Teens Write Reviews

Maximum Ride: School’s Out Forever
by James Patterson

This book was excellent. It starts out with five kids and a dog. The main character is a girl named Maximum, otherwise known as Max. She and her “flock”, Fang, Angel, Nudge, Iggy, Gasman and the dog Total are taken from their parents while babies and are experimented on. As they grow they are raised in a faciilty in which they call school. As they are still growing they are still being tested upon. The flock is put into a cage like animals. They soon realize that the testing has given them special powers and with that realization they use their powers to break free and escape from the school. As they are running away they encounter new enemies and they find out what new powers lie within them.

-Raphael

Fallen
by David Maine

David Maine accomplishes an incredible feat in Fallen; he has taken some of the most well known stories in the world and created something new and fresh. In the novel we move backwards through time from the time of Cain’s death to the exile of Adam and Eve. Even those who do not study the bible are familiar with these characters, so what can we stand to gain from Maine’s novel? For one, an intruguing reading experience. Not to mention deeper understanding of these people and greater understanding of our human roots, faults, and basic framework.

The front cover says it all, “Fallen: a novel.” This is a story, but what about that old maxim: don’t judge a book by its cover? Fallen is much more than just a story, it is the story. The themes present in Fallen span from loss of innocence to love of family to sibling rivalry and everything in between. This riveting novel not only shows the story of a family, but forces the rreader to look on their life as a reflection of the characters. The faults and praises we find in the characters are often also found in ourselves. For example, more than once in the course of argument I have felt the urge to hit my sibling with a rock (although more often the result is a Barbie doll to the face). By relating to this first family we can discover truths about the relations we have with others.

I have never read the Bible, and I know I am not alone, but I still appreciate the stories and lessons they teach. Maine has delved deeper into these stories and pulled out something very special. I would give this book to anyone despite their religion, as when it is seen as a whole, Fallen is merely a fabulously entertaining book.

-Katherine

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
by Stephen Chbosky

I picked up The Perks of Being a Wallflower out of boredom. I continued reading out of concern; concern for the main character, Charlie. From the onset of the novel the reader has a bond with Charlie. Perhaps this has to do with the format the novel is presented in, or maybe it’s his eccentric yet sweet demeanor that draws us in. Whatever it was I wanted to know what happened to Charlie and even more I wanted to know good things were going to happen to Charlie.

This novel is written in a peculiar way, it is written as letters. Unlike other books I have read in this form, Charlie never identifies who he is writing to, merely referring to him as Friend. This gives the feeling that he could be talking directly to you, or me, or the milkman. All we know is that Charlie trusts this person to keep his secrets and understand his feelings. I, for one, hope that someone could confide in me that way, so why not Charlie? It is this bond between the reader and the character that makes this novel so interesting, it’s this concern for Charlie and his friend’s welfare that kept me reading through all the twists and turns of plot.

As Charlie grows the plot grows with him. New characters also drive the story, but, as in real life, many of these people have a tendency to fade from the spotlight leaving only the effect they had on Charlie. However, the people who have the greatest effect on Charlie are those who we never get to meet. It is through some of these past players in Charlie’s life that great changes come about in his life. As Charlie’s confidante we give him the ability to be himself and grow. I believe this is what makes the story so gripping, because we are a part of it. I would recommend this to any of my friends, so that they too may meet Charlie and understand The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

-Katherine

Zel
by Donna Jo Napoli

The relationship I have with Donna Jo Napoli’s books is actually a problem for me, I love them that much. Something about her writing, the way she can take classic tales and make them her own makes her works irresistable to me, and Zel was the book that started it all. I remember the first time I read Zel was on a camping trip with my family, but I cannot recall how many times I have reread it since. Zel is a retelling of Rapunzel, but filled with such lush detail and back story that it is new to anyone who reads it.

What makes this book so great is the characters. Zel is so recognizable in her innocent childhood state and later in her intense misery that it is nearly impossible not to relate to her. The Prince in this version is not a prince at all, but a Count. His name is Count Conrad and where in the original story he was merely a wanderer who came upon Rapunzel by chance, in Zel, he is proactive. Dame Gothel was the witch, in the original her motives for taking Rapunzel were unknown and seemed quite coincidental. In this version she has no name, instead she is merely called Mother, but do not think this makes her a less relatable character. She is deep, full of emotion and purpose. If anything, having no name allows readers to insert their own mothers into the role and find similarities between them and this overprotective maternal figure.

Throughout the book Donna Jo Napoli changes the viewpoint of the reader. First we see the world through Zel’s eyes, then through Mother’s, and then through Conrad’s. This circle continues throughout the entire novel and allows us to become even more involved in the character’s psyche. This is not the average fairytale story and contains some dark imagery, nonetheless it is a magnificent work and remains one of my favorite books.

-Katherine

The Giver
by Lois Lowry

In a community with no worries, no fear, and total security, a young boy names Jonas learns there are more things to learn if you live with worries and fear. Instead of being assigned to a job, Jonas is “selected” in his 12 ceremony. He was selected to become “the receiver of memories.” As he received from the Giver (once a Receiver) Jonas learns there was a life of freedom and pleasure and joy. Then he begins to see and hear the more beautiful things in life. From painful and dark memory he begins to develop philosophies why the community is so dull and joyless. He and the Giver create a plan to restore the joy and love that was long forgotten. Instead of keeping memories for himself he decieds to share them so that all can remember.

-Wade

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment
by James Patterson

Maximum Ride is an exciting thrill ride that never ends. Max is a young girl who lives with her family. But Max and her family aren’t just any normal people. They have wings. You see when Max and her family were “born.” These scientists created them to be avian hybrids - that’s just fancy for bird people. Max and her family of six find themselves running for their lives after the disappearance of the person who helped them to “escape” the “school”. The school is the lab they were born in. If you want to know more read the book.

- Hope

The Warrior Heir
by Cinda Williams Chima

The Warrior Heir was a great replacement for fans of such books as Harry Potter, etc. It adds a more realistic spin to most fantasy books by adding in politics, leaders, power struggles and revolts along with all the fighting and great story lines most fantasy books come with. The characters are well built as far as personalities and physically most of them frequently share emotions that force you to read on to see what happens. With everything said, this novel has a few mistakes that make you question but still a good read.

-Robert

Hairstyles of the Damned
By Joe Meno

This novel engulfed you into the life of a teenager of the 90’s. It snatched your attention of Brian Oswald’s life, describing what “punks” were like and how teens occupied themselves before internet and “myspace.” It was a real coming of age tale of a boy growing up. He went through struggles of love, family, and his personal identity. At the conclusion of the novel, Brian is a completely different, better person than in the beginning. This story is full of angst and joy, a wonderful combination that draws you in.

- Naomi O

Twilight
by Stephenie Meyer

The book twilight is a good yound adult book. I think its good for teens who want a diffrent vampire romance book. It has all the thing of romance : love, and kissing… I could go on forever. It also has a diffrent type of vampire. most vampires burn in the sun…But sparkel?

-Alyssa Mitchell

Wicked
by Gregory McGuire

Wicked tells the story of Elphaba- the Wicked Witch of the West. This my friends, isn’t a book for the young, as it is the complete contradiction to the perfect story of the Wizard of Oz. When Dorothy killed the Wicked Witch of the West by splashing the ole’ H20 on her, most of us young kiddies were glad that the Witch was gone forever, but then again, we only heard Dorothy’s side of the tail. Contrary to popular belief, the yellow brick road wasn’t a path to Oz and happiness, but a trail of misery and dread as well as a Holocaust of the Animals, a race that can talk and think like humans, but look like animals- hence the capital “A.” Now, who is behind these horendous deeds in Oz? This book shows us the tale (tail?) of Elphaba’s fight for others’ freedom, and her fight for a normal life- which doesn’t go as planned. This book is compelling, interesting and really makes you think about the preconcieved notions of good and evil.

- Sanchita

Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
Alas, Babylon is a wonderful, compelling novel about a small town in Florida in 1959. After a nuclear disaster, the neighbors on River Road in Fort Repose, in central Florida live a year without power, electricity, or any necessities they previously took for granted. The main characters include Randy, an easygoing bachelor who suddenly takes leadership, Dan Gunn, the town’s diplomatic young doctor, thirteen year old Ben, and his eleven year old sister Peyton. Full of ups and downs, but never depressing, Alas, Babylon is written so beautifully that it’s extremely hard to put down once you fall in love with all the characters.

-Katie

Naturally Thin
By Bethenny Frankel

I read this book after watching the Real Housewives of New York City. The author, who is one of the housewives, discusses ways to eat healthy and prolong your life. She provides delicious recipes for those interested in leading a healthy lifestyle. This book is not a diet plan and not necessarily a way to lose weight; it simply gives insight on the importance of healthy eating and how simple it is for one to do it on their own. Bethenny Frankel is a celebrity chef and her tips are certainly worth reading. Her style of writing is not the most outstanding and prestigious, but what she has to say is very valid.

The Road
By Cormac McCarthy

This book was excellent and hard to put down. The story of a man’s struggle to survive with his son when few is left on earth is very eye-opening. It makes one question the possibility of such a disaster striking the earth. The author’s diction includes wonderful descriptions that don’t get boring. You should definitely read this book before the motion picture comes out.

-Brittany

Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science
By Charles Wheelan

This book, like part of its title, undresses the dismal science that is economics. I thought this book would be a boring non-fiction read that would be difficult to understand. What I found is quite the opposite. Charles Wheelan describes the concepts of economics in a relatable way, with a slightly humorous approach. This book is important for describing the way the economy works to our generation, especially in these tough times. I think anyone interested in how the economy functions should read Naked Economics.

-Brittany

Kaffir Boy
By Mark Mathabane

This was one of the most eye-opening books I have ever read. In this autobiography, Mark Mathabane describes his tough, which is an understatement, childhood and growing up in the ghetto of South Africa. The struggles he had to face as a child are incredulous and make the reader think about how the lifestyles for many in South Africa are still just as gruesome today. He describes the topic of apartheid and talks about personal experiences where his whole family was discriminated against. This book allows teens that have little knowledge on the outside world to emerge from their bubble and gain insight on the realities in South Africa.

-Brittany