Teens Review Teen Lit

Reviewed By: A.T.
Meet 16 year old Trent McCauley, aka Cecil B. DeVille. He's an average teenager who's passion is remixing video clips to create his own unique films. He believes what he is doing to be completely innocent, until he gets his family's Internet connection turned off, by the order of the the government. Now what is his family to do? His mom can't log on to get her health care benefits, his dad's job relied on their Internet connection, and his younger sister won't be able to keep up with her homework. In a desperate move, Trent runs away to London and there his life takes a turn for the better! He meets a whole bunch of friends who take him in, help him adjust to "life on the streets" and show him a new way of looking at life. But all of this is not enough. Trent and his friends eventually get caught up in something much bigger than them, and it's up to them to stop the major corporations from taking over their government and writing laws where the rich get richer and the little people get sent to jail. Will they be able to outsmart the corporations? Will they all end up in jail?
Why I Picked it Up: I had read another book by this author that I liked and I was curious about this book. He always has a technological twist, and this book was no disappointment.
Why I Finished It: I had to find out if David took down Goliath (aka did Cecil and his friends beat the major corporations?). This book did not disappoint.
I’d Give this Book To: I would recommend this book to any high school student that enjoyed Little Brother (also by Cory Doctorow). There is a technological twist to this story, but you don't have to be a tech-head to understand what's going on. Plus there is an interesting plot line about not giving up that I found particularly inspiring.

**Librarian Side Note** This book gives an excellent example of what can happen when you stand up for what is right. It's not always an easy path to take, but that doesn't matter if you believe in what you are fighting for. If you stand by do nothing, then nothing gets changed.

Labels: A.T., sci-fi

Reviewed By: M.S.
16 year old Tessa has a few months to live, since she's battling with cancer, but she has so much she still wants to do. So she has a list of everything she wants to do before she dies, number one being sex and going on till number 12. But things don't all go the way she wants them to be and things get in the way such as parents, friends, and love. Will she be able to complete all the things she wants before it's too late?
Why I Picked it Up: It was on my read for a lifetime list for school and the title grabbed my attention.
Why I Finished It: It's really hard not to finish this book!! I couldn't believe how drawn in I was just from the first chapter. To say it simply, I was hooked. The story wants you to read every chance you have and not to ever put it down.
I’d Give this Book To: I would highly recommend this book to more mature teens for the content in the book is a little graphic and their is some swearing. But otherwise the book is just fantastic!!!

Labels: M.S.

Reviewed By: R.W.
Revolution is a very intriguing book that follows a high school senior, Andi, living in the current time, as well as a girl, Alexandrine, living in France during the French Revolution, as told through her diary. The story is compelling and suspenseful. While it is not quite a realistic story, especially towards the end, it is not really fantasy nor sci-fi. It's just one of those unique books that one might not think to read, but will be glad when they do.
Why I Picked it Up: I was in Barnes and Noble with a gift card, and it seemed like an interesting subject and plot. I had heard that someone somewhere had thought it was good, but none of my friends had heard of it before. I was in need of something good to read, and it seemed like a good fit.
Why I Finished It: As the book began, I wasn't sure it was the kind of book that I normally like. But it was just so well-written that I had to continue. As the story continued, I got more and more invested in it, and I just couldn't put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed it the whole time I was reading it.
I’d Give this Book To: I would recommend this book for teens who have an interest in historical fiction or just want to read a good book. A warning, though, that it is not for the faint of heart.

Labels: R.W.

Reviewed By: M.S.
In the summer before Cullen's senior year, a birdwatcher thinks he spots a species of woodpecker that was thought to be extinct in Lily, Arkansas, turning this small dull town into a circus. But nothing is more startling to Cullen than the realization that his brother Gabriel, who he loves so dearly, has suddenly disappeared.This story follows Cullen as he navigates his way through finding and losing love, holding his family together, and getting his way into adulthood.
Why I Picked it Up: It was on my school's read for a lifetime list and I thought it was interesting.
Why I Finished It: Just to find out if they find Gabriel or not.
I’d Give this Book To: I don't recommend this book. It was quite a boring book and not interesting at all. The only reason I finished was so I could know the end but it was a boring process to find that answer out.

**Librarian Side Note** Did you know this book won the 2012 Printz Award, which is given to "best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit". So even though this reviewer didn't like the book, someone somewhere did, because that was not the only award it won. Remember, not every book can be your favorite, but don't let that stop you from reading more!

Labels: M.S.

Reviewed By: A.T.
Kristina Georgia Snow is your typical high school junior. She is intelligent, thoughtful, respectful, and dream for any teacher or parent. One fateful summer, however, Kristina goes to visit her absentee father and ends up becoming a different person altogether. No longer wanting to be the perfect daughter, Kristina is turned on to drugs and Bree takes her place as a result. She is shockingly different from Kristina because she is fearless, open, and rebellious, but also a user of Crank. Her life begins a dark and downward spiral as a wild, ecstatic ride following in the footsteps of her drug addict father turns into a struggle through fear for her mind, her soul, and ultimately her one and only life.
Why I Picked it Up: I picked this book up because I had heard nothing but good things about this author and this award winning book. Several of my friends had read this title and many of her other books and they could not stop talking about it.
Why I Finished It: I finished it because, like most books, I had to find out what happened. It also didn't hurt that this book was written in verse so while it looks like a long book, it actually reads quite fast.
I’d Give this Book To: I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in reading a book that deals with drugs and how negatively it can impact one's life. This has been a very educational book in a realistic fictional way.

**Librarian Side Note** Did you know this book is based on the true story of the author's daughter? There are 2 companion books that follow this too, so you can find out what happens to Kristina and her family. The second book is called Glass, and the third book is called Fallout. The author has written several other books in the same free verse style, so if you like the way this is written, check out some of her other titles!

Labels: A.T., poetry, trilogy

Reviewed By: S.
This book takes place way into the future where the government controls everything. They decide everything from what you eat to who you will marry and have a number of kids with. Cassia is matched with her best friend, a boy from her borough, which is extremely rare. But, her love for him changes when she meets Ky and his status is an Aberration. They form a close bond and later on, Cassia isn't sure if her heart belongs to Xander or Ky.
Why I Picked it Up: My Self-Sustained Reading teacher read this book to us as a read aloud.
Why I Finished It: One of the most intriguing sci-fi books ever!!!
I’d Give this Book To: Anyone who likes sci-fi and doesn't mind a little romance.

**Librarian Side Note** Did you know this book is part of trilogy! The second book is called Crossed, and the last book is called Reached!

Labels: fantasy, S., trilogy

Reviewed By: K.H.
The dramatic story of Sam Childs and his family in The Rock and the River is intensified by the deep and eerie voice of the audiobook narrator, Dion Graham. Sam is the son of Roland Childs who is a Civil Rights leader and works closely with Martin Luther King, Jr. For his whole life Sam and his brother were taught the importance of peaceful protest and activism to guarantee the rights of all people. However, it is difficult for his brother to sit by and watch as black families in their town continue to lose their jobs, suffer maltreatment from the police and live without being able to meet their basic needs. Sam’s brother, Stick, finds the answer in the Black Panthers. Together with the organization he provides breakfast for children before school and works hard to start a medical facility in the poorest part of town. The dissonance between Roland Child’s peaceful activism and Stick’s forceful demands for human rights leaves Sam feeling useless and confused, mirroring what young children in dire situations may still feel today. The Rock and the River will keep readers at the edge of their seat and reminds us all the importance of standing up for human rights.
Why I Picked it Up: I picked this book up for class.
Why I Finished It: It was so intense that I couldn't put it down.
I’d Give this Book To: I would recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about civil rights and family values that don't always mix.

**Librarian Side Note** Did you know there is a sequel to this book? It's called Fire in the Streets...and we own it! Get in the Library to check it out today!

Labels: historical fiction, K.H.