A Whole Nother Story

Reader: Payton G
Age: 14
Title: A Whole Nother Story
Author: Dr. Cuthbert Soup
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pub Date: 01/??/2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: What do you get when you combine three secret agencies with bad motives, a poetry-writing cowboy, a traveling circus sideshow, three smart, pleasant, witty, attractive, polite, and relatively odor-free children, a sock puppet with attitude, a scientist, and a super secret machine? Well, it's not a recipe for bubble gum pizza. It's a whole nother story.
Recommend: Yes
How would you convince someone to read the book: I would tell them that it is a light read, but packed full of plenty of fun, circus folks, bad guys, pages, and a sock puppet with attitude.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The most compelling part for me, was how everything really comes together in the end. For a lot of the book, I was wondering, where is this going? But then towards the end, the plot ties itself up nicely, but still leaves room for a sequel. That's not easy to do.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: I think that the cover could be improved, as it only showed two of the three groups who were after the Cheesemans. However, it very accurately reflected the content, and is interesting, enticing, and fun to look at.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: Under 12-15
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour

Reader: Kasey M
Age: 15
Title: Amy and Roger's Epic Detour
Author: Morgan Matson
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Pub Date: 5/4/10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: Yes
How would you convince someone to read the book: I would tell them that it is not like most love stories they will read. It is a compelling piece that forces us to look at death and heartbreak in a whole new way.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I believe the most compelling aspect of this book was easily Amy's grief over her dad's death. The imagery was so real; it caused you to feel pain as you read. Death and pain is something everyone can relate to and the words chosen to describe Amy's pain were the perfect ones.
Comments: I was not sure if I enjoyed the visual and notes throughout the book. It did not help me love the story more.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: The cover was not the reason why I picked up this book. The colors were a little bland and it seemed like too much of a love story because of the intertwined hands. The road very much so gave a visual reflection of the book yet I believe the people could have been left out.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 14-17
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

Night Runner

Reader: Charlie Shafer
Age: 16
Title: Night Runner
Author: Max Turner
Publisher: St. Martins Griffin
Pub Date: 2008
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Did the cover tempt you: Yes, the cover had mystery to it, and it tempted to me to pick it up and read what it was about.
Recommend: Yes
How would you convince someone to read the book: I would say "this book is good, it definitely grabs your attention, it's an easy read, and you'll enjoy it."
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The aspect of Daniel Zachariah Thomson not knowing that he was a vampire but then figuring it out. Also him slowly figuring out about what his powers were and what he could do with them.
Were you disappointed with the book: I wasn't disappointed with the book, but it just wasn't AMAZING.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: Under 12-18 and up
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

The Goldsmith's Daughter

Reader: Luke M
Age: 16
Title: The Goldsmith's Daughter
Author: Tanya Landman
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pub Date: 9-10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I enjoyed the historic setting of the book. Not many historic fiction are written currently and very few are about Aztecs. Itacate's prophecy also was quite interesting. The emphasis people put on it made the story seem like it could really happen. Also, the character’s reaction toward sacrifice: Aztec's belief it was vital but also a little saddened by the loss of family, Spanish repulsiveness was probably quite accurate. Finally, I enjoyed the description of the siege and capture of the city. This is often left out of history books and was quite interesting.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I was a bit disappointed by how she finds Francisco again, the odds of these are ridiculous and the escaping the city to live in the jungle seemed far-fetched.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: The cover was fine and interesting, especially the pyramid. I have no idea how the flower petals are related to the book. Maybe some gold statues or Spaniards would be better.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 14-15
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

Brightly Woven

Reader: Sophie D
Age: 14
Title: Brightly Woven
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Publisher: Egmont USA
Pub Date: March 2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: When Sydelle is taken from her home by a mysterious stranger, she is angry and upset. But soon she finds herself in the midst of a war between two kingdoms, and she might just be the one who will determine the outcome.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: This book is fantastic. It's got a wonderful story, with the perfect amount of magic and believable and sympathetic characters. The plot keeps you wondering and reading, and the story is exciting but gentle at the same time. Also, because it is told from the point of view of someone who really doesn't know what's going on, the reader is also kept in the dark for most of the book. It almost makes you want to flip to the end and see what happens. Almost.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The characters are amazing. The main character, Sydelle, is a completely non-stereotypical girl who is dragged from her home town and has to realize the terrible truth of who she really is while desperately trying to protect someone she loves. North is also a great character, he starts out mysterious, and I didn't like him to begin with, but by the end, when you understand his story, it made sense why he acted how he did.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book: I could not find anything to be disappointed with.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: The cover is very pretty. It fits with the book well, without giving away anything or trying to tell the whole story. The colors are bright and captivating, and they draw your attention to the book.
Age Range: 12-15
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

Glimpse

Reader: Kasey M
Age: 15
Title: Glimpse
Author: Carol Lynch Williams
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Pub Date: 6/22/10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Comments: A book written in verse that shows the fading innocence of a child into a world of heartache as she is given a "glimpse" into what this world holds.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: Most people hate books written in verse. I often times find a book to have no meaning when written in verse, yet this book could not be written any other way. Its short words were what compelled you and broke into your heart and mind. If there is a reader out there who is willing to give a book in verse a chance, this would be the perfect one to pick up.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The most compelling aspect of this book was that the main character was innocent when this book started out. She was an innocent child who witnessed a horrible thing. Yet as the book continues we realize that innocence never lasts, and the world's main goal is to corrupt it. This book was compelling because it showed the terrible reality of a dark world through the hopeful eyes of a child.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: The cover did not tempt me to pick up this book. While it was beautiful photography, I had no interest in it. Possibly it was the lack of color, or possibly even the faded picture. It held no compelling allure to pick it up. I also believe that the cover did not reflect the contents. All in all I would say that a new cover should be chosen.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 16-18 up
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

Hush, Hush

Reader: Maddie S
Age: 16
Title: Hush, Hush
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Simon and Shuster Books for young readers
Pub Date: 10/13/09
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: This book holds many meanings. It will make you feel and realize that you have someone there for you. The
unknown presence that you have been wondering about all those years has finally been revealed in this wonderful novel. This book is referred to as "epic."
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The most compelling aspect of this story is that someone so common, a common girl, like you and me, can have something change her and be revealed to her. Her life is changed forever. Nora's unexplained presence is revealed to her, which in most cases is not in a regular teen’s life. Her regular teen presence is unveiled to be a hot, kick booty, not human angel that loves her so much that he sacrifices his own happiness for her life, literally. This book is a demonstration of the ultimate love. This book demonstrates love in the ultimate love that cannot be described. A perfect fantasy.
Comments: I really enjoyed the author's use of vocabulary. Her words fit into this tale like a puzzle. This story reveals a realistic side to a regular teenage girl, the problems. The tale also represents the perfect amount unrealism, enough to satisfy the reader yet not too much so the reader will be in Alice in Wonderland. Hush, Hush is a truly riveting story that I would be proud to put my vote forth for Teens’ Top Ten.
Were you disappointed with the book: I was disappointed with some of the terms in it. Like how a guardian angel becomes a human. Who the guardian angel has to kill to become human. Some of the facts, ancestry, history behind the actual love story that was most prominent to vapid readers.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: I found the cover to the book the secret ingredient to the book. The cover is what attracted me, I found it seductive and mysterious. The character on the cover looked as if he had something he had to overcome, a mystery to him. The way the cover was portrayed made me want to leap into it without a moment of doubt.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 14-17
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

WEREling

Reader: Maddie S
Age: 16
Title: WEREling
Author: Steve Feasey
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends New York
Pub Date: 2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The most compelling aspect of the book was the fact that a boy turned into a werewolf!
Were you disappointed with the book at all: The book didn't really appeal to me in the first place; it is a book more for boys. I also didn't like that the author used too big of words for his plot. He seemed to try and overdo everything with his exaggeration which I didn't appreciate because he was writing for a bunch of adolescents, such as myself.
Comments: The choice of group that the author chose to write for is too underdeveloped in vocabulary for them to comprehend it. The author chose a social class to write for that will not be able to enjoy the story in the way that he wanted it foretold.
Did it reflect the contents: The cover was not very tempting to me, I didn't get the gist of the story.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 18 up
Quality: 2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 2P Only for special interest

Folly

Reader: Elise S
Age: 14
Title: Folly
Author: Marthe Jocelyn
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Pub Date: May/11/10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The descriptions of Victorian London put me in the book, combating the badly described characters. The relationship between the mother and the son was interesting to follow too.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: the book had a very strong beginning - a good amount of struggle and mystery to keep me guessing, and I thought I knew how the story was going to be told. Right. Then the author started to tell the story from random points of view, like the boy's teacher, and the mother's coworker. The time period jumping wasn't well done at all, it was very choppy. The rules and enforcement at the foundling home was so lax it was implausible.
Comments: The whole book didn't stand out, it was just blah.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: The cover was very compelling, and somewhat related to the book. I liked the dark background, and the Victorian print back cover. The person intrigued me, she looked very statuesque, and the cracks were perfect. The alive hair and eye were a great touch. The cover drew me in, and was very creative. It stood out on the shelf.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

Dragonfly

Reader: Elise S
Age: 14
Title: Dragonfly
Author: Julia Golding
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
Pub Date: 10/01/2009
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: Dragonfly has romance that you're afraid won't succeed, a great adventure, tension, a whole new world, two protagonists that you sympathize with, bravery, betrayal, and chivalry. There are times when you honestly don't know if both characters are alive, and then they don't know the other is alive. It was the best galley I've read in a long time.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: Watching the romance play out in a plausible way that made you care about the characters, and was meaningful to the entire world that they lived in was completely enchanting. There's a prince and a princess, but they're real people, with real problems, only a lot of theirs involve kingdoms, unlike most of ours. The tensions through the book aren't resolved until the very last couple of pages, so it's exciting through the whole book.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: The cover was shiny, related, and subtle. It was everything I could ask for this cover. The "light circles" added artistically to the grand effect. The face was a fun thing to notice, and so faint that I can't criticize the model. The simple font was perfect, setting off the jewels in the dragonfly. If they change anything I will be exceedingly peeved.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-18 up
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it

Devoured

Reader: Briana G
Age: 16
Title: Devoured
Author: Amanda Marrone
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pub Date: 9/22/09
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: A sister's ghost, an evil mirror, a missing heart, and The Land of Enchantment amusement park all add up to one thing, trouble—of the dangerous sort.
Recommend: Yes
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The most compelling aspect probably was the suspense. It was all-around amazing, but if I had to choose one, it would be the suspense. The character’s inner conflicts were well written and defined, as well as how they overlapped with the external conflicts. How seeing her dead sister's ghost ended up affecting her entire life, how she struggled with keeping her problems and thoughts secret from the world around her. Another thing giving it an immediate points booster in my mind is that the romance was a side issue, not the main conflict of the book. The characters were well developed and relate-able, there are twists and turns in the plot. It is more unpredictable than most stories these days. I started reading this book at 1 in the morning because I couldn't get to sleep and was going to read until I was tired, I ended up staying up until 3:30 to finish the book.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: I liked the cover well enough, but it did make me have a side thought of gossip girls, and I don't believe that's necessarily the angle trying to be pushed with this cover. I loved the apple on the back, dripping the red over the green apple.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 14-17
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it

Goldstrike: A Thriller

Reader: Luke M
Age: 16
Title: Goldstrike: A Thriller
Author: Matt Whyman
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Pub Date: ?
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Did you finish: Yes
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I liked how Cleopatra started thinking for herself in the end, leaving a good place for a sequel.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I thought there was several things that could be changed. All the hacking and programming he does, he can do it in minutes. Need to break into the pentagon? Done in five minutes. This seems really unrealistic. Maybe some descriptions of what he is doing, so it doesn't sound so far-fetched and made up. Also, why does Beth stay with Carl? Why does Wilson all of a sudden trust Carl? The guys on top 10 wanted by the US, he could have done a lot more than hack for all Wilson knows? Both assassins are presented as really good, but they make big errors in capturing Carl. Why is Cleopatra even around? No one in the world would completely trust a computer with nuclear material. The Sphinx is supposed to be an amazing secure place, but its systems are so easily defeated in the book both by Carl and the assassins.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: The cover was dull. I have no idea how it is supposed to relate to the book. The supercomputer would have been a much better choice. Some bars and a door aren't going to grab readers. The title also has very little to do with the story. A few bars and some things in the warehouse are all the gold in the story.
Age Range: 12-13
Quality: 2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

A Whole Nother Story

Reader: Meghan K
Age: 15
Title: A Whole Nother Story
Author: Dr. Cuthbert Soup
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
Pub Date: Jan. 2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Cover: I wasn't able to find the final cover for this book, and the galley I had did not have any cover art.
Recommend: No
Convince us to read the book: Question: What do you get when you mix a mad scientist and his family, a circus full of misfits, a cowboy poet, and several top-secret government agencies? Answer: A bad cake and an even worse book. Zing.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I did not like this book. Written in a style that makes a gallant effort to write in a madcap, Douglas Adams-esque style, this book reeks of effort. This book is simply trying too hard. If it were a person, I would tell it to relax and stop trying to be funny.
Did you finish: No
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I must admit, I did not finish the book. Mostly because it was giving me hives. The characters were horrifically flat. It's difficult to root for a character when their sole defining trait is that they look like their dead mother.
Age Range: Under 12
Quality: 2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 1P Yech! Forced to read it

The Sky is Everywhere

Reader: Briana G
Age: 16
Title: The Sky is Everywhere
Author: Jandy Nelson
Publisher: Dial Books
Pub Date: 3/00/10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I wasn't compelled by it at all, I didn't find the plot, characters, or setting enticing. The most interesting thing in the book was the plant that matched the main character's mood/state of being.
Did you finish: No
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I just thought the whole idea was rather drab. I didn't get into it at all. The characters were flat, and I know that the main character's sister just died, but just because she's in a monotone mood doesn't mean she should be a monotone character, she needs more depth. I honestly just didn't buy the her falling for her sister's boyfriend thing. As a plot it’s a little weak, maybe as a minor conflict, a brief episode, but not as a basis for the main conflict of the book. When I stopped reading I was left feeling dry and bored, and thinking the main character is an idiot. Its one glimmer of promise is it wasn't quite the normal plot—it wasn't boy meets girl, they fall in love and the conflicts that come along—well, it was, but there was more to this plot.
Did it reflect the contents: The cover was why I initially picked it up. I thought the heart design was intriguing, and the color palette pretty. I don't think that the cover truly reflects the book, I ended up thinking it was a pretty binding on a poor book.
Quality: 2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

Nomansland

Reader: Megan W
Age: 17
Title: Nomansland
Author: Lesley Hauge
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Pub Date: 06/22/10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: The cover for Nomansland is very interesting, and fits in with the book very well. I find it very intriguing, and the cover is definitely the reason that I chose to read this book.
Recommend: No
Convince us to read the book: While this book had great potential, I found it really boring. It's set in a post-apocolyptic world, so I thought "great, this will be amazing." To make it even better, it takes place in a village without men. After the fall of the Old People, a group of women created a village and kept the men out, because they were the "enemy" I thought it would be really cool, but it never went anywhere.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I think the only parts of the book that I actually liked were the parts describing the objects of the old world. I thought it was fascinating to hear descriptions of everyday objects, like the phone, or the bike, and many other things through the eyes of a person that has never seen them before.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: This book was not horrible in any way, just, boring. It didn't get interesting until the end. It was definitely set up for a sequel. I'll probably read it because I didn't get hooked until the last chapter or so.
Age Range: 16-17
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

Voices in the Dark

Reader: Luke M
Age: 16
Title: The Last Descendants Trilogy Book 2: Voices in the Dark
Author: Catherine Banner
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Pub Date: 9/22/10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I liked Jared as a character, as he answered a lot of the questions in the book and was an interesting character.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book: I found the book quite confusing. The Lord Rigel part was easy to understand but Anna and Ashley's part I had no idea of how it connected until late in the story (I also had problems figuring out their genders). I was quite confused by the country names. There weren't ever any countries named that but they could travel to England? I also found the hiding of facts by parents from Anselm and everyone telling Jasmine it was nothing to be annoying. Also, everyone is so worried about the invasion of the city but there is very little on it. Finally, the Imperial Order is made to seem like Nazi Germany way too much. Killing undesirables, having rallies and street fights in an effort to look like Nazis and thus evil is way overdone. Something more original would be more interesting. Also, I thought that Anselm should have had more doubts about the king, maybe wanting some more changes. No mentioned parliament, corruption, little police control, no laws protecting tenants and no welfare. It’s no surprise people want the king gone and the youth would be the ones to want it most.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: The cover was interesting, especially the coloring and while it did reflect the book there are more important things than the carriage they traveled in. The story is told in taverns anyways and they were traveling through countryside, not cities.
Age Range: 12-13
Quality: 2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Comments: A preface for the book explaining the first book and the some the hard to understand concepts like the parallel universe part would be useful.

The Wide-Awake Princess

Reader: Maita L
Age: 16
Title: The Wide-Awake Princess
Author: E.D. Baker
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Book
Pub Date: May 2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Comments: I enjoyed how E.D. Baker has tied all those stories together to form another one just as good. I believe that Baker tied the stories very smoothly and everything made sense as it is being read. It also shows the little meanings that shouldn't be forgotten. For example, having a pretty outside doesn't mean the inside looks as good or that flaws can be seen no matter how one tries to hide them because no one really is perfect. Many girls feel ugly and this book shows the good side. Make up is the new magic these days so I felt a lot like Annie because makeup does not work really well with my skin.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: It's a variation of stories people love, connected to one great one.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I think the most compelling aspect of the book was when Liam brought Annie to his home. I believe this is when the story takes away the little in-betweens and smash out the real story. Also, because it is when the secrets begin to reveal themselves.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I was not disappointed with the book.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: The cover did not tempt me to pick up the book. It did reflect the contents and tempt me to pick it up because it made me wonder what was up with the sleeping girl. But at the same time it looked like it was just thrown together.
Age Range: 12-15
Quality: 4Q Better than most

Bleeding Violet

Reader: Frances W
Age: 13
Title: Bleeding Violet
Author: Dia Reeves
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Childrens Publishing Division
Pub Date: ?/?/10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: Hanna, an impulsive manic depressive teenager who recently tried to kill her aunt, comes to a small town in search of her mother, who left her and her now deceased father when she was a baby. She never would have guessed that this town is even more crazy and weird than her.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: Though the main character is crazy and kind of suicidal, her freakiness makes her more interesting. I really like how tough and brave she is. On top of her being crazy, the town she goes to is super crazy with things like flying leeches and other crazy, new monsters. No vampires, thank god. It was really good and very interesting-I didn't ever get bored, not even once.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I think the main character is the most compelling part, with her craziness, bravery, humor, and smarts. She's not perfect, but still awesome.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: For me, I didn't have a particularly positive or negative reaction to the cover. I had heard someone else talk about it and that’s why I picked it up, not because of the cover. The cover didn't really do a wonderful job of reflecting the contents, except for mentioning she was crazy and really into purple. I also don't love that you could see her face and body. I usually like to imagine characters by myself.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

Once

Reader: Luke M
Age: 16
Title: Once
Author: Morris Gleitzman
Publisher: Macmillan Childern's Publishing Group
Pub Date: April 2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: When Felix escapes the orphanage to find his parents and warn them of Nazi book haters, he could hardly imagine the situation he had gotten himself into. After rescuing a girl from a fire and being sent to a ghetto, it will take all his luck and story-telling skills to survive.
Recommend: Yes
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I greatly enjoyed how the story was told from a young child. How Felix slowly grasped the situation and the how it took him a long time to get that the Nazis weren't just mean library cleaners or hated Jewish books but wanted to kill him and the motives they had for this was chilling but seemed what a young child would've thought.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I liked the ending and how vague it was. It left the impression of how lucky they were and allowed the reader to decide if they survived. The book was not a happy book and should not have a truly happy ending so this works very well. On a side note, I never caught Felix's age. This might be something worth adding. He would've been probably 8-12 age range to not grasp the situation but still do the things he did. Also, more reference to the timing of the book would've been nice. I could not tell if the book was two weeks to several years.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: The cover was interesting but would do nothing to make it stand out among other Holocaust books and
was dull. Very little barb wire is in the book anyway and books would be much more reflective of the story than the current cover. The colors were good though.
Age Range: 14-15
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

Poisoned Honey

Reader: Frances W
Age: 13
Title: Poisoned Honey
Author: Beatrice Gormley
Publisher: Random House
Pub Date: 3/9/10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: What interested me in the book was how Matthew and Mari's lives were going to end up tying together in the end. I was bouncing between their lives and, as I was nearing the end of the book, I was wondering if the only way they were connected was when they almost got married. But in the end, I liked how they were connected and the peaceful way the book was ended.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I didn't exactly have any expectations for this book, because it was just a random choice, but I didn't really love it. It was just a little dull, and I really enjoy books wherein there is a strong female character who is a fighter or really smart or something of that nature. I don't like reading about women who are being oppressed, discriminated against, and married off unwillingly.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: I didn't exactly love the cover, but I didn't hate it either. I was in a hurry, so I grabbed a couple random books of the shelves. What I do have an opinion on is how random it is. The cover doesn't say anything about the book, and neither does the title. I mean, poisoned honey? It was only incorporated in the last few pages, and it seemed to me that it was hastily slapped in there. I think the name would be better if it either had to do with sparrows or demons. The actual cover was kind of random too, doing nothing except showing me what the character was supposed to look like, which I don't like because I like imagining them myself.
Age Range: 12-18 up
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

Shade

Reader: Megan W
Age: 17
Title: Shade
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pub Date: 5/18/10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: Shade is a beautifully written tale about losing love and learning to move on and be happy again.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: I would describe this book as amazing and thought-provoking. It's set in a world where everyone 16 and younger can see ghosts, all because of something called the "Shift" that happened one day. Anyone born beyond that day can see ghosts. I thought it was an extremely original plot, and I was hooked from the beginning.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I thought Shade was really cool and original, seeing as how there are millions of people that can see ghosts, instead of only a few, like most ghost books (that I've read anyway). The writing style was easy to read and understand, and I was always thinking about the book when I wasn't reading it. Our main character, Aura, thought life was going pretty well until her boyfriend Logan died suddenly. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) Logan doesn't pass on and instead "haunts" those he loves.
Aura is then torn as she wants to move on but can't while Logan is still around. I thought it was beautifully written.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I think the only thing that really bothered me was all the "Post-Shifters" in general. Aura (and other people her age) seem to always be complaining about ghosts that need help. They seek to avoid said ghosts by just ignoring them.
Seems to me that the least they could do would be take 10 seconds out of their busy lives and help a poor soul. I don't know, perhaps I'm thinking too much into this.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: While the cover isn't overly exciting, I was still tempted to pick it up. I really liked the purple
swirls on the cover; it gave a mysterious feeling. I think the part of a person on the cover adds a bit of intrigue as well. All-in-all, I feel that the cover (and title) fit the book very well.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 16-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

The Prince of Mist

Reader: Emily T
Age: 15
Title: The Prince of Mist
Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pub Date: 05/14/10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: Carlos Ruiz Zafon weaves together a brilliant story of love, loss and friendship, while accurately portraying the thoughts of a teenage boy. A compelling story that makes the reader want more!
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The main character in this story is a teenage boy who is greatly affected by events unfolding in his life. The supernatural aspect is downplayed enough so it does not overshadow the main character and is made all the more mysterious;
making it all the more of a compelling read.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: The distinct cover created a very alluring aspect. The usage of blue instead of black reflects the central image of the rain and sea and everything fits beautifully.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

Rules of Attraction

Reader: Megan W
Age: 17
Title: Rules of Attraction
Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Walker Books
Pub Date: 04/13/10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: I would recommend Rules of Attraction to someone. You don't need to have read Perfect Chemistry to understand this book, though it would help to know the story of things mentioned in this book. While a bit simpleminded and childish at times, I found Rules of Attraction fun and refreshing. The characters were funny and believable. I usually find books with alternating points of view annoying, but I thought it flowed really well in this book.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: When Carlos, the younger brother of Alex, is forced to move to Colorado, he is mad. Worse, he is stuck living with a former marine and his family to clean up his act or go to prison. In the family is a girl his age named Kiara. Carlos is intrigued by Kiara because she is so different than anyone he has known. While there, he learns a thing or two about letting his guard down and having fun.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I liked how this book had Spanish in it, and even a bit of the Spanish culture in it. Granted, there wasn't much, and I have a feeling the research done was minimal, but I still liked it. I also enjoyed seeing Alex and Brittany again, who show up every now and then (they were the protagonists in Perfect Chemistry).
Did you finish: Yes
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: I thought the cover was pretty interesting, and when I saw it I could immediately tell that it was an Elkeles book. I like a lot of things about the cover; the contrast of the black background and the lighter cars and people, the pose of the people (how cool would that be!?) and the rain. The characters even looked like how I would picture them, more or less. The cover ties in very well with the book once you read it.
Age Range: 16-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

The Maze Runner

Reader: Luke M
Age: 16
Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pub Date: 10/13/2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: Thomas awakes in a box, with no memory of his life before. He is soon delivered to the Maze, a huge walled-in enclosure surrounded by moving walls and hideous monsters. In a Lord of the Flies twist, the boys survive and organize themselves in an attempt to escape. But soon the rules will change and their task is made ever harder.
Cover: The cover is not completed (at least it better be). For a cover, a actual maze would be accurate and interesting.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: A science fiction where a boy named Thomas is placed in a massive experiment of a deadly maze with no memory of before.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I liked how confusing the book was at the start. You had no idea what was happening, just like Thomas. The new words added the feeling that the boys had been there awhile. I also liked how the boys had organized themselves in groups with keepers.

Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I thought the ending was very good and set a good starting place for a sequel while still leaving the story feel completed. The epilogue was very good and rapped up the story well. Some things I didn't like about the book were how Thomas often acted toward others, arguing and refusing help. I couldn't figure out why any one stayed with him. I also think more explanation on the Flare disease would be nice. Why do people go crazy? How is this related to the solar flares? How did someone get funding for the maze if the world is falling apart?
Age Range: 14-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

Hex Hall

Reader: Payton G
Age: 14
Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Disney- Hyperion Books
Pub Date: 03/??/2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: There really wasn't one. It was sort of like someone made a list of all the clichés that can be found in a teen book, mixed them all together and added an extra helping of idiotic.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I kept waiting throughout the entire thing thinking it's just about to get better. It'll get better now. Guess what? It didn't.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: The cover is stupid, because seriously? Like we've never seen something like that before. It was also quite dull, and tells nothing about the book. I don't remember a cat!
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-15
Quality: 1Q How did it get published?
Popularity: 1P Yech! Forced to read it

Star Crossed: Aries Rising

Reader: Jessica P
Age: 17
Title: Star Crossed: Aries Rising
Author: Bonnie Hearn Hill
Publisher: Running Press Teens
Pub Date: 03/2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: It’s an easy read. You will enjoy it all the way through. There are no dry parts; it will keep your mind engaged!
Compelling Aspect of the Book: A young girl has three wishes, to earn the Monterey fellowship with her journalism, win over her crush, and to look as hot as the most popular girl at her school. To fulfill these wishes she turns to a book of astrology that promises a life changing experience. But there is one thing getting in the way, a group of pranksters known as The Gears are creating a lot of uproar around her school.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: The cover did not draw me in from the picture of the girl. I was interested in the title though. The cover did give the main character an image other than leaving it up to the reader to visualize her.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-15
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Comments: It was a very enjoyable read! And I cannot wait for the rest of the series to unfold =]

Shiver

Reader: Payton G
Age: 14
Title: Shiver
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pub Date: 08/2009
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: I love the wolves, even though they attacked me once. They each have their own personality. There is one in particular though. The one who watches back. Imagine if he could be human. Just imagine.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: I would tell them that despite the fact that it is a teen romance novel, it's not very fluffy. And instead of vampires who stalk you at night, it's a new twist on werewolves.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: To me, the most compelling aspect of the book was that it was a romance novel without being sickening. It was un-fluff.
Cover: I love this cover. It tells you about the book without trying to cram the whole plot into a bad picture.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

Hex Hall

Reader: Sophie D
Age: 14
Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books
Pub Date: March 2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Cover: [not pictured] I really, really hope this isn't the final cover, because it doesn't get much more boring than a white background with black words.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: It's not fantastic, but it's good. The plot is interesting, the setting is captivating, and the characters are funny and quirky.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: There are several unexpected twists, which are always nice. You think you know exactly where the story's going, but then it surprises you at the end.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I could not find anything to be disappointed about. Sure, it wasn't the best book in the world, but it was a fun, quick read, and I enjoyed it a lot. There had just better be a sequel, because it ends at a really bad place.
Age Range: 12-15
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

Captivate

Reader: Sabrina K
Age: 16
Title: Captivate
Author: Carrie Jones
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pub Date: June 2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: In the second book, the pixies are getting loose. Kings from other lands are coming for more land and for their king to find a queen. War starts, and Zara finds herself right smack in the middle of it.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: This book has many similar aspects to Twilight, but is 150% better. There is more character development (causing you to like the characters and being able to relate to them), the plot is interesting and throughout the book, and the imagery is phenomenal drawing the world of pixies and weres.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The most compelling aspect of the book is Zara's devotion for Nick. It was amazing to see just how dedicated she was to keeping their relationship going. Her kindness towards him and others was very compelling. Also, it was amazing to see how much effort she put in to help other people showed just how selfless she was.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I don't know if the ending wasn't finished but I was really annoyed/confused about why the book didn't go on and it just ended with her putting on the dress and then was going to go off to find Nick. It seemed a bit unrealistic seeing that pixies were dying at the very moment (and maybe some of her friends and/or family) and she was choosing what dress to wear and find nick.
Did you finish: Yes
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: The cover did tempt me to pick up the book, but the main reason I did was because it was the second book of the series. It reflected the contents of the book, but I think it was a bit too similar to Need's cover.
Age Range: 14-17
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it