The First Part Last

First Part Last
Angela Johnson
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Bobby and Nia are having a baby, they are 16 years old. They have choices to make, are they going to raise this baby or do they give it up and go back to being 16 again. All the while this novel switches between Nia and Bobby's decision to Bobby raising baby Feather all alone. Bobby is suffering from lack of sleep and wanting to go out with his friends and be the teenager he was before the baby. In "The First Part Last" Angela Johnson writes about something that few teenagers can empathize with. There are difficult decisions that have to made throughout the novel and many that don't have a right answer.

Personal Review
I can't comprehend what these teens are going through. I did find that I put myself in Bobby's situation and felt that he did an admirable job, at least compared to what I would do faced with a raising a baby. While reading i also kept on picturing my own younger sister who is 16 and what she would do with a baby. I really enjoyed reading this book and would use it to teach responsibility

War is...

War is
Marc Aronson and Patty Campbell
Candlewick

"War is..." it is a collection of short stories, testimonials and personal experiences. They will tug at your heart strings and make you question your own convictions about war. There are things that you have never heard before and some things that you might wish you didn't hear about. This book should be required for young adults to read, especially ones that are thinking about joining the armed services.

Personal Review
This book was especially hard to read for me. I have 3 friends that are in the National Guard and they are scheduled to be deployed in early September. I am going to have them read it. This is a powerful book for everyone, not just those that are looking into the armed services.There are so many things that do not occur to people when thinking about going into the National Guard or the Army or Marines.

How Joe Succeeded

How Joe Succeeded with the help of Grandma Howley's Gold Beads
Mary Morrison
David C. Cook

Joe is just a boy trying to find a place in the world. After he doesn't fit in on his Uncle's farm he heads for the forest to try his hand at being a Lumberjack. Being a Lumberjack is hard but Joe finds that he has a knack for it. The Lumberjack job teaches Joe the value of earning his own money. Going into town with his friends Joe also learns a few things the hard way but he eventually finds exactly what he is looking for all with the help of his grandmothers gold beads.

Personal Review
Goodness this is a good look at what literature was back in the early 20th century. Being written in 1905 this is a hard book to relate to. If I was ever teaching students the value of books this might be one that I would suggest for them to appreciate the value of books today.

Getting Away with Murder

Getting Away with Murder
Chris Crowe
Dial Books

Emmett Till was just a 14 year old black boy from Chicago. He didn't understand that things for black kids are different in Mississippi. He was kidnapped, tortured and murdered; for whistling at a white woman. He may have even hit on her a little. According to the citizens in Mississippi he deserved to be killed. Emmett Till did not deserved to be killed, his death brought the civil rights movement into full swing and brought many of the oppressed black population into the spot light.

Personal Review
I have never heard of anything like this, it was a cruel reminder that terrible things still happen here in the United States where justice is supposedly for everyone.The land of the brave, here where no one was brave enough to stand up for Emmett Till. I was shocked and sickened that this was the first I have ever heard of this monstrosity. This is one book that I will be telling many people about.

Warning
Vivid descriptions of the murder and pictures of the body that are disturbing.

Nicola and the Viscount

Nicola and the Viscount
Meg Cabot
Harper Collins

Nicola is done with finishing school and she has a target. Lord Sebastian would make her the perfect husband, not to mention that he so incredibly hansom that he has earned the nickname "the god." The only problem is that her best friends older brother, Nathanial Sheridan, is putting some doubts in Nicola's mind. Nicola thinks that she can just cast her doubt aside, unfortunately her head and her heart are in two different places when it comes to lord Sebastian.

Personal Review
As we all know Meg Cabot can have her sugary moments, but Nicola and the Viscount turns out isn't nearly as bad as you might expect. Yes there is still the poor pathetically stupid at times damsel in distress. In this novel however, the damsel discovers her stupid mistake moments after it happens instead of too late.

Warnings
overly lovey dovey

Inexcusable

Inexcusable
Chris Lynch
Simon Pulse

Keir was a football player, a good son and just an all around good guy. He didn't do bad things to people. Kier just got a scholarship to play football exactly where he wanted to, he has a great relationship with his father and sister and he just is a good guy. Keir couldn't have done what Gigi is saying he did. He loves her, he would never do that.

Personal Review
Chris Lynch shows the disturbing mind of a boy that has no idea what it means to take responsibility for his actions. He doesn't understand what it will take to be a good guy. It really is a scary look into a rapists mind. While it might be unsettling it is still something that i would encourage young people to read.

Warning
There is some language and sexual content

Hunger Games

Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
Scholastic Press

Katniss is a surviver. She will do what ever it takes to survive and to protect her family, in particular her little sister. When the Hunger Games come to district 12, the coal district and suddenly Katniss'little sister is in trouble, Katniss jumps in to take her place on the chopping block. There is not much chance for her to win with her fellow district 12 mate Peeta at her side. They have to face others who have trained and many who just enjoy killing. While this is new to them both there are many other things to face as well, new love, learning to trust the right people and just staying alive.

Personal Review
This was one of my favorite book that I have ever read. Katniss was such an amazing strong character. I loved her as a role models for young adults, while there is somethings that I thought were very sad and awful but, the characters were all so vivid and real.

Warnings
There is some vivid imagery involving carnage.

The Giver

The Giver
Lois Lowry
Dell Laurel-Leaf

Jonas is an eleven year old that has no choices to make, he won't choose his clothing in the morning, he won't choose his meal at night...ever. Jonas will be turning twelve in his futuristic community, which is when he will receive his profession. Jonas is very nervous, he has done his service hours in various facilities but doesn't feel particularly suited for anything. When the time comes Jonas is given a rare and "honored" assignment. This job will make Jonas suddenly question his life that until now has been perfect, but now Jonas realizes what he has been missing.

Personal Review
"The Giver"is a glimps into a life of "sameness." There is no individuality, nothing to set anyone apart from any one else. Lois Lowry does an amazing job at setting up a world that we can only partially imagine. I don't think that I can totally comprehend what it would be like to feel nothing like love or to appreciate my family as nothing but a unit to live with. Reading this as a young adult would be shocking and hard to grasp some of the larger complexities that are presented in this novel. As a teacher or "pusher" of books i would absolutely recommend it to anyone.

Let it Snow

LET IT SNOW
Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle
Speak

A stranded train, fourteen cheerleaders headed to competition, and a small North Carolina town in the middle of a blizzard... not a good combination. This is the scenery for three different but related Christmas stories. Maureen Johnson begins with the story of Jubilee, a girls who has perfect boyfriend but her Christmas is interrupted by her parents over zealous holiday spirit. With the help a stranger she is able to see that her "perfect" life might only be a silly hope. John Green brings is next with his predictable cheeky humor in “Cheertastic Christmas Miracle.” fourteen cheerleaders stranded at waffle house brings out the best in Green when he tells the story of young boy doing what ever it takes to "rescue" the cheerleaders from a twister-less Christmas. Lauren Myracle wraps things up with “Patron Saint of Pigs” where the main character experiences something "resembling a traditional Christmas miracle." After a major mistake the main character realizes her self-absorbed ways will drive away everyone around her, including the love of her life.

Personal Review
Let is Snow is such a fun story, the short stories all intertwine in a creative an exciting way that keeps you moving through. The Christmas spirit is thick and you'll find yourself wanting to curl up by a fire to finish this Christmas romance.

Warning: There is some language.

Looking for Alaska

Looking for Alaska
John Green
Speak/ Penguin

Miles is not a cool kid, he doesn't have friends at his Florida high school he doesn't even really have people that pretend to be his friend. Which is why he has decided to attend his fathers boarding school in Alabama. "The Great Perhaps," is the driving force in Miles' brave leap but once he gets to Alabama he is suddenly not sure that he is up to it. Culver Creek Boarding School throws Miles a neurotic roommate: the Colonial, and Alaska: a self-destructive girl that Miles or better named, Pudge, is smitten with. The new school gives all that Pudge had hoped it would: friends, adventures and even a little romance but so much more than he was ready for.

Personal Review
Looking for Alaska will twist your insides with apprehension and adoration. I immediately fell in love with Pudge and his strange but endearing group of new friends. John Green again with his nerdy but charming characters will make you wish that you were part of Culver Creek Boarding school. Alaska is easily the most dynamic character that he has ever written,she is caring and vulnerable one moment then destructive and insane the next.

Warning: Lots of strong language and crude humor, vivid sexual content and adult problems.

An Abundance of Katherines

An Abundance of Katherines
John Green
Speak/Penguin

Colin has a thing for girls named Katherine, unfortunately they don't seem to have a thing for him. After being dumped by Katherine number XIX he decides to take his best friend's, Hassan, suggestion and go on a road trip. Driving just to drive brings them to a small town in Tennessee. Since being random is the theme of their road trip they decide to work for a business woman in town to gather and preserve the towns memories. Lindsey, the business woman's daughter helps them, but with more that just the towns history. All the while Colin, a child genius, is hard at work creating a mathematical theorem that will explain past broken relationships and help predict the outcome of future ones. While the summer isn't exactly going Colin and Hassan's way, it will defiantly be one to remember.

Personal Review
I am a huge John Green fan, and it all started with the reading of The Abundance of Katherines. This story is an incredible view into another young adults world. Colin is not really like any kid you have ever met, he is quirky and brilliant but for some reason not exactly someone that you would be friends with. Hassan is my favorite character because he seems to compliment Colin and only make the whole story a million times better. This book will keep young adult readers interested and laughing the whole time.

Warnings: There is language and some crude sexual jokes. There is also Sexual content.

Bound

By: Donna Jo Napoli
Simon and Schuster

"Lazy One, bring the firewood," while Xing Xing is ordered about the cave only to make her step sister and step mother comfortable, she can't help but be happy. Xing Xing has found her spirit mother and made a friend of a raccoon in the forest where she hunts for meat. Xing Xing knows that marrying off her step sister is what is most important but, guiltily Xing Xing wonders if she will ever have the opportunity to marry. Or is carrying water for family all that Xing Xing is ment for? Donna Jo Napoli creates an oriental fairytale that is much more intricate and delicate than any modern myths.
Personal Review
I loved this story, growing up I was raised on fairy tales and I'm always thrilled to hear a new one. While this is just a rendition of a Cinderella story I found myself still cheering for Xing Xing in the end, holding my breath when the prince comes to whisk her away. Everyone knows the outline for the story but this variation has much more depth and intensity than many other tales.

Cherry Ames: Clinic Nurse

By: Julie Tatham
Springer

Cherry Ames is doing her best to keep with the clinic patients and be a comfort to them all, but the work is exhausting her! Being over-worked doesn't stop Cherry when a mysterious doctor comes to her claiming an emergency. Before long Cherry realizes that she has been kidnapped! The culprits need Cherry's help for a surgery and being a nurse Cherry can't refuse, and after Cherry does her duty the kidnappers decide that she can go free. Who will believe Cherry when she tells her wild tale? Even more important, how is she going to catch those bandits!
Personal Review
With women running for president it was difficult to read this book on occasion. I could enjoy the funny story and appreciate Cherry's dilemma but I had a difficult time over looking the disregard that some of the men showed to women in this novel. Reading books from a different time is something that we can't replace with just historical fiction, authors that lived during a specific time period write in an unbiased way; while current writers still have the way we think now to appeal to.

Stuck in Neutral

By: Terry Trueman
Harper Collins

Many people have studied Cerebral Palsy but we will never fully understand the disease because those who suffer from cerebral palsy can't tell us anything. Shawn McDaniel knows though, he could tell you everything that he has ever heard or anything that has been said about cerebral palsy, even what it feels like to have cerebral palsy. Shawn can't tell anyone anything though, suffering from this condition is something that Shawn has come to terms with. Unfortunately his family still has some reservations about how to deal with this "problem." Shawn's father is hurting because he thinks that Shawn is in pain every day. What does a parent do when their child is hurting? The problem is that Shawn isn't in pain, he just can't tell anyone. More than anything Shawn whats to tel his father this before is dad takes matters into his own hands.
Personal Review
This story takes on a whole new dimension. I only know one person with cerebral palsy and everything that Trueman talks about I do when I'm am around him. Talking to him like he is a baby or maybe talking a little louder so he can understand me better. This novel will really make you think about how you treat and even change your opinion on the mentally challenged.

Stop Pretending; What Happened when my Big Sister went Crazy

By:Sonya Sones
Harper Collins

What happens when your hero of a sister looses her mind? Sonya Sones shows us the feeling of a young girls when her older sister has a mental breakdown through a book of poems. Dealing with loosing her sister to an institution and having a discordant relationship with her parents is not easy for this young girl. She also has to deal with what the world would say if they knew... that crazy runs in her family.
Personal Review
I have only read one other book of poetry and once again I loved the separating pages that in the over all view correspond but all have separate layers to dissect. Stop Pretending was a wonderful and intriguing book that has different ideas about how to deal with something like mental illness. Sonya Sones is a wonderful author that used the poetry to its fullest extent to make this amazing novel.

Lizzy Bright and Buckminster Boy

By: Gary D. Schmidt
Laurel Leaf

Turner Buckminster just moved and he is not pleased. Being the ministers son does have its disadvantages, like when you throw rocks, not acceptable for a ministers son. Or when you get into a fight the news get to his father's ears before he does. No, things in Maine are not turning out well for Turner. Then when he meets an unusual girl named Lizzy Bright things change. Gary Schmidt creates a vivid and intriguing novel with Lizzy Bright. He shows how thing used to be and how during those time people didn't see room to change. With Turner Buckminster, Schmidt proves that with or without change, there is a sense of right and wrong that is innately given to each of us, if we let our surrounding convince us otherwise is where people loose sight of what is important in life.
Personal Review
Lizzy Bright is an amazing character. While reading this book I continually found myself wishing she were real. There is so much that is discussed and faced during the novel, using Turner to show the problems of the day Schmidt accurately describes a world that we can never experience.

Wintergirls

by:Laurie Halse Anderson
Penguin Group

Lia's ex-best friend Cassie is dead. This is something of a shock for Lia, they were the same, wintergirls. Lia has to face the haunting of Cassie's last calls and the strange guilt that she doesn't know what to do with. Having rolls and rolls of fat that want to glue themselves to Lia's body doesn't help either,so she doesn't eat. Not eating isn't new to Lia though, if she can fight through the hunger pains then she can fight through the pain of loss. Anderson gives the world a glimpse into the terrifying and degrading world of eating disorders with Wintergirls . There are things that most people who are not involved directly with an eating disorder will never understand about the disease. Reading this book everyone can see the effects that this crippling illness can have on all the people surrounding it.
Personal Review
Wintergirls really opens your eyes, if you have never dealt with anything like this. I haven't even really know anyone with an eating disorder so this was very disturbing to read and learn about. I never realized how those effected really feel. I always thought it was a vain notion, but while reading i realized that this is so much more than just wanting to be the prettiest. Many times this can be a call for attention. I think that all young readers should be aware that this is a real problem and can affect your entire life.

The Cheat

By: Amy Goldman Koss
Penguin Group

Facing mid-terms with no studying done for the geography test, cheating seems like the best options for some middle schoolers. While things go wrong on all counts when the test answers end up being wrong and all culprits seem to be punished there are many underlying problems that have been festering in these young peoples lives. Cheating brings all the problems to the surface and not there is not hiding all the things that have been avoided far too long.
Personal Review
The Cheat proved an interesting read. From a young adult prospective there are many appealing facets that this book confronts. As far a depth goes this one all sits right there on the surface bringing to light many underlying problems that many teen have to face regularly.

Blood Secret

By: Kathryn Lasky
Harper Collins Publishing
Jerry has been passed from Catholic school to Catholic orphanage and back again. Finally a relative is located in New Mexico, an ancient, interesting relative named Constanza de Luna. Apart from the old family traditions that seem bizarre and totally mundane Jerry sees nothing wrong with her great great aunt Costanza, the thing that Jerry has a problem with is the dark cellar; for some reason Jerry feels there are dark family secrets being ignored in that trunk in the cellar. Finally when Jerry is beckoned down the cellar steps by some unknown power to explore the foreboding trunk she finds the key to the past in a powerful way.
Personal Review
I was a little skeptical of this novel when I started but thank goodness I did. I found that I wanted to go straight home and find out my own families path from the past. We never think about how we got where we are. I know many stories from my family's past but I don't know why we migrated where we did or if there was more to the story than what great great great grandma wrote in her journal. I loved this story and how is literally sucked you, making it impossible to escape.

La Linea

By: Ann Jaramillo
Roaring Book Press

Miguel is finally 15 and its his turn to join his mother and father in the United States. With the help of a shady Don, Miguel is on his way. Leaving his elderly abelita and younger, strong headed sister Elena behind in a desolate Mexican town Miguel learns that crossing the border to the states tests his ability to be a man as well as his physical strength. When his younger sister Elena manipulates her way into Miguel's plans he has no choice but to bring her along. Facing the mata gente and train gangs, this brother and sister team learn to work together and with others. Many diverse and dimensional characters are thrown into the mix along the way but Ann Jamamillo describes an exciting and dangerous world that no one cares to acknowledge.
Personal Review
This is one of those books that hits you like a bag of bricks. Who knew that real people actually do this, this is how they have created the life that they live now. there are so many things that happen everyday that we as a culture try to downplay and even look down upon that are terribly brave. How can any of us throw out an opinion on this real life issue when very few people alive have actually lived through such an incredible journey.

Out of the Dust

By: Karen Hess
Scholastic Press

Billy Jo was born with a talent to play the piano. She is good at it and not just by dusty Oklahoma standard. Karen Hess designs a vivid and pathetic picture of the desert and destitute that Billy Jo and her family are living. the love and care that each family member give to each other breaths. The imagery in the novel is so eloquently described by Hess' poetry. There is so much feeling this the story, the tragic events that follow Billy Jo and her father are something that average people will not be able to understand without someone to tell us how it feels.
Personal Review
I haven't ever read a poetry novel. After reading this one I realized how much I have been missing out on. I loved the short to the point things that are expressed along with the deeper meanings that have to peeled away to find the true meaning. I loved the story and the genre.

The Graduation of Jake Moon

Audio
read by Fred Savage
By:Barbra Park
Aladdin Books

Jake Moon was a regular kid. He loved his mom and was making some friends in middle school. Things were looking up, right up until his beloved Grandfather Skelly was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease. This is a real life issue that not many people deal with on average. Jake tries to be the perfect grandson and help around the house and with the Skelly, the thing that Jake is having a hard time understanding is that sometimes the person inside Skelly's body isn't Skelly. Jake learns to pull together with a violent cousin and find that maybe he has more in common with his family than just a last name.
Personal review
This is an issue that I personally haven't ever had to deal with. I still can't comprehend the kind of loss that this family had to face everyday. Its like loosing a loved one that is still haunting your house. Barbra Park did an amazing job at pulling you into the story and putting your self in Jake's shoes.

Thirteen Reason's Why

Author: Jay Asher

Clay Jenson, just a teenager. He has, no, had a crush on Hannah Baker. Right up until she kills herself. When a mysterious package arrives full of tapes, Clay is horrified when its Hannah's voice coming out of the speakers, and she is telling him its his fault. Clay's and 12 others, they are to blame that she is dead. "You have to listen," she tells them all, so Clay does. Hannah sends him on a wild tour of the town and Clay spends the night finding out just what Hannah Baker went through, the real Hannah Baker. There isn't much for Clay to do, except listen, and wait, to find out how he contributed to the death of Hannah, the most perfect girl he had ever known.
Personal Opinion:
I found this book compelling. When I was done, I found myself looking over the last few days and wondering if there was something that I could have done to trigger someone. I felt like this was a wonderful book but like many things we have to be careful of ideas. There are many aspect of this book to take into account while reading, what message is being sent and how can this be interpreted. There is a sense of blame that Hannah places on many of her classmates that she herself should have taken account for. But this also makes us all wonder how our actions affect others.


Warnings: There is language and there is lots of sexual content.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp

Author: Richard Yancy

Summary:
Ordinary, nothing special, un-extraordinary, those are the words that Alfred would use to describe himself, his life. When his mother dies, Alfred is sent to live with his security guard, money obsessed uncle. Then when an get rich quick scheme lands in his uncle's lap he needs Alfred's help. So going along with his uncles plan, Alfred plots to steal Excalibur, King Aurthur's legendary sword. When things go awry Alfred is suddenly tosses into a world full of fast cars, sword fighting monks, and legendary societies. Alfred Kropp no longer has the time to think about how boring a life he has, he is too busy finding out how extraordinary he really is.
Personal Opinion:
I really loved this book, Richard Yance did a wonderful job to keeping you turning pages. I had to know what mess was going to find Alfred next. I really enjoyed Alfred's character as well, such an innocent and purely good person, shouldn't have to become a sword fighter. I found Alfred drive to make things that he thought were his fault entertaining but sad. He always felt like things were his fault and living with that guilt would be terrible, but I do like how Alfred really comes into his own and knows that he can finish the mission.

Godless

Author: Pete Hautman

Who said God was in Heaven? Jason Bock doesn't know the answer to that question, so he decides that God could be anywhere, be anything. Maybe the water tower right there in his own town. After Jason poses his theory to his best friend, Shin, the religion grows. Soon Jason and Shin have 4 members and things are getting out of control. Keeping the religion on the right track is harder that Jason predicted. When their first meeting is on top of their God, the water tower, and things go terrible wrong, Jason realizes that he is no longer in charge of how his group is going to worship his creation.
Personal opinion:
Jason Bock is brilliant, stupid, but brilliant, He doesn't realize the influence that he has over his friends. By the time he realizes that things have gone to far, its too late. Jason learns that sometimes, even if its innocent and ridiculous for you, others may take it to the next level. Shin for example needed something to hold to and Jason provided an outlet. Its always difficult to judge how people will react to an idea, but that is why we all have to be careful with them.

Touching Spirit Bear

Author: Ben Mikaelsen

Summary:
Cole Matthews is trouble, plain and simple. After a particularly cruel beating to a class mate, Cole is given a choice a Native American experiment call the the justice circle or jail. He chooses the justice circle, for all the wrong reasons, to run away, to prove he can do what ever he wants. Once he is left alone on the island and he fails to escape is mauled by and gigantic white bear, the infamous Spirit Bear. After months in the hospital, Cole is given a second chance to change, really change. Cole decides to try, and with the spirit bear's help Cole can change for the better.
Personal Opinion:
I was shocked by this book, I didn't know what to think when I started it. Turns out a strange idea on how to change delinquents and a mythical bear can make for an amazing book. I was extremely interested in the actual Justice Circle that is practiced, I have always wondered if sending young adults off the be punished in harsh environment is really the best thing or if we are just perpetuating the cycle. I do not know if this is the answer for every young person but I did find my self thinking about how a system like this could really turn a person's life around.

Maus

Author: Art Spiegelman

Summary:
Maus, a graphic novel takes the holocaust hell in to a different dimension. The Jews are Mice, the Nazis are Cats and the Polish are pigs. Even with the changes that are made this doesn't make Maus any less horrifying. Reading the Account of the Artie's father's experience during World War II is still shocking and terrifyingly sad. Valdek( Artie's father) tells of the labor camps, being a war prisoner, and the Ghettos. Using the wealth that he had before the war Valdek takes all his jewelry and uses it to sustain his family as they are chased, beaten, and ran out of anything that they could have called home. Moving from one bad situation to something worse, Artie collects the stories for a future book and is shocked along with the rest of the readers at the almost unbelievable tales.
Personal Opinion:
I was horrified with the stories, but i will admit that seeing the characters as mice did help to stomach them better. I have always had a terrible time reading holocaust stories, they make me physically ill. This was still hard to take but I loved the Valdek character, he is just how a Jewish person is portrayed. I love that even with all the terrible things that happen to him he still keeps his personality and doesn't just break down. I totally enjoyed this book and think it would be great for young adults to read, it would help to put things into perspective.

North of Beautiful

Author: Justina Chen Headley

Summary:
Terra has the perfect body, amazing long blond hair, and an incredible eye for art but just one look at the right side of her face and no one would envy her. A port-wine stain takes up more than just half her face, Terra feels like it is the epitome of her life. Having this stain has always defined Terra's worth, in her eyes and her fathers. When yet another failed attempt to fix her face brings her and her ever hopeful mother to Seattle Terra has a close encounter with a goth boy,jacob, that changes her out look life. When circumstances bring the Terra and her mother to China with Jacob and his mother Nora, there is no boundaries for the discoveries that Terra makes while not just looking at her self in the mirror.
Personal Opinion:
North of Beautiful teaches everyone that we can't control everything that we're given in life, but we all have to deal with each trial alone. Terra's experience helped me realize that we have to look beyond ourselves to really see our own self worth. Having someone like Jacob in Terra's life helped to open her eyes to other peoples' trials but really Terra took her journey into her own hands and learned more than she ever knew she was missing.

Warnings:
There is some language in the is book. Nothing graphic but sex is mentioned.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

E. Lockhart
Summary
Frankie is a girl who just realized that she has power and brains. Finding her in a position where she can either good or bad Frankie decides to just take power and see where it goes from there. Being the girlfriend of the enticing Matthew Livingston, Frankie finds out about a secret and exclusive, all-male club in her prep school, a club that Matthew is part of; and is keeping her out of. With some brilliance Frankie turns the table on the boys of the Basset Hounds club.

Personal Review
Who doesn't love a girl that takes control of the situation? Frankie used her un-intimidating personality to pull a fast one on the over confident guys. I loved how she just took over what was going to happen at her school, she knew that if she didn't then she would always have to be on the outside. I also think that this book is a great reminder that women have been underestimated for years, and that not many of us are just rolling over and taking it anymore. This book has great journey theme under the radar. Frankie was not only trying to show that it was unfair that she was not allowed into the club but it was more than that. She needed to prove to herself that she is growing into someone worthwhile.

After the First Death

Author: Robert Cormier

Summary
If edge of your seat, holding your breath is the kind of book your looking for, this is it! You will first meet Ben Marchand in his dorm room at a prep school where he talks of the tragic event where a school bus full of children were held hostage. As a reader there are non-stop questions that Robert Cormier expertly leads you to ask.
The young terrorist, Miro, makes you question whether being brave is only for the good guys. The young bus driver, Kate, is forced to face things that she isn't sure that she can handle. After the First Death brings the terrorist's point of view into full focus and creates a web of suspense.
Personal Review
there are so many amazing things in this book, its hard to concentrate on just one! I would start with the end of the book blowing your mind to the point you want to go back and re-read everything that you initially missed. After the First Death will test your close reading abilities, there are so many small things that Robert Cormier puts in that you will have to read it again and again to get all the angles. As far as a story goes this one is nail biter, they don't come more intense.

Diary of a Whimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
By: Jeff Kinney
Amulet Books, 2007

Summary
Greg Heffley brings middle school to life with his description to everyday problems at home and school. While having an older brother that is a mercenary for teasing and a spoiled younger brother that seems to get away with everything, Greg does his best to keep life interesting. With his best friend Rowley, Greg is always looking for new and inventive ways to climb the social latter and get out of math class. During his school year Greg is also faced with some challenging problems that with an adolescent outlook and a sheltered outlook on life he does his best to do the right thing.
Personal Review
What a fun book. Jeff Kinney did an amazing job of using the visual effect to his fullest advantage. With the adolescent language and graphics you can't help but remember your own days in junior high. I would recommend this book to anyone.