Child Called It by Dave Pelzer

Dave Pelzer’s book, A Child Called It, is a work of fiction. If you have ever seen young boys who had a bad childhood because of their uncaring mothers, you would enjoy reading A Child Called It. 

This book is a real life event about David, a nine year old boy, who gets beaten by his alcoholic, mad, heartless mother. She would not feed him for days! Many times on his way to school David would either stop by a store or he would have to steal his classmate’s lunches. His mother was so evil that one day she tried burning him in the stove! Thankfully, his father came home or else she would have burned him to death! 

His father was usually away because of his work. The father was miserable with the mother too, as she was an alcoholic, lazy, angry woman. David was so horrified of his mother he could not ask for help. Sadly, he had to deal with all his mother’s unfair games. 

If you would like to find out what other crazy things David’s mother made him endure, I recommend you read A Child Called It.

Deicy A.

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

Barry Lyga’s book, I Hunt Killers, is an action packed fiction novel. This book was a big mystery and full of puzzles and questions. 

The main character is Jazz Dent who is the son of one of the most notorious serial killers. With Jazz growing up with his dad pushing him to follow in his footsteps, Jazz has all the inside information on what serial killers look to do and why they perform some of their actions. This characteristic is important to Jazz in this book because a few years after his dad has been arrested, a new serial killer is using some of the same tactics. This is a problem for Jazz because now people think Jazz is following in his father’s footsteps. 

The only way for Jazz to stop these accusations is to help the police by using the skills he has learned from his father. He helps investigate the crime scenes and finds more clues about who the new serial killer is. Jazz is able to help the police because he sees crime scenes from a whole different viewpoint because of his past experiences with his dad.

This book is full of description and mysteries that are very interesting as they start to unravel. The author does a great job to help you picture all the scenes and really gets you interested in the book. You will want to keep reading. If you enjoy watching TV shows like CSI or Criminal Minds you will love this book. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read and it has an ending that will keep you wondering. A struggle you have is always wondering what will happen if Jazz will continue to blaze his own future or if he will decide to do what his father had planned for him. You will need to read this book to find out. Go pick it up at your local library and you will not want to put it down.

Lucas R.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I read the book, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The story of the book takes place in the future of the United States. The states are now districts and they have a dictatorship type government. 

Katniss Everdeen is a young girl who takes her father’s place after he dies in a gold mine cave. After her father’s death, her mother falls into depression and that puts Katniss in charge of the house and responsible for the care of her younger sister, Prim. 

In total, there are twelve districts and two teenagers are chosen from each to participate in the annual games. They are chosen to defend themselves and defeat others in order to win the games. The prize of these games is money and food for their family. 

As the ceremony begins, everyone is in front of the stage were Effie Trinket, the leader, stands to pull the names of the chosen participants from the ballot box. Effie pulls the first name and it is Prim Everdeen. Prim is Katniss Everdeen's younger sister.  Katniss volunteers to take the place of her sister. 

After she volunteers, the second name is pulled and it is Peeta Mellark. Both of them are chosen and they are the participants to fight for their lives in the games. They have personal trainers who help them fight against others. Since they are new, they don’t know how to survive. Both are together and trying to survive for their lives. 

If you are interested in finding out if they survive these games alive, read The Hunger Games.

Kate C.

Annotated Abraham Lincoln Nominees (Part 4)

This is the final posting (Part 4) of a series of posts about the 2013-2014 Abraham Lincoln Nominees. We have blogged each of the 22 titles on the list of nominees for this year. If you have missed the previous posts and would like to read about the other titles on the list use the search box above to locate them on this blog. The titles in this list have been selected by high school students for high school students in the State of Illinois. If you would like to find out more information on how a book is nominated click here


Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (2012)

Alina Starkov was orphaned by the Border Wars, yet was content with her life as a map maker as long as she had her best friend Mal at her side. Once again war began ravaging the great nation of Ravka by surrounding enemies. When Alina’s regiment is attacked and Mal is brutally injured Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life. Her powers catch the attention of the Grisha’s royal court an elite and magical group that whisks her off from all that she knows. The mysterious and sexy Darkling is their leader and he wants to train Alina to harness her powers to destroy the Shadow Fold. But not everything is what it seems in this lavish world of the royal court and Darkling has an ulterior motive to make Alina his own. Will Alina trust her instincts and stay true to herself or will she have to pay the price with her life.


Hate List by Jennifer Brown (2010)

At the end of their junior year in high school, 16 year old Valerie Leftman’s boyfriend Nick opened fire in their school cafeteria. Valerie was shot trying to stop him and saved a classmate in the process. Since Valerie helped Nick put together a list of people and things she and Nick hated and Nick used this list to pick his targets, Valerie was implicated in the shootings. Valerie spent her summer break in seclusion but now that senior year was upon her, she had to return to school and face her former friends not knowing whether they saw her as a villain or a hero. More importantly Valerie must come to terms with what happened and the part she played.

Room by  Emma Donoghue (2010)

Room is where five year old Jack lives with his Ma. It’s a small room but it’s all Jack knows. She created this eleven by eleven square foot room into a home for Jack but it has been her prison for seven years. His loving Ma puts him in a wardrobe to sleep at night when she is visited by Old Nick.  As Jack get older his curiosity grows too. How much longer can the room contain both Ma’s desperation and Jack’s growing curiosity?

Everybody Sees the Ants  by A. S. King (2011)
Lucky Linderman's grandfather was killed as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and his father never got over it. Living in a dysfunctional home and being both physically and verbally abused by the school bully, Lucky acts suicidal. His mother decides to take Lucky to Arizona to live with her brother and sister-in-law but problems seem to follow him as he befriends an older girl with troubles of her own.  Lucky has an ability to escape reality through his nightly dreams where he and his long lost grandfather fight in the jungles of Vietnam.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (2011)

The Night Circus is known to arrive without announcement or warning, just appearing after dark. It's black and white striped tent is filled with magical acts of illusion to delight and entertain all that attend. What the audience doesn't know is the two young magicians Celia and Marco have been trained since they were children by the mercurial instructors to compete in a game of competition. What Celia and Marco don't know is that the game is deadly leaving only one magician standing. As the two young magicians begin to fall in love their powers set off a domino effect of dangerous consequence for everyone.

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork (2009)

Marcelo Sandoval has been diagnosed somewhere along the autistic spectrum and has been attending a sheltered school. The summer before his senior year his hard driving father decides Marcelo should work in the mail room of his law firm. His father wants him to discover what it's like to "live in the real world". Marcelo soon meets two coworkers Jasmine and Wendell and learns all too quickly about competition, jealousy and desire. While "living in the real world" he also discovers who his father really is.

Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn

From my experience of reading Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn, I would highly recommend this book to others. There are so many qualities that make Breathing Underwater an extremely unique book. In my mind, this book stands out above all other young adult novels that deal with domestic violence at home and also in relationships.

One quality that makes this book a great read is it tells about real life situations. It lets the reader realize even though someone may look like they are seemingly perfect on the outside, it doesn't mean on the inside, behind closed doors, things are still perfect. There are people in the world who mask their feelings and emotions, making others believe they are okay when they're not. People who do hide what they feel do it because their struggles make them feel weak or simply because they do not want others to be involved in their business. Alex Flinn did an incredible job revealing to readers nothing in the world is perfect, even if it seems to be.

Another great quality about Breathing Underwater is readers can really relate to the characters in the book. Yes, it is true some relationships involve violence, but most of the time we do not understand why and no one puts forth the effort to find out. This book gives facts and statistics on how and why relationships can evolve into aggressiveness, guilt and manipulation over a person. Not only can a person who has been in a violent relationship relate to this book, but also others who haven’t can still use this book as a lesson. When reading Breathing Underwater, you will be able to access the mind of the main character, Nick. Readers should benefit from Nick’s mistakes and struggles and learn violence is not a healthy choice.

I enjoyed Breathing Underwater very much. From this book, I’ve learned people do make mistakes. It is just part of being human. But being human, we must learn from our mistakes and make sure those actions won’t be repeated. Although this book is realistic and hurtful, there were moments that were happy and made me smile. I would 100% recommend this book to other readers.

Kathy T.

After by Amy Efaw

I recommend After by Amy Efaw. I liked this book because it was realistic. 

Devon, the main character, was a great student who made a mistake. This book gave me a reality attack. This book tells about a lot of real life mistakes and what’s happening each day with young parents. It also tells about how things could change in a matter of seconds for better or for worse. 

I don’t want to summarize the story because then you wouldn't read it. I’ll just say you wouldn't regret reading After by Amy Efaw. The only thing is I did expect more from the ending, but maybe it was just me. Overall, this was a great book.

Ana M.

Annotated Abraham Lincoln Nominees(IPart 3)

This week I am posting part three of a series of posts about the 2013-14 Abraham Lincoln Nominees. When we are done, we will have a complete list of annotated titles for students and teachers. There are some great books this year. So, please, read on!
------------------

Across the universe by Beth Revis 
Amy didn't want to go at first, but staying meant she would never see her parents again. All she had to do was be cryogenically frozen. She and her parents were to wake up 300 years later where they would help colonize a new planet, but 50 years early she is woken up and it was no accident. She is now living among the crew of the ship and one of them is trying to kill off the frozen colonists. One by one.


Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick
It begins with a camping trip. Alex is taking one last adventure into the woods before the terminal brain cancer she has been diagnosed with ends her life. When an electromagnetic pulse blasts across the U.S. knocking out all electronic devices, the world is suddenly changed. She finds out that some adolescents have become the Changed, flesh-eating beasts (yep, zombies). She and two other survivors form a makeshift family who do their best to survive this new world.


Five flavors of dumb by Antony John 
A deaf girl would probably not be your first choice to manage your garage band. But then again, Dumb, the most recent winner of Seattle’s Battle of the Bands contest, wouldn't be Piper’s choice of a band to manage either. The band members are a bunch of misfits who can barely get along. But if Piper can get them a paying gig in the next month and hold the band together at the same time, she may be able to earn enough to cover college tuition and actually have the future of her dreams.


How to save a life by Sara Zarr 
Jill has been running away from her life ever since her dad died. In her grief, she has pushed away her mom, her boyfriend and her friends for a year. Mandy is trying to start her life over by
giving her unborn baby up for adoption.The two girls couldn't be more different. When Jill’s mom has offered to adopt the baby, Jill thinks it’s end of the world, but could it be the key to healing them all?

Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach
Felton Reinstein has never had it easy. Just look at his name--Felton. Even worse than this is nickname, Squirrel Nut. Felton has always been kind of nervous, skinny and socially awkward. It could be because of his dysfunctional family. His mom is mentally ill, his younger brother is a needy, insecure piano prodigy.And his dad committed suicide when Felton was five. Felton was the one who found the body. But for some reason, in his sophomore year of high school, puberty practically steamrolls him. He shoots to over six feet tall and becomes super fast. He is now a star football player and sprinter with tons of friends and hot new girl who wants to date him. God help the stupid fast, but clueless kid.

Beastly by Alex Flinn

I don't like this book; I loved this book. It is a wonderful love story that caught my attention on each and every page. I didn’t get tired of it and it didn’t bore me to death. It's a very surprising book and I can picture every piece of work in my head as if I was watching the movie in my head. It is that good.

I think other students would like this book because it is not only a love story but it also teaches a lesson that ugly people do have happy endings and they deserve to live no matter the appearance of their face. This book teaches that lesson to many people. That is why I think many people would like this book.


Beastly is a well-written love story by Alex Flinn. The characters are like those in the movie. But in the book, the main character changes his name differently than in the movie. This boy used to be very popular but he actually gets bad luck because he mistreats many people and he is harsh. One day a witch named Kendra, in the form of a human, puts a spell on him and she turns him into a beast. Now Kyle changes his name to Adrian. He has two years to find true love to break the spell. 

Kyle’s father is a famous news reporter who believes no one should be ugly and if they are, they shouldn't live. So Mr. Kingsbury tries his hardest to find a doctor to help his son not to be so ugly. Since that doesn't work, he locks his son in an abandoned home forever. Sound a little bit familiar? Well it should as this is a modern way of retelling The Beauty and the Beast Disney movie. 

The beast is locked up and isn't able to go out and live. Instead he is locked up doing things he hasn't done in a long time such as planting and reading so he lost his social skills. Similar to the movie, there is a way to break this terrible spell. A woman has to truly love this beast for what he is inside and not by his looks. All these main characters change their way of thinking and they become caring, loving creatures. 

Beastly is a novel written with emotion and well-expressed detail about the characters in the book. This boy changes in so many ways it is unbelievable. Adrian becomes someone he isn't and finds his true meaning in life instead of making fun of poor and ugly people like he used to do. Adrian’s girlfriend’s name is Lindy and she is the daughter of a crack head. When the dad was caught breaking and entering Adrian’s home they made a trade. Adrian wouldn't call the cops on him so then the dad would give up his daughter to be a beast and that’s how Lindy became Adrian’s prisoner. 

This book was well written and similar to The Beauty and the Beast. If you loved that movie wait until you see the new modern one.

Priscilla R.

Right Behind You by Gail Giles

Gail Giles' book, Right Behind You, is a work of fiction. If you want to learn what a person does in their life and how they feel about killing a kid when they were young, you will enjoy Right Behind You. It is a story of a boy who burned another boy for a baseball glove.

Kip was nine years old when he killed a kid who was making fun of him about his mother so he just burned him alive. There were a lot of people who hated him and his father because of the murder. Kip’s life was terrible. Through most of the story, he doesn’t want happiness because of the crime he did and he can’t tell anybody about his past or his real name. 

Kip’s life got a little better when he started a new life and he wanted to tell all of his friends about his past but his parents didn’t want him to tell anybody. So Kip had to keep his secret to himself forever and he couldn’t tell anybody about it. That was the problem he had and he wanted to tell anybody who was close with him like family and friends. He wanted them to accept him as the person he is. 

There were some moments when he was enjoying his life but then his thoughts would turn to bad memories. His parents still had hope for Kip that he could find happiness in his life. However, Kip thinks he does not deserve it. If you are interested and want to find out more you should read Right Behind You.

Miguel M.

Abe Lincoln 2013 Winners and Nominees for 2014

Announcing the 2012-2013 Abraham Lincoln Award Winners

During the month of February schools across Illinois voted for their favorite Abe Nominee. Congratulations to the 1st Place Winner - Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher followed by 2nd Place - Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and

3rd Place - The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Continuing Part 2 of a series of posts introducing the new Abe Lincoln Nominees for 2013-2014 announced in April. We thought you would like to know more about some of the nominees. More titles to come in the next couple of weeks.

Divergent - Veronica Roth (2011)
In the future our society has been replaced with five factions all responsible for the end of the world as we know it. At the age of 16, Beatrice Prior and all the other sixteen year olds from all five factions must take a test to determine where they will train, work, and live for the rest of their lives. Wanting to remain with her family but anxious to explore a more exciting faction Beatrice takes the test. When her assessment results are analyzed the tester tells Beatrice she doesn’t fit into just one faction but is “Divergent and to keep this a secret even from her family, but why?

Everyday by David Levithan (2012)
Every morning “A “ wakes up in a different person's body. Either gender but always a day older. “A” develops a set of rules that have always made sense until the day he meets Rhiannon. Everyday a different body, every day a different place, now everyday the same love for Rhiannon, will "A" make this work?

Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick (2009)Matt Duffy an 18 year old soldier wakes up in a Baghdad hospital with a traumatic brain injury and very little memory of what happened. He was given a Purple Heart but struggles to regain his memory of what happened to him and his young Iraqi friend.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lani Taylor (2012)
Seventeen-year-old Karou, a lovely and mysterious art student living in a Prague boarding school loves hanging out with her friends but also loves her underworld family of monsters. Karou is sent on missions to pick up teeth for her family and in return is granted wishes for her work. She is haunted by a beautiful stranger and black handprints begin to appear on doorways. This beautiful stranger somehow seems familiar to her as her past begins to unveil.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (2012)Sixteen-year old Hazel is in remission from Stage IV of thyroid cancer. Tied to an oxygen tank Hazel is ready to abandon life when she meets a very cute guy named Guz in a cancer support group. Together they explore love, life and letting go the one we love.

Bruiser by Neil Shusterman

Bruiser, by Neil Shusterman, is somewhat unique. Reading a book about a young man who takes flesh wounds sounds familiar. But it is a good book if you are looking for something to read in your spare time. 

It is the story of a girl who takes in stray guys for some unknown reason. This quickly takes a turn for better/worse. Tennyson, the brother of Bronte, is wary of his sister dating a man who was likely to receive the death penalty. Brewster,  with his superpower, takes pain from others about whom he cares. (He would be a horrible Avenger). Cody is the small boy who constantly gets hurt. These two are the main characters. 

The book is structured very well. The story is interesting all the way to the end. It is easy to understand all the unique personalities of the characters.  Brewster is the most alien-like. His uncle is always holding him back from society because of his ability. Brewster never experiences true friends or has much social interaction until he finally meets Bronte and opens up. But as he opens up, his new found friends get hurt and so does he. 

I can see why the book qualifies as a Lincoln award book. It's very good and could be a good book for you.

Martinez P.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson’s book Speak is a really great book. There is a movie about this book. The movie is a little different than the book, of course, but the book and the movie are both very great. 


This book is about Melinda Sordino, who is known as the party buster. Everyone hated her because at the end of the summer everyone had an end of summer party and she decided to call the cops. Her friend hates her and so does everyone else in the school. But at the party something happened. Something that no other girl would want happening to them. She was scared and she didn't know what to do. She can’t tell anyone about that night because she is scared about what might happen.

Melinda has no friends just because she called the cops about the party. If she told them why she did it, they probably wouldn't believe her and hate her more. Melinda is in a tough spot. If I were her I would at least tell someone because I wouldn't be able to just keep it to myself. I would be scared, worried, upset and wouldn't be able to sleep and wouldn't want to step foot into school. 

Melinda tried to go to her old friend, but she wouldn't believe her. If my friend came up to me and told me what Melinda told her then I would find a way to believe her over my boyfriend. In the end some girls found out what happened and Melinda told her mom about that night. 

I think this book is a really great book. I suggest people read this and possibly watch the movie. Read the book first, however, and then watch the movie. If I had to rate this book I would give it five stars.

Taylor M.

Abe Lincoln Nominees 2014: Some More Information, Part 1

The new Abe Lincoln Nominees were announced a few months ago. We thought you would like to know more about some of the nominees. This is part 1. More titles to come in the next few weeks.

Cinder - Marissa Meyer

Cinder lives with her cruel stepmother and stepsisters in a small apartment. She has to do most of the chores and most of her income goes to help pay the rent. There is a royal ball happening soon and Cinder’s sisters are eager to go. Sound familiar? It is, sort of. Cinder is not a typical teenage girl. She lives in New Beijing in a time after the third world war. She is a gifted mechanic who can fix any machine, and by the way, she is a cyborg. When Prince Kai asks for help with his personal robot, little does she know that she may be the only girl / machine who can save  the world from intergalactic war.

I hunt killers - Barry Lyga

Jazz Dent’s dad was one of the world’s most notorious serial killers. And even though his dad is in jail now, the memories of his past still haunt Jazz on a daily basis. And if that isn’t bad enough, everyone in town thinks, “like father, like son.”  They could be right. Billy Dent taught his son everything he knew, every grisly detail.  And now, with a new serial killer in town that is mimicking his dad’s crime, Jazz is obsessed with proving to everyone in town (including himself) that genes don’t determine your destiny.

Legend - Marie Lu

In the distant future, the two halves of the USA are separate countries that are constantly at war. June is the youngest soldier in the Army. Day is a young criminal who is trying to take down the Republic Government one terrorist attack at a time. They were sworn enemies until the day they found each other, and the truth.

The pregnancy project : a memoir - Gaby Rodriguez

Gaby Rodriguez never wanted to be a stereotype. Even though she is the daughter and sister of teen moms, nobody that knows her could imagine her being one herself. But she wondered, how would people react if she did get pregnant? She decided to find out. For her Senior year project, she made a decision that would change the lives of everyone in her school. She decided to fake a pregnancy. At the end of the year, she would reveal the truth to the whole school. Her story has been featured on Good Morning America and was even made into a Lifetime movie.  .

Ready player one- Ernest Cline

It is 2044 and the world is kind of a mess. To cope, everyone escapes into the world of the OASIS, a virtual world where they work, play, learn and even find love. When the creator of the OASIS dies, he leaves a huge fortune to the person who can solve a series of clues and puzzles that will take the players all over the thousands of planets in the virtual world. For five years, none of the thousands of players around the world can crack even one clue. And then Wade Watts, a poor teenager from Oklohama solves the first clue. The race is on.

Right Behind You by Gail Giles

Gail Giles’ book, Right Behind You, is a fictional story about a young boy named Kip. If you are into mystery and suspense, then you would enjoy reading Right Behind You.

This book tells the story of a little boy named Kip McFarland who set his next door neighbor, Bobby Clarke, on fire. Due to this mistake made by Kip, he is forced to spend the next few years of his life in a juvenile correction center. Once he enters his teenage years, Kip is released and he moves to Indiana to start a new life. He is forced to change his name and start all over.

Things are going very well in Indiana for Kip until he lets his secret out to a few of his teammates from swimming and they all turn on Kip. Now that this small town in Indiana knows Kip’s secret, he is forced to pack up once again with his father and his father’s girlfriend and begin another life in Texas.

Once they arrive, Kip decides that he wants to be home schooled to prevent any more leaks that could affect his family and their good life in Texas. Kip quickly meets a girl named Sam who befriends him and teaches him how to live the home schooled life in Texas. Kip begins to gain trust in Sam very early and Sam does the same with Kip. After a few weeks, Sam tells Kip a very big secret that could destroy the friendship they have built. But Kip refused to let that happen. Kip loved Sam just the same and treated her with more respect than he did before.

A few days after Sam told her secret, Kip decided it was his turn. He printed out articles from his accident and he even called Bobby’s mother to ask her opinion. After reminiscing about the incident, he wrote a letter to Sam explaining everything that happened to him. She gave him no answer, not even a response, and because of that, Kip packed his bags and planned to ship off to Dallas so his family wouldn't have to suffer. Fortunately, right before he left, he heard from Sam and she let him know that she always understood him.

If you want to understand what it is like to have to start all over and live a life you never truly know, then I strongly suggest you read Right Behind You by Gail Giles.

Kylee G.

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman

Neal Shusterman’s book, Bruiser, is a fictional book. If you enjoy being filled with suspense this is definitely the book for you. This book focuses on a brother and sister named Tennyson and Bronte and  their family drama. This book also delves into their relationship with the odd kid out named Brewster. Brewster, nicknamed Bruiser, starts out not having many friends. Once Tennyson and Bronte befriend him, they find out why. It is not only that people do not understand Brewster but it is mostly his own choice not to have friends. He is protecting himself from the unimaginable only he and his family know. 

This book really opens your eyes and makes you realize everyone has troubles with which they have to deal. It is an extreme journey all of the characters experience throughout this book. If you want to find out Brewster’s secret, I definitely recommend reading Bruiser.

Sarah T.

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Maureen Johnson’s book, 13 Little Blue Envelopes, is a really fascinating
book. It starts with Aunt Peg’s life and how she was always running away from what she loved because she thought an artist shouldn't feel comfortable but that an artist should always be and feel challenged. That’s why she moved to places she didn't know and started all over again whenever she began to like something about her life too much. When her aunt died, Ginny received a package which contained 13 letters from her. Each of the letters gives her a task she must complete before opening the next letter. Ginny ends up traveling all around Europe where she falls in love with a British guy. 

I thought this book was really interesting because while I was reading it, I had no idea what was going to happen next or what was going to be Ginny’s next assignment. In one chapter she was falling for the British guy, Keith, and in the next one, she was in Rome asking out an Italian guy! This book is full of surprises and that’s why I liked it. I think anyone who likes adventure and traveling will enjoy reading about Ginny and crazy Aunt Peg in 13 Little Blue Envelopes.

Silva W.

Scary Fay Books

If you read fay on the title and instantly conjured up images of Tinker Bell, you need to search the depths of your psyche because these fairies are scary and not often kind to humans.
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Mar

There are three rules of survival for Aishlin: Don't stare at invisible fairies, don't speak to invisible fairies and never reveal you possess the power of the seer's sight. The old rules are breaking. Keenan, a powerful and alluring fairy begins to stalk Aishlin. Keenan is actually the Summer King and is determined to make Aishlin his Queen.

Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Lucy Scarborough was raised by her grandmother. At 17 she discovers that the women of her family have been cursed through the generations to perform three seemingly unachievable tasks if they are to break the curse. Lucy is the only one through the generations that won't be alone as she tackles the three tasks. A spellbinding novel!

 

Tithe a Modern Fairy Tale by Holly Black

Kaye is 16 and living as a nomad, traveling with her mom's rock band. Living from town to town without rules and school, Kaye is unlike most teens. Forced to leave the band they move in with   Kaye's grandmother. This is where she meets Roiben a soldier from the Unseling Court. Kaye has childhood memories of playing with fairies but convinced it was her imagination but the fay did not forget. The Unseling court needs Kaye for their offering but will Roiben let Kaye be sacrificed?


All three of these have been nominated as Abraham Lincoln Awards.

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Ellen Hopkins' book, Impulse, is a fiction book about three teenagers whose lives intersect at a psych hospital. Whether on purpose or by accident, each of them has done something to try and end their life. Conner tried to put a bullet through his chest even though he had the life most kids dream of having. He had money, he got what he wanted when he wanted it and he was popular. But his mother was cold and heartless and never around. Vanessa lived with her nurse grandmother after her mom was put into a psych hospital. When she started to hear the demons her mom always heard, she got into the habit of cutting. Well, she accidently cut too deeply once and it landed her in the psych hospital. Tony grew up in too many places, all of which were bad. He’s gay, trying to get by and he was abused by many of his mother’s boyfriends, so he ran away. When he had nothing left for which to live, he tried to overdose. They all have a challenge to get through and that is to survive. If you have a difficult life just remember there is always someone who cares. This book though is a great read for anyone.

Emily A.

Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess

Such A Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess is a touching but emotional book. The story starts off with a girl whose name happens to be Meredith. She is a 15 year old girl who was abused by her father since she was a child. When her father, Charles, was sentenced to eight years in prison, the judge promised Meredith eight years of safety but only gave her three. After her father was released from prison, her mother told him to live with her and Meredith. Right away she knew her mother had made an awful decision. 

Almost immediately after her father’s return, Meredith befriends a neighbor, Andy, who gives her a feeling of safety from her home life. As a child, Meredith’s father always called her Chirp. After years of not being called Chirp, her father begins to use that nickname again. Right away, you could tell it really bothered her. At the end of the book, there is a complete one-eighty. This book tells the story of a girl’s survival from her own father and the journey to find who she really is. 

I highly recommend this book to the people who don’t mind thinking about the worst possible situations. After reading this book, it really changed me for the better because it showed me how bad life can be for some people.


Meredith Z.

Book Trailers: Abraham Lincoln Award Nominees 2014

There are several book trailers available for this year's current list of Abraham Lincoln Award nominees. Below is a playlist of videos that introduce some of the titles on the list. .We will be posting more information, including an annotated list of the nominees in the next few weeks.