Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm
by Polly Shulman

From the publisher:
"There is little more likely to exasperate a person of sense than finding herself tied by affection and habit to an Enthusiast. Julie knows from bitter experience: her best friend, Ashleigh, is an Enthusiast. Ashleigh's current fancy is also Julie's own passion, Pride and Prejudice, and the heroine's quest for True Love. And so Julie finds herself swept along with Ashleigh, dressed in vintage frocks and sneaking into a dance at the local all-boys' prep school. There they discover several likely candidates for True Love, including the handsome and sensitive Parr. And Julie begins to wonder if maybe this obsession of Ashleigh's isn't so bad after all. . . ."

Aside from a few corny nods to Pride and Prejudice, this book was very cute and an enjoyable read.  I loved how it brought musicals and poetry into the story line.  I think middle school girls will really enjoy some of Ashleigh's antics and Julie's embarrassments.

Areas of concern:  Two uses of the "a" word.  Some family issues where a character finds out that her father was having an affair with her now-stepmom while he and her biological mom were in counseling.  Because of a snowstorm, a guy spends the night in a girl's bed.  Nothing happens.  Teenagers acting in the school musical kiss frequently as part of their characters.  A couple romantic kisses at the end.
 

Suggested ages:
Publisher's Weekly:  Ages 12+

Unearthly

Unearthly
by Cynthia Hand

From the publisher:
" In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . . Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy. Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side. As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny? Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart."

In honor of the last book of this trilogy (Boundless) coming out this week, I'll post a review on the first book - Unearthly.  I loved this book, in fact, I read it in 24 hours on a work day (and no, I never read at work!).  It was my second book about angels.  I wasn't too impressed with the first one (Daughter of Smoke and Bone - a little too much sex and language for me), so I went into it not expecting much.  Boy was I wrong!  I absolutely loved the characters, the setting (Jackson Hole, WY - one of the most beautiful places on earth), and the plot.  I appreciated that there was no insta-romance, as there seems to be in most YA books.  There is the seemingly required love triangle, but since I can't decide which one I like best, I guess I can't blame the female protagonist for not knowing either.  The second book in the trilogy, Hallowed,  is a wonderful middle book - no sophomore slump here.  I'm excited to see how it all wraps up.  Our students LOVE this series! 

Areas of concern:  I read this 1 1/2 years ago, so I don't remember exactly, but I know I wouldn't have liked it this much if it wasn't pretty clean.  I think there were probably a handful of mild cuss words, and there is definitely some kissing and violence.  Nothing graphic.  School Library Journal says: "A gentle, paranormal romance that is sure to appeal to fans of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight".

Suggested ages:
Publisher's Weekly:  Ages 12+
School Library Journal:  Grades 7+

Seraphina

Seraphina
by Rachel Hartman

From the publisher:
"In her New York Times bestselling debut, Rachel Hartman introduces mathematical dragons in an alternative-medieval world to fantasy and science-fiction readers of all ages.  Eragon author Christopher Paolini calls them, "Some of the most interesting dragons I've read in fantasy."

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life."

I'm not much of a high fantasy reader - I got through the Lord of the Rings books only after seeing the movies :)  But this book had interesting characters and an intriguing world that was explained very well.  The setting has a very medieval feel.  The secondary characters are every bit as interesting and fun as the main characters.  While this isn't something I would normally pick out to read, I'm glad that I did. 

Areas of concern:  The term "bastard" is used throughout the book, as one of the main characters is an illegitimate child.  There are one or two vulgarities used.  There is talk of a dragon biting off the head of a member of the royal family.  Some dragon on dragon violence. 

Suggested ages:
Publishers Weekly:  Ages 12+
School Library Journal:  Grade 7+

Breathe

Breathe
by Sarah Crossan

From the publisher:
"Inhale. Exhale. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe . . . The world is dead. The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

Alina has been stealing for a long time. She's a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she's never been caught before. If she's careful, it'll be easy. If she's careful.

Quinn should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it's also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn't every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her.

Bea wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they'd planned a trip together, the two of them, and she'd hoped he'd discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days' worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?"


After reading this, I take the air I breathe a little less for granted. The plot in this dystopian novel is built upon a world where people had used up the earth's resources so badly that oxygen levels are so low no one can breathe without air tanks or living in the "Pod". The people who control the oxygen in the Pod control all the people. It is told from 3 character's points of view. It was interesting to see the change that took place in the 3 characters throughout the course of the book. Alina softened up, Quinn grew up, and Bea had her eyes opened. It will be interesting to see where they go from here, because yes, it is the first book of either a trilogy or a series.

Areas of concern: 3 uses of the "d" word, 1 each of "h" word and "a" word. 2 instances of body part and bodily function crudities. Dystopian violence with several non-graphic deaths and one disturbing death where a 16 year old watches someone get killed by a family member. 3 or 4 kisses.

Suggested ages:
Booklist:  Grades 7-10
Kirkus Reviews:  Ages 12+

The Treachery of Beautiful Things

The Treachery of
Beautiful Thingsby Ruth Frances Long

From the publisher:
"A darkly compelling mix of romance, fairy tale, and suspense from a new voice in teen fiction
The trees swallowed her brother whole, and Jenny was there to see it. Now seventeen, she revisits the woods where Tom was taken, resolving to say good-bye at last. Instead, she's lured into the trees, where she finds strange and dangerous creatures who seem to consider her the threat. Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with secrets of his own. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack's help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where stunning beauty masks some of the most treacherous evils, and she's faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice--and not just her own."

I always appreciate a Young Adult book that some reviewers consider "too tame".  It takes place in the world of the fae, and many familiar Shakespeare characters either make an appearance or are pretty main characters (i.e.  Puck, Oberon, Titania, Mab...).  Jenny and Jack, the main characters, are very likable.  My favorite quote:  ""Beware a kiss," he told her. "Kisses are powerful things. You expose a part of your soul.""  The ending has a sweet surprise.  All in all, a pretty enjoyable read.

Areas of concern:  A couple of kisses.  Some violence with mythical beings.  No bad language.  

Suggested ages:
School Library Journal - Grades 7+
Publishers Weekly - Ages 12+
 

The Selection

The Selection
by Kiera Cass

From the publisher:
"For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined."

This was a really fun, light and fluffy read. Kind of like The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor TV show.  What a fun premise!  There were some things that irritated me (particularly the poor world-building), but it still kept my interest and was very enjoyable. The last section was kind of disappointing, the love-triangle felt rather forced, and sometimes America did silly things that bugged me, yet I still really liked it.  My middle-schoolers LOVE this book, although one of them mentioned to me that it looked like the girl on the cover was smelling her armpit, and now that is all I see when I look at it!

Areas of concern:  Around 5 uses of the "d" word.  Some kissing.   A little bit of implied violence.  Overall a very clean read.

Suggested ages:
Publishers Weekly - Ages 13+
School Library Journal - Grades 8+