The last Book Review meeting has been held at the NMRLS office. The shelves are empty for the first time since this program began. There is still a link to all the Reviewers who have contributed reviews throughout the years. Thank you!
There is a future for this program. Georgetown Peabody Library in Georgetown has offered to hold review books for the area. We do know that both Scholastic and Chronicle have acknowledged the new address. We’ll see about the others!
Review copies will eventually be posted at the Library Thing account. The shelves are currently empty there for now!
Michael Williams, the YA Librarian, and the rest of the Georgetown staff are committed to doing their best to continue this program. I don’t think they can do it alone! So please let Michael know what you can do – getting the word out, hosting a meeting, etc etc. Thanks go to Mary Saunders, school librarian at Gloucester and trustee at Georgetown. She has already stepped up as an administrator and she is currently the contact for the new blog.
HarperCollins2010
ISBN: 9780061214806
Format: Fiction
Rating: good
Grade: 8 – 12
Genre: realistic
Reese is sent to Progress, a juvenile detention facility, after he is caught stealing prescription forms and selling them to a drug dealer. As part of an experimental work release program, Reese is assigned to Evergreen, an assisted living center, where he meets racist Mr. Hooft whose constant lectures on life’s challenges forces Reese to examine his choices as he faces impossible choices and pressures and nearly insurmountable obstacles. Reese must mature and curb his impulsive behavior and prove that he is deserving of a second chance before he is locked up for good.
Myers has crafted another story that will certainly appeal to urban, reluctant male readers. As always, his narrative is realistic and honestly portrayed through not only through his effective use of street language, but also his not really happily ever after ending. Myer’s refrains from being overly preachy as he offers no easy answers but maintains an obvious message. Though well-written, the story lacks an emotional response or connection to the characters. While Reese is not unlikable, his character and story have been told by Myers before. Mr. Hooft’s experiences in the Japanese camps during World War II add a unique and thought-provoking element that is not fully explored and the historical context may be lost on teens.
Reviewer: Alissa Lauzon
LibraryCity: Haverhill
Reviewdate: April 14, 2010
HoughtonMifflin2009
ISBN: 9780547194899
Format: Fiction
Rating: average
Grade: Gr. 9-12
Blake is a sophomore in high school. He lives in a medium sized city. He doesn’t look forward to high school every day. He goes for three simple reasons. The first reason is because it’s a necessity. The second reason is his amazing girlfriend. And lastly is because of his photography class. His best friend Marissa is in that class with him. They show each other their projects from the prior week hoping for constructive criticism. It turns out the lady with the snake tattoo in Blake’s picture is Marissa’s druggie mom. She’s been gone for a year. Throughout this whole story, it’s Blake and Marissa going on an adventure to find her mom and get her clean and sober. Being the fact that Marissa’s a girl and Blake is spending all his time with her, his girlfriend isn’t so happy. In fact, she hates it. One day things get heated between Blake and Marissa and this amazing girlfriend isn’t so amazing when she finds out about it.
These characters come to life as you get connected to them and learn their stories. Once you know about them and their problems all you really want to do is keep reading. This story is believable and could happen to anybody. There’s so much dialogue between the different characters that you feel every emotion they feel, whether the feeling is happiness or sadness. Written in the first person from Blake’s point of view, he does a great job of explaining his thoughts and knowing when details aren’t important. Good job to L.K. Madigan for making the characters attitudes the way they are. Blake is funny and carefree. Marissa’s dark hair and dark make-up makes her seem mysterious, but she’s a genuine sweetheart. Shannon is a popular cheerleader and easily angered. However, all three are amazing in their own way. The moral behind this story is to look past people’s appearances. What matters the most is their personality. You may like or even love someone’s looks, but their personality could make them the worst person in the world.
Reviewer: Cynthia for C. Burke
LibraryCity: Miller- Rockport HS/MS
Reviewdate: 04/05/2010
Penguin2009
ISBN: 9780803733015
Format: Fiction
Rating: average
Grade: 5-7
Genre: romance
Every summer the island of Miramore becomes home to princes from foreign lands who come to learn the skills required of a prince. This year, rules have changed so that the princes can woo the young women on the island. Gracepearl, the daughter of the Cook, dreams of escaping her island home, but to do so would mean leaving behind not only her father and friends, but also abandoning her true love.
A charmingly sweet, yet extremely predictable story that is certain to appeal to upper elementary and middle school readers looking for a simple, clean romance that is reminiscent of a fairy tale. Pearl is an intelligent young woman with strength and determination who carries an otherwise transparent and forgettable story. The eye catching and appealing cover is certain to draw in tween girls, especially those who enjoy historical, fairy tale style romances.
Reviewer: Alissa Lauzon
LibraryCity: Haverhill
Reviewdate: March 30, 2010
HarperCollins2010
ISBN: 9780061836631
Format: Fiction
Rating: good
Grade: 5 – 8
Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure
Imagine winning a chance to ride the attractions in a new theme park in China before it officially opens. That is what happens to Liam, a middle school student in England. Only one problem — the contest sponsor thinks he is his dad. Sure Liam is big for his age, has facial hair, and a deep voice, but can he pull this off this big of a deception? First, he convinces Florida, a friend from school, to pose as his daughter. Then, at the theme park, Liam successfully passes for his dad and goes on to compete against the other three contest winner dads to chaperone all the children on the best ride of all — a rocket ship that will circle the moon before returning to earth. The other fathers are over-the-top caricatures of parenting styles: disciplinarian, intellectual, and indulger. In contrast, Liam gradually grows into a more balanced dadly role, encouraging the playfulness of the other children. “The world is my thrill ride,” he tells the contest sponsor when asked hi!
s parenting philosophy and he never loses that enthusiasm. Characters, even minor ones, are memorable. Though American readers may be puzzled at some of the Britishisms, ie., crisps for potato chips, they will enjoy this humorous, witty adventure. Lovers of Roald Dahl who are ready for more challenging reading will find it especially appealing. Delightful.
Reviewer: Mary Melaugh
LibraryCity: Marshall Middle / Billerica, MA
Reviewdate: 4/2/10
