Flux Event: Simone Elkeles, Author of Leaving Paradise, Return to Paradise, and many more.
Sunday, October 3rd at 2:00pm
HarMar Barnes and Noble
2100 North Snelling Ave, Roseville, MN 55113
http://www.fluxnow.com/author_events_detail.php?event_id=925
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.
Stalker Girl
Age: 18
Title: Stalker Girl
Author: Rosemary GrahamPublisher: Viking
Pub Date: Aug. 2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I thought all of the descriptions of Ernestine's were very well done. While a lot of the book relied (somewhat problematically) on our connection to Carly, the segments that focused on the familial relationship between the Quinns was very moving. It felt very realistic and homey, but it didn't feel overdone.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I thought the book faltered mainly in that its main character was someone who I didn't want to root for. Carly seemed highly self-involved, even while in her relationship with Brian. After she fails to recognize that this focus on herself drove Brian away, she partakes in some activities that are clearly wrong. Even though she's cognizant of her irrationality and
extreme behavior, she never really grows from it. As well, some of the subplots lack substance. Her mother's marital woes don't really ring true. Her father's new family doesn't really seem to fit with the rest of the narrative.
Cover: The cover was fairly average, so I was neither drawn to or dissuaded from picking up the book based on it. The camera lens is kind of a cool visual focus, but the matte coloring on it (at least on my version) detracted from the highly stylized cover design. Other than those minor issues, I thought the cover was fitting for the novel, even though it didn't strike me as necessarily indicative of the ultra-creepiness that defined Carly's forays into stalking.
Did you finish it: Yes
Age Range: 14-18 and up
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Brightly Woven
Reader: Frances W
Age: 13
Title: Brightly Woven
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Publisher: Egmont USA
Pub Date: ?/?/2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: When Wayland North shows up in Sydelle's small, drought-ridden town and brings rain, he asks, as payment, to bring Sydelle on his trip to the capitol to stop an unnecessary war. She soon realizes there is something North isn't telling her when he refuses to tell her the real reason why he brought her and gives no explanation to the strange power she possesses.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: I would say that it wasn't predictable at all, and had just the right mix of action, adventure, and a bit of romance. The characters have many layers and never lose my interest.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: It really is hard to choose which part was most compelling because I think it was all very compelling. It was really well rounded with a cast of characters you don't know everything about right away and a plot that had just enough twists and turns to make it interesting, but not confusing.
Cover: I loved the cover. Usually, I don't like characters to be on the cover because I like to imagine them myself, but I actually liked that she was on the cover. It reflected the contents well enough, with her and a lightning bolt there.
Did you finish it: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it
Lost
Age: 14
Title: Lost
Author: Jacqueline Davies
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
Pub Date: 04/01/2009
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I found the most compelling aspect to be the historical element. I don't normally go for historical fiction, but on occasion, I like it. I also find the Triangle Shirtwaist to be an interesting subject.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I was disappointed with the book because it took over two hundred pages for a plot to emerge, and when it did, all I could think was 'Well I saw that coming
ages ago.' Also, there were so many references to hats that I started to wonder whether it was about Triangle Shirtwaist or hats.
Cover: I liked the galley cover better than the one they went with. The official one is more muted, whereas the galley cover was very bright. The brightness is what made me notice it in the first place.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-15
Quality: 2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Title: Lost
Author: Jacqueline Davies
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
Pub Date: 04/01/2009
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I found the most compelling aspect to be the historical element. I don't normally go for historical fiction, but on occasion, I like it. I also find the Triangle Shirtwaist to be an interesting subject.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I was disappointed with the book because it took over two hundred pages for a plot to emerge, and when it did, all I could think was 'Well I saw that coming
ages ago.' Also, there were so many references to hats that I started to wonder whether it was about Triangle Shirtwaist or hats.
Cover: I liked the galley cover better than the one they went with. The official one is more muted, whereas the galley cover was very bright. The brightness is what made me notice it in the first place.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-15
Quality: 2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
The Red Umbrella
Reader: Frances W
Age: 13
Title: The Red Umbrella
Author: Christina Diaz Gonzalez
Publisher: Random House
Pub Date: 5/11/2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: Yes
Convince to read book: I would say that along with loving the story and the characters, I also learned a little about Cuba and the revolution at the same time.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The most compelling aspect of the book was how people were willing to turn on their friends and families because of the revolution. It really tore people apart.
Cover: The cover was pretty, but I wasn't the one who noticed it. My sister is the one that picked it up. It had a picture of a red umbrella on the front but otherwise it didn't reflect the contents at all really.
Did you finish it: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Age: 13
Title: The Red Umbrella
Author: Christina Diaz Gonzalez
Publisher: Random House
Pub Date: 5/11/2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: Yes
Convince to read book: I would say that along with loving the story and the characters, I also learned a little about Cuba and the revolution at the same time.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The most compelling aspect of the book was how people were willing to turn on their friends and families because of the revolution. It really tore people apart.
Cover: The cover was pretty, but I wasn't the one who noticed it. My sister is the one that picked it up. It had a picture of a red umbrella on the front but otherwise it didn't reflect the contents at all really.
Did you finish it: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Being Nikki
Reader: Mollie W
Age: 16
Title: Being Nikki (Airhead Book II)
Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: Point
Pub Date: 05/05/2009
Galley: No
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The best part of the book is Meg Cabot's amazing ability to turn a predictable love story into something you still want to tear through.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I was unhappy with how convoluted the book became. Not only is the plot downright ridiculous, but there are too many plot hiccups. We know how it's going to end, and Meg Cabot towards the end of the book is stretching it out too much.
Cover: The cover shows exactly what the book is, a fluff book.
Did you finish it: Yes
Age Range: Under 12-17
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Age: 16
Title: Being Nikki (Airhead Book II)
Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: Point
Pub Date: 05/05/2009
Galley: No
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The best part of the book is Meg Cabot's amazing ability to turn a predictable love story into something you still want to tear through.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I was unhappy with how convoluted the book became. Not only is the plot downright ridiculous, but there are too many plot hiccups. We know how it's going to end, and Meg Cabot towards the end of the book is stretching it out too much.
Cover: The cover shows exactly what the book is, a fluff book.
Did you finish it: Yes
Age Range: Under 12-17
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Other
Reader: Elise S
Age: 14
Title: Other
Author: Karen Kincy
Publisher: Flux
Pub Date: July 2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: Gwen Williams lives a normal life in Washington, except for when she gives in to her Pooka side, and shape-shifts into animals. When Others like her start being murdered, and the police aren't doing anything, it's up to Gwen and her fox-spirit friend to stop the serial killer.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: Other is an amazing blend of fantasy and murder mystery. Set in Washington, I love the variety of unusual creatures – kitsune, pooka, dryad, and leprechaun! The more used creatures (vampires and werewolves) aren't cliche in the least. The whole alternate history, where Others live with humans is very creative and awesome! The characters reacted realistically, and were very well written.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The identity of the murderer kept me guessing until the very end, and when it was revealed it was a total "oooh!" moment.
Cover: The cover was awesome! The model used was close to how I imagined Gwen looking, and the cool feather-shoulder image gave a taste of what Other was about. Plus, her
eyes are gold! Yay details! The dark trees in the background gave that sort of spooky touch. I love it!
Did you finish it: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Age: 14
Title: Other
Author: Karen Kincy
Publisher: Flux
Pub Date: July 2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: Gwen Williams lives a normal life in Washington, except for when she gives in to her Pooka side, and shape-shifts into animals. When Others like her start being murdered, and the police aren't doing anything, it's up to Gwen and her fox-spirit friend to stop the serial killer.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: Other is an amazing blend of fantasy and murder mystery. Set in Washington, I love the variety of unusual creatures – kitsune, pooka, dryad, and leprechaun! The more used creatures (vampires and werewolves) aren't cliche in the least. The whole alternate history, where Others live with humans is very creative and awesome! The characters reacted realistically, and were very well written.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The identity of the murderer kept me guessing until the very end, and when it was revealed it was a total "oooh!" moment.
Cover: The cover was awesome! The model used was close to how I imagined Gwen looking, and the cool feather-shoulder image gave a taste of what Other was about. Plus, her
eyes are gold! Yay details! The dark trees in the background gave that sort of spooky touch. I love it!
Did you finish it: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Brain Jack
Reader: Luke M
Age: 16
Title: Brain Jack
Author: Brian Falkner
Publisher: Random House
Pub Date: 09/28/2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I enjoyed the idea of the neuro headsets becoming sentient and trying to "fix" the world. The chaos and conflict this created was realistic. I enjoyed the setting of a collapsing nation besieged by threats. Las Vegas and game addicts were good additions. Ursula was too easy to defeat. Let her win and portray a world of everyone happy even if it is horrible in the epilogue as this would be a shocker.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I was annoyed at the poor attempt at romance. The book didn't need it and it seemed forced. Also, although the hacking done in the book seemed unbelievable and spouting what could be random computer terms for all I know didn't help. The perceived geekiness associated with these terms also could be a turn off for some terms. I also found Fargas's hospitalization and death confusing and had to read it several times to get a sense of what happened. Finally, the Tacticals where portrayed as great soldiers but performed poorly in any combat seen in the book.
Cover: The cover was fine but didn't stand out as anything new or unique. It did reflect the contents.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 14-15
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Nightshade
Reader: Sabrina K
Age: 16
Title: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Penguin
Pub Date: October 10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: In this mystical book, Cal, the alpha in her pack, has to unite in less than a month on her 18th birthday with Ren, the other alpha in the opposite pack. But once Cal meets Shay, her whole world begins to spin into a complete utter disaster. And the world as she knows is nothing she thought it would be.
Convince us to read the book: This book is the best read of the summer--you'll want to read it over and over again! It's better than the Twilight series! This book really keeps you guessing till the end of the book.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: What I loved about this book was, well, everything! From the first page it was compelling, and made me as a reader dive in to this book, head first. I loved the intensity
of the book and just how realistic everything was. It was mind blowing to see this whole new universe inside our own that was made in the book. I was glad to read a book that was about a girl who wasn't a whiny selfish baby for once! This book really kept you guessing till the end!
Were you disappointed with the book at all: The one thing I was disappointed in was the ending, it felt unfinished—and that it just stopped at a complete halt. I want to see what's happening next, but I guess that's also a good thing too! I'm actually dying to see what happens next! Also, I could tell that the book was done to be as unpredictable as possible but I still predicted way before hand what was going to happen, I didn't mind because I was wondering how it would play out, but it was a bit disappointing at times.
Cover: The cover did not tempt me to pick up the book—it looks like another Twilight impersonation. I was thankfully wrong; the book was nothing at all like Twilight and went way beyond my expectations.
Recommend: Yes
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 14-18 and up
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it
Age: 16
Title: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Penguin
Pub Date: October 10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: In this mystical book, Cal, the alpha in her pack, has to unite in less than a month on her 18th birthday with Ren, the other alpha in the opposite pack. But once Cal meets Shay, her whole world begins to spin into a complete utter disaster. And the world as she knows is nothing she thought it would be.
Convince us to read the book: This book is the best read of the summer--you'll want to read it over and over again! It's better than the Twilight series! This book really keeps you guessing till the end of the book.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: What I loved about this book was, well, everything! From the first page it was compelling, and made me as a reader dive in to this book, head first. I loved the intensity
of the book and just how realistic everything was. It was mind blowing to see this whole new universe inside our own that was made in the book. I was glad to read a book that was about a girl who wasn't a whiny selfish baby for once! This book really kept you guessing till the end!
Were you disappointed with the book at all: The one thing I was disappointed in was the ending, it felt unfinished—and that it just stopped at a complete halt. I want to see what's happening next, but I guess that's also a good thing too! I'm actually dying to see what happens next! Also, I could tell that the book was done to be as unpredictable as possible but I still predicted way before hand what was going to happen, I didn't mind because I was wondering how it would play out, but it was a bit disappointing at times.
Cover: The cover did not tempt me to pick up the book—it looks like another Twilight impersonation. I was thankfully wrong; the book was nothing at all like Twilight and went way beyond my expectations.
Recommend: Yes
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 14-18 and up
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it
Wildthorn
Reader: Elise S
Age: 14
Title: Wildthorn
Author: Jane Eagland
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Pub Date: Sept 2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: Louisa Cosgrove plans to become a doctor, but her plans are hindered by her mother, the rules against her gender, and the fact that she's been placed in an insane asylum under the name of Lucy Childs. On her journey to escape and find joy in her profession, she may just find love in the very heart of the place she's running from.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: Wildthorn is unique in the fact that there really are no other books about this subject matter. It puts a new perspective on historical Victorian fiction with a character who, instead of falling in love with a man in the classic Jane Austen, falls in love with a woman via her mistaken trip to the insane asylum.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I could really relate to Louisa, even though I've never been in that situation. She was smart, headstrong, and interesting. I loved how she was so dedicated to her dream of becoming a doctor, and that the obstacles in her way were realistic. Her relationship with Eliza was very fun to watch progress, too. The idea of sending somebody to a mad house under a false name, so that when you deny you're that person everybody just thinks you're madder was a brilliant plan.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: Eliza's attitude towards being lesbian I thought was a little bit unrealistic for the time period, but that was a minor detail.
Cover: The cover was kind of blah, though I did like the sort of purple-y tint and the cool font. The
girl's laced-up bodice idea is getting really old and needed sprucing up. On top of that, I couldn't really see how much it related to the book. The little two-sentence piece gave the wrong feel of the book.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Age: 14
Title: Wildthorn
Author: Jane Eagland
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Pub Date: Sept 2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: Louisa Cosgrove plans to become a doctor, but her plans are hindered by her mother, the rules against her gender, and the fact that she's been placed in an insane asylum under the name of Lucy Childs. On her journey to escape and find joy in her profession, she may just find love in the very heart of the place she's running from.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: Wildthorn is unique in the fact that there really are no other books about this subject matter. It puts a new perspective on historical Victorian fiction with a character who, instead of falling in love with a man in the classic Jane Austen, falls in love with a woman via her mistaken trip to the insane asylum.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I could really relate to Louisa, even though I've never been in that situation. She was smart, headstrong, and interesting. I loved how she was so dedicated to her dream of becoming a doctor, and that the obstacles in her way were realistic. Her relationship with Eliza was very fun to watch progress, too. The idea of sending somebody to a mad house under a false name, so that when you deny you're that person everybody just thinks you're madder was a brilliant plan.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: Eliza's attitude towards being lesbian I thought was a little bit unrealistic for the time period, but that was a minor detail.
Cover: The cover was kind of blah, though I did like the sort of purple-y tint and the cool font. The
girl's laced-up bodice idea is getting really old and needed sprucing up. On top of that, I couldn't really see how much it related to the book. The little two-sentence piece gave the wrong feel of the book.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Brain Jack
Reader: Payton G
Age: 14
Title: Brain Jack
Author: Brian Falkner
Publisher: Random House
Pub Date: 09/28/2010
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: Neuro-headsets. The absolute latest in computer technology. They link your mind with your computer. So, if a hacker can infiltrate your computer, who's to say you can't get brainjacked?
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: I would say that it is an eerily realistic (if slightly post-apocolyptic) future, where we have the technology to plug our minds into our computers. As usual when dealing with technology-laden futures, there are unforeseen complications that make for a (nerd-tastic!) action-packed book.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I most liked the fact that for a good deal of the book, all the action was dramatized computer hacking. Maybe I'm just a nerd, but I really liked that.
Cover: I like the galley cover better than the official one, even though they're basically the same. The
galley cover is like the reverse of the one that they're going with. I think that the green pops more on the black than the black pops on the green.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 14-18 and up
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it
Leviathan
Reader: Elise S
Age: 14
Title: Leviathan
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pub Date: 10/6/09
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: Impending war is hanging over Europe, pushing the Clankers (those who put all their faith in advanced machinery) against the Darwinists (those who create crossbred animals from DNA strands to fight with). Deryn Sharp, midshipman on a living airship, and Prince Aleksandar, heir to the Austro-Hungary throne both become involved, and their paths meet in very strange ways.
Recommend: Yes
Convince to read book: Okay, so Leviathan is one of the most amazing YA novels I've read this summer. For one thing: it's steampunk. For another: Scott Westerfeld's mind would be an awesome place to take a vacation to. The concept of the book is extraordinarily creative and executed beautifully. The characters are funny and relateable. I had just finished Mockingjay and expected to be in a reading slump, but Leviathan picked me right out of it! Now I can't find anything up to its standards though . . .
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The creativity of the machines and especially the fabrications was the best part. The author didn't treat the readers like we couldn't comprehend a more intricate plot. The
plot was engaging, with just enough historical references to WWI that I could recognize the time, and put the puzzle pieces together, but with a VERY distinctive stamp of fantasy on it.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: October seems like a long time to wait for the sequel.
Cover: The cover sort of confused me, as it didn't show the two sides of the conflict, which was one of the main points of the novel, and it only showed one of the main characters. I can't say I liked the first cover a lot better either, there needs to be more element of the Darwinists added.
Age Range: Under 12-17
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it
Suzanne Collins Visiting the Twin Cities!
Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and most recently, Mockingjay will be visiting two Twin Cities bookstores the first weekend in October. Read details below.
October 2nd, 2010 2:00pm - 5:30pm
Red Ballon Book Shop
891 Grand Avenue Saint Paul, MN
http://www.redballoonbookshop.com/
Please note: Because of an injury to her wrist, Ms. Collins will stamp books with a Mockingjay stamp specially designed for this 2010 tour rather than signing. In the interest of time, Ms. Collins will only be able to stamp one book per person, and will be unable to personalize books.
October 1st, 2010 4:00pm to 5:30pm
Wild Rumpus
2720 West 43rd Street Minneapolis, MN 55410
http://www.wildrumpusbooks.com/suzannecollinsOctober 2nd, 2010 2:00pm - 5:30pm
Red Ballon Book Shop
891 Grand Avenue Saint Paul, MN
http://www.redballoonbookshop.com/
Please note: Because of an injury to her wrist, Ms. Collins will stamp books with a Mockingjay stamp specially designed for this 2010 tour rather than signing. In the interest of time, Ms. Collins will only be able to stamp one book per person, and will be unable to personalize books.
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