Tag Archives: teen book reviews

Teen Book Review: The Princess Bride

September 26, 2012
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The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Review by Fallon D., Northwest Branch

Buttercup, one of the most beautiful women in the world, lives on a farm; her joys riding her horse and taunting the farm boy that works there. When an unexpected visit of the count and countess arrive, she realizes she loves the farm boy.  She professes her love, and he goes to America to seek his fortune so they can eventually marry.  Soon, she finds out that he has killed by the Dread Pirate Roberts.  Devastated and not caring about her life anymore, she agrees to marry Prince Humperdink, but the adventure doesn't stop there.

Loving the movie since I saw it  years ago, I wasn't disappointed. The movie was very close to the book, only leaving out minor scenes.  The book was really well written and has humor, though not maybe as much as the movie.The characters were very interesting and likeable, and the storyline was great. If you liked the movie I would definitely recommend this to you, but even if you haven't its a great book.

Teen Book Review: The Summer Before Boys

September 11, 2012
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The Summer Before Boys by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Review by Anna, Sonoma Valley Branch

The Summer Before Boys by Nora Raleigh Baskin is an… all right book. It’s about two girls, Eliza and Julia. Eliza’s mom is currently away to be an army nurse, something Eliza struggles with constantly. As a result, Eliza is staying with Julia for the whole summer. But their friendship will be tested once Eliza starts thinking about a local boy, Michael. It’s a tale of growing up and dealing with hard things, a book about an ordinary girl who makes a few mistakes in the summer of 2004.

I didn’t particularly like this book. I’ve always held the belief that if you’re going to spend your free time reading a book, that book should transport you to somewhere exciting and adventurous. In The Summer Before Boys you read about Eliza’s not very exciting life, and her minuscule dilemmas that are huge to her. However, it did get more interesting about halfway through the book, but even so, it did not make it into my favorites. I would recommend this book to kids with parents or loved ones in the army, because I think this novel would be good for learning how to deal with that.

Teen Book Review

September 5, 2012
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Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Review by Fallon, Northwest Branch

When 18-year-old Sophie's father dies, she stays at the family hat shop while her sisters move out of the house to seek their fortunes.  Convinced that she is going to go nowhere in life from being the eldest, Sophie is soon bored.  But when the infamous Witch of the Waste comes in to buy a hat and feels dissatisfied, she turns Sophie into an old lady.  Now Sophie must enter the dreaded Wizard Howl's Castle, who is known to eat the hearts of beautiful girls.

Why I Picked it up: I loved the movie of the same name directed by Hayao Miyazaki. When I found out it was a book, I had to read it!  Although it is much different from the book, I also recommend the movie.

Why I finished it:  The storyline was varied a lot from the book, but was still very intriguing and had interesting characters, although I still do not understand Howl.  But be warned that the author does a lot of foreshadowing and to pay attention to minor details.
I'd recommend it to: People who like fantasy, but it is not a typical fantasy.  It is funny in the dry British sort of way, if you know what I mean.  However, if you don't like English authors I would not recommend it to you.

Teen Book Review: Ship Breaker

August 10, 2012
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Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Reviewed by Fallon D., Northwest Library

In a dystopian future, many people are forced into tearing apart ships just to scrape by, and so is teenage Nailer.  He leads a tough life, working hard and dealing with his abusive father, but at least he has a job and can eat.  When a "city killer" storm sweeps through his town and leaves many dead, it also washes a valuable ship ashore. When Nailer and a friend find the ship, they begin plundering it for its wealth, they find a survivor, a beautiful rich girl.  Now Nailer is burdened with decision that could change his life: rescue the "swank" or make profit on the treasure trove from the ship.

This book was really good! It was suspenseful, although it was sometimes predictable and the author kind of hit you over the head with social commentary.  With all the dystopian novels coming out right now, it is hard to choose which ones to read, but this is one of the best ones I have read so far. Nailer's adventure is unforgettable; this is a book you will think about long after you've finished.  

Teen Book Review: The High King

August 5, 2012
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The High King by Lloyd Alexander

Review by Fallon D, Northwest Branch

Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper has come a long way since the beginning of the Prydain Chronicles.  After arriving home at Caer Dallben, Taran is at peace…but only for a little while.  Soon, a couple of old friends come bringing devastating news: the powerful sword of Dyrnwyn has been stolen by none other than Arwn, the Death Lord of Annuvin.  Prince Gwydion, the war leader of Prydain, must now journey to take back the sword.  But after only a little while the adventure turns into to something that concerns everyone in Prydain, with Taran and his companions playing a large and dangerous part in.
Being the fifth and final book of the Prydain Chronicles, which stated with The Book of Three, The High King is definitely the best!  This novel was noticeably darker than the earlier books, and the storyline was more complicated and interesting.  "You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend." is a great quote by Paul Sweeney, and that was exactly how I felt when i finished this book! It made me really sad to think of the decisions that Taran made and the knowledge that the Prydain Chronicles are over. Fantasy fans will love this series and its characters.

Teen Book Review: Wither

August 3, 2012
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Wither  by Lauren DeStefano

​Reviewed by Fallon D., Northwest Library

Because of modern science, 16-year-old Rhine now has four years left to live.  Males live to 25 years and females to 20.  Beautiful teenage girls are whisked away to marry rich land owners in order to keep the human race from dying out, and Rhine is one of them.  Even though her new life is paradise from her rough life in Manhattan, Rhine has only one idea on her mind: escape.

Why I picked it up: One of my friends recommended it to me, and I was unsure about it , but when I saw it was on YALSA's Teens' Top Ten, I decided to read it.

Why I finished it: Even though I did not think this book was good, I wanted to know if Rhine escaped.  I thought the book was going to be more about her escape, when it was more romance (of course, I hate romance).

I'd recommend it to:  Although I did not enjoy this book, I can definitely see other people loving this book, especially if you like books where the world is falling apart.   

Teen Book Review: My Brother Sam Is Dead

July 27, 2012
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My Brother Sam is Dead  by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

​Reviewed by Fallon D., Northwest Library

Sam Meeker is just 16-years-old when the Revolutionary War breaks out.  He leaves his college life at Yale to become a rebel soldier against his family's wish.  The rest of the Meeker family lives in Redding, a Tory town where they run a tavern.  Tim, at just a few years younger than Sam, tells the story of his and his family's struggles with the effects of the war and his undecided opinions on the war.

This book was really interesting. I have read a couple books on the Revolutionary War, but this one really illustrated that the Revolutionary War, just like any war, is not just two sided; the good guys and the bad guys.  Naturally, because we are Americans, we think that the rebels had a just cause and did good things.  But both sides stole from honest people, and all sorts of horrible things like tarring and feathering people. 

I think everyone should read this book because it shows how war is more than what we think it is. 

Teen Book Review: The Monstrumologist

July 23, 2012
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The Monstrumologist, by Rick Yancey

Reviewed by Fallon D., Northwest Library

     12-year-old Will Henry is apprenticed to Dr.Warthrop, a scientist of Monstrumology; the study of monsters and hunting them.  Will chronicles his experience when a stranger in the night comes bringing their scariest discovery yet: a dead Anthropophagi in the midst of a eating a teenage girl.  This discovery catapults Will Henry and the Doctor into a dangerous hunt for the carnivorous beasts, and the horrifying truth of how they came and bred in their small town.

Why I picked it up: I don't usually read horror novels because of the lack of good storyline, but this one was a Printz Honor book and seemed interesting.

Why I finished it: It was surprisingly well written!! I had to find out if Will Henry and the Doctor were going to survive.  The only problem I had was that it was all about men and boys and I would have liked to see some girls in there.

I'd recommend it to: Anyone who likes fiction, even if you don't like horror, although it is very gory.

Teen Book Review: Monster

July 13, 2012
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Monster by Walter Dean Meyers

Review by Fallen D., Northwest Branch

16-year-old African American Steve Harmon is on trial for murder of a drug store owner.  The other suspect, James King, is a "thug" Steve knows from from his neighborhood in Harlem, New York who asks Steve to check the drug store for cops. Steve is accused of doing this so King and another man can rob the store.  He records the trial as a movie that he feels left out of and chronicles his tough life in jail, surrounded by criminals.
This book was not what I expected it to be.  From the description, I thought it would be just Steve describing his life in jail, how he got there, and a little about the trial.  But mostly it was his movie of the trail and he sometimes talked about jail.  It was little bit hard to follow in parts because of the format, but the book turned out to be okay in the end.  Maybe the form it was written in threw me off, or because I was expecting something different.  I usually don't read books about crime, but the book was highly acclaimed and if you like books about crime, you will probably like this book.

Teen Book Review: Taran Wanderer

July 10, 2012
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 Taran Wanderer   Taran Wanderer, by Lloyd Alexander 

 

Review by Fallon D.,  Northwest Library

            Taran Wanderer is the fourth book in the Prydain Chronicles, a series inspired by Welsh myths.  With Princess Eilonwy on the Isle of Mona to become a lady, Taran dreams of marrying her.  But he feels he should learn his parentage first and sets out with his companion Gurgi.  At first, the journey seems straightforward, going to the magical Mirror of Llunet.  But on the way, they run into rivaling lords,wizards,old friends,bands of unfriendly warriors, and various craftsman.
            This book was not as good as the preceding novels, but it was still a great book!  This novel is more of a coming of age book than the other ones in the series, and the agenda of the characters is not as urgent, and that's why it was not my favorite.  But I love medieval-style adventure books, and that is just what this book and series is.  You may not be a fan if you don't like authors that can be a bit wordy, but if you enjoy books like Christopher Paolini's Inheritance, the Prydain Chronicles are worth reading!