Book Reviews by Young Adults
RSSSneak Peek Reviewers Club
You'll find a couple of "second takes" in our latest column, but as Chris Selig, the fearless leader of the Sneak Peekers, once told me, "I just can't keep them from reading these hot titles!" And actually, we wouldn't want it any other way. Second Take (originally reviewed in SLJTeen December 21, 2011) KESSLER, Jackie M. Loss. Graphia, March 2012. pap. $8.99. ISBN: 978-0-547-71215-4. Gr 8 Up—Kessler has done it again, giving us a great new addition to the "Riders of the Apocalypse" series and insight on the White Rider of Pestilence. This story is told through the eyes of Billy Ballard. He's your average picked-on teen who bottles up his feelings. But when Billy's forced to wield the power of Pestilence, he instinctively lets out his anger on those who tormented him or stood by and watched as he was picked on. Can we really blame him for fighting back? After fully understanding what he did, Billy decides that he doesn't really want Pestilence's power, so he must track down the previous White Rider and make him reclaim his power. So far, by a slim margin, this is the best book of the "Riders of the Apocalypse" series. I'd give it a nine out of 10 any day of the week.—Martin G., age 15. COATS, J. Anderson. The Wicked and the Just. Harcourt, April 2012. Tr $16.99. IBSN: 978-0-547-68837-4. The Wicked and the Just is a fantastic book. The writing style is wonderful and perfectly expresses that period in history. Cecily and the other characters spoke as I'd imagine people would in such a place and time. And the clothing, setting, and story are intricately detailed. The plot is engaging, and although the ending is sad, there's a sense of justice and purpose to it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.—Rachel A., age 17. ANGLER, Evan. Swipe. Thomas Nelson, May 2012. pap. $9.99. ISBN: 978-1400318360. Gr 5-9—In this futuristic tale, 12-year-old Logan Langley is months away from becoming a citizen of the American Union. When he turns 13, he'll be required to take a pledge and get the "Mark," a special tattoo that's like a barcode on your wrist. Once you get your Mark, you're able to do almost anything you want. Everyone would seem to want to get a Mark, but some don't. On Slog Row, the Markless are left to struggle to survive: no Mark equals no job, just about anywhere. But Logan also knows that some people don't return from their pledge, including his sister, Lily, who's thought to be dead. Suddenly, the new girl at school wants to find Peck, a murderer and a thief. She and Logan become friends because he tells her about Lily and her pledge. Ever since Lily died, Logan feels like he's being watched. Is he? This is a great book. It moves at a very fast pace, and shows a number of things, but most of all friendship. A lot of people protect others in this book, even if the one they're protecting doesn't know it. The book is about how one person will help another, especially if they are Marked. Sometimes people think someone is really evil and bad and that person turns out to be good. If you read this book, make sure to tell someone else about it, because, like me, you'll find you will love this book.—Tyler L., age 12 Second Take (originally reviewed in SLJTeen December 21, 2011) PORTER, Sarah. Waking Storms. Harcourt, July 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN: 978-0547482514. Waking Storms is the captivating second book in the "Lost Voices" trilogy that follows the journey of mermaid Luce as she struggles with love and leadership. The storyline of the book remains constantly intriguing and readers will find themselves unable to put the book down until the very last page. Waking Storms is a fantasy tale that parallels the life of a regular teenage girl. Although Luce is undoubtedly not a normal teenage girl, she experiences similar struggles. Teens will be able to relate to Luce's forbidden romance and desire to be "normal." Though Luce encounters orcas, hateful mermaids, and strange whispering voices that a teen normally would not, her out-of-the-world experiences add depth and dimension to the story. Readers will be surprised with each plot twist and will find themselves completely enthralled by the descriptive imagery and level of detail in the story. Waking Storms is a must read for all.—Liane Y., age 17 This article originally appeared in School Library Journal's enewsletter SLJTeen. Subscribe here.
Gr 8 Up—Uprooted and torn away from her beloved home, Cecily and her father must learn to live in a new place among new people. Father and daughter have many things to adjust to; yet most importantly, they must learn to live with the newly conquered Welsh people, who aren't as defeated as they seem. Although Cecily struggles to live among snobby English landowners, her servant, Gwenhwyfar, finds it hard just to survive. In the ever increasing famine and hostile environment, both daughter and servant will have to overcome the boundaries of rank and the tensions of race to survive.
Gr 9 Up—Luce has parted with her mermaid tribe, and desires to live peacefully by herself. However, the tribe is falling apart and needs her leadership. Luce broke the mermaid law in order to save Dorian, and now he won't leave her alone until she has answered his questions and paid for killing his family. However, when they meet, Luce and Dorian develop love for each other. Luce struggles to lead the tribe and keep her relationship with Dorian, but she realizes she can't do both and is forced to choose one or the other. To make matters worse, Luce is starting to get the idea that humans are suspecting the existence of mermaids. On the verge of war, Luce has to decide if she will lead the mermaids in the fight against the humans.
