If The Witness Lied

Reader: Payton G
Age: 13
Title: If The Witness Lied
Author: Caroline B. Cooney
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pub Date: 05/12/2009
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Recommend: Yes
Annotation: Jack has lost his whole family—or so he feels—except his baby brother, who he has sworn to himself to protect. When TV tries to take his brother, Jack knows that he needs help to take themon, so lucky that his sisters showed up. Can they save their brother from the evils of the media?
How would you convince a friend to read the book: I would tell them that this is a fantastic story about three siblings whose only connection is their baby brother, who helps them come together in the face of mass media.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The most compelling aspect of this book, to me, was that these kids were ripped apart when their parents died, and when forced to the conclusion that it wasn't an accident that their dad died, they band together as only siblings can.
Did the cover reflect the contents: The cover was a big part of tempted me into picking up this book. I don't think reflected the contents very well though. The cover simply shows a candle. This, I assure you, has nothing to do with the book.
Did you finish the book: Yes
Age Range: 14-15, 16-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

Rumors

Reader: Mollie W

Age: 15

Title: Rumors

Author: Anna Godbersen

Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers

Pub Date: 2008

Galley: No

Nominate for Teens’ Top10: No

Recommend: Yes

Annotation:In Manhatten in 1899, there is more drama than ever. With Elizabeth Holland in hiding, and all eyes on Diana Holland, will she rise to the occasion and fill the shoes of her sister? Or will she fall when Penelope Hayes, Elizabeth’s 'best friend', seems more than ready to steal everything that used to be Elizabeth's.

Convince us to read the book: If you read The Luxe, you'll want to read this one. Though it is very disappointing, there are moments that make it worthwhile.

Compelling Aspect of the Book: The best thing about the series is the drama--it's like Gossip Girl but way more interesting. I prefer this series to Gossip Girl because anyone can write in the now, but it's something entirely different to set a book in a completely different time period. It's admirable that Godbersen doesn't follow the pack of authors that all seem generic and uncreative, and ratherresearches a time period and writes about it no matter the leg work it may take.

Did you finish the book: Yes

Were you disappointed with the book: Rumors is interesting, but it's like (excuse my embarrassing reference) Grey's Anatomy--some characters need to die--NOW. And the further I get into the series theless and less I care about these characters, and since they're written bouncing between all the characters plot lines it's a very big flaw. By the time I've finished Envy I only seriously care about two characters (Diana Holland & Henry Schoonmaker). This leaves me wanting Penelope, Lina, Elizabeth, Teddy, Mrs.Holland, Mr.Longhorn, and Buck all dead. I've reverted to skipping over all the chapters about Lina--which isn't good because her story sometimes ends up overlapping with the other characters.

Did the cover reflect the contents: Rumors is the sequel to The Luxe and that is made very clear by the cover. One of the few things that never disappoints about this series are the tantalizing dresses worn onthe cover.

Age Range: 14-15, 16-17, 18 up

Comments: FYI: There's sexual content in this book, and Godbersen doesn't tip toe around the topic at all.

Catching Fire

Katniss and Peeta are back again and in a situation far more grave than ever before. They must learn who to trust in this dangerous game of life and death. One mistake can mean the end.

Reader: Megan W
Age: 16
Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pub Date: 09/01/09
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: If someone wants to read this book, it's most likely because they've read the first. If they've read the first, I don't think I even need to convince them to read this; the first was so captivating that it makes sense to crave the second. But if they did need convincing, I would tell them it was like the first; danger, fear, adventure, romance, everything.
Compelling Aspect of the Book Comments: In my opinion, this book wasn't as good as the first, though it was still amazing. Katniss and Peeta are back again, only this time there is even more danger than ever before. What they encounter is even worse than the perils they faced in The Hunger Games. Their very actions can decide whether they live or die.
Did you finish the book: Oh boy did I finish this book. I actually drove about half an hour to pick it up at a friend's house so I could read it before my next book club meeting; I was that devoted. I read this book until 4:00 in the morning when my eyes could not possibly stay open any longer. Then, I woke up and bowled through this book until it was done. I loved every minute of it. There was never a time when I felt the urge to rest and take a break; I had to finish.
Did the cover reflect the content: Upon looking at the cover I could tell right away that this was the sequel to Suzanne Collin's first book, The Hunger Games. It is beautiful and captivating, and the bird in the center of the black ring reflects the book very well, though I won't tell you why. I love the reds and oranges on the cover and the design.
Age Range: 16-17
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it

The Dust of 100 Dogs

Reader: Sabrina K

Age: 15Title: The Dust of 100 Dogs

Author: A.S. King

Publisher: Flux

Pub Date: Feb 09

Galley: Yes

Recommend: Yes

Convince to read book Comments: This book appeals to everyone. It's romantic, has light comedy and adventure.

Compelling Aspect of the Book: How someone can truly love a person after so long and just re-connect in an instant—Sennie and Emer were and great example. This book showed many aspects of love and how people deal with it.

Did the cover reflect the content: The cover did tempt me- it had Emer ( the main character) with a boat and sitting in the eye socket of a skull. The cover is creative and it reflects the contents of the book EXACTLY. It's a bit indirect but it makes the reader really think about the book more.

Age Range: 14-15, 16-17, 18 up

Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book

Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it

Comments: The transition of the characters could have been a bit clearer. At first, I was a bit confused on what was going on ( it was only a page or two), but then I got a hang of it—other than that the book was great!

Catching Fire

Reader: Mollie W
Age: 15
Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pub Date: 09/1/2009
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Recommend: Yes
Annotation: When Katniss finds herself the poster child of the uprising against the almighty capital, she must decide whether she is going to be strong enough to stand up against the capital
Convince us to read the book: Suzanne Collins crafts the story of Katniss and of her battle with the capital with ease and precision. Her way of writing makes Catching Fire easy to read and suspenseful.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The best aspect of the book is the emotional depth that Collins invests in her characters. She doesn't treat the things they deal with as normal occurrences, instead she acknowledges how the things Katniss (the main character) endures as very radical and emotional things that catch up with Katniss from time to time.
Comments: Though Catching Fire lived up to my standards, I still wonder how Collins will manage to expand on the uprising as extensively as desired. But in the bigger picture I'm more so happy that Catching Fire wasn't a disappointing sequel.
or continue to play its games.
Did the cover reflect the contents: I thought the cover kept with the first book and was rather intriguing, though I don't like the color scheme of the cover.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-13, 14-15, 16-17, 18 up
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it

Because I Am Furniture

Dad hurts them
not me
likes them better.
Volleyball gives me a voice
but when to use it
I don't know.
Waiting.
Watching.
Because I am furniture.


Reader: Payton G
Age: 13
Title: Because I Am Furniture
Author: Thalia Chaltas
Publisher: Viking
Pub Date: 04/16/2009
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens Top 10: Yes
Recommend: Yes
How would you convince your friends to read the book: I would tell them that it is totally realistic and written in poems—they would find that cool.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I think that the most compelling aspect of the book was that it is written in poems—that really sort of makes you read it differently and makes it unique.
Did the cover reflect the contents: The cover was not what ultimately tempted me into picking up the book. It did, however, reflected the contents really well. This cover should not be changed.
Did you Finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-13, 14-15, 16-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

Front and Center

Reader: Elizabeth S
Age: 15
Title: Front and Center
Author: Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Pub Date: 10/19/2009
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens Top 10: Yes
Recommend: Yes
Annotation: Her junior year of high school, small-town D.J. Schwenk faces basketball season, college scouts,and a long-time friend turned boyfriend. That's not to mention that her one-time-friend (and maybe boyfriend), Brian, is back in her life, and he's not letting go this time.
Convince us to read the book: D.J. is hilarious and heartwarming. I love every single one of these books (Dairy Queen, The Off Season). She's a real main character that makes me laugh as I read, and she's easy to relate to.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The best part of this book is the fact that it's real life. The problems D.J. faces are really real. She has to step up and be a leader when all she wants is to hang out in the background. She has to make a choice on college: a safe choice small-time school, or a riskier big-time school with more pressure? Her brother is recovering from a big accident. Brian, a boy she used tolike before he turned on her in a big way, is trying to make up with her just as she's settling into a new relationship with long-time friend Beaner. I felt like I could relate to each and every one of theseproblems. Nothing is written in too far-fetched of a way. Murdock doesn't feel the need to work in huge stretched problems that just make the plot feel un-relatable, and I love that. I think this is one of my favorite growing-up stories, and I mean that in a totally non-cheesy way. It's great to read about a main character who honestly has no idea what they are doing.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book: The only thing I was disappointed with in Front and Center was a lack of Curtis, D.J.'s younger brother, and Amber, D.J.'s best friend. I loved both characters in the two previous books, and I just felt like they were being cut out in this one. It made them feel kind of one-sided, then, when they actually appeared in the story.
Did the cover reflect the contents: The cover of this book features a teenage girl laying in the grass beneath the words "Front and Center." Though the cover matches the rest of the series' covers, I thought the cover didn't quite fit the book. I don't really like when the cover gives me an actual picture of the main character; I like to picture them myself. Also, the book is so much more than a girl lying apathetically in a field.
Age Range: 14-15, 16-17, 18 up
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

Cracked Up to Be

Reader: Elizabeth
Age: 15
Title: Cracked Up to Be
Author: Courtney Summers
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pub Date: 12/23/2008
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Annotation: Parker Fadley was perfect; she was popular, captain of the cheerleading squad, had a hotboyfriend, and achieved honor roll grades. That is, until something happened that was completely her fault, and drove her to become twisted and on the verge of expulsion.
Recommend: Yes
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The best part of this book was Parker. She was biting and cruel but you grew to care about her. As she revealed more and more of herself and her situation, you got to knowher, and it made the book that much more heart-wrenching in the end. I also liked how the reason for Parker's change isn't directly said until the end. Everything builds until the moment when you find out why she changed from perfect to troubled. I liked that everything wasn't spelled out, because it helped to get to know Parker better as the book went on.
Did you finish the book: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book: I was a little disappointed with the beginning of the book. It felt really shallow and I just didn't get into it as much as I'd hoped. I hated Parker; I felt she was annoying and selfish, but maybe that was on purpose. I just wasn't as absorbed with the beginning of the book as I was in the middle and end. I think it was just the introduction of the characters and plot that got too long and boring.
Did the cover reflect the content: The cover of this book made me not want to pick it up. Despite the fact that the girl lying on the bench has appeared on at least one other book I've seen in the galley group, I just didn't want to pick up a book with a girl in private school uniform. It makes the book seem shallower or fluffier than it probably is. Despite that, I feel like the cover fits the book if I actually put some thought into it. Parker goes to private school, and she would probably be seen lying solo on a bench.
Age Range: 14-15, 16-17, 18 up
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

Crazy Beautiful

Reader: Briana G
Age: 16
Title: Crazy Beautiful
Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsten
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group
Pub Date: 09/00/09
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: Yes
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The characters were crafted wonderfully. I got both perspectives without them feeling fake, which can sometimes happen. The plot wasn't original, but since the book was well written, it wasn't cliche either. It was a classic. The characters were believable, and I could just imagine Aurora and Lucius from their minds, observing the world. The little quirks added in were done elegantly, and there weren't too many as to take away from the story, but rather they enhanced the telling of the story a thousand fold. Because this was a classic plot, I don't believe it is a bad thing that more attention wasn't focused on the plot, though in an original storyline, there would have to be. Overall it was just a pleasure to read, and it’s a book I would keep on reading over again.
Did the cover reflect the contents: The font of the title, while appropriate, seemed to distract from the image, which I thought would be more the focus. I loved the picture, and the smoke trails leave you wondering just what they are...is one of them a smoker? Does something get set on fire in a major part of the book? You get the idea. The quote, in my opinion, is unnecessary. In my opinion it makes it seem like the book has to PROVE that it's good because someone else said it, and not leaving it up to the reader for it to prove itself. It just makes it seem like it isn't as good as it is. I might recommend that two different fonts are used for the title, because my assumption about the title is that even though its one title, it's describing the two different characters. Also, this may just be my opinion, but I'd either find a way to make the picture more of a focus and the smoke more prominent, or take away the red outline on the font, making it a completely black and white cover.
Did you finish: Yes
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

The Sky Always Hears Me and the Hills Don't Mind

Reader: Briana G
Age: 16
Title: The Sky Always Hears Me and the Hills Don't Mind
Author: Kirstin Cronn-Mills
Publisher: Flux
Pub Date: 09/00/09
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top Ten: No
Recommend: Yes
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I'm honestly not sure why I read past the first page, not that there's anything wrong with the book, just not normally the type I'd read. But since I did read the book I must say that I thought the character was amazingly frank and blunt about the way life is and how confusing it can be, that was brilliant. It was organized, but had that air of natural teenage confusion and disorder to it. The plot wasn't original in comparison to life, but compared to the other realistic fiction books I've read, it's the only one that doesn't take things to the extreme—which is a relief. As sad as an alcoholic, extraordinarily abusive fathers or mothers are, I can only read about it so many times before getting bored. This provides a refreshing take on things, as well as a little humor. She faces the problems of being a teenager, and they aren't all resolved by the end of the book. I liked that especially, because as a teenager, there is no end to the book and the problems are NEVER all resolved.
Did the cover reflect the contents: A picture of a sky and the back of a head doesn't really do anything for me. It didn't tempt me nor turn me away—almost made it invisible really. What I liked was the title, even though I normally don't care for longer titles, I thought this one was well suited for the book.
Did you finish: Yes
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal