Teens Know Best (TKB) is a book club that receives exclusive, advance copies of young adult books from publishers. TKB teens (12-18) meet monthly to discuss the books over pizza. They submit book reviews to the publishers. TKB is of one of 16 teen groups nation-wide whose opinions help determine the Young Adult Library Services Association's annual Teens' Top Ten book award nominees. TKB is a collaboration between Metropolitan State University and Saint Paul Public Library.
TKB in the News
Check out this Publisher's Weekly article featuring Lerner and the cover project we worked on!
Captivate
Reader: Frances WAge: 13
Title: Captivate
Author: Carrie Jones
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pub Date: ?/?/2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teen Top 10: No
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: The cover was very cool, as was the first book's cover. I'm not exactly crazy for glitter, but something about it makes you just want to see what it was about. It wasn't super connected to the book, even though the pixie kings shed glitter. I'm just not sure it turns into lip gloss and eye shadow. Still, it's a good cover and shouldn't be changed.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: It's even better than the first one, which was pretty good in the first place. It's full of surprising twists and an awesome ending.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I loved all the surprises in the book—especially when she turns pixie. I was like WHOA!!! DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING! Well, I thought about it but I thought it seemed impossible until then.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Shiver
Check out the book trailer!
Reader: Elise S
Age: 13
Title: Shiver
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pub Date: August, 20
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teen Top 10: No
Annotation: Grace and Sam have spent years watching each other, so when they finally meet, it's love from first sight. However, Sam's time as a human is limited, and they must battle against the cold to be together.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: It's a well written book, with some cool quirks. I would never have thought of the word Tuesday as friendly because of how the "u" and the "e" look next to each other. I enjoyed the characters, and the problems had firm resolutions.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I love wolves, so this is right up my alley. I liked how she had each of the wolves have personalities even before we met their human counterparts.
Did the cover reflect the contents of the book: I really liked the cover of Shiver. The craggy tree branches were interesting, and it looked layered, almost like a wannabe tunnel. The dot of blood was cool, but I didn't really see it's relation to the book.
Age Range: 12-15
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Reader: Elise SAge: 13
Title: Shiver
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pub Date: August, 20
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teen Top 10: No
Annotation: Grace and Sam have spent years watching each other, so when they finally meet, it's love from first sight. However, Sam's time as a human is limited, and they must battle against the cold to be together.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: It's a well written book, with some cool quirks. I would never have thought of the word Tuesday as friendly because of how the "u" and the "e" look next to each other. I enjoyed the characters, and the problems had firm resolutions.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I love wolves, so this is right up my alley. I liked how she had each of the wolves have personalities even before we met their human counterparts.
Did the cover reflect the contents of the book: I really liked the cover of Shiver. The craggy tree branches were interesting, and it looked layered, almost like a wannabe tunnel. The dot of blood was cool, but I didn't really see it's relation to the book.
Age Range: 12-15
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Once a Witch
Reader: Sophie DAge: 13
Title: Once a Witch
Author: Carolyn MacCullough
Publisher: Clarion Books
Pub Date: Sept. 2009
Galley: No
Nominate for Teen Top 10: No
Did the cover tempt you: This is one of the half-faced girl covers that I am sick of at the moment, but the spell book did intrigue me.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: It is a good modern fairy tale, with believable characters and an engaging plot. Not a lot is explained in the beginning, so you are wondering what is going on for a lot of the book, and therefore have to finish it.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I got caught up in the plot immediately and could not put the book down after that. It is told from the main character, Tamsin's, point of view, and she is a really great narrator: funny and smart.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book: I was not at all disappointed with this book. It was great for light reading.
Age Range: 12-15
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
The Midnight Chapter
Reader: Luke MAge: 16
Title: The Midnight Chapter
Author: David Whitley
Publisher: Roaring Book Press
Pub Date: 2009
Galley: No
Nominate for Teen Top 10: Yes
Annotation: In the city of Agora, everything is traded—jobs, food, people, lives and even emotions. All has a value and all can lose its value. Then, Mark and Lily meet. Will they challenge this horrible way of life or will they succumb to the pressure of this world?
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: A fantasy/historical fiction about an extremely commercialized city and the two kids who challenge it.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I liked the idea of a city where everything is bought and sold, including services and emotions. No one ever gives and only thinks of themselves.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I originally thought that it was too many ideas for one book, but in the end it turned out great, as it all seemed to flow well and connect. I kept expecting a romance between Mark and Lily but it never happened. It is hinted all over the book and it would probably attract more teens. Also, the ending leaves something to be desired. Why are they sent out? How will that fulfill the prophecy? What does the outside world look like? Will there be a sequel? These questions need to be answered to make the reader feel satisfied.
Did the cover reflect the contents of the book: The cover was very interesting, but I have no idea who it is even after reading it. The background of smoke is cool but a cityscape would relate a lot more. Also, the title has no real significance until the end. A title along the lines of the "Curse of Agora" would be better.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-13
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Sing Me to Sleep
Reader: Sabrina KAge: 15
Title: Sing Me to Sleep
Author: Angela Morrison
Publisher: Penguin
Pub Date: March 10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teen Top 10: Yes
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: This book shows and proves, just how far people will go to obtain whatever they perceive is "love." It also shows just how strong love is.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The most compelling aspect of the book was how Derek, had this sickness the whole time and somehow—for the longest time kept it a secret from Beth (his girlfriend). Also, when Beth did finally figure out he was sick, you could really feel for
her seeing the guy she loves die right in front of her face.
Comments: This really raised awareness for me what Cystic Fibrosis was. And I really liked the message throughout the whole book. I could never put this book down and always wanted to know what was going to happen next. I could relate to the characters and imagine them 24/7. Great book!
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: The cover that they have does reflect the contents and how important both of them felt when they touched each other’s hand—and just the symbol of touching hands reflects the cover of the book. It did tempt me to pick up the book—it seems a bit sappy though and unoriginal.
Age Range: 16 and up
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it
Fire
Reader: Maddie SAge: 16
Title: Fire
Author: Kristin Cashore
Publisher: Dial Books
Pub Date: 2009
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teen Top 10: Yes
Recommend: Yes
How would you convince someone to read the book: I would say to them this book demonstrates amazing integrity and self-reliance. The book helped me look at diversity and how to understand it in a whole new way. Pick it up.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I found the most compelling aspect of this wonderful tale to be how it shows diversity and discrimination and how this whole story the main character's dream is to be found equal, to find equal ground with the ones that end up loving her the most. The part where this young girl is striving to be accepted is where I was truly touched.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I was disappointed a little when the author gets into more detail about the love triangle going on in the story and how she seems to try and make it a bigger part of the story. I just thought of it as too...human. If you are going to have inhuman characters in the story it is very difficult to listen to normal occurrences of love in the story.
Comments: I really enjoyed this book. It was very detailed and descriptive which helped me with the visual image of the story. I felt a pull in the story as if I were in it. I envied the character. Kudos to the author on the plot.
Did the cover tempt you: The cover was not as appealing to me as it could have been. It held no extreme pizzazz. For most books it’s as if the cover draws me to them subconsciously, and it didn't happen with this book.
Age Range: 16-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Beautiful Creatures
Check out this awesome book trailer!
Reader: Elise S
Age: 13
Title: Beautiful Creatures
Author: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Publisher: Little Brown and Company
Pub Date: Jan, 2009
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teen Top 10: Yes
Annotation: When hurricane Lena Duchannes comes to small-town, Southern Gatlin, Ethan Wate is fascinated by the girl of his dreams, literally. Unfortunately her 16th birthday looms above their relationship, bringing with it bad, bad mommies, Civil War reenactments, choices for ultimate good or evil, and extremely cliquey high-schoolers.
Did the cover tempt you: I spent about half an hour tracing the pretty letters on the cover. Purple is my favorite color, and purple sparkly is even better! The trees in the background make it mysterious and quite intriguing.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: The fantasy n the book is refreshing, very creative and funny. The characters are very real, and their problems are a nice mix of very large (imminent evil possessing you) and very small (nobody likes me). The small town life is hilarious and onencan relate to the situations.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I liked hearing about all the little details of the two main characters' lives. The small things about the small town are very amusing too.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it
Reader: Elise SAge: 13
Title: Beautiful Creatures
Author: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Publisher: Little Brown and Company
Pub Date: Jan, 2009
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teen Top 10: Yes
Annotation: When hurricane Lena Duchannes comes to small-town, Southern Gatlin, Ethan Wate is fascinated by the girl of his dreams, literally. Unfortunately her 16th birthday looms above their relationship, bringing with it bad, bad mommies, Civil War reenactments, choices for ultimate good or evil, and extremely cliquey high-schoolers.
Did the cover tempt you: I spent about half an hour tracing the pretty letters on the cover. Purple is my favorite color, and purple sparkly is even better! The trees in the background make it mysterious and quite intriguing.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: The fantasy n the book is refreshing, very creative and funny. The characters are very real, and their problems are a nice mix of very large (imminent evil possessing you) and very small (nobody likes me). The small town life is hilarious and onencan relate to the situations.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I liked hearing about all the little details of the two main characters' lives. The small things about the small town are very amusing too.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it
Another Faust
Watch the book trailer!
Reader: Sophie D
Age: 13
Title: Another Faust
Author: Daniel And Dina Nayeri
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pub Date: Aug. 2009
Galley: No
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: I usually hate it when there are models on the cover and you can see their faces, but I actually liked this cover. I imagined the characters to look pretty much the way they were pictured on the cover.
Recommend: Yes
Convince to read book: It is kind of dark, but it has an excellent plot, very well written characters, and lots of unexpected twists and turns.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The characters were written in just a way that you thought you knew them and could predict their behavior, but then they do something that catches you unawares. The choices that they make are so intriguing that you have to know why they are doing what they are doing.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I was not at all disappointed with this book. I was actually surprised. This was probably the best co-written book I have ever read.
Age Range: 14-15
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Reader: Sophie DAge: 13
Title: Another Faust
Author: Daniel And Dina Nayeri
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pub Date: Aug. 2009
Galley: No
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: I usually hate it when there are models on the cover and you can see their faces, but I actually liked this cover. I imagined the characters to look pretty much the way they were pictured on the cover.
Recommend: Yes
Convince to read book: It is kind of dark, but it has an excellent plot, very well written characters, and lots of unexpected twists and turns.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The characters were written in just a way that you thought you knew them and could predict their behavior, but then they do something that catches you unawares. The choices that they make are so intriguing that you have to know why they are doing what they are doing.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I was not at all disappointed with this book. I was actually surprised. This was probably the best co-written book I have ever read.
Age Range: 14-15
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
After
Reader: Annika MAge: 14
Title: After
Author: Amy Efaw
Publisher: Viking
Pub Date: 8/2009
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Recommend: Yes
How would you convince someone to read this book: I would tell him/her it’s a book about a girl who abandoned her baby in the dumpster, that’s trying to get out of jail. I would make sure to say the main character isn't self-centered. Usually in books with someone in jail, the person is snotty, or innocent, which gets old pretty fast.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The most compelling aspect is the point of view. There are many stories about the babies who've been abandoned, but not many tell the side of the mother.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I wasn't disappointed in any way!
Comments: This is one of the books you can never put down, no matter how hard you try.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: The cover did tempt me to pick up the book, though I didn't notice the biggest detail (The pregnant belly on the reflection) until after I finished the book. Something about the reflection on the cover is really intriguing. I guess I'm just obsessed with shiny stuff.
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
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