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Teen Book Review

Realism

Small Damages (by Beth Kephart)

Rating 4

Reviewed by Debbie, McClay Staff

Kenzie and her friends are seniors, all with plans of doing big and wonderful things and having fun for the summer.  Kenzie has recently lost her father, she's fighting with her mother, trying to deal with her losses and  she discovers that she is pregnant. Kenzie's boyfriend, Kevin who has been supportive and loving since her father's death, suddenly becomes distant and doesn't want to deal with the problem. Her mom decides to send her off to Spain to live with a family that has found a couple to adopt her baby.

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Get Well Soon (by Julie Halpern)

Rating 3

Reviewed by Courtney, Spencer TAB

What does a girl do when her parents abandon her at a teen mental hospital with only a few clothes and the lack of her beloved music? Well, she falls in love of course! Told through the eyes of a confused teen, readers get a glimpse into the world of mental health with the fantastic addition of teenage sarcasm. Anna Bloom, the main character of Get Well Soon is very lovable despite the times where her characterization can be a bit flimsy and immature. Readers will laugh at the humorous hospital staff. This book is sure to make readers see mental health in a new light.

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Pregnant Pause (by Han Nolan)

Rating 4

Reviewed by Fairen, Spencer TAB

"Sixteen-year-old Eleanor Crowe has a mind of her own, a husband, and a baby on the way; great combination, right? To make matters worse, Lam, her husband is a natural trouble maker with plenty of excuses and she has both her in-laws and her sister fighting to get her baby when she hasn’t even decided whether she wants it or not. Too stay married or not to stay married, to keep the baby or to give it away (and to whom), these are all the questions Eleanor has to answer before giving birth.

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Hide and Seek (by Katy Grant)

Rating 5

Reviewed by JJ, grade 7

Hide & Seek was a very good book.  It was intense at some moments, happy and sad at others.  Its Chase's first time Geocaching alone and finds some extraordinary notes in the Geocache.

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The Help (by Kathryn Stockett)

Rating 5

Reviewed by Rose, grade 11

In 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, Aibileen Clark works as a maid (commonly referred to as "the help") for a white woman.  Skeeter Phelan, a while college kid coming home, wants to write a book on the opinions of black women raising white women's children.  Will any maid talk to Skeeter and risk being caught if the book is published?  The Help is realistic novel about crossing racial lines and optimism for the future. 

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Breathless (by Jessica Warman)

Rating 5

Reviewed by Blue, grade 8

The main character goes away to boarding while her brother is in a mental hospital.  She tells everyone her brother is dead.  Then one day everything unravels.

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The Outsiders (by S.E. Hinton)

Rating 5

Reviewed by JT, grade 8

After running going to the movies, Ponyboy and Jonny are surrounded by the Socs.  When one tries to drown Ponyboy, Jonny stabs his friends.  When they run away to stay out of trouble.  They run into a church that is burning down to save the kids stuck inside.  Both Ponyboy and Jonny are hurt, will they live or die.

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Sorta Like a Rock Star (by Matthew Quick)

Rating 4

Reviewed by Lauren, grade 8

I liked this book Sorta LIke a Rock Star because it showed all of the challenges that went on in the characters life.  This book shows us to never give up even if the worst things happen.  The character Amber Appleton is the "princess of hopp" and thats what I like about her.

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Out of My Mind (by Sharon Draper)

Rating 4

Reviewed by Tiffany, grade 8

This book is about a 11 year old girl that can't talk or walk but is very smart.  The author did a great job tell the life struggles of the girl that it made me laugh and cray.  This is a great book.  This is a book for young and old to read.  It is very interesting and educating.

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After (by Amy Efaw)

Rating 5

Reviewed by Megan, grade 8

Devon Davenport made a decission that would change her life forever.  When IT happened That Night, Devon's whole world flipped upside down.  She went from a honor student with a whole career of soccer ahead of her, to someone to be frowned upon in the hallways of school.  But, Devon won't be going back to school anytime soon. 

What will happen to Devon AFTER her terrible decission, AFTER she was put into a place that she would never imagine going.  What will the consequences be?

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