Hadley Sullivan is having one of the worst days of her life.  It is raining out, the wheel on her suitcase is broken, and she missed her flight. The flight that was taking her over the ocean to London to see her dad, who is getting remarried, and who she has barely spoken to in the last year.  Now she is stuck at the airport waiting for the next flight. 

But what if her being late and having to travel hours later means meeting the perfect boy?  A very handsome, British, college student boy named Oliver.  He just happens to be sitting next to her.  Hadley and Oliver spent the long flight talking, laughing and they find themselves somehow connected. 

What will happen after the flight?  Will they see each other again?  Is there such a thing as love at first sight?     

Why I picked it up: My husband says he fell in love with me the moment he saw me.  I always laugh, but 13 years later I enjoy telling this story.  Maybe he did?

Why I finished it:  It is such a cute story and it was a quick read.

I’d give it to:  Those skeptics that don’t believe in love at first sight.

I’d give it:

Reviewed by: Katie Harrington Library

Author:  Jacqueline Woodson

Why I picked it up:  I received an advance reader’s copy of this title and I know it may seem strange, but I’m often curious to read teen drug titles.

Why I finished it:  This book made me cry, as it relates the sad journey back from a taste of meth that becomes an addiction for Laurel.  The meth suppresses Laurel’s grief over the loss of her mom and grandma in hurricane Katrina, but its hold over her life may break up her loving family.  Thanks to a kind stranger who becomes a friend, there is hope that she can begin again.

Who I would give it to:  Any teen who likes realistic fiction.  This is the kind of book where you can delve into an experience and see what a drug like meth can do to a person without actually having that experience personally. 

Star Rating:

Reviewer:  Ramarie (Haggard library)

Title: 

Author/Artist:  Kristin Cashore

Why I picked it up:  I saw this book at the library and after reading the summary on the cover I decided that it sounded like a good read.  The cover art was the other thing that captivated me.

Why I finished it:  Once I started this book I could not put it down!  I had to know what happened to Katsa and what side Prince Po was on.  I learned that Kristin Cashore has two other books in the Graceling series.  One of them came out in Janaury and the other comes out in May 2012.

Who I would give it to:  I would give this book to anyone that is a Hunger Games fan.

Star rating:  5 stars

Reviewer:  Melanie (Plano teen)

Thanks to everyone who participated.  Check back for other chances to win books!

by Lauren Oliver

If you knew today was your last day to live, would you live it any differently? Before I Fall opens with a car accident resulting in the death of the main character, Samantha (Sam) Kingston. Only thing, Sam doesn’t really die; she reawakens on the day of her death with the chance to live it over again and again. Sam’s resultant journey opens her eyes not only to her faults and the faults of her friends, but also to the good in people whom she least expects.

Why I picked it up: A friend recommended it to me. She described it as being a little like the film Groundhog Day, in that the main character is living the same day over and over, attempting to right her wrongs.

Why I finished it: This book is a page-turner and hard to put down. I stayed up way past my bedtime several nights in a row because I really wanted to find out how the story would end!

I’d give it to: Not only teens, but also parents of teens. Oliver addresses a lot of issues faced by young people today—bullying, dating, sex, drugs, alcohol. Young readers will see themselves, their friends, and people they merely know of in the characters. Parents will gain insight into the pressures many young people face day-to-day. Read this book along with a friend or parent and talk about it!

I’d give it: 5 stars

Reviewed by: Jocelyn (Davis Library)

Title: 

Author:  Jennifer Castle

Sixteen-year-old Laurel’s life is consumed with normal teenage issues such as SAT tests and finding a date for prom until her parents and brother are killed in a car accident one evening and her life is turned upside down.  Her family went to dinner at her neighbor’s, the Kaufmans, and everyone except Laurel and the Kaufman’s son, David, go out for ice cream.  David’s mother is killed and his father, the driver, is in a coma after the accident.  Laurel’s grandmother moves in with Laurel after the accident and they take care of David’s dog when he leaves town. Laurel’s grieving process begins with denial, followed by a breakdown, and then she receives some help from a much needed therapist.  Her emotions as well as her reactions felt real.

Why I picked it up:  I read the description of the story on the jacket cover and I was intrigued.  For some unexplained reason, I gravitate towards novels with death or dying in them.

Why I finished it:  I wanted to know if Laurel would be able to rebuild her life after living through such a tragedy.  I thought she might have handled her grief a little too well, but sometimes the simplest things like the absence of her brother’s junk food in the house brought her to her knees.  These types of scenes rang true and kept me reading.

I’d give it to:  Anyone who is a Sarah Dessen fan or fans of Gayle Foreman’s novel, If I Stay.  This novel is not quite as good as If I Stay, but there are many similarities.

Star Rating:   Three stars

Reviewer:  Renee (Parr library)

Title: 

Author/Artist:  Pat McKissack

Why I picked it up:  Towards the end of last year I needed a sci-fi book and I picked up this one.

Why I finished it:  I had to..Joking, joking.  I really liked it and I can’t wait for the sequel.

Who I would give it to:  People who like sci-fi, romance, and good books!

Star rating:  4 stars

Reviewer:  Sara (Plano teen)

Written by David Levithan

Photographs by Jonathan Farmer

Evan is mourning the loss of his best friend Ariel and seeks solace by writing to her in his journal. Then someone anonymously starts sending him mysterious photographs and emails that accuse him of being responsible for what happened to Ariel. He turns to Jack, Ariel’s former boyfriend, to help him solve the mystery. Eventually, Evan becomes so obsessed with uncovering the stalker’s identity that he doesn’t know who he can trust.

Why I picked it up: I had read that David Levithan developed the story by having photographer Jonathan Farmer periodically send him a photograph and then David would incorporate those photos into the story. That sounded like an interesting way to write and I wanted to see if their collaboration worked.

Why I finished it: What happened to Ariel is never quite clear until nearly the end of the book. Did she commit suicide? Was she murdered? Did she run away? And how were Evan and Jack involved? I had to find out.

I’d give it to:  Some readers might find the excessive use of strike through text annoying to read, but anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller and is willing to take a chance on some experimental fiction should pick this one up.

I’d give it: 3 stars

Reviewed by: Trish (Schimelpfenig Library)

Wrapped

 By Jennifer Bradbury

 17- year old Agnes Wilkins is about to make her debut into 1815 London society. Agnes is no ordinary debutante with a fondness for parties and dresses. She is an avid reader, can speak 10 languages and longs for adventure and travel to foreign lands. Unfortunately 19^th century society doesn’t permit young women of Agnes’ class and upbringing to achieve such dreams.  Their life is limited to the duties of marriage, children and social class.  So with bleak acceptance of her fate, Agnes attends her first party at the home of Lord Showalter, London’s most eligible bachelor where she is present at a “mummy unwrapping”, a common occurrence at posh parties of the day.  Agnes herself is invited to make a cut into the sarcophagus wrappings.  As she uncovers a small silver jackal’s head, she impulsively hides it in her dress – an act that sets off a series of catastrophes (or curses?) that envelop Agnes in a suspenseful adventure that weaves together Egyptology, the occult, Napoleon, Jane Austen, and romance.

 Why I picked it up:

The summary on the inside cover  flap intrigued me with the mention of the “mummy unwrapping”.  I couldn’t imagine such events would take place at parties!  Apparently they did!

 Why I finished it:

Even though I had figured out much of the mystery before the end there were still a lot of loose ends I needed to see tied up. And they were… quite satisfactorily!

 I’d give it to:

Anyone who likes their heroines to have spirit, spunk, brains and an adventurous streak!

Grades 7- 10

I’d give it:

4 stars

Reviewed by: Connie (Parr Library)

Title: 

Author/Artist:  Jay Asher

Why I picked it up:  My classmate gave a book talk on it, and I was hooked.

 Why I finished it:  The storytelling done by Hannah, the protagonist, makes me perceive bullying, suicide, and abuse more closely.

 Who I would give it to:  Anyone.

 Star rating:  4 stars

Reviewer:  Ailing (Plano teen)