Featured Teen Book Review of the Week: Beautiful Music for Ugly Children

AK reviewed this book before the library even got its copy, I'm impressed!  Been hearing good things about this book, so glad to get a review of it.

Beautiful Music for Ugly Children 
 4 stars. 
 
Describe the book: Gabe is a transgender male who gets a volunteer radio job for one hour each week, Fridays at midnight, from a good radio friend and neighbor of his named John. Being a radio DJ is his first experience being Gabe in public, and even gains a fanbase, but things get stirred up when a student finds out that Gabe is also Liz from their high school. 

What did you think: I read this book in 4 short hours, I couldn't put it down. I like to read lgbtq books, and the huge musical part of the book also grabbed me too because I love music, so it holds two things that grab my interest. I also like how it's not about accepting yourself as trans, but beginning the process of showing the world your true identity. 

Who would you recommend it to: gr8+, lgbtq, music, friends, relationships, family

 - A.K. (Grade 10) from Mill Creek Library

AK...I'll be sending you a book tomorrow, care of Danielle at the Mill Creek Library :)

Featured Teen Book Review of the Week: Whirligig

This week's book review of the week features a title I've long been a fan of, and am delighted to see people are still discovering!  

Whirligig

3 stars.

Describe the book: Brent, a 17 yr old, gets in a car crash and kills the person in the other car. For repentance the deceased Lea's mother asked him to build whirligigs in the 4 corners of the US, as doing so he slowly heals...and his whirligigs have some interesting effects on the people who find them.

What did you think: I loved it, specifically the last whirligig he built in Main, I'm not ruining it, but its interesting, and has a small sense of closure.

Who would you recommend it to: People who like books that are probable.

 - B.K. (Grade 9) from Arlington Library


B...I'll be sending you a surprise book to the Arlington Library.  Jocelyn, our teen librarian there, will let you know when it arrives!

Featured Teen Book Review of the Week: Crank

 I love the enthusiasm AL brings to this review, and that she is willing to give the novel-in-verse "poem-type writing" a chance.

Crank
4 stars.

Describe the book: Crank is about a girl named Kristina who is taken over by a 'monster' that controls her life. This monster is the drug meth. As Kristina develops her relationship with the monster, she turns more and more to her alternate self "Bree". This story is told in poem from and is spectacular!

What did you think: I loved this book. At first it really creeped me out (in a good way)and the writing confused me a little, but once I got the hang of it I totally fell in love with her poem-type writing!

Who would you recommend it to: People who like psychological thrillers and poetry

A.L. (Grade 11) from Snohomish Library

Featured Teen Book Review of the Week: Can I See Your I.D.?

I love it when teens tell me about an exciting book I've never heard of before!  I bet I'll be bringing this one out to the schools on my next booktalk.

Can I See Your I.D.?

4 stars.

Describe the book: Ten imposters pass themselves off as people they aren't. A high school dropout spends days as a high-ranked navy surgeon. A poor woman pretends to be a foreign princess. A white man takes a few pill and then instantly explores the world as an African American.

What did you think: These stories were mind-blowing. I thought Mary was quite clever when she used other people's tales to create her own royal life story, and I was impressed when John figured out how to live life disguised as an African American. I was also awed at Solomon's courage. I think it would be so difficult to pose as someone you're not just to stay alive.

Who would you recommend it to: People who want to read shocking yet true stories

- R.B. (Grade 8) from Granite Falls Library

Thanks for the tip R.B.!  Unfortunately, I can only send prizes to our local libraries, and while you put down Granite Falls, your home address is in Virginia.  Let me know if you've moved :)

Featured Teen Book Review of the Week: Struck

If there is anything I love, it is an honest book review. And M.B. from Marysville is NOT afraid to pan a book when she doesn't like it:

Struck
0 stars.

Describe the book: Mia Price is addicted to getting struck by lightning. After having to relocate because of her dangerous ability, she thinks she has finally started to escape her addiction, but when a massive quake strikes San Francisco and a giant lightning storm threatens to take out the survivors, it's up to Mia to save the world.  

What did you think: This was terrible. I thought I was getting a book about a girl addicted to lighting trying to get over her issues in the face of a deadly earthquake, but instead I got random religious cults warring, dumb plot twists, and obnoxiously unlikeable characters who don't really make me like them any better by the end of the book.  

Who would you recommend it to: Don't read it. Seriously. It's weird.

- M.B. (Grade 11) from Marysville Library

Ok...M.B. I'm sending you another book, hopefully one you enjoy a whole lot more.   Happy Teen Read Month!

Featured Teen Book Review of the Week: Way to Go

During Teen Read Month, we are going to feature (and reward) teen reviews of books you might not have heard of before, but deserve some recognition.  For the first week of the month, we have this 2012 titles, with 4 copies waiting to be checked out right now! 

Way to Go by Tom Ryan

4 stars.

Describe the book: Danny starts his first job at a reopened restaurant one summer in his small hometown of Deep Cove. He's almost positive he's gay, but is afraid of the backlash he would get around town, so he befriends a super cool girl at the restaurant named Lisa, hoping that their friendship will wash away the rumors of his schoolmates, despite that they're true

What did you think: I liked it a lot to the point where I finished in less than 24 hours; I really liked a lot of the characters. One of Danny's friends, Kierce, was really annoying, though; but annoying in a way that will make you keep reading to see what happens. Lisa was also a really great character, and I liked seeing Danny discover what he wants to do in life.

Who would you recommend it to: gr7+, lgbtq, friendship, relationships, realistic

- A.K. (Grade 10) from Mill Creek Library

A.K. will receive a surprise book, sent to the Mill Creek Library in a few days.

Teen Review of the Week: A Voice in the Wind

Here's a belated TRW as I got sick and shirked my duties. Sorry all! I'll return you to your regularly scheduled TRW on Sunday.

A Voice In The Wind by Francine Rivers


Description:

This is now my most favorite book! Set in Rome, this book is about a captured Christian named Hadassah, and a parallel story about a captured Germanic gladiator named Atretes. Hadassah's master is a 16-year old aristocrat girl named Julia. She falls in love with her Julia's brother, Marcus. A tale of faith, love, murder, and real Rome.

My Thoughts:

I loved seeing both Atretes and Marcus change from "animals" into real men. What an affect women can have on them, seriously!

Recommendation:
Sentimental fiction, Christian Fiction, Rome

--RH, grade 9, Edmonds Library

If you'd like a chance at being the Teen Review of the Week, be sure to submit your reviews! I'll be sending RH a free copy of the new Amy Goldman Koss title The Not So Great Depression.

Teen Review of the Week: Sisters Red

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Description:
Scarlett and Rosie March have always shared one heart. That is, until the day a type of werewolf known as a Fenris attacked them and stole Scarlett's eye when she attempted to protect Rosie. Now, she is utterly dedicated to the hunt, to slaying the beasts that ruined her life. But Rosie dreams of a life outside the hunt, a life free of Fenris...

My Thoughts:
I cannot give the book an accurate summary with the few characters I am given. Seriously, Sisters Red is an amazing book. Pearce writes emotions well, makes her characters believable, makes you love them and hate them and feel sorry for them all at the same time. Let me just say, I only feel one of those things for Sisters Red- L-O-V-E love!

Recommendation:
EVERYONE! READ THE BOOK, DANGIT!

--M.B., grade 9, Marysville

If you'd like a chance at being the Teen Review of the Week, be sure to submit your reviews! I'll be sending MB a free copy of The Girl Who Became a Beatle by Greg Taylor.

Teen Review of the Week: The Other Side of Truth

The Other Side of Truth by Beverly Naidoo

Description:
This book is about 2 young Nigerian children fleeing the county after their journalist father writes about something that offends the government and military, resulting in the murder of the children's mother. This story takes place in modern day London an it follows them through the foster homes, trying to find thir father.

My Thoughts:
I liked the part when they find their uncle

Recommendation:
Middle school kids; it is really slow

--M.M., Stanwood, grade 8

I'll be sending a copy of Girl, Stolen by April Henry to Stanwood Library for MM. If you'd like a chance at being the Teen Review of the Week, be sure to submit your reviews!

Teen Review of the Week: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

Description:
Cammie Morgan is a 15 year old girl who attends a school called the Gallagher Academy, a school for female spies in training. Cammie meets a boy named Josh and begins a secretive relationship with him, the whole time having to keep her secret.

My Thoughts:
Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this book. When I first picked it up I was annoyed with the author's writing style but as I read I didn't notice anymore. I was really into this book and finished it in a couple of days. Thumbs up!

Recommendation:
Girls 6th grade and up.

--A.A., grade 10, Snohomish

AA will be receiving a free copy of Sequins, Secrets, and Silver Linings by Sophia Bennett, so if you want a chance at winning a free book, be sure to submit your reviews, here!

Teen Review of the Week: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Description:
Yalena has been in prision for a while before she is offered a way out of being executed, becoming the general's food taster. Her choices are grim either way. If she accepts the job, she'll be slowly poisoned, if she doesn't she gets hung. Yaleana thinks it through, and chooses the choice that she thinks she can elude death in easier.

My Thoughts:
I really liked this book because it's adventurous and different than most other books I've read. Yaleana is a spirited character, and she reminds me somewhat of myself, only different. My favorite part is near the end, but obvoiusly I can't tell you about it because then you'd know how the story ends!

Recommendation:
Fiction-romance-magic lovers. People like me.

--K.S., grade 8, Lynnwood

KS will be receiving a free copy of Captivate by Carrie Jones. If you want a chance at winning a free book, be sure to submit your review!

Teen Review of the Week: We Hear the Dead

We Hear the Dead by Dianne K. Salerni

Description:
Maggie and Kate Fox decide to play a prank on their relative by pretending to be ghost whisperers. Soon enough, the prank spreads until the nation believes they can communicate with the dead, creating an entire new subculture and the dawn of spiritualism. Based on a true story.

My Thoughts:
I thought the story was wonderful, especially because most of it was real. I thought it was a little bit too slow paced through and drawn out longer than it should have. A lot of the story was repetitive for the second half and the romantic situation was absolutely irritating. My favorite part had to be Dr. Kane's stories of adventure

Recommendation:
historical fiction lovers; young adults; romantics

--K.R., grade 12, Marysville Library

I'll be sending KR a copy of The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. If you want a chance at winning a free book, be sure to submit your review!

Teen Review of the Week: Captivate by Carrie Jones

Captivate by Carrie Jones

Description:
Zara and her friends thought that they'd solved the pixie problem after they locked her father, the pixie king, and his court up. Apparently, they were wrong. As it turns out, there is more than one pixie king, and more and more pixies begin to flock to their tiny little town in Maine, all after the same things: Power- and Zara.

My Thoughts:
I loved Need. Absolutely LOVED Need. So my question is to why Carrie Jones didn't stop there. Captivate was just a complete train wreck compared to Need and I was bored out of my mind. The characters I once loved became hated enemies, and the book itself became so loathe-worthy I couldn't even finish. And that's saying something.

Recommendation:
Nobody. Just stick with the first book.

M.B., grade 9, Marysville

I'll be sending MB a free book for her review! Don't forget to submit a review for your chance at a free book!

SUPERSIZED: Teen Reviews of the Week (TRW)

Things have been hectic in the library as we reached the deadline for all of the Summer Teen Events, so I've missed a few weeks of TRW. Never fear, we're about to get all caught up. I'll also say that these were the toughest reviews yet to choose from! Do yourself a favor and check out all of the teen reviews. You're sure to stock up on great books for spring break!

For reviews submitted February 20-26:

The Land of Elyon: The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman

Description:
Alexa Daley has always dreamed of venturing outside the walls that comfine her inside Bridelwell. Then the day comes that she discovers the secret entrance that leads out of Bridewell and into the unexplored territory outside the walls, and her life changes from dull to anything but dull.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed the part where Alexa's enemy, Pervis Kotcher, is found out by Alexa's father to be an evil man.This book was extremely entertaining and it was difficult for me to put it down!Whenever I had some free time from school, I would pick it up and find a comfy spot to sit and read in. I'm planning to read the sequel, Valley of the Thorns.

Recommendation:
This book would be great for adventure lovers!

--J.S., grade 7, Mill Creek

For the week February 27- March 5:

Anthem by Ayn Rand

Description:
A totalitarian government tries to keep a utopic society by controlling their citizen's minds through fear and hate. However, one citizen begins to question the role of the government and begins to develop individuality.

My Thoughts:
I really like this book and it made me think in a different perspective about individualism and the definition of the word "I".

Recommendation:
High Schoolers

H.L., grade 10, Mukilteo

For the week March 6-12:

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

Description:
After killing the first Iron King, surviving the cold of the Winter Court- and being exiled, to top it all off- you'd think Meghan Chase would FINALLY catch a break. Wrong. Now faced with an offer at a second chance- defeat the new Iron King and have the exiles on her, Ash, and Puck lifted- Meghan must make a choice, one that might change it all.

My Thoughts:
I have to say that I was disappointed. After waiting so long for this to come out, the poor writing and obnoxiousness of this book was a huge let-down. I expected something epic, and got absolute blah. Shame, Julie, shame. Nonetheless, I couldn't put the stupid thing down. I'm afraid this is one crappy series I must keep up on, despite it all.

Recommendation:
Fans of fey, readers of the other two books

M.B., grade 9, Marysville

I'll be sending JS, HL, MB free books for them to pick up at their local Sno-Isle Library! Don't forget to send in your reviews for your chance to win!

Teen Review of the Week (TRW): The Battle of the Labrynth

The Battle Of the Labrynth by Rick Riordan

Description:
Percy Jackson is back for more trouble, starting with setting his mom's new boyfriend's school on fire. From happy meals to erupting Mount Saint Helens, Percy is in for a HUGE summer.

My Thoughts:
I love this book, and all it's brothers and sisters. My favorite part was Calypso and Ogygia. :)

Recommendation:
Mythology freaks

--R.T., Sultan, grade 9

I'll be sending R.T. a free book, so don't forget to send in your reviews!

Teen Review of the Week (TRW): Castaways of the Flying Dutchman by Brian Jacques

Castaways of the Flying Dutchman by Brian Jacques

Description:
A mute 14-year-old nameless boy runs away from his life as a abused orphan. Without knowing it, he steals a ride on the Flying Dutchman. When the ship docks at Esbjerg, a dog walks onto the deck and becomes friends with the boy. Throughout the novel, the boy and the dog strengthen the bond between their friendship.

My Thoughts:
I love how the boy ,who is later named Neb by the cook on the ship, befriends the dog and they become great companions, always working together as a team.

Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to middle schoolers.

--H.L., Mukilteo, grade 10

I'll be sending H.L. a free book, so don't forget to send in your reviews!

Teen Review of the Week (TRW): The Snowball Effect by Holly Nicole Hoxter

The Snowball Effect by Holly Nicole Hoxter

Description:
After losing both her step-father and her mother, Lainey's life gets turned up side down. She reconnects with her estranged sister who she hasn't seen in 10 years that is now her 5 year old brother's guardian. She most importantly has to decide whether to stay with her boyfriend or a new guy she met.

My Thoughts:
I thought it was a great book. I always wanted to know more.

Recommendation:
People who enjoy spontaneous things.

--A.K., grade 8, Arlington

I'll be sending A.K. a free book, so don't forget to send in your reviews!

Teen Review of the Week: Zombies vs. Unicorns

Zombies vs. Unicorns edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier

Description:
It has been argued for centuries by countless scholars. Now, a collection of short stories by authors such as Libba Bray, Scott Westerfeld, and Carrie Ryan will answer the question. Who is better? Zombies or Unicorns?

My Thoughts:
Okay, as my friend so rightly put it, Zombies vs. Unicorns was "an addicting waste of time." I couldn't agree more. Most of the stories were okay at best, and yet I couldn't put it down. I was disapponted that some of my favorite authors (coughcough Cassandra Clare and Scott Westerfeld) didn't do the best job with their stories.

Recommendation:
Anyone who likes zombies or unicorns

--M.B., grade 9, Marysville

I'll be sending M.B. a free book, so don't forget to enter your review!

Teen Review of the Week: Rock Star Superstar by Blake Nelson

Rock Star Superstar by Blake Nelson

Description:
Blake Nelson’s book, Rock Star Superstar, revolves around Pete McGrady’s vision of being successful. Pete’s journey begins as a sophomore bassist playing in the band Mad Skillz. But when they can’t get off the ground due to absence of enthusiasm, Pete’s friend Kevin employs him and a couple other friends to be in his alternate rock band. Showtime!

My Thoughts:
Kids who have an interest in bands and music will definitely adore this book. There are numerous parts that talk about the exhilarating experience known as playing live and just being in a band. I really enjoyed Blake Nelson’s unique writing style. Mind-numbing authors state the obvious, but noble authors like Blake Nelson subtly imply it.

Recommendation:
Musicians, Teens, Awesome People.

--J.S., grade 9, Marysville

I'm going to send J.S. a free book up in Marysville. Laura, the teen librarian there, will let J.S. know when it arrives!

Submit your review for a chance at a free book!