Young Adult Books

Bluford high:Blood is thicker by Paul Langan & D.M. Blackwell

The setting of this book is in a small, poverty suburbs in Detroit Michigan. This book is about a boy named Hakeem, who moves from his hometown in California, Detroit. Hakeem moves to Detroit,Michigan because his father is sick. Hakeem goes to Detroit to live with his uncle and his cousin Savon. Hakeem and savon were very close but lost contact with each other. Savon doesn't spend time with his cousin because he thinks he's to cool for that. The genre of the book is fictional. The conflict is that Hakeem has to figure out if Savon is the robber of all the stores because he sneaks out every night. Hakemm knew that all the stores on his block had been robbed, even his uncle's Jason store. So Hakeem thought it was Savon because he was sneaking out every night. The theme of this book is trust because Hakeem has to trust in himself that his dad we'll be alright. He also has to trust his cousin savon that he isn't stealing. This book has a good ending so i suggest that all middle school students should read this. I like this book because it is very interesting and it tells stories about fake people but real events.

Bluford high:Blood is thicker by Paul Langan & D.M. Blackwell

The setting of this book is in a small, poverty suburbs in Detroit Michigan. This book is about a boy named Hakeem, who moves from his hometown in California, Detroit. Hakeem moves to Detroit,Michigan because his father is sick. Hakeem goes to Detroit to live with his uncle and his cousin Savon. Hakeem and savon were very close but lost contact with each other. Savon doesn't spend time with his cousin because he thinks he's to cool for that. The genre of the book is fictional. The conflict is that Hakeem has to figure out if Savon is the robber of all the stores because he sneaks out every night. Hakemm knew that all the stores on his block had been robbed, even his uncle's Jason store. So Hakeem thought it was Savon because he was sneaking out every night. The theme of this book is trust because Hakeem has to trust in himself that his dad we'll be alright. He also has to trust his cousin savon that he isn't stealing. This book has a good ending so i suggest that all middle school students should read this. I like this book because it is very interesting and it tells stories about fake people but real events.

Bluford high:Blood is thicker by Paul Langan & D.M. Blackwell

The setting of this book is in a small, poverty suburbs in Detroit Michigan. This book is about a boy named Hakeem, who moves from his hometown in California, Detroit. Hakeem moves to Detroit,Michigan because his father is sick. Hakeem goes to Detroit to live with his uncle and his cousin Savon. Hakeem and savon were very close but lost contact with each other. Savon doesn't spend time with his cousin because he thinks he's to cool for that. The genre of the book is fictional. The conflict is that Hakeem has to figure out if Savon is the robber of all the stores because he sneaks out every night. Hakemm knew that all the stores on his block had been robbed, even his uncle's Jason store. So Hakeem thought it was Savon because he was sneaking out every night. The theme of this book is trust because Hakeem has to trust in himself that his dad we'll be alright. He also has to trust his cousin savon that he isn't stealing. This book has a good ending so i suggest that all middle school students should read this.

Bluford high:Blood is thicker by Paul Langan & D.M. Blackwell

The setting of this book is in a small, poverty suburbs in Detroit Michigan. This book is about a boy named Hakeem, who moves from his hometown in California, Detroit. Hakeem moves to Detroit,Michigan because his father is sick. Hakeem goes to Detroit to live with his uncle and his cousin Savon. Hakeem and savon were very close but lost contact with each other. Savon doesn't spend time with his cousin because he thinks he's to cool for that. The genre of the book is fictional. The conflict is that Hakeem has to figure out if Savon is the robber of all the stores because he sneaks out every night. Hakemm knew that all the stores on his block had been robbed, even his uncle's Jason store. So Hakeem thought it was Savon because he was sneaking out every night. The theme of this book is trust because Hakeem has to trust in himself that his dad we'll be alright. He also has to trust his cousin savon that he isn't stealing. This book has a good ending so i suggest that all middle school students should read this.

"That's it Savon barked, charging Hakeem like an enraged lion." This book is called Blood is Thicker by Paul Langan and D.M Blackwell.

This book takes place in a low class suburb in Detroit Michigan. It is about a boy named Hakeem who moves from California to Detroit because, his father is very sick and they cannot afford there house so, they come live with their uncle. Savon is Hakeems cousin. They were good friends when they were young but they have lost contact. We Hakeem got there he wonder why Savon was being mean to him. He also meets this girl next door who he thinks is pretty. He teaches her how to play guitar. It's a way for him to relive stress and have a fun time with her. Savon had been sneaking around came home late at night. So Uncle James asked him to find out what Savon was up to. There had been robberies almost every store on Main Street except his father furniture store. Then the real bad blood between the two begins. The ending is a shock. This is a fictional novel. I would recommend this book for any middle school student. This is the eighth book in the Bluford High series. The next book is Brothers in Arms. If you like big endings this book is for you.

I purchased the Sweep series for my 13 year old daughter in the hopes that maybe she would read. "She hated to read." Well I was amazed, and could not get her to go to sleep, as she would spend the whole night, with a night-light on reading these books. She enjoyed them so much, and could not stop talking first about Cal and then Hunter, that I had to see what all the fuss was about.
Well after two weeks, a book a day, for a girl who hated to read, it sparked my curiosity, so I started reading, and was surprised to find out how enjoyable a Teen book about Teen Witches could be. I am not really into Wicca, but these books are really enjoyable. I am on my fifth book, and my daughter read each twice, and is know on the Circle of Three Series. I have to highly recommend these books to those parents who can not get their daughters to read. These are excellent stories, full of fantasy, horror, and fun.

This one is also good...just like the other ones. Morgan is still trying to understand her powers, but doing well when she has Cal with her. But, something strange is happening that is making Morgan scared. What could it be? You will have to read and find out, just typing this review temps me to read it again. GO get this book, you wont regret it.

Morgan is a blood witch. She was adopted. Morgan's life has been changing and is changeing still. THen Hunter another blood witch enters her life. From the very first moment she saw him she disliked him but now she absolutely hates him. Hunter is saying things about Cal that hurt her. Then things take a turn for the worst and Morgan is to blame. What did she do? Read this book and find out!

Morgan's seventeenth birthday is approaching and she should be very happy. But the rest of her life is not a wonderful as it should be. Cal is great, and her anchor. But now she has learned more about her mother and her clan. Her coven is losing some members and might be losing more. Bree is still distant and is mixed up with a strange witch. Who are the strange witches and what do they have against Morgan and Cal?

Most of these questions are answered by the end of the book which culminates on the night before her birthday.

Another fine book about a girl coming to terms with the changes in her life (adoption, love, witchcraft, friends, etc.).

Morgan is still trying to piece her life together. Bree has deserted her and her adoptive family can't even begin to understand her. The only person she seems to trust and have on her side is Cal. Cal her wonderful boyfriend who believes they are murin breatha dans, soulmates. But then Hunter comes and shakes things up. He claims that he is Cal's half brother and a member of the International Council of Witches. He says that he has been sent to investigate Cal and Selene who are believed to be practicing dark magick. Morgan denies this and refuses to believe him. But she does feel that something dark and strange is going on and if she doesn't figure things out soon she could face hte same tragic death her parents did.

What a great find! Definately acceptable for your pre-teen to teen daughters! I read the book before passing it on and read it in just a day and a half!

Kudos to Serena Robar on her first book

Colby Blanchard's life changes in a blink of an eye. On the way home from a high school football game, Colby is attacked becomes something that she never thought possible - a vampire. Or rather, a Half-Blood. But because she's not a pure blood vampire, the others in the Undead community are out for some blood - her blood! It's Colby's chance to kick butt and get the guy.

This novel is phenomenal and I devoured it in a matter of hours. Laugh out loud funny and deliciously addicting.

Colby Blanchard seems your normal American teen: a cheerleader, Daddy's girl: but she's also a vampire. When she has to defend her eternal life in front of a Vampire Council which doesn't care for half-vampires, trouble results - not to mention her romance for Thomas, a hottie Vampire Investigator. Humor and irony abound in a very different kind of vampire story teens will relish.

Colby Blanched is the typical sixteen year old, interested in boys, clothing and staying head cheerleader. Her normal life comes to a screeching halt when she is attacked by a man and left in a ravine. When she wakes up, she returns home to learn she has been missing for forty-eight hours. When she smells blood on her mother's hand, she starts drinking it until she is full. Tests by her aunt prove she is a vampire as she has no pulse or heartbeat.

The Vampire Tribunal comes over to serve her with a summons because she is not a vampire but a half-breed Undead because she is too many generations removed to be a full Vampire. Undead have different abilities then vampires and the tribunal looks at them as abominations that must be destroyed. She has to appear before them and make a case that she should not be destroyed but she doesn't have a clue how she is going to manage it.

Aimed at the young adult market BRACED 2 BITE will also be thoroughly enjoyed by adults who like chick lit serio-comic vampire novels. Since her incisors were removed when Colby wore braces her father makes her a mechanical contraption to take their place and some of the funniest bites in the book take place around them. The heroine is strong willed and willing to fight against the injustice of the Vampire Council in their deadly dealings with the undead. Readers will be happy to know that this is just the beginning of a charming, beguiling and totally entertaining new series.

Harriet Klausner

As soon as I began reading BRACED2BITE by new author Serena Robar, I was immediately reminded of another one of my favorite vampire series--the Undead series by MaryJanice Davidson. Both authors have a smart-mouthed heroine, an annoying yet total hottie vampire hero, and a set of circumstances that makes you throw everything you ever thought was true about vampires right out the window. And believe me when I say that this comparison is not a bad thing! Ms. Robar has managed to pen a fun, exciting vampire story that will have you reading long into the night--and the comparison to MJD is nothing but outright flattery.

Sixteen-year old Colby Blanchard is the typical blond-haired, blue-eyed cheerleader. She's also very intelligent, has plans to get hunky Aidan Reynolds to ask her to the Homecoming dance, and, while she's at it, will finalize plans for her upcoming seventeenth birthday party. What Colby didn't plan on, or enter into her BlackBerry, was getting knocked out by the Eastside Attacker on the way home from a football game. Where, she might add, Aidan the slimeball went off with Allison to an after-game party.

When Colby comes to and returns home, she's very surprised to learn she's been missing for nearly forty-eight hours. Even more surprising, though, is drinking her mother's blood and healing her wound when she cuts herself with a knife. Oddly enough, although frightened, it's not until her Great-Aunt Chloe points out the puncture wounds on her neck that Colby realizes something weirder than a nighttime attack has happened to her. Colby is now a vampire, with the pale, pasty skin, yellowish eyes, and thirst for blood to prove it.

Her family seems to take the change in their daughter relatively in stride--Aunt Chloe even had to stake a few vampires years ago during the War when she was a nurse. Her father rushes to help in the only way he knows how (he's an orthodontist) and makes her a hideous headgear apparatus so she can feed, since her canine teeth were removed years ago. So not only is she a freak vampire, she's a mutant freak vampire.

To add insult to injury, two vampires come a-calling, informing Colby that she's been summoned to make an appearance to the Tribunal for, and get this, being Undead without a license. The fact that Thomas, the cute, helpful vampire, wants to help her make her case before the Tribunal is one thing. The fact that he's asked to be her Executioner if the Tribunal rejects her plea for a license is quite another.

BRACED2BITE is a fun, hilarious read. All of the characters are well-rounded, and the fast-paced dialogue makes the book a delight to read. If you like vampire stories with a dash of romance and a whole bunch of humor, this is definitely the book for you. And thankfully, the next book in the series, Fangs 4 Freaks, is already scheduled for release in November 2006.

When I was a child, no one ever wrote about Black children. We were still calling each other whenever a Black person was coming on TV, "Nat King Cole gonna be on TV tonight." Now, 53 and grandmother to a host of children, to them I can read a tale about Black girls and boys who have adventures, rise above their fears, and so help me God, save the whole wide world! And what a world! Faracadar, where the youngest child continues the bloodline and creatures do, literally, laugh themselves to death. Where people are green and blue, and music, MUSIC, saves lives and chases away evil. I had to wait 53 years before a Black girl could ride the white horse, only to have Ms. Wachspress bare the girl away on a tiger. What fun! How wonderful that a new generation of all children can read of adventures set in my culture. A children's book? Perhaps, but one that reminds us of how to live with and respect each other and the Earth, and of how to fight, and with truth and honor. The Call to Shakabaz is a true, true delight!

Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 9) for Reader Views (6/07)

Do you want to read a good adventure book with a great storyline and no violence? If you do, you will want to check out this one. "The Call to Shakabaz" by Amy Wachspress follows four recently-orphaned Goodacre children on a mission to do something for their mother who died two months ago.

The Goodacre children named Doshmisi, Denzel, Maia and Sonjay, are living with Aunt Alice and aren't too happy about it. They were raised in the city with malls, computers, televisions and video games. Aunt Alice has none of that in her farmhouse on Manzanita Ranch. They wish they had some adventure. Be careful what you wish for, you might just find out that you have more danger than the boring countryside. The four children take along Bayard Rustin, a talking parrot who doesn't make much sense but has a mind of his own.

One midsummer day, they meet Amethyst who is the gatekeeper of Faracadar. They are armed with their amulets that were given them by Uncle Martin, Uncle Bobby and Aunt Alice. They are told to wear these amulets well and with ingenuity, creativity, compassion, courage and hunger for the truth. The amulets must never leave the neck of the children because no one can take them from them unless they would lose their life. Doshmisi is also given a healing book called Herbal which will magically open to the page of the recipe of something to heal the person.

I really enjoyed traveling with the kids to meet all the different people on their trip. There were parts of this book which were funny. Having a powder which will change you into a different color to hide you would be very fun to have sometimes. Of course, your true colors will come out anyway. There is only so much hiding a person can do. Amy Wachspress has a great imagination. I will definitely read this book again! I liked how there weren't violent scenes in the book like a lot of books out there. This book is terrific reading for ages 9-14. It is fun to see that kids our age can do something important too, even if it is a fantasy book. I could see teachers making this a part of their reading class. There is a study guide at the back of this book too. Answer "The Call to Shakabaz' and enjoy the adventure!

Note from Brianne's mother: This book is a terrific fantasy book for kids. With the popularity of the Narnia series, "The Call to Shakabaz" could easily become a favorite for students and teachers. It kept Brianne very enthused about reading and she couldn't wait to finish reading it.

Head Start administrator Amy Wachspress presents The Call to Shakabaz, a fantasy novel for ages eight to eighty following four newly orphaned children who discover a surprising secret about their family. Accompanied by a pestering parrot, they travel to the faraway land of Faracadar, and seek the immensely powerful Staff of Shakabaz in hope of using it to end the tyranny of the evil enchanter Sissrath. Their adventure carries them over land and sea, into the dungeonlike depths of the Final Fortress, and each of them must discover their own talents and gifts in order to have any hope of survival, let alone success in their mission. Highly recommended.

Colour, music, scents and sentiment spill out of this pictureless fantasy novel and sweep us into a story of suspense, self-discovery and nonviolent resistance. Our girls laughed, swooned, quaked and cheered -- then happily chirped "Satyagraha!".

Doshmisi, Denzel, Maia, and Sonjay always thought Aunt Alice's Manzanita Ranch was a great place to visit, but they never thought they would have to live there. But when their mother died unexpectedly, that's where they moved to. It hasn't been very long since then, and the kids are bored stiff. It's a good thing they have the family Midsummer party to look forward to. Although without their mom, or even the cousins who are inexplicably absent, even that might not be much fun.

What starts out as a rather dull, depressing day gets a lot more interesting with a strange lesson in family history. It turns out that the two brothers and two sisters are "The Four." Descendants of a line of four brothers and sisters who can pass through their own dimension and into Faracadar. With their mother gone, the time of their mother and aunt and uncles have passed. It is up to the new Four now.

But what is "it"? Trust me, they want to know as much as you do. Unfortunately, one of the rules is that they don't get to know much the first time around. All they know is that they have to get the Staff of Shakabaz away from a guy named Sissrath. Who that is, how they do it, why they have to, and even what Faracadar is, they'll have to figure out for themselves. They'll have to work together, learning what each of their strengths are and how to use them, and maybe they'll be able to pull it all off.

THE CALL TO SHAKABAZ is richly imagined and incredibly detailed, both land and story. At first it's a bit like a modern version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia). But by the end of the tale you realize it's so much deeper than that. This is a book about finding personal strength, in all different forms, and appreciating the talents of others, and the strength in uniting different people, and so much more! I want to buy a copy for everyone I know, regardless of age, race, or sex. It's part fantasy, part history lesson, part real life -- I can't even describe it! But, it's beautiful, and it's kind of a picture of what I'd like to see our world look like. Although maybe without the greenish sun -- that might be a little weird.

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

This charming modern day cinderella story is my new favorite book (this book "Dairy Queen" and "The Off Season" are my very favorite books)!!!
Cindy Ella Gold writes a letter to the editor about how obbsesive every body is about the prom and how we should focus more on important things like global warming and stuff like that. The letter upsets alot of people and cindys crush (Cindy thinks) is one of them! This book will leave you wanting more!

Reviewed by Casey Holt (age 14) for Reader Views (3/08)

"Cindy Ella" is about an average, unpopular, teenage girl. Cindy thinks that prom is silly, but her step-mom and step-sisters think otherwise. They can't wait for it, and they are constantly talking about it and shopping for it and planning for it. So she writes a letter to her school newspaper complaining about the prom, and how it's just a giant scam to make girls feel bad about themselves. Her letter gets printed! This just makes her more unpopular.

As everyone is getting ready for the prom, she is crushing on three boys, or so she thinks. She spills her feelings out to brklynboy, her IM buddy, thinking that he lives in Brooklyn and will never meet her. On the night of the prom, she gets a huge surprise! Cindy gets on IM, and brklynboy says, "How 'bout I pick you up at 7?" Cindy is so confused! "What? I thought you lived in Brooklyn." Brooklynboy tells her that he lived in Brooklyn until he was four, and that he now lives in Nichols Canyon. Where she lives! THEN he tells her that he is Adam Silver, the most popular boy in her entire school, that she's had a crush on for ages! "Wow!" She can't believe it. "Can you pick me up at 8 instead of 7? Oh yeah, and where are we going?" "It's a surprise." Adam tells her that Noah, her tutor whom she recently learned was gay, had set them up. In a panic, she calls her tutor, Noah. "I think that you and Craig have a prom to go to, but seeing that you set this up, I think it's only fair that you get your butts over here and help me get ready." Noah and Craig come as fast as they can, and with the help of her step-mom's credit card and makeup, she's ready to go! She goes, and gets her first real kiss, and her second, and third, and fourth, and fifth.......

I thought "Cindy Ella" was a really good book! I enjoyed it a lot. I would recommend this book to girls ages 12 and up.

This book starts out adorable and becomes more and more so. I just finished it, and I'll be grinning for the rest of the day. I loved Cindy Ella, loved her friends, even loved her step family -- and her scenes with her dad and half-brother are classic. What a sweetheart of a tale -- and very smart and wise, too, while being totally accessible to tweens and teens.

I can't wait to see what Robin Palmer comes out with next. If I had daughters, I'd be pre-ordering all her books for them right NOW.

Congrats, Ms. Palmer! Judy Blume, you WISH you were this cool! :-D

I read this book in literally 2 days! I couldn't put it down! it was humorous, realistic, and the characters were easy to relate to. With brilliant words and hilarious characters I felt the story was easy to bring to life in my mind. A fresh and modern fairy tale, a great book for smart girls with good taste!

This is by far one of the best books I have ever read. It was entertaining, funny, witty, engaging, clever, etc. If I could think of more fantastic adjectives, I would write them all down now. Suffice to say that if you read this book, you will not be disappointed. I only wish I hadn't read it so I could have it to look forward to.

This book was great... books like this always are. I thought that I knew how things would turn out, until the ending just twisted and I was shocked. But I know that everyone is making such a big deal out of the ending... well, it was a really good ending. But the whole book was fantastic. Suspenseful and wonderful, especially for fans of the series. I'm going to read Inner Circle as soon as I get my hands on a copy!

this is my best book series ever it has great characters and a interesting storyline.the ending shocked me!!!! i always get shocked towards the ends of this series its var the best series ever!!!! i really cant wait until inner circle and i hope that some characters come back its an interesting read just like all the other books in the series and i recommend it 100 %

I was truly surprised with the outcome and how it all turned out. I knew that Noelle, Kiran, Ariana, and Taylor had some input in Thomas death; however this is not the ending I predicted. This was so much better. I applaud Kate Brian immensly, this series is quite entertaining. Not that I dont enjoy series' like Gossip Girl and The A-list, but I love how this one adds more drama aside from the typical love triangles. Granted this does have a love triangle, but the depth behind it and all the scandal makes this one way better. I think that I can safely say most of the Private readers truly enjoy how the books turn out. I do however think that Confessions should have been the end. I think that it was a perfect ending. On the other hand, I could be wrong. The way Kate Brian writes Inner Circle should be great! I hope things start to look brighter for Reed, but then again I love drama!

Confessions was a really wounderful book. I ahve to admit i really like all of Kate Brian's books, they are easy reads so i feel like i acomplished something. I enjoy them very much. Thank you Kate Brian for making quick and easy reads!

Reed Brennan has had nothing but endless drama the minute she entered Easton Academy. She had finally left her dysfunctional family in boring Pennsylvanian suburbia and was getting ready for higher learning and a normal social life. The Billings Girls are the most beautiful, enigmatic and popular girls at the academy, and Reed had wanted to be part of their circle at all cost. She could not have imagined all of the stuff that has transpired since then. Her boyfriend Thomas, who wooed her the second she set foot into the school, was a drug dealer and a drunk. Then he turned out dead. His roommate, the adorable Josh, has a thing for Reed, but has some issues of his own. Now he's suspected of murdering Thomas. Reed knows that he did not murder his former roommate, and the only two people who can prove it -- the school's secretary and Thomas's brother, Blake -- are not willing to go to the police. But there are other things that don't make sense. What are the Billings girls hiding? Why is Taylor gone? Christmas is fast approaching, but things seem bleak from where Reed is standing. When will the real killer step forward and make his/her confession so that she and Josh could pick up where they left off?

There are many twists in Confessions, the fourth installment in the Private series. Many of the clues that lead to the flooring ending of this book go back to the first installment, which leaves me thinking just how well-structured this story is. I don't want to write any spoilers, but this will make you think back to the previous installments and say, "Ah, so that is why such and such person behaved that way!" Josh is wonderful, a great romantic interest for Reed. Reed is a great heroine; she actually stands up to Noelle and the others in this installment, but she is still a little too dependent upon them, which annoys me. Noelle is a control freak and a spoiled little biatch who thinks the world revolves around her, but sometimes she does something so surprising that your opinion of her, once decided, wavers a bit. I've begun to really like Natasha and Cheyenne, a small character from Invitation Only, is surprisingly nice in this book. Constance isn't in this book a lot though, which disappointed me. It's nice that Reed has a "normal" friend at Easton. Anyway, fans of this series will love the twists and turns in this installment. I for one can't wait to read Inner Circle. Based on the turns of events in the story, I have a feeling that Reed's position at the Billings Hall is about to change in more ways than one. The one disappointment, like the other Private books, is that it ended too quickly for me. I read it in one day, and it could have ended much sooner. I wish I could read a book in one single sitting, but I do have other things to do! I have no idea how the number one reviewer on this web site is able to read three books or more in one single day (like she says on her profile). I wish I could do that. Chance would be a fine thing. :-)

I love fairy tales and I love when they are reimagined even though I am 32 ! This one was very well done except it does lag a bit at times! If you are looking for a classic Jack and the Beanstalk you will be sadly disappointed because while all the elements are there they are very different ! This book was fairly enjoyable and would have got 5 stars but for the lagging but it is not enough for people to skip this book because if you do you will be missing a enjoyable book!

Crazy jack was good I thought it wasn't bad. I couldn't put the book down I just keep reading it until I finish it. I thought the character was hard working and every happier. But one summer there was a drought and every farmer on the village was desperate for rain. The rain never came and jack family couldn't grow anything so his father made a trade with the other farmer for half of their farm. Jack mother was kind of angry but their nothing she can do. One day Jack was talking to his father and say that there is a plot of gold at the end of the rainbow. If they would get the gold they wouldn't have anything to worried about. So one raining night Jack father say to Jack that if Jack want to plot of gold his father will get it for him. So he left and Jack went after him trying go stop him from going to try to get the gold but he couldn't stop his father. His fathers walk of a cliff and climb the cliff until he disappeared Jack follow him, but stop half way the cliff father that he never seem his father again. In the morning he found him self-back at his house with his mom and flora. For the next seven years around autumn his would go to the same cliff and try to climb the cliff by slamming his body to the cliff and people started to call him crazy Jack. During the celebrating of autumn his mother told him to go and trade their cow for some thing good. But he trades the cow for some bean. He grows the bean and climbs the tree to the top and fined this beautiful lady up there the lady gave him a chicken. The second time a plot of gold they're more but u have to read.
I think this book is a good book to read

This book by Donna Jo Napoli is a very good twist on the classic, Jack and the Beanstalk. It's really well written. I liked this book a lot.

Crazy jack was good I thought it wasn't that bad. I would recommend this book for the fifth and sixth graded. I just keep reading it until I finish it. I thought the character was hard working and every happier. But one summer there was a drought and every farmer on the village was desperate for rain. The rain never came and jack family couldn't grow anything so his father made a trade with the other farmer for half of their farm. One day Jack was talking to his father and say that there is a plot of gold at the end of the rainbow. If they would get the gold they wouldn't have anything to worried about. So one raining night Jack father say to Jack that if Jack want to plot of gold his father will get it for him. So he left and Jack went after him trying go stop him from going to try to get the gold but he couldn't stop his father. His fathers walk of a cliff disappeared into the midst Jack follow him, but stop halfway the to cliff his father was gone. That was the last time he ever seem his father again. For the next seven years around autumn his would go to the same cliff. Jack tries to climb the cliff by slamming his body to the cliff and then people started to call him crazy Jack. During the celebrating of autumn his mother told him to go and trade their cow for some thing good. But he trades the cow for some bean. He grows the bean and climbs the tree to the top and fined this beautiful lady up there the lady gave him a chicken. The second time a plot of gold that not gold but stone the third time his found a harp.

Napoli is a master at her work, so that every time I pick up one of her books, I am astounded by its beauty and characterization, its personality and reverence for the human soul.
The Brothers Grimm will tell you what happened to Jack when he climbed up the beanstalk, but Donna Jo Napoli will actually take you there. I marvel at her well-placed words, her ingenious ideas, her deeper meanings. For example, in Crazy Jack, there is a continual allusion to rainbows, and when Jack plants the famous beanstalk, the beans he got from the fairy are violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. After the drought in the beginning, rainbows come and dance across the sky. When Jack climbs up the beanstalk for the second time, he sees a rainbow that no one else there can see because of a former curse on the giant by a fairy whose gold he tried to plunder. The giant's domain from then on was to be only seen in varying shade of grayish-gold, to remind him of his foolish greed. But Jack can see the rainbow, indicating indirectly to us that gold is not all Jack cares about. Invariably, that rainbow above the clouds on Jack's second visit leads to a pot of gold, which Jack then steals from the giant and hurries with back down the beanstalk. We come upon a very strong symbol in every instance. Rainbows are crazy hopes and crazy dreams and a crazy wish that will never be: to find that eluding pot of gold!

Jack's father also plays a pretty big role in the story. He had worked hard, and taken wagers (gambling) when odd jobs weren't enough, but still it was not sufficient to stave off the hardships of a farmer's family during drought. When 9-year old Jack see his father climb the cliff singing and never return, he was near to driven mad by greif. Years later, he still fights against his confusion and despair, and seeks a way to, somehow, follow his father to the clouds.

The reason I so admire Ms. Napoli is for the ingenuity and passion with which she writes. Her words have such conviction, that when you are through, you are sure the whole tale must really have occurred in that far off little place in England because by that point, you are too drawn in for common sense. Once you enter into Jack's world, you won't want to put down the book for fear of missing what he might do next. You'll be rooting for him all the way up the beanstalk!

Well-written, smart, and insightful! I'm not a teen but was captivated. The easy writing style makes it a fast read, and the issues of religion and finding one's identity are relevant to all ages. This is a must read.

This book will be of interest to adults as well as teens. The intelligent design/evolution debate is a relevant topic in our society, and this book presents some interesting thoughts about the controversy. It's quick, easy, and definitely worth reading.

Mena knew her first day of High school would be bad. But who could predict this? Being shunned by all of her former friends, her church, and even her own parents. Why, you ask? Because her church community was just sued for millions of dollars. And all because Mena wanted to do the right thing. Now the only person that will talk to her is her incredibly brilliant (and surprisingly cute) lab partner, Casey. Along with her new science teacher Ms. Sheperd, who everyone thinks is crazy. When Ms. Sheperd begins the new unit on Evolution, and Darwin's theory, the spotlight is soon off of Mena and onto the school. Mena's entire class full of "churchmates" turns on Ms. Sheperd and her ignorance towards religion. They'll do anything to take her down, including dragging in the community pastor, and getting him to preach to the class. The only person on Ms. Sheperd and Mena's side is Casey, and Mena soon realizes that she feels a lot more than friendship for him. I definitely recommend this book for young adults and middle school age kids. If you don't believe in the theory of evolution, it's still worth the old college try. Robin Brande certainly has a slightly controversial, but amazingly written book on the trials and tribulations of surviving the evolutionary jungle we call high school.

I picked this up at a book store without realizing that it was a "young adult" novel. It looked interesting and it seemed to deal with evolution and the church, so I grabbed it and tossed it into my cart. I was out of town recently on business, needed something to read, had this with me and sat down to read it. That was a mistake, as I had to get up early the next morning and found I had read until well past my usual bedtime.

While this is a novel that deals primarily with the actions of a teen girl whose "friends" from her church now hate her, it also is much more. The reading is fun and easy and the story well told and well thought out. In addition, there are life lessons such as:

*You shouldn't lie to your parents, even when they are wrong
*Parents can be wrong...it happens
*Your "friends" may not really be friends after all
*There is a big world out there...go explore
*Lead...don't follow

That is but a sampling of what can be taken from this novel. It is not, however, written in a preachy or condescending style and can be enjoyed by all ages.

I highly recommend this novel for everyone. It is great entertainment and fun and will certainly stir up debate in the family about the subjects it covers.

If you love your children, and you love Science, and maybe you love God, then rush out and buy this book. Other people have mentioned what its about, but what its really about is finding that perfect balance between scientific knowledge and spiriruality.

It's also about love, respect and honesty.

And its a little about freedom of speech and integrity.

If any of these things bother you, don't read it. Or read it, because it might rub off on you.

Give this book to your children.

This product showed up speedily and in very good condition. I am very happy with it.

I'm a big fan for Fruits Basket, the anime, but I started to read the Manga out of curiosity to continue the story and I have to admit that the Manga never failed to amazes me. This volume is so great. We see the relationship between Tohru & the others grows during the summer break, Tohru in her swimsuit, Yuki kissing her and Kyo's care and hidden love for her. It is so much fun to read.

I own this series in Japanese, and it is a wonderful read! It has all the important elements of a good shoujo manga: it is romantic, twisted, with a shoujo (in the traditional meaning of the word) involved in finding a new family and love triangles galore. It is just a very fun read, no matter the language!

the best anime i ever had try it you will never regret (:

This book and all the others totaly rock! I don't know what I would do without them!

A teenager, Rosie is ready for adventure: she's been an obedient girl most of her life but now longs for action. Asher is a new boy in school with dreadlocks and an attitude to match: Rose is instantly attracted. An accusation of theft leads to a hitchhiking adventure that will change her life and decisions. Romance and action blend in a satisfying story which teens will relate to.

Rosie Moon, 15, is irritated with her life. Her mom treats her like a 5 year old, her dad doesn't really care, and her younger brother is a nuisance. The best thing about her life is her best friend, Pip, until a rebellious new kid, Asher, comes to school. His parents are seperated, which doesn't help with the move. Asher and Rosie want to get away from it all and when Asher is accused of stealing a wallet, their dreams become a reality. They set off for their "crazy" adventure where they find themselves...and each other.

At first, I was confused by the writing style. The book used words that I wasn't familiar with because the book originated from Australia. The book was also incomprehensible because it jumped to different characters, and I got thoughts and opinions confused. As I read more, it became clear and it was amazing. The plot was well thoughtout. Lowry used superior descriptions for the settings and people. It felt like you were there! The book showed situations that teenagers have to overcome these days. Towards the end of the book, I couldn't put it down. It was supenseful, a definite page turner. Overall, it was an exceptional book. Kids under 13 should not read this book. It had some vulgar language and usage of drugs.

Reviewed by Flamingnet Book Reviews
www.flamingnet.com
Preteen, teen, and young adult book reviews and recommendations

Fifteen-year-old Rosie Moon lives in a small seaside town in Australia, where experiencing life is limited to walks on the beach and secretly piercing your nose. Her parents aren't getting along, her uptight mother finds it difficult to give Rosie the freedom she craves, and she's not sure how to impress the quietly rebellious new boy in her class, Asher Fielding. Asher just moved to town with his newly single mother and desperately wants to leave his restrictive new school and head back across the country to his father and his old friends.

Rosie and Asher's friendship begins when they are paired up for a poetry project, and their romance takes off when Asher is mistakenly accused of stealing. He decides to run away for the second time, his first attempt to return to his father having proved fruitless. Rosie, desperate to break away from her own small-town troubles, decides to go with him, and the two take off on a cross-country search for adventure, freedom and, of course, love.

Brigid Lowry's novel was first published in Australia, and while American readers may be a bit confused by some of the geographic references, they will also find it interesting to learn about daily life on the other side of the world, where the lingo may differ but the issues and emotions of the characters are strikingly familiar. The story is told in a series of vignettes, including everything from stream-of-consciousness thoughts to lists of the contents of someone's pockets or what someone had for breakfast. Anything that may provide a further glimpse into a character is fair game.

Some of the vignettes can be confusing, such as Asher's scattered thoughts or dialogue scenes with no speaker indicated. Also, some of the thought sequences feel unnatural at times, with characters narrating their actions to themselves as they do them or describing their emotions (apparently for our benefit), creating the feeling that we're being told what the person is thinking or doing rather than overhearing their actual thoughts. This is an interesting approach to storytelling, but at times it can come across as a self-conscious attempt at originality. Perhaps this technique was more original when the novel was first published, but with the recent popularity of books told in diary, email, list, or other unique formats, some of the creative appeal of Lowry's style is lost.

On the whole, however, the charm and good intentions of the characters --- everyone from frustrated students and teachers to struggling parents and even the occasional stranger --- make this a sweet story worth reading. There's not much of an edge to the characters, but the parents' difficulties at figuring out how to be the best parents, and the teenagers' need to explore the world around them without restrictions, are both real and very touching. After reading GUITAR HIGHWAY ROSE, readers may wish they could be the stars of their own road trip adventure/love story.

--- Reviewed by Emily Shaffer

I first read this book at 15. I then suggested to my English teacher that it should be put into the school curriculum. Six years later, they're still reading it as a class text, and I'm still re-reading my own copy. The first time I read it, it felt so familiar, as if I knew the characters personally. Not many books do can that.

This book was like, the best book EVER! I first of all LOVED the cool way it was written. It's really easy to fall in love with Rosie and Ash. Definetly one of my all time faves! Read it if you haven't already!!! : )