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Teen Book Bloggers Review Princess Ben

S. from grade 6 reviews:
Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Pub. Date: 5/5/08
Genre: Fantasy

Princess Ben is about a teenager whose parents are murdered while away. Ben (Benevolence)’s father was the brother of a king who was also murdered at this incident. Ben is sent to her uncle’s castle, now ruled by his wife, Queen Sophia. Since Queen Sophia has no children of her own, Ben must train to become an amazing princess, and she is planning to make it has hard as possible for her aunt, and everybody else. One day, after Ben has been beaten by the queen, she stumbles upon an enchanted room, where she trains with magic. Soon, Queen Sophia wants Ben married and it’s all Ben can do to keep her secret a secret. Then it is time for the ball, and Ben starts having an amazing adventure…
 
Purchase Recommendation: Definitely purchase
Age Recommendation: Middle School students

Teen Book Bloggers Review The Slippery Map

Here's another great book review from our teen reviewers!

Name: S.
Grade: 6
Author: N. E. Bode
Month/Year of Publication: 2007
Genre: Adventure/Fantasy
 
The Slippery Map is about a boy named Oyster R. Motel who lives in a nunnery and desperately needs something fun to do. One day, when he and Ms. Fishback are going to get Oyster's tooth fixed, a whole new adventure begins. He is sucked into a whole new world where there are creatures called Perths. These Perths need help to defeat the evil Dark Mouth who currently rules the land. Oyster's parents are prisoners in Dark Mark's home and it is Oyster's duty to save them. Join him in this amazing adventure and see what happens at the end! I really enjoyed this book because I felt that it really put me in a "position", I was right there with the character. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, but mostly geared to middle school kids.

Teen Book Bloggers Review Nick of Time

Here's another great review from our Teen Book Bloggers!

Pub date: May 2008
Historical Fiction/Fantasy
Reviewer: A in Grade 7
 
Nick McIver lives with his small family on Greybeard Island, located in the English Channel. His adventure begins when he and his sister Kate find an old sea chest that washes up on shore. With the help of a few friends, Nick discovers that the sea chest holds a time machine – and a plea for help from his ancestor, Captain Nicholas McIver. Now Nick must travel back in time more than one hundred years to help his ancestor fight in the type of sea battle he’s always dreamed of. It’s the adventure of a lifetime…or is it? Nick of Time incorporates real historical events (WWII, for example) into a fantasy – filled story, delighting the reader once subtle connections are made, and all of the puzzle pieces finally fit together.
 
A says: Definitely Purchase
Geared towards middle school students

Teen Book Bloggers Review Julian Rodriguez

Julian Rodriguez by Alexander Stadler

Reviewer: G
 
Julian Rodriguez is a fantastic book. It is written by Alexander Stadler. Julian is an "alien" from outer space and complains to the "mother ship" about the "maturnal unit". The maternal unit requires a lot from Julian. He has to take out the garbage sit through standard testing and deal with girls. Julian is also deprived of Ring Dings, Strawberry Fizzz, and Cool Ranch Krispy Poofs, the maternal unit substitutes those with carrots, water, and veggie dogs. There are parts of the book that have not been thought through because it is not clear whether Julian is a human or alien. Did his parents adopt him and he was sent to an orphanage or is he just crazy. This book appeals to children 7-9, my 9 year old brother read it and loved it because it is filled with humor that he can relate to.

Teen Book Bloggers Review Gods of Manhattan

Another review from our teen book bloggers!

A. from Grade 7 reviews
Gods of Manhattan by Scott Mebus
Pub. date April 2008
Fantasy
 
Gods of Manhattan tells of a thirteen-year-old New Yorker, Rory Hennessy, who lives with his mom and younger sister Bridget. Rory has the uncommon ability to see through any trick or illusion – he can always see the truth. Rory discovers that he is a “light” – one of the few mortals who can see Mannahatta – a strange spirit city that exists alongside our present-day earth. Now he finds himself in the middle of a convoluted and age-old situation – he is the only one that holds the power to free the Mannahatta Native Americans from the “Trap” in Central Park – an action that will affect many, both Mannahattans and New Yorkers. Gods of Manhattan is an adventure-filled tale that really makes the reader think – it’s a mix of present-day and historical characters jumbled together and clashing as the story progresses. I found the book extremely well written, full of unique characters (even roaches who ride on rats!), and a fast-paced plot that made it difficult to put down!
 
Definitely Purchase
Geared towards Middle School students

Teen Book Bloggers Review Bunker 10

Here's another review from our teen book bloggers. Enjoy!

Reviewer name: C in grade 6
Author: J. A. Henderson
Month/Year of Publication: 2007
 
In this book 7 kids who are very intelligent have to stay there under contract and do research for the military but in Pinewood a lot of chemicals were being tested on lab rats and a girl named May rose was bit by one of them, and the chemical made people go crazy. A fire started Late in the after noon and because the chemical was very flammable and it was in the air pinewood had a fire and, at level 6 where chemicals were stored massive expiation erupted from behind the blast doors witch would have stopped the fire for a while. The kids though they might get out..........
 
Purchase Recommendation: Possibly purchase
Age Recommendation: Teen / middle school

Teen Book Bloggers Review Eat Cake

I'm bringing everyone another review from our teen book bloggers. Enjoy!

Reviewer Name: K from 9th grade
Title: Eat Cake (located in the adult room under Fiction Ray)
Author: Jeanne Ray
Month/Year of Publication: 2003
Genre: Novel
 
Do you like to bake? If so Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray is definitely a book for you! When her husband, Sam, loses his job, Ruth isn't sure what to do. So, when Sam says he wants to discover himself and isn't ready to find a new job just yet, Ruth realizes that she must take matters into her own hands. She decides to bake cakes and sell them in an attempt to save her family from going bankrupt. Can she pull it off, or will her business fall flat? This book was very relate able for me. I have a passion for baking and it made me feel like I'm not alone. The characters are very realistic. For example, Ruth's daughter, Camile reminded me of a typical teenager. She tried to weasel her way out of things, threw a hissy fit, and pushed her mother to her limits.
 
Purchase Recommendation:
_x_ Definitely Purchase – one of the better books of the year
Age Recommendation:
_x_ This book is geared toward high school students/adults

Teen Book Bloggers Review The Promises of Dr. Sigmundus

Here's the latest review from our teen book bloggers!

Title: The Promises of Dr. Sigmundus, Book 1 The Hollow People
Author: Brian Keaney
Month/Year of Publication: Sep/2007
Reviewer: S - Grade 10
 
On an island where having dreams means being branded a maniac and everyone has their own place in society the harsh laws of Dr. Sigmundus reign control of every aspect of life. Dante is nothing but a kitchen boy, while Bea is the daughter of physicians. The two meet accidentally and quickly grow fast as friends. They start to share their ideas and their dreams and knowing how dangerous it was to do so. With the arrival of a infamous prisoner to the islands asylum they begin to wonder if all promises they've based their life on is nothing more than an illusion in the scheme of things. Will they turn their backs on everything they've ever knew and fight or will they stay and be broken down by the promises of Dr. Sigmundas?
This book is a great read and I encourage others to read it as well.
 
Purchase Recommendation: Possibly purchase
Age Recommendation: This book is geared to middle school students

Teen Book Bloggers Review The Debutante

debutanteHad a lovely surprise today - one of our teen reviewers stopped by the Library today and dropped off her review of The Debutante by Kathryn Williams. At our April Galley Party, 15 teens attended and took home free advance copies of books, in exchange agreeing to be 'guest bloggers' on our teen site. So, in the first of many such posts (I hope!) and without further ado, here is her review.

The Debutante by Kathryn Williams
Reviewer: B
 
Annie is your typical high school senior, dealing with the stress of college applications, school, and cheating ex-boyfriends. Aside from the stress, her life is great. But then she arrives home from school one day to hear her father announce that they are moving back to his hometown. Now Annie is being thrust into the southern culture with her overbearing grandmother threatening to not pay for her schooling if she does not become a debutante. Before Annie knows what has hit her, she's on a roller coaster ride of emotions and trials to becoming the lady her grandmother "knows is in there somewhere" otherwise she may be stuck in the south for good. This story contains all the elements of a typical teenage drama but has a refreshing style. As opposed to the mundane predictable plotline common in pop literature, this story stays closer to home and explores the bonds that arise between people whether it be in friendship or love. I would highly recommend this book to any teenage girl that is looking for a light read that will bring a smile to your face.
Happy Reading!
 
Should the Library purchase? B said: Possibly purchase, average book
Suggested age? B said: high school students

Teens - College Search

Whether you're a senior or a freshman, there's something about the college process that's a little scary and a little exciting.  Whether you can't wait to go or you're dreading the application process, these online resources will inform your search.  Have other favorite websites? Send us a comment below.

College Search Tools
College Board Our Favorite Feature: The Academic Tracker, which lets you see how your stats measure up to your favorite college's requirements.
CollegeNet Our Favorite Feature: Being able to search by region, size, and major
Fiske Guide to Colleges Our Favorite Feature: Essay Turnoff Tips
Princeton Review Our Favorite Feature: Free SAT practice test
www.collegeview.com Our Favorite Feature: The clear, step-by-step guide to the entire college application process
Virtual college tours:   www.campustours.com

Standardized Testing
Register and test prep for the SATs (all of them!):   www.collegeboard.com
Register and test prep for the ACT
Free SAT preparation:   www.kaptest.com

Application Process
Common Application with complete instructions :   www.commonapp.org (Many colleges take this application; some don't; double check!)
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);    www.fafsa.ed.gov (You'll need to fill this out to be eligible for any college's financial aid)
  Financial aid and scholarship information:   www.fastweb.com    www.finaid.com & www.salliemae.com 

College Athletics
Information on college athletics:   www.ncaa.org
  Information on Division I and Division II college athletics initial eligibility: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

 

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