Where the Red Fern Grows

Title: Where the Red Fern Grows

Author: Wilson Rawls

Pages: 272

Genre: Fiction

Grade: A-

Synopsis: Billy worked and saved for two years for enough money to buy Little Ann and Big Dan. They were the best hunting dogs and companions that a boy could wish for. Night after night Billy and his dogs would go out hunting for raccoons and adventure.

My Review: We listened to this book on a road trip from Pittsburgh, to Buffalo, to Toronto, to Detroit, to Cleveland and back to Pittsburgh.  Kate had read it with her class last year and was excited to listen to the book again.  We all looked forward to when we would be driving and listening.  A great family read/listen!

The Crossover

Title: The Crossover

Author: Kwame Alexander

Pages: 240

Genre: Poetry, Young Adult, Newbery Award

Grade: A

Synopsis: 12-year-old Josh Bell and his twin brother Jordan have mad skills in basketball that they got from their father who had played professionally when he was younger.  The story is mostly told in a poetic verse and a series of poems describing Josh and Jordan's playing on the court, about their crushes and about some of the struggles that they are facing at home.

My Review: We listened to this book on a road trip this last summer and it was a hit in the car. The book is in a similar style to the musical Hamilton, where the story is told almost through a rap-like verse.  Extremely clever and well done.

if i stay

Title: if i stay

Author: Gayle Forman

Pages: 201

Genre: Young Adult

Grade: B

Synopsis: Mia is 17 years old and is planning to attend Juilliard Music School to continue studying her the violin music that she is so passionate about.  On a day off from school Mia is driving with her family when they are in a terrible accident.  Mia doesn't realize it at first, but she has an extensive out of body experience where she watches everybody who loves her trying to help save her. 

My Review:  The premise of the book is interesting.  We all have beliefs about what happens after we die, but I had never really considered that we may have a say in whether or not we get to stay here on earth.  I didn't love the writing or even care too deeply about the story, but it was intriguing.

Before I Fall

Title: Before I Fall

Author: Lauren Oliver

Pages: 10 discs

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult

Grade: B-

Synopsis: Samantha Kingston is a High School Senior and today is "Cupid Day", where students send each other roses and love notes.  Sam is super popular and has the hottest boyfriend in the school.  After a big party that night she is killed in an automobile accident on her way home..., that is until she wakes up the next morning and finds out that it is Cupid Day yet again.

My Review: Part Groundhog Day and part super annoying teeny bopper book, I didn't love this book.  Too much obsessing about kissing, boys, sex, alcohol and kissing boys and way too many characters were just too annoying.

the perks of being a wallflower

Title: the perks of being a wallflower

Author: stephen chbosky

Pages: 213

Genre: Young Adult, Fiction

Grade: B

Synopsis: Charlie is a sensitive 15-year-old boy who is writing letters about his life to an anonymous recipient who he chose because he thought this person would not be judgmental towards him. During the course of the book, Charlie deals with suicide, abuse, drugs, sex and mental illness.  He is an introvert who is trying to find his place.

My Review: Honestly, I didn't remember a whole lot about this book (it's been a few months since I read it), so it's not one that left a significant impression on me.  I had to re-read a few plot summaries in order to jog my memory.  The book was alright, but I remember thinking that it was a little to contrived for my liking.

Stargirl

Title: Stargirl

Author: Jerry Spinelli

Pages: 4 discs

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Grade: B+

Synopsis: Stargirl is not like anybody else.  She wears whatever she wants to school, sings Happy Birthday to kids in the lunchroom while strumming on her banjo and decorates her desk with tablecloth and flowers in each period. The kids at school don't know what to make of her, but eventually she becomes popular for a short period of time until her 5 minutes of fame are up and the cliques at the school begin to shun her again.

My Review:  The novel is a sort of coming-of-age book about a brave, strong, girl who is not afraid to be a non-conformist. It was an easy, thought-provoking read, and quite enjoyable.

Four: A Divergent Collection

Title: Four: A Divergent Collection

Author: Veronica Roth

Pages: 6 discs

Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Grade: B

Synopsis: The Divergent Series is essentially three books, and this 4th book stands apart as a review of the series from Four's point of view.  It goes into more details about Four's upbringing and him picking the Dauntless as well as his time in the Dauntless as a leader.

My Review: I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more had I read it right after finishing the Divergent Series. However, I could barely remember the earlier books in the series, so I didn't always remember the experiences that were being referenced in this alternate point of view.

Allegiant (Divergent #3)

Title: Allegiant (Divergent #3)

Author: Veronica Roth

Pages: 9 discs?

Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Grade: B+

Synopsis: The ruined city of Chicago is still in shambles.  The factions have been replaced with the factionless, but there is a push by many to fight to restore the factions.  This group elects to send a selected group outside the city, including Tris and Four.

My Review: I wasn't sure where this series could go besides more of the same types of conflicts that had been covered in the first could of books.  However, by sending a group outside of the city the story expands and I felt that it became more interesting.

Insurgent (Divergent #2)

Title: Insurgent

Author: Veronica Roth

Pages: 10 discs?

Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Grade: A-

Synopsis: After the Dauntless attack while under simulation serum took place in the last book, Tris and the others are not hiding out with the Amity. While there Erudite and Dauntless traitors attack in an effort to find any Divergent who may be hiding out.

My Review: I actually read this book back in the spring, but failed to put a review together.  I don't remember a ton about the book (beyond the main plot), but I do recall enjoying the book but not as much as the first.

Divergent

Title: Divergent

Author: Veronica Roth

Pages: 487

Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Grade: B+

Synopsis: The novel takes place in a future Chicago, that has been transformed into a dystopian city where everybody lives in one of five factions.  When Beatrice Prior turns 16 she, along with all other 16-year-olds, must choose which faction in which to spend her life. The majority of youth choose to stay within their own faction as find a place within another faction is challenging, but Beatrice feels the pull of something greater.

My Review: This book is in a similar vein as The Hunger Games where teenagers are growing up in an imagined world that is both similar and different to our own.  I didn't find myself loving the book or the writing style, but I did enjoy the story and became attached Beatrice Prior.

Don't Throw Rocks at His Window

Title: Don't Throw Rocks at His Window: Real Advice to Mend a Broken Heart

Author: Julie C. Donaldson

Pages: 97

Genre: Young Adult, Religion

Grade: B+

Synopsis: Broken hearts are a crucial part of growing up. This book is chock-full of advice and stories to help teenagers deal with their broken hearts and to rely on the Savior for support and strength.

My Review: Full disclosure - This book was written by a friend in our ward and the cover design was done by a neighbor from when I was growing up. Obviously I'm not in the target audience for the book, but I found that I quite enjoyed the book. The personal experiences were relevant and funny and the advice (if followed) would certainly help mend a newly dumped (or broken-up) ex-girlfriend's heart. If I ever find myself having to comfort a young lady in this circumstance, this book would make a great gift.

The Wednesday Wars

Title: The Wednesday Wars

Author: Gary D. Schmidt

Pages: 264

Genre: Fiction

Grade: B+

Synopsis: Holling Hoodhood is a seventh grader at Camillo Junior High School. On Wednesdays, all of the students except Holling have religious instruction. Holling stays back at the school with Mrs. Baker. Holling is certain that Mrs. Baker hates him, else why would she require him to read Shakespeare during their Wednesday classes?

My Review: This was a fun, young adult fiction book. The author does a great job of capturing the thoughts, emotions and actions of a seventh grader. The book brought back a lot of memories of being that age myself, although I don't recall having to read Shakespeare.