Con Academy

TITLE: Con Academy
AUTHOR: Joe Schreiber
RELEASE DATE: August 2015
PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
PAGES: 236 pages
GENRE: Realistic Fiction
OVERALL RATING: 3/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grades 7-12 

SUMMARY: Will Shay is the newest student at Connaughton Academy, where he doesn't quite fit in among the entitled group of students. He is a scholarship kid who came from the tiny island of Ebeye where his missionary parents died in a plane crash delivering medicine to the orphans. Or is he? When Will meets Andrea Dufresne, and she calls him on his fake story, Will learns he might not be the only con artist on campus. 

FAVORITE QUOTE: "In life, as in the big con, sometimes there is no angle. Sometimes you just have to play it as it lays." (Schreiber, 236)
   

WHAT I LIKED: This book was an extremely fast read. I sat down one afternoon and next thing I know I'm half way through the book. I finished the entire book in less than two days. It never got dull, and the ending was a big surprise. Which I always love, because I am the worst about predicting the ending of a book.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: I found the ending really questionable. It's hard to explain without spoiling the story, but through all the action at the end, I found myself really asking, "How did he...", "Would he really get away with that?", "They're just going to leave that as is...", "His parents didn't question...", "Can h really do that?", etc. Once you finish the book, you'll understand. 

READALIKE:  The Curse Workers series by Holly Black

BOOK TRAILER: this is not the official book trailer, but it was created by a Firsco ISD librarian for use with the Lone Star book list 

We Are All Made of Molecules

TITLE: We Are All Made of Molecules
AUTHOR: Susin Nielsen
RELEASE DATE: May 2015
PUBLISHER: Wendy Lamb Books
PAGES: 248 pages
GENRE: Realistic Fiction, Comedy
OVERALL RATING: 3/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grades 8-12 

SUMMARY: Stewart is a socially awkward boy genius, Ashley is the most popular girl in school. Their worlds collide when Stewart and his dad move in with Ashley and her mom. Stewart always wanted a sister, but Ashley doesn't want to be seen with him in public. When Stewart's bully starts dating Ashley, Stewart thinks this can work toward his advantage. But when Stewart finds out what Jared, the bully, really thinks about his semi-stepsister, Stewart begins to wonder if he should step in and help the girl who makes his life hell every day.

FAVORITE QUOTE: "I have to wait another two years before I can hire a lawyer and get unconstipated." Just an example of how much an airhead Ashley is. 
   

WHAT I LIKED: Normally, it is easy for me to say I love the characters of the books I read. However, with this book, it was not the case. Stewart is a total nerd, who is socially awkward, and has a hard time making friends. Ashley is a total airhead who doesn't care who she puts down, as long as she maintains her spot on the social ladder. For the first several chapters, I absolutely hated both of the characters. However, the alternating point of views helped ease the annoyance of each character's story. It was nice to hear about one situation from Stewart's point of view and then hear the same situation told from Ashley's point of view in the next chapter. Overall, the message of the story is clear, and you're able to see the aspects of bullying from several different aspects up and down the social ladder.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: When I purchased this book for my middle school library, all of the reviews recommended it for grades 7-10. It was even part of the state of Texas's Lone Star Book List for 2016. I do not feel this book is appropriate for seventh graders. It's really pushing it for eighth graders. There are a lot of cuss words in the book (I always ask why the author feels the need to do this. Adding curse words into a book automatically makes me think it is not middle school appropriate). There are also mature scenes that involve drinking, and sexual situations (rape). 

READALIKES: The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten

Thirteen Reasons Why

TITLE: Thirteen Reasons Why
AUTHOR: Jay Asher
RELEASE DATE: October 2007
PUBLISHER: Razorbill
PAGES: 288 pages
GENRE: Realistic Fiction, Chick Lit
OVERALL RATING: 4/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grades 8-12 

SUMMARY: Hannah Baker commits suicide, but before she does, she creates a series of audiotapes that she mails to thirteen different people to explain how they had a part in her decision to end her life. 
Clay Jensen is one of the people on Hannah's list. As he begins listening to the tapes, he wonders what part he played in Hannah's decision. Clay never did anything to hurt Hannah, actually the complete opposite, he had a crush on her. But other than working together at the movie theater, he was never able to get up the nerve to let her know how he felt. But as he listens to the seven tapes, and hears Hannah's voice all over again, he begins to wonder if not doing something, is really the reason why. 

FAVORITE QUOTE: This quote comes from Part 3 and shows how Clay reacts to listening to one of Hannah's tapes:
     "Then come to realize that you're making mountains out of molehills. Realize how petty you've become. Sure, it may feel like you can't get a grip in this town. It may seem that every time someone offers you a hand up, they just let go and you slip further down. But you must stop being so pessimistic, Hannah, and learn to trust those around you. So I do! One more time."
      The last movie of the night is playing so the box office is empty. I stand in the swirling marble floor surrounded by posters of coming attractions. This was my chance, at this theater to reach Hannah. It was my chance, and I let it slip away.
     "And then, well, certain thoughts begin creeping around. Will I ever get control of my life? Will I always be shoved back and pushed around by those I trust?" 
     I hate what you did, Hannah. 
      "Will my life ever go where I want it to?" 
     You didn't have to do it and I hate the fact that you did.  
     "The next day, Marcus, I decided something. I decided to find out how people at school might react if one of the students never came back. As the song goes, you were lost and gone forever, oh my darling Valentine."
     I leaned back against the poster, locked behind a plastic frame, and I close my eyes. I'm listening to someone give up, someone I knew, someone I liked. I'm listening, but still, I'm too late.     

WHAT I LIKED: This book was definitely a page turner. I couldn't put it down, constantly wanted to know who the next person was on Hannah's list. What did they do to push Hannah over the edge. I think I read this book in about a day. While the whole premise of the story, someone committing suicide, is completely morbid; it was nice to hear Hannah explain each situation. How something so little can build and build. It makes you understand, that if you don't have a support system, if you  don't have friends to talk to, that it truly can feel like the end of the world. 

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: I know the point behind the story was for people to realize how they treat others. How would things have changed, if you would have just talked to that girl in girl in the hall or not spread the rumors you heard? I didn't like the idea of placing blame on other people for a decision you make. 

READALIKES: All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

BOOK TRAILER: wasn't able to find an official book trailer for the book, but I invite you to visit the Official website for Jay Asher's debut novel, Thirteen Reasons Why:  www.thirteenreasonswhy.com  and read more about the anti-bullying discussions as well as Jay Asher's Author Tour: 50 States Against Bullying.

Dumplin'

TITLE: Dumplin'
AUTHOR: Julie Murphy
RELEASE DATE: September 2015
PUBLISHER: Balzer + Bray
PAGES: 375 pages
GENRE: ChickLit, Realistic Fiction, Comedy
OVERALL RATING: 5/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grades 8-12 (language)

SUMMARY: Willowdean Dickson is a self-proclaimed fat girl and Dolly Parton enthusiast. Her best friend is tall, blonde, perfect, and about to leave her behind in high school. Her mom is a former beauty queen who now runs Clover City's annual Miss Blue Bonnet Beauty Pageant, but never expected Willowdean to compete. Bo, her crush, will kiss her by the dumpster behind Harpy's, but won't be seen in public with her. With all of this qoing against her, Will decides she will show them all that fat girls can win by entering the Miss Blue Bonnet Beauty Pageant. 

FAVORITE QUOTE: "Mom, I feel good." My voice starts out even and calm. "This dress makes me feel like someone I didn't know I could be. I've never owned anything like it. But if when you see this-when you see me-you think it's a pity, that it's a shame I didn't lose a few, then screw you, Mom. Try harder." (Murphy, 297)

WHAT I LIKED: I loved every single thing about this book. I loved all of the Texan quirks I could relate to, "...because on the eighth day God created ranch dressing." (Murphy, 13). I love WillowDean Dickson, her confidence, her attitude; she is the type of girl I wish I had as a best friend when I was in high school. I found myself chuckling at parts, tearing up at other parts and just busting out laughing too. Overall, I loved the message this book gave and I definitely think this is a book that every girl needs to read: fat or twiggy thin.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: I will have to admit, I didn't like the ending. Not in a bad way, I just wanted MORE! I wanted the Happily Ever After, where the book only gave me the very smidge of a possible beginning for a Happily Ever After. 

READALIKES: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

BOOK TRAILER: After tweeting with the author, Julie Murphy, I found that there is not an official book trailer for Dumplin'. But Epic Reads has created a couple of videos, and I've included my favorite which is a video about the author, Julie Murphy. 

Bone Gap

TITLE: Bone Gap
AUTHOR: Laura Ruby
RELEASE DATE: March 2015
PUBLISHER: Balzer + Bray
PAGES: 345 pages
GENRE: Mystery, Fantasy
OVERALL RATING: 1/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grades 9-12 (curse words, sexual references)

SUMMARY: Finn O'Sullivan is an outsider in the small town of Bone Gap, Illinois. Often called names such as Moonface, Sidetrack, Spaceman, and beat up on a regular basis by a group of boys he calls the Rudes. Finn is alone in the world, his mom ran off to Oregon with a man she met on the Internet, his brother, Sean always at work as a paramedic, even Roza disappeared. But Finn is the only one that knows Roza didn't disappear, she was kidnapped, and no one in Bone Gap will listen. So it is up to Finn to find the mysterious girl who magically appeared in the barn, and magically disappeared the same way. 

WHAT I LIKED: This book received several awards, and was listed as one of the Top Ten Books For Young Adults in 2016. It received nothing but five star reviews by readers on GoodReads. When I saw this book listed over and over for different awards, I just knew it was a Must Read. I enjoyed the way that the author described things in the story, especially the physical appearances of the characters. How do you describe a person's face if you can't really see it?

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: Although it seems like everyone in the world absolutely loves this book... I did not! To me, it seemed like the story had ADD, it jumped all over the place. It was difficult for me to tell what was currently happening and then what was a flashback. So many of the storylines seemed pointless, for example, when Finn was with Miguel building the fence. There were two short chapters about this, but did they ever finish building the fence? Reading the story, it seems like a Realistic Fiction book, but then this horse appears that takes them riding off cliffs and through the sky? What was in that honey? Are the characters high and these midnight runs are actually a dream? And what happened to Roza? Where exactly has she been all this time? Without giving away spoilers, let me know just say that if you're the type of person that likes to figure out mysteries, you will never see this one coming! 

READALIKES: 

BOOK TRAILER: none found

Before I Fall

TITLE: Before I Fall
AUTHOR: Lauren Oliver
RELEASE DATE: March 2010
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins
PAGES: 353 pages 
GENRE: Fantasy, Chick Lit
OVERALL RATING: 2/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grades 9-12

SUMMARY: Samantha Kingston is the typical "popular girl" with her Mean Girl gang of three friends: Lindsay, Ally, and Elody. They wear matching slutty outfits and compete over who gets the most roses on Cupid Day. After school, there is a huge party, lots of drinking, and Sam plans how she is finally going to lose her virginity to her boyfriend, Rob. That is, until it all ends abruptly with a deadly car crash. Or does it? Sam wakes up to find herself repeating the same day over and over. 

WHAT I LIKED: I've tried reading other "Groundhog Day" style books before to find it repetitive (duh!) and boring. But in Before I Fall, Sam makes enough changes each day that it seems like a new day. At the beginning of the book, I really hated the character of Sam and her Mean Girl clique. But throughout Sam's last "days", she begins to see all this, and make some changes to not only make herself a better person, but to really help those around her.  

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: I felt that the smoking behind the school, cutting class, and getting high in the school bathroom were completely unbelievable. Who, outside of TV Dramas, really does that? Maybe, I'm just totally naive, but that that was not my high school! Getting caught smoking on school grounds is worth three after school detentions? Seriously?!

READALIKES: Everyday by David Levithan

BOOK TRAILER: