Young Adult Books


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Young Adult Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Young Adult
Desert Blood 10pm/9c
Published in Library Binding by Tandem Library (2006-02-28)
Author: R. Cree
List price: $16.95
New price: $16.95

Average review score:

Desert Blood Author Ronald Cree
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-06
I'm not a kid anymore, but it wasn't long ago that my two were teenagers who experienced angst at every turn. So it wasn't hard to relate to this boy raised in a foster home who seemingly makes good only to feel his new love and security ripped from his reach at every turn. Amid his celebrity status, hero father, teenager Gus Gonzales emerges the true hero of this story, a worthy, smart protagonist and amateur sleuth of amazing proportions. For anyone who loves to see character growth, among an amazing California backdrop of celebrities, glamour and a page-turning who dun it, Desert Blood is a fantastic read and one I couldn't put down.

Action Pack!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-05
I was hooked right away, even with the prologue. Nicely done.
Rich and well-developed characters. I never guessed who done it.

~Leni Checkas
Writer

An entertaining read
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-21
I am a librarian who runs a small public library in rural New Mexico and who loves to read teen literature and mysteries. Once I started Desert Blood 10pm/9c, I found it difficult to put down. I quickly came to care about the main characters, Nick and Gus and Lalo. Nick's movie star status and the fast pace of the mystery as it evolves have appeal for teens. This is an entertaining book that I will be recommending to our teen readers during this year's summer reading program. It is great fun and I will be looking forward to any sequels to get to know Nick and Gus better.

What a fun read!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-13
I'm not a kid reviewer, but I couldn't figure out to post a review otherwise. (Which proves I'm not a kid!) As one of the Regional Advisors for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, I read LOTS of books for young people. DESERT BLOOD is first rate! I love these characters and want to see lots more of them. Fun and quick to read. Appealing in every way. Ronald Cree wrote a winner!
Becky Clark Cornwell

A great book to kick start a reluctant reader!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-05
I recently had the privilege of meeting Ronald Cree and reading Desert Blood 10pm/9c. I work in a library advising a teen group and this is the kind of novel that appeals to girls and boys, avid and reluctant readers. It is a fast paced and exciting book that keeps you guessing right up to the end.
His characters are believable, and the backgound appealing.
Make sure you don't skip the prologue....it really is the first chapter!

Young Adult
The Fires of Merlin (Lost Years of Merlin)
Published in Hardcover by Philomel (1998-09-28)
Author: T. A. Barron
List price: $20.99
New price: $5.01
Used price: $0.34
Collectible price: $20.99

Average review score:

The Fires of Merlin was my Homework ,
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-04-01
"The Fires of Merlin" was about the great adventures that Merlin had when he was a kid. This book was the third of five books in the Lost Years of Merlin series. This book deals with Merlin losing his power. He had to confront an evil dragon that his grandfather had put into a deep slumber. To add to all this, there were ancient bat-looking creatures that stole magic. They were supposedly extinct. There was an evil group on the island that wanted to destroy all magic. The evil group started to raise the bat-like creatures. The group and their bats were responsible for what happens to Merlin's powerful necklace. If you want to find out what happens to Merlin and if he finds his power read the book yourself.

The Fires of Merlin
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-16


"Sometimes it's easier to see someone else's dragon than your own." "The Fires of Merlin", is an exciting tale of the unforgettable Legend of Merlin. The story tells of Merlin's dangerous quests for others and confrontations to himself. He must also defeat the dragon Valdearg, who had been under a deep sleep for thousands of years, and had now suddenly awakened to cause havoc on the lands of Fincayra.
Before he can face the rampaging dragon's fire, he most face other fires, including the fires within himself. He most avoid or confront the magic-eating Kreelixes; discover the secrets of the Wheel of Wye, and take back his treasured Galator from the evil hag, Domnu. On his quest, he discovers his true magic was not in his staff but within his heart and soul. He learns this through his tragedies and the people that he meets. For example he learns that there is more magic within himself than any within his staff. To understand both sides of this problem he cannot not to judge someone for being related to one of evil doings, for even he has the blood of the once evil ruler of Fincayra, Stangmar, and Merlin's father.
This stunning work of art is an exciting fantasy about confronting yourself and discovering what you are really capable of. It shows the meaning of bravery and the meaning of the heart. The author uses descriptive words and sentences so the reader can understand and get a distinct picture in their head of a scene or speculation. In my opinion, the author really made his point to his readers and wrote from his heart. I recommend this book to all people who enjoy creative fantasies and luminous stories.

WHAT a RIDE!!!! WOW!!!!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-01
Extraordinary ride through a magical journey with unique creatures with an imagination that nevers stops!!! Very moving and speaks to the heart!!!

Make sure to read all 5 books, you'll not be disappointed!!

amazing but not so great as "seven songs of merlin"
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-11-24
i loved it.........but it does not compare to seven songs of merlin in any way. the dragon of fincayra's children have been killed (except for 1). now he is on a wraging rampage. the only one who can stop him is merlin. but merlin is fighting simply to keep his magic.

WOW!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-08-01
Do not view these as five individual books, but as five pieces of a whole saga. To read only one would be to cheat one's self of seeing an entire picture.

The epic begins with an child with no memory being raised by a mysterious woman in a small village. Both of them are regarded as local oddities and driven to live in a convent. The boy is known as Emrys, but never feels that that is his true name. As he matures, he develops gifts and wonderous powers, along with an increasing need to know who he is. Eventually, he goes upon a quest in search of his heritage, one that will lead him to the lands his mother's stories spoke of, the Hidden World outside of time and this life. He finds himself in the midst of a battle between warring demigods, and finds a new name for his own, Merlin.

As Merlin journeys through the five books, he makes new friends and bitter enemies. This is a world filled with dragons, witches, goblins, and lost treasures. Secrets that are as powerful and painful as a two edged blade are discovered. Otherworlds are crossed, time itself bends to give the boy a glimpse of his own destiny, and choices musst be made that will affect far more than just Merlin.

***** Elements of other classics are hinted at, but applied in new ways and familiarity only serves to endear. This is a grand saga without the weightiness of other epics. Rather, it is easy to read and charming. This Merlin can stand alongside Tolkien's hobbits or Harry Potter proudly. *****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

Young Adult
Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
Published in Hardcover by Thorndike Press (2006-05-31)
Author: Suzanne Collins
List price: $23.95
New price: $23.95
Used price: $17.51

Average review score:

So-so
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-01
For the third time, Gregor and his little sister Boots descend to the Underland to fulfill an ancient prophecy. In this story the Curse of the Warm-bloods is a terrible plague that threatens every mammal in the Underland. On their journey to find cure, the heroes encounter Luxa, her bat Aurora and Hamnet, Luxa`s long-lost uncle. Although I enjoyed it, the story jumps around far too often and also fails to answer questions from previous books. As one and two were okay but not great and this one is only so-so I don't think I'll read any others.

Book of the Year
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-29
I've read the last two Gregors and when I finished them i couldn't wait until the third. Collins is a genius. The last two have been about the usual stuff you read in these kind of books today but this took it to a whole new level. Theres plenty of violence for those of you who don't like sissy books and plenty of action that will keep you on the edge of your seat through the whole book. This in my opinion and out of all the books I've read this could be the book of the year.

Great book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-07
This is the third book in the Underland Chronicles. As with any series of books, you wonder if each book will get better or worse. Well so far with this series I can say it is only getting better. My kids and I loved this book as we did the first two. This time Gregor goes on a quest to find a cure for the plague that has hit the Underworld. Not only are his friends infected but his own mother is too. They are quickly on their adventure without fully understanding the prophecy. It is only at the end when they fear all hope is lost do they start to understand what it really is trying to say.

Better than the first two.....
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-13
I admit it; this book was surprisingly good. I mean, the first two books I considered in the "alright" section. Actually, I wasn't sure I really liked these series books. But the person I am, I decided to read the third book just in case it would get good. Good thing I did too -- I couldn't believe how interesting they suddenly got.
In this book, Gregor finds himself trapped inside another prophecy and has to go back in the Underland with his sister, Boots. But now his mother refuses to allow him to come unless she is allowed with him. Grudgingly, Gregor goes down with his mother and Boots, thinking that he will only have to stay in the Underland for a short amount of time. How wrong he was to be.
Something unexpected happens to Gregor's life that traps him into another of Sandwich's prophecy. Will Gregor ever find the missing princess, Luxa? Will he ever be able to control his rager powers? And will he ever be able to rescue the person he cares about most, including hundreds of others as well?
I'm warning you, if you read this book, you will forevermore be trapped inside Suzanne Collins entrancing words. Trust me, for the next book is even better!

A really good book!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-06
I thought this was a great book. I enjoyed this book because it was full of action and lots of suspense. One exciting part was when Gregor is stuck in quicksand. A person called Luxa (who was missing for a very long time and she was a friend of Gregor) came and just looked at Gregor as he sank up to his neck. Finally Ripred (another one of Gregor's friends) came and threw a vine to him and he got out. Gregor was mad at Luxa for not helping him when he was about to die.

The main basis of the story is that there is a plague spreading all around the Underland and most of the warm-blooded creatures are dieing. Gregor has to go to the Underland with his little sister, Boots, but this time his mom won't let them go alone. So his mom goes to the Underland with them but then a flea bites Gregor's mom and she has the plague. Then Gregor finds out that he needs to fulfill a prophecy which is to find the cure in the Vineyard of Eyes. On his way there, he makes a mistake by following a rat named Mange (all the rats were two times bigger than Gregor) to find food. When they get to what they thought was food, a man eating plant ate Mange! The plant started to attack Gregor until Ripred came and killed the plant. Then finally, Gregor thinks he finds the cure but finds out that the thing he thought was the cure (a plant called starshade) wasn't, because the starshade was destroyed by an army of giant ants and many people got hurt. The prophecy stated that they would find the cure, but since it was destroyed, they knew that it mustn't have been the real cure. They read the prophecy over and over again until they figured out that the real cure was in Regalia (Regalia is a city in the Underland). When they get to Regalia they find the cure in a lab where someone was hiding it. Then they cure the people who had the plague. Gregor was upset that his mom could not come home with him since she wasn't entirely healed, but he also felt really good that his mom wasn't going to die.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes suspense and action but they should read the first two books so they know what's going on.

John Kelly

Young Adult
The New Year's Party
Published in Hardcover by Demco Media (1995-12)
Author: R. L. Stine
List price:

Average review score:

Buy it, buy it, buy it!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-19
I started reading R.L. Stine books over a year ago. This was a great one. Well, actually most of them are good! WARNING: DO NOT GET Fear Street Nights. Thos are crapy books. Don't get Feer Street Cheerleaders either. Anyway, I have to admit, it's probably been aout a year since I've read this. I should really start selling my BIG libray of R.L. Stine books. If you ever se my name for buying a book, get it. I do NOT lie about the conditions of my books and most of them look new. All the ones that I didn't buy used, all look brand new- and I'M NOT KIDDING! Anyways, from what I remember, a boy named P.J. and can't tell you much else with out giving anything away. Just buy it :)

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-20
This book was the best! I loved it. It goes from a party to kids at school to people in the street to a suprising ending. The best part is the ending, it was so unexpected. The murderer was a stone-cold killer, twisting their heads all the way around. I'm REALLY looking forward to reading another R.L. Stine book.

Shelby from Lake Tapps says: A Thriller Book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-14
Best Book
The book the New Years Party written by R.L Stein was a thriller book. This book mostly takes place at a party, school and many more. This is the best book I've ever read.
A Thriller book
This book is mostly about a couple of people who hang out with the new girl and her brother who seem nice. So they start to show her around. Then they get in a fight later in the story. One person from the group of girls tries to not be in a fight with the new girl anymore. The ending I thought was kind of scary and exciting at the same time. What happened I didn't expect it at all.
Exciting
This book had some pretty gross moments. I would recommend that you don't read this book during the night because you might have night mares. I loved this book because it kept you wanting to turn the page. For example when they we're in the restaurant, they went outside and found a body in the trash can. I loved it so much. Another reason I liked it is because when you would stop reading it for 10 minutes, you want to pick it back up and keep reading it. I also thought that the front of the book looked interesting and scary. I thought I would read it because I like scary books and if you do then this book is perfect for you.
Nice but Not Nice
Something else I'd like you to know about this book is that the beginning is kind of boring but the middle of the book and the end are great. If you decided to read this book then hears something you should hear just because someone seems nice doesn't mean that they stay nice.
Good or Bad
I would give this book 1 millon star if I could but since I can't I would give this book 5 stars. I loved it so much. I hope you read it and enjoy it as much as I did.

Best Book!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-21
THIS IS SUCH A GOOD BOOK!!! THE KILLER IS SUCH A BLOODY SURPRISE!!!

The New Year's Party
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-16
This book was about a group of friends on New Year's Eve who are about to count down the New Year, but something's gone wrong. Someone is crashing the party and one boy gets offended by it. It's icy on the road so he goes for a drive. Now no one can find him. Now you have to go read the book to figure out everything else and see what happens to him and his friend Beth. I recommend this book strongly to people who like horror books and books that have a lot of suspense. This book makes you want to read ahead the whole time to see what's going to happen. That's why I like this book a lot. I would tell anyone to read this book. There wasn't anything I didn't like about it. The book was really cool because the time base was 1965 and it was really cool to see how something really haven't changed from now and then. Sometimes in this book I could picture myself there at the party as scared as they all were. The end and close to the end of the book is really surprising and kind of hard to believe. That's why I loved it. This book is now of my favorites and I like it a lot like I have already said. So that's why I suggest you go and buy this book! (:

Young Adult
The Night I Disappeared
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Simon Pulse (2002-05-01)
Author: Julie Reece Deaver
List price: $5.99
New price: $1.49
Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

Just amazing!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-29
Jamie is a normal 17-year-old girl. Well, not completely. Her dad is dead, and her mom is a big-time lawyer. The only real friend she has is Webb, her sort-of boyfriend. But, he's off backpacking in Europe, and Jamie has to follow her mother to Chicago, where a HUGE trial is going on.

Jamie does NOT want to be there. She would much rather be with Webb. In fact, she wants to be with him so much, she starts to daydream about him while riding a rented bicycle down the streets of busy Chicago. But this isn't any normal daydream. She feels like she is really at the beach, with Webb. She can smell the salty air, and feel Webb's hands as they braid her hair. HONK!! Jamie is jolted out of her daydream, right into a moving car! Could Jamie really space out that much? Why did her daydream feel so real? And why does everyone stare at her whenever she comes out of one? Is she really talking out loud to Webb? Shouldn't he be in Europe? What at first seems so innocent, just like a few daydreams, turns out to be more sinster then Jamie, or anyone, could ever imagine.

This has got to be one of the most spectacular books out there. The characters are handled so well, and the plot is nothing short of stupendous. You have to read this book at least twice to catch all the clues dropped in by the author. I recommend this book to everyone!

The Night I Disappeared
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-07
Excellent. It starts off slow, but as you progress it gets better and better. It surprised me at the end, that something that seemed so unimportant became such a big plot point. Very surprising ending. This book is recommended for teen readers.

Review For The Night I Disappeared
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-05-13

Julie Reece Deaver's The Night I Disappeared was a great fictional book. She has a lot of imagination, which makes this book very interesting.

It tells about a girl, Jamie Tessman, who just left her hometown in California to go with her mother to Chicago on a business trip. Her mother is a successful and famous attorney. Everyone knows Jamie for that, but She is way different from her mother. Her father died when she was young, and ever since then she hasn't fit in anywhere... except when she is with her, sort-of boyfriend, Webb. They are so perfect together and she could be with him forever, until she finds out that he has never really been there for her at all. With the help of her new (and only) friend Morgan and Morgan's aunt she discovers a secret that has been keeping her separate from the rest of the world. She starts seeing things in Chicago, and she starts to think that she is slowly becoming crazy. When she finally gets the help she needs, she has to choose between Webb and reality.

At first when I started reading this book I didn't quite understand but then I learned that the whole point of the story was for Jamie to overcome her fears. I felt like I was with her through every step of the way, and every time she got just a little bit closer to reality. I thought this was a great book and really enjoyed reading it. I will never forget this book.

Wonderful and Wacky
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-31
I love this kind of book, and I had to read this for school, so I was happy! This is one of the best books i have ever read. Its a heart warming story about a girl and and horrible night. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

An Indiscriminating LIfe
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-10
The Night I Disappeared is mostly about a normal teenage girl named Jamie. But really Jamie isn't normal at all or had a normal life.
Jamie's mom is a lawyer that is non stop. Her mom gets all the publicity a famous person does just on a court case. Well Jamie's mother has to go live in Chicago to do a famous murder trail. When stress is put on Jamie because she misses her friends and boyfriend everything gets out of control.
Jamie starts to have dreams or `clips' in her mind about her boyfriend Web. Soon the dreams become a hassle for her. Her mom very concerned about her healthy, she sends her to a physiatrist. Jamie went ahead and agreed so it wouldn't put even more stress on her because of the case. When Jamie soon finds out things her life, her family is hit like a bolt of light hitting the earth. Jamie soon finds out that her life isn't what she thought it was.
I really liked this book because it has a twist in it. It leaves you stunned because people's lives can be like that. It leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat. You can also make so many comparisons and you can understand what Jamie has to go through.
My dislikes are how the book goes back and forth from her dreams and her real life because it can confuse you. Other than that I wouldn't say anything else bad about it.
I would recommend this book to any person. A person who really loves mystery or Rebecca Davis books would also enjoy this
I hope you enjoyed this review and go out and check and read this book. I will defiantly leave you stunned.


Young Adult
Whispers from the Dead
Published in Hardcover by Demco Media Inc (1992-07)
Author: Joan Lowery Nixon
List price:

Average review score:

Incredible Book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-13
This is great i mean her dad gets a new job and they have to move Sarah heres a a woman calling for help and she keeps seeing things a little romance in it but this was great and very easy to read but sometimes u get a book and the review always says that you cant put this book down well this is very Very true you cant put it down

Incredible Book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-13
This is great i mean her dad gets a new job and they have to move Sarah heres a a woman calling for help and she keeps seeing things a little romance in it but this was great and very easy to read but sometimes u get a book and the review always says that you cant put this book down well this is very Very true you cant put it down

Are you hearing whispers from the dead?
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-11
In my english class we had to read a mystery book and make a presentation. I saw that this book was one of the choices that we could choose to read. I had read some of Joans books before and I really liked her writing style. This book was very interesting to read and I could hardly put down the book because of it's suspenseful plot and interesting topics. Joan used very good despriptions and made you feel like you were there with the main character Sarah darnell. I highly reconmend this book as one of the first Joan Lowery nixon books that you would read if you haven't started reading her books and got hooked with her unique writing style.The story gives off a feel of many different feelings and moods that would come natural with the situations that are explained in the writing.This is one of those books that you could be wanting to read later on in the future. I could read this book over and over and not get bored. I hope you decide to read this book if you haven't already and if you have you could probably read it again.

a wonderful book I recommend you to read
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-06-11
Whispers From the dead is an excellent book. If you like mysteries I'm sure you would like it. Its about a girl named Sara who had a near death expearence. After that she has been feeling that ghosts were watching her. Then her family moves into a new house when she goes into the house she gets an earie feeling. She keeps on seeing werid visions. And hearing a spanish girls cry for help. Can she help the girl? Can she figure out the mystery? Find out for your self by reading the book.

visions of murder
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-11-22
This book is about a girl named Sarah. Her family decides to move to this huge house that was on a beautiful neighbor hood. What Sarah's family didn't know was that someone was murdered in the house before they moved. Sarah found this out first hand when she starts hearing voices and seeing things such as puddles of blood on the floor. When she lived in her old town she almost drowned when she went swimming, Ever since she has been linked to another world. She feels as if a dark shadow was following her and when she moved into the house the Spanish voices whispering to her for help. Sarah finds out that the voice she was hearing in the house was from the girl who was murdered. She from there tries to find out what really happened in the murder.

The things I liked about this book were how the detail of the book helped you see and feel and hear what Sarah did. I liked this because it really gets you into the story and you feel as if it were you, not Sarah. One thing I didn't like about the book was how it was kind of boring. Usually when the beginning is boring the person never wants to read on to find out what happens, but I advice everyone to read on because it is a really good book!

People who would like this book would be someone who likes a little mystery or somewhat scary books, even maybe suspense or thriller novels.

Young Adult
Year of Impossible Goodbyes
Published in Paperback by Yearling (1993-01-01)
Author: Sook Nyul Choi
List price: $5.99
New price: $1.95
Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

My 3rd Quarter Book Report
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-27
This book is about a 10 year old girl named Sookan and she lives with her mother, grandfather,aunt, and little brother. They live in North Korea in 1945. Her and her mother and aunt work in a sock factory for the Japanese soliders in World War II. They had a Captain Narita and he came by and it was her sister's birthday and mother went to go get a book from older sister at the convent. Mother gave it to her and Captain Narita told his men to destroy it. Sookan's mother can't even have a garden or else Captain Narita will have his men step on them. Her father is in the military and her sister is in a convent. Also, her older brothers were sent away tp labor camps. The war ends and the Japanese lose. The Russions take over North Korea and brainwash them into loving Russia, so Sookan and her brother must go to South Korea because she thinks that her dad and older brothers and sister are waiting for them. She hopes she will find freedom in South Korea. I think that is really sad to not have your father around or older brothers and to have to work in the sock factory. Also, I liked how her and her brother stood side by side. This book is a Fantasy book and the theme is Fictional.

KCS - Year of Impossible Goodbyes
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-24
Sookan is a 10-year old girl living in Korea in 1945. The Japanese have taken over and force communist ideas and laws onto the Koreans. Each day, Captain Narita inspects the house and backyard. Their backyard holds a shack that is used for sock-making. The sock-girls would work day and night trying to meet their quotas. Koreans are deprived of rice and money. The children, including Sookan and her brother Inchun, have to attend a very strict Japanese run school. When the Japanese leave, the Koreans rejoice, but are shortly taken over by the Russians. Things begin to get worse, and Sookan, with her mother and brother, try desperately to escape to the South where the Americans are.

This historical fiction book takes you along the incredible journey of 2 children as they take drastic forms of lifestyles to earn the freedom they deserve. The beginning of this book started out slow, but took fast pace when the Russians were introduced. The author has a wonderful writing style that truly makes you feel like you are part of the story, especially near the end. This is my favorite book and I recommend it to everybody of all ages. Do not miss out on this surprisingly realistic journey.

World War II in Korea
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-10
Sookan is ten years old, living in Korea with her mother, grandfather, aunt, cousin, and little brother. World War II is going on and things are very hard in Korea. The Japanese forces are in control of their country and they treat the Korean people like slaves in their own home, making them give up all valuables to help the Japanese army, putting them to work making clothing for the Japanese and sending the children to schools where they make weapons and learn propaganda about the Japanese army. More than anything, Sookan wishes she were with her father, her older sister or her three older brothers, who are all far away. Her father is working with the resistance forces, her brothers have been taken away to labor camps and her sister is in a convent.

Then after what seems like an eternity of being at war and under Japanese control, the war is over and the Japanese have lost. Sookan and her family think that things will be much better now, but then they find that their country has been divided into two parts. Rather than being helped by the Americans as they'd hoped, they are instead under Russian control, and the Russians seem determined to brainwash everyone into loving Russia. They make everyone go to meetings to show their support and those in authority are constantly looking for traitors. It becomes clear to Sookan's mother that they need to get to South Korea where the Americans are, and where she expects Sookan's father and brothers may be waiting for them. But will Sookan and her little brother be able to make the journey to safety?

I liked the descriptions of what life in Korea was like during the war. It's hard to imagine what was going on in other countries when we mostly hear about what was happening in our country. I also liked the interaction between Sookan and her brother. They were really nice to each other and probably wouldn't have made it without each other's help.

It was sad to read about the lives of the Koreans during the war; it sounds like such a horrible way for anyone to spend a childhood.

Surprisingly Engaging and Beautifully Written
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-13
You MUST read this book and the two other books by Choi-Echoes of White Giraffe & Gathering of Pearls. All three books are written from Sookan's perspective, as she grows up in the midst of the Japanese occupation, the war and in America, as a foreign college student. Aside from the cultural issues, as well as historic issues, the plot flows very well. The stories are very personal & honest. I really enjoyed these books and I know that when my kids, ages 5 and 9, get a little older, they will also. These are enjoyable and educational stories.

Book Review on The Year of Impossible
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-14
The Year of Impossible Goodbyes is written by Sook Nyul Choi. The book is 169 pages in length. It is about a girl named Sookan who lives in Korea during World War II. At this time, Korea is under control of the Japanese. Sookan and her family are being suppressed by the Japanese. Sookan's mother is a supervisor at a sock factory. But, the workers at the sock factory were sent away to the war, forcing Sookan's mother to close down the factory. Then, Sookan is sent to a Japanese school, where she learns about Japan and nothing else. But soon after, the war ends! Freedom at last! Sookan and her family rejoice! But neither the rest of their family nor the sock girls have returned. Sookan is worried. Also, to make things worse, Russia took over North Korea, and they again are suppressed. But, after a couple of attempts, she and her family make it to liberated South Korea!
Sookan is kind, loving, compassionate, smart child. She takes care of others and has an unbroken spirit. She is resolute and determined.
Sookan faces many conflicts throughout this book. First, she hates her enemies, the Japanese, who have been occupying her country for many years. She is taught not to hate; yet she is unable to suppress these feelings. Sookan knows that if she spoke what is on her mind, her whole family could be executed. Luckily, she is mature enough to realize this and keeps her emotions to herself.
Another of Sookan's conflicts is her attempt to escape from northern Korea. She gets separated from her mother at the passport checkpoint and is left with caring for her younger brother. Sookan is ten years old and has neither currency nor provisions. She is by herself. Escaping is very risky and life hostile. Sookan and her brother stay alive on their own and make it to South Korea; where they are reunited with their family.
Finally, the Japanese occupying Korea is another conflict Sookan has to face. The Japanese suppress Sookan's family, forcing them to do Japan's bidding. The Japanese police take their belongings to help in the war effort and force Sookan's mother to supervise a sock factory. Sookan's patience helped her wait out the war.
The author uses the reoccurring theme of determination in her novel. An example of this theme is when Sookan gets divided from her mother at the identification checkpoint and is left with caring for her youthful sibling. Sookan is ten years old and has no money or food. She is on her own. Escaping is very dangerous and life threatening. Sookan and her brother manage to survive on their own and finally reach South Korea, where they are reunited with her family. This shows determination because she is only ten in an unknown world. She has no money and has to take care of her younger brother.
Another example of the determination theme occurs at the beginning of the story. The Japanese suppress Sookan's family, forcing them to do Japan's bidding. In fact, the Japanese police take their belongings to help in the war effort and force Sookan's mother to supervise a sock factory. Still, Sookan's patience helped her wait out the war. This shows determination because she does not give up her life and try to run away, but is patient.
The style of novel is very unique. Author Sook Choi writes in first person view and adds very smooth sentences. Most of her sentences are like this,"Listening to this boy was as refreshing as diving into a cool stream". In this sentence she uses many descriptive words and there was no comma to slow it down. Choi's sentences are both short and long. Many authors use only one kind of sentence. This is what makes this novel and author unique.
The plot, characters, theme, and style are all good, which makes this book really fun to read. It's filled with adventures and many other thrilling topics. This book is great for most ages. I recommend this book to whoever loves adventure!


Young Adult
The Complete Chronicles of Narnia CD Box Set
Published in Audio CD by HarperAudio (2005-06-01)
Author: C. S. Lewis
List price: $75.00
New price: $33.60
Used price: $32.20

Average review score:

Wardrobe
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-05
Excellent reading of this wonderful adventure for "children" of all ages (I'm a grey-haired one).

He's no JK Rowling
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-22
Having read and listened to the Harry Potter septology (brilliantly performed by Jim Dale) so many times to be embarrassing, I decided to check out what other fondly recalled tales I could have read to me in clever British accents. I was intrigued by the idea of having some of the great actors of stage and screen - Kenneth Branagh (Gilderoy Lockhart!), Patrick Stewart (Dr. Xavier), Lynn Redgrave, Micheal York, Alex Jennings, Derek Jacobi, and Jeremy Northam - read the Narnia story, which my husband and I tried reading to my daughter at bedtime over 15 years ago. Admittedly, I recalled that we had lost interest somewhere in the Silver Chair, but thought that was just our lack of dramatic reading talent.

Nope, turns out these stories are just not that great, even when great actors perform them. And the readings are truly excellent - all the actors do a fine job of changing accents, interpreting voices and accelerating the pace in the appropriate moments. It's just that these stories are a) childish, and b) racist.

It's very hard to listen to The Last Battle and The Horse and His Boy without thinking that CS Lewis would never have gotten away with publishing this now. If Christian groups are worried that JK Rowling is promoting Wiccan, imagine how non-christians (and there really are a lot of them) would feel about the images of Tashban and the Calormen people.

Anyhow, if you like listening to great British voices, it's ok as background noise, but if you want a great set of stories, stick with JK Rowling.

Reddragon
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-29
The product came quickly. It was exactly as advetised and met expectations. Thank You. I enjoyed the stories very much they exceded my expectation.

M. Goodwin, Bloodline
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-28
For those who don't have time to read you can't beat a good CD Box Set. It's the whole story and fun to listen to as you drive or work around the house. Perfect gift.

Audiobooks and travelAs
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-02
Like many I live in one town and my parents live in another. So I travel a lot of holidays or weekends. A good audio book is a treasure. The miles past faster and you can tolerate the traffic better. We listemed to the 'Magician's Nephew' narrated by Kenneth Brannagh and he was so good, that we sat in the car an extra 15 minutes to finish the CD we were on. Thanks for the wide variety and prompt delivery of many hours happy traveling.

Young Adult
Daughters of the Moon: Possession - Book #8 (Daughters of the Moon, 8)
Published in Hardcover by (2002-09-01)
Author: Lynne Ewing
List price: $9.99
New price: $3.75
Used price: $3.74

Average review score:

Possession (Daughters of the Moon book 8)
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-15
I love this book. It is one of my favs. out of all 13 books

one of the best books
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-01-11
i have read all of the daughter of the moon books several times
they are all totaly awesome.serena is getting possessed she is not acting like her self.you will not regret readingthese books i've allready gotten friends to read the books and one of my teachers wanted to read it!!!!!!!!!!

awesome !
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-12-12
i thought this book was amazing ! it was so good but it was also really sad with stanton...i think serena is just so cool and i lyk that she has that dark side which cna keep her with stanton

oooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-01
This book was good. We find out in the end that Serena has a 3rd choice, unlike the other Daughters. You have to read the book becasue I am not telling you what it is. This book is also revloving around Serena and Stanton again. Hopefully thought her next one won't be.

Daughters of the Moon: Possession-Book#8; By: Lynne Ewing
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-02-14
Payasa


Possession was an AWSOME book, like all of the other Daughter of the Moon books! It was about a girl named Serena who can read minds. All of her friends have powers too. She was running away from Jerome, a boy who has a total crush on Serena, but she tottaly hates him, and she bumps into this old lady who gives her some potion stuff. She wakes up hours later and walks home, but a black Lexus follows her. She went to sleep with an awful headache. She wakes up to find herself in the kitchen with words writen in her own blood'"YOU'RE NOT ALONE ANYMORE". Her friend, Catty's, mom invited them to read the future in a coffee cup, and she saw snakes, which means "an enemy has come to visit". Serena gets spaces in time where she can't remember anything. She starts to get really freaked. She finds the old woman and she is able to undo the curse by fighting the followers that the old woman is leading along with Lambart.This is a great book and I highly recomend it for readers that have read the rest of the series because it just gets better with every book. For those who haven't read any other books in the series, I recomend it if you like present day fantasy based in Los Angeles.

Young Adult
Fingerprints #1: Gifted Touch (Fingerprints)
Published in Mass Market Paperback by HarperTeen (2001-04-01)
Author: Melinda Metz
List price: $4.99
New price: $1.95
Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

Interesting Concept
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-24
Imagine being able to read the thoughts of others just by touching their fingerprints. Awesome, but freaky right? This series is about a girl named Rae with just that ability. This book documents the day she discovers her ability and how her lie changes afterwards. First of all, everyone back at her school thinks she's a nutcase. SEcond, she's being forced to go to group therapy (where she meets Anthony and Jesse who help her understand her gift). Third... someones out to kill her!

Great storyline, a little slow and frustrating for the reader who understands Rae's ability even though Rae, the narrator, does not. And I must warn you, although the early books in the series hint a relationship between Rae and Anthony, it won't develop until later on in the series... so stick with it. (thats the only reason I rated the book 4 stars)

Happy Reading!

TOTALLY AWSOME!!!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-29
Rae, a girl on the verge because she thinks she's going crazy starts out trying to ignore all of the weird thoughts that keep coming to her brain, that aren't hers. She thinks she's going insane, but in truth she's getting an amazing gift. With the help of Anthony, a guy she meets in her group meetings that are for stepping out of the thought of being crazy, she finally realizes what's happening to her. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this series!!!! It is SSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good that you can't put it down and you simply HAVE to get through it without putting it down! That is something to say for me, because I've read so many good books out there. So PLEASE experience the feeling of going into Rae's mind and getting the feeling that makes you feel like you ARE the characters in the book! This series is a total MUST-READ!!!!!! So, what are you waiting for?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Go read it!!!! PLEASE!!!!

Can't put it down!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-06-04
The Fingerprints series has got to be one of the best series i've ever read! from the very beginning of book one, Gifted Touch, i can't put them down, even when i've read them so many times i've memorized them! They are the perfect combination of sci-fi, suspense, and romance, yet they still convince you that they could happen. melinda metz did a spectacular job writing these books! i reccomend them to anybody who loves a good cant-put-it-down read.

Awesome!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-28
Rae starts out as a normal teenager and she is living a pretty good life. That is until she starts having thoughts that are not hers. She begins to think that she is going crazy, like her mother did before she died in an insane asylum. Then finally Anthony, a guy she met at one of her support groups, figured out that she had a wonderful and amazing gift. But somebody doesnt like this whole amazing gift idea. They want Rae dead and fast. With her gift she starts to investigate who wants to kill her and why. Rae and Anthony go through sad, happy and angry times. These books are great because at the end of each book they leave you hanging so you cannot put it down, but you have to keep reading each book within a matter of days! I recommend this book to people of all ages. It doesnt even matter what kind of book you like, this one has mystery, suspense, romance, and fanstasy all put together. If I had to choose one book to read over and over again I would definitely choose this one!

Leaves you coming back for more
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-29
I own the whole Fingerprints series. It is literally impossible to read one and have no desire to read the others. You just have to. Rae finally resolves one problem, then at the end of the book another pops up. Melinda Metz keeps the reader feeling for Rae, rooting her on. And Anthony is adorable. The chemistry that Metz builds between the two is just right, and satisfies any hopeless romantics out there. The books should also satisfy those searching for mystery, suspense and good old science fiction. It's a great series, and definitely worth the time.


Books-Under-Review-->Arts-->Literature-->Authors-->Young Adult-->21
Related Subjects: Stine, R.L. Pike, Christopher Lowry, Lois Paulsen, Gary Cormier, Robert Dessen, Sarah Alexander, Lloyd Hinton, S.E. Nicholson, William
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