Luminescence by Who Mee

This is an interesting review to write.  The author is 16 and requested that we review her book.  I'll be honest:  I didn't have high expectations for the book.  My mistake!  This one had me hooked by Page 10 and the character development was amazing.  The main character's relationship with her band-of-misfits friends reminded me of Wendy and The Lost Boys in Peter Pan (my favorite book).  The author has done a great job at weaving together life in the Caribbean, drug smuggling, zombies, voodoo, and teen angst.


Title:  Luminescence
Author:  Who Mee
Pages: Available only as an eBook (the PDF form is 213 pages)
Publisher:  Smashwords
ISBN:  9781301861187
Publication Date:  June 7, 2013
AR Levels: N/A
Goodreads link:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18078102-luminescence

In a nutshell:  Nyx is a teenage girl who moves with her family to the Caribbean.  There, she meets a group of boys who are pretty much raising themselves.  Tourists on the island are disappearing and the boys know the secret and have been secretly fighting the forces behind it.  Additionally, Nyx learns about the history her family has with this island and how what happened in the past is affecting her future.  Can she help the boys stop what's happening? Or will she even survive the evil that jeopardizes her, her family, and her friends?

I'd recommend it for grades:  7th and up.  Mild language and violence

I'd recommend it to:  Anyone who loves a good adventure.  If you're a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Indiana Jones, Peter Pan, or any others like these, this book is for you!!

What I like most about this book:  The character development was wonderful!  I actually cared about these characters and knew their stories.

Single favorite moment (Without getting spoiler-y):  At one point, the boys are in a prank war and one character references Peter Pan, referring to not growing up.  I'm a sucker for a well-placed reference to my favorite book.

Star rating (Where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious):  4 stars; If I could give 4 1/2 stars, I would!  

Period.8 by Chris Crutcher

Sorry for the delay in posting this; I actually finished it last week.  I can't lie--I saw this one in a bookstore and was intrigued by the cover.  It was a pretty good book, but it seemed disjointed at times.  It starts out angsty, gets mysterious in the middle, and then turns into a James Patterson novel by the end.

Title:  Period.8

Author:  Chris Crutcher

Pages:  320 pages

Publisher:  Harper Collins

ISBN:  9780061914805

Publication Date:  March 26, 2013 

AR Levels: Book Level-- 4.2; Interest Level-- 9-12; Points-- 7.0

Goodreads Link:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15789615-period-8

In a nutshell:  Paul Baum is a swimmer (like many of Crutcher's protagonists).  The story opens with Paul revealing to his girlfriend that he cheated on her.  Their relationship deteriorates quickly and she wants revenge.  Period.8 is a lunch club run by one of their teachers where students can go and share things in a safe environment.  Through the course of the book, all of the Period.8 members become entangled in activities that can best be described as as mysterious and shady.  Bad things are happening and one of their own might be causing it all.

I'd recommend it for grades:  10-12+.  Language and "romantic" content

I'd recommend it to:  Anyone who likes a good book that combines teen angst and suspense

What I liked most about this book:  I liked that it wasn't sappy or cheesy.  The conversations seemed authentic and could actually be said by teenagers.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y):  Mr. Logs is the teacher in charge of Period.8.  During one conversation with a student, he references Ferris Bueller AND quotes a very colorful former Louisiana governor.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars

Out of The Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Title: Out of The Easy
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Pages: 346
Publisher: Philomel Books
ISBN: 9780399256929
Publication Date: February 12, 2013
AR Levels: Book Level: 4.0; Interest Level: 9th to 12th; Points: 11.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11178225-out-of-the-easy

In a nutshell: On the outside, Josie Moraine appears to be a normal, bright high schooler with a promising future. Josie works at a bookshop in 1950 in New Orleans, and she's saving up to go to college. However, there's more to Josie than meets the eye. She's the daughter of a prostitute and also works part-time cleaning up the brothel her mother lives in. As hard as Josie tries to leave The Big Easy, the more her family secret drags her back. Just when Josie thinks her big break has finally come, tragedy strikes, and her mother is wanted for murder, and like it or not, Josie is pulled into the dark underbelly of the French Quarter once again.

I'd recommend it for grades: 10 and up (for language and subject matter)

I'd recommend it to: Louisianians, murder mystery fans, students who can empathize with Josie's tough family life

What I liked most about this book: Josie is a kick-butt heroine. She's cool, calm, and collected no matter what stressful situation she's put in, and she's incredibly strong considering how quickly she had to grow up. She's definitely a great role model for teens. Personally, I also loved the setting. 1950's New Orleans plays out as equally beautiful and despicable. You see both sides of the tracks from the poorest to the richest as the plot unfolds. It made me miss Louisiana something awful. :) And the COVER! Oh, the cover! Gorgeous.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): Josie and Patrick, the bookshop owner, like to play a couple of games that are pretty funny. In one, they ask each other which literary character they'd prefer to marry, and in another, they use hand signals to try to predict what genre of book a customer will buy when they walk in. It provides some much needed comic relief for the book.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars

Colin Fischer by Ashley Edward Miller & Zack Stentz

Okay, It's been a while since I've posted a review, but I'm back.  This book was funny, especially since I have some students who could easily be the title character.  


Title:  Colin Fischer
Author(s):  Ashley Edward Miller & Zack Stentz
Pages:  256
Publisher:  Razorbill
ISBN:  9781595145789
Publication Date:  November 1, 2012
AR Levels:  Interest Level-- 9-12 ; Book Level-- 6.3 ; Points-- 8.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13589178-colin-fischer


In a nutshell:  Colin Fischer, the title character, is a precocious high school student who has Asperger's Syndrome--a disorder that causes problems with communication and social interaction.  He loves investigating things and keeps a journal of his observations and questions.  One day while he and other students are in the school cafeteria, a gun fires and a student is charged.  Colin, however, doesn't agree and sets out to prove the police and the principal wrong--in his own way.

I'd recommend it for grades:  7th-12th +; The book is really funny, but it does have the occasional curse word.  I'm well beyond those grades, and it made me laugh!

I'd recommend it to: Anyone who's ever been called awkward; Anyone who loves a good mystery; Anyone who loves crime scene dramas but is tired of CSI.

What I liked most about this book:  It didn't get technical with the investigation, but instead focused on the random thoughts of Colin.  There's not a whole lot I didn't like about this one.

Single-favorite moment:  Colin talks to his principal like he would talk to a peer.  He's "respectful" but he acts like they are working together.  In one part of the book, Colin takes over the investigation and bosses the principal around.  The principal's reaction made me laugh because she didn't know what to think.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious):  4 stars.  A great read with wit and a lot of heart.

The Diviners by Libba Bray

Title: The Diviners
Author: Libba Bray
Pages: 592
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780316126113
Publication Date: September 18, 2012
AR Levels: Interest Level: 9th-12th grades; Book Level: 4.8; Points: 23.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7728889-the-diviners

In a nutshell: When her parents insist she leave her dull hometown and live with her Uncle Will in New York City until the drama dies down from her latest embarrassing act, flapper Evie O'Neill is beyond thrilled. Nevermind the fact that her uncle is the curator for a creepy museum of all things occult and paranormal; she's living the high life - befriending a Ziegfield girl, getting caught in speakeasies, and showing off her unique gift for divination. But something evil is brewing in Manhattan, and it goes by the name of Naughty John. Before she knows it, Evie is swept up in a string of occult murder investigations, and she might be the only one who can stop them.

I'd recommend it for grades: 10 and up (The murders are grisly, and there's some strong language too.) *Adults will love this book too!

I'd recommend it to: anyone who likes books set in the 20s or enjoys a dose of the paranormal with their murder mysteries

What I liked most about this book: The characters in this book are incredible. Evie is clever and hilarious and yet definitely flawed too. Plus, she wears AMAZING clothes. Some of my favorite parts in the book are the descriptions of the clothes. ;) Don't let that fool you though! This is not a girly book! The guys in the book are wonderful too. There's a handsome and flirty pickpocket, a brooding and intelligent museum assistant, and a jazz-loving, older-brother-type bookie. Their various stories weave in and out seamlessly, and by the end you just love them all! Even the minor characters make a huge impact whether they're spread throughout the book or only in one chapter. You connect with each character right away.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): The scene where Evie and her friends visit a speakeasy that gets raided has such a chaotic Keystone Cops feel. The language and description are so vivid that you feel you should be running for cover too! I was so transported that I could see that bar in my head. Fabulous writing!

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars!

He Reads Her Pick: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Sorry for the delay in writing this review.  I've been reading this one at school with my students during our silent reading period.  Stefanie recommended that I read this one, and I was hooked just after reading the back cover! It's about a year old, but it just came out in paperback.

Title: The Name of the Star

Author:  Maureen Johnson

Pages: 372

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

ISBN:  9780399256608

Publication Date: September 29, 2011

AR Levels: Interest Level--6th+; Book Level--4.9; Points--14

Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9802372-the-name-of-the-star

In a nutshell:  Rory Devaux is a Louisiana teenager who moves to London to attend a boarding school near the college where her parents will be teaching.  Shortly after arriving, things get interesting when a series of gruesome murders  appear to be a copy of the Jack the Ripper murders from the 1800s.  Londoners become hysterical with Rippermania, but Rory knows a little more about what's going on because she's seen the suspected murderer.  The strange part is that she's the only person who's seen him, and now he's coming for her.

I'd recommend it for grades: 7th-12th +.  This is a great book and a great start to the series!

I'd recommend it to: Anyone with an interest in England and British history and anyone with a love for a good crime thriller.

What I liked most about this book:  It didn't drag on like a lot of books, and it wasn't weighed down by awkward teenage love drama.  (Don't get me wrong, there's some in the book, but it was far from the main focus!)

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y):  I love a good reference to the 90s, so I laughed quite a bit when Rory and her friends went to a Halloween party dressed as the Spice Girls, complete with a stick with a wig to represent Posh.  

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious):  5 stars, hands down!

Because It Is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin

Title: Because It Is My Blood
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Pages: 350
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
ISBN: 9780374380748
Publication Date: September 18, 2012
AR Levels: Interest Levels: 9th-12th grades; Book Level: 4.5; Points: 13.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13163011-because-it-is-my-blood

In a Nutshell: Anya Ballanchine, heiress to an illegal chocolate business, has just been released from a short stay in juvie, and her troubles are only beginning. Her ex-boyfriend and son of the district attorney, Win, is already dating another girl, her father's legacy as the chocolate mob boss is in danger as Ballanchine Chocolate is in disarray, and not one single school in the city will accept her for her senior year. Anya must decide if she will accept her fate as the future face of the Manhattan chocolate black market or try to run while she can. This is a tale of love, finding oneself, loyalty, and crime, and it will grip you every step of the way.

I'd recommend it for grades: 8 to 12. There's some bloodshed. Mob story, remember?

I'd recommend it to: guys who like mob stories (This is like The Godfather with a hot chick.), girls who like star-crossed love stories, teens who still want lots more dystopias, and anyone who likes chocolate or New York City

What I liked most about this book: I adored the first book, All These Things I've Done, and I couldn't wait to read this one. It didn't wow me like the first one, but all the characters I love are still loveable, and all the page-turning suspense is still there too...maybe even amped up a bit from book one. The dialogue is a bit cheesier than the first though, so that made me not like it quite as much. I still wait anxiously for book three though!

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): At the very end, the New York Public Library at Bryant Park (one of my favorite buildings in the world) plays an important role in the set-up for book 3. See if you recognize it. Anya and Win also attend a classic movie in the park in the summer, which was something I enjoyed the summer I spent in New York too. It's nice to see that even amid the chaos of future Manhattan, they still show classic movies in the park. :)

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 3 stars (Book 1: All These Things I've Done is easily 5 stars. Read it first. It will rock your world.)