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Nothing But the Truth Teen Books Reviewed by Teens for Teens Winter Reviews : About the Teen Review Committee
Brief Summary: BabyMouse's school band concert is soon... how will she learn how to play her flute so it sounds bearable in time? The least likely person has the answer! :) Review: This book is a thin, 91 page-long jewel which is about as well-written as an entertaining comic book could get! If you are reading this book looking to find something deep, then you are heavily mistaken. However, this little gem is perfect for heavy, eye-closing rainy days when all you want is to pick up a book and read. I found myself laughing and it would be a nice book to read to a child I was babysitting. However, I enjoyed it, too, and "BabyMouse" is a good series for almost any age. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: Chloe and a homeless boy have no family, and Chloe gets picked on for her good looks. A story of survival, trying to get jobs, and learning never give up. Just because you are of low income, doesn't mean you can't do anything. Review: Good because good lessons and how the characters acted. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: This book is from the point of view of a girl, Skylar, the popular, preppy valedictorian at Hilliard Preparatory School, as well as Charlie, who always seems to come in second. When Charlie's friend goes missing, they all set off to find him. Review: In my opinion, this was an excellent book, geared toward middle and high schoolers alike. It was the perfect blend of mystery and teenage drama. The novel was fast paced and exciting, and the fact that it is told from two points of view is sure to be popular. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: This book, the second in the Ruby Oliver series, chronicles Ruby's life in the aftermath of her very public breakup with her boyfriend, Jackson, and her three best friends, Cricket, Nora, and Kim. During her school's November Week (During which students can pick a wilderness-related trip to go on), Ruby goes to Canoe Island with her friend Noel and the newly-reunited Nora. She's ready to have fun for the first time in a while - what could be better than swimming, reading, and discussing philosophy and movies and meditation - all with her friends. Well, her trip is almost ruined when Ruby finds out the night before departure that Kim is also going - what will happen during the trip? Will Kim and Ruby mend old wounds - like Kim hooking up with Ruby's then-boyfriend Jackson? I loved the suspense. Review: I really liked the way this book was written because it was just like a real teen had written it! I am confident that The Boy Book will have the same fair popularity as the first book in the Ruby Oliver series, The Boyfriend List. Each character was strong - if I had had to write a review for school, I would've accurately been able to describe everyone's personality. I also loved the little footnotes - they were fun little tidbits! There were also selected chapters from a tattered composition book written by Cricket, Nora, Ruby, and Kim in their glory days: The Boy Book. Overall, I could have found this book in any of my friend's locker and thought it was written by her! GREAT BOOK! Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: This book is about Jancee Dunn, a popular journalist best known for her work at Rolling Stone magazine, and her funny tales "Among the Absurdly Famous." It proves that you don't need to go to an Ivy League school to be a very famous journalist, and your college or what town you're from doesn't always factor majorly in your talent! Review: Ever since I was little, I've wanted to become a famous journalist, preferably for Rolling Stone Magazine. Ever since I was little, I've believed that I need to go to Harvard so I can accomplish this. This book showed me that to accomplish my dreams, I do not need to attend the best university or be in every newspaper as a child prodigy; Jancee Dunn was from New Jersey, and she has an unfinished degree in English from the University of Delaware! I learned that in major magazines, contrary to belief, talent is the major factor. I also loved how this book was humorously written, and that though it is an adult book, it is comprehensible for many ages. It was incredibly well written, and it is increasingly popular, too. I have read many of Jancee Dunn's articles in my preferred bedside reading, Rolling Stone, but her writing truly shines in this book. I know that many teens will enjoy reading this book for the hilarity but also for the juicy celebrity sections in which Jancee tells about her encounters with the likes of Brad Pitt, the Rolling Stones, and Dolly Parton - that's right, Dolly Parton, whose Velveeta Dunn still keeps in her refrigerator to this day. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation: Do Over by Christene Hurley Deriso Brief Summary: When Elsa moves to a new school, she feels like she doesn't fit in... until she is granted "Do Over" power. All she has to do is whisper, "Do over," and her whole world rewinds a few seconds. With this new skill, Elsa becomes a star academically and socially. But after some bad decisions, she has to fix what's gone wrong. Review: I loved this book! It was really interesting and is a great read. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: Grk follows Tim home, but he can't keep him. He sneaks out to fly to S... Then he breaks out. Review: Its plot is good but popular. Save good people from bad people. But the way it's done is great. The setting's good. Overall, it's a great book. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: A robot, unlike other robots, he can think and feel for himself like a baby. And he learns from his experiences. And everyone underestimates him, and they think he's programmed like a robot. But then, when the coolest robots of the time begin to malfunction and kidnap people, he's the key to saving everyone. Review: Pretty good. Middle was really good, but hard to get into. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: Klaus, Violet, and Sunny Baudelaire have gotten into quite some trouble in their past, but this time they find themselves on an island that restricts their freedom. This time, however, the devious Count Olaf may not be their problem. As you should have learned from previous books and the disguises of Olaf, don't be too quick to assume. Review: This was a great book. The setting was unique; not many people would have put an entire story on a coastal shelf, the shelf was needed for the storyline, too. I won't reveal how, but the shelf made the plot a lot more interesting. Very well written, though, for the end of a series, it didn't sum things up well. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: Cadel Piggot is a genius. He learned complex computer codes when most of us would be learning to distinguish shapes. Now is is finally in a place he feels he can belong in, the Axis Institute for World Domination. However, despite his unique and amazing - though used for evil - skills, will he be able to live through it? Review: This book was FANTASTIC. Its theme is a role model for future book writers, original and catching. It was brilliant how it built and changed the setting over the course of the book to match the plot. The only thing I though that wasn't superb was the abrupt ending. Do I hear a sequel? Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: This is the final and fourth summer featuring Lena, Carmen, Bridget, and Tibby. Carmen finds herself feeling invisible in a theater program at her new school; Bridget goes to Turkey, and as usual, gets mixed up with a guy. Tibby made a huge mistake, and Lena is trying to forget Costo. Review: This book is sure to be popular with all teenage girls, being the climactic ending to the Sisterhood series. However, I can't say that I enjoyed this book quite as much as I did the others. Some unnecessary details made the book seem geared more towards older teens and may be disappointing to readers. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: The plot unfolds as Lily's younger brother is dropped at the airport by his dad. Alone. With no ticket. No money. And no belongings. [Editor's note: Lily is responsible for getting her brother home from the airport and keeping his secret from their parents] Lily really matures throughout the book. She deals with some family issues, but in the end all loose ends come together. Review: I loved this book, but it was kind of unclear in parts. The pacing was perfect, and I fell in love with Nathaniel! You will too if you read this deeply touching yet exciting novel. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: Audrey is the good girl, she is a good student, a good daughter, and best of all the good friend. The thing is that she is the last person anyone would expect to be with Luke, who just happens to be the biggest player. When there is a party, Audrey "breaks up with Luke because she says we weren't boyfriend and girlfriend, we were just hookin up", then Luke just replied ummm ok. Then there was a picture of Luke and Audrey doing something that good girls wouldn't be found doing. It gets through the whole school, and Audrey is known as the school slut. It is good that her two friends are by her side, Ash and Joelle. If you want to find out what happens, then read the book! Review: I give this book a 10, because it is a well written book. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: A kid named Fletcher Moon, people usually call him Half Moon, and he's a detective, with a license and a badge, and his badge is his most valued possession. Red Sharkley steals his badge when Half Moon is investigating him for stealing a pop star's hair. Half Moon's employer (a 10 year old girl) wants the hair back, so Half Moon is on the job. Half Moon is assaulted, wakes up in the hospital, looks at his bruise and it has R.E.D. on it. Hmm...... Review: It was really really really really really really good because it describe the setting, the thoughts of the main character, and was really interesting. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: When Brit's parents drop her at her grandmother's house for the summer, no one has any idea that Brit, Nannie, and Nannie's three college friends are heading for their college reunion, and Brit's driving! She's resistant at first, but after trouble with the nephew of a friend, she becomes determined to bring the four to their reunion safely. Review: This book was very good. It had a bit of everything - suspense, humor, excitement, and sadness. I definitely recommend it. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Month/Year of Publication: Brief Summary: Even though this sounds like a self help book, it's really just a classic story of a girl who would die to be popular. Steph Landry spills something on someone's white skirt, and everyone's held it against her ever since. But when she finds a book titled "How to be Popular," she decides to give it a try. Review: I really enjoyed this book (as I do all Meg Cabot books) because the author knows how to relate to teenage girls. It's the perfect mix of funny and interesting. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: Sequel to Twilight. Bella's continuing journey with vampires... with a new twist. Makes new friends, tries to get over heartache and move on with her life, but can she succeed? Review: Amazing. I love this book. An excellent sequel; can't wait for the next book. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: Patrick Henry's wife is slowly going crazy. To help her, the family locks her in the cellar. She reveals which relative will inherit her madness to Anne, one of her daughters. Anne lies about it so as not to hurt her family. . Review: This was a suspenseful, exciting novel. I could not put the book down. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: It is the first time Mandy ever felt alone. All her other family members are either on a vacation or a party. Even worse her twin sister Angel died, she feels her life is on a standstill ever since her sister died, which is a year ago. Angel was the opposite of Mandy, she would love adventure, and suspense. The thing is that Mandy isn't alone. When two boys, one about Mandy's age, and the other one, nearly two, ask to help her she is confused. Should I help them? Should I tell them to leave. Review: This book was an adventure because you didn't really know what would happen, and there are some obstacles Mandy does. I would rate this book a 7, because I thought it would be better if her twin sister was there because there would be more suspense. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: It's about a boy named Alex Ryder, his uncle dies, and he becomes a secret agent fo rM -16. He has to go to a school for really bad rich boys (really really bad) somewhere in the French Alps. No way to get in and out except by helicopter because the kids are really bad (drugs, violence), and he has to figure out why all of a sudden the kids become perfect. Review: Really good; I liked how he thought differently. But it was still realistic. It's not like a cartoon because the author makes the events seem possible. I think that boys, and maybe girls, should read it if they like action and adventure. A really good series. Definitely popular; everyone who has read it likes it. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: This is a story about a girl named Psyche that goes through life making horrible mistakes and whishing she could take them back. She knew love but didn't trust it and then ends up regretting it. Psyche tries to take back her mistakes and get back the love she doubted but it's harder than she'll think it will ever be. Review: This book is very confusing and hard to understand at first. This book is not very appropriate for any age lower than 14-16 (depending on maturity) because of the language. This book could use more detail and theme. Overall it's an okay book. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: OM: The crime solving kids at Geyser Creek Middle School are back in this fast-paced novel. The plot revolves around Mr. N's summer school class. The kids discover ancient baths underneath their school and solve several crimes. Review: BT: Anyone who has read Regarding the Fountain knows how unique Kate Klise's books are. But I felt as though Regarding the Bathrooms was almost the same story as the original. It didn't seem as fast paced, exciting or riveting. Overall, I thought it was an average story. OM: This is a fun book to read because it is written in letters to the different characters. I would recommend this book to younger kids. It's a great book. However, it was a bit too fast-paced (for me at least). It was confusing at some points. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: Holly, a 12-year-old orphaned when quite young, lives in a foster home but is mistreated. She keeps a diary of her life, and the story is told through it. She runs away (hence the name "Runaway:) and the book chronicles her tiresome and seemingly endless journey. Review: This book is very well-written. I really felt sympathy for Holly and could picture it happening in real life. Holly, an aspiring poet, shares poems as well as thoughts. The only downside was the plot, which was a bit predictable. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: This story is about a girl named Lakshmi that lives with her mother (Ama), her step-father, baby brother, and pet goat. The family lives in a country by India. The family struggles to make a living because of the drought and step-father spending the money carelessly. Lakshmi is sold to a woman for 10,000 rupees. She is traded around until she ends up in a place called "Happiness House" with many other women and girls. Lakshmi thinks she is going to be a maid and then finds out shortly that she was sold into prostitution. She is forced to sell her body until she pays off her family debt which keeps getting bigger because of the "Happiness House" owner. Mumtaz keeps finding ways to raise the price in her conniving ways. What is Lakshmi to do with a total of a 20,000 rupee debt but keep selling her body to disgusting men? Review: This book is sad, yet a thriller and keeps you wanting to read more and more. When reading this book sometimes you find hard to believe that these types of things happen to innocent people. This book has very much appeal but shouldn't be for teens under the age of 14-16 (depending on maturity) because of sexual events that occur during the book. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: This story focuses a lot on time. The heroine of the story is a girl named Silver. The major villains are the sorcerer and sorceress Able Darkwater and Regalia Manson. The entire story is centered on the Timekeeper. The Timekeeper is a very valuable clock that can control the Universe and time. The story starts with Silver being mistreated by her nanny Mrs. Rokabye. Then she is invited to meet Able Darkwater. She goes unsuspectingly and is chased away to the underground. There she meets the throwbacks. She befriends one called Gabriel and with him goes to the Einstein line to find the Timekeeper. But Regalia Manson is there to stop her and to try to keep the future where she rules the Universe intact. Review: This book is detailed and mysterious. It really knows how to use a plot twist. The universe there is realistic. The few rules they do set are not broken through the book. A few of the characters are a little too constant however. Mrs. Rokabye for example I feel is a little too constantly greedy. People who are greedy probably have moments of kindness. Evil maybe not but greedy people probably do. Regalia Manson is a complex person however in that she is very unpredictable. I think that it isn't a fast paced book as it doesn't even introduce all the key characters until about halfway through but it is still well written. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: FI Luke Harding has to prove Everton Kohter didn't murder Rowan Pearce and who did it. Review: It's almost impossible to say anything bad. Good book. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: Connor and Grace Tempest are shake enough by the death of their father, but now, as they sail into a sea and a ferocious storm, their father, and his stolen land are the least of their worries. Connor finds "safety" on a nearby pirate ship. Grace isn't so lucky. She lands on the 1 vampirate ship in the seas. Well they live long enough to see each other often. Review: This book is written very well. I like the plot of having the siblings separated in a storm and taken by the very things their dead father told them were the worst possible beings they could meet. The setting is nice and perilous for both siblings, though very different. Nevertheless it was a good book. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
Brief Summary: Gerinto's life at knights' academy and the winter threatening to snap the anchor chain. Review: Amazing book. Great in every category. Purchase Recommendation: Age Recommendation:
About the Teen Review Committee: The Teen Review committee of the Teen Advisory Board reviews galleys (advance copies of books not yet published) and new teen books, and their reviews are published on the Darien Library's teen website. Our current review committee includes: Bethany, Danielle, Jen, Katie, Kendra, Olivia, Veronika, and William. Our next galley give-away will be at our March Teen Advisory Board meeting. New members are welcome to join the Teen Review committee at that time.
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Becoming Chloe by Catherine Ryan Hyde 
Better Than Yesterday by Robyn Schneider
But Enough About Me
A Dog Called Grk by Joshua Doder
Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks 
Forever in Blue by Ann Brashares
A Friend at Midnight by Caroline Cooney
Good Girls by Laura Ruby
Psyche in a Dress by Francesca Lia Block
Regarding the Bathrooms by Kate Klise
Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanen
Traces Double Check by Malcolm Rose
Winter Knights by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell