The Teen Review from the Marathon County Public Library

"Son" by Lois Lowry

MCPL TeenZone — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 19:12:36 GMT

Rating: Good (4)

In "The Giver," Jonas rescues a baby named Gabriel. In "Son," the final book of the Giver Quartet, the story of Gabriel's mother is explored. Young Claire was assigned to be a "birthmother", to produce children much like the way a factory produces goods. After her first birth goes wrong, she is assigned to work a different job. However, she cannot forget the feeling of her son in her arms, who she never saw but loved dearly.
And thus, her search for her son begins.
From an emotionless city to a village by the sea to a peaceful town haunted by a sinister being, Claire's world is full of adventure and struggle. Readers looking for a beautifully written novel with some mystery and action will find Son a wonderful read. While not as thought-provoking as "The Giver," "Son" is still a worthwhile novel.

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"Son" by Lois Lowry

Attention Teens! Voting has started for YALSA’s Teen Top Ten!

Julie Kinney / Library Services — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 08:27:41 GMT

If you have visited the TeenZone over the summer, you probably noticed our display of books that have been nominated for YALSA’s Teens’ Top Ten! If you haven’t, check out the picture of the display.

Every year YALSA works with teens and libraries around the country to choose nominees for the Teens’ Top Ten. Teens read and nominated books for inclusion on this list. Publishers supply books to teen reading groups. After reading, the books are evaluated by the groups and a list of nominees is chosen. All teens are then invited to read and vote for the books they think that other teens would enjoy reading.

There is still time to read and vote! If you haven’t had a chance to read any of the books, stop by the library and pick out one or two. While our display was pretty empty during the summer months, it’s started to fill back up. Is there a title you’re interested in, but it’s not there? You can also request a specific book using your smart phone or tablet by scanning the QR code for the book. You can also stop by our reference desk and ask our friendly staff members to help you request a book.

The voting has started and will continue throughout the month of September, ending on October 18. You can see a list of nominees here.

You can vote for your favorite book here.

There are also signs in the TeenZone with a QR code that will link you to the voting as well as book trailers for all of the nominees. Read and vote and look for the results in late October.

"Scorpia Rising" by Anthony Horowitz

Ann S. — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 08:49:29 GMT

Rating: Excellent! (5)

The final book in the Alex Rider series is an exciting conclusion to the story of a teen spy.
Alex Rider was recruited for his first mission years ago, and now the higher-ups of M16, the British Intelligence Service, are (almost) unwilling to use him again. But Scorpia, a nearly defeated terrorist organization wants revenge for the shame forced upon them by our protagonist. Now, in an elaborate plan to return something back to its original country and put an end to British power, Scorpia creates a scenario where the only agent M16 can use in a certain mission is Alex Rider.
And so, Alex is again thrust into a world of spies, treachery, and danger.

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"Scorpia Rising" by Anthony Horowitz

"Looking For Alaska" by John Green

Anna J. — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 10:07:47 GMT

Rating: Good (4)

Miles ("Pudge") transfers schools in hopes of finding the "Great Perhaps." He soon meets the Colonel and Alaska, who give him the adventure he craves. When Alaska is found dead one day, Colonel and Pudge pledge to find out what happened. Will the boys figure out the mystery of Alaska's death? If so, will they be able to handle the truth?

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"Looking For Alaska" by John Green

"I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You" by Ally Carter

Hayley K. — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 11:29:54 GMT

Rating: Excellent! (5)

If your the type of person who likes adventure, romance and danger and excitement? This book, "I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You" by Alley Carter, is one of the best books I have ever read. Cameron (cammie some people call her) goes to a school for spies. She has three best friends; Bex, Lizzy, and Macey. She and her friends encounter many adventures and meets very interesting people. Have you ever wonder what it would be like going to a school for spies? Find out what its like when you read "I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You".

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"I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You" by Ally Carter

"The Immortal Rules" by Julie Kagawa

Emily S. — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 13:35:29 GMT

Rating: Excellent! (5)

All her life, Allison Sekemoto has lived a life of danger. Whether it's fighting for her freedom against the vampires who dominate life or just finding food, the way she lives isn't an easy one. More than anything, Allison hates the vampires, who keep humans as their own personal walking, talking meals. Then, the unthinkable happens--Allison herself is turned into one of them. Forced to abandon the life she's always known and fight against her former kind, Allison hears of a legend. There is, supposedly a place where people can unbecome vampires. As she makes her journey there, though, she learns of loyalty and betrayal, love and loss and, most importantly, who she truly is.

The Immortal Rules is amazing, though it's not a light read. I'd recommend it to any and all readers who enjoy a little darkness in their books and to anyone who likes the fantasy genre in general.

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"The Immortal Rules" by Julie Kagawa

".Hack: Another Birth Vol. 1 Infection" by Miu Kawasaki

Robby T. — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 10:45:24 GMT

Rating: Excellent! (5)

I thought this book was excellent for many reasons. One, being that it is based off one of my favorite videos games. Two, is that the book has a fantastic story line and great characters you will want to keep reading about. The third reason is that the book is full of action and suspense.
This book is about a girl named Akira Hayami. She is an average student with good grades, and she plays tennis after school. Her life is normal until her brother suddenly goes into a coma. The last thing he saw was his computer screen locked on to the game he was playing..."The World", a massively multiplayer, online game has millions of players. Akira joins the game to figure out how her younger brother fell into a coma after playing this game. She meets many friends along the way who help her fight battles and discover clues about the game. But what is worse than just her brother falling into a coma is that many other people are also falling into a coma because of this wretched game.

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"Hack Another Birth Vol 1" by Miu Kawasaki

"OCD Love Story" by Corey Ann Haydu

Jenna B. — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 10:35:29 GMT

Rating: Good (4)

OCD Love Story is about Bea, a teenage girl who goes to an all girls private school, and you guessed it, has OCD. Throughout the book, Bea struggles with her mental illness and goes through the ups and downs of having OCD. One of Bea's OCD habits, or her compulsions as her therapist refers to them includes stalking people. This may make some readers feel nervous and frustrated for her because this puts Bea in some incredibly embarrassing and even frightening situations. I would recommend this book to people who are willing to dig deep and connect to a character who is not easily relatable. Although it is not a light, easy read, it is a great book.

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