SKETCH

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

2009-08-19T10:34:00.007-04:00

When Frankie, a sophomore, begins to date Matthew, a senior, she is completely smitten. She soon learns that Matthew is hiding something from her: he belongs to an all male secret society at their school. A combination of boredom and hunger for power leads Frankie to spy on the meetings of the society and, as a result, she devises a plan to secretly control it and the pranks it plays on the school. As she gains more control over the society the pranks start to go a little too far and trouble occurs. If you like books that have a little bit of adventure, a little bit of romance, and a strong female character then put this book on your list. You won't be disappointed.

Ms. Amy (SCPL Librarian, Lake Mary Branch)

Sold by Patricia McCormick

2009-08-13T09:43:00.007-04:00

13yr old Lakshmi, a poor girl from a remote Nepal village in the Himalayas, is sold into sexual slavery to a brothel in India. This is her account of her life, told in short diary-type snippets. Harrowing and yet inspiring, the detail in this riveting tale reflects the research done by the author. Each year thousands of girls are sold into prostitution, this book is dedicated to some of them. It was a National Book Award finalist, A Quill award winner, and on the ALA top 10 books for Young Adults.

Ms. Marie (SCPL Librarian, Casselberry Branch)

2009-08-11T15:27:00.004-04:00

The Great Gatsby is a classic and one of the best books I've ever read. A man named Nick moves next door to a very wealthy man named Gatsby. Gatsby throws lavish parties and has a mysterious past. As time goes on Nick learns more about Gatsby and gets a look into the lives of people from the East coast. This book is a good representation of life in the 1920's and the American dream.

Haleigh (Oviedo, FL. 12th)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2009-08-10T14:38:00.006-04:00

The Hunger Games takes place in the futuristic world where the government controls every aspect of our lives. Although the story revolves around this idea, it focuses more on the heroine of the story and her will to survive. Katniss Everdeen is a very likeable character who literally has to fight for her life. The government punishes its citizens by taking two teens from each district and setting them against each other until only one is alive, all the while taping everything and forcing the citizens to watch. There is romance, action, and horror... a little bit of everything to satisfy everyone. I was very suprised how much I liked this book and quickly recommend it to anyone. This book was recommended by Stephenie Meyer (author of the Twilight saga), which is where I originally heard about The Hunger Games.

Melissa (Hagerty, FL. 10th)

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

2009-08-10T14:16:00.007-04:00

13 year old Anna was born to save her sister, Kate. Kate has a rare type of Leukemia and was diagnosed at age 2. She needed cord blood, and siblings or parents make the safest donors. Since nobody in her family was a match, Kate's parents had to have another baby. With the help of doctors, they were able to ensure that the baby (Anna) would be a perfect match for Kate. Throughout Anna's life, she had to undergo many surgeries and transplants to save her sister. Now, 13 years later, Anna is being forced to do a risky kidney transplant that has a slim chance of even helping Kate. So Anna files a lawsuit against her parents for rights to her own body. My Sister's Keeper follows the story of Kate and Anna's family and lawyers, and how sometimes decisions that are good for one person may hurt another.

Alana (Hagerty, FL. 9th)

Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce

2009-07-28T15:22:00.008-04:00

Bloodhound is the sequel to Terrier in which we are introduced to Beka Cooper who is similar to a medieval cop, however she is a girl during the time. In Bloodhound Beka finds out that people are making fake coins, can't have that, it might be ruining things for the people. And so she sets off to find out who is doing it, along with her friends from Corus. While there she makes a lot of friends and some enemies. This story is great for any girl who wants a hero to look up to, or any one for that matter just because she solves problems and she looks out for her friends and others.

Amber (Lake Mary, FL. 12th)

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

2009-07-26T13:47:00.005-04:00

This was an amazing book. It portrays soldiers' lives before, during, and after the Vietnam War. The way that the author writes, you feel like you're a part of the book as you're reading. You feel like you're there, amidst the gun fire, the death, and the passion and sorrow of the soldiers. I usually don't like books about war, but when I read this book, I fell in love with it. You can analyze a deeper meaning in pretty much everything that the author writes and the stories in this book really tear at your heart. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a true, heart-wrenching story about the lives of our Vietnam veterans. It's sure to make you see our country in a different way and you surely won't regret reading it.

Shelby (Oviedo, FL. 12th)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

2009-07-26T13:40:00.004-04:00

In the stunning conclusion of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling throws in many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. This book was by far the best in the series and a true literary delight. Everybody should read this book, only of course if they have followed Harry throughout his magical journey.

Kevin (Winter Springs, FL. 12th)

V for Vendetta by Steve Moore

2009-07-25T13:03:00.008-04:00

V for Vendetta is one of the rare books that comes along that makes you really question the intentions of government and what the future holds. The novel is speculation of the 1990's (since it was written in the 1980's). The government has complete control of the population with security cameras and curfews enforced by an "SS" type police force. V, a man hidden by a mask, seeks to liberate the oppressed British citizens. It's a novel filled with deep dialogue, and can even be a possible foreshadowing of how government is slowly taking away one's freedom. Very similar to 1984, and I highly recommend.

Alan (Winter Springs, FL. 12th)

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

2009-07-25T11:58:00.005-04:00

This book allowed me as a reader to enter a world so different from what we live in today. Lee's novel is set in the 1930s, a time when the Jim Crow laws were so deeply ingrained in the people of the Southern United States. It shows readers how racisim can destroy families and split up society. The novel depicts the cruelty and unfairness of racisim through the perspective of a young girl, Scout. I truly enjoyed this book; it was a great piece of historical fiction.

Sohani (Hagerty, FL. 11th)

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

2009-07-25T11:48:00.005-04:00

This book offers a captive tale about romance. With vampires and danger this book is sure to keep you reading. You'll never want to put it down. The book is long but if you get into it the story goes by quick. A young girl named Bella moves to a quiet town called Forks. The town is located in Washington state. She lives with her father. Bella doesn't expect to meet her true love at her highschool. But little to her knowledge she's in for a suprise. If you wish to know more read! :)

Lauren (Hagerty, FL. 11th)

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

2009-07-23T09:10:00.005-04:00

Outliers is an extraordinary book that talks about all the different factors that can contribute to success. This is an easy to understand book that allows even teenagers to see what it takes to become successful. He starts the book by doing a little bit of research on Canada's infamous hockey players. He noticed that the best players were born within the first few months of the year and so they had more time to practice and therefore had the advantage over other players. Gladwell also explains the 10,000 hour rule. This rule basically says that in order to become successful in something you must devote 10,000 hours into it. This book is great in how it describes how friends and family all play a role in a person's success.

Elaine (Hagerty, FL. 10th)

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

2009-07-22T09:08:00.009-04:00

The Road could possibly be described as tragic, but also as heartfelt. It is a tale of an anonymous couple; a father and son,traveling through a barren wasteland- what has become of the planet after some world-wide disaster. Throughout the story, the father and son encounter many strange events; a cannibal group for example. Though there is pretty much nothing left in the wake of what could be considered the apocalypse, the small "family" stays very close, the father sacrificing his health for his son. The end of the book will leave you feeling slightly melancholy, but also wishing that the author had written a sequel to this sad story.

Esther (Oviedo, FL. 11th)

Eldest by Christopher Paolini

2009-07-20T16:00:00.008-04:00

Paolini's book Eragon really captured my imagination and took me to a whole new world, so I of course went right out to read the second book in the saga Eldest. In Eldest Eragon is continuing his journey with his dragon Saphira. They travel to the dwarfs secret home and from there into the unknown forest to find the elves. I was so captivated by Paolini's use of descriptive language and fantastic use of similies that I forgot I was reading. This book has so many twists and turns that you will have to reread it to make sure you didn't miss anything. If you're looking for adventure, drama, and a fantastic ride, Eldest is the perfect book for you. Don't be discouraged while reading Eragon, because it does start off a bit slow. Just keep reading and by the time you've finished Eragon, I promise you'll be as enthralled as I was to find out what happens next and want to read Eldest.

Sasha (Oviedo, FL. 12th)

Just Listen By Sarah Dessen

2009-07-16T12:34:00.007-04:00

The Greene family looks perfect from outside their glass house. The three sisters are all beautiful and work as models. But things are not as they seem. This family doesn’t really communicate and when problems arise, they try to wish them away, instead of dealing with them head-on. The youngest sister, Annabel, is starting her junior year of high school, but she is in an unfamiliar position. At the end of last school year she was caught in a compromising position with her best friend’s boyfriend. This year she has no friends and her former best friend is trying to make her life miserable. Additionally, her middle sister is battling anorexia and the whole family is struggling because of it. Annabel forms an unlikely alliance with a boy who is an outsider, but manages to teach her how to “just listen”.

Ms. Kathi (SCPL Librarian, Oviedo Branch)

The Coffin Quilt by Ann Rinaldi

2009-07-14T17:31:00.005-04:00

The Coffin Quilt is the story of the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys, which took place in Kentucky & West Virginia during the late 1870s. Based on historic accounts, this story is told from the perspective of Fanny McCoy, the youngest child in her family. Her sister runs off to marry a boy from the hated Hatfield family, and begins piecing a coffin quilt, which was used as a historical family record. Worked in dark colors, the center was stitched to resemble a graveyard, and small coffins were appliquéd around the border, with names and birthdates of family members. When someone died, their coffin was moved to the center of the quilt, and the death date was added. I found this an interesting snapshot of American history.

Ms. Cynthia (SCPL Librarian, Casselberry Branch)

Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce

2009-07-11T08:59:00.005-04:00

Trickster's Choice is a wonderful fantasy about a girl named Aly who is the daughter of the country Tortall's spymaster and kings champion. In an attempt to avoid being one of her mother's projects Aly leaves home but as she is sailing her boat she gets captured by pirates and made into a slave. Aly who has learned much from her spy father through the years knows exactly how to escape. After being sold to the nobel Balitang family in the dangerous city of Rajmuat she discovers it was no accident that she was enslaved and sold to the Balitang family, who were recently exiled from Rajumat. The trickster god Kyprioth arranged things so that she could accept a bargin to protect the two eldest Balitang daughters Saraiyu and Dove. Saraiyu is known to all raka in the country to be the twice royal queen prophisized to take the throne from the current oppressive leaders and return the isles to them. Kyprioth wagered her that she could not keep the girls alive through their winter in exile. Aly accepts the challenge gaining proof of her skill as a spy to convince her father to allow her to be one of his agents if she wins. To hear how the wager unfolds you must read the book yourself. I will tell you that during her time protecting the family she meets many interesting and appealing characters who will entertain you so much you won't want it to end.

Sara (Oviedo, FL. 12th)

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

2009-07-09T09:44:00.013-04:00

The Mysterious Benedict Society was a really good book so much better then I thought it would be! It's about Kate, Reynie, Constance, and "Sticky", four REALLY smart, clever kids, who past a series of confusingand tricky tests after seeing an ad for gifted students in thenewspaper. They meet Mr. Benedict (hence the name) and he sends them on a dangerous mission to the Learning Institute for the Enlightened, to get information on how Mr. Curtain, the head of the school, is directly sending damaging messages into the world's minds; at first it's through a whisperer in the TV, and then he learns how to transmit them right into peoples' thoughts! The four genius's mission gets in more danger and more danger and more danger... until they finally face the one main thing that fazes them and fazes the minds of millions, and try to stop it. It is SUCH a good book and there's another two even though the lastone doesn't come out until October this year or something. =)

Holly (Lawton Chiles, FL. 7th)

Prom and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

2008-07-07T15:37:00.007-04:00

All of Anderson's books are great reads, but I especially liked Prom and Speak. These two books I would recommend to any high school girls who are looking for very interesting summer reads. I couldn't put these books down they were so good.

Lauren (Oviedo, FL. 10th)

Beyond the Reflection's Edge by Bryan Davis

2008-06-24T14:35:00.005-04:00

Just when I thought nothing could top Bryan Davis's Dragons in Our Midst and Oracles of Fire series, his new Echoes from the Edge, series comes out of no-where to challenge his previous accomplishments. The first book in this new series is Beyond the Reflection's Edge. I have to say that the characters seized my attention and my heart immediately and wouldn't let go! With a gripping combination of science-fiction, fantasy, action, love (though not the kind you might think), and suspense, this book takes 16-year-old Nathan Shepard and his newly acquired friend, Kelly Clark plowing through their evercomplicating assignment to save the world. Their mission begins with an ambiguous murder and takes them crisscrossing through dimensions via violin, an enigmatic camera, and a cryptic mirror. All the while fleeing a mysterious, yet terrifying villain called Mictar who's malevolent mind is bent on destroying our universe. I could talk about this book forever, so before I do, one question. Does anyone else get the impression that Mr. Davis's overall goal is to keep you from putting this book down?!

Regan (Homeschool, FL. 9th)

The Final Warning by James Patterson

2008-05-31T09:06:00.005-04:00

Very disappointing. I came late into the Maximum Ride phenomenon butwas immensely surprised when I picked up the first few books. I really liked the story and characters, and the mystery was engaging. I eagerly waited for the next book. I was extremely disappointed. Patterson completely throughout the mystery and plot to warp the whole story into some global warming propaganda. Regardless of whether you believe in global warming or not, there is no excuse for what was done in this book. I won't give away anymore. Just want to warn those Maximum Ride fans out there who want to read the next installment in her adventures. Because this certainly doesn't belong in the series. Patterson borrowed the character and the (paying) readers to produce his own pretentious and thinly disguised views on a subject that didn't belong in the series as much as it was, if at all.

Melanie (LHP, FL. 11th)

Will Panther and Storm ever be married?

2008-04-08T14:57:00.006-04:00

Black Panther:The Bride by Reginald Hudlin
ISBN: 0785121072; Marvel, 2006

This small “story arc,” is the key to the past childhood and first meeting of the Black Panther (aka T’challa) and Storm (aka Ororo). The Black Panther (an African prince learning to be a king) first meets Storm (a teenage village pickpocket) as she is revealed by American hunters whose camera she swiped to be more than she appears. He falls instantly in love, but ultimately rejects her, and both hearts break. Now, having found out the secret of Storm’s past, and knowing she shares his mission to save innocent lives, T’challa is finally ready to join forces with her, and make her his queen. Though they share a common purpose – stopping Civil War both in Africa and among the superheros - T’challa’s proposal of marriage to Ororo is met with disbelief. How can she trust him again after his first rejection? Her answer is delayed when duty calls. Between the Civil War brewing, their families’ issues, and their personal pasts, will Panther and Storm ever be married? And will that strengthen or split the alliance of superheros? This surprising and action-packed graphic novel covers “Black Panther” issues 14-18, and is essential to fans of either of these popular superheros.

Keeps you guessing

2008-04-08T14:45:00.001-04:00

Love is a Many Trousered Thing by Louise Rennison
This book is a hilarious love story that keeps you guessing at the end of every page. I love the fact that the main character, Goergia, uses her own vocabulary for things she would probably not be aloud to say in front of certain people.

Katie (All Souls Catholic Middle School, Fl. 6th)

The Second Virgin Birth by Tommy Taylor

2008-04-08T14:34:00.003-04:00

I was told to read The Second Virgin Birth by a friend who said it was good.
Before reading it I thought it was most likely another Da Vinci Code. Boy was I wrong, it is so much better. The characters and events are so believable that one wonders when this is actually going to take place. The book was one "I didn't see that coming" after another. Jim (L.D. Bell High School, TX)

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

2008-01-24T16:43:00.000-05:00

When a high school freshman living on the Spokane Indian Reservation opens his geometry book on the first day of school, he discovers it’s the same book his mom used 30 years ago! That’s the last straw for Junior, a charter member of the Black-Eye-of-the-Month-Club. He’s tired of getting beat up, and getting a substandard education, so he tells his parents he wants to go to the all-white high school in town. Junior survives being called “Apple” by his Indian peers, and “Tonto” or “Chief” by his new classmates because he has a useful skill: he can play basketball. Junior’s own cartoons illustrate this fast-paced story about a kid who refuses to do what’s expected of him.

totally chick flick!

2007-10-04T13:57:00.000-04:00

Ready or Not by Meg Cabot
HarperTeen
ISBN-10: 0060724501

This book is a really great book totally chick flick. Some comic and a lot of Drama. Probably one of the most interesting books a have every read besides her other book The Princess Diares Series.
Taylor
Markham Woods Middle School

The Princess Diaries Series

2007-10-04T13:50:00.000-04:00

The Princess Diaries Series is the BEST series book I have read. All of the books in the series are worth your time. You can really feel how Mia (the main character)feels and its like your in her shoes. THE BEST BOOK EVER!!!!! Great job Meg Cabot!

Alexandra
Markham Woods Middle School

Yippee! The first book of the popular Alex Rider series is finally a graphic novel!

2007-10-04T13:48:00.000-04:00

Stormbreaker (an Alex Rider Adventure)
ISBN: 014240165X
by Anthony Horowitz
Philomel Books

With break-neck speed, the 14-year-old reluctant British boy, at first an average student and orphan, gets involved in finding the killer of his uncle, formerly employed by the Special Operations unit of M-16. Alex’s job is to infiltrate Sayle Enterprises, creator of the supercomputer Stormbreaker, in disguise as a computer contest winner, to see what tycoon Sayle has up his sleeve. Between being closely-guarded by a well-dressed evil henchwoman and being hunted by a deadly killer who always gets his way, Alex’s chance to stop the deployment of Stormbreaker before it does in thousands of innocent British citizens looks slim. Fans of Horowitz know how brilliantly he can succeed, and will hope for more. Japanese sisters Kanako Damerum and Yuzuru Takasaki create full-color action-packed pages reminiscent of manga. Stay tuned for further installments.

2007-07-11T11:13:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the new

Seminole County Teen Blog!