How's this for puzzling? I went on Amazon to take a look at this book, which I read about two months ago, and discovered that it hasn't been released yet. Ooohhh. Spooky.
Which is interesting, because this is a ghost story. Oddly enough, I am obsessed with all things ghost - except ghost stories. I almost never read any. I don't know why that it is. Could it be that I think they're lame? Might be. And while we're talking lame, here's the lame reason I bought the book in the first place: I liked the cover.
At any rate, this book, which I was undoubtedly able to purchase because I bought it at a school book sale (mystery solved) was pretty good as far as ghost stories go. Rebecca's dad has some bad news for her: he has to go on an extended business trip, so she has to go stay with her aunt. That might be cool if Rebecca actually knew her aunt, or maybe even if her aunt lived in the neighborhood. But New Yorker Rebecca learns that she'll be making a move to live with her "aunt" and aunt's daughter in New Orleans. To make matters worse (worse for Rebecca; I actually think it's kind of cool) her aunt reads tarot cards for a living and believes in all sorts of superstitious mumbo-jumbo.
Yeah, that's a drag. Oh wait: that's not the bad part. The bad part starts when Rebecca is enrolled in a snobby private school where, you guessed it, everyone hates her. I'm sorry; someone from New York not cool enough for people in New Orleans? I think not.
A cute guy, some way obnoxious teenage girls, and a ghost in the local cemetery later, the story gets pretty interesting. I won't say it's the most engaging book I ever read, but I definitely enjoyed it.
LAME FACTOR: Like I said, it wasn't the most engaging book of all times, but I'll give it a 3 out of 5 on the lame factor. The New Orleans setting and very cool cemetery scenes will probably keep your attention.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: There's not nearly enough action between the main character and the cute guy to make things interesting. Even your grandmother would be disappointed.
BRAIN POWER: Reasonably well-written with a good vocabulary. Don't worry; you'll be fine. By the way, how many books are you supposed to read this summer? You'd better get on that.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Evernight by Claudia Gray
I should warn you that I really like - I won't go as far as "love" - Twilight and the related books. I think they're entertaining stories and I thought the whole schoolgirl/vampire romance thing was pretty cool. And original. Unfortunately, the original part of that equation is out since there are dozens - and dozens and dozens - of sort of Twilights out now.
Evernight is one of those books. Overall, it's pretty good, mainly because it has some unexpected twists that I won't ruin for you. Let's just say that even I had a hard time separating the bad guys from the good guys.
The story begins, as all good gothic-type romances should, with our sweet young heroine running away from the evil school to which she has been sent by her loving parents. The night is dark, the woods are menacing. Someone appears to be chasing Bianca when suddenly - Wham! - a dark stranger leaps on her. Rolling around in dry leaves follows. On the streets of New York, where I live, that wouldn't be cool, it would be a felony, but not so at Evernight.
Who is this dark stranger? Is he a handsome savior or a perverted creep? What exactly is Bianca's trouble with Evernight? Are her parents innocent bystanders or have they conspired against Bianca? And who, if not the mysterious man in the woods, is following Bianca into the forest? Well, I guess you'll only find out if you read the book.
LAME FACTOR: I definitely enjoyed Evernight and even read the sequel, Stargazer. I had to draw the line at the third book, however. I wasn't sure I could take anymore. On a scale of 1 to 5, (5 being so lame I can't make it halfway through), I'd give it a 2.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: There's a lot more than studying going on at Evernight. While that might make it fun for you, it might make your parents crazy. There is no actual sex or discussion of personal body parts, but I doubt you'd want to get caught doing the things some of these characters are doing. You should probably check in with your parents before your mom decides she wants to read it too.
BRAIN POWER: Evernight is well-written with a sophisticated vocabulary. Believe me, most of you need to learn some new words. Give it a shot! I'd say it is geared towards excellent middle school readers (come on, you know you think you're an excellent reader) and very good high school readers. You'll be entertained and learn something. Imagine that.
Evernight is one of those books. Overall, it's pretty good, mainly because it has some unexpected twists that I won't ruin for you. Let's just say that even I had a hard time separating the bad guys from the good guys.
The story begins, as all good gothic-type romances should, with our sweet young heroine running away from the evil school to which she has been sent by her loving parents. The night is dark, the woods are menacing. Someone appears to be chasing Bianca when suddenly - Wham! - a dark stranger leaps on her. Rolling around in dry leaves follows. On the streets of New York, where I live, that wouldn't be cool, it would be a felony, but not so at Evernight.
Who is this dark stranger? Is he a handsome savior or a perverted creep? What exactly is Bianca's trouble with Evernight? Are her parents innocent bystanders or have they conspired against Bianca? And who, if not the mysterious man in the woods, is following Bianca into the forest? Well, I guess you'll only find out if you read the book.
LAME FACTOR: I definitely enjoyed Evernight and even read the sequel, Stargazer. I had to draw the line at the third book, however. I wasn't sure I could take anymore. On a scale of 1 to 5, (5 being so lame I can't make it halfway through), I'd give it a 2.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: There's a lot more than studying going on at Evernight. While that might make it fun for you, it might make your parents crazy. There is no actual sex or discussion of personal body parts, but I doubt you'd want to get caught doing the things some of these characters are doing. You should probably check in with your parents before your mom decides she wants to read it too.
BRAIN POWER: Evernight is well-written with a sophisticated vocabulary. Believe me, most of you need to learn some new words. Give it a shot! I'd say it is geared towards excellent middle school readers (come on, you know you think you're an excellent reader) and very good high school readers. You'll be entertained and learn something. Imagine that.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Candy by Kevin Brooks
Three words: drug-addicted prostitute. Need I say more?
Poor Joe never suspects that a simple doctor's visit will end up being a turning point in his life. Joe, a nice boy from a nice family, suddenly finds himself plunged into a world of drugs, crime, and prostitution when he gets involved with Candy. Meeting Candy as she hangs out in the train station, Joe falls for her right away. He's absolutely crazy about her. Does it make sense? Of course not, but those things never do. Soon Candy is the only thing Joe can think about and the normally low-key Joe finds himself skipping school, lying to his dad, and fighting off pimps and their posses.
I learned about Candy from one of my students who says that it is the best book she read all year. It's definitely among my favorite books of the year, too. You can't help feeling sorry for Joe - and Candy too - wondering what will happen to them next. Will Joe help Candy get her life back on track? Will Candy drag Joe down with her? I guess you'll have to read it for yourself.
LAME FACTOR: A zero on the lame scale.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: Candy involves very adult themes and there is some description of drug use (which, I assure you, should be enough to keep you from using drugs). While Candy is a prostitute, there is no description of her professional activities - basically, there's no sex. There is quite a lot of violence.
BRAIN POWER: Candy is well-written with a reasonably sophisticated vocabulary. It should be an average read for a typical high school/advance middle school reader.
Poor Joe never suspects that a simple doctor's visit will end up being a turning point in his life. Joe, a nice boy from a nice family, suddenly finds himself plunged into a world of drugs, crime, and prostitution when he gets involved with Candy. Meeting Candy as she hangs out in the train station, Joe falls for her right away. He's absolutely crazy about her. Does it make sense? Of course not, but those things never do. Soon Candy is the only thing Joe can think about and the normally low-key Joe finds himself skipping school, lying to his dad, and fighting off pimps and their posses.
I learned about Candy from one of my students who says that it is the best book she read all year. It's definitely among my favorite books of the year, too. You can't help feeling sorry for Joe - and Candy too - wondering what will happen to them next. Will Joe help Candy get her life back on track? Will Candy drag Joe down with her? I guess you'll have to read it for yourself.
LAME FACTOR: A zero on the lame scale.
YOUR PARENTS WILL FREAK FACTOR: Candy involves very adult themes and there is some description of drug use (which, I assure you, should be enough to keep you from using drugs). While Candy is a prostitute, there is no description of her professional activities - basically, there's no sex. There is quite a lot of violence.
BRAIN POWER: Candy is well-written with a reasonably sophisticated vocabulary. It should be an average read for a typical high school/advance middle school reader.
Reading Isn't Lame - so maybe it's you
Sorry kiddies, but as much as you'd like to be able to complain that reading is lame, it's not. OK, so not every book is fascinating, but there is pretty much a book about everything out there so, if you can't find one you like, you just might be the problem.
This is the place to be if you're looking for a book that won't bore you out of your mind. We'll review the latest YA reading, everything from teen drama to manga, and let you know what's worth your time and what's not.
Summer is here and I know you have summer reading to do, so check back often. Maybe you'll find a book you actually like.
DISCLAIMER: I don't want any angry e-mails from parents, so remember, not every book is meant for every reader. Some of the themes are very mature and your parents may find them inappropriate. MAKE SURE YOUR PARENTS ALWAYS TAKE A LOOK AT THE BOOKS YOU'D LIKE TO READ BEFORE YOU BEGIN.
This is the place to be if you're looking for a book that won't bore you out of your mind. We'll review the latest YA reading, everything from teen drama to manga, and let you know what's worth your time and what's not.
Summer is here and I know you have summer reading to do, so check back often. Maybe you'll find a book you actually like.
DISCLAIMER: I don't want any angry e-mails from parents, so remember, not every book is meant for every reader. Some of the themes are very mature and your parents may find them inappropriate. MAKE SURE YOUR PARENTS ALWAYS TAKE A LOOK AT THE BOOKS YOU'D LIKE TO READ BEFORE YOU BEGIN.
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