Coda by Emma Trevayne

May 22, 2013 by

coda

Coda

by Emma Trevayne

Deep in an abandoned basement, Anthem sings of truth and freedom with his illegal underground band. Yet on the surface and under watchful eyes, Anthem is unable to resist the call of the Corporation’s addictive, mind-altering music tracks, even as he knows they are used to control him and his fellow citizens.

When tragedy strikes close to home, Anthem realizes that defying the Corp comes at a deadly price… and the stakes of preventing his brother and sister from being claimed by the government drug are worth every heart-pounding second. The key to the revolution might lie with the girl Anthem loves, but will he trust her enough to let her join the fight? – from the book jacket

Why I picked it up: A post-apocalyptic dystopian…music is used by a corrupt government as a drug – a drug that can kill you… a main character whose passion for music consumes every aspect of his life…illegal underground bands…truth and freedom and revolution…  How could I NOT pick this one up?

Why I finished it: Great writing, complex characters, action that builds slowly until suddenly you realize you’re racing through the pages, plot twist that actually do take you by surprise. I loved Anthem and his friends and how they lived. Their style (neon colors, chrome tattoos, fiber optic hair accessories) and the clubs they frequent every night (to get their government approved music “fix”) reminded me of the Rave scene that was popular in the early 1990’s. The lack of world-building is the only thing that kept me from giving this book 5 stars. There needed to be more explanation about how and why society had gotten to this place of using human energy to fuel The Grid and the government using encoded music as an addictive drug to control the population.

I’d give it to: I’ve been recommending this one to everyone I know who loves music and dystopian fiction.

I’d give it: 4 stars

4 Stars

 

 

Reviewed by: Trish (Schimelpfenig Library)

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

May 21, 2013 by

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

by John Green and David Levithan

It’s not that far from Evanston to Napersville, but Chicago suburbanites Will Grayson and Will Grayson might as well live on different planets.  When fate delivers them both to the same surprising crossroads, the Will Graysons find their lives overlapping and hurtling in new and unexpected directions. With a push from friends new and old-including the massive, and massively fabulous, Tiny Cooper, offensive lineman and musical theater auteur extraordinaire- Will and Will begin building toward respective romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most awesome high school musical. (From the book  jacket)

Why I picked it up: Two of my favorite books ever are The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and Every Day by David Levithan, and when I realized that these 2 authors had collaborated on Will Grayson, Will Grayson, I knew I had to read it!

Why I finished it: Will and Will are confused teenage boys with issues involving relationships, commitment, sexuality and more.  As their lives cross paths and become intertwined, the boys have to figure out who they are, and who they want to be.  This portrayal of teen friendships and struggles feelss honest and realistic. I found myself rooting for a happy ending for all of these multifaceted and emotionally charged characters, especially the fabulously enormous Tiny Cooper!

I’d give it to: Older teens who are fans of these authors, and anyone wanting a good read with an interesting and diverse cast of characters.

I’d give it: Four Stars

Reviewed by:  Melanie (Parr Library)

Tags: ,
Posted in Books, Fiction, High School | Leave a Comment »

Dance of Shadows

May 20, 2013 by
by Yelena Balc

Dance of Shadows

author:  Yelena Black

Dance of Shadows is the world of ballet.  Entering the world of ballet and being asked to join the New York Ballet Academy is an honor any ballerina would cherish.  We meet two sisters, Margaret and Vanessa.  Margaret, the older sister accepted this invitation and was on her way to fame when she disappeared three years ago.   Vanessa is now on her way to the ballet academy.  She only has one goal in mind; what happened to my sister?  She is soon embroiled into a world of  fierce competition and meets her first boyfriend who just happens to be the stunning leading male, Zeppelin Gray.  She soon discovers that she is surrounded by secrecy along with the knowledge that her sister is not the only ballerina that has disappeared.  Why all the secrecy?   Through twists, turns and images that seem to come to life Vanessa learns a lot about herself, friendships and those she cannot trust.

Why I picked it up:  When I briefly read the inside cover I thought it was just a mystery about bun heads and ballet.   Enjoying mysteries like I do it looked interesting.

Why I finished it:  When I was reading the book it just didn’t flow very well.  However, I did want to find out why the ballerinas kept disappearing and who was behind it.

I’d give it to:  This is the first book in this series.  I am not really sure I would recommend this book to anyone.  I think the author could of done a better job of meshing the genres; fantasy,  romance and mystery into the book.

I’d give it:  2 stars-

 

 

Tags: , ,
Posted in Books, Fiction, Middle School | Leave a Comment »

The Host

May 17, 2013 by

The Host (The Host, #1)

Title:  The Host

Author/Artist:  Stephenie Meyer

Why I picked it up:  I was a Twilight fan and this is by the same author.

Why I finished it:  Great story, filled with sci-fi elements and a romance.  It’s very psychoanalytic and will get you thinking about very debatable issues.

Who I would give it to:  My teenage friends

Star rating:  4 stars

Reviewer:  Emily (Plano teen)

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Fever 1793

May 15, 2013 by

Fever 1793Title:  Fever 1793

Author/Artist:  Laurie Halse Anderson

It’s late summer 1793, and the streets of Philadelphia are abuzz with mosquitoes and rumors of fever. Down near the docks, many have taken ill, and the fatalities are mounting. Now they include Polly, the serving girl at the Cook Coffeehouse. But fourteen-year-old Mattie Cook doesn’t get a moment to mourn the passing of her childhood playmate. New customers have overrun her family’s coffee shop, located far from the mosquito-infested river, and Mattie’s concerns of fever are all but overshadowed by dreams of growing her family’s small business into a thriving enterprise. But when the fever begins to strike closer to home, Mattie’s struggle to build a new life must give way to a new fight-the fight to stay alive.

Why I picked it up:  I’ve been meaning to read this book for a long time.  I’ve read many other books by Laurie Halse Anderson and I have enjoyed all of them.

Why I finished it:  Mattie was a great character and I cared deeply about what would happen to her and her family.  It was also fascinating to read about the yellow fever outbreak because I didn’t know much about it before I read this book.

Who I would give it to:  Anyone who likes historical fiction or a well-crafted story.

Star rating:  4 stars

Reviewer:  Renee (Parr library)

Tags:
Posted in Middle School | Leave a Comment »

The Archived

May 13, 2013 by

The Archived (Archived) CoverThe Archived

By Victoria Schwab

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn’t just dangerous—it’s a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da’s death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.    (Summary from the front cover flap.)

Why I picked it up:

OK. I know that the library profession has changed  and is continually changing but when I read the 2nd sentence of the summary, it hooked me!  No, I don’t want to be that type of librarian (shiver!) but I definitely wanted to read more about it!

Why I finished it:

I’m not a reader of zombie lit and I would  not categorize this book as such. This is a spine-tingling supernatural thriller that also focuses upon a family trying to get their life back on track after the death of a child. The Archived is just Book One. Now I’m dying (no pun intended) for Book Two to be published!

 I’d give it to:

I would definitely tell other librarians about this book!  But I know that anyone that loves reading supernatural thrillers would appreciate it as well!

Recommended for ages 12 and up.

I’d give it: 

 

Reviewed by: Connie (Parr Library)

 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Books, Fiction | Leave a Comment »

Beautiful Creatures

May 10, 2013 by

Title:  Beautiful Creatures

Author/Artist:  Kami Garcia

Why I picked it up:  I picked this book up because I noticed that it was being made into a movie, and I thought it sounded very interesting.  I wanted to make sure I read it before seeing the movie!

Why I finished it:  This was a great book.  Witches and magic aren’t always my thing, because the plots are often very contrived or worn out.  This book surprised me by adding some different plot twists which made it very enjoyable.  I also thought that it was an interesting look into the way of life in a small Southern town.  That definitely added a fun Southern twang to this great read!

Who I would give it to:  I would recommend this book to any of my girlfriends.  Since it is a magic and romance book, guys may not be as interested, but they may be surprised!

Star rating:  5 stars

Reviewer:  Sydney (Plano teen)

Tags:
Posted in Fiction, High School, Teen Review | Leave a Comment »

Who is AC?

May 9, 2013 by

who is ac?Who is AC?
written by Hope Larson
illustrated by Tintin Pantoja

Can we erase our digital shadow?

Lonely after moving to a new town, Lin buries herself in her writing, chronicling the adventures of superhero Rhea Ironheart and thinking nothing of the mysterious call she received two months ago. But when she witnesses a robbery at her local photocopy shop, Lin instinctively returns that call, only to find herself incredibly, supernaturally transformed.

Equipped with sleek gear, and leaving rose petals in her wake, an incredulous Lin suddenly has the power to be the heroine, not just write about one. And Mel, the victim of a sinister cybervillain, needs Lin’s help to undo the damage she has wrought online—and to confront the secrets of her past. [from the book jacket]

Why I picked it up: The cover is what got me from the get-go, but after flipping through the first few pages, I was captivated by Pantoja’s bold lines, minimal use of color, and manga-influenced drawings, and wanted to take them all in, along with Larson’s story!

Why I finished it: This graphic novel is fast-paced and action-packed. A good option if you’re looking for something clever and engaging, but don’t want to commit to a long-term read. Plus, you can’t beat the interplay of images and words in a graphic novel. It activates a whole other part of your brain than just plain old black words on a white page. If you haven’t yet explored this genre, you are really missing out!

I’d give it to: Fans of Naoko Takeuchi’s Sailor Moon series. Anyone who enjoys reading manga and superhero stories.

I’d give it: 3 stars

3 stars

Reviewed by: Jocelyn (Davis Library)

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Graphic Novels, High School, Middle School | Leave a Comment »

This Is What Happy Looks Like

May 8, 2013 by

This is what happy looks like
by Jennifer E. Smith

“Looks like the wrong kind of bait can get you the right kind of fish.

Maybe that’s what it was like with Ellie. He’d cast his e-mail out into the world in search of a trout, and what he’d found instead was a salmon. He couldn’t help smiling at this, though he suspected a girl like Ellie might object to being compared to a fish.” [pg. 69]

Boy needs someone to walk his pet pig. Boy commits a typo in contacting said pig-walker, and accidentally gets in touch with a girl. What unfolds is a celebration of the most intimate friendships and conversations that can only bloom between perfect strangers.

Why I picked it up: A Goodreads reviewer said the following:

OMG “You’ve Got Mail” AND “Sleepless in Seattle”??? This. This is the book of awesome for 2013. I can feel it.

Sold.

Why I finished it: To anyone who has online friends, anyone who has partaken in a forum and has nurtured a friendship with a faceless, nameless username/email address will recognize himself or herself in this story. Although the story itself relies heavily on luck and behind-the-scenes ‘magic’, I was thoroughly captivated by the relationships Smith created between her characters – of particularly import, of course, is the unlikely, bizarre, and profound connection between Ellie and Graham.

I’d give it to: Readers who appreciate happy stories and dear friends; there is no murder here, no driving mystery for (amateur) detectives to solve. This is about two people on a quest to find happiness. If you fall into the category of people mentioned above (those with online friends, online communities, e-mail pen-pals) and you know what it means to have an anonymous friendship that can light up your day with an unexpected message, there is a strong chance you won’t stop smiling as you read this.

I’d give it: Five stars.

Reviewed by: Seti (Haggard Library)

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Fiction, Young Adult | Leave a Comment »

The Ruining

May 7, 2013 by

     

The Ruining

Anna Collomore

The perfect opportunity to escape from Detroit and family occurs as Annie Phillips accepts a nanny position in Northern California.  The Cohen family has two children and the mother, Libby, is Annie’s employer and most of all her new best friend.  The situation is perfect for Annie:  She is becoming attached to the Cohen’s older daughter, Zoe.  Owen, the neighbor’s son, has asked Annie out on a date and Annie is attending a local junior college.

The relationship between Annie and Libby changes when Annie accidentally discovers a box that contains information about Mr. Cohen’s deceased wife.  Strange events begin to happen. The door to Annie’s bedroom is removed, contradiction in Libby’s requests occurs supposedly misinterpreted by Annie and unusual demands for babysitting are just a few of the psychological mental manipulations.  Annie’s not sure if she’s losing her mind or just making mistakes or if Libby is just being overly demanding.

At this point, I don’t want to reveal more, but you won’t be able to put this book down.

It’s a page turner.

 Why I picked it up:  The amazing cover and I read about this book on the Plano Pinterest page.

 Why I finished it:  I had to find out what happened to Annie and why did Libby treat her so badly.

 I’d give it to:  Anyone interested in a psychological thriller.

 I’d give it:   4 stars

4 stars

Reviewed by:  Marla (Harrington Library)

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Fiction, Young Adult | Leave a Comment »

« Older Entries