I have well over 400 book reviews archived on the following pages. If you scroll through, they are in order of when I posted the reviews. Please use the drop-down menus above for easier searching.
Know that this section is under constant construction. With this many reviews over a 12-year period, there are lots of variations in what I’ve included in the reviews, and many still need to be tagged for age, genre, and topic.
Review: Temptation (Hopkins)
AUTHOR: Karen Ann Hopkins SERIES: Temptation, book 1 PUBLISHER: Harlequin PUBLICATION DATE: June 26, 2012 ISBN: 9780373210541 PAGES: 304 SOURCE: NetGalley GENRE: realistic, romance GIVE IT TO: HS girls into
The Sweetest Thing : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I didn’t love or hate The Sweetest Thing. It’s predictable and follows many common tropes in rom-com style books for middle schoolers. It just feels like I’ve read books just
Review: Red Heart Tattoo (McDaniel)
AUTHOR: Lurlene McDaniel SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Random House Children’s PUBLICATION DATE: July 24, 2012 ISBN: 9780385734622 PAGES: 224 SOURCE: NetGalley GENRE: realistic GIVE IT TO: MS, HS SUMMARY: When a
Review: Deep in the Heart of High School (Goldbach)
AUTHOR: Veronica Goldbach SERIES: none PUBLISHER:Farrar, Straus, Giroux PUBLICATION DATE: April 27, 2009 ISBN: 9780374323301 PAGES: 208 SOURCE: public library GENRE: realistic GIVE IT TO: MS SUMMARY: Three ninth grade
Review: Immortal City (Speer)
AUTHOR: Scott Speer SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Razorbill PUBLICATION DATE: April 3, 2012 ISBN: 9781595145062 PAGES: 336 SOURCE: publisher’s ARC GENRE: paranormal romance GIVE IT TO: teen girls who really love
Review: The Hunt (Fukuda)
AUTHOR: Andrew Fukuda SERIES: The Hunt, book 1 PUBLISHER: St. Martin’s Griffin PUBLICATION DATE: May 8, 2012 ISBN: 9781250005144 PAGES: 304 SOURCE: NetGalley GENRE: science fiction (post-apocalyptic) GIVE IT TO:
Review: Unbreak My Heart (Walker)
AUTHOR: Melissa Walker SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Bloomsbury USA PUBLICATION DATE: May 22, 2012 ISBN: 9781599905280 PAGES: 240 SOURCE: NetGalley GENRE: realistic GIVE IT TO: MS, HS girls SUMMARY: While sailing
Review: After the Snow (Crockett)
AUTHOR: S.D. Crockett SERIES: unknown; ending open for sequel, but I cannot find info on it PUBLISHER: Feiwel and Friends PUBLICATION DATE: March 27, 2012 ISBN: 9780312641696 PAGES: 304 SOURCE:
Starters : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Starters has so much potential! This book really does have everything going for it: a beautiful front cover, an interesting trailer, a great premise. Indeed, it started out very interesting,
Review: From What I Remember (Kramer/Thomas)
AUTHOR: Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Hyperion PUBLICATION DATE: May 15, 2012 ISBN: 9781423155089 PAGES: 331 SOURCE: NetGalley GENRE: Realistic GIVE IT TO: upper-HS SUMMARY: High school
Review: Allegiance (Kluver)
AUTHOR: Cayla Kluver SERIES: Legacy, book 2 PUBLISHER: Harlequin Teen PUBLICATION DATE: May 14, 2011 ISBN: 9780373210435 PAGES: 490 SOURCE: NetGalley GENRE: fantasy romance GIVE IT TO: upper-MS, HS SUMMARY:
Review: The Future of Us (Asher, Mackler)
AUTHOR: Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Razorbill PUBLICATION DATE: November 21, 2011 ISBN: 9781595144911 PAGES: 356 SOURCE: public library GENRE: Realistic fiction GIVE IT TO: MS, HS
Review: Firelight (Jordan)
AUTHOR: Sophie Jordan SERIES: Firelight, book 1 PUBLISHER: HarperTeen PUBLICATION DATE: Sept. 7, 2010 ISBN: 9780061935084 PAGES: 323 SOURCE: public library GENRE: fantasy romance GIVE IT TO: MS and HS
Review: Trafficked (Purcell)
AUTHOR: Kim Purcell SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Viking Juvenile PUBLICATION DATE: Feb. 16, 2012 ISBN: 9780670012800 PAGES: 352 SOURCE: ARC from publisher GENRE: realistic GIVE IT TO: HS girls and guys,
Review: Eye of the Storm (Messner)
AUTHOR: Kate Messner SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Walker Books PUBLICATION DATE: March 13, 2012 ISBN: 9780802723130 PAGES: 304 SOURCE: galley from SLJ GENRE: dystopia, post-apocalyptic GIVE IT
Review: 172 Hours on the Moon (Johan Harstad)
AUTHOR: Johan Harstad; translated by Tara Chace SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Little, Brown PUBLICATION DATE: April 17, 2012 ISBN: 9780316182881 PAGES: 368 SOURCE: SLJ reviewer copy GENRE: science fiction, survival, horror
The Sweetheart of Prosper County : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Jill Alexander’s The Sweetheart of Prosper County is perfect for middle school libraries in Texas! I recommend librarians purchase the paperback rather than the hardcover of this one because the
Review: Katana (Cole Gibsen)
AUTHOR: Cole Gibsen SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Flux PUBLICATION DATE: March 8, 2012 ISBN: 9780738730400 PAGES: 384 SOURCE: NetGalley GENRE: action/adventure GIVE IT TO: I would not recommend this to anyone
Review: Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe (Shelley Coriell)
AUTHOR: Shelley Coriell SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Amulet PUBLICATION DATE: May 1, 2012 ISBN: 9781419701917 PAGES: 320 SOURCE: Net Galley GENRE: contemporary; chick lit GIVE IT TO: MS, HS girls SUMMARY:
Review: Blood Red Road (Young)
AUTHOR: Moira Young SERIES: Dust Lands, book 1 PUBLISHER: Margaret K. McElderry PUBLICATION DATE: June 7, 2011 ISBN: 9781442429987 PAGES: 459 SOURCE: public library GENRE: science fiction; survival GIVE IT
Review: A Monster Calls (Ness)
AUTHOR: Patrick Ness; based on a concept by Siobhan Dowd; illustrated by Jim Kay SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press PUBLICATION DATE: Sept. 27, 2011 ISBN: 9781406311525 PAGES: 215 SOURCE: my
Review: Playground (Jackson)
AUTHOR: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Razorbill PUBLICATION DATE: January 1, 2012 (originally published 11-1-11) ISBN: 9781595144348 PAGES: 272 SOURCE: public library GENRE: realistic; urban GIVE IT TO:
Review: Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares (Levithan and Cohn)
AUTHOR: David Levithan, Rachel Cohn SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Knopf Books for Young Readers PUBLICATION DATE: October 26, 2010 ISBN: 9780375866593 PAGES: 272 SOURCE: borrowed from friend GENRE: romance; realistic fiction
Review: Look for Me By Moonlight (Hahn)
AUTHOR: Mary Downing Hahn SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Harper Trophy PUBLICATION DATE: April 24, 1995 ISBN: 9780380727032 PAGES: 192 SOURCE: my library GENRE: mystery/romance GIVE IT TO: MS boys and girls
Review: Every You, Every Me (Levithan)
AUTHOR: David Levithan; photos by Jonathan Farmer SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Knopf Books for Young Readers PUBLICATION DATE: Sept. 13, 2011 ISBN: 9780375860980 PAGES: 245 SOURCE: public library GENRE: realistic, mystery
Review: Ruby Red (Gier)
AUTHOR: Kersten Gier; Anthea Bell (translator) SERIES: Edelstein Trilogie, book 1 PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Co. PUBLICATION DATE: May 10, 2011 ISBN: 9780805092523 PAGES: 324 SOURCE: my library GENRE: sci-fi
Review: You Against Me (Downham)
AUTHOR: Jenny Downham SERIES: none PUBLISHER: David Fickling Books PUBLICATION DATE: Dec. 2, 2010 ISBN: 9780385613507 PAGES: 413 SOURCE: public library GENRE: realistic; romance GIVE IT TO: HS boys/girls SUMMARY:
Review: Divergent (Roth)
AUTHOR: Veronica Roth SERIES: Divergent, Book 1 PUBLISHER: HarperCollins PUBLICATION DATE: May 3, 2011 ISBN: 9780062024022 PAGES: 489 SOURCE: public library GENRE: Dystopia GIVE IT TO: MS, HS boys and
Review: Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (Cohn/Levithan)
I loved this cute little story! It is nice and short and does not take itself too seriously. AUTHOR: Rachel Cohn SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Random House Children’s PUBLICATION DATE: May
Review: Fins Are Forever
AUTHOR: Tera Lynn Childs SERIES: Fins, book 2 PUBLISHER: HarperCollins PUBLICATION DATE: June 28, 2011 ISBN: 9780061914683 PAGES: 272 SOURCE: my library GENRE: fantasy (mermaids), romance GIVE IT TO: MS
Review: Tiger’s Voyage (Houck)
AUTHOR: Colleen Houck SERIES: Tiger Saga, book 3 PUBLISHER: Splinter Publishing PUBLICATION DATE: Nov. 1, 2011 ISBN: 9781402784057 PAGES: 560 SOURCE: my library GENRE: fantasy, romance, mythology GIVE IT TO:
Review: Megan Meade’s Guide to the McGowan Boys (Brian)
AUTHOR: Kate Brian SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Simon Pulse PUBLICATION DATE: Oct. 5, 2005 ISBN: 9781416900313 PAGES: 272 SOURCE: public library GENRE: Chick lit GIVE IT TO: MS, HS girls SUMMARY:
Review: Beauty Queens (Bray)
AUTHOR: Libba Bray SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Scholastic Press PUBLICATION DATE: May 24, 2011 ISBN: 9780439895972 PAGES: 396 SOURCE: public library GENRE: Survival; humor (satire) GIVE IT TO: Smart HS girls
Review: Dead is the New Black (Marlene Perez)
AUTHOR: Marlene Perez SERIES: Dead Is, book 1 PUBLISHER: Harcourt Paperbacks PUBLICATION DATE: Sept. 1, 2008 ISBN:9780152064082 PAGES: 204 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Paranormal GIVE IT TO: perfect for MS
Review: Legacy (Molly Cochran)
AUTHOR: Molly Cochran SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books PUBLICATION DATE: December 20, 2011 ISBN:9781442417397 PAGES: 464 SOURCE: Simon & Schuster Galley Grab GENRE: Paranormal romance GIVE IT
Review: Bloodlust (Alex Duval)
AUTHOR: Alex Duval SERIES: Vampire Beach, book 1 PUBLISHER: Simon Pulse PUBLICATION DATE: May 9, 2006 ISBN:9781416911661 PAGES: 208 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Paranormal, vampires GIVE IT TO: HS boys
Review: The Always War (Margaret Peterson Haddix)
AUTHOR: Margaret Peterson Haddix SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Simon and Schuster PUBLICATION DATE: November 15, 2011 ISBN: 9780689873805 PAGES: 208 SOURCE: Galley Grab GENRE: Science Fiction GIVE IT TO: MS OVERALL
Review: Shadowcry (Jenna Burtenshaw)
AUTHOR: Jenna Burtenshaw SERIES: Secrets of Wintercraft, book 1 PUBLISHER: Greenwillow PUBLICATION DATE: June 21, 2011 (originally published May 13, 2010) ISBN: 9780062026422 PAGES: 320 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Fantasy
Review: Fat Cat by Robin Brande
AUTHOR: Robin Brande SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Knopf Books for Young Readers PUBLICATION DATE: October 13, 2009 ISBN:9780375844492 PAGES: 330 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Realistic Fiction GIVE IT TO: MS, HS
Review: Tiger’s Quest
AUTHOR: Colleen Houck SERIES: Tiger Saga, book 2 PUBLISHER: Splinter PUBLICATION DATE: October 4, 2009 ISBN: 9781402784866 PAGES: 496 SOURCE: public library GENRE: fantasy/romance GIVE IT TO: ANYONE; this series
Review: Tiger’s Curse
AUTHOR: Colleen Houck SERIES: The Tiger Saga, book 1 PUBLISHER: Splinter PUBLICATION DATE: January 11, 2011 ISBN:978140278403 PAGES: 402 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Fantasy/romance/mythology GIVE IT TO: MS, HS OVERALL
Review: Chain Reaction (Simone Elkeles)
AUTHOR: Simone Elkeles SERIES: Perfect Chemistry, book 3 PUBLISHER: Walker Books PUBLICATION DATE: August 16, 2011 ISBN:9780802720870 PAGES: 308 SOURCE: borrowed from a friend GENRE: Romance, realistic RECOMMENDED FOR: HS
Review: Thirteen Reasons Why
AUTHOR: Jay Asher SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Razorbill PUBLICATION DATE: October 18, 2007 ISBN: 9781595141712 PAGES: 288 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Realistic/problem fiction RECOMMENDED FOR: upper MS, HS OVERALL RATING: Neutral
Review: Ushers, Inc.
AUTHOR: Rusty Fischer SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Decadent Publishing Co. PUBLICATION DATE: June 22, 2011 ASIN: B0057PJA72 PAGES: 305 SOURCE: ebook sent by author GENRE: humor; horror RECOMMENDED FOR: HS,
Review: If I Stay
AUTHOR: Gayle Forman SERIES: If I Stay, Book 1 PUBLISHER: Dutton Juvenile, Penguin Young Readers PUBLICATION DATE: April 9, 2009 ISBN:9780525421030 PAGES: 199 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Realistic RECOMMENDED FOR:
Review: The Seer and the Sword
AUTHOR: Victoria Hanley SERIES: Healer and Seer, book 1 PUBLISHER: Laurel Leaf PUBLICATION DATE: December 28, 2000 ISBN: 9780440229773 PAGES: 352 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Fantasy/romance
Review: Cloaked
AUTHOR: Alex Flinn SERIES: none PUBLISHER: HarperCollins PUBLICATION DATE: February 8, 2011 ISBN:9780060874223 PAGES: 341 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Fairy tale mash-up GIVE IT TO: MS OVERALL RATING: Neutral opinion
Review: Vampire Rising
AUTHOR: Jason Henderson SERIES: Alex Van Helsing, book 1 PUBLISHER: Harper Teen PUBLICATION DATE: May 1, 2010 ISBN: 9780061950995 PAGES: 272 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Action-adventure, vampires
Review: Hex Hall (Rachel Hawkins)
AUTHOR: Rachel Hawkins SERIES: Hex Hall, book 1 PUBLISHER: Hyperion PUBLICATION DATE: March 2, 2010 ISBN: 9781423121305 PAGES: 323 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Paranormal romance GIVE IT TO: MS,
Zombies Don’t Cry
AUTHOR: Rusty Fischer SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Medallion Press PUBLICATION DATE: May 1, 2011 ISBN: 9781605423821 PAGES: 371 SOURCE: sent from author GENRE: Humor; possibly horror because of the zombies,
Review: Trapped (Northrop)
AUTHOR: Michael Northrop SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Scholastic Press PUBLICATION DATE: January 1, 2011 ISBN: 9780545210126 PAGES: 224 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Survival, realistic GIVE IT TO: MS, HS
Forgive My Fins
AUTHOR: Tera Lynn Childs SERIES: Fins, book 1 PUBLISHER: HarperCollins PUBLICATION DATE: May 19, 2010 ISBN: 9780061914669 PAGES: 293 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Fantasy, Romance RECOMMENDED FOR: MS, HS
Review: Wither by Lauren DeStefano
AUTHOR: Lauren DeStefano SERIES: The Chemical Garden, book 1 PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster Children’s PUBLICATION DATE: March 22, 2011 ISBN: 9781442409057 PAGES: 358 SOURCE: My library GENRE: dystopia OVERALL RATING:
Review: Bruiser (Neal Shusterman)
AUTHOR: Neal Schusterman SERIES: none PUBLISHER: HarperTeen PUBLICATION DATE: June 17, 2010 ISBN: 9780061134104 PAGES: 352 SOURCE: My MS library GENRE: Realistic with a paranormal twist RECOMMENDED FOR: MS, HS
Review: Ashfall (Mullin)
AUTHOR: Mike Mullin SERIES: Ashfall, book 1 PUBLISHER: Tanglewood Press PUBLICATION DATE: October 11, 2011 ISBN: 9781933718552 PAGES: 466 SOURCE: NetGalley GENRE: Survival, Apocalypse RECOMMENDED FOR: HS, upper
Review: Th3 Cha0s (Ward)
AUTHOR: Rachel Ward SERIES:Numbers, book 2 PAGES:352 PUBLISHER: Scholastic PUBLICATION DATE: March 1, 2011 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Supernatural OVERALL RATING: Highly recommended RECOMMENDED FOR: HS, upper-MS SUMMARY: Like his
Review: Camo Girl (Magoon)
AUTHOR: Kekla Magoon PAGES: 218 PUBLISHER: Aladdin Books PUBLICATION DATE: January 4, 2011 GENRE: Realistic Fiction OVERALL RATING: Highly recommended RECOMMENDED FOR: Grades 4-7; With a head shot of a
Review: Sweetly (Pearce)
AUTHOR:Jackson Pearce SERIES: Sisters Red, book 2 PAGES: 320 PUBLISHER: Little, Brown and Company PUBLICATION DATE: August 24, 2011 SOURCE: galley from TLA 2011 Conference GENRE: Fairy tale/Fantasy OVERALL RATING:
Review: Before I Fall (Oliver)
AUTHOR: Lauren Oliver ISBN: 9780061726804 PUBLISHER: HarperCollins PAGES: 440 PUBLICATION DATE: March 2, 2010 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Realistic Fiction OVERALL RATING: Highly recommended RECOMMENDED FOR: High school girls SUMMARY: