Genrefluent's Bistro Book Club Teens Talk About Books

Sequins, Secrets, and Silver Linings by Sophia Bennett

2012-03-04T17:28:00.002-07:00

maid, 13
Sophia Bennett
Sequins, Secrets, and Silver Linings
2011

This book is about one of my favorite things, fashion. This book is set in london and the main character is nonie who is a fashion FREAK! Nonie and her friends edie and jenny, and she also meets a very talented mysterious girl named crow. Crow starts to be there hole life for a very strange reason, but why you'll have to find out;). Definettly a girls read.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

The Stolen Throne by

2012-03-04T17:23:00.000-07:00

Thomas, 15
David Gaider
The Stolen Throne
Tor 2009

This book is an amazing piece of literature The charaters are alive and the world among them.It feals like you meeting them yourself and it is a midevil fantiasy genera. David gaider is the lead writer of dragon age origins READ IT

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Tempest by Julie Cross

2012-03-04T17:20:00.000-07:00

Lolita, 16
Julie Cross
Tempest 2011

i wasnt a big fan of this book but it was slightly intresting about the boy who can jump time and goes back in time and can not return back to his own time

Rating: 3 Readable

One Boy and His Dog by Eva Ibbotson

2012-02-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Drake, 13
Eva Ibbotson
One Dog and His Boy
Scholastic Press 2012

I found this book to be extra heart warming. It was a dangerous road full of unexpected twists and turns. I think the author should go more in depth in the country side.

The cover is good but deceiving.

Rating: 4 Better than most

Close To Famous by Joan Bauer (2 reviews)

2012-02-24T14:12:00.000-07:00

Madi, 13
Close To Famous
Joan Bauer
Viking    2011

This book is about a girl who loooves to bake. Her mom had been dating a man who thought he was Elvis, and when she broke up with him he "chased" them out of there town. They got to a new town called culpepper and she meets lots of new friends and someone who changed her life.

This is one of the best books ive read all year and it really taught me something about following my dreams and trying my hardest. i definetly think this is a girls book. i couldnt put it down!

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

-------------

Abbie.    12
Joan Bauer
Close To Famous
viking    2011

    It would be a great disappointment if this book isn’t on a BFYA list.     This was one of the best books I have read in a long time! It had the pefect balance between adventure and a dream coming true. I would recommend this book to anyone in middle school looking for a great fast moving read. The thing that made this book a great book is that the main character never gave up her dream no matter what she was going through.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

How To Save a Life by Sara Zarr (2 reviews)

2012-02-23T11:29:00.000-07:00

Taylor, 15
Sara Zarr
How to Save a Life
2011

I absolutly love this book!!!! What i really liked about this book was that you were experiencing both lives and how they were slowly being brought together. In this book i could really imagine the whole setting and characters. I could just feel the tension in this book. Magnificent!!!!!

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

-----------------

brittany, 17
Sara Zarr
How To Save a Life
2011

it was a very good book and it deals with real life issuses. it was very interesting and entertaing. it was beliveable. it was one of the best books i have every read.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Jane Jones: Worst Vampire Ever by Caissie St. Onge (2 reviews)

2012-02-23T11:26:00.000-07:00

Ashley, 15
Caissie St. Onge
Jane Jones: Worst. Vampire. Ever.
2011

This book is about a young teen of 15, who is a vampire of 90. She goes through a lot of teen drama along with vamp drama. She makes unsuspecting friends and tries to uncover the secrets her teacher and family are keeping from her. I also love the setting and connections the author did to make this book more appealing to teens. I also loved the personalities of the many characters in the book. I personally enjoyed reading this book and i felt i could connect to the human side of the main character. People who love to read, mainly girls who love to read, will love reading this book.

Rating: 4 Better than most
----------------

Danielle,     15
Caissie St. Onge
Jane Jones: Worst Vampire Ever
Ember    2011

            This book was very interesting. Jane is a dorky vampire who is nothing like the vampires on TV. First and formost, she's blood-intolerant. She cannot drink normal blood. All she wants is to be normal and the mysterious vampire Timothy may have those answers. If she becomes normal she can go to school and maybe even have a boyfriend with the geeky yet sweet Eli. It was a good book. It wasn't my favorite book but it was still very good.

Rating: 4 Better than most

Summer of the Wolves by Polly Carlson-Voiles

2012-02-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

Drake, 13

Polly Carlson-Voiles
Summer of the Wolves
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company 2012

I thought it was a loving read. Completely heart warming I loved every page top to bottom, left to right, front to back! It was,as I would say Oooowwwwtttt standing.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Delirium by Lauren Oliver (2 reviews)

2012-02-20T13:55:00.001-07:00

Chelsea
Lauren Oliver
Delirium
2011

This book was so beautiful, it made me cry. The main character Lena meets Alex an 'Invalid' one who has not been cured by the disease love. This society believes love is a disease and at the age of 18 you get a procedure done. Alex opens Lenas eyes to the joys of love and soon the society catches on. Can her and Alex escape? Well, I won't tell you but fair warning, you will have your nose in the book all day just wondering 'whats next? And 'Oh my god! Are they going to be ohkay?' I absolutely love this book and I demand the second one to read(:

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book
-------------------------------

Anqi,    12
Lauren Oliver
Delirium
Harper Teen    2011

I enjoyed Delirium a lot, and wanted to add a lot of points to include in it. :)    Delirium is a fantastic, futuristic (though not exactly apocalyptic) novel that is set at a time where the world is changing drastically. The title of the book is derived from the book's main focus, a disease titled amor deliria nervosa which people once thought was love, but now is widely agreed as one of the most dangerous illnesses on the planet. Upon reaching eighteen, every citizen is required to receive the cure, a surgery involving the brain that will eradicate the deliria and will furthermore cause the patient to live a healthy, worry-free life. Lena, a teenager verging on her eighteenth birthday, is excited to receive the cure. She is a good girl who has always followed her Aunt Carol's rules and has always taken care of her two younger cousins, Jenny and Gracie. But despite her calm appearance, Lena, also known as Magdelena Haloway, is troubled by dark secrets, the most horrifying one being her mother's suicide. Whispered by the members of her community, in the futuristic world of Portland, Oregon, Lena is also ridiculed upon by her strange past, and always receives a moderate greeting as she is one who isn't thin or fat, pretty or ugly. All this changes, however, when on the day of her evaluation (a test taken to determine future options, such as a person's occupation and his or her spouse,) Lena catches a glimpse of a handsome boy with amber hair and eyes. From this day on, everything Lena knows about her society changes. In deft but lyrical wording, Lauren Oliver succesfully describes Lena's hardships in this world not unlike Suzanne Collin's The Hunger Games series, while still giving us a relationship that is real and satisfying. Both characters were well developed, and I especially enjoyed the fact that Lena wasn't one of those 'perfect' main characters, and instead was one who was shy, protective, and meek all at once, but still always likeable. The thing that I liked best about Delirium was the fascinating setting that her characters were set in. The futuristic society is fully described and is further enriched by the excerpts from fictional books she gives at the beginnings of each chapter. Society itself seemed similar to Jonah's in the Newbery Honor book The Giver, where the people (and the adults in Delirium's case) were strangely detached and experienced no feeling, good or bad. This was an amazing novel, one of the best I've read so far in the 2011 year. The subtle cliffhanger left me waiting for more, while satisfying me for a few months to come. The serious, almost chilling mood let me experience the world full on. Told simply, I can't wait until the sequel of Delirium is out!

5 Hard to imagine a better book

Violence 101 by Denis Wright

2012-02-12T13:00:00.000-07:00

Vince, 18
Denis Wright
Violence 101
The penguin group 2010

I hate books and I hate reading but I really liked this book! Probably the only book I will ever talk good about.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book.

You Against Me by Jenny Downham (2 reviews)

2012-02-12T12:56:00.000-07:00

Rachel, 17
Jenny Downham
You Against Me

This book would be a very powerful and inspiring book for sexually abused or raped teens to read. It gives you an idea on what happens to both the raper and the victims families. It so moving and a book I highly suggest reading. This book gives a better understanding of the feelings and emotions of the families on both sides of rape. It gives you the opportunity to see both sides of the story and feel all the things the families feel.

Rating: 4 Better than most.

---------------------
Jasmine,    17
Jenny Downham
You Against Me
David Fickling Books    2011

       Very complicated to tell about, but easy to read, very fast read , very compelling book that I find is my fav of the year.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari (2 reviews)

2012-02-12T12:43:00.000-07:00

David, 16
Jo Treggiari
Ashes, Ashes

This book was a shocker. Lucy this girl stuck in NY after this plague has killed almost everyone. THe ocean has been flooding NY and has been tough to live there. Lucy meets this guy and he saves her from the dogs and is in his debt. This guy takes her to his camp and these people are trying to fend off the sweepers from taking them.

This one kept me on the edge of my seat

Rating: 4 Better than most.
-------------------
Daniel, 15
Jo Treggiari
Ashes, Ashes

The book was very good. Its about the end of the world. A very young women that lost her family tragic earthquake adn hurricans andd has to learn to survive in a hard world.

Rating: 3 Readable.

Death Sentence by Alexander Gordon Smith (2 reviews)

2012-02-12T12:37:00.001-07:00

David, 16
Alexander Gordon Smith
Death Sentence

This book is about Alex getting taken by the weezers and being transformed in a blacksuit. He has to kill one of his friends to show he is loyal. Then things go wrong and his buddy fidns him turns him back to himself and now he is himself with a black suit body trying to escape again. Can he actually make it this time? Read it and find out.

Best one in the series so far.

Rating: 4 Better than most.
----------------
Ashley, 16
Alexander Gordon Smith
Death Sentence

When Alex and his friends attemp to escape from the Furnance. they are caught and Alex suffers the worst of the conaequences. The warden turns him into one of the furnace monsters, like the Hulk of evil steroids. One of his friends before and during the injections of nectar taht he is receiving keeps telling him to remember his name. Will this help? I would highly recommend this book for boys, not really a girl book, but I still really liked it.

Rating: 4 Better than most.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (4 reviews)

2012-02-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

Ashley, 16
Michelle Hodkin
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer blew me away. I would highly recommend this book to my fellow peers. Mara Dyer is the only who survived when her and her 3 friends were in the midst of the Aslyum collapsing. This book is about how she is handling her greif. She suffers PTSD. She meets a beautiful boy named Noah at her new school . Together they encounter many strange things.

----------------
Austin, 15
Michelle Hodkin
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

When i first started reading the book I never thought it would turn out the way it did, but it was a really good book. The main character Mara Dyer she wakes up in the hospital not remembering what happened. Her parents fill her in saying that she was in an accident and her friend died and she didn't. [spoiler deleted]

Rating: 4 Better than most.
--------------------

Anqi,     12
Michelle Hodkin
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing    2011

        Mara Dyer is unraveling. Ever since her two best friends and her boyfriend died in a horrible building collapse a few months ago, Mara has been seeing hallucinations, hearing voices, and having strange things happen to her whenever she is unaware. After moving to a town in Florida, Mara expects that the new atmosphere will let her live a normal life after their deaths, but things get even weirder. She believes there is much more to what happened to her friends than she knows, and discovers more mysteries along her way then she could have ever imagined. But more than anything, she didn't think that she could fall in love...but she can. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was the best suspense novel I have ever read. It read like a thriller, each page leading you to the next. Paranormal romance blends with horror in this chillingly fast read. Michelle Hodkin's beautiful imagery makes for the perfect story set-I could just walls falling and voices slipping in behind me that weren't really there like it was a movie. Mara was a beautifully developed character, capable but troubled, which made her all the more interesting and realistic. The romance had a lot of chemistry and was a continual gathering of energy that was electrifying and sweet all at once. The book gathers speed through every page, and still doesn't end when it reaches the last. I am soo excited to read Hodkin's next book; every quality in this book leaves me practically begging for more. For readers who especially enjoyed Nova Ren Suma's Imaginary Girls, or any other paranormal/horror/suspense movie and book, you will love The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer-I mean it!

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book
--------------------------------

Flor, 16
Michelle Hodkin
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
Simon and Schuster 2011

This book was very interesting, creepy at times, it still deserves to win a prize. I loved how unusual it was and that the suspension kept me hooked through most of it. The ending was probably my favorite part of the book; I was left so surprised!

Rating: 4 Better than most

Fallout by Ellen Hopkins (3 reviews)

2012-02-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

Austin, 15
Ellen Hopkins
Fallout

This was a great book to end the trilogy. It is a story of Kristina's three oldest children and how more them don't know their mom or know they have brothers and sisters. But throughout the book they start learning that they have 4 other siblings. They were trying to meet them all and at Christmas they all come together but its not how they expected. If you read all three books and follow them the book fits right in its place and I think it was a really good way to end the trilogy.
Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book.
------------------------
Travis, 14
Ellen Hopkins
Fallout

Fallout is a real life story about meth and how it can effect a family so itis very graphic and not for young readers. It tracks the children of a girl that got hooked on meth.

Rating: 4 Q. Better than most.

------------------

Stormie, 18

Ellen Hopkins

Fallout

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

I think this was an okay book but not the best Ellen Hopkins has written. I was expecting a lot out of this book that's why I was disappointed when it took me what seems like forever to read.

3 Q. Readable. 4 P. Broad general appeal. I read a couple books a year.

Just Another Hero by Sharon Draper

2012-02-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

Colton, 17
Sharon Draper
Just Another Hero

This book has a well thought out plot. The author accomplishes making each character an individual and by doing so makes the book more personal to read. You are able to feel how the character does. Another thing the author does well is ellis in what happend in the prevous books and ties it well into the story. SO the story seems to continue and not stop at one book to be started up agin in the next book. The only bad thing i noticed was some of the conversations were too preditable and thought out like the character was reading movie lines. The author addressed teen drug abuse and how quickly it takes over your life very well. She not only showed how it affected the teen but also how it affected others around him.

Rating: 4 Better than most.

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

2012-02-12T12:17:00.000-07:00

Austin, 15
Daniel Handler
Why We Broke Up

This book was about a girl named min and she was breaking up with her boyfriend so she wrote this big long letter and gave him a box filled with all the things that they collected over their relationship.

This book starts really slow and is kinda hard to follow but it is an alright book.

Rating: 3 Readable.

The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Ocean of Blood, Darren Shan (5 reviews)

2012-02-12T12:07:00.000-07:00

Anthony, 17
Darren Shan
Larten Crepsley: Ocean of Blood

While reading this book it kept me on edge. I would definitely recommend this book to those who like thrillers. This book goes into detail so the reader can make a great picture in their mind.

This book has make me want to read this series.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book.
------------------
Nathan,    15
Darren Shan
The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Ocean of Blood

                This part of the saga is better than the first book. I liked it because how Larten matures and how he decides to get through all of his life struggles. Yes I recommend this book but not just to Twilight fans

Rating: 5 Q. Hard to imagine a better book.
------------------------------
Gavin, 12
Darren Shan
The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Ocean of Blood

            It is a grusome and awesome, but maybe more of a "Guy Book" They dont call it ocean of blood for nothing    Larten Crepsley is not normal/ He is thought as a demon. Larten is a young vampire finding a purpose in his life. When he goes and sees an enchantres, gets kicked out and gets followed by her maid.

Rating: 5 Q. Hard to imagine a better book.
------------------------------------
Kenny,    17
Darren Shan
The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Ocean of Blood

            A good book for all

Rating: 4 Q. Better than most.
-----------------------------------
Shane,    16
Darren Shan
The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Ocean of Blood

            Larten Crepsley is a vampire that is lost in the world he gets into gambling and drinking. His master tells him to choose the fun life or the life of becoming a vampire. He choses to live the fun life for a little bit. Then Larten meets a human girl and they start dating . Then they get on this ship she gets killed so Larten kills everyone on the ship and turns a little kid into a canibal.

Rating: 4 Q. Better than most.

She Said/She Saw (3 reviews) by Norah McClintock

2012-02-12T12:03:00.001-07:00

Austin, 15
Norah McClintock
She Said/ She Saw

This was a good book about a girl was in a car with two of her friends and out of no where there heads explode. Everyone blames her for her friends being shot because she told everyone she didn't see anything. People from school make a website about her and she posts something that changes everything. this is a good book and when i started reading it I didn't think it would be a good book but it was.

------------------

Colton, 17
Norah McClintock
She Said/She Saw

Norah made my experience reading the book very enjoyable. I would definently recommend her books to others. I can't wait to read another book of hers I loved the way the book was written. It was written like a play or TV show. It gave me a very un-usual visual effect while reading it. The author seems very in touch with teenages and how they operate. How teenagers reason, process and how if something as serious as death of friends were to occur. How would we cope with it? She grasped the idea the everything is more than it seems and how fast the story can change or get twisted.

Rating: 4 Better than most.
----------------------------------
Ashley, 16
Norah McClintock
She Said/ She Saw

She Said/She Saw is about a teenage girl who witnesses two of her closest friends get shot in the head. You will journey with her as she is harassed byt her former school friends, detectives, the boys' families and her own sister all of who don't believe her. She goes to great lengths to prove that she doesn't hage a clue who the murderer is. I don't like thte set up of this book though and I feel like it was too short

Rating: 3 Readable.

Return to Daemon Hall by Andrew Nance (2 reviews)

2012-02-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

The first book, Daemon Hall, had 7 teen reviews so I'm expecting several more reviews to come in as teens have the opportunity to read it.
-----------
Austin, 15
Andrew Nance
Return to Daemon Hall

This is the sequel to Daemon Hall and this book was basically like the first one but the contest is being held in Ian's house instead of Daemon Hall but once they start reading the stories they end up back at Daemon Hall. Its a mystery how they got back there and back to Ian's house

THe sequel was a really good way to the end of this series

Rating: 3 Readable.
---------------------

Travis, 14
Andrew Nance
Return to Daemon Hall

Daemon Hall is a great suspense read that keeps the reader guessing. Return to Daemon Hall is even better than the first. It is magnificent. It proves that Daemon Hall isn't the only source of evil but something else has them going back to Daemon Hall .

Rating: 5 Q. Hard to imagine a better book.

Flip by Martyn Bedford (2 reviews)

2012-02-12T11:39:00.001-07:00

David, 16
Martyn Bedford
Flip

This book is about a kid that wakes up in another boys body. The other boy has a way different life he is more muscular athletic and has girlfriends. He doesn't want this life he wants his own body back and will do anything to get it back.

There should be a second one

Rating: 4 Better than most.
------------------
Austin, 15
Martyn Bedford
Flip

This was a very good book it was baout a boy who wakes upin a different body and a different room and he freaks out. So he tries to figure out what happened. He goes to his old house and learns that Alex (his orginal body) was in a coma. He also learns that there are other people like him and he is not alone. Getting back is a mystery

I thought this book would be a boring book it was a very good read. Im happy I finished it

Rating: 3 Readable.

Bitter End (3 reviews) by Jennifer Brown

2012-02-12T11:27:00.002-07:00

Colton, 17

Jennifer Brown

Bitter End

Bitter End was a very compelling story that kept me entertained throughout, it is a very honest, down to earth book, that grasps the idea behind the stuggles of abuse. In a teenagers life. I was very impressed with the books ability to show both sides with only one main character. I love how there are not any fairy tale happiness. There is no real hero. It makes the book that much more realistic and readable. I would definently recommend this book. Bitter End is one of the best books i've read this year that is about day to day struggles the author doesn't sugar coat it to make it seem not so bad, she does very well describing the hardship and reality of it

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book.

---------------------
Austin, 15
Jennifer Brown
Bitter End

This book was about a girl who gets introduced to the new boy at school and they have a study lab together and they they start dating but only when they start dating Cole seems all nice but he has rampages and he abuses his girlfriend to the point it gets really bad. When you first start reading you think it is going to be some strange love story but it turns out to be an abuse story.

it is a good book

Rating: 4 Better than most.
----------------------

Miriam, 16
Jennifer Brown
Bitter End

In my opinion I enjoyed reading the book "Bitter End" it was a different sort of book that I wouldn't have read if someone didn't point it out. I enjoyed reading it, and I would read other books like it. I would recommend this book to others.

Rating: 3 Readable.

The Glass Swallow by Julia Golding

2012-02-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

Briana, 16
Julia Golding
The Glass Swallow
2011

Golding has once again created a book that holds the interest of the reader from start to finish. I am always wary when I pick up a book from an author I've read before and liked. I dread reading one of their books and finding that I dislike it immensely. This is not the case with this book. 5 out of 5 for a captivating, orginal read.

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book

Winterling by Sarah Prineas

2012-02-04T19:46:00.000-07:00

Darby, 15
Sarah Prineas
Winterling
Harper 2012

Winterling is a cute little book. It's another fairie type book with my new favorite protagonist. Fer is an amazing girl. This book is a quick read and just fun while holding a good plot.

Rating: 4 Better than most

Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst

2012-02-04T14:38:00.001-07:00

Cyn-Dee, 16
Sarah Beth Durst
Drink, Slay, Love
Margaret K. McElderry Books 2011

One of the best vampire books I have ever read. This book is about a vampire girl whose life changes when she gets staked by an unexpected creature. And no she does not die. She learns about feelings. She learns to see through someone else eyes on how her and her family habits effect the world or one person. She learns to love. its one of my top books

Rating: 5 Hard to imagine a better book