School of Fear by Gitty Daneshvari

School of Fear is an engaging 339 page novel about four children with phobias that prevent them from living life to the fullest. Each of their desperate families discovered School of Fear, a very secretive and exclusive institution with an oh-so-very odd head mistress. Together, they experienced an adventure that changed their lives forever. I truly was impressed with the balance between reality and fairy tale within this book. I would recommend this wacky and fun story to boys and girls around the ages of 10-12.

Reviewed by Claire, age 12.

Howl's Moving Castle by ianna Wynne Jones

Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo

Kensuke's Kingdom is the story of Michael, who fell off his parent's boat and soon found himself in Kensuke's kingdom. Emperor Kensuke first dislikes Michael, but after an accident both Michael and Kensuke learn and grow in heart and mind. I think those who like books involving survival would really like this book. Kensuke's Kingdom also allows you to imagine what Michael's environment must have looked like. If you like books about survival and have a great imagination, I think you'll like Kensuke's Kingdom.

Reviewed by Riley, age 12

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

Caddie Woodlawn is a beautifully written book about a young girl growing up in Wisconsin after moving from Boston at an early age. Her mother wanted her to be lady-like, but when her younger sister died from lack of sun and exercise, her father convinced her mother to let her run with the boys and she grew healthy and strong. I really liked it alot and I would read it again.
I give it 3 stars!
Reviewed by Rachel, age 11

Tyranny by Lesley Fairfield

This book is a nice comedy about a girl who thinks she is fat. My favorite part is seeing this very thin person trying to convince her to lose weight. This book would be great for people who like to laugh.
I give it 3 stars!
Reviewed by Kirsten, age 12

Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya

This book is about a girl who moves in with a family with a strange secret. They are members of the zodiac. When they are hugged by someone of the opposite sex or someone who is weak, they turn into animals. While she is living with them, she meets more and more members of the zodiac.
I give this book 4 stars!
Reviewed by Kirsten, age 12

Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins

Gregor is back in the Underland; a place where human skin is purple and all of the animals are much, much bigger than life-size. Gregor and Luxa must go on a quest to save the mice from extinction and rescue them from the rats. They find that an old children's song is actually another one of the Great Sandwitches prophecies. Gregor, his bonded bat Ares, and Luxa all acquire many new injuries; it all works out in the end.

I give this book 4 stars!

Reviewed by Camille, age 12

Gregor and the Code of Claw

Gregor is in The Underland, miles below New York City, ready to fulfill "The Prophecy of Time." The problem is, it calls for him to kill The Bane, a twelve-foot rat, and it also states that Gregor himself will die. There is a war between the Bane's rats and the humans of The Underland and to win the war Gregor's little sister will have to decipher the Code of Claw. To everyone's surprise Gregor defeats the Bane, and the humans and their allies win. But, most important of all ,Gregor and most of the ones that he holds close live to tell the tale.

I give this 4 stars!

Reviewed by Camille, age 12

Summer 2010 Book Reviews!

It's time to post teen book reviews for Summer 2010. How many of these books have your read?

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