Books for Teens

Oggie Cooder doesn’t mind being different.  He does wish he had more friends, but the people in town just can’t accept his weird clothes and odd habits.  When he accidentally auditions for Hidden Talents and is chosen to appear on TV everyone in town starts to notice him.  It starts out as a blessing.  Oggie loves to Charve (Chew and carve- a word he created himself) cheese into sculptures of the states.  However, when Donnica becomes his manager, she wants to be famous at all cost.  Will Oggie make it all the way to Hollywood?  Make sure to check out Sarah Weeks’ novel to find out!

Alvin Ho is a great easy read.  In fact, it made me laugh out loud quite a few times.  Alvin wants to fit in with his classmates.  But, the only one who wants to be his friend is a weird little girl in his class.  Alvin just wants to be a guys guy.  But, alas it is not to be.  He even asks has father and brother for advice about making friends.  He is scared of many things and makes a disaster preparedness kit to take everywhere with him.  In the end, much to his surprise…he realizes maybe the best friend for him is a girl.

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.

I must admit that when I started this novel, I didn’t think I would finish it.  I don’t know if I was distracted or in a bad mood.  It has a funny introduction, I honestly don’t know why I didn’t want to continue reading it. All I know is…I am glad I did.  Violet Paz has just turned fifteen.  When her Abuela comes to visit her, Violet learns that her family wants to hold a quincaenero (15th birth day bash!)  That sounds sort of fun to Violet except she hates to wear dresses and she hates dances.  Her grandmother talks Violet and her parents into planning the quince party.  Even though Violet is half Cuban she has to read The Quincaenero for the Gringo Dummy to find out what the party involves.  She decides to make it reflect her personality, so instead of dates for her court she has an all girl court.  She also changes the traditional pink dress to a stunning purple and white number.  While planning the party her family holds many bbqs and Violet starts to get to know her extended family better.  Everyone comes together to support her.  The more she learns about this Cuban tradition, the more she longs to know about Cuba.  Her father will not speak about Cuba after the Communist movement his family suffered under.  Violet is forced to take matters into her own hands to learn about her family history.  When her father finds out that she has gone behind his back to learn about Cuba he threatens to call off the quince party.  After all their hard work on the party…what will it take for Violet and her father end their feud?

  After his girlfriend tells him she is pregnant Bobby has alot to think about. At only 16, neither of them are ready for a baby. Both their parents are not very supportive. The format of the book leaves you rushing to find out how Bobby ends up with sole custody of his daughter, Feather. The chapters alternate between “Now” and “Then.”  We see how difficult life is for Bobby with a new baby at home. As the father, he does not get any “maternity leave,” so he continues to go to high school while having to stay up late every night with Feather. He lives alone with his mother and she tells him from the start that Feather is his responsiblitiy alone. Despite how much his life has changed, Bobby loves Feather so much and appreciates this gift he has been given. The plot jumps back and forth and we watch as Nia and Bobby remain close throughout her pregnancy. We see both their parents convincing them to give the baby up for adoption. So the reader cannot believe it when everything is set with an adoptive family, yet still Bobby ends up with Feather and Nia is no where to be found. The shocking reason why Nia is not in Bobby and Feather’s life will keep you reading until the end.

First of all let me start by saying, I just love books by Gordon Korman.  The first book that introduced me to this author was Shipwrecked: Island Book 1.  Gordon Korman has a knack for writing books that kids are just drawn to.  In No More Dead Dogs, the main character Wallace Wallace is the town hero.  Ever since he saved the day at last year’s football championships, the entire town looks up to him.  Wallace Wallace is a likable guy, all of us know someone like him.  He is a little sarcastic and tells it just how it is.  In fact, he never lies.  So when his English teacher assigns a book report on Old Shep, My PalWallace tells the teacher his honest opinion of the book.  Basically…he thinks it stinks.  As you might guess, his teacher (who absolutely loves the book) is not too impressed with Wallace’s report.  Wallace is assigned detention to work on rewriting it.  When Wallace shows up to detention, he is horrified to find out that his teacher Mr. Fogelman is directing a school play about Old Shep, My Pal.  In order to attend detention, Wallace can no longer go to football practice after school.  As soon as Wallace writes “an appropriate review” of the book, he’s released from detention.  However, Wallace who never tells a lie just cannot bring himself to write a positive review of the book.  Eventually, the longer he stays with the drama club, the more he begins to like them.  They listen to his ideas and before long the kids are listening to his ideas over what Mr. Fogelman had planned.  At first Mr. Fogelman is frustrated by the students changing around the play according to Wallace’s suggestions.  However when they try out what Wallace has in mind, Mr. Fogelman can’t help but agree that Wallace’s ideas are good ones.  Throughout the story is an underlying mystery.  Someone is sabotaging the play and making it look like Wallace is responsible.  The football team has a losing streak without Wallace and pretty soon, half the school seems to hate him for not writing a review for his teacher.  As more pranks are pulled on the play, his new drama friends start to believe he really might be responsible.  Wallace has to set things straight, so he decides to catch the prankster in the act.  I was completely surprised, by who turned out to be responsible for the cruel jokes.  In the end, Wallace does save the day (and gets the girl!) But, you have to read it yourself to find out how.

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.

Yann has a rough life. It seems as if he was born into the wrong family. He has six other brothers, all twins. His was born a mute dwarf. His father seems to resent him for his disability. His house is in shambles. His family is extremely poor. Despite all this, he loves reading and learning. When his teachers at school notice how bad his home life is, a social worker is sent to investigate. Yann’s parents rudely dismiss her concerns. Then Yann hears his father in a rage discussing the disposal of the nuisances at the house. Under the impression that he and his brothers are about to be killed, he wakes them in the night and they run away. They are pulled towards the hopeful lure of the ocean and starting over. When they arrive however, things are not as they expected them to be. This captivating story is told from many shifting perspectives. Readers won’t want to put it down until they know what happens to Yann and his brothers.

Steven Alpier is your average 8th grader. He wishes the most popular girl in school would notice him. His younger brother drives him crazy. One day he finds out that his baby brother has cancer and his world comes crashing down. Instead of telling anyone at school, he holds all his feelings inside. His grades plummet, his friends and teachers notice. His parents are totally focused on his brother Jeffrey. At first Steven is in denial, until he accompanies Jeffrey to hospital for treatment. When he sees how much Jeffrey needs him and how much his parents have to worry about, he starts to understand. When word gets around at school about his brother Steven becomes Mr. Popularity. Everyone wants to talk about it. Everyone wants to help. The question is…is Steven ready to open up about his problems? Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie is laugh out loud funny. Despite the seriousness of his brother’s illness, Steven is someone all of us can relate to.