Take Three by Karen Kingsbury

Summary: In book three of the Above the Line Series, Karen Kingsbury shares another story of trying, failing, and getting back up to try again. Andi is battling the loss of her innocence and what consequences lie ahead from bad choices. Chase and Keith must deal with fame and the trials that accompany sharing faith-inspired stories on the big screen. Karen weaves in fan favorites Ashley and the rest of the Baxter plan. Most importantly, Bailey fans finally find out if she chooses Tim or Cody. (I won't put any spoilers, but I will say that I was very happy with the result.)

My thoughts: I have read all of Karen's books, and I love this series because the characters feel like friends. I have read about their lives for three different serieses, and I feel like I know them.
Without giving away too many spoilers, I want to say how pleased I am with the way the movie production storyline is progressing! It's encouraging for characters to make the right decision. In addition, the Bailey love triangle storyline took a turn in the right direction.
I should not have read any reviews of Karen's books on Amazon because I have now noticed that every new character Karen describes has blue eyes and/or blond hair! No other eye or hair color is discussed as the blue eyes and blond hair are!
Another complaint I have is that every girl who has sex before marriage ends up pregnant. Realistically, this is not the case. Careless sex leaves emotional scars, and I would love to see Karen deal with those issues with a character instead of just having the girl end up pregnant.
Overall, I reallly enjoyed reading this book. It was my favorite one out of the three so far in the series.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. The character of Bailey is one of my favorite, and I enjoyed the contrast of Andi and Bailey, teaching an important lesson about how choices at the college age can determine someone's life path.

Listen by Rene Gutteridge

In the perfect town of Marlo, private conversations are now being made public on the internet for all to see. With the revelation of people's true feelings, neighbor is pitted against neighbor, friend against friend, and family members against one another. In the center of the drama is the Underwood family, who must deal with their personal issues, present and past, to keep the peace for the quaint town.

This is my favorite book by Rene Gutteridge. She faces the sin of gossip in a unique way. Behind its perfect acade, the town of Marlo is plagued by sin. When their thoughts are put out in the open for all to see, people begin attacking one another to save the image. The Underwood family is thrown into the mix of the mystery through the father Damien, who is contacted through his newspaper job by the person responsible for leaking the conversations; "Uncle" Frank, who is accused of setting up the website; Kay, Damien's wife who is struggling with her own past of being teased; Jenna, Damien's teenaged daughter who must deal with the torment of cruel girls; and Hunter, the son who has his own secrets.

Though not preachy by any means, this thought-provoking novel reminds us of the power of our words....even the ones we thought were private.

After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick

     Jordan Sonnenblick tackles tough issues with grace and humor. In After Ever After, readers pick up on Jeffrey's story as he is now in 8th grade. While Jeffrey is now in remission, he must deal with the aftermath of years of chemotherapy and surgeries. He struggles with physical and mental  disabilities as a result of his cancer. Yet, he is like every other 8th grade boy who struggles with his family issues, bad math grades (and a standardized test he has to pass), and a crush on a hot girl. While Jeffrey's storyline is a tough topic, Sonnenblick balances it out with Tad, whose rough exterior provides sarcastic comic relief to a serious topic. Both Jeffrey and Tad must decide to overcome the obstacles cancer brought their way and begin to really live.
A twist at the end provides the readers a glimpse of the harsh reality of cancer along with the hope that exists for a better life.

      As always, Jordan Sonnenblick wrote an amazing book that will allow readers to laugh while discussing tough issues such as cancer, social acceptance, learning disabilities, and even the standardized testing. Each year, I use Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie and Notes from a Midnight Driver as literature circle books. My students always enjoy them. I can't wait to add this book to the rotation!

      Parents can trust that this is a book their child should read and will enjoy. There are few comments that reflect normal 8th grade boys' infatuation with cute girls, but the book is appropriate for a younger audience.

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Summary: Kat thought she had escaped the family business when she enrolled in Colgan School, an elite boarding school. However, she is reeled back into the business of stealing artwork when her father is framed for stealing paintings of a cruel criminal. Kat must steal the artwork back to clear her father. However, will Kat be able to steal the paintings while also doing the right thing by returning the paintings to their rightful owner?

Analysis: This book may be Ally Carter's best book thus far. Even though the idea of a fifteen year old flying around the world, stealing artwork from prestigious museums is outlandish, Carter makes the story seem believable. The story unfolds smoothly even though the characters are jumping from country to country. Kat is a likable character, and the supporting cast of Hale, Nick, and Gabrielle offset Kat's character well.

In her discreet way, Carter sets the stage for a future romance, but the reader is left wondering if it will be Hale, fellow thief, or Nick, whose mom is investigating Kat's father. In a world of rushed romances in literature, it is refreshing to see a romance built slowly over friendship. One of the best parts of this book is how Carter weaved some history into the art heist when Kat meets Mr. Romani, who is working diligently to recover artwork stolen by the Nazis.

Hopefully in future books, readers will be able to learn more about Kat's parents and perhaps how the family started stealing in the first place.

This book is an excellent book for young adult girls...even as early as sixth grade. It depicts strong female characters who chose to do the right thing with a little help from friends.

Misfits

1. Bibliography:
Howe, James. 2001. Misfits. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. ISBN: 0689839561

2. Summary:
Bobby, Addie, Joe, and Skeezie are four kids who have become friends because the one thing they have in common is that they are different from everyone else. They march to the beat of their own drum and are tired of trying to fit in. They embrace their individuality and join together as a band of misfits. In order to get their message of acceptance and tolerance across, they get a fellow student DuShawn to run for student government under their No Name party. When he drops out, the group has to work together by all going on the ticket with Addie as their president. Their slogan is "Sticks and stones may break our bones, but names will break our spirit," and even though they do not win, their idea of a "No-Name" day where everyone goes a day without calling other people names catches on and the students finally have the "freedom to be who you are without anyone calling you names."

3. Analysis:
Making fun of people does not stop in middle school. It only begins there. Millions tune in to Saturday Night Live to see actors mimic and make fun of celebrities and politicians. MTV has a TV show dedicated to "Yo Mamma" jokes. While these can be taken as fun and games, it is never fun for the person being teased. Everyone has been teased for something: race, clothes, accent, sexual orientation, weight, and the list goes on and on. Kids are even teased for their names and their family members. This topic hits home with everyone, and it is addressed beautifully in this book.
This book opens the door for students to discuss how they have been teased and how they can stop it from happening to others. Students do not always sit around and think of solutions to problems, but reading a book like this opens that discussion. As Addie and the rest of the group figure out how to make a difference, the reader can decide what can be done in his or her own life.
The No Name Party members are fun and realistic. Bossy Addie writes down verbatim what is said in the meetings and even makes the other members talk slower so she can keep up. She is angry that she is judged unfairly when she picks DuShawn to run for president simply so they can have a black person on the ticket. This brings to home that even those who think they are not judging may have secret prejudices lying under the surface, which would be a great discussion for students to have. Bobbie, the overweight tie salesman, is a typical middle school boy who struggles to find connections with his father and who feels the absence of his mother heavily. Whether a reader has lost a parent or not, the feeling of not being able to connect with parents is prevalent. Joe is coming out as a gay person, and his struggle is not so much with himself but with how his friends and society will react. Skeezie is the misunderstood bad boy. With each character facing different teasing, Howe gives readers someone with whom they can identify and relate.
Howe uses Joe and DuShawn to add some humor into the story. Joe goes to his locker and finds the word "fagot" written on his locker. Instead of getting upset, he asks," Don't they teach spelling at this school?" Joe also demands to be called Scorpio in some of Addie's meeting notes, which she does. He often has one liners that give a lighter note to this deep, tough topic. DuShawn, who is comfortable in his skin, can call Addie out about picking him because he is black and can make jokes about wanting peach ice cream in reference to Addie's skin color. The humor offsets the seriousness of the subject.
Even with the humor, the book can get a little preachy. The first part of the book seems to be the main characters sitting and spouting off a long tirade against the establishment. It is not until events start happening that the reader finally connects with the characters and the storyline. After that, the book is more action and less preaching.

4. Reviews:
From School Library Journal: Unfortunately, The Misfits rambles rather than flows. Bobby's long-winded narration is written in a passive voice and sprinkled with only occasional dialogue. When the characters do speak, their formal dialogue (presented as minutes from the friends' Floating Forum meetings) goes on for pages on end, lacking any commentary from Bobby. It is not until the last third of the novel that readers begin to identify with the characters and bask in the success of Bobby's political partners. Louie Lahana, New York City Public Schools Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Publishers Weekly: The four "misfits" are slightly larger than life wiser than their years, worldlier than the small town setting would suggest, and remarkably well-adjusted but there remains much authenticity in the story's message about preadolescence stereotyping and the devastating effects of degrading labels. An upbeat, reassuring novel that encourages preteens and teens to celebrate their individuality. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
http://yazoo.lib.ms.us:8000/kcweb/kcContent?isbn=0689839553&type=review&controlnumber=+++12233869&referedby=titlelist (Accessed November 16, 2008)

Among the Hidden

1. Bibliography:

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. 1998. Among the Hidden. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. ISBN: 0689817002.

2. Summary:

Luke is a third child. In America, this is not a big deal; however, in Luke's country, it is against the law. The Population Police dictate that no family can have more than two children. Therefore, Luke must live hidden in a room in his family's home. He can never go outside or even go to school. He lives his life scared and afraid of getting caught. A typical boy, he eventually gets tired of hiding and meets a friend name Jen, who lives next door and who is also a third child. They dream of a day where they can truly live. As Jen actively works towards that goal, she is killed, and Luke is devastated. Through that tragedy, Luke is given an opportunity to live like Jen wished when her father offers Luke a fake identity and a hope of a better life.

3. Analysis:

In America, we are used to our freedom. While we have laws, the day-to-day aspects of our lives are up to us. Young Adults do not know any other way of life. This book shows them that other way. Just the topic of the book is so foreign to most American teens that it is a gripping tale of government control and the fight to live freely. The plot focuses on Luke's hiding from the Population Police, it also discusses the government's control of farming, social life, and even when people can eat junk food! This topic raises great questions about the government's role in people's lives. It also is a springboard to discuss our government's increasing role in the average person's life. Where should the line be drawn? How far is too far? Those are great questions students can analyze and discuss after reading this book.

While the book raises good questions, it can be a little far-fetched. The reader has to wonder how all of these third children have lived for over a decade without being discovered. If the government is as intrusive as described, the children would be noticed. Because the book moves quickly and the characters are interesting, readers do not mind these leaps in reality.

Luke is a character with whom the reader can identify. The reader's heart hurts for him as he cannot even go into a room without making sure all the windows are covered. He cannot even eat breakfast with his family but must sit on the stairs and watch them. The reader feels angry for Luke when you realize he has to type Jen's password from watching her do it, not because he knows what F-R-E-E means or spells! The reader cheers when Luke and Jen make plans to rally against the government, hoping they will succeed. Then you mourn with Luke over Jen's death and feel for her father, who cannot even visually show his grief in public.

The end of the book leaves the reader with hope that Luke will have a better life as Lee Grant, but until the government changes, the reader is unsure that will happen. Overall, this book raises great higher-level thinking questions about countries, governments, and the boundaries we must preserve.

4. Reviews:

Publishers Weekly: This futuristic novel focuses on a totalitarian regime and the Internet. PW noted, "The plot development is sometimes implausible and the characterizations a bit brittle, but the unsettling, thought-provoking premise should suffice to keep readers hooked." Ages 8-12. (Mar.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

School Library Journal: To what extent is he willing to defy the government in order to have a life worth living? As in Haddix's Running Out of Time (S & S, 1995), the loss of free will is the fundamental theme of an exciting and compelling story of one young person defying authority and the odds to make a difference. Readers will be captivated by Luke's predicament and his reactions to it.Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA

http://www.amazon.com/Among-Hidden-Shadow-Children-1/dp/0689824750/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226882153&sr=1-1 (Accessed November 16, 2008)

Shattered

1. Bibliography:
Langan, Paul. 2007. Shattered. New York: Townsend Press. ISBN: 9781591940692.

2. Summary:
Trust is the name of the game in the twelfth book in the Bluford High series. Darcy has been through a lot in the books before this one. She was nearly raped by an older boyfriend, Brian, until her father showed up to save her. In this book, she is still dealing with Brian's attack, her mistrust in her current (and former) flame Hakeem, and her mother's distrust of her father, who has recently come back to the family after years of being an absent father. Through the book, Darcy deals with her feelings with the help of her friends and ultimately has to trust herself enough to stand up for herself against Brian and her own feelings.

3. Analysis:
Like the other Bluford High books, this book is a quick read. The plot moves quickly, and the sentences give just the bare story. Nothing about the book is elaborate except the plot. The sentences are short and choppy, and there is little elaboration to create mental pictures. While the writing may lack the articulation, it is the plot that draws readers, especially reluctant or slow readers who get boggled down with long sentences and detailed descriptions.
Darcy deals with drama many kids in urban cities face (like the school where I teach). The absent father has come home and wants to do what is right for the family. While his intentions are good, Darcy and her mother and sister have a hard time believing and trusting on a man who once turned his back on his family. No matter what a student's background is, he or she can relate to having trust broken whether it is a family member or friend. Students can identify with Darcy's struggle to believe her father. Darcy's fears about her father are put to rest when he finally confides in her that he is attending AA meetings when they think he off doing bad things.
Darcy also has to deal with a friend whose advice is more gossip than fact when Brisana tells Darcy that Hakeem may be cheating on her with a girl she's never seen before. Gossip runs wild in schools, and this book does a good job of showing how Darcy calmly deals with the gossip by walking away instead of getting into an argument or fight. She decides to believe Hakeem until she runs into him and the "other" woman. It is then that she realizes to trust Hakeem she must also share what happened to her with Brian while Hakeem was gone. In the end, she confronts Brian and puts those old ghosts to rest, allowing her to move on with Hakeem.
Darcy and her father both learn that burdens and struggles should be shared with the ones you love, and that trust can be regained even when you think it is shattered. These are two lessons young adults should hear, and this book does a good job of teaching them while still telling a fast-paced story that appeals to kids from all backgrounds.

4. Reviews:
**NOTE: I had a hard time finding reviews by "experts" on this book, so I went to the publisher's website, where I found reviews by teachers, which are probably more relevant than someone who doesn't work with kids. :)
"Thank you for the wonderful Bluford Series! We bought a lot of them for that great price. We were looking for anything our reluctant readers would spend more than 10 minutes reading. Kids are now swapping books, discussing them, not wanting teachers to end SSR time, and teachers have been coming begging for sets for their rooms also."
--R. Archer, Reading Teacher, Cabrillo High School (Long Beach, CA)
"I teach in a middle school, and there is little my students like less than to be asked to read. The Bluford books, however, have made a huge difference. The boys in particular will pick them up and actually lose themselves in them."
--H. Pollock, Teacher North Brandywine Middle School (Coatsville, PA)
http://www.townsendpress.com/product/97.aspx (Accessed November 16, 2008)

Out of the Dust

1. Bibliography:
Hesse, Karen. 1999. Out of the Dust. New York: Scholastic Inc. ISBN: 0590371258

2. Summary:
Billie Jo is a young woman living in 1934, struggling with her family to survive on a farm in a dust field land. She enjoys playing the piano and is looking forward to the birth of her new sibling. However, A horrible accident causes her mother's death, and Billie Jo must deal with her father's distant attitude, her guilt over her part of the accident, her loss of ability to play the piano with ease, and life in general.

3. Analysis:
Hesse tells a heart wrenching tale of a young girl's struggle in life. The set up of the poems clearly reflects the mood of the story. In the entry Almost Rain, the sentences are short and convey the hopeless feeling of the town, and Billie Jo, of the lack of rain.

"In town,

the sidewalksgot damp.

That was all."

Because the drought and dust was the way of life, the characters had become used to disappointing hopes of rain.
Hesse's use of short, terse lines conveys the feeling that disappointment was the norm. They also show the hopelessness of the people to do anything to prevent nature's cruel destruction of their hard work on the crops.Hesse's writing has an authenticity to it that draws reader into the story. Lines like,"We shake out our napkins, spread them on our laps, and flip over our glasses and plates, exposing neat circles, round comments on what life would be like without dust" clearly describe what life was like during a dust storm or living in a dusty place without the type of building we have now.
Hesse's description of the day Billie Jo's mother got burned and then dies grabs the readers heart even though it is written simply as "Ma got burned bad" and "Ma died that day giving birth to my brother." I asked my students who had read the book to tell me what they thought, and one girl said she couldn't put it into words but that the style of writing felt real. Although life in this era was difficult, Hesse ends the book with the protagonist once again playing the piano, full of hope for the future.

4. Reviews:
Publishers Weekly:In a starred review of the 1998 Newbery Medal winner, set during the Depression, PW said, "This intimate novel, written in stanza form, poetically conveys the heat, dust and wind of Oklahoma. With each meticulously arranged entry Hesse paints a vivid picture of her heroine's emotions." Ages 11-13.
School Library Journal: Hesse's ever-growing skill as a writer willing to take chances with her form shines through superbly in her ability to take historical facts and weave them into the fictional story of a character young people will readily embrace.Carrie Schadle, New York Public Library

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Out-of-the-Dust/Karen-Hesse/e/9780590371254/?itm=1 (Accessed November 16, 2008)

Poison

1. Bibliography:
Ferguson, Alane. 1994. Poison. New York: Bradbury Press. ISBN: 9780027345285.

2. Summary:
Chelsea is a typical teenager. She wants to lie around and relax during the summer but is forced to work at her dad's company, Symthe Towers. She does not know her father well as he is a workaholic, and she misses both her deceased mother and her stepmother who walked out of her life without a goodbye. These emotions and conflicts play right into the mystery when Chelsea overhears two men discussing moving something, money, and the police. Intrigued by what she hears, Chelsea convinces her friend Amber to go along with her to find out what the men are hiding. What she finds is her worst nightmare--her stepmother lies dead in a cave near the water. She and her friend go to the police, who later cannot find a body at the crime scene. Chelsea and Amber are left to solve the mystery on their own.

3. Analysis:
This book is a light, quick mystery that goes beyond the "who did it" to dealing with relationships. Chelsea misses her mom so desperately that she is thrilled when her new stepmother Diane pays attention to her. Although Diane is much younger than her father, Chelsea instantly likes Diane's independence and confidence. Chelsea believes Diane loves her when in reality Diane is isolating her from her best friend Amber and even her father. When Diane walks out of their lives and her father will not answer any questions, Chelsea becomes even more alone. Ferguson develops the relationship between Chelsea and her father throughout the book. In the beginning, her father was cold when asked about Diane and stubborn about making his daughter work her way up the corporate ladder. Chelsea acts impulsively without even thinking about her father and his feelings. By the end of the book, her father shares his feelings about Diane with Chelsea, and he is the first person she calls when she goes to the police station after being threatened. This character development makes up for the small holes in the mystery part of the book.
The reader knows something is not quite right with Diane by the clues about how she has pulled Chelsea away from her friends. While Chelsea does not believe Amber when she tells her this, it is obvious to the reader. The reader just does not know how involved Diane is until the end. The most obvious hole in the mystery is that there were not enough clues as to who the killer really was. Ferguson drops some clues that lead to the father as Chelsea wonders if her father is guilty of murder, but he is quickly ruled out. Readers like to solve the mystery along with the protagonist, so more clues should have lead the reader to suspect Diane was involved in fraud with Peter Karsch and Dr. Marcroft. Instead, the reader has no idea who these men are until the murder is solved. This jump in information takes some of the fun out of reading and solving the mystery, yet Chelsea's renewed relationship with her friend and father make up for this hole in the plot.

4. Reviews:
School Library Journal: The unlikely plot, sketchy setting, and minimal character development keep the book from being deeply engaging, while the few clues offered make it difficult for readers to solve the puzzle independently. Despite these flaws, however, this is an entertaining, light mystery. Fans of the genre will enjoy the chatty, contemporary tone and be attracted by the provocative title (a reference to Diane's favorite perfume and, as Chelsea discovers, a clue to her personality).Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Publishers Weekly: The tale is not complete without Mr. Smythe's brief imprisonment, a high-tech stalking, the revelation of Diane's life of crime and a riveting if far-fetched confrontation with a would-be murderer. Product names, dropped in abundance, serve to define characters, while their emotions are most often telegraphed by the state of their clothes: "His suit had pulled to one side... and tears had left dime-sized marks on his powder blue shirt." Ages 12-up. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

http://www.amazon.com/Poison-Alane-Ferguson/dp/0027345289/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226875113&sr=1-6 (Accessed November 16, 2008)

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie

1. Bibliography:

Sonnenblick, Jordan. 2004. Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 0439755190.



2. Summary:
Steven is a normal middle school boy. He has a crush on a girl, the most popular girl on campus, loves playing the drums, and gets along with his parents. When his brother, Jeffrey, gets leukemia, Steven's world changes. What was once a carefree life is now replaced by a life of isolation from his family as they concentrate on Jeffrey's illness, failing grades in school, and a fear for his brother's life.

3. Analysis:
Sonnenblick's style is one of the most refreshing voices in young adult literature. Because he taught middle school, Sonnenblick speaks the language of middle school kids. The characters are real. He captures the sarcastic and quick wit that is rampant in young adults, and that wit and fresh voice make this book a fantastic read for both young adults and adults. Steven says things like, "You have to love it when the doctor lays all this horrific stuff on you and then tells you not to worry. It's like saying, 'Here's thirty-seven pounds of assorted chocolates. Try not to think about food though.' Or,'Look! There's Renee Albert in a bikini. But please try to keep your mind on algebraic functions.'" This wit makes the book that deals with a tough topic (cancer) an enjoyable and fun read.
Young adults often think they are invincible, but sadly, many kids are diagnosed with cancer and leukemia specifically each year. This book touches on the realities of cancer: long hospital stays, missed vacations, and even death. Steven starts the book out as a carefree, normal kid. He ends the book at his 8th grade graduation as a more reflective kid, one who thinks of how Samantha died and the lessons she taught him.
The book stays realistic with Steven's grades plummeting as he feels distant from his classmates and ignored at home. Sonnenblick accurately describes the teachers' responses and Steven's disgust because school should be a place where things stay the same. Sonnenblick also adds to the realism by having Steven make "deals" with God to let Jeffrey live like "Here goes a good offer, Lord. If that bird on that tree over there flies away within ten seconds, Jeffrey is cured." While it has a funny tone, it's a realistic reaction for a middle school kid.
While the book remains funny, it focuses in on a serious topic of cancer and its affect on not only the sick patient but also the family. Steven learns that it is okay not be the center of attention and how families stick together during tough times and how parents do love both kids even if they have to focus on one more for a while. And finally as he falls for Annette, his best friend, he learns that sometimes the best friend and love can be the one right before your eyes.

4. Reviews:
TeenReads: Readers who have never gone through what Steven is going through will have a newfound understanding of what it is like to --- very literally --- battle someone else's cancer. Those who have will be grateful to Sonnenblick for getting it so right. --- Reviewed by Jennifer Krieger http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/0439755190.asp (Accessed November 16, 2008)
Booklist: The recriminations, cares, and nightmares that come with a cancer diagnosis are all here, underscored by vomiting, white blood cell counts, and chemotherapy ports. Yet, this is also about regrouping, solidarity, love, and hope. Most important for a middle-grade audience, Sonneblick shows that even in the midst of tragedy, life goes on, love can flower, and the one thing you can always change is yourself. Ilene CooperCopyright © American Library Association.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0439755204/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books (Accessed November 16, 2008)