book trailer from summer teen program

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP_ETzubH68

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

book trailer from summer teen program

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHmmy2qkO6o

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Secrets of the Clans by Erin Hunter

This book tells secrets of the four clans from the Warriors series. These secrets are only found in this book. Included are tours of the clans' camps and their territories, maps of the forest and the lake where they live, and a little history from the formation of the clans. A great book for followers of the Warriors series. I give it 4 stars.

Reviewed by Seth, age 15

Left Behind by Jerry Jenkins

This book is about 4 kids who are left on earth when Jesus comes and they don't know what to do until they meet a pastor who also didn't go to heaven. This book is thrilling and makes you want to keep reading it.

I give it 3 stars. Reviewed by Jacob, age 13

The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith

The Vampire Diaries is about a deadly love triangle. What makes it so deadly is that two of them are not human, but vampires. A beautiful girl, a heart broken boy, and his brother, a revenge driven man. I couldn't put this book down...Definitely a winner!

Reviewed by Michelle, age 13

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

I don't know where to start, this book is so amazing. This book is very sad, but at the same time really enjoyable. It's about a horse that tells the story of his life. It's breathtaking to see how his life started out so happy, but then his life turned because of a tragedy that happened to his owner. After that he is separated from his friend and his best friend. Later, he is abused and his best friend is also abused so much that he ends up dying. This book is very emotional. I highly recommend this book to anybody who loves horses.

Reviewed by Madeline, age age 12

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Peter Pan stories are all told in different ways each time it is written, but this one is the best one of them all. Every time Tinker Bell has to help Wendy, she is very mean to her, but when Tinker Bell finally softens her heart she realizes Wendy isn't all that bad. My favorite part about this book is when Peter Pan saves the lost boys and Wendy.

Reviewed by Madeline, age 12

Letters to a Bullied Girl by Olivia Gardener

Olivia Gardener was uncontrollably bullied after having an epileptic seizure in her classroom. From then on she was the target of bullies, until two sisters started a letter writing campaign and then Olivia starts getting recognized for her good points. I liked this book.

Reviewed by Francois, age 12

Brian finds a dog that got hurt so he tries to save it and he does. Then, in search of it's home, he finds a camp that was destroyed. He finds 6 bloody corpses that were killed by a bear. Then, to find vengence on the dead people and dogs, he kills the bear. I thought this book was really exciting.

Reviewed by Francois, age 12

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. Written in the late 30's by the same author of 101 Dalmations. It tells the story of a 17 year old girl named Cassandra and her family living in an ancient castle in the country side of England. She has a dreary sister named Rose who thinks she will never marry. A young step mother who likes to "commune" with nature, a brother who is often quiet and philosphical, and Stephen. The teenage boy who has lived with them since he was a child. (and might possibly be in love with Cassandra, but she doesn't want to think about that.) Her father was a famous writer, then stopped writing after a terrible incident having to do with a cake-knife. They are terribly poor and wondering whatever are they going to do for income. At the same time, two young american men move into the manor nearby. It turns the whole family's world inside out, especially Cassandra's. A fabulous book to read in one's late teens. There is romance and plenty of cute boys. A little bit old fashion, but if you love the old classics, you will love this one. 5 plus stars!

Reviewed by Kitty, age 19

What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones is the Sequel to What My Mother Doesn't Know. It is a book written in verse. Both books are in this format. It tells the story of the beginnings of a relationship between Sophie and Robin Murphy. They are completely and totally in love, but they are despised by the rest of their high school. In particular, Robin. He is an outcast, and sophie becomes one because she chooses to be with him. She is miserable without her friends, and he is miserable seeing her in such a state. Yet they find peace and calm doing their art together. Repeating over and over again. It's us against the world... Outlaws rule!You could read this book on it's own, and it would hold up pretty well, but if you want the history then you should read the first book. The format might be a little off putting at first, but once you get into the book, you probably won't think about it anymore. I would give it 3 1/2 stars.

Reviewed by Kitty, age 19

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

In this book the two main characters get married and finally "get a room." The result? a dhampir that grows 3 times as fast as a human (How?), and the volturi want to destroy it.
Not THAT bad, surprisingly, though VERY anti-climatic. Somebody should have died in the Volturi scene (Edward, and then Bella dies of grief.) I give it 3 ***'s. Hey, this is really pretty good.

Reviewed by Pendulum Writer, age 13

Total Constant Order by Crissa-Jean Chappell

I thought this book was interesting because it goes inside the mind of an OCD patient. Crissa-Jean did a good job. I almost got it...almost. I still think washing your hands a million times a day is, uh, well, crazy. heh.

Reviewed by Michelle, age 13

Lovely*Complex v.1 by Aya Nukahara

Super funny!! "Bout this one chick who is, like, really tall and finds herself liking a short guy. (I don't think heights a very big deal.) Well, there's like a millin of these books so it's kinda hard to narrow all of it down, but a lot of crazy things happen. Love the drawings btw! ^.^

I give it 4 ****'s ...couldn't put it down.

Reviewed by Michelle, age 13

New Moon by Stephanie Meyer

New Moon is the sequel to Twilight. It has the same characters, plus a group called the Vulturi. Jacob Black becomes one of the main characters in New Moon. Something bad happens to Bella, which forces Edward to make a very serious decision that changes both of their lives forever. I give it 4 stars. Reviewed by Michelle, age 13.

Peak by Roland Smith

Peak is about a boy who climbs Mount Everest. It all starts when he gets in serious trouble by climbing some skyscrapers in New York city. His father, who is a professional climber, takes Peak under his wing to climb Mount Everest. Reviewed by Michelle, age 13.

Storm Front: Book One of the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

Basically, Harry Dresden is a detective for hire. He has absolutely no training for being a private investigator other than the fact that he is a wizard as in; awesome powers at his fingertips, can call up really scary demons, talk to fairies, and the like. In Storm Front, Harry fights a dark sorcerer and several other bad guys that haunt Chicago. That is only the basics though. I truly enjoyed the character development that takes place in the first book, although it does get a little old in this book, it was still enough to keep me reading. It is more than the simple plot line that keeps this book rolling, it is the detail with which Jim Butcher explains the oddities of the characters and the settings. Reviewed by Sheina, age 18

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

I will admit I began reading Twilight with high hopes. Always am I the excited one when it comes to vampire novels. And OH how I adore the occasional bout of fluffy girl reading (AKA romance just for romance's sake). But good god, Twilight takes it too far. Bella is whisked away to mysterious Forks, WA (bleh). Then she meet her dream man (Edward Cullen) in school, but, alas, he is not able to be with her because he is a vampire and it is against the vampire morals. Yet, they fall in love anyway. Herein lies a problem, I would believe that these two would at least kiss, fool around a little due to the fact that they are teenagers. But nay, they keep their hands to themselves much to my dismay. And their love continues to consist of long, meaningful stares. This is fine for young readers and generally most people of lower reading levels, but it is advertised for my age group and I am highly distressed. Not only is the plot incredibly base, but so are the characters. For the record, I also disapprove of Stephanie Meyer's writing style as it contains little to no details, and fails horribly at syntax and vocabulary. Truly this book was written for the young reader who is pure of heart, and enjoys boring, easy to read novels, much akin to magazines. Reviewed by Sheina, age 18

1984 by George Orwell

Winston is caught in a world controlled by the government. Secretly, the government controls everything that is done by the people, including what they think and believe. 1984 is THE must read book for any person trying to live in a democracy. Winston struggles against the government and the leader, Big Brother. He tries to evade the telescreens that plague him constantly. This book truly lit a fire under me about how we must, as humans, keep a constant vigilance on our ruling powers so that they never control us. 1984 is fast paced up until right before the huge climax, when it is slightly drier. This book should not only be required reading for school children, but citizens, non-citizens, adults and certainly anyone going into politics.
Reviewed by Sheina, age 18

Storm the Ghost Machine by E.L. Young

Caspain Barbaran is starting a ghost cult and has made explosives and robots that weren't supposed to exist for another 5 years. With these come destruction and horror, but in the end the good guys beat the bad guys. I give it 3 stars. Reviewed by Francois, age 12.

Mirrormask by Neil Gaiman

Helena is a circus girl whose life turns upside down when her mother goes to the hospital. One night she travels to another world that she created and has a mission. I think this book was rather good. I just don't get the riddles.

I'd give it 3 stars.

Reviewed by Autumn, age 13

Good Omens

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman is, essentially, about Armageddon. It involves two should-be enemies (friends) a three-child switcheroo with the son of satan, and a witchfinder army. It includes a grand cast of characters. I loved it. 4 stars!
Reviewed by Autumn, age 13

Twilight

Twilight is about a girl named Bella that falls in love with a vampire named Edward. When a vampire named james starts tracking Bella, Edward does whatever it takes to keep Bella safe. Things go kind of wrong...though.
I give it 4 stars. Couldn't put it down, definitely a winner!

Reviewed by Michelle, age 13