Category Archives: Fiction

“What I Saw and How I Lied”

Posted on September 12, 2010 by Victoria Waddle

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell There are a lot of reasons to read this book—it’s got a mystery, a romance, a mother –daughter relationship, parental betrayal, shady business deals, secrets kept from World War II, … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“Mockingjay” by Suzanne Collins

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Victoria Waddle

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins If you’ve read the reviews of The Hunger Games and Catching Fire on this blog, you already know that I love this series. The first day Mockingjay was available in bookstores, I bought it. Now I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fiction, Over 375 pages, Sci-Fi/Futuristic, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“Shakespeare Bats Cleanup”

Posted on May 24, 2010 by Victoria Waddle

Shakespeare Bats Cleanup by Ron Koertge Mrs. Martin recommended this to me and asked me about the last entry—some students who read the book saw some hidden meanings there. Well—hidden meaning? That was intriguing enough to get me to read. … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Sports, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“Telling”

Posted on May 18, 2010 by Victoria Waddle

Telling by Marilyn Reynolds The novel begins with twelve-year-old Cassie meeting her new neighbors, the Sloans, and agreeing to baby-sit their children. Each time Cassie baby-sits, Fred Sloan makes a sexual advance toward her, progressively becoming more obvious and direct. … Continue reading →

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“Graceling”

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Victoria Waddle

As a fantasy book for teens, especially for girls, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, is nearly perfect. The heroine, Katsa, has just the kind of power in life that girls often dream about. (The first time a man tries to grope … Continue reading →

Posted in Fable/Fairy Tale/Fantasy, Fiction, Over 375 pages, Romance, Young Adult Literature | 1 Comment

“Skulduggery Pleasant”

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Victoria Waddle

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy Stephanie Edgley is brokenhearted over the death of her Uncle Gordon, who, in a surprise move, has left Stephanie his estate. He was a bestselling author of fantasy and magic, and hung out with what … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Over 375 pages, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , | Leave a comment

“The Graveyard Book”

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Victoria Waddle

“There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife.” The first sentence of The Graveyard Book Though The Graveyard Book has been marketed to younger teens in the U.S., it is sold as an adult book in … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

“Twice Told: Original Stories Inspired by Original Art”

Posted on January 29, 2010 by Victoria Waddle

Twice Told: Original Stories Inspired by Original Art has stories by many wonderful YA writers and drawings by Scott Hunt. When a teacher asks you to read short stories, check this book out. Each section has art work–a pencil drawing. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Short Stories, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“Twisted”

Posted on January 22, 2010 by Victoria Waddle

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson I loved Speak and when someone told me that Twisted was Speak for guys, I had to read it. The New York Times Book Review (Oct. 27, 2009) tells us that Anderson’s “novel Speak (1999) … Continue reading →

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“City of Ashes”

Posted on January 20, 2010 by Victoria Waddle

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (Book Two of The Mortal Instruments) Here’s another Top Ten Teen Read of 2009—but with smart cover art and an intriguing title. I read City of Ashes because it got on the top ten … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment