Books for Teens

In this installment of the House of Night Series, Zoey has just escaped Kalona and the Raven Mockers.  She and her friends are hiding in the tunnels with the Red Fledglings.  Neferet has become evil and is a powerful enemy.  Zoey and Eric seemed to be making up just as Heath arrives again!  And when Zoey is seriously injured she must drink from Heath and their Imprint is reestablished.  Not to mention, Kalona has been stalking Zoey in her dreams and wants her to be his A-ya.  That is three guys after Zoey so far and there is still a fourth she encounters that she begins to fall for!  I enjoyed the fast pace of this novel.

By the time I reached the end, I half hoped that things would be resolved but I also didn’t want the story to end.  Will Zoey remain with Eric?  What about her Imprint with Heath?  Can she save Stark?  Defeat Kalona?

Book 3 of the House of Night series is a page turner!  I tell you as I finish each one, I can’t wait to get my hands on the next.  Zoey realizes that her bestfriend (who died) isn’t really dead.  She is undead and to make matters worse she is a crazed red fledgling.  Zoey has to hide her until she figures out what to do.  Neferet turns out to be a traitor and Zoey knows she can no longer trust her.  She and Erik become closer and she imprints with her human boyfriend.  When a sexy teacher at the school Loren, starts showing Zoey some affection she is drawn to him and can’t resist his poetry and intellegence.  Somehow she ends up with three boyfriends.  And just when things couldn’t get worse, one betrays her and Bella ends up all alone.

The final book in the Twilight series is a shocker.  If you haven’t read it yet…just stop here, because I don’t want to spoil it for you.

You still there?

Bella gets married and soon after finds out she is pregnant.  Her pregnancy developing very quickly and Edward can’t turn her into a vampire since it could jeopardize the baby.  He wants to terminate it since having a vampire baby inside a human appears to be dangerous.  The baby incapacitates Bella, drains her of all her energy, breaks her ribs when it kicks.  But, Bella can’t imagine not having the baby and so she decides no matter the risk she will have it.

Meanwhile, Jacob’s werewolf clan discuss killing the baby since no one knows what power it will hold or whether it can be controlled.  Jacob leaves the clan in order to protect her.  Bella’s baby grows alarmingly fast.  And in quite a short time she is ready to deliver.  There are complications however, and Edward has to turn Bella into a vampire to save her life.  Both mother and baby thrive.  When the other vampires hear there is an immortal child (which is not allowed in vampire society) not only are werewolves after Bella’s baby but the powerful Volturi vampire clan also confront the family.

You have to read the book to find out what special talent Bella develops as a vampire and to learn more about her baby.  Also can Edward’s clan fight off the powerful Volturi?

This is the third book in the Twilight series.  In this novel, Bella is torn between her friendship with Jacob and her love for Edward.  When Jacob declares his love for her, she doesn’t want to lose their friendship.  In the end, both guys want what is best for Bella and unite to fight off a group of vampires that are hunting Bella.  Bella begs Edward to turn her into a vampire.  But, he insists they get married first, which Bella thinks is not a good idea.  To me that was a little confusing… she wants him bad enough to die for him, but she is not ready to marry him?  Not much gets resolved…which led me quickly to book 4–Breaking Dawn.

Any girl can relate to this funny well written book about love and heartache and starting over again. Jennifer Lewis has the perfect life, until her boyfriend dumps her without any warning. She is heart broken and depressed about losing the love of her life. Since she can’t think of a reason why Max left her, she starts to find fault in her self. That’s when Nana comes to the rescue. After hearing a talk radio program about a new self help book called The Breakup Bible, Nana buys it to help Jen get over Max. At first Jen finds the book ridiculous, but the more depressed she becomes the more she realizes maybe there is something good in this book. To distract herself from thinking about Max, she pours all her energy into an article she is writing about race relations at her high school. Her school sponsor is so impressed with her that he recommends her for an internship at The New York Times. Things start to look up for her when her father sets her up on a blind date. Gene is sweet and funny and Jen really hits it off with him…until he kisses her and all she can think about is Max. She begins to fear that she will never get over Max, when all of a sudden she realizes she never really knew him at all. After taking some heat over the controversial article she has written for the paper, Max approaches Jen and accuses her of retaliation for dumping her. Shocked, she can’t believe that he could ever think she would be so cruel. At that point, a switch turns off and Jen decides Max was never right for her after all. The novel ends, full of hope. Will Jennifer get the internship? What happens with Gene? Is Max out of her life for good? Readers will be joining “Team Jennifer,” and cheering her on right up until the last page.

This book has everything you could want in a novel: sex, love, death, practical jokes, and deeper meaning.  Miles Halter has just started attending a private school named Culver Creek.  Back home he was kind of a loner.  By the ninth grade he still didn’t have many friends.  In fact his going away party consisted of his mother, father and a couple from school Miles hardly knew.  But Miles wants to do great things in life, which is why he decides he must leave his small hometown to attend private school.  Miles is in search of the Great Perhaps.  He longs to know what might be out there for him.  In this touching novel, Miles finds out what it means to have true friends.  His first day at school he meets his roomate, the  “Colonel”.  The “Colonel” tells Miles that if they become friends Miles has no shot at being “cool” at the Creek.  Miles takes up the Colonel on his offer of friendship and the two pretty much become inseparable.  Miles does a lot of growing up during his junior year at this boarding school.  Most importantly he meets Alaska, the girl he never knew he had always been looking for.  He is instantly intrigued by her.  She is beautiful yet moody and unpredictable.  Miles likes her immediately but she has a boyfriend and sees Miles more as a brother to her.  Miles struggles with deciding whether to just give up on Alaska or to hold out for her in hopes she will return his interests.  This story reminded me of an updated version of The Chocolate War.  Also a book about boarding school and conflicts among the social classes.  Miles, Alaska, the Colonel, Tukumi and Lara work together to pull off pranks against the rich “Weekday Warriors” (the students who are rich enough to commute to school and home each week.)  Just as Miles and Alaska begin to get close to becoming something more (in a drunken state they make out), Alaska rushes off campus in the middle of the night saying she was sorry she forgot.  Without realizing how bad things might turn out Miles and the Colonel let her drive away even though she is drunk.  When they find out the next day that she was in a fatal car accident, both boys blame themselves for not stopping her.  The begin to search for deeper meaning to Alaska’s life and death.  And in doing so each learns important lessons about themselves.  The question both the reader and the main character are left pondering is: How will you- you personally- ever get out of this labyrinth of suffering?  Is there really a more profound question ourselves?

If I could rate this book on a scale of 1-10 I would easily give it a 15.  Not everyday does a book truly make me think about the deeper meaning of life.

When I saw the cover of this book I was intrigued. It is simple and understated yet attention grabbing at the same time. I had never read a book like this one before. I was a little unsure of whether I would like this book after reading the title. Despite my hesitation I really, REALLY liked this book. It was just such a gooooooood read. The main character Paul has known he was gay since his kindergarten teacher wrote it plainly on his report card: “Paul is definitely gay and has a very good sense of self.” Paul is just like everyone of us. Struggling to find his place in the world of high school. His ex-boyfriend broke his heart and spread mean rumors around about how Paul tricked him. Paul doesn’t know when he’ll find a good person to love. When he meets the new boy in town, there is instant chemistry. Noah seems to be everything Paul wants until out of the blue his ex-boyfriend suddenly takes an interest in him again. You know how it is when there is that one person that makes you want to drop everything you’re doing just to have a chance to be with them. Paul feels this way about his ex Kyle. He can’t believe Kyle is finally coming around. When he is with Kyle he feels like one person and when he is with Noah he feels like someone completely different. The problem is that it is all happening at the same time. Without thinking…Paul kisses Kyle and rumors start circulating all around the school. Suddenly, Paul realizes it is Noah he really wants. But is it too late? Noah has heard the rumors and wants some space from Paul. Paul decides to do everything it takes to convince Noah of his love. This is a romantic and laugh out loud book that will remind you of your own experiences.

Hope has had a rough life, but she doesn’t let it get her down. Her mother left her when she was born. She has no idea who her father is. Her aunt, whom she lives with, is constantly moving from place to place. Hope knows she can’t count on her mother to ever come back for her, but she is making the best with the hand she has been dealt. When her aunt’s boss steals the money, Hope and her aunt are forced to move across the country to a small town to take over a restaurant for an owner who has been diagnosed with cancer. The owner of the Welcome Stairways restaurant (GT Stoop) is a kind, caring man who is full of hope. He has decided to run for mayor in hopes of overthrowing the current corrupt mayor. Hope gets involved in the campaign. Along with other students in the community, they form a petition to add GT’s name to the ballot. The previous mayor is pulling every dirty trick possible to win the election. GT maintains an honest campaign and Hope is impressed by his moral character. Working closely with the assistant chef, Braverman, Hope starts to fall in love with him. As the polls heat up, they finally go on a date. GT also asks out Addie, Hope’s aunt. Everything is just peachy until the results of the vote are posted. GT loses by about 150 votes. Hope feels crushed, but she admires the way GT handles defeat with dignity. A few days after the election, Hope discovers that the re-elected mayor has committed fraud and tampered with the votes. After an investigation, GT gets the mayorship. He celebrates by asking Addie to marry him. Hope longs for a father like GT and as if in answer to this dream he asks if he can adopt her. This book isn’t all happy endings however. A few years after GT and Addie’s wedding, his cancer returns. GT dies. Hope is left with all the important lessons he has taught her. The book finishes with Hope and Braverman parting ways as they each head off the college. I truly enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick fun read that made me feel better about the world when I was finished.

Bella is back in another great novel by Stephenie Meyer. The introductory pages begin with a quote from Romeo and Juliet. Ironically, I am currently reading Romeo and Juliet in my 8th grade literature classes. The story begins with Edward leaving Bella unexpectedly. He tells her he no longer wants her and that he is not good for her anyway. These two are prime examples star crossed lovers. Edward’s entire family disappears from town. Devastated, she rushes home to check her scrapbook for his picture and to listen to the CD he made for her. But alas, he has taken every reminder of himself with him. Bella falls into a deep depression and her father doesn’t know what to do about it. She doesn’t snap out of it for over a month, when she starts to spend time with Jacob Black. Wanting to punish herself, she starts looking for every destructive hobby she can find. She decides she wants to race motorcycles. Bella enlists Jacob’s help in repairing the motorcycles she finds. He has a crush on her and pretty soon she is spending everyday at his house. Her spirits begin to lift and she discovers that when she participates in dangerous activities Edward’s voice fills her mind trying to talk her out of it. Longing to hear more of him, she continually looks for more danger to trigger these illusions. Just as there friendship starts to bloom into something more, Jacob stops talking to her. She is hurt and shocked at his lack of attention. With a little investigation, she comes to the realization that Jacob is a werewolf. Jacob’s tribe is composed of werewolves whose prime responsibility is to protect the town from vampires. Unfortunately for Bella, Victoria (a vampire from the last novel), is desperately trying to attack her in response to Edward killing her mate James. When Alice sees in a vision that Bella will try to kill herself, she returns to town. Edward hears her thoughts and thinks Bella is dead. He goes to Italy to provoke the Volturi vampires into killing him. Bella and Alice rush to Italy to stop him. They arrive in time to stop Edward…but the Volturi family take Bella, Alica and Edward in custody. Surrounded by an extremely powerful family of vampires, Bella is told she knows too much. There options are: A. Bella dies; or B. Bella becomes a vampire. Alice and Bella agree to the latter, while Edward fumes. The Volturi tell Edward they will be watching and that Bella needs to be converted before too much time elapses. They return home and Edward is there to stay. Poor Jacob…he cannot be around Bella while she is with Edward. Victoria is still out there. Edward asks Bella to marry him and to wait a few years before he changes her into a vampire. The story ends with Bella having commitment issues… How can she be determined to become a vampire, but not sure if she wants to marry Edward? I have to know…I already have book three. I was even considering pre-ordering book four so it will be shipped right away in August.

Let me start by saying I love, love, love this book. It is a book that requires more than a simple read. It requires depth of thought. Often I enjoy teen books as a means to become lost in the the easy going nature of the story line or the thrill of young love or to get lost in fantastical lands. This book was so much more. The story takes place in Nazi Germany during the height of Hitler’s power. It is told by Death. He recounts how he first met the main character and follows her throughout her life. Hearing this story through the eyes of Death makes it seem so unique and interesting. Death gives you clues throughout the reading of things to come. However, still I found myself mesmerized longing to know exactly how and why things happen on Himmel Street. Leisel, the main character, is abandoned at the start of the story. Immediately we feel sorry for her as she is dropped off at a foster home. Her “mama” is always berating her. Later we find out that she only does this as a sign of affection. Perhaps she does not know how to show her affection in any other way. Her new family is poor, however despite this her foster father takes in a Jew to hide in their basement. Their family risks everything to hide and protect him. At first little has changed besides having to split their food rations in four instead of three. However, before long the war hits closer to home and Leisel’s family faces bombings in their city. This novel is about great suffering and the importance of hope in the face of adversity. Will their family be caught? Will the bombs hit their home? Who will survive and who has Death come to take? Leisel must face all these things, plus deal with first time love. I longed for Leisel and Rudy to have their first kiss. But will they get their chance before Death comes to visit their street. Be sure to check out this book to find out the answers.