Young Adult Books

There has never been a better book about slavery than Copper Sun, though you go through some disgusting times with Amari you find the most painful thing is that actual people were treated like that! Draper is so wonderful in her writing, telling us exactly what it was like for Amari and I really felt like I was standing right next to her through the whole experience. Speaking of whole experience that's exactly what it is...the book starts in her home in Africa and we travel with here through the capturing of her and family members, the trip over seas, the slave action and her new home and ***spoilers (sort of)*** her final desicion! Great book HIGHLY recommend it to anyone.

Hello Everyone...I am an 8th grade English teacher and I just finished reading Sharon Draper's "Copper Sun." I almost don't have words to describe how amazing it was. If you are a teacher, you will accrue many cool points from your students if you read this book with them. It is action packed, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Please read this whether you have children/students or not! It has completely enriched my life, and made me even more proud of the African American race's diligence, determination, and strength.

This is a story about a slave girl named Amari who was torn from her family and her homeland and forced to become a slave in america. there she meets a girl named polly who is an indentured servant, they eventually break free and make a run for the spanish colony hoping for freedom but constantly being hunted.
I have to admit I was bored during the 1st chapter, but as I kept reading I got more and more intruiged untill I just couldn't put the book down. Copper sun is an amazing book, and very insightful into the horrors of slavery and the ignorance, arrogance, and cruelety of white slave owners. I highly recommend this book

This book has something for everyone. There is a lot of suspense and drama and I highly suggest this read to all. It's a hard cover and may seem like a big book if you don't like to ready much but I promise you will want to keep reading.

I have been a fan of Sharon M. Draper for some time. She is a master at writing realistic fiction. COPPER SUN is her first historical fiction and it is amazing -- as well as frighteningly authentic.

This book follows the trials and tribulations of Amari, a fifteen-year-old African maiden. After witnessing the slaughter of both the old and young in her African village, including her parents and her young brother, she is chained, by feet, hands, and neck, lined up, and herded miles on foot to the ocean by pale skinned visitors with fire sticks. She watches her fellow Africans suffer incomprehensible humiliation and death at the hands of their captors as they are shipped like animal cargo across the ocean. The life that awaits her is nothing like she could have ever imagined.

Amari must adapt to life as a purchased slave on a rice plantation, a life that includes atrocities committed upon her by her white owners. She meets Polly, an indentured servant who has dreams of making it to the big house and being a fine lady of standing. Instead, Polly lives in the slave quarters and finds she's given the chore of civilizing Amari, now called Myna, and teaching her enough English to work. After witnessing murder, the two girls find themselves thrown together in a desperate run for freedom.

This is not just another book about slavery. This is a book about something real and tangible. Ms. Draper's writing is so vivid that you can smell the rank odors beneath ship. You can feel the pain of being lashed with a whip. Your throat will constrict at the heart-wrenching pain of a mother and child being forced apart. You will also celebrate the strength and spirit of Amari and those she inspires.

COPPER SUN won the Coretta Scott King Award. This is a book I will make sure goes on my classroom shelves. I give COPPER SUN a gold star!

Reviewed by: Cana Rensberger

this is a very charming tale of this mean girl who adopts this boys cat when his dad develops an allergy.he misses the cat so much he goes over to thier house all the time.one day dinky hockers[WHAT A NAME!]cousin same over and the boy and her fall in love.her name is natalia line.shes a schizophrennic who rhymes all her sentences and words when under stress.its a wonderful story that has a "to kill a mockingbird" like charm to it.not the bad stuff but the parts where the kids are just bein g kids.i fell in love with this story right away.it will always have a place in my heart.

It has been seven years since I was assigned to read this book for my eighth grade class and I stll think about it to this day. The book has a way of drawing you in to their everyday routine. I am sure I still have the book somewhere in my room, but I just can't find it.

I read this book when I was in junior high school. That was over 30 years ago and I still remember it and how well I could relate to the struggles of teen life. If you are a teenager considering this book or a parent considering buying it for your child, do not hesitate. After all, though I am a pretty smart and well educated person, this is the only book (I'm serious here) that left a lasting impression on me from the K-12 years. It's gotta be special.

Books written by adults for adults that talk about politics usually want you to pigeonhole them. Once you understand the gist of the bookýs take on life and liberty you can decide whether or not its politics are the same as yours, thereby allowing you to instantly love it or hate it without even reading it. Books written by adults for children or teens that talk about politics also usually want you to pigeonhole them. So went my thinking until I read "Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack!". Ladies and gentlemen, I have just changed my worldview on politics in childrenýs books. And itýs all thanks to this little number.

A plot synopsis. This is a story about Tucker Woolf, his family, his friends, and his friendsý families. In New York city, Tucker is fifteen years old and for the first time in his life heýs seriously interested in a girl. This interest isnýt without its complications. The girl, Natalia, attends a school for the mentally imbalanced. And her cousin, Dinky Hocker, has issues of her own. Dinky is overweight, an unsurprising fact when you consider her negligent, often cruel, parents. From this unlikely set of characters comes a story about dealing with the problems of others, as well as yourself. Kerr could have easily taken the easy route with this book. How simple it would be to turn this plot into an After School Special, complete with everyone a little older and wiser at the end. Instead, the author meets such ooey-gooey sentiments head on, challenging the hypocrisy people exhibit every day. Along the way, other issues are brought up as well. Originally conceived and published in 1972, the book deals with politics. Everyoneýs parent is a liberal of the 60s, though how they display this political leaning differs per person. When we meet the radical P. John, Dinkyýs brief beau, the reader is suddenly shown a human being that doesnýt fit neatly into any real category. P. John is conservative, racist, intolerant, and honest. To read his character is to question everything the book is saying about the political climate of this country. But if you really read this book, really examine whatýs itýs saying, itýs clear as crystal that there is no single political stance taken in this story. People are not all one thing or another. Not all liberals are whining wimps waiting for a handout. Not all conservatives remain unchanging and unsympathetic. I can see how people would love this book and how people would hate this book. All I ask of you is that you find yourself intrigued by this review and decide to actually read this book. Draw your own conclusions. Decide Iým insanely wrong or absolutely correct. The point is, this book should never be forgotten. It is so well written, so interesting and full of great points that I canýt even give you a glimpse of what it really means. Youýll just have to find out for yourself.

This book starts out as being the story of Tucker Woolf, self-apointed expert on libraries, and cronicler of strange existences. But it soon turns out that it is actually the story of four young teenagers, and, on a broader scale, their parents and their entire society.
Tucker has to deal with having a faher who cares too much about apearances, and drills Tucker into only revealing parts of the truth when dealing with strangers. Tucker is feels somewhat out of place wherever he is, and when he finds a stray cat he imediately bonds with it. When his dad turns out to be allergic, he has to give the cat away. It is this cat who, directly and inderectly, brings him into contact with the other characters. It is adopted by Dinky Hocker, a tragically overweight girl, whose parents completely ignore their daughters problems, in favour of helping drug-addicts and othe worthy causes. Her cousin Natalie, and a boy who shares Dinkys rather enormous problem, together form the core of the story.

The book is funny, the characters quirky and the situations somwhat absurd, but the real fascination of this book comes from seeing how the parents of these children forget them in favour of either their own problems or the problems of strangers. The thing that struck me most is that Dinkys charity-mom is actually one of the most selfish people in the world. I would recomend this book to anyone, even though it is technically a YA-novel. Its a good read, all the same.

This is an official book on the world's best boy band! It's especially cool since the guys put their own special messages at the end of the book (Scott's one is hillarious, check it out).
In the book, you find out how they got together, about the house they lived in together and their debut single "Slam Dunk (Da Funk".
There are also profiles on each guy, and a questionnaire written in their own handwriting! All the pictures are great, and overall it's a gorgeous book! Definitely buy it!

This book is the official one and I noticed 5ive put their own special messages at the end, check out Scott's one it's funny. Anyway, this book rulz. It has all the info on each 5iver and even a quiz they answered themselves. Loads of good pics and lots of info on how they started and stuff like that. If you're a 5ive fan and you want some info on those great guys buy this book it's the best because it's official!

This book is great. It has loads of pictures and information.Each of the guys even wrote a message at the end of the book(isn't that sweet?)! If you are a fan of Five you better get or you'll be sorry that you didn't.ALL FIVE FANS WILL LOVE THIS BOOK,I do.

I like this book, it is a must for every fan, it has some interesting facts and some brilliant photographs. it's a good book, for fans.

This book gives all the information on 5ive, The Neighbours From Hell, you ever wanted to know. Filled with loads of fantastic pictures and their views on the world, this has to be the best biography ever! So, go and buy it, it's brill!!!!!

That's right, Mr. Scalia was my 9th grade English honors teacher. I actually remember him talking about this book quite often and one day he even read the first chapter out loud to us. Mr. Joseph Scalia was a great teacher and a great guy. He was intelligent, quick witted, sarcastic, hilarious, and treated the class as if it were a college level course. By that I mean he acted more like a Professor than a High School teacher, always treating us as adults (even if we didn't always act like it). Congradulations on a successful book Mr. Scalia. Good luck with everything!

Brian Lewis

I got this book at literacy night in my school. Joseph E. Scalia was there to sign and explain the book to me. His book FREAKs was the best book i have ever read. It was so real and i almost felt like i was reading a movie. With the book Joseph gave us a postcard to send to him and tell him how we felt about his book. I cant wait to read more of Joseph E. Scalias books.

"FREAKs and PEARL are well-written books containing vivid description and interesting characters and plots. We thoroughly enjoyed reading them and believe both books would appeal to a wide audience of readers with FREAKs of particular interest to a young audience. Congratulations on a job well-done." Ralph Ferraro, Director

Joe Scalia sure knows how to spin a tale. His many years as a high school teacher undoubtedly gave him an unlimited bank of personalities. This is evident in FREAKs. If you have a child having problems adjusting to school socialization, this book is required reading. It should be read by every youngster 12-16 years. OK...so maybe I'm biased. Joe Scalia was my 9th grade English teacher. Probably one of the top two or three teachers I've ever had. Its still a great read !!

FREAKs is a glorious account of the frightful world of the middle school. It places front and center a cast of misfits - the kids that the others mock - the geeks, the nerds, the unpopular, the misshapen. What Scalia does so marvelously is he gives them what they most lack - identity, respect, and perhaps most importantly, he supplies them with allies and solidarity, This a heartwarming and very special little book.

I can't wait until her next book comes out...I've heard there's going to be another book...I hope there will be the 3rd book in the college series ended so soon...awww What happens when Todd opens his wedding present, huh? and what about Katie and Rick...She has to write another one, she just has too.

I didn't like this book as much. I own every Robin Jones Gunn book available and i was sadly disappointed with this book. I found it kind of boring. I read it really quickly and got very little out of it. I also didn't like that this thin little diary had 5 years of her life in it. It missed way too much. The only part i really liked was when she was talking about the meaning of her 'Forever' bracelet

This book is about Christy Miller, only deeper. It shows her life over five years in high school and in college. It gives a unique outlook on teen life with a Christian view. I couldn't put this book down! I would reccomend this book for all Chistians and people who are looking to be a Christian. This is a great way to start the Christy Miller series or to read along with it. JUST READ THIS BOOK! IT'S REALLY GOOD!

Hey ya'll...I think that these books are the most incredible books i have ever read. I have read all 12 of the Christy Miller Series and 1 and 2 of the College Series! I instantly Fell in Love with Todd, and I pray that the guy I marry will be just like him. He has the qualities every guy should have! I wish that my life was just like Christy's and I can't wait to read the 3rd book of the College Series! These Books have helped me in my life more ways than I can count! I love them and I can't wait to read them over! The things todd says to Christy are so sweet and caring, it makes you want to cry. I commend Robin Jones Gunn, she is an amazing writer. I like books that I can sit down in my room, and just get lost in a book. I couldn't put them down. I havne't been able to do that with a book in a long time! I encourage everyone to read these books, every one of them, and open their hearts to learn from them. God spoke to me in so many ways while i was reading the college books the most. I learned so much and my relationship with god was grown immensly. I look up to christy...and I try to be more like her each day!

Hello everyone. Robin Jones Gunn's books on Christy Miller are absolutely the best books I have ever read. When you read them, it's as if you've crawled inside the book and you're there with her everywhere she goes! Todd is such a great character, and he's the exact type I've dreamt of marrying ever since I got book 1. I cry when she cries. I laugh, and trust me, there's plenty to laugh at. I have a smile on my face during every book, and I definitely recommend every single on of them. These books are sweet and romantic, but realistic and give you a Biblical perspective on the way life should be. I have actually grown closer to God through these books. Especially the college series. Thanks, Robin! You're the best!

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!

This was my favorite volume so far. I love Haru so much he is my favorite character. I got to read more about him and I also got to read about sorry-ful Ritsu and his childhood.......I love Fruits Basket so much. This is the best manga ever written.

I love the Fruits Basket series. I love how the book is well written and the humor in it. The characters personality is perfect chosen for each character and they all fit it great! I can't wait for the next volume!

Fruits Basket book 8 is the best one so far. I've read it about 12 times. If you're a fan of Haru, you'll love this book. You also meet Ritzu in this book . it's a must buy!

Haru Sohma's personality suddenly goes black in school and he begins tearing up the classroom for no obvious reason. Yuki attempts to get the reason for these actions only to learn of some dealings with Akito that Haru has had to suffer from lately. Ritsu Sohma shows up, dressed all in a pretty kimono, this Sohma member dazzles Tohru with her good looks, and horrifies her with her inherent anxiety attacks. But the truth of Ritsu lies under the surface, and Tohru is surprised to learn it. Besides that, Ritsu is also a zodiac member, the monkey, born in 1980 I estimate. Ritsu and Tohru bond after Ritsu confesses some personality flaws to Tohru. Yuki also checks up on Haru, to see how he is doing after turning black at school.

School parent/teacher conferences are coming up, and the Sohma house is all in a panic over it. Kyo and Yuki don't know who to ask to attend, and much time is spent agonizing over what their future plans are. Tohru also breaks down a bit under the stress of all of this.

A reoccurring dream of Yuki's past puts him into a foul mood, as does a surprise visit from his brother Ayami. In an attempt to heal their broken past Ayami offers to attend the school conferences in place of Yuki and his parents.

Summer vacation begins with a trip to the haunted mansion for everyone. For Tohru this is a disturbing experience, as she is terrified of haunted houses. Haru helps her through it with some creative thinking, much to Yuki and Kyo's annoyance.

More Haru...sigh... there simply isn't enough Haru in this series I'm afraid. But fans of him will get just enough of a peek into his life to be satisfied. Ritsu is a bit annoying, but you need that to balance out the strength of all the other characters... Still in love with this series though, who isn't by this point?

This is just one of those mangas you can't help but become addicted to. The story is SO CUTE! And it's hella funny. Kyo (the girl posing as a guy) is not your normal manga style girl, she seems to be more guy-ish (espically once you get to vol.6 and up-she seems to have a perverted mind-) It was non stop laughs when I was reading this book ( I was kicked out of my school library for laughing too loud..*cough*). The art style is also very well done, the funny expressions will catch you off gaurd :p Bottom line: TRY THIS SERIES!-you won't regret it----

I'msure if you've read the other reviews, then you know what this book is about by now.

I really loved this series. It's a bit like a modern-day Mulan, only the main character was forced to do something against her will, while Mulan was completely on her own with the important decision.

Awesome for teens. Especially if you like basketball. Highly recommended!

Girl Got Game is one of my favorite manga series. I haven't read that many series, but i still like it a lot. Its about a girl who's dad loves basketball, but when he was in collage he injured himself and couldn't play nationally, so he enrolls her as a boy in a co-ed school so she can play basketball as a guy for him.
She meets a guy who she hates at first, but eventually falls in love with, and its just a really nice story of a girl who has some problems but gets over them and falls in love along the way. I like the story most because she learns to like a guy she once hated, which shows that you can fall in love with anyone, no matter who they are, and i can personally relate to that (not with a guy i hate, but a friend who was very unexpected). So yeah, i think its a great manga, probably more for girls than guys but whatever.

Power!! (Girl Got Game) is a very good shoujo series. It's about girl named Kyou Aizawa, who ends up entering a high school known for 1. their very cute uniforms, and 2. their elite basketball team. It turns out that Kyou ended up entering the school as a GUY rather than a girl (poor Kyou, she didn't get to wear the pretty uniform>_< this was all her dad's plan).
So, anyway, when Kyou started school, she met Eniwa Chiharu, who is on the team. She didn't have a very good start with getting to know him, and later, they end up being roommates in their dorms.
Kyou has to go through many difficulties to be act as a guy and not be found out. When taking a bath, she has to make sure that the coast is clear, and that no one would come in, so she takes it while everyone else is having dinner. She has to wear the boys' uniform, and so no one will become suspicious, she also straps down her chest.
This is all I'm willing to share, for those who have not read this series. Good series, and has the same cuteness as Seino-sensei's other works, such as Heaven!!, and Suki Suki Darin (those aren't released in the US yet. I read from scanalations).
If you read this series, you will find it has similarities to Hana-Kimi. Well, good reading! Ciao! (I wanted to say that, just telling you I'm not Italian or anything of that matter.)

I started reading this manga and was very happy to find yet another good manga to read. I seem to be attracted to the whole girl-acting-as-a-guy type of manga. So the story started off good. It was about a girl pretending to be a boy so she can play basketball. But as the story continued...and neared the ending...I discovered that it was becoming very dumb. The plot kinda died and people were acting in stupid ways and I'm sorry but I do not advise you to read it. It's kinda odd to right a review like this. I'm trying to explain this in the best way possible so here you go.

Beginning = GOOD. ^-^

Ending = GAHH. WTF!?!!?!? D<

I bought this book for my 12 year old daughter. She loves it and I highly recommend this book as a mom. It's good straight forward book that answers simple questions and gives no nonsense factual advice. I bought it as an ice-breaker. She can read the book and get answers to questions she's to shy to ask me but gives more knowledge than her friends can! This book is not too sexually graphic as well.

I loved it when I read it, and then my daughter loved it when she read it. Now I need to buy a copy for my neice! It helps young girls realize that they are not alone in the confusing world of adolesence!!!!

Carol Weston's savvy, witty, no-nonsense guide answers all the questions girls ask, the ones they're afraid to ask, and even the ones they don't yet know they have. But before moms pass on this book to their daughters, they should read it themselves. Armed with vital information and reassuring wisdom, it will be that much less stressful to navigate the teen world today. I only wish I knew about Girltalk when my own daughter was a teen.

All Carol's books are gems, and GIRLTALK is the crown jewel! Simplifying and illuminating everything from family issues to self-esteem to applying for college, this easy-reading, friendly, and fact-packed guide is likely to get very dog-eared as it's consulted over and over. --Catherine Dee, author of THE GIRLS' GUIDE TO LIFE and THE GIRLS' BOOK OF WISDOM.

This is one of those books that can absolutely change a girl's life. Girltalk can help a girl make smart decisions and feel good about who she is. It covers really complicated subjects in such a friendly comfortable way, that it's just amazing. I'll be giving my daughters copies because both my nieces are huge fans of this book and of the author's advice column in GL magazine.

I can't help it I just love those gundam boys....though this was a little confusing... i got it in time....

Every Anime fan who wonders what happened to the characters before the series when it isn't completely covered, want a book or movie that explains it all to sate that thirst for more information. Every single book lover has that too. And this is that book for Gundam fans who have seen the series and want that tiny bit of information left out of the original series.

In this book, the childhood tales of all the main characters: The five Gundam Pilots and Relena plus many more. As the deaths of the comrades and friends of the pilots bring them to grief, it brings them closer to being the deadly people who have virtually nothing to loose, and that makes them even more dangerous.
This book is what really shapes the series, besides the movie "Endless Waltz," which I highly reccommend, and it gives the human side of the characters who are slightly vague in the series. The series was excellent and this completes the story.
Two Thumbs up!

This book is the only Official Manga of Gundam Wing. It was not incorporated into the episodes so it was made in a manga format.
It answers all of your questions about the 49 episodes and Endless Waltz. The price is good so its a good buy.

this book is good for any fan(like me). it tells the tale of all the gundam boys' pasts. the only problem is that its got Relena's story and i dont give a damn about her. plus it leaves you with this story that takes place after End Walts but all in all it's a good book but buy End Walts with it couse this leaves out some stuff.

This is an awsome manga! When I first started to read this, I thought,"Okay, so another great manga to read!" but I was far off from what should have been said. It's more than great! I really can't describe it in actual words... The eyes, among the other various places hard to draw on the face in manga style, are incredibly detailed. The artist took a lot of time making things just perfect, and it really shows. The emotion of Mobile Suit Fighter GUNDAM Wing: Episode Zero is unbelievable, and the bishounen (Pretty Boys, you know, what girls consider sexy) will keep even girls reading. There are a bunch of different stories in this book, explaining Duo Maxwell, Hiro Yui, Trowa Barton, and others pasts up to the beginning of GUNDAM Wing. If you like GUNDAM Wing, or any of the GUNDAM series (or just great art), pick up this book; it's worth a read or two!!!

Great book for early teens, even pre-teens. Kids at risk identify with the main charactor, love the animals, wish for someone like the old man to be there for them.

Imagine having a mother who doesn't seem to know you exist. Unless she needs money or someone to take her frustrations out on. Imagine having a father who hasn't had contact with you in two years, even though he lives only a couple of hours away. A father who kept taking you back to an abusive mother until he became too busy to even come see you at all.

Sean just plain doesn't care anymore. So he's been suspended yet again for fighting - big deal. It'll be just another vacation. That is, until he's assigned community service at a local ranch. Starting immediately.

Mr. Hassler, the old geezer ranch owner, puts Sean to work cleaning out stalls, spreading manure, and unloading feed. Things change when he helps deliver a colt that imprints Sean, instead of its mother. Their bond helps him explore his tangle of emotions about his parents and Mr. Hassler.

HERO is a heartwarming story about a young man in search of someone to love and respect, including himself. Rottman leaves the reader wanting more as Sean faces a new future with his dad and the ranch.

Reviewed by: Cana Rensberger

Now here's a book that clearly defines the meaning of "hero". Rottman's books always have a good message for us. They often deal with mature subjects, drugs and alcohol, but never glorified. His books are great for mature readers. A clear look into what life is like for many young adults today.

S.L. Rottman reveals young children's lives by covering child abuse and abandonment that has been affecting our world for centuries. Sean copes with his parent's divorce he also has to face his alcoholic mother abusing him. On top of that Sean tangles with the law. He gets sent to a horse ranch were he meets a man named Mr. Hassler who tries to give Sean some Moral support. Sean faces the fact that there are good people in the world that he can call his hero.
Rottman has written a fantastic book that many people should read. Hero has a remarkable plot to the story. For example it shows a young boy trying to overcome all the obstacles in his life. This book keeps the reader thinking through the whole story. S.L. Rottman gives readers a chance to see what problems young children face every day.

I think this is a good book. I like all the characters and I like how this book is setup. This book is good for all ages. Good classroom book for teachers. I read this book in my reading class. I got into the book really fast and I couldn't put the book down. My favorite character in this book was Sean. He was a nice kid inside and it shows you in the book. At first he seemed like a trouble maker and later he shows you the real him. With a farmers help (Mr. Hassler). I really don't read books. It's not my thing but when I read this one it had me going for another one.