The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan  by Katherine Applegate

Summary: Ivan is a gorilla.  He lives in the mall off of I-95.  That's his domain.  He has friends, of course.  There's Stella the elephant, Bob the dog, and Julia, the girl who shares her crayons with him.  He's an artist after all. When Ruby, the baby elephant, comes to live at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall, his perspective on his life and his domain begin to change.

Thoughts:  I thought this was a sweet, easy read.  It's written almost in a prose style and from Ivan's point of view.  This is a perfect book for unwilling 6th graders.  Or for anyone who loves animals.

Icefall

Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby


Summary (from Goodreads): Trapped in a hidden fortress tucked between towering mountains and a frozen sea, Solveig, along with her brother the crown prince, their older sister, and an army of restless warriors, anxiously awaits news of her father's victory at battle. But as winter stretches on, and the unending ice refuses to break, terrible acts of treachery soon make it clear that a traitor lurks in their midst.


Thoughts:  I really enjoyed this book.  I thought the characters were great and intriguing.  I swore I had it figured out the entire time I was reading.  Then...BAM!  What?!?  That person's the traitor??  Pretty compelling story.  Reminds me a bit of Ice Drift.

The Line

The Line by Teri Hall


Summary:  Rachel lives with her mother on Ms. Moore's property near the Line.  The Line is an impenetrable U.S. boundary that was put in place after an attack.  It was placed so quickly that those outside of the boundary were left to die...or worse.  While exploring one day, Rachel receives a message from some one on the other side.  A request for help.

Thoughts:  I thought this book was pretty good.  Although, at times, the political aspects of the book were overwhelming for me.  I thought the characters developed quite nicely.  There was a cliff-hanger ending that leads into book two.  That's always frustrating for me as a reader.  Overall its recommended.

The Water Seeker

The Water Seeker by Kimberly Willis Holt


Summary: What would you do if you knew you had a special gift—a sixth sense—that was passed down from one generation to the next? A gift that could help people in times of need, but one your father often saw as a trap. Would you use that gift? This is the story of Amos Kincaid, the dowser’s son.


Thoughts: A dowser is someone who can use a branch or divining rod to find water underground.  Dowsing is very much in the background of this story.  Amos is moved around a lot and switches home and is followed by the spirit of his mother.  This story is more about Amos and his situations than it is about dowsing.  Regardless, this is a good historical fiction novel that I would recommend.

A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend

Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner


Summary (from SLJ): After the death of her best friend, Cass finds herself questioning her own identity, sexuality, and place in the high school hierarchy.  This funny, touching, and sweet coming-of-age story explores serious themes in a fresh way.  Cass's tentative questioning of her own sexuality and her hesitant approach toward her first serious romantic relationship will delight readers who struggle with similar issues, as well as those who simply enjoy a well-crafted story.


Thoughts: This is truly a sweet, feel-good story.  It's great to see a novel that demonstrates what a real teen would feel and how real teens might respond.  The parents are generally absent from the story and that frustrates me.  However, as you watch Cass grow (through flashbacks as well as present tense story-telling) you get to see some true high school problems work themselves out.  I know this books explores sexuality (Cass is gay), but it does so in a non-sexual, rather innocent way.  This is a great novel that I would recommend.

Paranormalcy

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White


Summary (from GoodReads): Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

Thoughts:  I really enjoyed this book.  I thought the way Ms. White portrayed the paranormals and the responses from the humans surrounding them was fun and vibrant.  I'm not usually a reader of vampire, werewolves, and mermaids, but this book was fascinating.  There was a lot of humor, a romance, and action.  This is the first in an expected trilogy.  (So far Supernaturally is pretty good, too!)

Birthmarked

Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien


Summary (from GoodReads): In the future, in a world baked dry by the harsh sun, there are those who live inside the walled Enclave and those, like sixteen-year-old Gaia Stone, who live outside. Following in her mother’s footsteps Gaia has become a midwife, delivering babies in the world outside the wall and handing a quota over to be "advanced" into the privileged society of the Enclave. Gaia has always believed this is her duty, until the night her mother and father are arrested by the very people they so loyally serve.

Now Gaia is forced to question everything she has been taught, but her choice is simple: enter the world of the Enclave to rescue her parents, or die trying.

Thoughts:  Wow. Wow. Wow.  I really enjoyed this book.  I loved Gaia.  I really felt her indecision and pain.  There was definitely a lot of action and even some unexpected romance.  This is the first in an expected trilogy.  I will be reading the next novel for sure.  I just have to know what happens.  This is a must-read for anyone who liked City of Ember and Maze Runner.

Small as an Elephant

Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson


Summary: A mother leaves her young son at a campground.  Told from the boy's perspective, it's his journey to find her and the elephant she wouldn't let him go see on the way to the campgrounds.

Thoughts:  I thought this was a good book.  It was not action-packed.  However, the story flowed and I could identify with the characters.  If you like The Miner's Daughter, I think you would enjoy this book.

Uglies, Pretties, Specials

I read two more books in the Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld.  They were great!  I really identified with the main characters.  There was humor, sadness, struggles, and action in all three of these books.  I decided not to read the 4th book, Extras, because the main character is different and the reviews of the book were "Meh" at best.  I would definitely recommend this series to anyone coming down off of a Hunger Games, Maze Runner, or Divergent binge.

Girl of Fire and Thorns

Girl of Fire and Thorns  by Rae Carson


Summary: Elisa is the chosen one.  Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.


Thoughts:  I didn't care for this book.  I finished it, but it took awhile.  I wish there were more to the main character.  She just seemed so insecure and concerned with her size.  I don't like heroins like that.  I prefer stronger characters.  I also didn't quite understand the turmoil between the people in the book.  But perhaps you want to read it and tell me why I should keep reading the series?

Uglies

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Summary: On your sixteenth birthday you get an operation to make you pretty.  It's what every "Ugly" dreams of.  Tally's new friend Shay doesn't want to be pretty so she runs away.  Tally must now make a choice: find her friend and turn her in (like the authorities want her to), or never be pretty.

Thoughts: This was a pretty gripping book.  I enjoyed it immensely and it kept me turning pages.  The romance aspect is a little hap-hazard, but the action is great.  There's a really good societal and emotional aspect to the book as well.  This is a definite recommend if you like post-apocalyptic novels.  If you liked the Maze Runner, Hunger Games, or Divergent series you'll like Uglies.  I'll be reading the rest of this series this summer.

Legend by Marie Lu

Summary (from Goodreads): What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Thoughts:  This is an intriguing novel.  The author's flap says she was inspired by the Broadway smash Les Miserables and you can see a touch of the forbidden love.  I thought this book was a great adventure and I really ended up liking the main characters a lot. 

Insurgent (and Divergent)

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Summary: It's the sequel to Divergent.  Any more of a summary than that will help spoil Divergent.  And I'm just not down for that.

Thoughts:  Wow. Wow. Wow.  This might actually be better than Divergent.  It had a couple of plot twists that just blew my mind.  Seriously, I gasped in such horror and shock once my library aide jumped up and was asking if I was okay.  I can't say enough good things about this series...And I just can't wait to see what's in store for the 3rd book.  Any guesses on the title?

Variant

Variant by Robison Wells

Summary: Benson Fisher thought a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life. He was wrong. Now he’s trapped in a place where breaking the rules equals death.

Thoughts: Great book!  Totally didn't see the twist coming.  (And I'm pretty good at figuring it out.)  I was surprised and can't wait to see what's in store in the next novel. 

Read if you liked: Maze Runner, The Roar

Cinder

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Summary: Cinder (16 yrs old) is a cyborg and an especially talented mechanic in New Beijing long after WW IV has ended.  When Prince Kai shows up at her booth to fix an android that contains a "matter of national security," Cinder is suddenly thrown into a world of intrigue and mystery as she struggles with the Plague, Luna royalty, and who she really is.

Thoughts:  This is a futuristic Cinderella tale.  It was a little difficult to get into at first, but once I did it swept me away.  This book would've been a five-star had the ending not been disappointing.  It's almost as if the author decided that she didn't know how to end it so I'm going to make it flow into the next book.  *sigh*  I hate that!  Hopefully the sequel will resolve some of the final "issues" that were left hanging.

Payback Time

Payback Time by Carl Deuker

Summary: Written from a sports journalist's point of view, this novel explores the world of high school football and an apparent scandal.  Are the coach and a player trying to cheat their way into the big time?  Or is there something more sinister happening?  The truth will surprise everyone.

Thoughts: Not a bad sports book.  I was surprised.  I really liked Mitch and could relate to him in a lot of ways. I think kids could too.  Sometimes the football play-by-play bored me, but I don't care that much so I skimmed over it.  If you're into football, though, you'll love hearing about the yardage and zig-zag patterns, and all that jazz.

Stuck on Earth

Stuck on Earth by David Klass

Summary: Ketchvar III’s mission is simple: travel to Planet Earth, inhabit the body of an average teenager, and determine if the human race should be annihilated. And so Ketchvar—who, to human eyes, looks just like a common snail—crawls into the brain of one Tom Filber and attempts to do his analysis. (from GoodReads)

Thoughts: Meh. This book had it's funny moments. However, there was a lot of bullying, gross name-calling (Zitface, Slugbrain), and dogging on your family. I didn't love this book. BUT! It would be great for kids who still love calling people booger-brain.

Last Summer of the Death Warriors

Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork

Summary: Pancho feels like death follows him everywhere: his father, his sister, and now this kid named D.Q. has cancer.  As Pancho works to avenge his sister's death, D.Q. tries to teach him the ways of the Death Warrior.

Thoughts:  Eh.  This novel was okay.  I definitely wanted to finish it and find out what happens.  Does Pancho actually kill the man responsible for his sister's death?  Does D.Q.'s treatment work?  Where do they all end up?  However, sometimes the writing dragged and Pancho's inner thoughts were drab.  Have you read it?  Did you like it?  Let me know.

The Running Dream

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

Summary: Jess is on her way back from a track meet when her bus is involved in a traffic accident and she looses one of her legs...and one of her teammates.  This is the story of how she survives - physically and mentally.

Thoughts: Really enjoyed this book.  I'm not a runner.  At all.  So, while I didn't completely understand how she felt about running, I could relate in other contexts.  This book was totally accessible.  It has a really sweet ending and will make you look at "disabled" people in a whole new light.

Sleeping Freshman Never Lie

Sleeping Freshman Never Lie by David Lubar

Summary:  Scott Hudson is trying to survive his freshman year in high school when his mother announces she's pregnant.  In order to give his new sibling advice, since his older brother isn't there to give him advice, Scott begins writing letters to this unborn creature.

Thoughts: Another great book!  Seriously, they're getting pretty easy to come by these days.  It's a realistic fiction that's relevant for boys but accessible to girls, too.  The friend group starts breaking up, one of them is constantly tormented, and, of course, there are girls involved.  It's a fun read that kept me smiling.