Between the Lines

By Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer

Barnes and Noble Overview

Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.

And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.

Delilah and Oliver work together to attempt to get Oliver out of his book, a challenging task that forces them to examine their perceptions of fate, the world, and their places in it. And as their attraction to each other grows along the way, a romance blossoms that is anything but a fairy tale.

My Review

I thought the concept of this book was so clever! I often find myself getting so absorbed in a story and thinking of the characters' lives beyond the book their lives are confined in.  I think that is why I was so drawn to the story.

This book is quite different than other Picoult books - as it should be since it was written with her daughter and targeted to teens.  The story is told from alternating points of views and includes the fairy tale that Delilah reads and Oliver stars in.  Though the plot was slow at times, I thought overall this was a neat book.  It appeals to those that love to either write or read stories and the bonds that form between the readers and the characters.  I highly recommend reading this book.  It was an easy, fun read, yet thought provoking.  I will leave you with one of the quotes I enjoyed.

Oliver speaking of Delilah: "Here I am, wasting away inside a book I wish I could escape, and all she wants to do is stay in the story."

4/5 Stars

Erin

You Have Seven Messages

By Stewart Lewis

Barnes and Noble Overview
It's been a year since Luna's mother, the fashion-model wife of a successful film director, was hit and killed by a taxi in New York's East Village. Luna, her father, and her little brother, Tile, are still struggling with grief.

When Luna goes to clean out her mother's old studio, she's stunned to find her mom's cell phone there—charged and holding seven unheard messages. As Luna begins to listen to them, she learns more about her mother's life than she ever wanted to know . . . and she comes to realize that the tidy tale she's been told about her mother's death may not be the whole truth.

My Review
I don't really have much to say.  If you read the description of the book, it sounds like a really interesting read -  like a mystery.   However, I found it to be slow and dull.  I felt like the characters lacked depth and I didn't really get to know them. I also thought the romance was underdeveloped.  I finished this book only because I kept thinking there would be something more to the plot - a shocking ending, an unpredictable turn - something! However, it was anything but unpredictable.  The only thing that made this novel longer than 10 pages, was that she kept delaying listening to these messages.  What person does that?!? I would have listened to all of them all at once - mystery solved!

1/5 Stars

Erin

Top 5 Beach Reads

Here are 5 great YA beach reads. Reading them will give you a better tan.

5. Twenty Boy Summer - Sarah Ockler
Anna was best friends with Frankie and her brother, Matt, until all three are in a car accident in which Matt is killed. A year later, Anna and Frankie, struggling to get past Matt’s death, head to California with Frankie’s parents for a beach vacation, determined to have “the Absolute Best Summer Ever (A.B.S.E).”

4. The Boys Next Door - Jennifer Echols

Lori lives for summertime on the lake. She spends all season wakeboarding, swimming, and hanging with her friends -- including the two hotties in the house next door. Lori and the "baby" brother, Adam, are inseparable friends, she can't deny a secret crush on Sean. This year Sean's been paying Lori a lot of attention, and not in a brotherly way.

3. Epic Fail - Claire LaZebnik
Pride and Prejudice lovers will especially enjoy the many parallels that are in this modern tale.  If you've never read Pride and Prejudice you will still love it.

2. The Summer I Turned Pretty - Jenny Han
This is the first book in the series and the whole series is wonderfully heartbreaking and romantic. Year after year, Belly’s spent her summers at the beach house with Conrad and Jeremiah. The boys never noticed Belly noticing them. And every summer she hoped it would be different. This time, it was.

1. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares
I know these books have been out a while, but if you haven't read it, now is the time!
Over a few bags of cheese puffs four friends decide to form a sisterhood, and take the vow of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants . . . the next morning, they say good-bye for the summer. And now the journey of the pants–and the most memorable summer of their lives–begins. 

Enjoy - and don't forget your SPF 30!

Erin

Keep Holding On

By Suzanne Colasanti

Overview from Barnes and Noble

A romantic and empowering book about bullying

Noelle's life is all about survival. Even her best friend doesn't know how much she gets bullied, or the ways her mom neglects her. Noelle's kept so much about her life a secret for so long that when her longtime crush Julian Porter starts paying attention to her, she's terrified. Surely it's safer to stay hidden than to risk the pain of a broken heart. But when the antagonism of her classmates takes a dramatic turn, Noelle realizes it's time to stand up for herself--and for the love that keeps her holding on.

My Review
I'm kind of sick of the bullying topic - eeek! I'm a teacher - am I allowed to even say that?  Seems like this topic is everywhere!

But I am.  I know it is a serious topic and it happens, but most people don't know how to define bullying (repeated acts) from a one time event.  I am also tired of reading stories where teachers, students and other adults know about bullying or do nothing and there is no supervision etc.  Some of Noelle's friends knew she was being bullied and did nothing - this would NOT happen.  A good school would also notice a girl sitting alone in the cafeteria and do something about it. All of that happened in this book and me (as a teacher) was thinking, "where are the teachers to stop/change this!?!?!"  I'm  in a school where we are aware of what is going on to stop a majority of bullying.

Back to the book.  That's what the book dealt with - a lower income girl that was bullied (primarily because she lied about something that involved her mom and finances - I can't even remember because it was such a stupid reason for her to be an outcast).  Hmmm.... most of the time a really pretty girl that lies once about something stupid (even if she is poor) isn't an outcast and isn't bullied the way this character was.  I found it somewhat unrealistic.  Of course Taylor Swift was bullied so what do I know!?!

 The book kept my interest and I appreciate the message the author was sending.  In fact, this should be a book that middle and high school teens read because of the content and understanding how standing up for someone can make a huge difference.  However, when comparing this book to the other books by Colasanti, I felt like these characters lacked the depth that I found in her other novels.  I didn't get to know them as well as I wanted to.  For example - her love interest - what is his deal? Why did he all of a sudden start to notice her.  This was not really mentioned. I guess my problem with the story was I didn't have a reason to really like or dislike any character and some parts were too exaggerated and unrealistic.  My favorite things were the themes of the book and the great teaching ideas I gained from Noelle's physics teacher (I am going to implement some of her teaching strategies!).

2.5/5 Stars

Erin 

The Selected

by Kiera Cass

Barnes and Noble Overview

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My Review
Wow. I loved this book.   It is one of those books that will leave you wondering and thinking about the characters long after you put it down. As soon as the release date for the sequel is out, I will be counting down the days.


This book is the Bachelor meets a fairytale prince meets Hunger Games - but some how it has a serious undertone and it just works!  I have never read a book where I am so torn on the love triangle that was presented.  I can't predict where the author is going to go with the romance or who she will eventually end up with - can it some how be both?  So often I read books with love triangles and it is clear who she will end up with (I never doubted it would be Peeta and Edward in the other two well known book series) but with this book I really don't know who I want America to end up with!


I also have to mention that I love the cover - it caught my attention immediately and made me want to explore the book in the first place.  With the trend of dystopian books hitting the shelves, I liked that in this story it  those rebelling against those in power are not necessarily the "good guys" (maybe that will change during the rest of the trilogy - not sure where the author is going with the rebellion yet).   However, you do know that the system the government has set up is not fair and needs to be changed - I am predicting that America will have a part in that change as she already has some influence on a decision the made in this book.  For the most part, the rebellion is a small part of this book and it focuses more on the romantic and friends relationships between America, the prince, her past love and the other women in the selection.  I am guessing the rebellion and change with the country will be a larger part in the plot of the next two books.


If you like to read books with a strong female character (and like romance) you will enjoy this book.


5/5 Stars


Erin

Legend

by Marie Lu

Legend Overview

Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

My Overview
This book is a MUST read - especially for fans who enjoyed the Hunger Games Series. I liked it so much, but I almost don't know what to say about the book - I don't want give anything away! It has similar themes as the Hunger Games (set in the future, government control over the people, and a romance that is quite complicated), yet the story is still unique in it's own way.  It took me about four chapters to get completely sucked into the story and after that I couldn't put it down.

What drew me most to this book was the characters.  I felt like I really got to know the characters and how they were feeling throughout the book.  I was drawn into the story and felt what they felt - I was surprised, shocked, happy, tense and heartbroken with June and Day as they told their story.  I want to be June - or at least be friends with her. A good book will leave you thinking and wondering about the characters long after you put it down.  This book is one of those.

The plot is captivating.  There are twists to the story that I particularly enjoyed - including an ending that left me sad, yet at the same time satisfied with how it played out.

This is the first in a trilogy with the second book Prodigy coming out in early 2013.  I will be looking forward to its release!

4.5/5 Stars

Erin

Deadly Little Secret (Touch Series # 1)

by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Barnes and Noble Overview

Up until three months ago, everything in sixteen-year-old Camelia’s life had been fairly ordinary: decent grades; an okay relationship with her parents; and a pretty cool part-time job at the art studio downtown. But when Ben, the mysterious new guy, starts junior year at her high school, Camelia’s life becomes anything but ordinary.

Rumored to be somehow responsible for his ex-girlfriend’s accidental death, Ben is immediately ostracized by everyone on campus. Except for Camelia. She’s reluctant to believe the rumors, even when her friends try to convince her otherwise. She’s inexplicably drawn to Ben…and to his touch. But soon, Camelia is receiving eerie phone calls and strange packages with threatening notes. Ben insists she is in danger, and that he can help—but can he be trusted? She knows he's hiding something... but he's not the only one with a secret.

My Review
During the summer I check out books from my middle school library.  The librarian says it's better for them to get read than to sit on the shelf.  I had every intention of checking out 5 or 6 books, but our library clerk kept piling more good books into my stack (and I ended up with a box full).  This book series was one of them.  I am going to review this series as a whole.  There are four books in the series out now: Deadly Little Secrets; Deadly Little Lies; Deadly Little Games; and Deadly Little Voices.  The fifth book will be out early next year (2013). 

When I first started reading book one, it sounded familiar.  A mysterious new boy.  A young teen girl.  They are somewhat forced to being lab partners in science class. The boy tries to avoid her and warns her she is dangerous - in the first chapter he pushes her out of the way of a moving car!  (Twilight anyone?). 
However, about halfway through the first book I found it to be less like Twilight and more like an eerie Nancy Drew novel.  Someone is stalking this girl and sending her weird messages.  Ben can touch others and sense things about them - like if they are in danger.  I had my stalker suspects narrowed down to four and the moment I thought I had it figured out, the author would leave me wondering if it was someone else.  One thing I really liked about the writing is that every few chapters, you would get to read a glimpse into the stalker's mind.  I enjoyed getting that perspective and trying to figure it out.

The rest of the book series is set up similar to the first book.  In each book there is a someone making threatening notes and the main character tries to use her newly discovered powers to figure it out (in one of the books, the stalker uses crossword puzzles as clues).  There is also some romance and a love triangle that develops. 

Yes - the series will occasionally still have a Twilight feel to it, but the good news is - if you enjoyed Twilight you will enjoy this.  Don't worry - there aren't any warewolves or vampires.  Just teenagers who can predict the future through touch and sculpting art.  

3.5/5 Stars
 Erin