Best Foot Forward sequel to Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars I liked this book because it was a continuation of Rules of the Road, by Joan Bauer. The books are about a teenager named Jenna who works at a shoestore called Gladstone’s. The company is in danger when the founder’s son tries to change the quality of their products. Don’t read this one before … Read more
Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) In this book, a young woman named Kate looks for something better in life when her 10-year boyfriend refuses to commit to her, her job is in jeopardy, and she cannot find a new place to live in New York. A humorous novel composed of letters, IMs, emails, and Kate’s random notes scribbled on receipts, menus, and … Read more
Invisible by Pete Hautman Mystery Realistic Fiction Thriller Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) This book is somewhat of a subtle Poe experience – very creepy but at the same time, not really. It’s about a teenager named Doug Hanson and his many obsessions – model trains, girls (one in particular), and fire. After a tragic event takes place, things just keep spiraling out of control for Doug, until his parents finally decide to … Read more
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff Science Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) This book is somewhat depressing, but only in the aspect of the war that comes while the main character, Daisy, is in England with her cousins over the summer. I would say this is definitely a book for kids 15 and up because most children below 15 would not understand some parts. If you like adventure/fantasy books, this … Read more
Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar Funny Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) I think this is a good book for anyone that hasn’t been in high school, because the main character, Scott, outlines the experience. He learns how to deal with participating in many school activities and losing his friends from middle school, and a major new addition to his life – his mom is pregnant again. Along the … Read more
Lost in America Nicole Nieman #2 by Marilyn Sachs Adventure Historical Fiction * * * * Stars This is more of a feminine historical fiction novel about a young girl growing up in Germany during World War II, losing her family to the Gestapo, and moving to America where she is immediately submerged in New York culture of the 1940s and 1950s. I found the book very interesting because it shows an almost Anne Frank … Read more
Ashes of Roses by Mary Jane Auch Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) In Ashes of Roses, a teenage girl comes into America at Ellis Island from Ireland like thousands of others. America represents her new life and new freedom. Only one problem – her baby brother is sick and isn’t let into America. So, her dad and her baby brother go back to Ireland, leaving Rose and her sister … Read more
Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey by Margaret Peterson Haddix Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Tish’s life is spinning out of control and she doesn’t even realize it until her English teacher, Mrs. Dunphrey, assigns homework. Before then “homework” wasn’t even in Tish’s vocabulary, but now the assignment has become the center of her world, her best friend, and an escape from her abusive father and emotionally-unstable mother. … Read more
The Gospel According to Larry by Janet Tashjian Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Like every teenager in the world, Josh has an opinion on everything – and a strong one, too. So, he creates a website to express his thoughts and adopts the name “Larry” so nobody knows who he truly is. He finds that many agree with “Larry” and his website attracts national attention.
One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones Novel in Verse Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) 15 year old Ruby’s life is changed with a blink of an eye. One moment she’s with her mom, the next her mother is dead. Ruby is sent to Los Angeles, or “Lost” Angeles as she calls it, to live with her movie star dad who’s never been a part … Read more