Book Review - Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Family Affairs by Jen Calonita

This is the third book in the popular "Secrets" series. In this book, we get an inside look at teen superstar Kaitlin Burke's life while shooting her hit television show Family Affair. Her long standing feud with co-star Sky Mackenzie takes a back seat when new cast member Alexis decides she wants to be made the next "It Girl" - and she is going to make her way to the top, even if it means trampling Kaitlin and Sky on her way up. While Kaitlin must figure out a way to keep her top spot on Family Affair, she is also trying to be a regular teen. Juggling driving lessons, planning for her future, homecoming dances, and walking the red carpet in designer gowns is all in a day's work for Kaitlin.

This was my favorite book in the series so far. I loved how evil the character of Alexis was, and how Kaitlin and Sky had to work together to save each other. The insider Hollywood secrets throughout the book are always entertaining. I look forward to more!

Book Review - Coraline (the graphic novel) by Neil Gaiman

Coraline and her parents move into an apartment building where Coraline encounters some eccentric neighbors. Her parents are always too busy for her so she goes off exploring in the woods in the surrounding area daily--until it begins to rain and she's not allowed outside. Her mother suggests she explore inside the house. This seems like a boring idea to Coraline until she opens a door that used to hide a brick wall and finds that she can walk through the darkness to an identical apartment on the other side. On the other side she finds everything she knows to be just a little bit different. Her parents are there... but they have buttons for eyes and pay too much attention to her. The neighborhood cat is there but he can speak and warns her to go home. Her eccentric neighbors are there, but something is not quite right about them. Coraline does return home but does not find her real parents there. Two days go by and no sign of them. She knows she has to return to the other apartment in order to rescue her parents from her "other mother". In a daring challenge, Coraline agrees to put her own self at stake in exchange for the lives of her parents and the souls of ghostly children she finds in the other mother's closet. Can she outwit the other mother in time to save everyone?

This book was scary! Coraline proves to be a brave young girl who shows great independence and strength to win the fight for her family and do the right thing. The illustrations in this graphic novel superbly complemented the storyline. Try reading the book and comparing it to the action in the graphic novel.

The Latent Powers of Dylan Fontaine by April Lurie

Since Dylan’s mom split with his art instructor, his doctor dad is spending more time at the hospital with patients and his older brother Randy is spending more time stoned with his band. Dylan is trying to keep himself together and his family intact, but it seems that drama he can’t control is constantly making it hard for him to do so. Like when he gets arrested when someone mistakes him for his brother and slips him a bag of pot. Or when his best friend Angie decides to film his every move for a short film she is making. Or when the varsity basketball coach he is trying to impress is led to believe Dylan is a criminal cross-dresser.

Dylan finally decides to take a few risks in life since playing it safe has not been working for him. Spontaneity seems to suit him; he is getting closer to Angie and his musical and artistic talents are improving. But, Dylan’s life is not empty of drama for long. Can Dylan hold it together long enough to get the girl and save his family?

This story is full of laughs, and the reader will be rooting for Dylan all the way. His flaws, insecurities, and perseverance make him a realistic, admirable character.

Book Review -- Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supplee

Sixteen-year-old Rosie has always been overweight. Finally, after enduring years of consistent pestering from her nosy aunt and ridicule from her classmates, she resolves to lose the weight. It is not easy for her to stop her indulgences -- food was always there for her when her mother was not. But as Rosie sticks to her diet and exercise regime, she discovers a lot about herself, her mother, and their relationship. She also manages to find a true best friend, a boyfriend, and the guts to stand up to the "Bluebirds" -- the clique of girls who have made fun of her since third grade.

Rosie's character is honest and funny. Readers can easily relate to Rosie's insecurities, including the struggle with her body image and the relationship between her and her mother.

Book Review - A Little Friendly Advice by Siobhan Vivian

Is there such a thing as being TOO good of a friend? What about a friend that cares so much about you, your pain becomes her pain, and she would do anything to keep you from hurting - even if it meant hiding the truth from you. Would you want a friend like that?

Beth and Ruby have been friends forever. And it was Beth that helped Ruby sort out all her feelings when Ruby's dad left years ago. It was Beth that guided Ruby through the part of her life where everyone thought she was weirdo because she couldn't speak. It was in Beth's room that Ruby found solace when she and her mother had to move out of their big house and into a tiny one. Sleepovers, pizza parties, Halloween parties, birthdays - these were all things that Beth and Ruby shared. Slowly, they let others into their tight friendship. First it was Maria, boy crazy and fun loving. Then it was Katherine, a senior, whose own family was falling apart too.

Then on Ruby's sixteenth birthday, a surprise visitor shows up. Her father. Just when Ruby thought she had gotten over his abandonment of her and her mother, he walks in the front door with flowers, wishing her a happy birthday. Beth thinks Ruby should just forget all about him, for what kind of father could he be. And when Ruby's dad leaves a note for Ruby, Beth does what she thinks is best. She hides the note from Ruby, even though her dad really wants to talk to her and make amends.

I really enjoyed this book and the characters, especially Ruby. She is quirky, intelligent and insightful. This book does a great job of showing what can happen when you are so close to someone, all you want to do is protect them.

Book Review - After by Francine Prose

School shootings like those at Columbine and Virginia Tech are terrifying, and the fictional catalyst in this captivating and often frightening book by Francine Prose. A school shooting has occurred at Pleasant Valley High. In the aftermath of the shooting, nearby Central High School hires a grief and crisis counselor, who is hellbent on preventing a similar incident at Central. Slowly, changes are made. First, no one can wear ANYTHING red to school. That includes the red AIDS awareness button that a girl named Stephanie wears to honor her dead brother. And one day Stephanie doesn't return to school. Tom and his friends are worried about the changes, which at first seem to just pose an inconvenience, but take on a more sinister tone as days go by. Daily assemblies, metal detectors, locker searches, random drug testing....every day the students' freedoms are being taken away and school is beginning to feel like a prison. Soon, students are being shipped off to boot camp, supposedly to cure them of their bad behavior before they turn into the next school shooter. But the students never return, and the parents don't seem to mind. In fact, it seems like the daily e-mails from the grief counselor are brainwashing all the parents. Tom realizes he must take action, before he is the next one shipped off.

I thought this book started off a little bit slow, but once you get into it, it is like a roller coaster ride right through the very end. Evil principals, mind control, paranoia--they all make for a great read!

Book Review - Bounce by Natasha Friend

Evyn received the absolute worst present for her 13th birthday. Her father has informed her that he is marrying his girlfriend, Eleni, and that Evyn and father and brother Mackey will be leaving Maine and moving to Boston to live with Eleni's family. Talk about dropping a bombshell. Now Evyn has to leave her best friends and her big comfortable house and move into the city, where she will share a room with the twins. In addition to the twins, there are four more new step siblings Evyn is forced to deal with. To make matters worse, she has to go to private school, where all the girls look like they stepped out of an Abercrombie catalog, with perfect headbands holding back their perfect hair. Evyn feels like she doesn't fit in anywhere, not in her new home, or her new school, or around her own brother, who has transformed himself for computer geek to hot shot thespian. Even her beloved father is like a stranger to her, having gone from hippie to preppy ever since the move. The only thing that makes Evyn feel better is having late night conversations with her mother -- who died when Evyn was just a baby. Through these late night talks Evyn slowly begins to warm up to her new family and her new life.

This is a really great story, and Evyn is a funny and likable character. I read Natasha Friend's last book, Lush, right before this, and I really like her writing style and her storytelling Both Lush and Bounce are both quick and fun reads. Take them home today!

Book Review - Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Hannah Baker committed suicide 2 weeks ago, and before she did it, she wanted to make sure that the people that drove her to it knew exactly why. There were 13 reasons why Hannah killed herself --13 people that affected her life, some in small, seemingly insignificant ways, and others more profound. 13 people will receive the tapes that Clay Jensen has in his backpack. They all must listen to them, and pass them on, so all of them will know exactly what drove Hannah to end her life. Hannah made sure to make a second set of tapes, and if the unlucky 13 don't pass their tapes on, the second set will be made public, exposing their secrets to everyone. Clay can't understand what he could have done to hurt Hannah. He could have loved her, if she had given him a chance. So why is he on the tapes? In one single night, Clay will find out more about Hannah then he ever knew. And he will learn dark secrets about his classmates.

This is a thrilling and suspenseful book, which will leave you thinking about all the little things that you say or do to others. What might seem like just a funny note passed in class could have a big impact on someone else's life.

I suggest reading this one along with Remembering Raquel by Vivian Vande-Velde

Book Review - Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were childhood friends, bonded together by a twisted and frightening memory that has followed Jennifer throughout her teenage life. Jennifer couldn't imagine a life without Cameron, so when he disappeared, a part of Jennifer was gone too. As a kid, Jennifer Harris was overweight and spoke with a lisp, and along with Cameron, was a social outcast, taunted and harassed all through school. Now Jennifer is Jenna, with a new body to match her new personality. Pretty, sweet, and terminally cheerful, Jenna cannot forget about what she went through with Cameron, the only person in her life who really knows who she is and what she feels. And then one day, out of the blue, Cameron returns. Jenna's whole life is turned upside down when Cameron wants to confront their shared memories.

This is a real page turner - I couldn't wait to find out what exactly happened to Jennifer and Cameron that day after school, but at the same time I was terrified to find out what it was. Part of the book also deals with Jennifer and her mom and step-dad, and I thought it was a really nice portrayal of the daughter/step-father relationship. Definitely give this one a shot - and while you're at it, pick up Sara Zarr's last book Story of A Girl. Another great read you won't want to put down.

Book Review - Touching Snow

Touching Snow by M. Sindy Felin

Karina is a Haitian-American, struggling to get through middle school, avoiding the taunting and teasing of her classmates, and trying to avoid being put into special education classes in the fall. At home, Karina and her sisters fear the wrath of their stepfather, whose harsh discipline includes regular "beat-ups", as Karina calls them. Living with her extended family in Chestnut Valley, New York, Karina and her sisters Enid and Delta know exactly what sets their stepfather off -- wasting the hard earned food that kids in Haiti would love to have, leaving lights on, not cleaning the kitchen properly, or being late to school. One night, he takes one of his beat-ups too far on Enid, and Karina and her sisters think that this might be the last straw, that their mother will finally kick Gaston out and they will no longer live in fear. This book will having you racing through to the last page. You'll be rooting for Karina and her sister, hoping they can escape a life of violence. It also gives a wonderful insight into what life is like for an immigrant family trying to adapt to living in the United States.

Book Review - Remembering Raquel

Remembering Raquel by Vivian Vande Velde

Maybe it's really morbid, but have you ever wondered who would come to your funeral if you died? Have you ever thought about what your classmates would say? Would the popular girls that ignored you all year long pretend to care that you're dead? Remembering Raquel is told through the voices of the people in Raquel's life - some she knew, some she didn't. But her death affects all of them, from the kids she talked to on her fantasy game message boards, to the school custodian that has to clean out her locker. We learn what kind of person Raquel was like when she lived -- caring, sarcastic, creative. And we get to see how one person's death can have a ripple effect on so many others. It's a little bit sad, but a quick and thought-provoking read.

Book Review - The Queen of Cool

The Queen of Cool by Cecil Castellucci


Libby Brin is the coolest girl in her Los Angeles high school. She's got it all, hot clothes, hot car, parents that give in to her every desire, invitations to all the cool parties. Whenever Libby gets an idea, everyone follows along - like when she came up with Wear Your Pajamas to School Day. Even though there are probably tons of kids that wish they could be just like Libby, Libby is BORED. Dreadfully, inexplicably, bored. So on her quest to make life more interesting, she signs up for an internship at the Los Angeles Zoo. She is forced to team up with Sheldon, who wears armpit-high acid washed jeans and has a crater face. Worse still, is Tina, aka Tiny, a little person with an annoyingly bubbly personality. Libby has to suffer through an entire winter term with these two losers, all the while mucking out animal cages. But after awhile, Sheldon and Tiny don't seem so bad. The more she gets to know them, the more Libby begins to like them. But how can Libby be the Queen of Cool with friends like Sheldon and Tiny? Libby is a really funny character, and even though she is really shallow in the beginning, it is great watching her grow throughout the book.

I read this book right after another book by Cecil Castellucci, called Boy Proof. I highly them recommend both!

Book Review - Tomorrow, Maybe

Tomorrow, Maybe by Brian James

Gretchen, nicknamed Chan, is living on the streets in New York City. She hangs out with a group of streetkids that scrape by begging for change and living in abandoned buildings. She knows everyone has a story, a reason why they left home -- but who has room in their hearts to pity others when your own life is so hard? That all changes when Elizabeth shows up at Chan's squat. Elizabeth is dirty, beautiful, and very young. Only eleven years old, Elizabeth is in worse shape that Chan could ever imagine being. So Chan decides to take her in, to protect her and keep her safe. Together they take on the streets, saving up money to escape their harsh reality. But it seems like no matter how hard they try, the streets keep winning. Chan has a truly unique voice and this book left my heart aching long after I put it down.

Book Review - Define "Normal"

Define "Normal" by Julie Anne Peters is one of the best books I have read all summer. It was recommended to me by the Westbury Middle School librarian, Ms. McCarthy - and I am so happy she mentioned it to me. The story is about two eighth grade girls, prissy and perfect Antonia, and punk and weird Jazz, who are paired up to participate in a peer counseling program at school. But even though Antonia's life might look perfect on the outside - straight A student, teacher's pet - she is struggling to keep it all together. Jazz is struggling too; her parents are pressuring her to fit in with their wealthy society, and all Jazz wants to do is express herself.

This is an amazing story about two people who couldn't be more different coming together to work on their problems, and how even when it seems like somone's life is picture perfect, everyone has issues.

Book Review - Dead Girls Don't Write Letters

In a word.......creepy.

That's how I felt reading the book Dead Girls Don't Write Letters by Gail Giles. Sunny's older sister Jazz has been presumed dead in a fire when all of a sudden a letter from Jazz appears in the mail. Sunny is not entirely excited to find out her dear sister is alive and well. Everyone thought Jazz was talented, beautiful, sweet and smart, but Jazz also had a mean streak a mile long, something she made sure to hide from everyone except Sunny. So things definitely get weird when Jazz shows up at home. Jazz doesn't look quite right. But she acts like the old Jazz, knows intimate details about thir family, and has all her mannerisms. But Sunny quickly realizes she is NOT Jazz. Why would someone want to take over a dead girls life? Who is this girl pretending to be Jazz? Is she dangerous? I could not put this book down until I read the very last page. And here is a warning -- the ending leaves you asking more questions. A super fast, super creepy read.