Best Books for Young Adults
(BBYA) Reviewers Circle

Teen Reviews 2005

2004

Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer- This is no regular boat ride; the book was set 200 years ago, and told from the girl’s perspective. Boys might be turned away from it, but there is action and adventure that might catch their attention. 5Q, 3P reviewed by Alexandra

Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster- This book has very interesting characters, and wonderful attention to detail. Vocabulary might be a little advanced for some 8th graders, however. 5Q, 5P reviewed by Sam

Messenger by Lois Lowry- Lowry created a highly developed society with this book; he also takes the reader into a strong connection with the characters. The setting in this book is probably its downfall however it is very similar to many of Lowry’s other books. 5Q, 4P reviewed by Alexandra

Take the Stars by Karen Krossing- This book is about teens that live in an apartment building that has a lot of issues and how the teens go through those issues in their lives and how they deal with their issues in a good way. 3Q, 2P reviewed by Kathryn

In Darkness, Death by Dorothy and Thomas Hobbler- This book is an action/murder mystery where a judge, samurai, and a retired ninja travel Japan trying to catch a murderer. 5Q, 4P reviewed by Andrew

Monday’s are Red by Nicola Morgan- A guy emerges from a coma with an odd condition called synesthesia. He associated days of the week with colors, and he associates music with tastes. Then an evil creature enters his mind and makes promises of amazing things, but only if Luke will do evil things. 4Q, 3P reviewed by Aaron

Sam I Am by Ilene Cooper- 12 year old Sam Goodman knows his family is flirting with disaster when their dog knocks over the Hanukah bush. It is an innocent enough accident but his parents suddenly hold on harder to their separate beliefs, his Mom with her Christmas, and his Dad with Hanukah. Sam can’t understand these differences so he turns to everyone he can for help including God. He gets no answers, or is he just not listening right? 4Q, 4P reviewed by Aaron

Firedrake by Ann Ewan- The beginning of this book is a little confusing, the main characters are not described very well and even once you get into the book the main character Shan is the only one you really learn a lot about. Shan is a girl who learns of a prophecy that predicts the fall of the Arkanan. Alkanan are the ruling wizards over the land. 4Q, 4P reviewed by Ellyn

The Boy Who Couldn’t Die by William Sleater- This is the type of book that once you start reading it, you don’t want it to end, and you just want more and more. The best part is when you read about Ken’s leg almost getting bitten off by the sharks. Ken also has very scary and descriptive dreams which are a little too scary at times. 5Q, 5P reviewed by Tiffany

Names Will Never Hurt Me by Jaime Adoff- This book is very slow and it takes a very long time to get to the point of the book, the only good thing I found about this book was that the kids didn’t allow the name calling get to them. 2Q, 3P reviewed by Tiffany

Finding Miracles by Julia Alvarez-It’s a story about a girl confronting her Spanish past and who she really is. This book is very emotional and meaningful however it is emotional without getting sappy and it leaves you wondering at the end. 3Q, 3P reviewed by Darla

Doing It by Melvin Burgess- For younger teens I believe this book is too graphic, for an older teen if they are mature and can read with an open mind they might enjoy it. The best part is that it gives the boys perspective. 4Q, 3P reviewed by Jolene

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko- This book is very interesting especially for younger teens, it moves quickly and it gives an understanding of a different way of life. 4Q, 3P reviewed by Jolene

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko- This book is immediately interesting due to the setting and circumstances. The book mixes humor with the sad reality of autism. The best part of this book is that it gave more insight on the predicament of a family with an autistic child. 4Q, 3P reviewed by Aaron

Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons by Ernest Drake- Fairly interesting book despite the lack of authenticity. There are nice illustrations, and interesting interactive foldouts. The author does however try to go a bit too far which ruins the believability. 4Q, 2P reviewed by Sam

The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle- This is the kind of book that keeps you guessing and sends occasional chills down your spine. However it’s not too scary, some of the characters are unbelievable though. 3Q, 3P reviewed by Darla

10 Things To Do Before I Die by Daniel Ehrenhaft- It’s a really good book, my favorite part was when it said they had the afro-qtip ratings, and when his friend ordered the Asian hooker off the internet. 5Q, 4P reviewed by Tiffany

Nothing To Lose by Alex Flinn- It’s one of those thought provoking stories that makes you count your blessings. It was neat how the before and after stories come together as the book goes along. Also, it realistically shows how cruel life can be. 3Q, 3P reviewed by Darla

Tending To Grace by Kimberly Newton Fusco- This is the story of a young girl who rarely speaks because of a stuttering problem. Her mother leaves her with her great aunt on her run down farm while she tries to find work in Las Vegas. The book explores the young girl finally finding herself. 4Q, 4P reviewed by Alexandra

Eagle Strike by Anthony Horowitz- The 4th in the Alex Rider Series, this book pits him against a pop star who wishes to eradicate all drugs and violence. He plans to launch nuclear missiles to destroy the major producers of drugs so Alex and his friend have to stop them. This book is very suspenseful, and it will interest the reader from the start. 4Q, 3P reviewed by Aaron

Me and Orson Welles by Robert Kaplow- This story follows the life of 17 year old Richard Samuels through the craziest week of his life. He is pulled off the street by Orson Wells to play a minor part in Wells’ first production, Julius Ceasar. His life is spun out of control in ways he never imagined. It is a different look on the depression that I never thought of. It is comical and easy to read. 4Q, 4P reviewed by Alexandra

The Blue Mirror by Kathe Koja- It was one of the best books I ever read and everyone else should read it too! 5Q, 5P reviewed by Tiffany

The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place by E.L. Konigsburg- It’s a good story with strong and true themes. The characters are well developed, and the ending was satisfying. Some parts were hard to understand, and the first sentence doesn’t draw you in. 3Q, 3P reviewed by Darla

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz- Dean Koontz fast paced and suspenseful thriller will captivate you from the start. He mixes sci-fi with suspense to create a great book that you won’t want to put down. 5Q, 5P reviewed by Aaron

How I Found The Strong by Margaret McMullan- Frank, a boy of only ten when his father and brother go off to fight for the south, is left at home struggling with the poverty and changes he sees around him. Frank begins to create his own ideas about slavery as the war helps make clear what’s truly right and wrong. 5Q, 4P reviewed by Alexandra

An Earthly Knight by Janet McNaughton- Lady Jeanette, the second daughter of a Norman Lord, finds herself between a rock and a hard place when her older sister disgraces the family name and she is left to hold everything together. She becomes potential bride material for the King’s brother and she must make a decision between what she really wants and what is expected of her. 5Q, 4P reviewed by Alexandra

The Legend of Buddy Bush by Shelia P. Moses- This story is about a young black girl and her family struggling in a prejudice southern town. Her uncle Buddy is accused of a horrific crime that he didn’t commit. The book explores the strength and hope found in family and the future. 3Q, 3P reviewed by Alexandra

Stone Garden by Molly Moynahan- This book is the story of a 17 year old girl whose boyfriend is killed by drug dealers while on vacation in Mexico. The story focuses on her grief and struggles, but seems very teenage. The book contains many inappropriate details that are not needed and may offend some people. Although, well written I felt the book’s issues were unrealistic and sometimes hard to believe. 3Q, 2P reviewed by Alexandra

The Book of Dead Days by Marcus Sedgwick- This story takes place in the 5 “Dead Days” between Christmas and New Years. The book is about the magician Valerian and his young servant names Boy. They have 5 days to find a book that will tell them how to reverse the pact Valerian made with evil 15 years before. The book has a dark, powerful feel and is a great read. 4Q, 4P reviewed by Alexandra

Montmorency- Thief, Liar, Gentleman? By Eleanor Updale- This book is about a young man who is caught stealing and sent to jail. While he is there he finds out about London’s new underground sewer system and when released he uses it to become the most sought after thief in all of London. He then transforms himself into a gentleman and begins to leave his past life behind him. 5Q, 4P reviewed by Alexandra

Double Helix by Nancy Werlin- This story is about an 18 year old boy, Eli, who is loosing his mother to Huntington’s disease. He begins a job working for a Nobel Prize winning genetic engineer, but his father is completely against it. Does this engineer have answers about Eli’s past or future? The book looks at genetic engineering in many different lights and brings some insight to its uses. 3Q, 3P reviewed by Alexandra

Midnighters: The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld- After moving to Bixby, 15 year old Jessica Day finds out that she is a member of a secret group called the Midnighters; kids who visit a secret hour hidden at midnight in order to fight ancient creature’s. 5Q, 4P reviewed by Aaron.

" Best Books for Young Adults, 2004 "

Teen Zone / 2005 Nominated Titles / 2004 List / BBYA Reviewers Circle Intro