Tag Archives: book reviews

Adult Books for Teens: Autobiography: “Lone Survivor”

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson Marcus Luttrell has trained his entire life to arrive at the moment when he and three fellow members of Navy SEAL Team 10 creep along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in search of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Biography/Memoir, Faith-Based/Religious Element, Movie Tie-In, Non-fiction, Over 375 pages | Tagged Adult books for teens, Afghanistan, autobiography, biography, book reviews, boot camp, death, death and dying, family, friendship, Lokhay, Lone Survivor, Marcus Luttrell, military service, movie tie-in, Navy SEAL, Navy SEAL Indoctrination, Navy SEALs, nonfiction, Special Forces, Texas, war | Leave a comment

“School Spirits”

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins Related to the Hex Hall series Izzy Brannick hunts monsters of all types. However, she finds tracking and binding ghosts to be less than challenging. So when her mom (Aislinn) tells her that they are … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Supernatural, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, ghost hunters, ghost stories, ghosts, Hex Hall series, hi-low reading, high school, high school students, monsters, paranormal, reluctant readers, School Spirits, YA fiction, YA literature | 1 Comment

“Criminal”

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

Criminal by Terra Elan McVoy Nikki is absolutely crazy for her boyfriend Dee. Though he often seems distant, she rationalizes his behavior. After all, among his many tattoos is the one she is can’t help bringing her lips to–N–for … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Mature Readers, Multicultural, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, child-parent relationships, Criminal, criminals, drug addiction, family problems, friendship, gangs, hi-low reading, murder, parent-teen relationships, reluctant readers, Teen Issues, Terra Elan McVoy, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

“It’s Kind of a Funny Story”

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini When he’s only fifteen years old, Craig Gilner is so depressed that he makes a plan to kill himself–he’s going to throw himself off the Brooklyn Bridge. Thankfully, Craig has … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Over 375 pages, Romance, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, family problems, friendship, high school students, It's Kind of a Funny Story, Ned Vizzini, parent-teen relationships, romance, school problems, suicide, suicide in literature, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | 2 Comments

Nonfiction: Common Core: “The Sociopath Next Door”

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout Something that has always interested me about people who are charismatic is how often they turn out to be evil. In school, we all learn this about dictators–watch film of them mesmerizing … Continue reading →

Posted in bullying, Family Problems, Non-fiction | Tagged Adult books for teens, antisocial personality disorder, book reviews, bullying, charisma, Common Core, critical thinking, Martha Stout, self-esteem, serial killers, sociopaths, The Sociopath Next Door | 3 Comments

“I’ll Give You the Sun”

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson “How can love be such a wrecking ball?” Noah and Jude are twins who have distinct personalities but sense that they are two halves of a perfect whole. While both are artistic … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult Literature | Tagged artists, book reviews, bullying, child-parent relationships, coming of age, creativity, death, death and dying, family problems, friendship, grief, LGBTQ, painting, parent-teen relationships, Printz Award, risk, romance, school problems, sculptors, Stonewall Book Award, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | 2 Comments

“Dare Me”

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

Dare Me by Eric Devine Ben Candido has known enough about trouble and his former best friend Ricky to stay away for more than three years. But when their senior year of high school finally arrives, Ben can’t help … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Controversial Issue/Debate, Family Problems, Fiction, Sports, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, Dare Me, Eric Devine, family problems, friendship, high school students, LGBTQ, parent-teen relationships, reluctant readers, school problems, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | 1 Comment

“Gabi: A Girl in Pieces”

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

Gabi: A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero “My mom says, ‘Ojos abiertos, piernas cerradas.’ Eyes open, legs closed.” This advice, the total sum of Gabi’s sex education at home, gets more ironic (and darkly funny) as the book … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith-Based/Religious Element, Family Problems, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, death and dying, drug addiction, family problems, friendship, grief, grieving, high school students, Isabel Quintero, JLG, Junior Library Guild, LGBTQ, Morris Award, parent-teen relationships, poverty, rape, romance, school problems, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | 4 Comments

Thoughtful Readers: “August”

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

August by Bernard Beckett I’ve been looking for books for our deeper thinkers. August is one. Unfortunately, the cover description says it’s a “philosophical thriller” and also gives the reader the impression that it will be a love story. … Continue reading →

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Faith-Based/Religious Element, Family Problems, Fiction, Human Rights Issues, Philosophy, Young Adult Literature | Tagged August, automobile accidents, Bernard Beckett, book reviews, car accidents, child abuse, critical thinking, death, dystopias, free will, philosophy, religion, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

Women’s History Month: Look what I won!

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

I won these five books at the California School Library Association Centennial Conference! Just cataloged in time for Women’s History Month. Be a leader and a history make–come check one out!

Posted in Non-fiction | Tagged #GirlBoss, Adult books for teens, book reviews, California School Library Association Centennial Conference, Confidence Code, Lean In, nonfiction, Thrive, Well-Spoken Woman, Women's History Month | 1 Comment