Reader: Perrin S.
Age: 16
Title: In the Afterlight: A Darkest Minds Novel
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Publisher: Hyperion
Pub Date: 10/28/14
Galley: No
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: The characters in this book have all developed
since the first book and even since the beginning of the third, all while
staying true to their character. The plot points test the characters in
interesting ways while moving the story along.
Memorable or Forgettable: The most memorable part of the book was the
characters. They are interesting and loveable and butt heads in
interesting ways. The characters made this book.
Cover: It was dramatic and dark with the right touch of
color. The symbol on the cover tempts you to know more.
Age Range: 14 through 18 and up
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Annotation:
This is the third and final book in the Darkest
Minds trilogy. And is a worthy finale to the series, filled with action, drama
and good old fashioned war philosophy. All good things to have in a book.
tags:
dystopian / science fiction / Darkest Minds series / ya lit
Reader: Ella O.
Age: 13
Title: Mortal Gods
Author: Kendare Blake
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pub Date: 10/14/14
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: Cassandra is a modern world god killer. In
another life she was princess of Troy. Olympus has fallen and gods and
goddesses become mortal. Cassandra is working together with Athena, Hermes and
a few other heroes. They face off Hera, Aphrodite and Aries in a battle to win
back immortality. If you enjoy Greek mythology, this would be a good book for
you.
Memorable or Forgettable: I liked the plot line of the story - aside from
a few plot points. I also happen to LOVE Greek mythology so this was an
interesting twist. I like the weaknesses the author chose for the different
gods and goddesses - smart move there.
Cover: I thought that the cover was cool. It did represent
Cassandra and Olympus. However, while the cover caught my eye, once I read the blurb
on the back I decided to read the book.
Age Range: 14 through 15
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Additional Comments:
She set the ending up so it would seem there’s
going to be another book. I'll make
sure to keep an eye out.
tags: fantasy / The Goddess War series / Greek
mythology / paranormal / romance / ya lit
Reader: Claire W.
Age: 12
Title: Schizo
Author: Nic Sheff
Publisher: Philomel
Pub Date: 09/30/14
Galley: Yes
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: This book is just so raw. It really hits a
nerve. The main character Miles is just so complex but at the same time some of
his reasoning is similar to a much younger child. The whole plot is just so
unexpected. You can't see it coming from anywhere.
Memorable or Forgettable: Well I don't know much about Schizophrenia so
this is the only book I have read it about it. It is much more serious than I thought
and this book captures it very well.
Cover: To be honest the cover gave me a headache. But is
so great and fits so well with the book and Miles' brain.
Age Range: 14 through 17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Annotation:
Miles’ little brother is missing. Teddy went
missing the same day Miles had his first schizophrenic attack. Miles can’t
focus on anything but trying to find his brother. Miles believes he is finally
getting better and that finding his brother will heal him.
tags:
drama / realistic fiction / mental illness / schizophrenia / mystery /
romance / ya lit
Reader: Sophie F.
Age: 13
Title: Tomboy
Author: Liz Prince
Publisher: Zest Books
Pub Date: 09/02/14
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: The graphic novel format is interesting because
this book proves to be quite a fast read. The first person narration is useful
and the pictures provide some humor as well.
Memorable or Forgettable: The pictures and the humor used are memorable
and the graphic novel format makes you want to finish it quickly.
Cover: The cover was tempting because of its
uniqueness, but the title was what drew me into reading the book. Both
reflected the contents.
Age Range: 12 through 15
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Annotation:
As the title states, this book is about a
tomboy. As she grows up, Liz realizes she isn't like other girls. Instead of
princesses, she plays with Ghostbusters toys and she hates dresses. Yet she
isn't quite like the boys either...
tags: graphic novel / graphic memoir / gender identity
/ ya lit
Reader: Ruby F.
Age: 14
Title: Lark Rising (Guardians of Tarnec)
Author: Sandra Waugh
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Pub Date: 09/23/14
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: Lark Rising didn't leave a positive or negative impression
after I read it. The wording and detail of the plot was up to standard, but I
didn't love the book once it was finished. Lark, the main character, developed
a lot throughout the book, but she had this annoying paranoia about a vision
she had seen at the beginning of the story that had me a little fed up.
Memorable or Forgettable: The plot of this book was slightly off the
beaten path of most plots, but it simply didn't make much of an impression on
me. If anything, the ending was a bit predictable.
Cover: I checked out the book because I liked the
cover. I think the illustration fit the book contents nicely.
Age Range: 12 through 15
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
tags:
fantasy / romance / destiny / nature magic / Guardians of Tarnec series
/ ya lit
Reader: Lillian B.
Age: 14
Title: Summoned (Redemption's Heir #1)
Author: Anne M. Pillsworth
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pub Date: 06/24/14
Galley: No
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: If you don't like plot holes, this is the book
for you. There aren't really any unanswered questions and you as the reader
always know what's going on. Whether that is good or bad is for you to decide.
Also, the writer is great with dosing out the action. There is never too much
or too little.
Memorable or Forgettable: The thing that will make me remember this book
is the theme. The use of paganism as well as the Cthulhu mythology made it hard
to pin-point the genre. It's definitely mystic fantasy, but at points it’s
boarder-line science fiction in a way that's hard to describe.
Cover: Oh definitely! I loved the Bartimeaus trilogy
(and if you liked those I totally recommend this book) and the cover reminded
me of them. Even without that factor, it's very, very eye-catching in my
opinion.
Age Range: 12 through 17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Annotation:
Sean is a teenager who's always been interested
with the unusual. But when he becomes involved with a potentially dangerous man
claiming to be a "magician," he finds himself in over his head.
tags: fantasy / Redemption's Heir series / ya lit
Reader: Katie J.
Age: 14
Title: Nil
Author: Lynne Matson
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Pub Date: 03/04/14
Galley: Yes
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: This book was amazing. There was no boring part.
Even though the main characters fell in love, it was definitely not a love
story. One thing I didn't understand until about half way through the book was
that the chapters switched off between Thad and Charley's viewpoints. I started
it over again, and it made so much more sense.
Charley is another strong female character. One
of the things that stood out to me the most was that she survived for 12 whole
days, alone, on an alien environment. She had no supplies, but she did it. It
makes me want to go out into the woods for 12 days to see if I survive (spoiler
alert: I'll be dead in about a half hour).
Memorable or Forgettable: The way that it was a love story that wasn't
told as a love story really stood out to me. And the ending - I did cry a
little, but I'm still not sure if they were sad tears or happy tears.
Cover: The cover really reflected the contents well. If
they had a pile of dead bodies in the back, it would be even more accurate. I'm
kidding.
Age Range: 14 through 17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Annotation:
After passing out in a Target parking lot,
Charley wakes up on Nil. She has no food, no water, no clothes, and is
completely alone. Until she meets Thad.
tags: dystopian romance / science fiction /
adventure / survival / ya lit
Reader: Sophie F.
Age: 13
Title: The Young Elites
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: The Penguin Group
Pub Date: 10/07/14
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: The narration switches were not helpful at all -
especially with the fact that the book switched from first person to third
person and back again.
Memorable or Forgettable: This book was memorable because of the plot
twist at the end, but for some that might be a bad thing. It really surprised
me, but I didn't think it was the best ending. It cued it up for a sequel which, in my mind,
the book doesn't really need.
Cover: The cover tempted me because it looked like a
lot of other good fantasy books that I have read.
Age Range: 12 through 15
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Annotation:
The blood fever swept through her country
leaving all infected adults dead and all infected children marked. Adelina has
only one eye and silver hair, making her a malfetto, a survivor. However, it is
rumored that some malfettos have mysterious and powerful gifts, and she is one
of them. She is a Young Elite.
tags:
fantasy / adventure / mystical powers / ya lit
Reader: Dana F.
Age: 13
Title: The Young Elites
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: The Penguin Group
Pub Date: 10/07/14
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: I really loved the descriptions and character
development. The point of view made me want to keep reading, too. However,
there was a plot twist which left me quite disappointed, and I kept wanting it
to fix itself and it didn't. I thought it kind of messed up the entire book.
Memorable or Forgettable: It had a very imaginative and creative setting,
and it was filled with detail.
Cover: Yes. It depicted a main symbol from the book, a
dagger. I was more interested by the author (I read another of her books) than
the artwork, though.
Age Range: 12 through 17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 5P Everyone wants to read it
Additional Comments:
Although I marked 4Q, you will probably be
disappointed and let down at the end.
tags:
fantasy / adventure / mystical powers / ya lit
Reader: Michelle M.
Age: 16
Title: We Should Hang Out Sometime
Author: Josh Sundquist
Publisher: Little, Brown Books For Young Readers
Pub Date: 12/23/14
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: This book is a series of memoirs written by the
author. It has a very strong narrative voice and at times the author will speak
directly to the reader. I thought it was a fun read, and I enjoyed all of the
stories: the I-want-to-smack-my-forehead-why-would-you-do-that
moments, the laugh out loud moments, and the
your-reasoning-is-valid-but-that's-just-not-how-it-works moments. The author
told stories of different girls he liked and things he did in trying to win
them over in an attempt to see where he went wrong. I felt this was a fun book
to read, very lighthearted, and easy to relate to for those who have had rather
facepalm-ing moments in trying to be charming.
Memorable or Forgettable: Things I liked the most were the way the author
told the stories. He was very clear and detailed, and he elaborated without
rambling. I also liked when he spoke directly to the reader as if letting them
in on his personal thoughts. It was a fun book to read, and a unique one as
well.
Cover: I really liked the cover because I thought it
was cute. It's a cute title and the layout of the title/cover made it seem like
it would be a fun book to read.
Age Range: 12 through 18 and up
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Additional Comments:
A very enjoyable book. I had a fun reading it.
tags:
memoir / humor / relationship analysis / coming of age / ya lit
