love is in the air

My first love’s name was Darren. Oh how I loved that boy or so I thought as I look back at that time. I remember the intensity of it and the heartache when it came to an end. Love is makes the world go around. At times it makes you feel like you are on a rollercoaster, ups, downs, twists and turns. Could he or she be the one? Or is it an infatuation that will eventually fade? Your first love will probably be the one you remember for the rest of your life. You may have other loves as you grow but this the one that you can never forget. I understand why you may like to read romance books – they give you something to relate to or allow you to dream about something you could have. There are all sorts of romance books out there for people your age. Some are more P.G. while others have a little edge to them. Check out my list of romantic choices below.

Sarah Dessen books
Reading is Sarah Dessen’s books are like eating Doritos; you can’t read just one. All of her books seem to have a girl learning and growing, going through changes and romantic undertones. If I had to choose, probably my favorite would be This Lullaby. I think it is because the girl in the story is such a cynic and really doesn’t believe in love. She is what you would call a serial dater letting down the guy before they get close. You can’t really blame her when her mother is on her 5th marriage and her dad is not in the picture. Is there anyone that can get Remy to settle down? Maybe that loveable Dexter has a chance…..

How Not to Spend your Senior Year – Cameron Dokey
Jo and her family are always on the move. It is not by choice either. Jo and her father are in the witness protection program. Considering how many places she has lived it, she knows all the tricks on how to blend in. She lives where she lives now – she actually has a best friend and the hottest guy in school has taken an interest her. It shouldn’t surprise you that as things were going well; Jo has to move…again. But what about Alex, the guy she likes? This is not the end of story by a long shot. When you are in the witness protection program you are not supposed to have contact with anyone from your old life when you assume a new identity. Jo is having a tough time with that and devises a plan to stay in touch with her old friends. If you enjoy romantic comedies then you will enjoy this book. I had fun watching Jo get out the messes she created for herself while being dead.

A Novel Idea – Aimee Friedman
How many times have you joined a club or activity just to get a guy’s attention? I think we have done stupid things at one time or another. Some backfire while others can be considered a success. Looking to beef up her extra curricular activities for her college application, Norah starts up a book club. Everything is going pretty good and then James joins the group and Norah finds herself attracted to him. Did I mention that she was pretty unlucky in love? When you are unlucky in love, sometimes the craziest ideas seem sane. The group for her was no longer about literature but more about snagging James. Unfortunately for her most of her attempts don’t work out the way she wants but lucky for her he was interested in her anyway.

Twilight – Stephenie Meyers
If you thought Romeo and Juliet were star crossed lovers then you need to read twilight which is the ultimate story of dangerous love. Twilight is the story of Bella and Edward. They first meet after she moves to Forks to live with her father. It was impossible not to notice Edward. Besides it being a small school, Edward is absolutely Adonis perfect with his porcelain skin and ocher eyes. What girl would not be attracted to a guy like that? But Edward has a secret – he is a vampire. At first he tries to keep his distance because he is so attracted to her blood lust wise but finally gives in and a relationship begins. Complications arise as the pair grows closer putting Bella’s family and friends in harm’s way.

Romiette and Julio – Sharon Draper
Ever thing that you would see a retelling of the classic Romeo and Juliet story with a happy ending? In many ways, Romiette and Julio are quite similar to the star crossed lover Romeo and Juliet. Both come from very proud families. Instead of meeting at a feast, they meet in a chat room. Turns out they live in the same town and go to the same school. They start hanging out but not everybody is happy about it - her parents and a gang at school who has their eyes on him. However, Romiette and Julio think it is fate, kismet that they met and that they are soul mates. An explosive event takes place which brings the couple closer and finally the admiration and respect from the both of the party’s parents. Awww……

Hearts Delight – Per Nilsson
I think we all are memory collectors especially if you have mementos of love locked up in your heart. Love books are not just for girls as you will see when you read this book about the ups and downs of first love and break ups from a guy’s point of view. Heart’s Delight, as the narrator calls her is his first true love. She was this gorgeous and mysterious red head he met on the bus while going back to school. Soon they started talking then fell in love but then they fell out of love and now all he wants to do is get rid of the memories he has.

If You Come Softly - Jacqueline Woodson
Love doesn’t really care what color your skins is. Ellie and Jeremiah are in love. The problem is that he is black and she is white and Jewish. The skin color issue doesn’t bother them but it bothers the rest of the world as they think their relationship in not appropriate. What kind of world do they or we for that matter have to live in to make a relationship like that work?

Forever – Judy Blume
Is it possible while you’re still a teenager to experience a love so strong that it will last a life time? This book has been around for a long time – I read it when I was in high school and you will do the same thing I did after I finished it – I passed it around to my friends. In books today we see a lot of sexually active teens but back when this book came out that topic was a no- no and she tackled the topic with sensitivity.

A Walk to Remember and The Notebook – Nicholas Sparks
I always tell people when they read a Nicholas Sparks book they better have a box of tissues nearby. Both A Walk to Remember and The Notebook is about the ups and downs of first love. In, A Walk to Remember, she begs him not to fall in love with her but of course the heart thinks differently than the brain. Who would’ve thought that the goody-two shoes daughter of the town’s minister would fall in love with the school jock that really has some growing up to do could find a love so simple and pure. As for the Notebook, it deserves to be mentioned when you are naming classic love stories. The book was so much more than just two kids from different sides of the tracks falling in love.

Honey, Baby, Sweetheart – Deb Caletti
When Ruby, a shy girl falls in love with the rich handsome boy on a motorcycle she thinks she has pretty much died and gone to heaven. A dream come true. Interestingly, while things are looking up for Ruby in the romance department, her mother’s is crumbling around her as her father walks in and out of her life. Turns out Travis wasn’t Prince Charming after all and Ruby should’ve kicked him to the curb but some things are easier said than done. This story has heart and by the end both Ruby and her mother will know the true meaning of love.

Seventeenth Summer – Maureen Daly
If a story is good enough then it can stand the passages of time. Seventeenth Summer is actually a reprint – the original story was published in 1942 when the author was still in college and in love for the first time. Angie and Jack are easy to relate to. Daly perfectly portrays the giddy feelings of first love. Read this book – it won’t be one you soon forget.

The Real Deal

What do you section do you normally gravitate to when you are in the library or a bookstore? Do you head straight to the fiction section so you can find a book to escape the drudgeries life brings us or do you go to a the non fiction section in hopes of learning something new and interesting? Now I know some of you out there wouldn’t dare pick up a non-fiction book if you didn’t have to but you should be aware in case you want to that there are all sorts of great non fiction books and believe it or not those books can be as much fun to read as the fiction .Does the idea of traveling to distant places, revisiting the past, learning a new hobby, peeking into the lives of famous people, solving a crime interest you then check out my list of very readable non-fiction books.

Seabiscuit – Lauren Hildenbrand
I can’t say enough about this book. I have no interest in horseracing, never been to the track but the story of Seabiscuit grabbed me from page one. If you pass this book by because you think it is just about horseracing, it’s your loss. The real story is about being the underdog and having the strength, the will to win against adversity. Seabiscuit, crooked legs and all, won the hearts of Americans.

In the Midnight Garden of Good and Evil – John Berendt
After reading this book I so wanted to move to Savannah. The book had it all: sex, lies and murder. Savannah it seems to have some pretty interesting residents. It reads like a good mystery novel but yet it’s work of nonfiction. It’s the story of a shooting that happened in the wee hours of the morning that the people of Savannah will talk about for years to come. The big question: was it murder or self defense?

Soul Surfer – Bethany Hamilton
Picture the headline: Great white shark biting off a girl’s arm while surfing. Ouch! I saw her first on Oprah and was quite impressed then with her bravery which she says is due all to her family and faith in God. If I didn’t see her on Oprah, I may have passed by the book in the library – I am glad I decided to read it. Bethany, in an easy to read narrative tone talks about her life before the accident and how her life has changed after the abccident. One thing that hasn’t changed – she is still surfing. You, go girl!

The Burn Journals – Brent Runyan
Brett is 30 years old. Big deal, right? Actually it is a big deal because 16 years ago his life almost came to an end because of a suicide attempt. When he was 14 Brent came home from school, poured gasoline all over his bathrobe, put it on and then lit a match. I bet you are thinking, “oh my god…” That was my first thought too. Written through the eyes of a 14 year old, we learn about the anguish, the depression he felt. He goes into vivid detail about the year after the attempt and the long and painful recovery afterwards. Good read for teens and adults alike.

Candy Freak - Steve Almond
The book was good so good that I wish I was eating the chocolate instead of just reading about it. I remember reading that he admitted to always having three to five pounds of candy in his house at all times. The dentist probably loves him. Writing a book about candy when you are obsessive about it is great for the reader as they will learn more about candy than ever thought possible. Almond, in a humorous tone, takes us on a candy journey that goes from one end of the country to the other. I leaned a lot about the candy business and the history of it in US. Don’t be surprised that when you done with the book, you have to fight the urge to rush down to your local candy store….

Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English dictionary – Simon Winchester
The title is what first grabbed my attention. I wanted to know what murder and insanity had to do with the making of a dictionary. It turns out that one of the most valuable contributors to the dictionary of living in an asylum for the criminally insane. What an incredible story. James Murray, the editor of the OED, put out an all call, asking the public to help with the publication by combing through thousands of newspapers, books, magazines and journals to come up with words and sentences they were used in. This all call is what brought him into contact with Dr. Charles Minor. Their relationship would last years. Murray actually thought Minor was on the staff of the asylum for years before finding out he was actually a patient. I guess they didn’t really do thorough background checks back then. The OED sits on the shelf in our library and every time I look at it I easily picture the history nestled between each page.

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers - Mary Roach
The feet with toe tag on it was what made me pick up this book. I was slightly horrified at first wondering what I was about to read. Anything you ever wanted to know about a dead body you will learn in this book. Fortunately there were no pictures. Play the “what is the first word you think of” game and use the word cadaver. What is the first word you think of when you think? Dead, stiff, ghastly, unmovable – those are all appropriate. Would you think of the word funny? Probably not but when you read this book you may change your tune because Roach manages to put some wit and humor into this topic. You won’t believe some of the uses for a cadaver!

True Notebooks – Mark Salzman
Salzman had reservations about teaching a creative writing class in LA Central Juvenile Hall to as part of the Inside Out Writers program. What kind of writing would you will get from high risk offenders living in juvenile hall? If you think a lot of anger would come out in their writing, you would be correct. They also wrote about their families and the gangs they were in and the crimes they committed. Nothing was sugarcoated in this book. Most of the kids at this juvie hall committed murder or other serious crimes. This book was about more than just writing, as you delve into the book, the sad commentary about our justice system fails our youth and minority is apparent.

Fantasy books for all

As a high school librarian, teachers are always asking me for book recommendations. In the beginning of every year, I always plan to sit down and write a list of recommendations but something always gets in the way I never start writing the list. Finally now with some free time and a laptop, I opening up the library vault in my head and writing down lists for people to use.


Fantasy : imaginative fiction featuring especially strange settings and grotesque characters —called also fantasy fiction


Inkheart and Dragon Rider - Cornelia Funke

Sometimes when I read a book I wish that I can join the characters on their escapades. It is easy to bury yourself in these wonderful books by Cornelia Funke. She puts in all the elements needed for a good fantastical book including an evil ruler. I was so looking forward to Dragon rider, the next book and I am happy to report that once again she did not let me down. Sure the book looks like it will take forever to read being that it is about 800 pages but that is soon forgotten as you go one of the many adventures of Firedrake and the rest of his crew.

The Onion Girl – Charles De Lint

His books prove that he is a gifted storyteller. The Onion Girl is about an artist named Jilly who compares herself to an onion – she has many layers like an onion but at the core a secret and a past she is trying to hide. This was one of the first fantasy books I ever read and I can thank a former student for turning me onto his books. If you like Onion Girl, check out The Blue Girl, another book in the Newford series.

Christopher Paolini’s Eragon and Eldest and the hopefully to be published soon, waiting with baited breath, book III of the Inheritance Trilogy

I got sucked into this story line at the beginning when Eragon found the blue beautiful stone which turns out to be an egg and it hatches a dragon, a race thought to be extinct. What Eragon does next, the choices he makes could destroy or save an empire. - who doesn’t like a good dragon story?

JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Ring series

If you are a fantasy fan, there is no way you can miss the this novel about life in Middle Earth

Garth Nix’s Abhorsen Trilogy (Sabriel, Lireal and Abhorsen)

A little on the dark side – this is not your run of the mill fantasy series about a young women’s battle with the hideous Dead.

The Sight and Fire Bringer -David Clement-Davies

There is a mysterious and terrifying power known as the sight and it sets off a battle that involves all of nature. If you like the Sight then don’t miss Fire bringer, another great animal fantasy that is about tells the story of a prophecy of a young deer who will be more with an oak leaf on his forward that will have the ability to communicate with everyone including humans thus preventing the destruction of the herd.

Blue Sword – Robin McKinley

You are not a true fantasy fan if you haven’t read a Robin McKinley book. Harry may seem like the typical heroine but as you read this book you will discover that she is anything but…..

Amelia Atwater Rhodes books

Take your pick of any one of her books - Hawksong, In the Forests of the night, Demon in my View, Shattered Mirror, Snakecharmer – you won’t be disappointed. This young lady, and when I say young, I mean young – she wrote the first one, In the Forests in the Night when she was just 13. Anne Rice who is the undisputable queen of Goth may just have to move over and give up her title.

Mists of Avalon – Marion Zimmer Bradley

Ms. Mac’s favorite book – if I don’t recommend the book she will. I was never a fan of Arthurian legends until I read this book. The retelling of the legend from the point of view of the women behind the throne totally rocked.

A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels – Libba Bray

Chick fantasy. Girls – you will totally love Gemma Doyle, the heroine of these books. The book’s storyline takes place in the Victorian times, at a mysterious boarding school – Spence Academy. Throw in some unique plot twists, a touch of romance, some elements of fantasy and a little mystery, you have the recipe for a great book I can’t wait for the third book, The Sweet Far Thing, in this series to be published in December.

Twilight – Stephenie Meyer

2006 Florida Teen Reads winner. The story of Bella, a human, in love with Edward, a vampire, can fall under so many categories – fantasy, horror, romance – it doesn’t matter where you put it because it is still a great read. Their attraction to each other is wrought with danger. She arouses a sensation in him that he works very hard to control – intense blood lust. The closer they get, the more precarious of a situation Bella finds herself in. Their struggle to make it work also becomes a struggle for survival. Truly, a love story with a bite (sorry for the pun).

The Uglies - Scott Westerfield

Our image, what we look like to ourselves as well as others is important in our society today – not many people would turn down the opportunity to be attractive but what if it comes with certain strings and consequences? This book made me think society we live in or could live in the future – leaves you on a cliffhanger note – great start to this trilogy. A 2007 Florida Teen Reads selection.

Goose Chase - Patricia Kindl

This book is considered to be a fractured fairy tale, which means that it is loosely based on fairy tales we know and love. Very funny…well written with original characters

Harry Potter books 1-7 - J.K. Rowling

There is no way I can leave these book off the list. Harry potter turned non readers into readers. It was impossible not to become enchanted with this boy wizard and his friends as they combated the evil Lord Voldemort and dealt with the trials of growing up. Long live Harry Potter.

Dark Materials Trilogy beginning with The Golden Compass – Phillip Pullman

Soon to be a movie, hopefully they won’t bomb it. The series follows a young girl, Lyra, from her home at Oxford University to the frozen wastes of the North, on a quest to save kidnapped children from the corrupt 'Gobblers,' who are using them as part of a evil experiment. Original plot, and well written – destined to be listed among the classic fantasy books in the years to come.


Happy Reading!
The Book Goddess

The Wonderful World of Tweens

One day at work a young boy came up to me and said, “Girls are strange”. I waited for him to say more but he just sat back down and continued to do his homework. I think, we were both listening with one ear to two girls giggling over a survey they were reading in a magazine and just didn’t know what to make of it. If it wasn’t for that fact that I am a girl and probably acted the same way when I was their age I would think they were strange too. At 10, 11, 12 and years old, a girl is not yet a full fledged teenager yet. They are in that unstable universe that has been given the phrase “tween” because they are not a child even though at times they may act like one and not a yet a complete teenage even if they think they are one. They still have a lot of maturity issues to deal with. Most no longer line up their dolls, inviting them to tea parties, instead they are gossiping with friends on the phone talking about boys and makeup just like many girls that are actual teenagers. Finding appropriate material for the “tween” girl or boy can be a challenge since they are bordering on what some people consider to be an alien life form. The media has a pretty steel grip on their minds and emotions and marketing companies know a gold mine when they see it. Limited Too, Claire’s Boutique, Diva N’ Dude, are just a few stores specifically for that age set. Hannah Montana, High School Musical, Drake and Josh, Zoey 101, Aly and AJ, Zac Efron are all the rage. The question remains if everything they hear, read and see are appropriate. The debate rages on.

Speaking of tweens, I am working on a list of books. These books won't make you blush nor will they put parents in early grave if they want to see what the content is. While it is geared mostly girls since I get a lot of requests for romantic books that are clean there are quite a few age appropriate ones for boys as well.

Being the book geek that I am, I am starting a running list off all the books I have read this week, month, summer, year etc.

I just finished the following books:I slacked for a moment, while I was still reading, I decided to read an "adult" book instead, more specifically chick lit. While I am normally a mystery/ thriller this book came on recommendation of a friend who said I must read it. Apparently I reminded her of the main character in the story. Looking back, all I can say is "Thanks Dee, thanks a lot." Actually Sleeping Beauty Proposal by Sarah Strohmeyer was quite good. Basically, Genie,36 has a pretty good life: a decent job, an apartment (albeit really small) and a great British boyfriend, Hugh, a professor and writer that works at her school. They have been together for 4 years and during this time she has been absolutely devoted to him financially and emotionally. She would've married him in a heartbeat but he, being the commitment-phobe, never asked her even after all these years. Hugh finally makes it big with a book a wrote. His publisher has him hawking his book immediately and he sets off on a media publicity tour. Everybody loves it and can't stop talking about it. Barbara Walters on her special asks if Hugh if ever plans to marry his Dora and he proceeds to propose to this Dora on national TV. They call her together afterwards on air and this Dora says "yes, yes, yes" The problem is that it wasn't Genie's phone ringing - Hugh proposed to some other woman..... Patti, her best friend gives her some tough love advice after finding out what happened, saying "You remind me of that idiot Sleeping Beauty, lying around like a zombie waiting for your prince. Well, guess what, he rode right past your castle and now you have a choice - you can either go back to bed or you can wake up!." So Genie decides to wake up and the fun begins.....

Bloom - Elizabeth Scott

He’s perfect. I’m not kidding, he is perfect. Smart, handsome, popular, athletic, sweet and most importantly he likes me. Actually he loves me. Me, Lauren just an ordinary girl and yet he loves me. What’s the catch? I should be ecstatic but I’m not. This feeling has been building for awhile and then I see Evan. The last time I saw him was when he was moving out of my house with his mom who is now my dad’s ex. I never thought I would see him again. My heart just about explodes when he looks at which is so wrong considering I am with Dave.

The above are thoughts of Lauren, a high school student who has the guy that everyone wants and yet is not happy. Dave thinks they are perfect together, that she is the perfect girlfriend. Everyone else, the really popular kids and the ones crushing on Dave wonders what he sees in her. Truth is, Lauren is in agreement with everyone else – she too wonders what he sees in her. Fans of Sarah Dessen will enjoy this novel by Elizabeth Scott. She does a good job of bringing the characters to life even thought I have serious doubts that any male in high school reaches that high level of perfection. Easily this could’ve been just another sappy love story, but Scott adds an element of inner conflict as Lauren has to make a choice between the guy that is “right”, the safe choice and the guy that makes her come alive. Someone is going to get hurt as lies are told to her perfect boyfriend, her best friend and even her father. I can empathize with Lauren for the situation she is in. The heart and who it is attracted to is a mysterious thing. When I was in high school, I went out with a guy similar to Dave – he was handsome, sweet and funny but after I met someone else I realized he bored me to tears and even worse we had nothing in common. My heart just didn’t do the flip flops it should have when I was with him. I felt like I was pretending, playing a role like an actress when I was with him. I just didn’t have the heart to hurt him. So who will Lauren choose…..you will have to read the book to find out.

13 Reasons Why - Jay Asher

Hannah Baker committed suicide. You always wonder what could make a person do something like that. Hannah decided to let people know why and she had 13 reasons. She made 7 tapes, 13 sides, chronicling her life or to be more specific why her life came to an end. The rules were simple – you listen to all the tapes and then pass it on to the next person. It won't be easy either. She doesn’t let you know where your story is on the tapes but if you got the package then your story with her is on there somewhere. You can hear Hannah’s desperation. You just know as you read her words that she was slowly giving up on herself.

Clay was one of the people who got the package. He couldn’t understand why he got the tapes. Clay never did anything to her but recieving the tapes must mean that he ties into her story some how. But how he wonders over and over again. He had a crush on her. He felt that way since he met her but didn’t act on his feelings because like everyone else he heard the rumors about her. They had one night together but it wasn’t enough and now she is dead. Listening to the tapes is agonizing for him. You could feel the anguish he felt, the grief and anger as well.

Adolescence is like a rollercoaster – full of ups and downs, twists and turns. There are days you are up and then there are days you are down. If you work with teenagers, you need to conscious that there may be Hannah’s walking around. I bet there are and we don’t even realize it. Alertness can save someone’s life.

If this book was among a pile of other books and you could only choose one, I‘d say pick this one. You won’t forget Hannah’s words. Once I started the book I couldn’t put it down. The story had me tearing up. It also had me on the edge of my seat as the story built up to its climatic finish. Asher did a great job of writing a story about issues that plague teenagers today. By the end, I felt like I had known Hannah personally and mourned for her just as Clay did.

** You know the saying "good things come to those who wait".... I know you are going to read this review and run out to the nearest bookstore to pick it up but ....the book is not out yet - it will be available on Oct 18, 2007. The wait will be worth it.

Little (Grrl) Lost - Charles De lint

Charles de Lint once said, "The fey wonders of the world only exist while there are those with the sight to see them." Magical Folk are very particular who they appear to and not every Tom, Dick, or Mary can see them. T.J., in LITTLE (GRRL) LOST, has the sight.

Scritch, scritch, scritch…..

T.J. has been hearing that sound for days now as she lay in her bed at night. Each time she turns on her light to investigate, the noises stop. She hopes its not mice making the racket. It didn't sound like mice and when she leaned her ear up against the baseboard she thought she actually heard….voices. Crazy, huh? But then the impossible happened -- a door in the wall suddenly opened, splashing a stream of light, and out walked a little girl with bright blue hair and a dufflebag slung over her shoulder. She looked to be about six inches tall. Her parents were demanding that she come back this instant. T.J. thought she was dreaming, but yet she was wide awake and this little girl was talking to her. She had a huge attitude, making her seem much taller than her six inches. It turned out that they had a lot in common and that night was the start of a friendship. With two plots running, the main lesson learned from this story is that it doesn't matter if you are a Little or a Big, learning about yourself is a growing process that at times takes you on journeys you never would have imagined.

I didn't read much fantasy until a student put one of Charles de Lint's books in my hand – from that moment on I was hooked. His work (at least the ones I have read) I find to be engaging and easy to read. LITTLE (GRRL) LOST, his newest offering, is no exception. I finished it within a couple of hours. I think what I like most about his work is that it is not hardcore dark fantasy. Instead, it is contemporary fiction with all of the fantastical elements needed to be considered a fantasy selection – fairies, gnomes, goblins, and other magical creatures.


13 Little Blue Envelopes - Maureen Johnson

If your crazy , (well that 's what your mom thinks), Aunt Peg sends you a letter telling you about a quest you are about to go on complete with rules that you must follow.....would you do it? All you can bring with you is what fits in your backpack. You can't bring an electronic devices with you - that means no ipod, mp3, cell phone - nothing. You also can't take any extra money with you either. Credit cards are a no-no. Would you still go? But you have to do pick up a package waiting for you - with more instructions - all in 13 little blue envelopes - that you must open one at a time. Would you still do it? Can you actually resist the temptation to open all the envelopes at one? Ginny decides she can and this sets her off on a mad cap adventure around the world. Everything Ginny knows about herself and the world changes during this incredible summer. Read the book and find out what happens as she opens each envelope one by one. This is book that is hard to put down - I finished in just a couple hours sitting by the pool - falling completely in love with it. I only wish I had a crazy Aunt Peg......


Boy Toy - Barry Lyga

From the author of Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Gothgirl, comes a wonderfully written 2ND novel. It deals with a relatively, okay absolutely taboo subject, molestation. Some people may shy away from it because of the topic but others will be drawn in like me because it was wonderfully written. The book is worthy of 4 stars.When Josh was in 7th grade life his life changed. Not in the way that a normal preteen life would. I mean: drastically life altering, can scar you for life type of change. Its not something that can be kept a secret either. It's a small town and what happened involved a teacher. Everyone in his school, his town thinks they understand how he feels. But they don't—they can't. Fast forward five years, Josh is still trying to sort through things - college is just around the corner and there is a girl with whom he used to be close to back in his life whether he wants to or not, his parents are fighting more, money is tight for the family. Now throw in another dynamic, Eve as she told him to call her, the teacher, has been released from jail. The memories flood back. She said she loved him, treating him like a grown up instead of little kid. But in this case, love was just a word and it was misused and misappropriated by something else. This book is f star worth if not more.

The Confessional - J.L. Powers

My family came over from Russia and Poland at the turn of the century. I an American even if I have Russian or Polish or whatever blood running through me. Many people from other countries have done the same for centuries. We have Cuban Americans, Russian Americans, Greek Americans, Hispanic Americans etc. Its a swirl of colors, beliefs and languages - a true melting pot. Unfortunately an act of terrorism can make you cast a net of suspicion over anyone that is different from us. It is either us or them.

In reading Confessional by JL. Powers I came to understand what living on the border, straddling two place is really like. The book opens up with a letter from a letter from a Mexican man, bitter because he is treated liked a terrorist when he stopped by border control crossing the river to go to work. Granted, he is working illegally but he is working. He is also bitter because his wife a maquilla worker was found dead. She is not the only one - many women have been found dead in the desert He wrote letter after letter to our government for help but to no avail. He even lost 2 days wages in hope of getting someone to pay attention to the situation. Nada! So he got their attention - he blew himself up, on the bridge that connects Mexico to the United States, killing himself and 32 other Americans on Cinco De Mayo.

A year later, Mackenzie Malone, a student at a Catholic High School, writes an editorial considered controversial to the local newspaper. He doesn't feel that Cinco de Mayo should be celebrated, that it is too soon and a moment of silence is just not enough for those that died. His classmates think he is a racist for his words. Tensions mount between the Americans, Mexican Americans and Mexicans during the week. Mac gets into a fight with a Mexican classmate and basically beats him to a bloody pulp. Tension mounts some more. By the end of that night, Mac is dead, stabbed to death. The rest of the story is told in alternating chapters by 5 of his classmates, his friends. Secrets are revealed as well as some fear and insecurities. Everybody is a suspect but who really did it, you will find out in the end.


Echo - Kate Morgenrath

Mark is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The anniversary of his brother's death is nearing, a death that he witnessed and Mark is suffering greatly - very angry and also emotionally disconnected from his family. At school, his friends are no longer his friends and he frequently gets in trouble. The day of the anniversary starts like any other day for Mark except his anger almost at a boiling point guided by an internal voice (or so you think) will have a run in with both his former best friend and girlfriend. Every chapter starts off the sames way with him getting ready for school but with each chapter you find out another piece of what transpired on the day of the run in. After awhile I think in the third or is it fourth retelling of the day, did I finally start to catch on to what "really" happened that day. The book was impossible to put down, because you you just wanted to get to the truth. Great book for reluctant readers.


Nature of Jade - Deb Caletti

Jade is exceptionally tough - I am talking not only of the gemstone but the also of the protagonist of this book. In high school, Jade Deluna is diagnosed with having a panic disorder. When things get stressful or she is uncomfortable, she experiences a feeling like the walls are closing in and shortness of breathe. This is all very scary for her and it is hard for her to cope. Her parents have issues of their own. Both Jade and her brother notice their parent's crumbling marriage and wonder if they will get a divorce. Her mother is busy reliving her high school years through Jade by being the PTA president in her school and her father hides downstairs and tinkers with his train set when not taking her younger brother to some sort of sport. She sees a therapist weekly which helps but what helps her most are the elephants at the zoo and later on the boy in the red jacket.

Harmless - Dana Reinhardt

Is there ever a time a lie should not be condemned? Have you ever lied? Did you get away with a lie or were there repercussions to reap from the fib you told? Emma, Mariah and Anna in Harmless know what happens when you spin a web of deceit.Anna and Emma have been best friends since third grade. Anna and Emma. Emma and Anna. Where there was one, usually the other was there. You never had to worry about those two girls. Mariah enters the picture when Emma and her have to practice together for the play, Romeo and Juliet. Mariah brings something exciting to the table. She is outspoken, a bit cynical, experienced with the guys. Emma is the moody one, quiet and bottles up all her emotions. Anna on the other hand is totally insecure and will ride on any one's coat-tails if they let her. It was no wonder that Anna and Emma jumped at a chance to be friends with Mariah.Mariah invites Emma and Anna to party with her boyfriend and a few of his friends. Anna and Emma both knew that their parents would never let them do such a thing so they told a little white lie saying that they were somewhere else. The first lie was easy. The second lie started their world spiraling in direction they never thought would ever happen. They weren't lying to be malicious; they lied to keep themselves out of trouble but that only led them into deeper pile of you know what. At first no harm, no foul but then an innocent person gets punished for their actions, for a crime he didn't commit. Is it too late to tell the truth now? If they only told the truth to begin with....


Weight of the Sky - Lisa Ann Sandell

The blurb on the jacket of the book caught my attention because I thought I was a lot like the protagonist, Sarah, back in high school and wanted to see how her story would unfold. I totally understood what Sarah meant when she thought the "religion was constant decision of her everyday life". She, like I was, is in the minority, being one of only a handful of Jews in her high school. Both of us have run into people that can't understand some of our religious traditions and beliefs. Her parents offer her a trip to Israel to work on a kibbutz the summer before her senior year. Of course, she had other ideas on what she wanted to do on her summer vacation but still she jumps at a chance to escape her world of being the only Jew and a band geek and crushing on the most popular boy in school. I emphasized with her and wished my parents would have offered me a trip to Israel to find myself. This book written in free verse was easy to read, entertaining and hard to put down.

Life as it Comes - Anne-Laure Bondoux

It is definitely not easy being 15 and losing both your parents in an accident. It is even more difficult when the sister that is supposed to be taking care of you is the one you end up taking care of. These sisters are as different as night and day. Mado, 15, is just a girl who is trying to cope with her parents death, getting good grades and trying to keep together what is left of her family Patty, on the other hand, is a party girl who lacks sound judgement on a continuous basis. Mado relishes this role of "big sister" even less when Patty announces she is several months pregnant. Uh oh..... Originally written in French, the translation is choppy at times but it still delivers the sister's raw emotions from being absolutely overwhelmed and angered to ecstatically happy and in love.


Rules of Survival - Nancy Werlin

Nancy Werlin knows how to tell a story, especially a mystery. She first caught my attention with Double Helix and continued to keep my attention with Killer's Cousin. This story while it does have elements of being a mystery is more suspenseful then anything else. . The book is narrated by Matthew the oldest of 3 siblings. He is writing a letter to his youngest sister Emma who was too young at the time ti understand why their mom finally left them. basically Matthew has spent his entire life protecting his siblings from the abuse of their mother Nikki, If you looked at Nikki you would never know - she seems normal, very attractive, smart but she is also manipulative and cruel. Nothing is easy for them. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. A page turner to the end.

Silent Echoes - Carla Jablonski

If you are a fan of Libba Bray's Great and Terrible Beauty then you will like this one. Basically here is what happened: You got two girls living in two different time periods that can communicate with each other. Lucy, a girl who lives in 1884 is a con artist conducting "seances" but things get interesting when she actually hears a "spirit" begging for help. This "spirit" turns out to be Lindsay a girl living in present day NY. The two start communicating and Lucy raises to fame as a a medium and Lindsay's life spirals out of control as she gets hospitalized for hearing voices. See where this is going now.....the two girls realize they are really hearing each other's voices every time they occupy the same physical location, they begin to see possibilities that will change both of their lives forever.

Queen's Soprano - Carol Dines

This book is a fictionalized account of Angelica Voglia who became the Queen Christina's soprano during the time of Pope Innocent XI. All she wants to do is sing but the pope has forbidden women to sing in public. Angelica's only hope to sing before an audience and escape a forced marriage arranged by her controlling mother is to flee to Queen Christina's court, where she will become the queen's soprano. Of course there is more to the story but you have to read it it to find out the rest. Definitely recommend!!

What Happened to Cass McBride? - Gail Giles

Someone has to pay for David's death, his brother thinks. He was supposed to be David's protector from their verbally abusive mother. Though more than one person played a role in David's death, Kyle hell bent on vengeance takes out his revenge on one of David's classmates, Cass McBride, a girl who turned David down when he asked her for a date. He kidnaps her, places her in a box and buries her alive torturing her with cruel words. Cass however has never had trouble using words and she uses them to draw Kyle into a dialogue. But will that be enough to save Cass's life? You will have to read the book to find out. Long after you finish, I will tell you that you may still be chilled from reading this story thinking about issues of responsibility and scapegoating. Better suited for mature readers being that there is violence and obscenities throughout the story.