Biddeford Book Ninjas-Book Reviews by Young Adults
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The second installment of reviews from the Biddeford Book Ninjas brings you stories of karma, star-crossed lovers, ice cream, and shape-shifting--perfect explorations for the hot summer days ahead.
Brody, Jessica. The Karma Club. May 2010. Farrar. ISBN: 978-0-374-33979-1. Gr 8 and up.
The cover made me want to pick up this book because it doesn't give everything away. I saw it from so far away that I couldn't see the text on the front... which was a good thing. It says, "When you mess with Karma, Karma messes back."
Maddy is a pretty typical high school teen and I loved the little jokes throughout this book in her monologues. They'd come out of nowhere and I actually laughed out loud. I also liked Operation Butter Face, part of her revenge plan, and I can't believe anyone in their right mind would actually follow through with it! I've only dreamed about seeking revenge, so at various points, I was swapping the characters for people I've met.
I was disappointed that the story was somewhat predictable. I knew the whole plot about two or three chapters in. I didn't find it fresh at all, because the storyline resembles so many others. I wish it wasn't as generic as 1) something bad happens to main character, 2) main character seeks revenge, 3) revenge blows up in main character's face, 4) main character fixes it and learns his/her lesson, and 5) the day is saved.-Elyse O., age 15
Michael, Ted. Crash Test Love. Delacorte. June 2010. ISBN: 978-0-385-73580-3. Gr 8-12.
This was a stereotypical look at high school but yet, still a fast, fun read. I didn't think it was bad, but it lacked personality. It was a lot like the movie John Tucker Must Die. I liked the two main characters. I also liked the changing chapters and the different perspectives from Garrett and Henry. My favorite character of the two was Henry. It was interesting to hear a boy's perspective of girls and his emotions. They seemed real and honest.
It was entertaining and fun to read about the sugar-coated lives of these teenagers, though it was predictable.-Margaret Kathryn L., age 14
Kent, Rose. Rocky Road. Knopf. June 2010. ISBN: 978-0-375-86344-8. Gr 5-8.
Rocky Road combined my two favorite things in the world: reading and ice cream. This is a pretty typical book where the family owns a small shop but it's certainly atypical in its writing style and its Southern flair. The plot is different from the other cookie-cutter parents-own-a-small-restaurant-and-child/narrator-helps-out book. Tess is a stronger, more independent main character than many books provide.
There's a wide range of characters that the reader will grow to love, even if they're not particularly fond of those characters in the beginning. Tess, the main character, shows realistic growth along with her bi-polar mother, Delilah, and her deaf brother, Jordan.
I would recommend this book to a wide range of readers, although most of those readers would be female. It is certainly not a fluffy book, and it's not as depressing as most new young adult books are (hooray!). It's a fast-paced read with a solid ending that's sure to avoid disappointment.-Hilary L., age 17
Kincy, Karen. Other (An Other Novel). Flux. July 2010. ISBN: 978-0-738-71919-1. Gr 9 and up.
Gwen seems like a normal girl to most people. That's because they don't know that she's a shape-shifter. When others shape-shifters begin to turn up dead, Gwen knows that it's up to her to find the killer.
I immediately wanted to pick up this book because I liked how she was half and half on the cover-it's interesting. The title really pops out.
Being a fantasy lover, I found that this book satisfied my love of magic. It also satisfied me in the mystery, murder, and romance departments. An absolutely amazing read, this is one that I would, and will recommend to everybody I know. I absolutely without a doubt have found my favorite book!-Marissa H., age 13
McArthur Public Library is the home of the Biddeford Book Ninjas; teen services librarian Brooke Faulkner is their master chief.
