Book Review- I'd Tell you I Love You , But then I'd Have to Kill You

Book Review

Carter, Ally., Disney Hyperion, 2006, ISBN- 9781423100034



Fifteen year old Cameron who is a spy with many gifts, who attends the Gallagher Academy and her mother is the headmistress of Gallagher Academy.  Cameron knows how to accomplish her goals by any mean necessary, until her teenage desire stops her in her tracks.  Josh Abrams (the subject) is attracted to Cameron and thinks that she is a regular teenage girl. Cameron has mutual feelings for Josh. After many lies and secrets Josh is uncertain about the whole relationship.  Carter presents honesty, dishonesty, friendships, feelings and discion making, Violence, sex and common language used by teens in this wonderful piece of work.  Carter uses common behaviors of teens and not so common behaviors of teens.  Building the plot around a teen girl attending a spy academy provides an interesting twist and keeps the reader reading just to see what adventure Cameron will engage in next and how will it turn out. Learning how to talk to boys could be Cameron's biggest job yet as Cameron learns her true self worth. 

" Carter's diverting entry into the flurry of teen espionage novels flashing loads of girl power"  Publishers Weekly

"Clearly chick lit for teens"- Children's Literature

"Raudman's overly dramatic narration is appropriate for the story and will keep listeners interested,"- School Library

Discussion Questions

1.  In the beginning did Cameron want to tell Josh the truth?

2.  Do you think Cameron's dishonesty to Josh was fair?

3. Why was having a relationship so tough for Cameron and how could she have handled this situation better?

Book Review- Vanishing Act

Feinstein, John, Yearling/Random House,  ISBN -9780440421252

Steve Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson pride themselves on mystery solving.  Steve and Susan have not seen each other in a while, in the past Steve and Susan worked on a project together and after they remained in touched with each other.  Steve and Susan both are in the reporting and writing  business.  Susan Carol gets an assignment cover the U.S. open and convinces Steve to come alone.  Steve gets a job as well and they both go to Washington.  Before the opening starts Nadia Makarova  one of the popular tennis players are missing and Steve and Susan Carol find themselves solving another mystery.  Steve and Susan Carol takes their job to a higher level and holds nothing back at expressing their eagerness to to work through a conversation with Kelleher who is a supervisor at the Washington Post "enough Kelleher exploded as if reading Steve's mind.  "We need to decide what to do next." He looked at Susan Carol and Steve. " You guys still up for working on this?'  "Are you kidding?" Steve said. " Of course we are. Intrigue is our specialty, don't you remember?".  Feinstein presented a live professional sporting event he used real scenes Arthur Ashe Stadium, Feinstein used both real and fictional sports players, and other personal of the US Open.
Feinstein uses action and suspense to keep the reader engaged, however if the reader is not familiar with the terms in tennis or the sports arena it may take a while to follow this novel.  Feinstein displayed bravery, determination, friendship, and foul play in the easy to read novel.

Discussion Questions

1.  Was Nadia really kidnapped and why?
2. Why was Steve and Susan Carol willing to solve this mystery?
3.What interest does Kelleher have in this mystery?

"The mystery will hold readers to the very end,culminating in an exciting match and surprise arrest"- Kirkus

"Although the main characters are predictable , the use of kid-friendly terminology, contemporary personalities in the tennis world, and factual information about the game may appeal to savvy tennis fans."-  School library Journal

   

Book Review- Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes

Biography - Crutcher, Chris, Greenwillow Books, 1993, ISBN 9780060094898

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes   produced and outstanding has a very attractive book cover that is colorful and sparks the readers interest.  On the inside the author reveals outstanding literature that develops slow and strong.  Eric Calhoune who was called (Moby) by his peers due to his obesity.  Sarah Byrnes a badly scared young lady who is Eric's friend.  Eric and Sarah became friends due to the fact that both of them were considered outcast because of their appearance by their classmates.  Eric and Sarah Byrnes who only wanted to be called by her full name are loyal and do not want to lose their friendship.  Eric joins the swim team and begins to lose weight, however he continues his bad eating habits to stay fat so he want lose Sarah Byrnes as his friend.  Sarah Byrnes shuts down and stop speaking and has to go to a mental ward,  because she she fears her abusive father and thinks he may return.  Crutcher presents so many elements in this novel that the reader will find a connection .  Crutcher shows peer pressure, bullying, abuse, violence, poor self-image, religion, suicide, depression, friendship, humor, courage, and self- awareness.  All of the characters were true to life, and active., each one had their own problems but were able to work together to help each other.  This is a great fit for readers ages 12-14.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you know someone thats consisdered an outcast and how does this label affect them?

2.  Do you think that Eric's tacktics to help Sarah was effective or could it have be better?

3. What was so powerful about this group of students labeled outcast that made them over come their issues?

1997- California Young Reader Medal- Young Adult
1995- Joan Fassler Memorial Book Award for Best Medical-Related Children's Book

"superb plotting, extraordinary characters and crackling narrative make this novel one to be devoured in a single unforgettable sitting"-  Publishers Weekly

"Crutcher places the issues of shame, narrow-mindedness, and abuse.  Once the story takes hold you move along at such a rapid clip that by the end you're holding on for dear life"- Children's Literature

" A story about a friendship with staying power, written with pathos and pointed humor"  School Library Journal



 

Twisted

Book Review

Anderson, Laurie Halse, Penguin Group, 2008, ISBN 9780142411

Twisted is simply awesome.  Tyler Miller a teenager from a family with economic stability attends a local public high school.  Tyler has a reputation of being seen but not seen as important among his peers. Tyler's reputation changes after he commits the act of creating graffiti on school property and is arrested, and sentenced to a rough community service project that not only builds his character but his statue as well.   Now Tyler has a new look, a new reputation and a new admirer that had never given him the much wanted attention before.  Tyler participates in a uncertain situation when he returns the attention to his admirer Bethany who is also the daughter of her fathers boss and the sister of one of biggest bullies in Tyler's world.  Tyler is a teen that is face with life head on holding nothing back and taking him to thoughts of wanting to escape by death.  Anderson did an impeccable job of bring this novel to life.  Tyler's character makes the reader feel all of his experiences, Anderson allows Tyler to express his thoughts with improper grammar and swearing.  Anderson revealed real life issues that teens may experience peer pressure, bullying, getting trouble, sex, drinking, family trouble, identity, honesty, emotions, death, running away, and maturing.  Tyler's turn point was well presented  when stated " I'm not the problem here " Anderson's introduces another side of Tyler with this statement that keeps the  reader wanting to read more.  This book is good for young adults as well as mature high school students.

Discussion questions
1.  What  led Tyler to his insecurities before he was arrested? And what could he have done to prevent this?

2. What part did Tyler's family play in his identiy ?

3. What undercover issues may have hunted Bethany and her brother ?

4. What are altenative actions could Tyler have taken after his summer work experiences?

5. What do you think about the behavior Bethany displayed at the party and what could Tyler have done about it?

Kirkus Starred Reviews- "Poignant and gripping"
KLIATT - " A Laurie Halse Anderson novel comes with certain standard features:lively prose, witty descriptions, short chapters, tense action, and complex characters"

 Margaret A Edwards Award 2009

Hope Was Here

Book Review

Bauer, Joan, Puffin Books, 2002, ISBN 014240424

Hope is a sixteen year old girl that's had a few hard knocks in life but has learned to bounce back, Hope is being raised by her aunt Addie in Brooklyn who takes on another job in Wisconsin working at a diner.  Hope and her aunt Addie meet many people but one special person is G.T. the owner of the diner who is not in the best of health, but decides to run for Mayor.  Hope and her aunt Addie builds a strong relationship with G.T.   Bauer displays family issues, career growth, building relationships, broken relationships, illness, corruptness, and politics Bauer presented  a hard working teen dealing with hand of life that  has been presented to her.  Hope  obviously wants to make a statement by leaving her symbol behind when she moves  "Hope was Here".  Bauer builds a realistic true to life story,  she allows the characters to say things that makes the reader think that they are face to face with the character.  Bauer shows this teen mature side when Hope states " because Hope is something that everyone needs"  after explaing why so many customers order her name sake sandwich Keep Hoping.   Bauer reveals a happy sad but better life twist. This is a good read for teens and young adults.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Hope continued to have hope ?

2. What type of influence does G.T. have on Hope and Addie and why?

3. Was Addie and G.T. leaders why or why not ? and what does a strong leader needs?

4. What part does Hope play in the campaign? How does she gain her helpful skills?

A Newbry Honor Book

Winner of the Chrostopher Award

Kirkus-Review- " This wacky ride through affairs of the heart never grows predictable"

Publishers weekly- "Readers are likely to gobble this up so much comfort food"

Along For the Ride

Book Review

Dessen, Sarah, Along For the Ride, Penguin Group, April 2011, ISBN- 0142415561

Experiencing divorce as strong as her parents typical teenager Auden realizes that stills need to live life a little.  Auden works hard to please both of her parents by remaining academically acceptable. To get a break from academics Auden decided to visit her father and stepmom for the summer that lives on the beach.  Auden also has a new sibling in her life.  On her vacation opportunity reveals itself to Auden she has a chance to work for her stepmother in her boutique, meet other teens, and her social life develops with parties and more. She meets a young man named Eli and develops a strong liking for him. Author Dessen depicts a divorced family, a blended family, friendships, death and maturing from the eyes of a teen that has learned to cope with life issues and makes the decision to explore life.  Dessen presents the characters in such a real manner the reader instantly connects Dessen used language with expression typical of teenagers “it was simply annoying just like everything else about my stepmother, Heidi”.  The plot is so realistic it keeps the attention of the reader and provides encouragement to turn the next page.  Dessen reveals the growth of teens in a positive way.  This book’s cover provides a hint of mystery which sparks interest at the front of the book a map that makes you wonder where it will lead.  This book is a great easy read the author brought realism to the highest level imaginable.  

Discussion questions after reading.

  What do you think made Auden decided to have a change from her normal pace of academics to visiting her father?

 How do Auden and Eli connect?

  How are the dynamics of these character similar to your or someone you know?

The Horn Book Review- “Rounding out her latest offering with richly depicted female friendships, Dessen offers up a summertime tale of self-discovery”

Kirkus Review- “This wacky ride through affairs of the heart never grows predictable”

Indigo Teen Read Award, 2010

Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, 2011
Iowa Teen Award, 2011-2012