Category Archives: Horror/Mystery/Suspense

“Swamplandia!”

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

Swamplandia! by Karen Russell  First the confession: I think if Karen Russell wrote a manual on how to put a bicycle together, I’d pretend not to understand the assembly process, so that I could read it over and over. Her … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Family Problems, Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Supernatural, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , | 1 Comment

“The Marbury Lens”

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

    The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith Wow—this is the creepiest YA book I’ve ever read! Before I get to the details, I do want to admit that it’s deeply flawed—because if you read it and then are disappointed in … Continue reading →

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Mature Readers, Sci-Fi/Futuristic, Young Adult Literature | 1 Comment

“The Historian”

Posted on May 29, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova  This one isn’t on my summer reading list, but I want to make a quick note of it because I have a couple of students each year who want to read something with vampires that … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Over 375 pages, Romance, Supernatural | Tagged | Leave a comment

“Ninth Grade Slays”

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

Ninth Grade Slays (Vladimir Tod series) by Heather Brewer   (For the review of the first book in the series, Eighth Grade Bites, click here.) The series is still fun with a combination of goofy loser action—Is Vlad ever going to … Continue reading →

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

“Dead is a State of Mind”

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

Dead is a State of Mind by Marlene Perez   Book 2 in the Nightshade High series I already reviewed the first book in this series, Dead is the New Black (find review here), so without repeating background, let me get right … Continue reading →

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

“Shiver”

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

  Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater Another book I read—loved this one—and didn’t have time to review. (The Chaffey library is closed for AP testing, so I’m sneaking in a few reviews in the hope that you’ll find some good summer … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Romance, Supernatural, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

“The Forest of Hands and Teeth”

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan  Here’s a book I read quite awhile ago, never had time to review, but thought you’d like. In some post-apocalyptic future, Mary lives in a village that seems to be the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Sci-Fi/Futuristic, Supernatural, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites”

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

        The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod by Heather Brewer The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod is a series recommended to me for summer reading. I figured I’d get started early and read the first book: Eighth Grade Bites. It was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Supernatural, Young Adult Literature | Tagged | Leave a comment

“Death Cloud: The Sherlock Holmes Legend Begins”

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

Death Cloud: The Sherlock Holmes Legend Begins by Andrew Lane  A note on the book jacket tells us that this is the first teen series endorsed by the Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes) Estate. I’m happy to see a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fiction, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Literary Read Alike, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Teen Book Fest and Advice for Writers

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

Teen Book Fest I had a great time at the Teen Book Fest last Saturday. All five of the authors spoke about their books, about how they came to be writers and how they managed to be published. The teens … Continue reading →

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