After

Reader: Meghan K
Age: 14
Title: After
Author: Amy Efaw
Publisher: Viking
Pub Date: Aug. 2009
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Recommend: Yes
Comments: After is an exceptional book. It's subtle and thought-provoking. I hadn't really ever thought about the mothers of abandoned babies, only about the infants themselves, and After is a book that reverses the situation, looking at the motivations behind leaving an infant to die.
Convince us to read book: This book is wonderfully morally ambiguous. It never excuses Devon's (the protagonist's) actions, but it looks at motivations and reasons for those actions. I really enjoyed how all of the characters weren't portrayed as good or bad. For most characters, we saw their bad side before their good side was revealed. The book is very grey, ethics-wise.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: After is indeed very dark, but not in the way most YA fiction is dark. This is dark in that it delves into the shadier side of the human conscience, rather than lots of black magic or other ploys. The events in After could happen, and were based loosely on real occurrences, which lends it a refreshing sense of reality without being overwhelming. This book is wonderful. I was very curious about what would happen at the book's end, it was unique in that it plays to the mind more than to the emotions. I cared about the characters, but I didn't feel as emotionally involved as I usually do when reading.
More Comments: I think the reason for this is that the book is written in third person present tense. The perspective is that of a silent, uninvolved witness of the proceedings, it seems intimate, like most first person narratives, but referred to Devon as Devon, never I. While difficult to get used to at first, I now realize what a stroke of genius this is. In the story, Devon has emotionally distanced herself from everything that is happening to her, and a first person perspective would've been letting us into her carefully guarded psych, which would have been completely wrong for the book. I think this whole book is brilliant. Certainly not a good choice for everyone, but for people who see the world in shades of grey and like thinking things out should definitely check out After.

A Banquet For Hungry Ghosts

Reader: Meghan K
Age: 14
Title: A Banquet For Hungry Ghosts
Author: Ying Chang Compestine
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pub Date: Sep. 2009
Galley: Yes
Did the cover reflect the contents: I like the cover for this book. It's a skeleton hand holding chopsticks. Made of Win.
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: A Banquet For Hungry Ghosts is a collection of original ghost stories centered around the Chinese belief that people who die hungry remain that way: starving and vengeful. Each of the book's eight stories (eight is a lucky number in China) centers around a particular dish, and includes historical notes and a recipe for the dish.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I fall under the broad umbrella of people who like ghost stories, but are too easily spooked to really enjoy them. This is why I like this book so much, the ghost stories are spooky, but not so scary that I can't get to sleep at night (Yes, I am that big of a wuss). People who love horror stories might find A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts a bit tame, but I enjoyed it immensely.
Did the cover reflect the contents: I like the cover for this book. It's a skeleton hand holding chopsticks. Made of Win.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: My one drawback with this book is that a few of the stories are a mite predictable. But if that's really my biggest complaint, I should really stop whining.
Age Range: Under 12, 12-13, 14-15
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

Jars of Glass

Reader: Annika M
Age: 13
Title: Jars of Glass
Author: Brad Barkley & Heather Hepler
Publisher: Dutton Books
Pub Date: 10/?/08
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: Yes
How would you convince someone to read the book: I would say you can easily relate to the characters because of how they think, which makes it more interesting.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The most compelling aspect would probably be the writing style. The writing is supposed to be thoughts, so in exciting parts it's written with almost no periods, and in mellower parts, it’s really plainly written.
Comments: I really, really liked the ending. In most books, they have a very clear ending, which can ruin the "flow." Or, they can end really abruptly. In this book, you know it’s going to end soon, but instead of a clear ending, they wind it down slowly. Nothing special happens in the end. It’s like a really good cliffhanger.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I wasn't dissapointed.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: The cover did tempt me to pick up the book. It had lots of color, and it's pretty unique (i.e, other covers are mostly pictures of people or drawings).There is a part of the book about sea glass kept in jars, so it does reflect the contents. Age Range: 12-13, 14-15
Quality: 4Q Better than most

So Punk Rock

Reader: David L
Age: 16
Title: So Punk Rock (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother)
Author: Micol Ostow
Publisher: Flux
Pub Date: 07/??/2009
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: It's hilarious, and even the jokes that only a Jew would get normally are explained and funny to goyim.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: Its humor, and perhaps the comics.
Disappointed: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book: I was not disappointed with the book at all.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents of the book: Yes, I think the cover was not only tempting but an excellent representation of its contents.
Age Range: 12-13, 14-15, 16-17
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

Chasing Lincoln's Killer

Reader: David L
Age: 16
Title: Chasing Lincoln's Killer
Author: James Swanson
Publisher: Scholastic
Pub Date: 02/??/09
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: Yes
Convince to read book: This is a compelling and complicated look at a huge event in our nation's history translated into simple terms that anyone could read.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: Its fast paced excitement and the subject matter.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I was a little disappointed with the low level of vocabulary. It seems to be oriented towards younger readers.
Did the cover reflect the contents: Yes. The contents were clear, but the flashy cover was still highly attractive even to people who dislike history.
Age Range: Under 12, 12-13, 14-15
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

Patrick Jones

Young Adult librarian and author Patrick Jones visited our TKB meeting this month to talk about his latest book coming out in September called The Tear Collector, for which he is already starting a sequel!



Many of you have already read The Tear Collector, but if you haven't, check it out: Cassandra is always the shoulder anyone can cry on, and the self-sacrificing, dutiful daughter, until she meets a guy that makes her feel what she thinks could be love. Now she has to choose between the Family or a chance to be human. The Family is a new breed of vampire-like creature that lives off human suffering--Patrick said that he wanted to get some "Stephanie Meyer money," lol!

"This book is a new twist to vampires. It's a new type of vampires, the kind that don't harm people." "The book tells of a vampire that lives off of the energy of tears," --Charlie S

"The most compelling aspect of this story is the fact that this is a girl, in high school trying to survive in her own way." --Maddie S



THANK YOU Patrick! We had a great time talking to you and listening to you talk about your books!



Don't forget to email Patrick if you want to read a manuscript of his latest projects! patrick@connectingya.com

TKB Reviews in SLJTeen

Teens Know Best contributed book reviews to SLJTeen, a bimonthly e-newsletter from School Library Journal that features teen reviews, from April 2008 to May 2009. Check out some of these links to our reviews that were published in SLJTeen during that period:

• Salter, Sydney. My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters. Reviewed by Sabrina K, April 2009.
• Ashby, Amanda. Zombie Queen of Newbury High. Reviewed by Meghan K, April 2009.
• Bloss, Josie. Band Geeked Out. Reviewed by Sara M, April 2009.
• Uehashi, Nahoko. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit. Reviewed by Manee T, April 2009.
• Stone, Heather Duffy. This Is What I Want To Tell You. Reviewed by Avi G, April 2009.
• Going, K. L. King of the Screwups. Reviewed by Elizabeth S, April 2009.
• Shaw, Tucker. The Girls. Reviewed by Patong L, March 2009.
• Carman, Patrick. Skeleton Creek. Reviewed by Elizabeth S, March 2009.
• Marriott, Zoë. Daughter of the Flames. Reviewed by Megan W, March 2009.
• Moran, Katy. Bloodlines. Reviewed by Luke M, March 2009.
• Zink, Michelle. Prophecy of the Sisters. Reviewed by Payton G, March 2009.
• Hoban, Julia. Willow. Reviewed by Chloe W, March 2009.
• Noël, Alyson. Evermore. Reviewed by Maddie S, February 2009.
• Elkeles, Simone. Perfect Chemistry. Reviewed by Ashley F, February 2009.
• Headley, Justina Chen. North of Beautiful. Reviewed by Kiara C, February 2009.
• Esch, Ben. Sophomore Undercover. Reviewed by Manee T, February 2009.
• Rich, Naomi. Alis. Reviewed by Meghan K, February 2009.
• Stork, Francisco X. Marcelo In The Real World. Reviewed by Elizabeth S, February 2009.
• Singleton, Linda Joy. Dead Girl Dancing. Reviewed by Sabrina K, January 2009.
• McDonald, Abby. Sophomore Switch. Reviewed by Elizabeth S. January 2009.
• Bradford, Chris. Young Samurai: the Way of the Warrior. Reviewed by Meghan K, January 2009.
• Clayton, Emma. The Roar. Reviewed by Luke M, January 2009.
• Silag, Lucy. Beautiful Americans. Reviewed by Caitlin M, January 2009.
• Dunlap, Susanne. The Musician's Daughter. Reviewed by Mollie W, January 2009.
• Cast, P.C. and Kristin Cast. Untamed: A House of Night Novel. Reviewed by Maddie S, December 2008.
• Malley, Gemma. The Resistance. Reviewed by Maddie S, December 2008.
• McClymer, Kelly. Must Love Black. Reviewed by Maita L, December 2008.
• Smith, Sherri. Flygirl. Putnam. Reviewed by Luke M, December 2008.
• Aronson, Marc. Unsettled: The Problem of Loving Israel. Reviewed by Luke M, December 2008.
• Holt, Simon. The Devouring. Reviewed by Meghan K, December 2008.
• Wasserman, Robin. Skinned. Reviewed by Elizabeth S, November 2008.
• Goodman, Alison. Eon: Dragoneye Reborn. Reviewed by John D, November 2008.
• Smith, Emily Wing. The Way He Lived. Reviewed by Sara M, November 2008.
• Fukui, Isamu. Truancy. Reviewed by Madelyn S, November 2008.
• Schmatz, Pat. Mousetraps. Reviewed by Avi G, November 2008.
• Scott, Elizabeth. Living Dead Girl. Reviewed by Elizabeth S, November 2008.
• Whitcomb, Laura. The Fetch. Reviewed by Megan W, October 2008.
• Hale, Shannon and Dean. Rapunzel's Revenge. Reviewed by Mollie W, October 2008.
• Link, Kelly. Pretty Monsters: Stories. Reviewed by Sabrina K, October 2008.
• Ryan, Amy Kathleen. Vibes. October 2008.
• Weatherill, Cat. Wild Magic. Reviewed by Meghan K, October 2008.
• Green John. Paper Towns. Reviewed by Elizabeth S, October 2008.
• Howell, Simmone. Everything Beautiful. Reviewed by Sara M, September 2008.
• Stiefvater, Maggie. Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception. Reviewed by Meghan K, September, 2008.
• Dent, Grace. Diary of a Chav. Reviewed by Avi G, September 2008.
• Liberty, Anita. The Center of the Universe (Yep, That Would Be Me). Reviewed by Avi G, September 2008.
• Cast, P.C. and Kristin Cast. Untamed. Reviewed by Megan W, September 2008.
• Dean, Claire. Girlwood. Reviewed by Meghan K, September 2008.
• Halpin, Brendan. Forever Changes. Reviewed by Katy S, August 2008.
• Baldini, Michelle and Lynn Biederman. Unraveling. Reviewed by Madelyn S, August 2008.
• Meyer, Stephenie. Breaking Dawn. Reviewed by Mollie W, August 2008.
• Reinhardt, Dana. How to Build A House. Reviewed by Katy S, August 2008.
• Mitchard, Jacquelyn. The Midnight Twins. Reviewed by Elizabeth S, August 2008.
• Jones, Carrie. Girl, Hero. Reviewed by Sara M, August 2008.
• McLaughlin, Lauren. Cycler. Reviewed by Sara M, July 2008.
• Colasanti, Susane. Take Me There. Reviewed by Elizabeth S, July 2008.
• Hurley, Tonya. Ghostgirl. Reviewed by Brianna G, July 2008.
• Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Reviewed by Luke M, July 2008.
• Yoo, David. Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before. Reviewed by Elizabeth S, July 2008.
• Brothers, Meagan. Debbie Harry Sings in French. Reviewed by Jessica P, July 2008.
• Brodsky, Daniella. One Trick Pony. Reviewed by Caitlin M, June 2008.
• Godbersen, Anna. The Luxe. Reviewed by Mollie W, June 2008.
• Brooks, Laurie. Selkie Girl. Reviewed by Megan W, June 2008.
• Lockheart, E. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. Reviewed by Caitlin M, May 2008.
• Levine, Gail Carson. Ever. Reviewed by Megan W, June 2008.
• Jinks, Catherine. Genius Squad. Reviewed by Mollie W, June 2008.
• Newbery, Linda. Lost Boy. Reviewed by Charlie S, May 2008.
• Summers, Gillian. Into the Wildewood. Reviewed by Megan W, May 2008.
• Cabot, Meg. Airhead. Reviewed by Caitlin M, May 2008.
• Francis, John. PlanetWalker: 22 Years of Walking and 17 Years of Silence. Reviewed by John D, May 2008.
  Doyle, Marissa. Bewitching Season. Reviewed by Megan W, May 2008.
• Voorhees, Coert. The Brothers Torres. Reviewed by Avi G, May 2008.
• Jinks, Catherine. The Reformed Vampire Support Group. Reviewed by Meghan K, May 2008.
• Marr, Melissa. Ink Exchange. Reviewed by Megan W, April 2008.
• Bloss, Josie. Band Geek Love. Reviewed by Sara M, April 2008.
• Somper, Justin. Blood Captain. Reviewed by John D, April 2008.

Along For The Ride

Reader: Avi G
Age: 15
Title: Along For The Ride
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Viking
Pub Date: June 2009
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: I was most compelled by the character of Auden. The decisions she made throughout the book and her attitude towards new experiences frustrated me, but they also kept me reading to find out if she would change her ways by the end of the summer. It was interesting to see how certain traits possessed by her parents had been passed along to her. For example, her mother's habit of judging people immediately was present in Auden as well. She writes off Maggie as a fashion-obsessed air-head when she first meets her, and later is quite shocked to find out that Maggie was accepted into the same prestigious college that Auden was attending in the fall. I was also interested in her relationship with Eli; how it first started and evolved throughout the book. Although, during the middle of the book it seemed as though their relationship was stuck in the same place.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book at all: I'm a big fan of Sarah Dessen but this book was definitely not one of her best. I felt that the only likeable character in the book was Maggie, and her role was a secondary character. Auden and Eli, the two main characters, were somewhat annoying throughout the book. Also, I felt like the middle of the book was filled with nothing. There were no major plot advances or changes in character, and it made the reading dry and tiresome. I felt it was unrealistic that all the failed relationships (Heidi and Robert, Auden and Eli, Adam and Maggie) were resolved in one night when nothing had been mended in the previous months. Over all, I was very disappointed in Along For The Ride.
Did the cover reflect the contents: The cover made it clear that there was a romantic relationship present in the book because of the girl and boy on the bike. I love a book with a little romance in it so that was one of the factors that tempted me to read it. Also, Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors so her name on the front was another contributing factor. I think the cover accurately portrayed the contents of the book. I thought Auden learning to ride a bike was good symbolism for her also learning to step out of her comfort zone and take chances in her life. I think learning to ride gave her the power to overcome her fear of relationships and pursue one with Eli.
Age Range: 14-15
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

The Tear Collector

Reader: Maddie S
Age: 15
Title: The Tear Collector
Author: Patrick Jones
Publisher: Walker & Company
Pub Date: 2009
Galley: Yes
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The most compelling aspect of this story is the fact that this is a girl, in high school trying to survive in her own way.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book in any way: I was disappointed because of the lack of strength in the characters. I thought that the story really started too fast, it got too into it too fast.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: The cover was not very tempting for me, there was not much appeal. I wish there was more spice to it.
Age Range: 14-15
Quality: 2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Comments: This story was hard to follow. It seemed like a really dull story. It was hard to follow the actual plot because I wasn't aware of what the character's goal was, I didn't like this book that much. It was very hard for me to get through it.

Dragon Spear

Reader: Megan W
Age: 16
Title: Dragon Spear
Author: Jessica Day George
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pub Date: 05/12/09
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: I read Dragon Slippers and Dragon Flight about a year or more ago, so I didn't remember too much about them, but the author writes in such a way that it wasn't very hard to
get right back into the flow of the book. It was a book that was very sweet, and it all flowed together really nicely. I'm usually worried about sequels to good books, but this one stayed true to the first two
and was a very pleasurable read.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: In this book, Creel and Luka can finally be together and Shardas and his queen Velika are experiencing peace on their island. But, as anyone can tell, something goes wrong and disrupts the peace. I love how the author brought back the friends from the previous books and introduced new characters that was just as fun and charming as the originals. I loved the plot; it was
captivating and kept me reading. It was a light read, and left me with a really happy feeling.
Did you finish: Yes
Were you disappointed with the book: I actually managed to finish this book in one sitting. I was on a long bus ride home, and I read the entire thing at once. I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to know what happened to the characters, and I had to know how it ended. And throughout the series, the characters really developed and grew on me. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good, run read; though I would suggest reading the first two first.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: The cover, like the other two books in the series, caught my eye. The illustration is absolutely beautiful with all the bright colors. On the cover is a girl and dragon looking at a clutch of golden dragon eggs. The picture depicts what happens in the book very nicely.
Age Range: 14-15
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal