Review: Teeth - Hannah Moskowitz

I don't know where to start this review. I first purchased a Hannah Moskowitz novel at my event, The Teen Author Carnival. I had very little money that year and told her I needed to read Gone, Gone, Gone and it was in fact the only book I bought that whole trip to New York. I feel in love with Hannah's work and am glad that I decided to pick up Teeth.

What does a book about mermaids offer the young adult community? I was hesitant to pick up this book, not because I doubted the writing. I doubted anyone could make mermaids interesting. Many have tried, many have failed.

What makes Hannah's mermaid different then the other books? It's raw, in your face. After reading this I'm pretty sure Hannah could write a book about a magical piece of poop and I'd love it. There's something that Moskowitz has mastered that many have yet to learn.

She digs deep into herself to tell this story, a story unlike anything I've ever read from her. The story is so compelling and when you get down to the raw facts, it's about a boy, his sick brother and a fish boy. This is THE mermaid book the young adult genre has been waiting for. To put it simple it's fucking brilliant and I suggest you move it to the top of your reading piles if you haven't read it yet.

Purchase

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication: January 2013

Review: Six Earlier Days - David Levithan

I read Every Day by David Levithan and fell in love with the character known as A. It was one of the few books to ever make me cry, so naturally I had to get my hands on Six Earlier Days.

Six Earlier Days is the perfect companion to David Levithan's novel Every Day. You're quickly sucked into the life of A on page one, once more. It was nice to jump around, sometimes several years at a time in A's time line to see how A has grown to be the spirit it is today.

The first few stories were slightly jagged but I quickly fell into accepting A once more as I got deeper into the story. I bow to David for crafting together the life of A and giving his readers a little something more to help understand A.

Purchase

eBook: 47 pages
Published: November 26th 2012 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Jumping Off Swings - Review

Book Info:

Jumping Off Swings

Jo Knowles

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (August 11, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763639494

• ISBN-13: 978-0763639495
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 1.4 inches

Rating:

Review:

Jumping Off Swings follows the story Ellie and her friends. Ellie is looking for someone to call her own--she just wants a kiss or a touch. The book description gave me the feeling that Ellie is a whore--but you learn that is not true in the first few pages of the book.

Jumping Off Swings was a very raw book in which Jo has crafted the teen voice. I read this book in a short time span and believe the middle of the story was the strongest part--I was not too fond of the end, it felt rushed and empty, I feel the author could have came to the same conclusion more efficiently.

Jumping off Swings is a book worthy of any 'true life' fans bookshelf.

If true life books are not your thing I would not suggest this book to you.

In all, I felt that Jo's first book Lessons From A Dead Girl was a stronger story-as it was something I could easily connect with-however, Jumping Off Swings holds an important story as well, it really wasn't something I could connect with--I feel like the book is something a girl could connect with better then I did.

Hate List - REVIEW

Book Info:

Hate List

Jennifer Brown

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 416 pages

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (September 1, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0316041440

ISBN-13: 978-0316041447

Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 1.4 inches

Rating:

Review:

Hate List follows the life of Valerie Leftman after her Boyfriend, Nick, takes revenge on students that had picked on him or Valerie in the past. The names of the students that Nick is looking can be found in the HATE LIST book--which is a notebook filled of things/people that Nick and Valerie, hate.

Valerie had no idea that the Hate List would ever be used for that and is left to piece her life back together when the whole town seems to want revenge on her--as she was also the one who wrote in the Hate List.

Brown has weaved an amazing tale that has been seen in the media before. Teens filled with so much hate--usually caused by bullying, they turn on their peers and teachers. Leaving the rest of the town in shambles while looking for someone to blame.

Few books make me shed a tear--but this book is filled with strong emotions. You feel sorry for everyone in the book at the end of the story--or at least I did.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone--it's wonderfully written and fills you in on every aspect of the story regardless if it's from the past or present.

The Federal Trade Commission tells me, that I have to tell you, I recieved this

review copy from the publisher.

Bennett Madison Interview

After I reviewed Bennett's book THE BLONDE OF THE JOKE, I asked him a few questions--sadly due to my busy schedule it was pushed deep into my inbox. I give you that interview now, my apologies to Mr. Madison. :p

Where did the idea of the book come from?

I don't really know where the idea for the book came from. I think it just came from my interests. I'm really into shoplifting and I'm really into girls with crazy hair.

How long did it take you to complete the book?

It took about a year and a half from the start of writing to finish this book. But it was originally a short story that I had sort of been tinkering with for years, so I don't really know the answer.

Did you listen to music when writing this book?

I listened to a lot of Bronski Beat/Communards/Jimmy Somerville while writing this book. Also the Go-Betweens, New Order, Prince. I don't remember what else. I tried to listen to music I thought Francie would like.

Do you have any writing advice for aspiring writers?

My advice to aspiring writers is to be both fearless and shameless.

What is your next project and when will it be in our hands?

My next project should be out sometime next year. It doesn't have an official name yet but the working title is RAPTURE OF THE DEEP.

Catch Bennett on his website here.

Love Is The Higher Law - David Levithan

Book Rating: 5/5

I've got to ask all of my readers to try to work with me and understand that this is not a traditional post--I'm going to speak from the heart about this book.

I've never read anything by David, when I was in New York in May for Book Expo America I purchased Boy Meets Boy--but have yet to read it.

I was given a copy of Love is the Higher Law by a friend, at an event that I hosted in New York. She told me that the book was amazing, I wish that I had the chance to speed read through the book and understand what she meant at that time. I wish I had a chance to give her--a real new yorker--a hug.

I'm not going to lie, this is the first book by David that I have read. While it is not the best book I have ever read, I kept noting that I could not find the plot of the story. The truth is how can there be a plot in something like September 11th, 2001.

The people in New York were just left to gather their pieces and to protect their family. That is what this book is about. Three very real teens collecting the pieces of their life and trying to put it all back together again.

This book didn't make me cry, but this book did pull me into New York for the short time that was September 11th 2001. The time that I, a teen from Michigan only witnessed on television. The last pieces of this book spoke to me, in which a comment was made that the president was not there---he did not feel the true pain that the city felt.

As I was reviewing this book I said a few comments about this book. One mistake I made was saying to a friend that this book was plotless. The plot is there, I just didn't open my heart in time to see it.

David is an amazing writer and after reading this book, knowing that he is from New York, I feel that he can overcome anything.

Becoming Chloe - Catherine Ryan Hyde

BECOMING CHLOE

CATHERINE RYAN HYDE
RATING: 4.5/5

This is a powerful book.

Becoming Chloe opens with Jordy a gay homeless teen prostitute, witnessing a rape taking place. Jordy rescues the young girl--the book focuses on the building friendship of the two. Jordy sets out to show Chloe that not everything in the world is bad--the two go on a road trip to see the beautiful things of the world. Of course not everything is as easy as it sounds, the two find themselves in some crazy (sometimes terrifying) situations.

By reading the book you can tell that Hyde knows her characters well--giving hints of their pasts. Just enough to keep the reader satisfied but not to give everything away. I hardly spend one day reading a review book--but I could not put this book down once I got past the first three chapters.

The book is raw and true and you can easily connect with the characters and their mission regardless who you are. If you are looking for an amazing quick read this book is for you!

I would add this book to my "Books To Read Before You Die List"--If I had one*.

I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 rating!

The Elite - Jennifer Banash

The Elite
Jennifer Banash

Rating: 4/5

Casey McCloy is your normal, small town America girl--thrown into the fabulous life of the lavishly rich Upper East Side, to live with her grandmother. She attends the prestigious Meadowlark Academy.

Casey quickly is accepted into the elite of Meadowlark, but she soon finds out that she is nothing like the girls. She must decide for herself if she wants friends who love her for her or for what she is worth.

At first I found this book really hard to get into, but once the story picked up I was hooked! I actually enjoyed The Elite more then I did the Gossip Girl books (and for anyone to like an Upper East Side series over Gossip Girl used to be a sin in my book--until now).

A friend of mine mentioned that she did not like the 'label dropping' in the book--but you must step back and look at the full picture, money rules the characters lives in the book. I loved this book and highly suggest this book (and the rest of the series) too all of my readers.

xo

Steve Berman - Vintage

Vintage
Steve Berman
5/5

I had been meaning to get my hands on Vintage for some time now, so I was ecstatic when Steve asked me if I would review the book. I found myself very envious as I read the book, not just because of the relationships in the book, I was envious of Steve's writing. It had everything my own project was missing.

Vintage is about a young gay man who is trying to find his way in the world. When his parents found out he was gay he was forced to leave his home--in which he fled to his aunts house. In his new town he befriends an assortment of friends.

When he meets a new guy, who just happens to be a spirit, someone who had passed away long before he was born. It is up to him to figure out if the relationship will work or if it was doomed even before it started.

The narrator* uncovers secrets not only about himself but also about the young ghost, Josh.

Berman weaves a wonderful story, full of characters that you feel like you have known all of your life. I'd have to say one of the best ghost romance books that I have read. He could definitely give The Mediator series a run for it's money--and win.

I would suggest this book to anyone who enjoys a good spine tingling adventure mixed with romance and a good comic relief--As I said before I stayed up until 5:30 reading the book, it had me hooked from the start.

XO


*The main character does have a name, however it is mentioned only once in the book. I stayed up until 5:30 AM to finish reading this book--I remember the story, just not the name. Sadly. =[

Torched - April Henry

Torched
April Henry
4 1/2 out of 5 Stars!

Ellie's parents are involved in a giant drug bust. Charges are being pushed on them, that could lock them away for a very long time. However Ellie is given a chance to keep her parents out of jail and to clean their record.

The FBI wants Ellie to join the radical environmental group Mother Earth Defenders. A group where is aways tested and breaking the law—all undercover for the FBI. But when a love interest pops up in the group and friendships start to form Elli needs to decide if what she is doing is really worth it.

When I first sent this book—I was not sure if I would enjoy the content. People breaking the law to save the earth—not on my favorite thing to read about list. Even in real life it really gets under my skin. There are better ways to carry out environmentally friendly tasks.

But once I started the book I was totally sucked in and could not put it down. I even would mail April updating her on my progress and telling her how much I enjoyed the book! April is an amazing writer, some parts were a bit too slow for me—but everything came together at a good timing and I finished the book in no time.

Buy on Amazon!