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Truth and Kisses

Truth and Kisses

Reviewed by: Suzan Hawkins - New Gloucester Public Library, New Gloucester, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 21, 2014

Review

Third book in the series, The Mostly Miserable Life of April Sinclair. As an adult reading it, I felt that I was missing something by not reading books 1 and 2. I understand that teens are happy with jumping in with book 3.

It all starts with Gaga getting married and kissing (yuck, grandma's shouldn't do that!). It then continues on with April's life. She is torn between two boys, Billy and Matt. Billy is a friend and was a boyfriend. Matt lives next door and goes to high school. What's a girl to do? Add a little girl drama in, best friend Bryn likes Billy too, and you've pretty much got the book.

No sex, very little kissing, so quite tame.

Overall Book Score: good

About the Book

Author:

Friedman, Laurie

Publisher: darbycreek

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: romance, realistic fiction

Audience: grades 4-6, grades 7-9

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781467709279

Price: 17.95

The Winner's Curse

The Winner's Curse

Reviewed by: Suzan Hawkins - New Gloucester Public Library, New Gloucester, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 23, 2014

Review

This book is a nice change from the ever popular supernatural/problem solving books currently making the rounds. It is a fantasy, mixed with historic fiction and a bit of romance (no sex). Seventeen year old Kestral has two choices, join the army or get married. Neither appeal to her. One day her path crosses with slave Arin, and you can guess where it goes from there. But, there is a twist and everything is at stake-will you keep your head or your heart?

Overall Book Score: excellent

About the Book

Author:

Rutkoski, Marie

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: fantasy, romance, historical fiction

Audience: grades 7-9, grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: fair

ISBN: 9780374384678

Price: 17.99

Pretty Sly

Pretty Sly

Reviewed by: Suzan Hawkins - New Gloucester Public Library, New Gloucester, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 30, 2014

Review

This is a sequel to Pretty crooked (Pretty crooked trilogy). Pretty Sly starts with Willa having just been released from juvie for stealing from the rich, mean kids. She comes home and finds that Mom has left. Email follows saying don't try to find me, and then the adventure begins. Willa and Aidan (with help from some friends) start a multi-state search for Mom...with bad guys, and the police and FBI, following closely behind.

Not having read book one, a bit of a slow start, but once you get into the book, you get hooked, suspense, mystery, adventure with just a touch of romance. Probably more of a girl book than boy, but not so gushy that a boy wouldn't enjoy.

Overall Book Score: very good

About the Book

Author:

Ludwig, Elisa

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCrown Publishers

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure, romance, realistic fiction

Audience: grades 7-9

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780062066091

Price: 17.99

Middle School Cool

Middle School Cool

Reviewed by: Suzan Hawkins - New Gloucester Public Library, New Gloucester, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 3, 2014

Review

A new experimental school has opened in the old mental institution in town. The staff is "unique" and the students have all been hand picked by the head of the school, Marcel Kaboom. What follows is mayhem, learning by taking books in pill form (warning: don't take pills all at one time or the books get scrambled), dodge ball with balls with teeth and a multiplication table that multiples what is put onto it (including students).

The book pokes fun at traditional education, and celebrates nonconformity, individuality and oddity.

The goofiness added to the cartoony illustrations make this a good match for middle schoolers--male and female.

Not currently listed as part of a series, but wouldn't be surprised to see Jory and the gang come back in a second book.

Overall Book Score: good

About the Book

Author:

Williams, Maiya

Illustrator: Edwards, Karl

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre:

Audience: grades 4-6, grades 7-9

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780385743495

Price: 12.99

Adrenalilne Crush

Adrenalilne Crush

Reviewed by: Suzan Hawkins - New Gloucester Public Library, New Gloucester, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 10, 2015

Review

Latest of Crompton's books. Other titles by her include The real prom queen of Westfield High and Blaze (or love in the time of super villans). This book is written for between 12-18 year old.

A bit of adventure, a bit of romance, but no sex. Written basically for the female reader, but not so gushy that a male wouldn't enjoy the read.

Dyna is a 17-year old thrill seeker, from a family of thrill seekers. This is the story of her life after she shatters her ankle while jumping from train tracks over the swimming hole. Hippie Mom finds her an alternative healing center to regain her independence. What follows is her journey and that of some of the others at the Ulysses Inner Outer Healing Center.

Does she stay with her high school boyfriend who wants to keep her safe or follow a young Afghanistan veteran who encourages her to spread her wings once again?

Overall Book Score: excellent

About the Book

Author:

Crompton, Laurie Boyle

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Margaret Ferguson Books/Farrar Straus Giroux

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,romance,realistic fiction

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780374300616

Price: 17.99

The Graham Cracker Plot

The Graham Cracker Plot

Reviewed by: Suzan Hawkins - New Gloucester Public Library, New Gloucester, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 5, 2015

Review

Daisy, almost twelve years-old, and best friend, sometimes, Graham, decide they should break Daisy’s dad out of Cub Fed (prison). The friends have been told that dad has been wrongfully jailed. They recruit Graham’s cousin Ashley to help (they need a get-away car), and “borrow” a miniature horse, and use the very special coin from 1919—the idea coin to get Dad out of jail.

What could be heavy topics, a parent in jail, substance abuse by parents, neglect by parents and poverty are all handled well. Debut novelist Shelley Tougas does a nice job of handling these themes with humor and warmth.

Overall Book Score: very good

About the Book

Author:

Tougas, Shelley

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: grades 4-6

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781596439887

Price: 16.99

Genuine Sweet

Genuine Sweet

Reviewed by: Suzan Hawkins - New Gloucester Public Library, New Gloucester, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 16, 2015

Review

A nice gentle read. While reading the book you feel as if you are just sitting around and talking with this young girl.

Genuine is a wish-fetcher, fourth generation. She shares with you how she learned to whistle down the stars' light and how she shares the power of the stars with others (magical biscuits), also her frustration of not being able to help her own family. She tells you about her life in her very small, southern town, her friends and her family. But life is not all wish-fetching. She lost her Mom at an early age, Dad is an alcoholic and out of work, and Gram dies. But even with all of that happening in her life, the story is very positive and an extremely good read.

BRsmld316

Overall Book Score: excellent