Tag Archives: book reviews

Nonfiction: “Code Talker”

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Victoria Waddle

Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir by One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WW II by Chester Nez with Judith S. Avila Chester Nez was one of the original 32 (some say 29, but Nez informs the … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Historical Fiction/Historical Element | Tagged Adult books for teens, American Indians, book reviews, Code Talkers, Common Core standards, friendship, memoir, Navajo Indians, nonfiction, prejudice, school problems, World War II | Leave a comment

Drug Abuse “In Ecstasy”

Posted on June 5, 2016 by Victoria Waddle

In Ecstasy by Kate McCaffrey Fifteen-year-old Sophie and Mia are longtime best friends, who, as the novel opens, are getting ready for a big party. Sophie is more outgoing. Mia is socially awkward and just hopes to get through … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, drug abuse, drug addiction, drug dealers in literature, drug use, drugs, family problems, friendship, hi-low reading, In Ecstasy, Kate McCaffrey, parent-teen relationships, Read 180, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

More Than Romance: “Love and Other Theories”

Posted on June 3, 2016 by Victoria Waddle

Love and Other Theories by Alexis Bass After freshman year of high school, Aubrey and her three best friends are on to an important reality: high school relationships don’t often last; in fact, given that high school students move … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Mature Readers, Over 375 pages, Romance, Young Adult Literature | Tagged Alexis Bass, book reviews, boy-girl relationships, friendship, Love and Other Theories, mean girls, parent-teen relationships, romance, school problems, Teen Issues, teen sexuality, YA fiction, YA literature | 1 Comment

“I Will Save You”

Posted on May 30, 2016 by Victoria Waddle

I Will Save You by Matt de la Peña I Will Save You opens with a startling scene as Kidd Ellison appears to throw himself and his old frenemy, Devon, into wild danger in an irrational attempt to save Olivia, … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Grief, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, family problems, friendship, hi-low reading, I will Save You, Matt de la Pena, parent-teen relationships, reluctant readers, romance, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

Adult Books for Teens: Nonfiction: “Dead Wake”

Posted on May 28, 2016 by Victoria Waddle

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson The Lusitania, a British ship in the Cunard Line, was considered the most elegant passenger liner of its day. It was fast and luxurious, and a trip aboard was … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Non-fiction, Over 375 pages | Tagged Adult books for teens, American History, book reviews, Dead Wake, Erik Larson, history, Lusitania, nonfiction, submarine warfare, submarines, U-boats, US History, Woodrow Wilson, WW I | Leave a comment

Mystery: “The Night She Disappeared”

Posted on May 14, 2016 by Victoria Waddle

The Night She Disappeared by April Henry Gabie agrees to switch nights working at Pete’s Pizza so that Kayla can do something else. Probably go on a date although she’s recently broken up with her boyfriend and doesn’t say … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Read 180 | Tagged April Henry, book reviews, family problems, hi-low reading, mystery, Night She Dusappeared, parent-teen relationships, Read 180, reluctant readers, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | 1 Comment

Adult Books for Teens: “Girls and Sex”

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Victoria Waddle

Girls and Sex by Peggy Orenstein For adults who really want to be honest with teens about sexuality, this is the books we’ve been waiting for. For teens–guys as well as girls–who are having trouble navigating teen sexual culture, … Continue reading →

Posted in bullying, Human Rights Issues, Mature Readers, Non-fiction | Tagged Adult books for teens, book reviews, bullying, child-parent relationships, family problems, gay teens, high school students, nonfiction, parent-teen relationships, romance, Teen Issues, teen sexuality, teenage boys, teenage girls | Leave a comment

“The Last Good Place of Lily Odilon”

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Victoria Waddle

Last Good Place of Lily Odilon by Sara Beitia Eighteen-year-old Lily Odilon has been in trouble before. When Albert Morales meets her, there are plenty of rumors swirling around her–she had been a party girl, but isn’t anymore; she … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Family Problems, Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Romance, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, child abuse, child sexual abuse, family problems, high school students, parent-teen relationships, romance, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

Mystery, Romance: “Period.8”

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Victoria Waddle

Period.8 by Chris Crutcher The problem with having too great a time span between reading Chris Crutcher books is that I forget how good they are. Forget how the fast-talking, conscience-driven teens can connect with teachers who care about them. … Continue reading →

Posted in bullying, Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Mature Readers, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, bullying, Chris Crutcher, family problems, friendship, hi-low reading, high school students, JLG, Junior Library Guild, parent-teen relationships, Period.8, Read 180, reluctant readers, romance, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | 1 Comment

Mystery: “The Girl Who was Supposed to Die”

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Victoria Waddle

The Girl Who was Supposed to Die by April Henry A teen girl comes to consciousness on the floor of a cabin in the woods. She can’t remember anything. She’s sore and when she touches her fingers to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, hi-low reading, Read 180, reluctant readers, thriller, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment