The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart

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Ruby is seeing a shrink to deal with the panic attacks that she has been having.  (Five in one week is really too many.)  After Ruby starts explaining that she lost her boyfriend and all of her friends and became a social leper her doctor suggests that she make a list of all of her boyfriends, even if she thinks they don’t count.  She uses the list to tell the story.

This book is fantastic!  It really nails the pettiness and randomness of friendships in middle and high school.  It shows how one mistake, even something small, can change your whole world.  The characters are realistic, not over the top, and the situations are believable for the age group. There is no one “mean girl” that ruins the main character’s life.  She makes bad choices, and some other characters make bad choices.  That does not make them “bad people”.  (I would recommend this book to high school age girls that like realistic fiction.)

The List by Siobhan Vivian

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It is a tradition at Mount Washington High School for a list of the four prettiest girls and the four ugliest girls to be produced just before Homecoming.  One girl is chosen from each grade.  This book tells the story from the perspective of all eight girls.

I enjoyed reading the book, including the twist ending.  It’s interesting to see how the list affects the girls positively and negatively.  The girls most hurt by the list are not the ones that you would think.  The book is both realistic and eye opening.  It’s more serious and fun then I thought it would be when I picked it up, but I really liked the book.

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

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After Liz is hit by a taxi she wakes up on a giant ship bound for Elsewhere.   She is not alive but she’s not completely dead either.  Death is a part of life, so her life goes on in Elsewhere.  Here she must learn how to complete her journey and find a way to “live” what remains of her life. 

This story is interesting because Elsewhere is like Earth, but also different from Earth.  Everyone who dies goes to Elsewhere and ages backwards until they become babies again and are sent back to earth to be reborn.  The process of aging backwards is really interesting and the story makes some interesting points about life without hitting you over the head with it.  I would recommend this book for teen readers, 8^th grade and up, who are looking for a little something different to read. 

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

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This book is about a high school guy, Greg, and his only friend, Earl. In order to stay hidden from everyone and have some fun they make truly awful movies. It doesn’t matter that the films are abysmal because no one knows them and no one will ever see the movies. When Greg’s mom makes him become friends with a girl (dying of cancer, but it is not as horrible as it sounds) he starts to make a movie that does not stink, and he plans on showing it.


This is a really hysterically funny book that a lot of guys would enjoy reading. I laughed a lot, in public, while reading this book. I would recommend this to older teen readers looking for realistic fiction with plenty of humor.

After by Amy Efaw

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Devon is a star soccer player and a straight A student. Her life is going great until she has a baby and dumps it in a trash can. After her arrest everyone, including Devon herself, tries to figure out why she did what she did.

The book was interesting. Devon is not a monster, but she did something monstrous. While reading it I found myself becoming frustrated with her, just like other characters in the book. She does nothing to help her own defense, and she seems to not really know what is going on for most of the book. I like the story, but I wished it didn’t take so long to get to the meat of the story. The author only gives little details at a time. I almost gave up on the story, but I wanted to know what would happen to Devon. I would recommend this book to an older teen girl who likes dramatic realistic fiction.

The Dead Winter by Chris Priestley

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Set in the Victorian England we meet Michael on the worst day of his life; his mother’s funeral. After the service he is told that he has a benefactor and he must move far into the country for Christmas at his benefactor’s county estate. As soon as he arrives he starts to hear and see strange and unusual things. The house and those in it are hiding some great secret that threatens to destroy them all.

This is a horror story with an ending that I saw coming about half way through. I found it predictable, but I really like the characters and the pace of the story. I also liked the ending, which takes place many years in the future. I think a lot of teen guys would like the story. Overall it is a good ghost story without too much gore.

Addie on the Inside by James Howe

 

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From the outside Addie is an outspoken know it all.  She cares about the environment, human rights, and preventing animal cruelty.  On the inside she cares about those things, but she is aware of just how much she doesn't know.  This book is told in verse, poems from Addies perspective, about what's going on in her life as a 7th grader in Paintbrush Falls Middle School.  She deals with friends, bullies, gossip, and her very popular boyfriend.

This is a companion novel to "The Misfits" and "Totally Joe".  This time we get to tread the book from Addie's perspective.  I was surprised when I opened the book at it was in verse.  I didn't expect it, but I loved it.  The poems are in various styles, but the voice rings true for a 13 year old girl in middle school.  Howe deals with some difficult topics in the book, and he faces the subjects head on, while managing to keep it age appropriate for a 7th grade reader.  This is a great book and I recommend it for everyone.  

                                                                                                               Read the other books  in the Misfits Universe.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

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Andi is devastated by the death of her little brother and the end of her parent’s marriage. She blames herself for a lot of what happens and she tries to save her mom from a deep depression while attempting to hide from her own dark feelings of desperation and sorrow. Andi is a wealthy girl who goes to an elite school. When situations start to get out of control at home her father takes her on a business trip to Paris. He thinks she will work on her senior paper and get away from the things that are troubling her. What she finds in Paris is the diary of a girl her own age. The girl lived during the French revolution and was nanny to the last heir to the throne. In alternating stories we hear the events of both girls’ lives as they deal with two separate but oddly similar tragedies.


I usually don’t read said or realistic fiction. I like zombies and ninjas thank you very much, but this book blew me away. The pain is so realistic and not at all gratuitous. Donnelly tells the story so well that you can smell the gun powder from the fireworks, and feel the chill of a New York City night. I recommend this for anyone who likes realistic fiction, historical fiction, or stories about the intricacies of families. If you’ve never read YA fiction this book would be a good place to start. I also recommend Donnelly’s other book, A Northern Light.

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Amelia O'Donohue is So Not a Virgin by Helen Fitzgerald

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Rachel is the girl in town who everyone tells their secrets to, because it’s guaranteed that she will never tell the secret. After she gets in trouble at a town dance, her parents send her to the pricy private boarding school that she really wants to go to. It seems like all of her dreams will come true. She will graduate at the top of her class, get into medical school, and live happily ever after. Things are going well, until her friends start trash talking about her and she uncovers a secret that is too big to keep.


The book was not what I expected. The back cover and the title make it seem like the book is about Amelia, but it’s not. She is in the story, but the real story is Rachel. We see the world through Rachel’s eyes, so much so that we don’t see everything clearly. The story was a surprise and I’m glad that I read it. It’s told from a unique prospective. I would recommend this to older teen readers because of some sexual content (nothing explicit just a little more information than some tweens are ready for), and the maturity level of the characters and situations. (9th grade and up).

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

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Mia is a beautiful and talented girl. She has a great family, wonderful friends, and a boyfriend who she loves. Everything is going great until an accident puts her somewhere between life and death. Now the only thing left for her to do is decide if she will stay or die.


I usually don't like sad stories, but I loved this. Even with all of the tragedy and drama the book is full of hope. The characters all read true, and the story is believable. There's no white light or flashes of what like might be after death. You get to see what Mia sees and hears while she’s in the hospital bed. You get to live her memories and you get to understand the decision she makes. It’s an amazing story I would recommend to readers 14 and up. Mia is a character who is almost eighteen and she is dealing with life decisions that I think might be hard for younger readers to understand. The romance is not explicit but is more mature than younger readers might be ready for. An excellent book!

The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee

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In 1853 London, Mary is an orphan who is sentenced to be hanged for stealing. She is soon rescued and offered a place in a home for girls. She attends school and becomes a young lady. When she turns seventeen she is no longer satisfied with the life of a school teacher. She wants something more, so she talks to the headmistress of the school and is let in on a secret. The school is a front for an all-female agency that investigates crimes. Mary is soon the newest agent and gets her first assignment. She must find out information about a merchant by posing as a ladies companion to his daughter.


This was not the book for me. I’m not much of a historical fiction reader, and I like books with stories that unfold a little faster than this. That said the book is well written, and historically accurate. The manners, actions, and crimes are realistic for the time period. Mary is a strong and intelligent female character with a quick wit and the ability to fight. I would recommend this book to girls who like historical fiction.

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon

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Nick is a street wise teen, who goes to a a fancy private school his single mom can't afford.  When he gets involved in a mugging, and a mysterious stranger rescues him, Nick is caught up i a strange adventure.  He has to save himself, friends, his future, his mom, and all this while battling an angry swarm of zombies.

This is the first in a series called the Chronicles of Nick.  We find out about who he is and a little about his future.  I liked the story and the idea that future Nick is trying to help past Nick.  Percy Jackson fans will like the story because it features a greek goddess, and because it is a multilayered story featuring a regular kid forced into a series of unusual and dangerous events.  I would recommend this to teen guys who enjoy adventure and zombie stories.

Crave by Laura J. Burns & Melinda Metz

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Shay is the Sick Girl. She can’t do anything that her friends can do. She can barely make it through a whole week of school before she needs another blood transfusion. She was born sick and it continues to get worse. When her stepfather adds something to her transfusion, she starts feeling stronger and more willful. She loves the new transfusions because she is stronger, but also because she starts having visions of Gabriel. She sees his life and she wants more. What is in the new blood transfusions and who is Gabriel? When Shay starts looking for answers she never expects what she finds.


This was a fun read. I knocked it out in one day and I liked it. There is a little romance, some teen angst, and a very interesting take on an old story. Twilight fans will like this book. (It’s better written than Twilight but just as readable.) This first book has set up a squeal that I’m sure we will be seeing soon. I recommend this to anyone who liked Twilight and to anyone who likes supernatural romances. There is some drug use, drinking, and sex so it’s not for everyone, but it’s a good and compelling read that kept me up past my bedtime to get to the end of the story.

Nobel Genes by Rune Michaels

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The boy spends his life taking care of his manic depressive mom.  He can’t tell anyone about it, because they might take him away from her and she can’t live without him.  She has always told him that his father is a Nobel prize winner, but when new facts are revealed he starts to question who he is and everything that he knows.  

The boy, who’s name we never learn, narrates the story.  We learn about his mothers "episodes", and how hard it is to live up to Nobel genes.  The story is intense and heartfelt.  I recommend this book to readers who like to take a look into the human condition.  Michaels is also the author of Genesis Alpha; a must read for fans of thrillers. 

Ask Amy Green: Boy Trouble by Sarah Webb

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Set in Ireland this is the story of how Amy is dealing with her parents divorce, her changing friendships, and her own crazy lack of love life.  When her sixteen year old aunt becomes the advise columnist for a popular teen magazine she get Amy to help her get revenge on heartbreaking boys and mean girls.  All of the fun and excitement make for an interesting read and an good backdrop to the real story; the family drama of dealing with a divorce and step parents.  

The book was a fun read.  I liked the clever way that the Amy and her Aunt Clover deal with the crazy situations they find themselves in and how they help people through the advise column.   My only complaint about the book is the enormous amount of Irish slang.  It was a little distracting, but there is a glossary of slang in the back of the book.  Once I got used to the new slang the book was incredibly readable.  I recommend this book to girls who like realistic fiction and romance.  The main character is thirteen and the content is appropriate for teens 12 and up.  

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia Margaret Stohl

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Finally a supernatural romance from the guys point of view.  Ethan is the smart son of two professors,  He lives in the same small town that his family has live in since before the Civil War.  (Also known as the War of Northern Aggression if you are from some places in the south.)  Lena is “The New Girl”.  She has moved into the haunted plantation house of her recluse uncle.  When the two meet and start to form a friendship, things go from weird to worse.  They both discover things that neither thought were possible.

The book grabs you with the idea of a town that no one leaves and holds onto you with the story of why.  Not everything is as it seems in a small town and not everyone is who they appear to be.  The story held my interest the whole way through and the romance was not too overwhelmingly mushy.  A good read!  I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good gothic, supernatural mystery or romance.

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

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Bronwen is a rich girl in a rich town and she is convinced that she was switched at birth.  Her mother is polite, blonde, and focused on being perfect.  Bronwen is brunette,  likes reporting, and hates that her family never talks.  

The story starts with a prom night break up between Bronwen and her boyfriend Chad.  She meets Jared soon after that and they have a romance that really is True Love.  When he proposes it could be the start of a whole new life, with the family she always wanted.  Is it possible for all of your dreams to come true at age 18?  

I read this book in one night.  I loved the story and Bronwen’s sarcastic voice as she tells the story.  This would be a great mother daughter book club book because of the strained relationship between Bronwen and her mom.  If yo have ever had to make a decision about your future you will love this book.  It’s also a good read for girls who don’t understand what they might be giving up by being a couple.  This is a well written and insightful book, without preaching to the reader.   

The Hand You’re Dealt by Paul Volponi

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          When Huck’s dad dies his world crumbles. His mom is working crazy hours as a waitress to try to pay the bills. Huck is working weekends and going to school. His best friend is too busy being popular to care, and the girl he likes is acting standoffish. He is lost and doesn’t know what to do. His father was the best poker player in town and he always won the local poker tournament. Now Mr. Abbott, his math teacher, claims he is the best. He tortures all of the students; plays head games and makes Huck’s life hell. Huck risks everything to secretly enter the tournament in order to beat the Mr. Abbott who stole something from his dad on his deathbed, and reclaim something of the life he used to have.

          I read this book in one sitting. It starts with a gun being pointed at Huck and ends…Well I’m not going to give that away. It was exciting, heartbreaking and easy to read. The story goes back and forth between the tournament and things that Huck and his dad did together. I loved it.

The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea M Campbell

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          Damien is the son of a supervillian.  When he turns 16 he should see a V on his thumb confirming that he will be a supervillain too.  He should be going to high school for villainy and dating a supervillian girl.  Things don’t go as planned and Damien might have some superhero blood in his family tree.  With his destiny not as clear as he thought Damien finds himself torn between the way he was raised and doing what’s right.  

          This was an interesting book.  With the action, talk about girls, and guy humor this is definitely a guys book.  A lot of guys will relate to Damien, because even though he wants to be a supervillian, he is just a regular guy.  He is scared of heights, loves his ex-girlfriend who cheated on him, and he is not great at school.  I enjoyed reading the book and some parts were incredibly funny.  Even with the superheroes it is a realistic read.  I give this book a 3 out of 5.  It was worth reading but if you are interested in a superhero teen book I would read Dull Boy by Sarah Cross or Killer Pizza by Greg Taylor.

Unfamiliar Magic by R.C. Alexander

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          Desi is a 13 year old witch. Her mom is a witch and she’s never met her dad. She and her mom live in the regular world. She has to go to regular school, brush her teeth, and make her bed. Her mother doesn’t want her doing much magic and is incredibly overprotective. She’s always afraid that people will find out they are witches but there is something else; something her mom isn’t telling her. They move from town to town every year and Desi doesn’t know why. She’s spent her entire life on the run, but when her mom disappears and leaves her cat (now turned into a human teenager) in charge her whole world is turned upside down.


          WOW!! This book is awesome. The book is well written and will appeal to teen girls. The main character is 13 and she is just starting to come into magic. The real appeal in the story is the relationships. The mother / daughter relationship is one that most girls and women can understand and relate to. Mom wants her daughter to be safe; daughter thinks she’s old enough to do what she wants. They both need each other and love each other fiercely. The Relationship between the cat and Desi is amazing. There is so much comedy as the cat learns to act like a human girl. (The cat parts are laugh our loud funny.) There is a little romance between two of the characters, but nothing that would make you blush. One little kiss. Overall this is one of the best chic lit books that I have read in a while.