Are We Alone? Scientists Search for Life in Space - Gloria Skurzynski

Life might exist in outer space, but it probably is much different than life, as we know it, on earth. Even though many people have claimed to see flying saucers or aliens from other planets, scientists say this can’t be supported by facts. But scientists are busily looking for life in our galaxy and beyond. In Are We Alone? Scientists Search for Life in Space, the author explores the many techniques scientists use for finding life beyond earth. Radio signals are collected from outer space; experiments are conducted in extreme climates or our world to understand how organisms survive; and are sending robotic explorers to Mars to find any form of life. Several scientists are even going beyond our galaxy to see if other earth-like planets can be found. I learned a lot of scientific facts about our solar system and about the scientists who care about life beyond our world. The book was wonderfully illustrated and very informative. Overall, this was one of the best extraterrestrial books I have ever read.

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The Beckoners - Carrie Mac

The Beckoners by Carrie Mac is a seriously disturbing book about bullying and harassment. When Zoe and her family move to a new town, she decides that her best chance for social and personal survival is to be initiated into a group of girls known as the Beckoners. But Zoe’s conscience bothers her. She is shocked by the cruel treatment toward April, the school outcast. Zoe becomes even more disturbed when she attends a party and witnesses a rape which goes unreported. When Zoe decides to pull away from the Beckoners, she faces their frightening vengeance. But Zoe finds she is not alone in wanting the Beckoners to stop terrifying others and eventually some justice is reached. This book describes true human nature at its worst and shows what life can be like for some teenagers. It was good to see the characters standing up for what everyone knew was right and doing what everyone else was afraid to do.

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The Boy Who Couldn't Die - William Sleator

Whatever you do, don’t sell your soul. When his best friend dies, Ken becomes worried about his own mortality in the book – The Boy Who Couldn’t Die by William Sleator. Through an ad in the paper, he find the mysterious and evil Cherie Buttercup, a priestess, who grants ken his wish for immortality. At first Ken is delighted because he can face any danger without worry, including swimming in shark infested waters. But Ken soon realizes that giving up his soul was more frightening than death itself. Cherie Buttercup has taken over Ken’s will and is using him as a zombie to commit horrible and violent murders. Sabine, a diving instructor who Ken meets in the Caribbean knows Ken’s secret. They determine to retrieve ken’s cleverly hidden soul which is under the icy waters in the Adirondacks. In a twist at the end, Sabine has a surprising revelation for Ken. This fast-paced book is part horror, part romance, and part adventure. I definitely recommend it.

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The Burn Journals - Brent Runyon

In the Burn Journals, Brent Runyon recounts his gruesome and painful recovery from a failed suicide attempt. At the age of 14 Brent decided commit suicide by soaking himself with gasoline and lighting a match. As he was approaching death, Brent changed his mind and was able to put out the fire. This book tells exactly what his recovery was like from when he regained consciousness through the difficult skin grafts that he had to undergo. Though his new physical reality was harsh, Brent struggled to live. Many people – including the doctors and nurses, his parents, friends and even strangers – helped him get through the worst of his recovery. I think this is a good book for anyone to read, especially anyone who has thought about suicide, or knows someone who is thinking about it. The story showed that Brent really didn’t want to die and he is fortunate to be alive today. This was a particularly memorable book, made even more vivid by the fact that Brent is telling his own story in his own words.

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Can't Get There from Here - Todd Strasser

In “Can’t Get There From Here” by Todd Strasser, the reader follows a group of homeless teens on the streets of New York City during the winter. The chapters sometimes begin with the death of one of the teenagers and then backtracks to how it happened. A girl named Maybe is the narrator and she tells this story while commenting on the new girl named Tears, and how Maybe doesn’t believe Tears will survive on the street. A librarian who seems to care about the kids comes into play and helps the girls leaving the reader with some sense of hope that Tears will be reunited with her grandmother and Maybe will find a better life. It is a sad story about how kids end up on the street, and how even with good intentions, groups that a set up to help them only hurt them more. The writing is sad and scary when thinking about the fact that there really are lots and lots of kids on the streets of New York who are living the same situation as these characters.

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Contents Under Pressure - Lara M. Zeises

Similar to lot of people, Lucy – in Contents Under Pressure by Laura Zeises – doesn’t like the process of change. But change is exactly what Lucy faces in this fast-paced realistic story. Lucy is delighted when she discovers her older brother Jack is returning home from college, but soon learns that his arrival comes with complications. At first Lucy resents his pregnant girlfriend, Hannah, but later comes to a sincere friendship with her. As a Freshman, Lucy has a lot of self-doubt when it comes to guys. Even though her dating situation seems hopeless, Lucy attracts the attention of Tobin – an upperclassman! As her family and friends struggle, Lucy begins to understand the complexity of relationships. This causes Lucy to carefully discuss her personal boundaries with Tobin. Like life, this book has some truly funny moments that put a balance on the serious issues. Lucy is a very real character. She embarrasses herself by being clumsy, says things she doesn’t mean, and has a pesky younger brother. I enjoyed reading this book and was sorry when it ended.

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Crank - Ellen Hopkins

In Crank, by Ellen Hopkins, Kristina finds her life completely changed as she descends into the world of Meth. When Kristina visits her father she meets people who start her into some serious drug use. When she’s using, Kristina turns into Bree – someone who lives on the edge and takes major risks. Eventually Meth – the monster – takes away everything that was once important to her. Kristina stops caring about grades, old friends, and family. Even when she gets pregnant, she can’t stop using. My teacher gave me this book to read. At first I didn’t want to read it because it is so thick, but the cover intrigued me. I think the poetry style really helped to pull me into Kristina’s life. The author used just enough words for me to understand what was happening. I am not a reader, but I loved this amazing book. My mother was shocked when I couldn’t put it down. This book shows what teenagers go through. You either know someone like Kristina, or you’re like that. This book pushed me to further think before I act.

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Cruise Control - Terry Trueman

Cruise Control by Terry Trueman tells the story of the McDaniels family through the eyes of Paul who has a handicapped brother named Shawn. Paul is a straight-A student and a natural leader. He is also an amazing athlete, and particularly excels in basketball. Paul struggles in many ways with being the brother of Shawn. On one hand Paul loves his brother and feels sorry for him, but Paul also resents his brother for being burden. Paul has a major problem with anger. He takes unnecessary risks and also picks fights with others, sometimes even randomly. Not only do Shawn’s severe disabilities cause problems for Paul, the whole family struggles. Paul’s father couldn’t cope with Shawn’s problems and has left the family. His absence has made a rough situation even more difficult. Basically Paul feels his life is like car on cruise control speeding down a freeway. This book was a good look at a family who is dealing with a severely handicapped person. It gave me a greater understanding of what others go through.

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The Dragon's Son - Margaret Weis

If you have any interest in fantasy, you will love this book. Dragon’s Son is the second in the Dragonvard Trilogy. To totally appreciate the characters and background situation in this book, you need to Dragon Mistress first. Melisande dies as she is giving birth to Ven and Seth – twins, who have different fathers. They are taken to be raised separately. Seth, who is fully human is given to his father, King Edward of Idlyswylde. Ven, who is half-dragon, half-human is raised by Balona, a warrior who lives in the wild. Each twin has amazing powers, but their abilities also put them in danger. As they are growing up, the twins are protected by Draconas, who is a dragon in human form. Eventually the twins meet and learn the secrets that have kept them apart and the destiny they need to fulfill. This book has a lot of plot twists and the ending left me hanging. I appreciated the monotheistic emphasis with monks, priests, and nuns. Margaret Weis is a true master of fantasy writing and I am looking forward to finishing this trilogy and reading more by the author.

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Emako Blue - Brenda Woods

If you’ve ever experienced - or wondered - what it’s like to have someone you care about die tragically, Emako Blue by Brenda Woods is the book for you. Emako was a musically talented teenager who sadly dies as an unintended victim of a drive-by shooting. Emako’s life story is told through the eyes of her friends. Monterrey cared for Emako as her best and trusted friend; Jamal respected her as his special girl; Eddie looked to Emako as someone who shared the dream of escaping poverty; and Savannah mostly saw her as a threat. Before the book was finished, I felt like I knew Emako as a friend, too. This beautifully written book was sad and touching. It gives a realistic look at life and school in inner-city Los Angeles. Emako Blue shows that life is not always fair and that sometimes good people die way too young.

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Fighting the Current - Heather Waldorf

In Fighting the Current by Heather Waldorf, Tee’s life is in turmoil. Recently injured in a car accident Tee’s father is brain damaged. Tee is living with her aunt George while her father is at the rehab center. But a tragic house fire kills Tee’s aunt. Tee’s relationship with her mother had very strained in the past but now they must confront their problems. Ethan, a new boy in town, befriends Tee. He has a special understanding of Tee’s troubles because of his sister ’s Cystic Fibrosis. When Ethan breaks Tee’s trust, he seeks her forgiveness and delivers a strong lesson on the power of reconciliation. As Tee’s parents decide to remarry, she wonders how she will fit into the new situation. Tee tries to reconstruct the past by finishing her dad’s canoe project, but she comes headlong into the realization that recent events have changed her life forever. It’s not always wise to fight the current. This was a wonderful, intense, and memorable book with a great message. It will stay with me for a long time.

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Guitar Girl - Sara Manning

Guitar Girl by Sarra Manning takes a look at the much-envied life of rock stars. What garage band hasn’t imagined the rush of huge cheering audiences, admiring fans, and going on a major nation-wide tour? Molly and her two girlfriends, Tara and Jane don’t set out to be celebrities when they form a girl band. But the band becomes serious business when they are transformed into ‘the Hormones’ by Dean, T. and an ambitious manager. Soon the band members find themselves playing to admiring audiences in the hottest clubs. The glamour soon wears thin, though. When they go on tour to the U.S., the group finds that the grueling schedule and close traveling conditions cause a lot of conflict. Drinking and drug use also cause problems. Molly and Dean become more than just friends, but their relationship has too many complications to last. Molly showed a lot of courage to stand up to those who only wanted to use her. This is a great story for anyone who has dreamed of stardom.

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How My Private, Personal Journal Became a Best Seller - Julia Devillers

In How My Private, Personal Journal Became a Best-Seller, Jamie Bartlett didn’t intend to become a famous novelist when she wrote a story in her journal, but that’s exactly what happens to her. Jamie thought she was turning in a homework assignment, but accidentally submitted her journal instead. Her teacher is very impressed and reads the story aloud to the class. Jamie’s story features a girl named Isabella who IS very self-assured. When tormented by mean girls, Isabella simply flicks them with her wrist. IS doesn’t look like an airbrushed magazine girl – and she is proud of that fact. Jamie is shocked to find that not only do most of her classmates (Myrna and her gang are certainly exceptions) really like her story. Amazingly, Jamie’s book is published and she becomes a nation-wide sensation. Jamie’s experiences teach her that being a celebrity is not as glamorous as it seems. This is a funny book with a great message: always stay true to yourself.

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Jude - Kate Morgenroth

Jude witnesses the brutal death of his drug-dealer father and is surprised to learn that the district attorney who interrogates him is actually his mother. Jude strives to fit into his new suburban lifestyle, but is coldly betrayed by his stepfather. Jude spends five years in prison for a crime he did not commit. In prison Jude learns to defend himself and nearly kills a man in anger. Jude resolves to study law and to pursue justice. After his release, Jude gradually uncovers the truth about his betrayal and finds enough strength to confront his stepfather. Much to his dismay, Jude finds far more deceit than he had originally thought. Jude hopes the truth will win his mother’s love, but is saddened to that find she is cold and self-preoccupied. Jude is an amazing book. I made my mom read it and she liked it as well. Everything ties together in the end in a relevant and perfect way. I enjoyed reading this mind-blowing and breath taking book.

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Leap Day - Wendy Mass

Every sixteenth birthday is sweet, but this one - described in Leap Day by Wendy Maas - is particularly special for Josie. Because Josie was born on February 29, this is only the fourth official birthday she has celebrated. Josie makes the most of her day by getting her driver’s license, trying out for a play, going on a scavenger hunt, eating Domino’s pizza with her family, and going to an initiation ceremony at a local lake.

What sets this story apart is that Josie’s day is first described from her point of view, and then the following chapter tells the same events as others saw them. I really enjoyed learning more about Josie and seeing what secrets were revealed in the alternating chapters.

It also made me wonder how others see the events that surround me. Josie is a totally likable teenager who has a family who loves her. She knows the meaning of true friendship as she even risks personal embarrassment to keep a secret for a friend. This was a totally enjoyable book and I would recommend it to anyone!

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Midnighters: The Secret Hou - rScott Westerfeld

Jessica Day has moved with her family from exciting Chicago to small town Bixby Oklahoma. She soon discovers Bixby is no ordinary town. At midnight Jessica finds that time freezes for most of the town’s inhabitants. For one hour everything, weather, people, life, just stops. Jessica is able to roam the eerie streets seemingly unaffected. Soon she finds four other teens, “Midnighters”, who share this time with her. Each has a special talent or ability that helps them to maneuver around the dangerous Darklings and Slithers who also inhabit the midnight hour. These ancient beasts are from a time when humans were still their prey. While they have left the original four Midnighters alone for the most part, they have taken a strong and unhealthy interest in Jessica. The Darklings want Jessica dead. This book has a very original plot and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.

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Nothing to Lose - Alex Flinn

In Nothing to Lose by Alex Flinn, Michael is traveling with the carnival. He joined the carnival as an escape from the past, but it catches up to him when he arrives in his hometown – Miami. As time progresses, Michael’s dark painful secret slowly becomes revealed. When his mother got married, Michael found himself living with a stepfather who was both physically and mentally abusive. Though he quit the football team to be home more often, Michael found that he could not always protect his mother from harm. When Michael went to the carnival he befriended a girl who urged him to join her on the road. Michael’s escape to carnival life is really just self-preservation, because his true reason for leaving home was the murder of his step-father. Even though his mother confesses, Michael knows that he will never be able to truly live in the present until he tells what really happened in the past. I would recommend this book to anyone. It was a fast read because the author kept pulling me along as the then and now came together.

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One of those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies - Sonya Sones

After a long illness, Ruby’s mother dies, forcing her to leave her home and go live with the father that she’s never really known. Her father is Whip Logan, renowned Hollywood actor, who left her mother before she was born and has not had contact with Ruby any time recently. Ruby is horrified. She goes to Los Angeles and finds her father to be a lot nicer guy then she thought, but Ruby certainly isn’t going to let him know that. Ruby tries to adjust to her new life while still hanging on to her old one, but when things back home start to change, Ruby realizes it’s time to make a new life in LA. Ruby learned that situations aren’t always as they appear. This book had a great message of forgiveness and acceptance.

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Princess in Pink - Meg Cabot

I have enjoyed all the books in the Princess Diaries series, and Princess in Pink by Meg Cabot is no exception. Mia is desperate to go to the prom but her boyfriend Michael won’t even consider the idea. Disaster strikes at Mia’s 15 th birthday celebration when G’s poodle escapes in a fancy restaurant, causing a busboy to trip and spill a tray of food. When he is fired Lydia becomes instrumental in organizing a citywide hospitality worker’s strike. The strike causes havoc as Mia’s G moves out of her hotel and in with Mia’s family and almost even worse, it looks like the Prom will have to be cancelled for everyone. But fortunately G intervenes. The prom is saved for everyone, Michael consents to go to the prom as a member of the band, and Mia gets to wear a gorgeous pink gown designed especially for her. Added to all this is the traumatic break-up of Boris and Lydia - and the long-awaited birth of Mia’s brother. This book was a lot of fun to read.

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The Schwa Was Here - Neal Shusterman

Calvin Schwa is a legend… an invisible legend. Well, he’s not really invisible, but for some reason people simply don’t notice him. Teachers don’t see him raise his hand in class and forget to make report cards for him. Kids at school walk right by him and seem not to notice he is there. Even his own father fails to see Calvin. When Anthony (Antsy) Bonano meets Calvin, he and his friends set up a series of experiments to try to determine what causes “the Schwa Effect,” as they call it. The experiments lead to a profitable enterprise of dares, but when one of the dares fails, Antsy and Calvin end up working for old man Crawley, who deliberately makes himself invisible and meet his granddaughter Lexie who is blind and to whom everyone is literally invisible. In the midst of these new relationships, Calvin begins to resent his current state and tries miserably to reverse it, but things – even his new friend Antsy- keep getting in the way. Will Calvin really eventually just disappear like he keeps telling Antsy or will he find a way to make himself a force.

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So B. It - Sarah Weeks

Heidi and her mother seem to have fallen straight from the sky…. At least that’s the story that Heidi’s neighbor Bernadette tells her. Heidi’s mom is mentally challenged – so much so that she really cannot care for herself or for Heidi. When they show up in an apartment, Bernadette, who lives in a connecting apartment, decides to take care of them. Though life is okay, Heidi always feels a hole in her heart, not really knowing where she came from and whether she has other family. Eventually, Heidi finds a clue to her mother’s past and sets out on her own to cross the United States and find out what she can about her life. The thing is, Heidi’s never been on her own, and it’s not the adventure she imagined, especially when all of her money is stolen. Once she arrives, she falls upon some luck to help her survive, but no one is being very forthcoming about her past.

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Vegan Virgin Valentine - Carlolyn Mackler

Mara Valentine is the girl that has it all. She’s got a lot of friends, a great job, and is in a heated contest with her ex-boyfriend for senior class valedictorian. She has her whole senior year planned out – she’ll work, take accelerated classes, graduate number one in her class, etc. But you know what they say about the best laid plans – something almost always interferes. This time the interference comes from Mara’s “scummy, pot-smoking sixteen-year-old niece, V” who comes to live with Mara and her family while her mother, Mara’s older sister, is out carousing again. V changes everything and Mara is not real accepting of her new housemate. She sees V as the antithesis of everything she believes is right, moral and acceptable and can’t believe her parents would allow this to turn her senior year upside down. But V really needs the intervention, and slowly, Mara finds that even she can learn a few things from V. I really, really enjoyed the book. Two thumbs up. It was so funny, I couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. The surprise ending topped it all off very well.

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Who Am I Without Him? Short Stories About Girls and the Boys in their Lives - Sharon G. Flake

If you want to laugh and cry, this is a book you have to read. Packed full of stories about girls and the boys they love, this book makes you stop and think as you read their words they write in their diaries or tell to their friends. Sharon Flake has written twelve short stories that will hook you and keep you reading to the end. I can see myself in many of the stories and learn from the characters’ experiences. It’s a book every teen age girl should read.

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Worlds Afire - Paul B. Janecko

Worlds Afire by Paul Janeczko tells the story of a tragic historical event. On July 6, 1944 a fire broke out in the main tent of the Barnum and Bailey Circus in Hartford, Connecticut, killing 167 people and injuring at least 500 more. This book brings the event to life as it tells of the tragedy from several people’s perspectives using a prose-poetry style. People came to the circus anticipating fun, wonder, and excitement. But their joy quickly turned to horror as the waterproof circus tent - which was coated with gasoline and paraffin - quickly went up in flames. The crowd was confused and terrified, children were separated from their parents, and many just couldn’t get find a way to escape. The sorrow and pain of so many deaths was terrible. The author gave just enough words and details to help me imagine what was happening. Even though I read this book quickly, the story stayed in my mind for a long time.

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