Roselle Young Adult's Book Review

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

shadowpuppy — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 03:46:31 +0000

Although this book was published in 1999, it is as relevant today as it was then. Melinda Sordino begins her freshman year of high school a social outcast. She has done the unthinkable; called the cops to break up an end-of-summer party. Now her former friends will not even speak to her. It is not until several chapters into the book that we find out that Melinda was raped at the party. She cannot deal with it and turns inward. Her grades suffer, her parents can’t figure out what’s gotten into her. It is not until the boy tries to attack her again, that she finally finds her voice and stands up to him.
The author does a great job of putting the reader inside Melinda’s head. She makes you feel Melinda’s pain and root for her to find a way to deal with the trauma.
The Library owns the book, the movie and the Book on CD. Read, watch or listen!

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

shadowpuppy — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:08:31 +0000

This is the story of Bella, a typical, if a bit clumsy, seventeen year old, who moves from the big sunny city of Phoenix, AZ, to live with her father in the nearly-always-dreary, rainy small town of Forks, WA. Although she finds herself unexpectedly popular in the small high school, she is drawn to the amazingly beautiful, but quiet and withdrawn Edward. And he is drawn to her.
As Bella and Edward try to overcome the obstacles that should keep them apart, their mutual attraction grows into a beautiful romance. But, in the end, can either of them survive their differences?
For those of you who have already read all four of Stephenie Meyers’ Twilight books, I can hear you saying “Well, this review’s a little late! Duh!”
What can I say…I’m always a little late! But I am here to tell you that if you haven’t read these books yet, you get yourself over to your library and get on the hold list (I can almost guarantee that you won’t find them sitting on the shelf). Once you start reading, you will not be able to put the books down.
Books in the series:
Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn

And yet again…

shadowpuppy — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:23:42 +0000

Have you finished Breaking Dawn already? Are you feeling at a loss? What can I read now…I need to read something to fill the void!

Do not despair! You can find lots of “read-alike” lists on the web. Here’s a start:

Multonomah County Library has several suggestions including my favorite City of Bones.

Infosoup.org suggests a list compiled by Appleton (WI) Public Library (which also includes City of Bones & City of Ashes).

“Got Fangs?” Check out the list from the Corvalis-Benton (OR) County Public Library. While browsing this list you can also pose a question to the Twilight Saga Fortune Teller.

Finally (you can find lots more on your own), Library Thing has a great page of recommendations, too.

So, get thee to a library and read!

Stephenie Meyer fans…again

shadowpuppy — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:26:40 +0000

Just a shout out to let you know about a Twilight Review contest over at Library Thing. The contest is open until August 15th. 50 winners wil get an array of prizes, with the top 3 each getting a $50 gift certificate to the independent bookseller of his/her choice.

Not familiar with Library Thing? It’s a site where you can build your own Library, tag your books, write reviews and socialize with people who enjoy the same things you do …books!

Roselle Library just recently joined Library Thing. See the Library’s library here. You can join, too. It’s free.

Stephenie Meyer fans… (and who isn’t?)

shadowpuppy — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:11:43 +0000

Just a head’s up…
The July 10th edition of Entertainment Weekly magazine has a great cover story about Stephenie Meyers’ books and the upcoming Twilight movie that is due out in December.
The magazine is available in the Library or you can read the article online. Be sure to click the links at the end of the article for a preview of Breaking Dawn.

Is she the next J.K. Rowling? I have to admit that I haven’t read this series yet (shame on me!) but I plan to as soon as I can get my hands on a copy of Twilight.
So, leave a comment and tell me why it is so good.

Artemis Fowl fans…

shadowpuppy — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:00:05 +0000

If you are an Artemis Fowl fan, then you know that The Time Paradox, book six in the series, comes out Tuesday, July 15!
But did you know that Eoin Colfer is kicking off his book promotion tour right here in Illinois?
“On the eve of the release of the sixth Artemis Fowl book, a giant bus is gassed up and ready to begin the journey across the North American continent, beginning with a stop at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove.”
(Daily Herald, Monday, 7/14/08 – read the whole article)
If you go, leave a comment and let us know what you thought.

Here is a preview of Mr. Colfer’s presentation (from his website):

more about “Fairies, Fiends and Flatulence – US T…“, posted with vodpod

posted by shadowpuppy

Gem X by Nicky Singer

roselleyoungadult — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:02:05 +0000

A book that I just couldn’t put down. The story takes place in a futuristic time period where many people are genetically enhanced to different degrees, while others are not. The two groups are separated by an economic gap. Then the unthinkable happens, there is something wrong with the Gem X generation. Cracks and lines start appearing on their perfect faces. Maxo, a Gem X, does the unbelievable and falls in love with a natural, at first site. This book is about a future where science is genetically altering human beings and questions if people are losing their humanity in the process.

Harry Potter fans…

shadowpuppy — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:08:24 +0000

Author J.K. Rowling wrote an 800-word “prequel” to the Harry Potter series on a single sheet of paper for a charity auction in London. The handwritten “storycard” sold for £25,000 (US$48,858).

The short episode features Harry’s father James Potter and Sirius Black. You can read it here – if you can decipher Ms. Rowling’s handwriting!

posted by shadowpuppy

Saga by Conor Kostick

roselleyoungadult — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:55:45 +0000

This book is a great read. It is the sequel to Epic, but features a different virtual world. We see some of the same characters, like Cinderella Dragon Slayer but he has more of a supporting role. This virtual world is no longer a game but real to its inhabitants.

There are a few people left known as RALs that can control the world around them. The main character, Ghost might be a RAL. All she can remember is what happens to her after the age of 10, before that it is a mystery. We come to learn who Ghost really is and what power she may hold. All of the main characters are Teens, who are looking to change their world for the better. But before they can accomplish that, they must defeat the Dark Queen, who has been in control for a very long time. Did I mention that our main characters favorite past time is airboarding, something that is possible in their world.

City of Bones / City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

shadowpuppy — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:13:07 +0000

So, I recently moved on from James Patterson’s mutant flock of winged teenagers to Cassandra Clare’s clave of demon-hunting teenagers!
City of Bones and City of Ashes are the first two books in her The Mortal Instruments trilogy. The stories are about Shadowhunters who walk the streets of New York City looking for all the world like the kids next door, but they have powers to protect the rest of us “mundane” humans from the demons that are lurking in the shadows. At the same time they mediate the little problems that arise between the Downworlders that live undetected among us – the warlocks, werewolves, fairies and vampires. The Shadowhunters’ most prized possessions are the “mortal instruments,” a cup, a sword and a mirror. Each is endowed with a power that would be disastrous in the wrong hands… and someone is trying to steal them.

These stories are exciting and fun… and romantic – I’m a sucker for romance. I finished City of Bones and went right on to City of Ashes. They are the kind of books that you can’t put down, but you don’t want to end. To make it worse, City of Ashes leaves so many questions unanswered and ends with a cliff-hanger! Worst of all, the last book in the trilogy, City of Glass, is not due to be published until March 29, 2009!!!

I’ve marked my calendar and signed up for an email alert!

(More info at the Mortal Instruments website: http://www.mortalinstruments.com/mortalbooks.html)

posted by shadowpuppy