characters but I started having trouble remembering everyone. They were all getting their own story and the author cleverly let the reader know that their story continues...but at another time. Still, I did enjoy reading the book since it was my first time finally sitting down to do so after seeing the movie 50 times. Two things I want to mention about differences from the book to the movie. In the book, the world is called Fantastica so I truly don't understand why they would change it to Fantasia. I would have enjoyed the world all the same no matter what they named it so they could have kept the original name. The second thing is that Artax (Atreyu's horse) is a TALKING horse. I really don't think I would have been able to handle his death scene from the movie if he were to talk. Reading that scene in the book was one of the most depressing scenes I've read from a book in a really long time. Seriously...he's a talking horse, he's sinking, and he can't find the will to keep going. This could scar some people. Geez...It scarred me from the movie. Anyway, I would recommend this book to those that like Fantasy books but it really is not for everyone. It clocks in at almost 400 pages but seems to read like it is almost 500 pages.
Also, there are talks of re-doing the movie. I was dead set against this before having read the book. Now that I have read the book, I can see things that were left out that could be done a lot better with the technology we have these days.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Samantha Kingston has worked her way up the popularity ladder; now a senior, she and her three best friends rule their school. On Cupid Day, Sam expects to receive Valentine roses, to party with her friends, and to finally (maybe) have sex with her equally popular boyfriend. The last thing she expects is that she will die, but in the final moments of her life, as she hears "a horrible, screeching sound—metal on metal, glass shattering, a car folding in two," everything turns to nothing. Only, it is not the end for Sam. She wakes up to start the same day over again, and again; in fact, she relives it seven times. At first, being dead has its advantages, as she realizes that nothing worse can happen to her. She first conducts herself with reckless abandon, seducing her math teacher and smoking marijuana. It is difficult to feel pity for Sam; she is snobbish, obnoxious, a cheater, and just plain mean.





Right away, I have to say that this is one of my favorite young adult novels that I have read in the past 5 months. It is heartbreaking, frustrating, and incredibly well written. I have recommended this book even before I finished it. First of all, it is a fairly large book at almost 500 pages but there are really only 9 chapters. Each chapter is Samantha reliving the day she died and trying to change the outcome. At first, she is in denial and thinks the accident was all a dream and then begins to try and save herself. As each day starts over, she has a new goal and soon enough is not thinking about saving herself but somebody else. She may seem cruel and mean in the beginning but she changes so completely by the end that it is heartbreaking what she ends up having to go through. I was upset when the book was over because I was so engrossed with Samantha's efforts to save one girl and realize her feelings for a boy who has liked her for years. I feel like the book goes through the 5 stages of death in a way and that was probably what the author was secretly trying to accomplish. This is at the top of my list of books to recommend to anyone willing to take the time to read this bigger than average young adult novel.

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

This whirlwind adventure begins as Ginny, 17, reads a letter from her free-spirited, unpredictable Aunt Peg, who has recently passed away. She is given several destinations, four rules, and the instruction to open one envelope upon her arrival at each place. Thus begins a rapid tour of Europe as the teen struggles to accomplish the tasks established by her aunt. The motivation: Ginny wants to understand the woman's wanderlust and, possibly, she just wants a connection to her beloved relative. Throughout her adventures in Rome, Paris, Greece, England, and the Netherlands, the teen collects pieces of Peg's past and learns more about her rapid departure. She also learns much about herself.

I first picked up this book awhile ago but ran out of time so I was not able to read it then. I have a bit more free time so I decided to read this book. I have to say that the concept reminded me of the adult novel P.S. I Love You which is about a woman who receives one letter a month for a year after her husband has passed away. Ginny has been sent on a journey by her aunt who has passed away but really is supposed to find herself throughout this journey. She is a quiet character but there is not that much that is special about her. Some of the other characters stood out more including Keith who writes a musical about Starbucks. She has strict instructions not to contact anybody in the United States including her mother but I would have to worry for the mother. She is gone for a few months with absolutely no contact. I did enjoy this novel though I did not find anything exceptionally special about the book. It was exciting at times and other times, it was a bit slow. The journey really ends up being about Ginny coming to terms with the death of her aunt and coming out of her shell. I did enjoy the the letters that occasionally appeared throughout the book even if we never get to read the last letter. It is not a book that will make you think but it is enjoyable enough to read after you've read an especially heavy read.

Part B: The book trailers

I have to say that I really enjoyed making these more than I thought I would. My favorite would have to be my trailer for Speak because the music fit so well with the storyline.

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging
The Terrorist by Caroline B Cooney
The Face on the Milk Carton
Blubber by Judy Blume
Speak

Part A: The final book reviews. Banned and Challenged books

First of all, I want to say that during my search for books, I found that a lot of them were not at my own library. I had to put holds on 75% of my books. Still, I enjoyed most of the books as well as learning about why the books made the ALA top 100 most frequently banned and challenged books of the last decade. Personally, I think that some of the reasoning behind these bans and challenges is a bit silly and anybody should be allowed to read these books if they have the skill to do so.

1) Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Speak is about a girl who was raped at a party and called the cops but did not tell them what happened to her. She starts out 9th grade as the unpopular girl who had the cops come break up the party. She does not tell anybody what happened to her and she begins to withdraw from everyone and rarely speaks. She begins to fear for her best friend when she starts getting closer to the boy that took advantage of her at the party. She must find the strength to speak up and figure out where she truly belongs.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought it really stood out from other high school books. The main character obviously needed help and I wish that her prior friends had done something rather than ignore her. Being an outcast for ruining a party seems unfair especially when you don’t realize that there is something worse going on. This book really makes an impression on the average teenage girl but it also teaches you that if you don’t speak up (or at all), it will get you nowhere. One thing that I liked was that she expressed herself through painting even if she was hiding in a little room while doing her artwork. I think it may be a little haste to ban a book for the content when it is telling the reader that you should not be taken advantage of and actually take action.
Banned/Challenged for: sexual assault and language.


2) Mick Harte Was Here by Barbara Park
Mick Harte was Here is a book about a sister and her family that has to deal with the aftermath of her brother’s death. He was riding a bike without a helmet and hit his head after falling off from hitting a rock. It was a complete accident but Phoebe and her parents occasionally blame themselves for his death. It is a tragic yet hopeful book about a subject some people may know too much about.
Phoebe Harte takes the reader on a journey from before the accident to a month or so after the accident. It can be painful to read for a parent as neither of her parents deal with Mick’s death very well. There is serious depression from her mother and her father seems to be falling apart as well. Phoebe acts out and starts to torture her mother by saying Mick’s name a lot. I thought the book was well written especially when dealing with a death in the family. It also teaches the reader a valuable lesson that a bicycle helmet should be worn at all times. I think that is the most important part of the book as well as Phoebe Harte knowing that it was never her fault for her brother’s death.
Challenged, but retained at the Centennial Elementary School library in Fargo (ND) after parents complained to school officials that the book contains themes and language inappropriate for elementary students.

3) It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley
It’s Perfectly Normal is a book for the inquiring adolescent that contains information about the changing body and sex. The average tween and teen would feel too embarrassed to ask about these questions and this book has more than enough information to answer them. In going through the book, I don’t think I fully prepared myself for the amount of information that was actually given. I think that this book would really come in handy for those that were too shy to ask about anything in their changing years. I certainly never read a book that had so many pictures of nude bodies even if they are cartoons. It is extremely informative and would help the parent who feel too embarrassed to talk about sex or where babies come from. I know that most tweens will not ask me for a book on sex and their sexual health but this is definitely the book that they should be reading for all of their needs.
Banned/Challenged for: sexual content and value statements.
A Lewiston (ME) patron refused to return the book to the Lewiston and Auburn public libraries because she was "sufficiently horrified by the illustrations and sexually graphic, amoral, abnormal contents." A police investigation found the library did not violate the town ordinance against obscenity and the patron will stand trial for theft.

4) What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones
Sonja Sones' book is about a teenage girl who is discovering things about her body as well as boys. She goes through a few relationships throughout the year as well as dealing with her parents. They are constantly bickering and she doesn’t always have the best relationship with her mother. She relies on advice and help from her friends and they all hope to find Mr. Right. Written in poem format is the main concept of the book. I was not a fan of the way it was written so I could not get into this book as much as I would have liked. I do like that all the poems tell the story that the author is trying to get out and make the main character express herself in her own way. I believe that this book is mainly geared towards girls as there is a lot of talk about boys and how Sophie explores her own body. Personally, the book doesn’t stand out as particularly interesting to me but it may interest a younger audience.
Banned/Challenged due to sexual content and foul language.

5) Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
Judy Blume is the adult that will tell you the truth about things when nobody else will. This book is about a girl named Margaret who is starting out the 6th grade in a new town and has no religion. She takes her time throughout the year to explore what possible religions would fit her best. She is also bonding her new friends who have made a pact to buy their first bras and tell each other when they get their first period. It is a book that includes first kisses and dances as well as crushes. This is my first Judy Blume book and I do not know how I never ended up reading anything by her. I would have loved this book as a pre-teen since I felt very similar to Margaret in more than one way. It is a wonderful book for girl who is slowly but surely coming into her own as well as anybody who is conflicted about religion.
Banned/ Challenged due to content involving menstruation and religion

6) Blubber by Judy Blume
Blubber is told in the perspective of a girl named Jill who is starting out the 5th grade and taking part in bullying. Wendy is the leader of the pack who chooses to pick on and bully Linda because she is overweight. Jill would rather take part in bullying Linda than stand up to Wendy because she is intimidating to the rest of the class. The point of the story is to point out that you should not let bullying happen but to actually do something about the situation.
In looking at the book as a whole, I think it sends a good message that you should not let yourself be bullied and you should stand up for yourself. When I first started this book, I liked a lot about the character Jill except when she took part in the bullying. It was very cruel and unfair to be so rude and merciless with Linda when she had done nothing wrong. Jude Blume definitely has an effect on the reader and made me feel like I was back in school where kids can be so cruel with each other. It is a book that I would definitely want the younger audience to read especially if they are having trouble speaking up about their own problems.
Banned/Challenged for language and no punishment brought against the bullies

7) Cut by Patricia McCormick
Callie used to be a runner before everything fell apart in her life. Her brother, Sam, has severe asthma and her parents seem to not be as close. She finds herself at Sea Pines after it was discovered that she had been cutting herself. Part of a group that includes eating disorders and emotional problems, she is the mysterious one. After a new girl joins the group who does the same thing as Callie, it is up to her to decide if she wants to get better or continue on her path of destruction.
I thought that there were similar elements to Speak when reading this book. Callie doesn’t speak to anyone for the longest time until she gets a call from her mom that they may kick her out. There are some tough storylines in this novel including the description of what she feels like when she cuts herself. I personally felt my arms tingling in an uncomfortable manner when reading about Callie cut her arms. This is a book about a serious problem in tweens and teens and I think it is a must read for anybody who is willing.
Banned/Challenged for explicit content and self inflicted harm

8) The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
The Face on the Milk Carton is a book about a girl who believes her parents kidnapped her but stumbles upon an even bigger scandal. Janie Johnson is minding her own business when one day she sees her younger self on the side of a milk carton. She has questions and does research but does not know what to do about everything. There is no way her loving mom and dad could have kidnapped her, is there? With the help of her next door neighbor and boyfriend Reeve, they both go down a path where questions are answered and even bigger mysteries await.
Personally, I was not expecting this at all when I first started reading the book. Janie is a well written character that made me want to follow her from the idea of kidnapping to finding out the bigger truth. The plot sounds like something straight out of a lifetime movie but it really made me want to continue reading until the end. I was not aware that this was part of a series but it is a series that I will definitely continue on down the road. The relationships between parent and child are tested throughout the book but I think they are stronger for having go through all of this. The Face on the Milk Carton is definitely a book I would recommend especially to those who have always wondered about their murky past.
Banned/Challenged for sexual content and challenge to authority

9) Staying Fat for Sarah Byrne by Chris Crutcher
Sarah Byrne was as ugly as Eric Calhoune was fat. That was the case until Eric joined the swim team and started losing weight. He was afraid to lose Sarah as a friend so he began eating even more until Sarah found out. Sarah has a dark past that is catching up with her and now she is in a near catatonic state at the psychiatric ward. Eric is trying to figure out how to help Sarah and find out what really happened to her all those years ago.
This book is fast paced and full of challenging subjects that really make the reader think. Eric is part of a contemporary class where the issues they talk about are normally avoided in a school setting. Christianity, abortion, and insanity follow the class and it can be hard to get a word in. The characters are well written and even the hard Christian boy has a redeeming quality in the end. It is not a book for everyone especially when you find out what two of the classmates did but it gets very exciting in the end when Sarah Byrne’s father will do anything to find her. The younger audience should read with caution but I believe anyone 12 and older should be able to handle this book.
Banned/Challenged for: talk of abortion and religion as well as child abuse

10) Crazy Lady by Jane Leslie Conly
Crazy Lady is about a boy named Vernon who grew up in a Catholic family with only their father to take care of them. Vernon is not the smartest kid in the family and is struggling in school. After running into the “crazy lady” and her son, she finds him the help he needs as long as he helps her in return. Vernon has trouble helping Maxine and her disabled kid, Ronald because Maxine gets drunk a lot. Vernon begins to form a bond with Maxine and Ronald and tries to help Ronald get into the Special Olympics.
In general, I thought that this book was average amongst all the other books that I read. I enjoyed seeing Vernon grow within the book as he found the help he needed for English as well as slowly bonding with his father. It touches upon difficult subjects including alcoholism as well as retardation. It was touching that Vernon wanted to help Ronald get into the Special Olympics as well as go on to win awards. I thought that it ended a bit abruptly but the ending got the point across. I would recommend the book to interested kids but they have to be aware of the language within the book.
Banned/Challenged for: Profanity and/or inappropriate language

11) Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
Georgia Nicolson is having problems but has the help of her Ace friends. She starts out the school year mortified after having shaved off part of her eyebrow and she doesn’t have a boyfriend. She sees a Geordie boy (a boy from Newcastle) and must have him as a boyfriend. She and her friends scheme ways to get boyfriends as well as going to the cool parties.
The book is written in diary format which usually is not my preferred style of writing but I thought it made the book go by more quickly. It was a formulaic book of first kisses and first crushes but I think it was still written well enough to keep me entertained and interested. Georgie may seem a little superficial in the beginning but it is really how most girls her age end up acting. Not only does the reader get to learn about her life but the book is set in England so there is a whole new vocabulary that comes up. While some subjects may be just a little too old for the younger audiences, I see no problem with anybody in middle school or above reading this book.
Banned/Challenged for: Drug use and pervasive sexuality.

12) The Terrorist by Caroline B Cooney
Caroline Cooney seems to be similar in writing to Judy Blume since they both have multiple books on the banned/challenged list. The Terrorist is about a family who is trying to cope with the loss of their son after he is killed in a terrorist attack. One minute, Billy is handed a package and the next minute he is gone. Laura is upset and finds it hard to handle the fact that her brother is gone forever. She is determined to find out who killed her brother and is convinced that somebody in her school did it. She doesn’t realize how dangerous things could get in the process.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought that it was a quick read. It is always upsetting to lose someone in the family especially the way Billy died. Caroline Cooney gave Billy so much character and made him so loveable even when he was only in the book for such a short time. I felt connected with many of the characters and everything leading up to the climax of the book was very exciting. This is one book that would definitely go on my recommendation list to anybody wanting to read something different.
Banned/Challenged for: negative portrayal of Islamic religion and Arabs.

13) The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
Gilly Hopkins is a foster child who has bounced from home to home. She doesn’t want to go anywhere but where her mother is and she is hard to find these days. She definitely doesn’t want to live with a bunch of freaks like Maime Trotter and William Ernest. Gilly has a tough exterior because of her past but through friendships and these freaks that surround her, she may feel like she belongs more than she thought.
I thought that this book was perfect for foster kids who have a hard time fitting in with other kids or even with their families. Gilly had the privilege of hearing from her mother on rare occasion even if she wasn’t able to stay with her. It was a shorter read but concise and to the point about what the author was trying to say. Gilly may put up a fight when it comes to letting people in but she realizes who is important to her in the end. I really liked the teacher because she was actually trying to show that Gilly had a place with everyone else even if Gilly was stubborn. The book has had issues with foul language but I barely noticed it most of the time. I would have anybody read this book even if they are not having issues with their foster life.
Banned/Challenged for: language and conduct of the title character.

14) The Facts Speak for Themselves by Brock Cole
Linda walks into the police station to report that she witnessed the murder of a man that she may know. She has been having an affair with him and she is only 13. She tries to tell everyone the truth even if things may go askew. She holds nothing back and what the reader finds out is shocking.
I can definitely see why a book like this would be banned from some schools and libraries. Nothing is held back from the reader even when it may make you uncomfortable or shocked. The fact that Linda is only 13 years and she is having a sexual relationship with a middle aged man can really offend people. She mistakes sexual abuse for a relationship as well which can be difficult for many people to read. Still, I think that it is an important book to read especially for those trapped (or are willingly) in these kinds of relationships. The writing quality is gritty and straightforward. This is not a book I would recommend to everybody but I would recommend it to those who can handle the more mature subject matter.
Banned/Challenged for: sexual abuse and subject matter.

15) The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
Virginia Shreves is not your average Shreve. She lives by the “Fat Girl Code of Conduct”, has an inferiority complex and lives for the computer. Her mother loves to exercise and her dad plays golf amongst other things in Connecticut. Virginia has a hard time living up to her older, more perfect siblings and then everything changes. Her older brother is suspended from college for date rape. Virginia takes her life into her own hands and changes. She is no longer willing to be belittled by her mother and finally stands up for herself.
I thought that this book was a pretty good read but there were a few slow parts. Virginia seemed like a stereotypical teen who seemed obsessed about her weight because she wasn’t the skinniest girl. I think that it ended with a positive message that included taking care of your body and not caring about what other people think. I would have hated to have self involved parents because they rarely saw Virginia as herself. Virginia does have a different take on sexuality than more plus size characters do. While she may not be comfortable in her body, she knows how to use it. I think that some of the subjects are harsh like her brother being a date raper and her having eating disorders. Still, there is a good sense of humor and wit within the book that I would recommend it to the other tween audience.
Banned/Challenged for: sexual content, being anti-family, and offensive language.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

When Naomi tries to piece back the fragments of the last three and a half years of her life, she discovers she has a boyfriend she can't remember, her mother and father are divorced, she and her mother have fallen out, and she has a group of friends she's just not sure she likes any more.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac is a really enjoyable book and it is written in a way that I didn't expect. Naomi is dealing with the aftermath of amnesia after falling down the stairs and must try to figure out who the people are in her life. Her father is having a difficult time helping her, her best friend Will is trying to make her remember him, and her boyfriend Ace seems to be a bit uncaring to the whole situation. I really liked how each character was laid out before me because I found it really easy to remember them. Naomi changes from the accident and then grows throughout the year. She is intrigued by a boy named James who was with her in the hospital when she woke up. He is a bit of a mystery to her but she feels more comfortable with him than she does with her boyfriend Ace. The book is also split into three parts dealing with how she was before the accident, how she is dealing with no memories, and how everything changes once she does regain her memory. She also has to deal with relearning the fact that her parents are no longer together and her mother has a 3 year old daughter. That must be some of the reason why she cannot remember the past four years of her life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it to middle schoolers and up.

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.

Hate List along with Thirteen Reasons Why may be one of the best young adult books I have this semester. There is so much heartfelt emotion and revelation within this book and I found that amazing. Valerie is learning to recover after a school shooting that was done by her own boyfriend. She has to come to terms with how the school and community feels about her as well as her parents. The author does a wonderful job showing how Nick (the shooter) has a good side even when everyone else only saw him as the bad guy. She has a good relationship with her therapist who is largely responsible for helping her get through her senior year. She realizes that she does not particularly belong in this community but she figures out what she can do with her life once she is done with school. I didn't want to put the book down especially when I was given flashbacks on the actual day of the shooting and snippets of good days Valerie had with Nick. This novel is definitely not appropriate for the younger audience but I believe that anybody 12 and up can handle this storyline. While the shooting was set in a high school, there have been school shootings in middle school so I feel that it is acceptable to anybody in middle school or higher.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

I want to start out this review by saying the age level for this book is teetering between 12 and up as well as 14 and up. I think the best that I can say about it is that it deals with some heavy emotions and subjects that basically an accelerated reader could handle. I would compromise and say 13 and up since some of the storyline is about how girl in question starts out high school and continues on from there. The subject of suicide is never a light subject to anybody so this book may not be for everybody but I think it really tells a message. If you pay attention more to someone and lend your heart and hand...you may be able to save them. Unfortunately, this is not the case in the book because Clay is listening to the tapes that she created and she has been dead for a couple of weeks by this point. I haven't been touched by a book in awhile and this book really toyed with my emotions. I have to say that I was feeling what Clay felt while he was listening to certain tapes and I couldn't believe some of the events that happened to Hannah. Though there were a few times where I felt that she was really good at harboring a grudge and not good at letting go of it. This book was so incredibly frustrating for me as well as Clay because there was absolutely NOTHING you could do to change the ending. Hannah is gone. You're aware of this in the beginning and yet you think something different will happen throughout some of the stories. There was one point where Clay started screaming and I wanted to do the same thing. This book is definitely not a book for younger kids and you have to be in the right mindset for it as well but I would recommend it to the older tweens if not the teens.

Sleepover directed by Joe Nussbaum

In the summer before their freshman year in high school, Julie has a slumber party with her best friends: Hannah, Nancy and Farrah. As a trio, they end up having the adventure of their lives. In an attempt to cast off their 'less-than-cool' reputations once and for all, Julie and her friends enter into an all-night scavenger hunt against their popular girl rivals. Hijacking dad's car, sneaking into clubs, evading Julie's mother, and even a first kiss--anything is possible at Julie's sleepover.

I found myself watching this movie on spring break (and only now just reviewing it) while I was bored. The movie did generally remind me of a girly tween Ferris Bueller's Day Off with the group of girls ending up in different places all over town. Julie is the main character who has a crush on a boy but doesn't have the guts to act on her feelings. The movie plays out like most tweeny bopper romance movies do where the main character goes through a transformation and finds a way to either talk to the crush or impress the crush. There are some amusing points of this movie but I felt it was a bit too bubblegum for me. I know there must be some smart tween movies like there were in the 80s with The Breakfast Club and 16 Candles. I felt that the director focused mainly on the unbelievable in order to get the most amount of laughs. The movie staved off my boredom for the most part but I would have changed the channel if a better movie had come on TV. I would give the movie a 2.5 stars out of 5. It was not a completely ridiculous movie but it was not something that would stand out above others.

Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst

Something strange is trying to grow under 12-year-old Julie's bed. Her mother, Rapunzel, wants to keep it hidden, but The Wild is determined to escape and when it does, it turns Julie's town into a fairy tale on steroids. Rapunzel's been trying to lead a normal life, but now all the plots and patterns of the old stories threaten to ensnare everyone within reach, former fairy-tale characters and denizens of the modern suburbs, alike. Julie has to do some sleuthing, some quick thinking, and learn to negotiate her way past expected, stereotypical folkloric responses in order to break The Wild's hold on reality.

I was recommended this book by a fellow librarian who liked to read young adult books amongst other books. Now, I am always recommending this book to the younger teen audience who likes to read fantasy books. This book was well done in the aspect of mixing fairy tale with the real life. It is like what happens after the happily ever after that makes you think about how the characters really like their own tale. I am a bit fan of fantasy so I really liked the picture that this book painted. The main character is generally annoyed in the beginning for having to keep an eye on the fairy tale land but when things go terribly awry, she must figure out how to take part in the fairy tale world and yet avoid becoming stuck in an endless loop of her own fairy tale. While I believe younger boys may enjoy this book, it geared more towards the tween girls and that is who I generally recommend the book to whenever asked.

Firegirl by Tony Abbott

Tom Bender's seventh grade class has a new student named Jessica Fenney. While anyone would be curious about a new student, Jessica's burned appearance is anything but ordinary, and speculation flies as to why she's here and what happened. Tom, who is experiencing difficulties with his only friend Jeff, finds himself interacting with Jessica more than anyone else. Does that make them friends, or will the rumors ruin any chance at friendship?


I want to start this review right off by saying I would highly recommend this book to ANY and all middle schoolers because it is a beautiful book. It may be a shorter read but it is a book that requires the reader to really open up and imagine how their life can be changed by one person. Tom Bender has cars on his mind until Jessica comes into his classroom. She has been severely burned by an automobile accident and all the kids look at her like she is a monster. Tom feels horrible every time his friend Jeff makes fun of her and calls her ugly. I love that Tom doesn't become part of the crowd and just see Jessica as this ugly creature but somebody who has suffered greatly and needs a friend. He is very hesitant in the beginning because it can be hard to react to a tragedy like this. He feels guilty for what has happened to her even if it is not his own fault. He opens himself up and really sees what is going on instead of many of his classmates. Tom himself may not be the most popular kid in the class but by the end of the book, his actions are acknowledged which makes it the best part of the book. This is a very touching and heartfelt story that I would love anybody to read who is willing.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Meet the kid who made "wimpy" cool, in a family comedy motion picture based on the best-selling illustrated novel Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney, the first in a series that has thus far sold... Meet the kid who made "wimpy" cool, in a family comedy motion picture based on the best-selling illustrated novel Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney, the first in a series that has thus far sold 28 million books. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID chronicles the adventures of wisecracking pre-teen Greg Heffley, who must somehow survive the scariest time of anyone's life....middle school.

I finally got the chance to see Diary of A Wimpy Kid and went in not having read any of the books. I checked out the audience and noticed that they were all tween boys so I knew the target audience. I was fully prepared for a movie that leaned more towards jokes that boys like and I was not disappointed. Both my friend and I enjoyed the movie but I was slightly uncomfortable/grossed out by some of the boy jokes. I know I've become a full adult when I think a joke is gross instead of just funny. Boogers and moldy cheese aside, I thought the movie did a pretty good job relating to starting out middle school. The main character was trying to fit in and become popular during his first year in middle school and it felt like I was reliving my own life. I don't even really feel the need to recommend it to the tween audience as I saw plenty of them in the theater. I can definitely say that it is geared more towards the boys than the girls and I think that's a good idea since so many movies these days are geared towards girls.

How to Train Your Dragon

A hapless young Viking who aspires to hunt dragons becomes the unlikely owner of a young dragon himself, and learns there may be more to the creatures than he assumed.

I realize that this movie is based of a book but I've never actually heard of the book. I decided to take my friend along to see this movie and I sized up the audience when we arrived. It basically all consisted of the younger audience it was intended for but I did not feel that out of place. I also happened to see it in 3D even though I tend to avoid 3D movies due to the headaches that I get. Thankfully the 3D effects only slightly bugged and most of the effects were seamless throughout the movie. My friend and I both thoroughly enjoyed the movie and felt that it was perfect for both the younger and older audience. I was mostly engrossed in the music oddly enough which made me became all that more attached to the movie. Hiccup, the young viking, was well developed and I absolutely loved the dragon, Toothless. I may not be able to say how faithful the movie was compared to the book but I would recommend it to anybody that asks.

Waiting for You by Susan Colasanti

At the beginning of her sophomore year, Marisa is ready for a fresh start and, more importantly, a boyfriend. So when the handsome and popular Derek asks her out, Marisa thinks her long wait for happiness is over. But several bumps in the road—including her parents’ unexpected separation, a fight with her best friend, and a shocking disappointment in her relationship with Derek—test Marisa’s ability to maintain her new outlook. Only the anonymous DJ, whose underground podcasts have the school’s ear, seems to understand what Marisa is going through. But she has no idea who he is—or does she?

Waiting For You is one of those typical teen romance books where girl likes boy while another boy likes her and gets the boy while the other boy looks on. There are a few twists throughout the book that were nice and a bit of an homage to Pump Up the Volume. It was generally a light read because the most revelating that happens to Marisa is that she realizes the boy she likes is a jerk and the boy that likes her is the one for her. Marisa does have to go through a parental divorce over the course of the school year which some teenagers can relate to in real life. Marisa thought her parents were the perfect couple but found out to be mistaken. This book is no award winner but it is an entertaining book for the girls who may find themselves in the same situation.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Twelve-year-old Catherine has conflicting feelings about her younger brother, David, who is autistic. While she loves him, she is also embarrassed by his behavior and feels neglected by their parents. In an effort to keep life on an even keel, Catherine creates rules for him (It's okay to hug Mom but not the clerk at the video store). Each chapter title is also a rule, and lots more are interspersed throughout the book. When Kristi moves in next door, Catherine hopes that the girl will become a friend, but is anxious about her reaction to David. Then Catherine meets and befriends Jason, a nonverbal paraplegic who uses a book of pictures to communicate, she begins to understand that normal is difficult, and perhaps unnecessary, to define. Rules of behavior are less important than acceptance of others. Catherine is an endearing narrator who tells her story with both humor and heartbreak. Her love for her brother is as real as are her frustrations with him.

I think I went generally overboard on trying to find more books to read because I have over 20 books lying by my bedside waiting to be read. Rules was one of the first books I checked out among this big stack and finally got around to it during the break. I have to say that I was really impressed with this book in general with how it related to well to that of a frustrated twelve year old. I loved the relationship between Catherine and her autistic brother and how she took control of him. It is hard to deal with a differently abled sibling and the author really puts that all into perspective. While it may be hard to to deal with her brother David on a regular basis, she still feels the need to take care of him and love him. I also love how the author creates the relationship between Jason, another disabled kid, and Catherine. She is still a normal 12 year old but everything around her is different and complicated. This book is well written and deserves the Schneider Family Book Award that it received.

Undercover by Beth Kephart

Like a modern-day Cyrano de Bergerac, Elisa ghostwrites love notes for the boys in her school. But when Elisa falls for Theo Moses, things change fast. Theo asks for verses to court the lovely Lila—a girl known for her beauty, her popularity, and a cutting ability to remind Elisa that she has none of these. At home, Elisa's father, the one person she feels understands her, has left on an extended business trip. As the days grow shorter, Elisa worries that the increasingly urgent letters she sends her father won't bring him home. Like the undercover agent she feels she has become, Elisa retreats to a pond in the woods, where her talent for ice-skating gives her the confidence to come out from under cover and take center stage. But when Lila becomes jealous of Theo's friendship with Elisa, her revenge nearly destroys Elisa's ice-skating dreams and her plan to reunite her family.

I think I had different expectations for this book but I still enjoyed it. The book was well written and from the point of view of a ten grade student named Elisa. This is the first book for author Beth Kephart but I don't think it shows. While some authors try to simplify the language of their teen characters, Beth Kephart does nothing of the sort. She writes as if she is creating a piece of art and that brings more life to Elisa. Elisa is an honors student who has a more sophisticated mind than her other classmates. There are points in the story that you may not know exactly what she is thinking because she is creating poetry or trying to picture her life differently. I think the author does a good job in making sure that each reader interprets Elisa differently. This book may be a little heavy for the younger half of tweens mainly because they may not understand what Elisa is going through. She has family problems as well as problems making friends. Some people may relate to Elisa because she is the smart girl that people tend to ignore. Her sister is the popular, pretty girl that chooses to ignore her sister in the hallways at first. You can see growth in both characters throughout the book which makes it more enjoyable. It was a relatively quick read for me even though it clocked out at almost 300 pages. This is a book that I would recommend to the dedicated readers as they may understand Elisa more than an occasional reader.

Life as We Knew it by Susan Pfeffer

It's almost the end of Miranda's sophomore year in high school, and her journal reflects the busy life of a typical teenager: conversations with friends, fights with mom, and fervent hopes for a driver's license. When Miranda first begins hearing the reports of a meteor on a collision course with the moon, it hardly seems worth a mention in her diary. But after the meteor hits, pushing the moon off its axis and causing worldwide earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, all the things Miranda used to take for granted begin to disappear. Food and gas shortages, along with extreme weather changes, come to her small Pennsylvania town; and Miranda's voice is by turns petulant, angry, and finally resigned, as her family is forced to make tough choices while they consider their increasingly limited options. Yet even as suspicious neighbors stockpile food in anticipation of a looming winter without heat or electricity, Miranda knows that that her future is still hers to decide even if life as she knew it is over.

I don't normally read disaster books but I stumbled upon this one and it was different from others that I had read. Written from the point of view of a 16 year old girl in diary format makes the reader feel like they are in a bubble of sorts. The reader is completely aware that the world is completely falling apart after a meteor has crashed into the moon but is only seeing it from Miranda. The book is so descriptive about the events going on in Miranda's life that you feel like you are living it with her. There is a sense of despair that the reader has that makes you feel like the world is ending and you have no power to stop it. There is a sense of foreboding that made me not want to turn the page for fear that something worse would happen and yet I could not put the book down. It is a bit of a heavy read and took me longer than a few of the other books that I have read in the past but I can see it being loved by boys and girls alike. The boys would love it for the disasters that are happening but the girls will love it because they can feel like they are in Miranda's place. I also liked the factor that even though the family is in hard times, Miranda still finds the time to act like a teenage girl every once in awhile. This is a book that I would recommend to all ages and not just the tweens because it is so well written and interesting.

Beastly by Alex Flinn

I am a beast.
A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.
You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.

Beastly is a modern day fairy tale for the younger audience. I have only heard of this book in the past week because I saw a short trailer for the movie that comes out in July. I thought I would get a head start and read the book now before the popularity of it explodes at the library. I was pleasantly surprised by the book and read the book rather quickly. The main character Kyle/Adrian is one that you have a crush on but hate in high school. You think he's good looking and he knows he's good looking but doesn't care about you. Beastly is a book that really makes you think about yourself from the inside out and can change how people act around others. I thought all the characters had a great background story and didn't make me feel like I was missing anything. The author did a good job of updating the tale of Beauty and the Beast as well as bringing in other fairy tales into the mix. It reminds me of the book Into the Wild where it also brought fairy tales to life and mixed them with real life situations. Reading the book made me feel like I was actually watching the story in front of my eyes. Everything was descriptive and gave you a real picture in your head. There were only a few rare cheesy lines that I felt were out of place with the rest of the content but that did not stop me from continuing. Beastly is definitely a book I would recommend to kids, tweens and teens. It is imaginative, just the right length and good for boys and girls.

You Wouldn't Want to Be a Medieval Knight by Fiona MacDonald

You (the reader) are the son of a senior servant living in England in the 1400s. Instead of following in your father's footsteps and becoming a servant, you'd much rather become a knight! During your training and as you become a knight, you will discover the tools of the trade, such as your armor, weapons, and horse, and get a glimpse of what it's really like to be a knight.


Have you ever wanted to be a Knight? Maybe you have wanted to wear the armor of a Knight. Well, now you can what it takes to become a proper Knight. This book takes you through the process of what you need to become a Knight and what each one goes through in training and in battle. The illustrations are very well done and make you laugh about the content even if it is about dying in battle. This book is part of a series that takes you through Medieval times as well as other times in history. It gives you the facts about Knighthood all while trying to keep the reader interested in the content. This is a definite keeper and would love to check out the other books in the series.

The Usborne Official Knight's Handbook by Sam Taplin

The ultimate guide for the novice knight, covering everything from sieges to swordplay, feasts to fights and crusades to courtly love. Written in a lively, humorous and engaging style and packed with informative historical detail. Brings the period of medieval knights vividly to life. Taken from www.Usborne.com

I found this book by accident but it was one of the more entertaining educational books that I have read. Usborne writes all kinds of handbooks and guides for different time periods which makes it a better way for the student to learn. Instead of reading through a book that just mumbles out facts, it puts you in a situation and makes you believe that you are trying to become or do something. There are a number of amusing illustrations throughout the book that will catch the eye of kids reading this book and it will stick with them. This book gives information on knights and what knights had to go through but puts a one on one perspective on it. This book is a quick enough read and I breezed through it with no problems. Not only are there points touched upon on how to become a Knight but it also talks about how Knights would court ladies and what the average home was like. The book is a definite good choice to give to students who need help with information on Knights as well as the middle ages.

The Life and Times of King Arthur: The Evolution of a Legend by Susan Harkins

Centuries ago, when the earth was still young and sorcerers and fairies were believed to roam the misty forest, a mortal man changed history. Arthur, born into a dark world of savage violence, united the Britons against their enemies at the battle of Mount Badon. For centuries, Britons shared Arthur's story around their campfires. Eventually, the story passed out of the Dark Ages and into modern literature. Follow Arthur, his wife Guinevere, and the knights of the Round Table as the story evolves from a world of warlords and bloodshed into a kingdom of mythical medieval knights, sorcerers, love, and ultimately, betrayal.

I want to confess that there have been so many legends and stories about King Arthur in the movie world that I forgot that it was part of a true story. This book starts out with the legend of King Arthur which is something that really hooked me on the book quickly. It go back and forth from the legend to the real story and even going as far back as Roman civiliation. The thing that I like about this book is that it includes the different versions of the legend as well as the true story. This book goes from the legend to the death of King Arthur as well as including a picture and information about King Arthur's tomb. The end of the book does have a reason why it is hard to really give the right amount of information for King Arthur. His story has become more of a story than reality even though there was a true Arthur. A legend stays a legend and only grows in time. This book has the right balance of legend and truth that makes it interesting to read and in the right subject area for tweens. I would recommend this book for those needing information on King Arthur whether they want to know more about the legend or his actual life.

Knights: Warrior of the Middle Ages by Aileen Weintraub

Let the battles begin! Way of the Warrior takes readers into the fray with history's most valiant and infamous soldiers for a close look at warriors through the ages.

This book can be misleading with the size that it is because it looks like it would have more pictures than information. There is a lot of information packed into a mere 40 plus pages including the history of the beginning of the knights, crusades, and tournaments. Every few pages, there are little bubbles of short facts that are perfect to include in a book report or term paper for a middle school student. One thing that I liked about this book is that it doesn't just give you the history of the knight but it also gives you how knights are perceived these days. There is a small dictionary in the back of new words which is very convenient for all ages. One other section of the book that I felt was really helpful was the fact that the author gave the reader a further reading section for more research as well as resources on medieval studies. I, myself, did not know that there is a Medieval academy in America. In conclusion, I would recommend this book to students who need material for Knights and the middle ages because there is more information than I expected in the book.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Bella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Bella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella, the person Edward holds most dear.

I wanted to review two different popular series today and show the difference in what I thought of them. I'm going to try and be as neutral as possible about this book because I'm very opinionated about it but I might not be able to do. I had decided to read these books because I noticed the popularity of them at my previous job. After reading the entire series, I first wanted to say that Stephanie Meyer did not seem to have the right grip on her characters and they drastically changed in the fourth book. Bella Swan never truly seemed happy about the situations she was in and once she finally got what she wanted, she still seemed miserable. Edward seemed far too angsty for my tastes and too overprotective. I do not know what girl would actually enjoy being followed all the time, being watched while sleeping, and having their property damaged so they could not go out. Jacob had a very egotistical personality that frustrated and annoyed me every time he was in the book. Bella's father did not seem to have a lot of say in what his daughter did nor did he seem to have very much control. Stephanie Meyer's writing could use a serious amount of improvement and I felt like there was no editor in the book writing process. it felt extremely amateurish and I honestly felt like I was reading glorified fanfiction. Very little actually happened for most of the first book which I found to be really boring. Stephanie Meyer seemed to be depending on the reader connecting with Edward and Bella instead of actually bringing the plot forward. It was only when she could not find anymore adjectives to describe how beautiful Edward was that she introduced the conflict. Having read the back story behind how she came up with the idea to write Twilight made me seem a bit uncomfortable. The way she writes Edward seems like she is trying to idolize and turn him into some type of God. Even when he does unexcusable things to Bella, Bella still finds the heart to forgive him and turn the blame on herself. Stephanie Meyer does not paint a strong image for growing girls at all which I find very disheartening. There was no character that I could really relate to properly or even favor. I cannot and do not recommend this book to tweens who ask for books to read because I don't see a positive message being portrayed.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

For most children, summer vacation is something to look forward to. But not for our 13-year-old hero, who's forced to spend his summers with an aunt, uncle, and cousin who detest him. The third book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series catapults into action when the young wizard "accidentally" causes the Dursleys' dreadful visitor Aunt Marge to inflate like a monstrous balloon and drift up to the ceiling. Fearing punishment from Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon (and from officials at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry who strictly forbid students to cast spells in the nonmagic world of Muggles), Harry lunges out into the darkness with his heavy trunk and his owl Hedwig. In this third installment in the projected seven-volume series, Sirius Black, imprisoned for killing 13 people with one curse, escapes from Azkaban. As he heads for Hogwarts, the chilling Dementors who trail him quickly descend upon the school. Taken from Amazon.com

This review might be a little biased because I am a big fan of the Harry Potter series. I have always thought they were entertaining, well written, and a perfect book to read for younger and older audiences alike. I picked the third book to review because the plot was different than the rest of the books (save The Deathly Hallows, kind of). This was the first time that Voldemort was not going after Harry Potter but he believed a murderer was coming after him instead. He ends up finding out that it is his Godfather and finds out the truth of what really happened to his parents. The book has a lot of action but heartfelt moments as well. I believe JK Rowling really captured the mind of a 13 year old even though he never grew up in a normal environment. She is able to create an entire world and make the reader believe that they are right there next Harry Potter trying to survive. The thing that I love so much about these books is that the readers grow up with Harry Potter and the writing improves. I could tell that JK Rowling was a relatively new writer with the first book but gained experience as each book came out. She paid attention to the demographic of her readers and was aware that they were not all 5 years old reading the book. The Deathly Hallows was the most adult of the series and you could tell how close she was to the characters she created. All in all, The Prisoner of Azkaban gives more insight to Harry's past as well as seeing how much he could grow. I also enjoyed the time travel plot with Hermione and it showed how determined Hermione is to be a strong, independent girl in that world. I thoroughly enjoy this book in the series and it is not even my favorite book in the series. I would recommend it to any child, tween or teen who wants a good book to read.

Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson

When the math teacher disappears with the funds just eleven days before the dance, determined and organized Nat goes into high gear to find alternative ways to make the prom happen and drags an unwilling Ashley into the flurry of urgent details.
Ashley has enough problems in her life already, starting with the complexities of her crowded but loving working class family -- her extremely pregnant mother and her three exuberant and prom-crazy aunts, and her cab-driving father and three younger brothers, who think nothing of happily trashing the kitchen in a game of hot dog baseball. Then there’s Mr. Gilroy, the evil vice principal of discipline, who has Ashley on endless detention, her awful job at EZ-CHEEZ-E, where she has trouble seeing the customers through the eyeholes of her rat costume, and her good-looking but lowlife boyfriend TJ, who wants her to join him in a future as depressing as the dank one-room apartment he has so proudly rented for them. Not to speak of Nat’s loony grandmother, who wears her red bathing cap even when she’s not doing the backstroke in a wading pool, babbles at Ashley in Russian, and spits on the floor to show her disapproval.

After I read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, I knew that I would more than likely enjoy Prom. The content is not as dark as the first which is something that I enjoyed. It was a light hearted book about a teenager who hates prom. Ashley has a boyfriend who seems to have a one track mind and wants to have Ashley all to himself. Her parents are horndogs which is so well described as a teenager would describe it that I felt like a teenager had written this book. There were a lot of little points throughout the book that made me laugh because of how everything was written. The characters (except for Ashley's boyfriend) all have a quality that I liked and it made you root for every single one of them. There is heart in this book even though you believe Ashley doesn't care about most of the stuff going on. She hates her job, she obviously does not care about school in the beginning, and just wants to get out of there. Trying to save prom changes her character in a way that is for the better. She becomes more motivated and sees the light about a lot of issues. I quite enjoyed this book and I would recommend the book for the older tweens due to a little bit of adult content. It is also a quick read so it is one that tweens can easily breeze through.

The Fashion Disaster That Changed My Life by Lauren Myracle

Alli wants to put sixth grade behind her and finally stop being invisible. She wants to be popular and have a breakout year in seventh grade. Alli gets her wish, but not exactly how she intended. On the first day of seventh grade, she discovers, to her horror, that her mother's underpants are stuck to her sweats with static cling. For the rest of the year she is labeled the stripper of seventh grade Taken from teenreads.com

When I read the jacket summary of this book, I knew it would be a perfect tween read. I don't think I realized how involved I would become in the characters and how much it made me remember middle school. It made me remember just how cruel the popular girls can be and just how stupid the boys can be. Alli comes to school on the first day of 7th grade with panties stuck to her pants and doesn't realize it. She is labeled a stripper by Jeremy and is made fun of by him for the rest of the book. Alli has been friends with Kathy for a long time and has met a new girl named Megan. She becomes closer to Megan and Megan spills her secrets to her that she doesn't tell Kathy. A group project has to be done in their social studies class which partners Alli with one of the popular girls. Kathy starts to become jealous that Alli is hanging out with the popular girls all the time and giving her a hard time about it.
This book really reminded me of a middle school version of Mean Girls. There is so much cruelty amongst a few of the characters that it really makes you feel like you're part of middle school again. The popular girl makes the boys do some pretty stupid things just to try and impress her. The book is also written in diary format so there are no chapters to speak of but it is separated by date entries. The author definitely has the tween voice down and I think it is very entertaining. I also liked that the book does not have an ending that is wrapped up in a bow. Alli has messed things up and you can tell that she has a long way to go before everything is fixed. I would recommend the book to those tweens that are struggling with friend issues or had an embarrassing experience. They will definitely be able to relate to the main character as well as her friends.

Sonny with a Chance

One Teen. One Dream. One Big Break. This live-action sitcom stars Demi Lovato as 15-year-old Sonny Munroe, who finds instant stardom when her self-produced Internet film catches the attention of some major Hollywood producers. Within days, Sonny and her mom are whisked from Winsconsin to… More Hollywood where Sonny is given the chance of a lifetime: a starring role in her favorite teen-sketch comedy series. The show captures the effects of her fame on her home and work life and also includes sketches from the show-within-the-show. Sonny with a Chance also stars Tiffany Thornton as Tawni Hart, Brandon Mychal Smith as Nico, Doug Brochu as Grady and Allisyn Ashley Arm as Zora. Taken from http://www.tv.com/sonny-with-a-chance/show/75677/summary.html

I decided to check out the Disney channel this week to see some of the tween shows. Sonny with a Chance had just started so I gave it a chance. I actually found myself enjoying the show even if I thought some of the characters acted a bit over the top for the laughs. It is not a total gag show but a few of the episodes did rely upon the gags. The first episode that I watched touched upon Sonny needing to pass her math test so she could go on the show to do a sketch with a co-star. Her co-star convinces her to cheat to pass the test but ends up blurting out before the test that she intends to cheat. Later, she realizes that she has learned the material from writing everything down on her cheat sheet. It's a valuable lesson episode that I think sends the right message without being too cheesy. The other episode that I watched had Sonny wanting to set up a prom since all of her co-stars missed their own prom. As predicted, she never truly gets to enjoy the prom because she has to do everything including preparing food and making sure that her boss doesn't find out about everything.
It's an entertaining show which does not push the limits to the point that every other character is annoying. Everyone on the show has a bit of a quirk to them that would make them relatable and likeable. I would recommend this show to any tween looking for some wholesome and fun entertainment on television. I ended up watching 2.5 episodes before deciding that was enough for me but I think I would find myself watching it anytime it was on if I was younger.

Before I Die by Jenny Downham

Tessa has just months to live. Fighting back against hospital visits, endless tests, and drugs with excruciating side effects, Tessa compiles a list. It’s her To Do Before I Die list. And number one is Sex. Released from the constraints of “normal” life, Tessa tastes new experiences to make her feel alive while her failing body struggles to keep up.
Tessa’s feelings, her relationships with her father and brother, her estranged mother, her best friend, and her new boyfriend, are all painfully crystallized in the precious weeks before Tessa’s time finally runs out.

Before I die is aimed at the young adult audience but there is no specified age group. My best guess after reading this book would be aimed towards the older tweens 13-16. The main character, Tessa, is 16 years old herself and is battling cancer. I think this book is extremely well written and would love to read anything else by this author. Even though you obviously know how the book is going to end, it is still heartbreaking to read because Tessa has grown up so much in a little amount of time. There is a sense of cynicism througout the book and Tessa doesn't hold anything back when people ask her about her illness. It seems that sometimes she tries to offend people in the way she handles everything. Her best friend Zooey goes through her own transformation and finds out that she is pregnant but does not know how to handle it. Tessa urges her to keep the baby and even tries to make the goal to stay alive for the birth. Tessa compiles a list of things to do and most of them are illegal. Some of them are added as she begins to deteriorate including trying to talk during her last moments. She has a crush on her neighbor and they begin to fall in love even though she specifically didn't want to fall in love. Adam changes her attitude towards everything including death and makes her crave so much more. The way the ending is written makes her death all the more jarring because it is written in her perspective. They are partial sentences and large spaces between paragraphs. I've read other books on deaths before but this one was very unique.
I would definitely recommend this book but it is definitely not a light read. It is a book where you need to brace yourself for and be in the right mood.

The Death Collector by Justin Richards

Horror fans will delight in this British import by Justin Richards (Bloomsbury, 2006) set in foggy London in the 1800s. George Archer toils in the back offices of the British Museum as the youngest member of the Department of Unclassified Artifacts. When thieves burst in and kill his co-worker, George attempts to uncover why a scrap of paper from an obscure scientist's diary would be worth a man's life. Circumstances lead George to team up with a minister's daughter and a homeless pickpocket. The trio discovers the diary is sought by Augustus Lorimore, an industrialist with delusions of grandeur. The chase is on and narrator Steven Pacey picks up the pace and leads listeners on a breathless romp through Victorian London complete with a séance, walking zombies, and a fire-breathing monster. Taken from Amazon.com

I once read from Nancy Pearl that you have to give every book a chance before giving up on it. Read at least 50 pages and if you're not hooked on it then you can put it down. I wanted to give a review for this book even though I didn't finish it. I had hopes for this book because the jacket summary caught my interest. I'm always interested in zombies and mystery but I had the hardest time reading this book. I read to page 80 before completely giving up because I felt so lost.
The writing is too slow and very little of what I read actually made me want to continue on. Too many characters were introduced in a short amount of time and I kept having to turn back pages to keep track of who was who. One or two things were interesting to note...one part of the plot reminded me of the summary for the movie The Librarian which was very cheesy but far more entertaining than this book. I did find one other review off amazon that was basically saying the same thing as me and they also gave up on the book. I would love to give this book another try after this semester but I just find the book far too slow and confusing right now.

That's So Raven

A teenager Raven Baxter is a girl who can see the future. She and her friends Eddie Thomas and Chelsea Daniels always have wacky mishaps trying to follow the visions. Her family life is also wacky with her parents Tonya and Victor and her younger brother named Cory. Raven's got a lot on her hands! Taken from imdb.com

I have found myself watching this show on Saturday mornings before I go to work. I can see why this show would appeal to the tween audience and I would probably like the show if I was that age. The particular episode that I was watching on Saturday had Raven's brother trying to learn how to skateboard so he could join the local extreme skateboarding team. He has very little skill and keeps on falling. Raven takes a lot of pleasure in seeing her brother fail and be humiliated. The only reason she turns around and tries to help her brother is so she can get money from her father to go to a concert on the weekend.
Personally, I think the characters could use an overhaul from what they are like now. Raven Baxter can be seen as selfish at times and a bit annoying in my opinion. I can see how her behavior applies to the show and some of the episodes seem to run off that irritation. Her friend Chelsea seems to only have moments of clarity but most of the time is portrayed as a simpleton of sorts. It is mainly when Raven has gotten into a sticky situation and needs the help to get out of it.
Generally, I don't think the show is a really bad show but I believe that some of the characters are flawed. I may be overly critical about the show since I haven't watched a show like this in years. The shows that I used to watch included Sabrina, The Teenage Witch and Boy Meets World. Some of the characters in those shows would act silly at times but they still had a lot I could relate to. I think I would rate That's So Raven as a 6 out of 10 on a scale of how much I would recommend it.

Romeo and Juliet -Together (And Alive!) at last by Avi

Ed discovers that his best friend Saltz is nursing a secret love for Anabell Stackpoole and gets the rest of the other eighth graders to rewrite and produce their version of Romeo and Juliet. They wangle the leading roles for Saltz and Stackpoole, and let romance run its course. Taken from Amazon.com

I said that the next book was going to be The Death Collector but I found a book that caught my eye when I was returning The Bridesmaid to the shelf. Romeo and Juliet - Together (And Alive!) at Last is a very quick read yet vastly entertaining. The Chapters averaged 3-4 pages at most but the writing kept me wanting to continue. The main character, Ed, is trying to find a way to get his best friend Saltz together with Anna Stackpoole after Saltz admits he has a crush on her. He somehow gets permission from the principal and teachers to put on a shortened version of Romeo and Juliet in just two weeks. I could smell disaster from a mile away when there was such a short time to put on a play. Everything that could go wrong during the actual play goes wrong but all the students still find a way to end the play. Saltz has his own mortal enemy on and off the stage which makes for a good amount of tension. Everything works out in the end even if the original intention of the play does not get worked out. I actually enjoyed this book more than I thought I would and zoomed through it. This would go in my recommendation pile of fun books to read on a vacation.

Next up: The Death Collector by Justin Richards. There is nothing wrong with getting sidetracked before starting a new book by reading a different book in one evening. Right?

The Bridesmaid by Hailey Abbott

Abby and Carol, whose parents run a hall used for wedding ceremonies and receptions, have seen the dark side of wedding planning and conclude that within every woman lurks Bridezilla. When Carol becomes engaged after her college graduation, she promises not to fall into that dreaded role, but 15-year-old Abby's wry, first-person narrative details her older sister's slow transformation into the familiar creature that they both loathe. Meanwhile, Abby's love life takes a hopeful turn, and she tries to decide whether to accept a soccer scholarship that will take her to Italy or stay at home and let the romance develop. Taken from Amazon.com

I was doing a bit of research and trying to find books to read that fell into the range of a tween. I was originally looking for books by Laura Halse Anderson because I greatly enjoyed Speak. This book popped out at me for no other reason that I'm going to be a bridesmaid for the first time this summer in my best friend's wedding.
I found it hard to get my head into "tweenage mode" in the beginning of the book and the best way I can describe the book is fluffy. Once I started getting into the book, I actually really began to enjoy it. Abby, the main character, makes you feel like you're standing there right next to her while she is trying to figure out how to deal with her sister Carol's impending wedding and her long lasting crush on Noah Spencer. There is a lot of humor dealing with weddings as well as Abby's own adventures. It is not all light and happy because Abby also has to figure out why her parents are falling apart at the seams when they usually are able to finish each others sentences. I found this book to be a very quick read having finished it in two sittings and would definitely recommend it to the older tween girl who is looking for a light book to read for a break from school books or a series.

Up next is The Death Collector by Justin Richards. Who can resist a plot that involves grave robbers and zombies? I know I can't because that is the reason I checked out the book in the first place.