Speak By Laurie Halse Anderson

Book Type: Young Adult

Rating: A+

Recommended For: Older Teens and up

Genre: Real Life Drama

Themes: High School/Rape/Art

Main Character: Female

Annotation: Despite the fact that I despise stories that include a rape, I loved this book. Not only is the rape NOT discussed in full detail, it is handled in an appropriate manner, but it is discussed throughout the book. Laurie Anderson does a superb job using humor to lighten the mood of this book. My mom shares my loathing of rape books and she too thought this was a great read. I would allow my younger teens to read this book only after I had read it myself and was able to discuss the issues with them. Once again, believe me when I say that this book isn't full of doom and gloom but is a sweet story of how a young girl faces ridicule at school after calling the cops at the last big drinking party. No one else knows what happened to her at the party and she must come to terms with her problems alone.

The White Giraffe By Lauren St. John

Book Type: Young Adult

Rating: B

Recommended For: All Ages Grade 3+

Genre: Fantasy/Drama

Themes: Africa/ Orphans /Endangered Animals/Family

Main Character: Female

Annotation: After the death of her parents a young girl struggles to adjust to life on her Grandmother's wildlife refuge in Africa. She hears tales of a mystical white giraffe and begins to question the probability that the animal may actually exist. This tale was a bit far fetched for my taste. It was an OK read but it wouldn't be on my top list of recommendations.

A Single Shard By Linda Sue Park

Book Type: Young Adult

Rating: A+

Recommended For: All Ages Grade 4+

Genre: Multicultural/Historical Fiction

Themes: Orphans/ Homelessness/ Pottery

Main Character: Male

Annotation: As a teenage orphan struggles to survive in his "home" under a bridge, he dreams that one day he will become a famous Korean potter. This is my number one favorite book of all time. While I don't normally enjoy historical fiction this book is an exception. The story is full of life and the characters have a depth you don't find in every piece of literature.

Starry Safari By Linda Ashman

Book Type: Picture Book

Rating: Amy gives it an A+

Branson (age 20 months) gives it an A+

Recommended for: 18 months and Up and Up and Up!

Annotation: I LOVE this book. I find myself hoping that Branson will want me to read it to him for a second time. After Cayden (age 12) read it to Branson he said, "Mom, this book is really, really good! It's addicting." I am pretty picky when it comes to rhyming in a child's picture book. I can't stand it when the words don't quite rhyme or the timing doesn't jive. Linda Ashman does a great job both telling a story (that has an adorable and unpredictable ending) and creating an upbeat rhyme that has both you and your child dancing to the beat. As the little girl travels through the jungle Jeff Mack's illustrations are bright and whimsical. Throw in a jeep that beeps, animals that chase and roar and you've got yourself a new classic favorite!

Watchers: Last Stop By Peter Lerangis

Book Type: Young Adult

Rating: Amy gives it an A

Anderson (age 13) gives it an A

Recommended for: Grade 3+

Genre: Suspense/Thriller

Themes: Disappearances/Friends/Dimensions

Main Character: Male with supporting Female

Annotation Both Anderson and I agree that this was a really good, quick read. We each read it in under two hours. Despite the creepy cover this is not a scary book, just very intriguing. It is the first book in the Watchers Series. A teenage boy is struggling to cope with the disappearance of his Father when he begins to see things that no one else is able to see. He fears he is losing his mind as he and a friend try to make sense of his visions.

The Misadventures of Maude March By Audrey Couloumbus

Book Type: Young Adult

Ratings: Amy gives it an A

Alison gives it an A

Alicia gives it an A

Recommended For: Boys and Girls of all ages Grade 3+

Genre: Western/Adventure

Themes: Orphans/Going West/Girls Disguised as Boys/Gun Slingers

Main Characters: Two sisters-but don't let that keep the boys from reading this one. These ladies are dressed as boys and get in some real hootin' shootin' trouble

Annotation: After being orphaned for a second time, two sisters head out West in search of their long lost uncle.

This Book was Recommended to Me By: Alison

Other Audrey Couloumbus Books: Getting Near to Baby (A+)
Maude March on the Run (Haven't Read yet)

Eleven By Patricia Reilly Giff

Book Type: Young Adult

Rating: A

Recommended: Anyone/ Any age

Genre: Drama/Mystery

Themes: Quest for Identity/Family/Wood Carving

Main Character: Male with supporting Female

Annotation: After discovering he once had a different last name, a young boy secretly searches for answers to who he is and where he came from. My only disappointment in this book was that the cover lead me to believe it would be more suspenseful than it actually was.

Other Books By Patricia Reilly Giff: Pictures of Hollis Woods A+ (One of my favorites!)

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

Book Type: Young Adult

Rating: A+ if you took out all the JUNK! But because there is so much crud I have to give it an F. This book would have been great if you left out the crude language and sexuality. It is bad...R rating bad. I wouldn't let my teen read this book which is sad since it was good otherwise. Anyone have Clear Play for novels?

Recommended For: No one

Genre: Drama

Themes: Current Native American traditions/Life on and off the Reservation for an Indian teen/Basketball

Main Character: Male

Annotation: A young Native American wants more for his life than is offered on the Spokane Indian Reservation. This book depicts his ups and downs as he breaks all rules and begins to attend the white school miles away from the Rez.

Notes From the Midnight Driver By Jordan Sonnenblick

Book Type: Young Adult

Rating: A+

Recommended For: Anyone/Any age 4th grade +

Genre: Drama

Themes: Life Lessons/Music

Main Character: Male with Female supporting character

Annotation: After taking his mother's car for a drunken joy ride a young man is given service hours with a cranky old man in a nearby nursing home. I put off reading this one because of the cover...a lawn gnome, really? But I shouldn't have judged this book by it's cover...it is now on my list of favorites. Very good.