Reader: Simon D-S
Age: 12
Title: The Rithmatist
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: TOR Teen
Pub Date: 05/14/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: This book had its own plot voice. Coming from a person who isn't a "gifted" is a really interesting and different point of view, sort of like Harry Potter from a Muggle's perspective. I felt that the characters were a little stereotypical, for instance, a boy disliking unicorns. The dialogue is good, with nice use of expressions used in the book, such as "Dusts!" It also has its sense of dry humor, which doesn't hurt.
Memorable or Forgettable: This book was unforgettable. The author has so much creativity, and has diagrams of defensive circles and chalklings in between chapters. That was really unique, I don't think I have ever seen that in a book before.
Cover: I felt that the cover didn't really make me want to pick up the book. It did not reflect the contents of the book.
Age Range: 12 through 17
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Annotation: In a Steampunk world waged in war, an Academy trains young Rithmatists, manipulators of 2-D "chalklings". Joel, a chalk maker's son, dreams of being a Rithmatist, Then, students begin disappearing, and Joel and his friend Melody find themselves waist deep in a deadly mystery.
tags: fantasy / suspense / magic / mystery / steampunk / ya lit
Reader: Lou O
Age: 17
Title: The Testing
Author: Joelle Charbonneau
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pub Date: 06/04/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: The Testing is about a girl named Cia, who lives in a post apocalyptic America who's subjected to a series of tests that were set in place by the government to determine who'd be best suited for being the country's new leaders. (spoilers) The thing is a Hunger Games rip off. The first half of the book takes place in a facility where Cia and her peers take the first of the tests. First a paper and pencil test, then a practical test, and then a teamwork test. The later half of the book takes place in the barren wilderness where Cia and the other "Testing Candidates" are assigned to try to find their way back to the facility. The main character, Cia, is bland, boring, and a huge cliché. I'm paraphrasing here but stop me if you've heard these before: "I know I'm not pretty I'm just average." "I'm smart but not the smartest in my class." "There's no way he could feel that way about me while I have her as competition." It's really hard to have to care about Cia. Luckily she has the redeeming quality of being smart. She doesn't complain or whine the whole way through the book - she's more voiced as "Here's my problem. Here's how I'll solve it." Which get's boring after a while but which is luckily spiced up with some good old fashioned teen romance. The romance was played out perfectly in my opinion. It takes place between Cia and her friend Thomas. It's a little cut and dry but it works. You get a lot of kissing but no over-blown love scenes where they stare deep into each others eyes and admit their love for one another. They more approach it like how sane people would. "We could die here so let's not spend an hour making out and instead go find some food." I liked the book a lot but it wasn't good. Cia didn't go through any character arc and any struggles she had she literally forgets about. The only character arcs we see are from Thomas and we only get glimpses at it.
Memorable or Forgettable: I felt the book was great a building tension but terrible at delivering once it came time. All the twists seemed to be down played by the main character. Which was a huge disappointment. There were plot devices that went unexplained (clearly holding out for a sequel) and many that weren't even observed. The book felt a little contrived too and seemed to contradict itself at a few points.
Cover: The cover was not tempting at all. In fact it's just a cliché.
Age Range: 12 through 17
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Additional Comments: This book is worth a read but don't expect anything out of it.
tags: dystopian / action / romance / ya lit
Reader: Rayna Grace C.
Age: 14
Title: In The Shadow of Blackbirds
Author: Cat Winters
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pub Date: 04/02/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: This book was a really cool, new kind of novel that mixed science, historical fiction, and ghost stories in an entertaining and easy-to-follow way. It kept my attention from the first page to the last; I read it in about a 24-hour time frame. The main character was one of the best I have read about because she was a very smart and outspoken feminist, which I loved. She seemed very real and I felt that I had truly met her by the time the book was over because of the great dialogue between her and many other characters. The character's iron will shown throughout the book was also very remarkable; It made her the realistic hero for the uncertain times within the story. I really liked this book and would recommend it to someone bored with the usual ghost stories.
Memorable or Forgettable: What made this book memorable for me was the fact that it was historical fiction, but the plot was not lost within all the history, as I often see with novels set in a specific time period. I also thought that the author mixed fantasy with history and factual information very well, with a minimum of implausibilities and "eye-roll moments". The perspective of the main character was memorable, too, because she was a smart and scientific-minded feminist, which made the book match modern beliefs.
Cover: I love the cover! It really reflected the vintage, almost steampunk contents of the book. I definitely was attracted to the book by its cover, and I was not disappointed with it in the least.
Age Range: 14 through 18 and up
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Annotation: The 1918 Spanish influenza along with the first World War turn the entire U.S. into a place of fear and uncertainty, and many people turn to the spirit world to cope with the loss of their loved ones. Mary Shelley Black does not believe in this practice, but her beliefs are questioned when the boy she loved comes back to her in spirit.
tags: historical fiction / World War II / supernatural / vintage photographs / BFYA nominee / ya lit
Reader: Elise S.
Age: 17
Title: Code Name Verity
Author: Elizabeth E. Wein
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Pub Date: 05/15/12
Galley: Yes
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: Unreliable narrator is one of the most interesting and least used writing strategies. When done well, it shines, pulling readers into the story. I will try my best not to give anything away in this review, but each detail of the story was so intricately woven into truths and lies by the protagonists that it is awfully difficult! Verity wove her tale so convincingly at the beginning, that it was an amazing process of matching up Maddie's story. (This is the sticky spoilers part) the character choices that were made in assuming Verity's guilt as a traitor, then questioning that later, were delicately played and completely entrancing.
Memorable or Forgettable: There was not a single character that was predictable, or even met any expectation. However, each of them stuck with how their character as a person should act. It takes a dedicated, extremely talented creative team of authors and editors that understand their story well enough to do this. Wein could have gotten away with fluffing some of her background characters, as many authors do, but putting in the extra energy and effort to develop so many people made the book stand out. The same level of energetic commitment was apparent in the research into time period planes, war time procedures, and international relations and spy efforts.
Cover: This is an example of a well designed, classy cover. The colors contrast dramatically, but keep a level of grittiness that ties them back with the harsh book. The hands especially get the beautiful friendship and desperation. It was striking, attractive and tied into the book - the perfect mix!
Age Range: 12 through 18 and up
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it
Additional Comments: One of my problems with YA is the prevalence of romance in every single genre. It seems like no teen fiction can be published without a romantic relationship; no character is complete without a love life. Code Name Verity breaks that trend, creating whole characters outside of a strictly defined relationship. The door is left open for something deeper between the two protagonists, but it is left up for interpretation; the flexibility is yet another way this book is beautiful!
Annotation: Maddie and Verity, two lives wound together against the dramatic backdrop of secret agents, pilots and World War II France and Britain. In a tale that rivets readers like Rosie did planes, the relationship between two brave women twists and turns to a stunning conclusion.
tags: historical fiction / World War II / espionage / suspense / ya lit
Reader: Pazao L
Age: 12
Title: Eleanor & Park
Author: Rainbow Rowel
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pub Date: 02/26/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: The book was humorous and heartbreaking. It had a 80's theme to it so there weren't any iPods or later electronics like today. Eleanor and Park had a chance at first and true love and also a chance at a sad break up. The author developed the characters quite well along with the plot.
Memorable or Forgettable: The one quality that made the book memorable for me was how the author made the book different from others. It was very different!
Cover: The cover completely and immediately drew me into the book. It represents the book well.
Age Range: 12 through 17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
tags: romance / first love / BFYA nominee / ya lit
Reader: Katie J
Age: 13
Title: Taste Test
Author: Kelly Fiore
Publisher: Walker Books
Pub Date: 08/27/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: I really liked this book. It blends love and cooking in an irresistible book. One reason I enjoyed this book is because I enjoy cooking. Another reason I enjoyed this book is because of the suspense, and you never know what is going to happen. For example, you would never guess who is vandalizing the set.
Memorable or Forgettable: It was memorable for me because it blended romance and competition in an irresistible blend. I also liked the connection it had to my life.
Cover: I didn't really like the cover because it is one color (blue) with the title in white letters.
Age Range: 12 through13
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Annotation: A boy and girl competing in a reality cooking show struggle to keep their love for one another hidden as the competition heats up and strange things begin to happen on the set of Test Kitchen.
tags: romance / suspense / ya lit
Reader: Aiden O
Age: 13
Title: Nobody
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Pub Date: 01/22/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: This was a decent book that needed some more work at the beginning. The pace of the story was slow at the beginning, but then at chapter four the pace became so slow it almost stopped. The rest of the book was fast paced and full of action. You could "see" the characters evolve.
Memorable or Forgettable: It was memorable because the beginning was so slow and how much the book recovered from it.
Cover: The cover tempted me into picking it up. The cover pictures one of the most important scenes in the book.
Age Range: 12 through 15
Quality: 2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
tags: science fiction / action / romance / ya lit
Reader: Nick B
Age: 13
Title: Quarantine: The Loners
Author: Lex Thomas
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Pub Date: 07/10/12
Galley: No
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: The book has some humor and a wide range of characters. David and Will, the two main characters, are two brothers that the author developed with the most realistic personalities for teenage boys. The author also gives relatable situations to teens such as varsity teams, clubs, and loners. It's almost as if the book was non-fiction because the characters were developed so well.
Memorable or Forgettable: The qualities of the book that made it memorable for me where the characters. They where well developed and had some realistic situations to overcome such as leadership and girlfriends.
Cover: I thought the cover was perfect. It's a picture of the quarantine sign and I think that it portrays the book well.
Age Range: 12 through 17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Annotation: Quarantine is a fast paced thriller. It tells a story of two brothers stuck in a school with a disease that makes you vomit out your organs the minute you finish puberty. Will they survive the disease? Read the book to find out.
tags: dystopian / high school / ya lit
Reader: Rayna Grace C
Age: 14
Title: The Cydonian Pyramid
Author: Pete Hautman
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pub Date: 05/14/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: This book had a very good plot, but once the rising action really began for the female main character, the whole book felt very condensed and left the reader confused and with a slight headache. Since the book was about how the two main characters moved throughout time along with nearly everyone else about a half millennium in the future, things were bound to get confusing because of the lack of chronological order. However, I do think the author could have made it a little easier on the reader by taking things slower or possibly creating a personal timeline for the main characters at the back of the book. Although the book did redeem itself somewhat with the minor twist ending, I feel that there could be some work done on plot timing and spacing to prevent more frustration and headaches.
Memorable or Forgettable: I thought this book was memorable because instead of following the usual "when you mess with the past, your future will change" theme for books or shows that describe time travel, the author thought of a whole new problem for the world to face and try to fix as best they could that I had never even thought of, which made the book very interesting to me. Although I could not connect very well to the girl in the story, I felt as if I was best friends with the guy, which also helped the book stand out from the crowd.
Cover: The cover is very good and I do think it matches the story well. Although the pyramid that is almost hidden at the bottom of the cover is not as big as I would like (it is by far the biggest emotional landmark in the story), I think the title makes up for it.
Age Range: 12 through 15
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Additional Comments: I will admit, I did read this book without reading the first in the trilogy, so this might be a different review than what you would get from someone who did.
tags: science fiction / suspense / time travel / Klaatu Diskos Series / ya lit
Reader: Katie J
Age: 13
Title: Earth Girl
Author: Janet Edwards
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Pub Date: 03/05/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it either. I thought the plot didn't have a ton of action, but I loved the characters. The main character, Jarra, is so realistic, and I really understood her and related to her. I thought it was really slow and didn't have a lot of action.
Memorable or Forgettable: Once again, I really like how realistic and life-like the characters are.
Cover: The cover looked interesting, so I read it.
Age Range: 12 through 13
Quality: 2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 2P Only for special interest
Additional Comments: I think that if you enjoy the Futuristic-Fiction kind of book, you might enjoy this.
tags: science fiction / disability / action / ya lit
Reader: Juno B-C
Age: 13
Title: Notes From Ghost Town
Author: Kate Ellison
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Pub Date: 02/12/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: This book was good, but not great. It was realistic fiction, but also had aspects of the supernatural; however, you couldn't really tell if it was all in her head, or if it was "real". The dialogue was written as if the author wanted to seem like a 16 year old girl, but had never met a person that age.
Memorable or Forgettable: It had the courage to take a girl and her best friend, and kill one of them off in the very beginning, yet still managing to keep both of them involved.
Cover: The cover doesn't quite match the book. It makes it seem like you are reading a book about a dead girl, when really it's the girl talking about the death that happened in her life.
Age Range: 12 through 15
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Additional Comments: If you are a big fan of people whose lives are somewhat dysfunctional and hard to deal with, you will really like this book.
tags: paranormal romance / suspense / ya lit
