Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Interrogated for days by the Department of Homeland Security in the aftermath of a major terrorist attack on San Francisco, California, seventeen-year-old Marcus is released into what is now a police state, and decides to use his expertise in computer hacking to set things right.

I love conspiracy-type books (I read Tom Clancy & watch "24"), I have an interest in computers (but lots of what was in this book went way over my head). What a great book to pair with "1984"...this could lead to awesome class discussions. Paranoid person that I am, I think many of the surveillance issues are a valid problem. The teen characters seemed like those hackers you read about (but I have never known any in our school that are that capable...or maybe there have been & we just didn't recognize their abilities.) The whole teen game thing was something that I don't understand...but it was interesting to read about.

Rating: 9 of 10

Fancy White Trash by Marjetta Geerling

Fifteen-year-old Abby Savage hopes that her five rules for falling in love will keep her from making the same mistakes as her mother and two older sisters--all unwed mothers who have slept with the same man, among others--while she also tries to help her best friend Cody admit that he is gay, and decide how she really feels about Cody's older brother, Jackson.

What is wrong with me? I loved this book...it is laugh out loud funny! I really cared about Abby and her strange and trashy family. Unfortunately, I think some of our students are living something very close to this reality. It is over-the-top and reminded me of a young version of Desperate Housewives (except I haven't found a redeeming character there yet). The next door neighbors might be too good to be true; but they have their problems too. Very surprising that I really loved this trashy book!

Rating: 9 of 10

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Handerson

Eighteen-year-old Lia comes to terms with her best friend's death from anorexia as she struggles with the same disorder.
Freshmen & sophmore girls are going to love this book! As an adult, I was not really fond of it...I guess I like to eat so much that I can't believe someone would choose not to! I did find it to be interesting the way Lia's mind worked.

Ratimg: 8 of 10

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

In the not-too-distant future, when biotechnological advances have made synthetic bodies and brains possible but illegal, a seventeen-year-old girl, recovering from a serious accident and suffering from memory lapses, learns a startling secret about her existence. In the not-too-distant future, when biotechnological advances have made synthetic bodies and brains possible but illegal, a seventeen-year-old girl, recovering from a serious accident and suffering from memory lapses, learns a startling secret about her existence
What an read! The ethics of science and human engineering are fascinating. Jenna comes through as a real, strong girl with huge problems! She is indeed one-of-a-kind. The love of her parents is so strong that they will do anything to save their daughter....as would any parent. Great book.
Rating: 8 of 10

Run for your Life by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

A killer who refers to himself as The Teacher stalks New York City, murdering powerful, arrogant people and drawing the attention of Detective Mike Bennett, who tackles the case while also caring for his ten children, who all have the flu virus simultaneously.

I think I am a shallow reader, because I enjoyed this book. I liked the short chapters (I'll just read one more and then I will get some work done). The home situation was funny and a comic relief to the thinking of The Teacher. The contrast between the detective and the killer was interesting. It was a good, quick read...a vacation for the mind. Did I figure it out before the ending? no, but I was happy to let the detective do the work for me.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Impossible by Nancy Werlin

A generations-old family curse renders seventeen-year-old Lucy pregnant (the result of a supernaturally orchestrated rape at prom) and destined for insanity unless she completes three seemingly impossible tasks.

What a wonderful book! Things are not always as they seem and true love will prevail. There is a little fantasy, a lot of romance, and just a whole lot to like about this well written book with a strong female character. I think teen girls will love it....if only it had a better cover!

Rating: 9 of 10

The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff

Nineteen-year-old Emma Bau takes on a new identity after her husband, Jacob, is forced to disappear to escape Nazi forces, leaving Emma behind to face the atrocities of war and deny her growing attraction to another man.

This is an amazing book! It's one that I stayed up late to finish. The choices that Emma/Anna had to make were difficult and heart-breaking. This is a love story, a war story, and a story about how we live when we have to make choices that make us uncomfortable. It also puts a different face on a German leader as he struggles to deal with the choices he must make.

Rating: 9 of 10.

Here Lies the Llibrarian by Richard Peck

Fourteen-year-old Eleanor "Peewee" McGrath, a tomboy and automobile enthusiast, discovers new possibilities for her future after the 1914 arrival in her small Indiana town of four young librarians.

I'm a librarian...of course, I loved this book! Richard Peck is one of my favorite authors and this book didn't disappoint me. I think it is his sense of humor that I really like--he can poke fun at people and not be mean about it. Do I think my students will read it? probably not. It would be a great book to read aloud of for reader's theater.

Rating: 8 of 10

Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

Seventeen-year-old Hannah does everything she can to avoid being noticed due to the scandalous occupations of her parents, but she might have to make an effort to change that after she develops a crush on two guys at her part-time job.

Elizabeth Scott is a favorite author with my high school girls...they will love this one too! This is quite a change from Living Dead Girl; this is quirky and funny in places. Teens will identify with Hannah as she attempts to become invisible at school to avoid being humiliated. Great read.

Rating: 8 of 10

They Did It with Love by Kate Morgenroth

Sofie and her husband learn that life in the suburbs can be just as vicious as life in Manhattan when a member of Sofie's book club turns up dead and she learns that all of her neighbors are hiding shocking secrets.

What a great book! Combines book clubs, life in the suburbs, murder....great combination. My students probably won't like this book; but the faculty members will! Kept me guessing until the end...I knew things weren't as they appeared, I just couldn't figure it all out.

Rating: 9 of 10.