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Reviews from the Lincoln Southwest Media Center
TITLE OF BOOK: The Hunger Games AUTHOR: Suzanne Collins REVIEWER'S COMMENTS: The first in a trilogy ( //The Hunger Games//, //Catching Fire//, and //The Mockingjay//), this dystopian setting will have enthusiasts of //The Giver//, //Anthem//, and //Fahrenheit 451// clamoring for the sequel. The first book introduces us to heroine Katniss Everdeen, who is forced to join fellow citizen Peeta in a televised survival competition against young people from eleven other districts. This enthralling but gruesome adventure captures the effects of war and violence on society. Book 3, //The Mockingjay//, will be published August 2010. SUBJECTS: War, political corruption, survival RATING: A+

TITLE OF BOOK: The Alchemyst, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel AUTHOR: Michael Scott GRADE LEVEL: 8 - Adult REVIEWER'S COMMENTS: The first in a series that currently numbers four volumes (//The Alchemyst//, //The Magician//, //The Sorceress//, and //The Necromancer//) these books will appeal to Harry Potter fans. Dr. John Dee, Nicholas Flamel, and his wife Perenelle, actually have a place in history. Twins Sophie and Josh Newman are drawn into this story as they race to recover the Book of Abraham the Mage--the secret to eternal life. SUBJECTS: Teenagers, magic, good and evil RATING: A

TITLE OF BOOK: Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer AUTHOR: John Grisham GRADE LEVEL: 7-12 REVIEWER'S COMMENTS: Theo's parents are both attorneys. He has grown up in the courthouse in the small city of Strattenburg. He already knows that his life calling is to be a judge. Grisham weaves an exciting mystery that informs the reader of court procedures, teen issues, human nature, and the power of conscience. SUBJECTS: Teenagers, citizenship, intrigue RATING: B+

TITLE OF BOOK: Black Tuesday AUTHOR: Susan Colebank GENRE: Realistic fiction GRADE LEVEL: 9-12

REVIEWER'S COMMENTS: Life can change in a second. It does for Harvard-bound, Type A personality, micro-managed Jayne Thompson when she is convicted of manslaughter for an accident that kills a peer's sibling. Jayne's journey down a new path, her attempts to come to terms with her family--a controlling mother, self-destructive sister, and unrealistic father--and her self-acceptance are some of the many interesting issues in this story. SUBJECTS: Teenagers, self-fulfillment, drug abuse, family relationships RATING: B+

TITLE OF BOOK: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows AUTHOR: J. K. Rowling GENRE: Science fiction GRADE LEVEL: Ageless

REVIEWER'S COMMENTS: Where do you begin when discussing the culmination of a series with this impact? I began the book on Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. and was sad to know that this was the last weekend when I would be so absorbed by Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The silver lining is that now I can reread the series without any long breaks between books. A great activity for SUMMER 2008!

SUBJECTS: Teenagers, self-fulfillment, magic, good and evil RATING: A++

AUTHOR: Sherman Alexie GENRE: Science fiction GRADE LEVEL: 9-12

REVIEWER'S COMMENTS: "Zits" is a half-Native American, half-Irish orphan who has just left his 20th foster home. The only break he gets is in the compassion of the police officer who frequently picks him up. While incarcerated, Zits is mentored by a youth who calls himself "Justice." Their relationship leads to a fascination with guns; Zits soon finds himself in a life-altering incident within a bank. This story of altered consciousness and historic events provides significant food for thought.

SUBJECTS: Native American history, violence, time travel, orphans, abuse RATING: A

TITLE OF BOOK: Runner AUTHOR: Carl Deuker GENRE: Realistic fiction Boston: Houghton Mifflin 2005: 216 p. Audience: 9-12

REVIEWER’S COMMENTS: Unlike Deukers other novels, sports do not play a big role in this “coming of age” book. Boys will be more likely to pick this book up because it involves 1) a father / son relationship 2) a job that is lucrative and very suspicious 3) running 4) advice from a wealthy girlfriend. Chance Taylor is a likable teen who is responsible to the point of making sure the bills are taken care of (a house boat docked in Puget Sound) because his alcohol impaired father, who can’t hold a job, is unable to pay. In the end Chance discovers a side of his father that is redeeming and restorative. Good addition to Deukers other novels.

SUBJECTS: Teenage boys, Father and son, poverty, teenage children of alcoholics, smuggling, single parent family, runners. RATING: A

TITLE OF BOOK: Things Change AUTHOR: Patrick Jones GENRE: Realistic fiction NY: Walker & Co. 2004: 216 p. Audience: 10-12

REVIEWER’S COMMENTS: Taking on the subject of dating violence and relationships is often neglected and avoided. Jones weaves in realism and believable characters that will draw especially teenage girls to read this book. The vicious cycle of love/hate is portrayed with reasonable accuracy in the relationship between Johanna and Paul. She knows what is happening (violent outbursts by Paul followed by remorse and drinking) but can’t bring herself to pull away (leave him to suffer his own demons). A bright student, Johanna, is emotionally drawn to Paul’s humor, brightness and need for attention much to the displeasure of her mother…which makes her even more determined to make the relationship work. The final move by Johanna is a result of her coming to the understanding that things won’t change.

SUBJECTS: Teenage girls, Mother and daughter, dating violence, teenage abuse, teenage romance, teenage girl / boy relations, gifted teenagers. RATING: B+

TITLE OF BOOK: Nailed AUTHOR: Patrick Jones GENRE: Realistic Fiction NY: Walker & Co. 2006: 216 p. Audience: 10-12

REVIEWER’S COMMENTS: After reading the first of Jones’ novels, __Things Change__, be prepared for the realism in this book as well. The bullying, the cliques, the relationships and the culture of high schools are brought into vivid reality in this book. Character development is enough to elicit some strong emotions towards the main character, Brett, the bully/jock, the girlfriend, Brett’s mom and dad, the school principal and Brett’s music buddies. At the outset you will wonder if this whole scenario will come to a reasonably plausible outcome … it does. Some raw language, sex and alcohol consumption figure into the story line…making it seem like everyone in high school does these things.

SUBJECTS: Teenage boys, Father and son, social acceptance, bullying, conformity, teenage actors and actresses, athletes. RATING: B+

TITLE: Zigzag AUTHOR: Ellen Wittlinger GENRE: Realistic Fiction Simon Pulse; NY 2003; 264 pages AUDIENCE: Primarily females, Grades 8 +

“All morning I’d been fighting off that it’s not fair feeling—it never makes you feel any better anyway. It wasn’t fair that Chris left and went to Italy. It wasn’t fair that Allen Tewsbury got hit by a taxi. It wasn’t fair that Dory ran off the road and wrecked the van and broke her bones. It wasn’t fair that Iris and Marshall were too freaked out to sleep last night. And it wasn’t fair that I wouldn’t get to Arizona. So what? I mean you could look at it, like, nothing’s fair. But that’s pretty depressing. So I was trying not to look at it at all.” (Wittlinger 201). Robin’s insight into her cross-country trip is insightful, eventful, and definitely attitude changing. Another great read by a favorite author.

SUBJECTS: Bereavement, eating disorders, growing-up RATING: A

TITLE: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan AUTHOR: Linda See GENRE: Historical Fiction Random; NY 2005; 263 pages AUDIENCE: Grades 10 +

This story begins in 1823 in Imperial China. It recounts the lives of two women, born on the same day and year, intricately connected through a relationship known as laotung. The reader will experience the monstrous tradition of foot binding, the political unrest and hardship of the Taiping Rebellion (1851-64) and the solace women found through their sisterhood and poetry. The narrator lives into her 80s, and her experiences and insight are fascinating.

SUBJECTS: China history, social life and customs, women’s rights RATING: A++

TITLE: Side Effects AUTHOR: Amy Goldman Koss GENRE: Realistic Fiction Roaring Brook Press; New Milford, Connecticut 2006; 143 pages AUDIENCE: Grades 7 +

The reader is thrust into 6 months in the life of an eighth-grader’s Hodgkin’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. Izzy, our narrator, views the world through her ball-point pen illustrations until the effects of chemo keep her from engaging in even this coping mechanism. The side effects of her illness—on her family, her friendships, and her self-perception—are portrayed with tremendous clarity. Another short but worthwhile read by a popular author.

SUBJECTS: Cancer, chemotherapy, resilience, teenage relationships RATING: A

TITLE: Let’s Get Lost AUTHOR: Sarra Manning GENRE: Realistic Fiction Dutton Books; NY 2006; 308 pages AUDIENCE: Primarily females, Grades 8 +

“I’ve bullied enough people to know that the minute you show them that they’re getting to you, you’ve signed your death warrant…The graffiti in the loos that said: “Isabel Clarke is a big, skanky ho. Stop her and ask her how,” was a nice touch, but what didn’t destroy me made me stronger. Repeat to fade.” (Manning 239).

Isabel is a character in great pain and in pursuit of self-destruction. She embarks on a relationship with an older guy named Smith who has no idea, initially, what makes Isabel run. After a physical injury is added to her emotional turmoil, Isabel is forced to come to terms with her mother’s death, her relationship with her remaining family, and the path of “least destruction.” This is the author’s second book and will reach a wider audience than her first.

SUBJECTS: Grief, cliques, substance abuse, popularity RATING: B

TITLE: Gym Candy AUTHOR: Carl Deuker GENRE: Sports Fiction Houghton Mifflin; Boston 2007; 313 pages AUDIENCE: 9-12 males

Mick Johnson has played football his whole life. His father even held Mick back a year in school so he would always have that extra year of physically maturity. As he matures and makes the varsity team as a freshman the pressure increases. His father, a former star running back and an NFL draft pick, an older teammate and an up and coming younger running back, are all factors leading to the decision to start taking steroids.

The idea that he can use performance-enhancing drugs and not get hooked or in trouble is a mistake that Mick makes. As Mick’s personal trainer gets him started on the drugs his body gets stronger and his performance gets outstanding but at what cost? His best friends, his health, and his personal pride suffer and fall by the wayside as Mick becomes more and more involved. Author Carl Deuker uses non-stop, play-by-play action and realistic teen frustrations to make this book one that even reluctant readers will not want to put down. The reader will likely keep rooting for Mick even though the demons that he has created keep following him.

SUBJECTS: Football, steroids, parental pressure RATING: A