Viking Warrior, Strongbow Saga 1, by Judson Roberts

Viking Warrior

This first book in the Strongbow Saga series focuses on a slave named Halfdan, who is actually the son of his master and his mistress – an Irish princess captured in a raid. After his father is mortally wounded, his mother agrees to accompany him to the afterlife, a Viking tradition. In exchange, his father promises to recognize Halfdan as his true son, not a slave, and in doing so grant his freedom. Throughout the rough, action-packed adventure that follows, Halfdan learns what it means to be a Viking as he encounters honor, treachery, and a world far larger than he ever imagined.

Roberts gives readers a gritty, realistic approach to the Viking age that will appeal to history buffs and action junkies alike.

Links

Judson Roberts’ Website

–Reviewed by Fullmetal Librarian

The Real Question by Adrian Fogelin

The Real Question

Fisher Brown, a sixteen-year old overachiever, is on the verge of academic burnout when he impulsively decides to stop cramming for the SATs for one weekend and accompany his neighbor, Lonny, to an out-of-town job repairing a roof. Initially, Fish is awed by Lonny’s laid back nature, but then he learns that the “friend” they’ve gone to visit is actually the mother of Lonny’s son, Charlie. Disappointed in his friend’s lack of responsibility, Fish steps up and helps the family make ends meet. As time goes on, he becomes a role model for Lonny’s child, and gains some much-needed perspective on his own problems.

This is a great book for overachievers everywhere. Fogelin shows readers that there’s more to life than GPAs and Ivy League colleges.

Links

Adrian Fogelin’s Website

–Reviewed by Fullmetal Librarian

Tallulah Falls by Christine Fletcher

Tallulah Falls

Having left her Oregon home to meet a troubled friend in Florida, high school student Tallulah finds herself stranded in Tennessee and taken in by the employees of a veterinary clinic. An imperfect, yet strong protagonist, Tallulah carves out a life for herself in her temporary home. When her friend, Maeve, finally shows up in Tennessee, she learns that her bipolar disorder is more serious than she ever let on.

Fletcher has crafted a fast-paced first novel populated by fully-fleshed out characters and an emotional base that will draw in searching teens.

Links

Christine Fletcher’s Website

–Reviewed by Fullmetal Librarian

Romeo’s Ex: Rosaline’s Story by Lisa Fieldler

Romeo

This book is a retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet told by Romeo’s so-called ex-girlfriend Rosaline, cousin to Juliet. Rosaline finds Romeo to be dull and boorish, and would rather devote her time to healing. However, soon she meets Romeo’s cousin Benvolio and wonders if she has found true love. Fieldler’s prose maintains the feel of Shakespeare, while delving deeper into the characters than his classic poetry.

Reluctant readers may have a hard time getting into the story, but this book is a great choice for either an introduction to Shakespeare or for those fans of Romeo and Juliet who want more of the story.

–Reviewed by Fullmetal Librarian

My Lost and Found Life by Melodie Bowsher

My Lost and Found Life

When her mother is accused of embezzling a million dollars and vanishes, spoiled socialite Ashley, 17, is forced to abandon her comfortable life and learn what it takes to survive on her own. She goes to work, finds a place to live, confronts issues with her unreliable boyfriend and becomes entangled in the investigation surrounding her mother. In the end, she finds a new sense of community at the coffee house where she works, meets a boy and learns a lot about herself in the process.

This riches-to-rags/coming-of-age tale will hook chick lit fans looking for a funny, feisty protagonist, some real life adventure and, of course, a good dose of romance.

Links

Melodie Bowsher’s Website

–Reviewed by Fullmetal Librarian

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Just Listen

Readers who liked Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speakwill find similar themes in this complex exploration of teen life. After Annabel’s best friend, Sophie, catches her cheating with her boyfriend, Annabel’s seemingly perfect life comes crashing down. She starts her junior year alienated from her best friend and on shaky ground at home. Annabel finds solace in an unlikely friendship with school loner and bad boy, Owen. He helps her to face the disturbing truth about what really happened with Sophie’s boyfriend over the summer.

Fully developed characters, complex situations and realistic dialogue make this another great choice from a veteran young adult author.

Links

http://www.sarahdessen.com/

–Reviewed by Fullmetalibrarian

Tyrell by Coe Booth

Tyrell

15-year-old Tyrell lives in a homeless shelter in the Bronx. His dad is in jail, and his mom wants him to sell drugs to make money. All Tyrell wants is to stay clean and make a good life for his 7-year-old brother and his girlfriend, Novisha. To make this happen, Tyrell must overcome the temptation to make easy money as a drug dealer, and he must ignore his growing feelings for another girl.

Booth crafts a raw, realistic portrait of urban life. A great read for teens dealing with tough issues of their own.

Links

Coe Booth’s Website

Coe Booth’s MySpace

–Reviewed by Fullmetalibrarian

Endgame by Nancy Garden

Endgame

15-year-old Gray Wilton is on trial for murder. This book explores the reasons behind his horrific actions. The story opens as Gray begins high school, hoping to get a fresh start away from the bullies at his old school. However, Gray soon finds out that, if anything, the bullies in high school are worse. The violence escalates, and teachers and administrators do nothing to stop the bullying. Fed up, Gray makes a choice that will change his life, and the lives of the people around him, forever. He takes his father’s semiautomatic weapon to school.

Suspensful prose, an emotional ending and a salient topic make this a great choice for older teens. This book will definitely spark discussion about bullying, school violence and the impact of the choices we make.

Links

www.nancygarden.com

Book Loon’s Review of Endgame

-Reviewed by Fullmetalibrarian

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Child prodigy Colin has been dumped by 19 girls named Katherine. After the nineteenth Katherine breaks his heart, he falls into a major depression. His best friend, Hassan, decides the only way to make Colin feel better is to go on a road trip.

The two end up in Gutshot, Tennessee. There, they meet a girl named Lindsey and get jobs recording the oral history of Gutshot. Also, Colin finally has a Eureka! moment (i.e. a new idea). He comes up with a mathematical theory that can predict the outcome of any relationship. It is based on the idea that the world is divided into two types of people: Dumpers and Dumpees. Colin is definitely a Dumpee, but he hopes that by using his theorem of love he can discover a way to finally make a relationship work.

This is a great book for dorks, nerds, dweebs, child prodigies, smarty pants, wallflowers, the socially inept and pretty much anyone who has ever had relationship problems. John Green creates a world of complex (fully realized) characters, a quirky (sometimes poignant) plot and a good mix of humor. Some readers might be turned off by the footnotes and mathematical equations, but to me, these make the book.

Readers who like this book should also check out Looking for Alaska by the same author.

Discussion Questions:

Do you think it’s possible for someone to really be dumped by 19 girls named Katherine?

Can you relate to Colin’s relationship problems? Why or why not?

Are you a Dumper or a Dumpee?

How does this book rank in comparison to other books by John Green?

Links

John Green’s Blog

John Green’s Website

-Reviewed by Fullmetalibrarian

Street Love by Walter Dean Myers

Walter Dean Myers has created a captivating tale of new love on the tough streets of New York City. Damien is a smart young man who is going places. He has already been accepted into Brown University and looks toward the future. His parents have sacrificed in order to provide him with a stable, loving, and supportive environment. His mother is diligent when it comes to his life. She doesn’t want him to fall prey to manipulative girls looking for a way out of their meaningless and disappointing lives.

Junice is a tall, beautiful girl with a lot on her plate. Her mother has just been sent to prison for twenty-five years for drug possession and now lives with her forgetful grandmother and younger sister. The responsibility of keeping everyone together falls on Junice. The Department of Human Services has reviewed their situation and found that the grandmother isn’t well enough to care for the girls and plans to send them into the system.

When Damien sees Junice walking down the street one day he becomes entranced. Feelings swell in his chest and he knows he has changed. He is quickly pulled into the chaos that is Junice’s life and wants to do whatever he can to help her. Against the wishes of his parents he continues a relationship with her that takes him down a road – quite literally – that he would never have taken if Junice hadn’t come into his life.

Walter Dean Myers’ use of Hip-Hop style combined with the short poems that tie this story together is addictive. The multi-voiced narration gives the reader the perspectives of all the characters that are involved in this heartbreaking tale. Once you start reading you’ll want to keep going until you find out how Junice and Damien’s story ends – or at least the first chapter of a long story, we hope.

–Reviewed by Karin the Librarian

Links

TeenReads.com Review of Street Love

Video Interviews with Walter Dean Myers

WalterDeanMyers.net