True Believer by Virginia Euwer Wolff

Interesting book about a young girl in the inner city trying to stay out of the pitfalls that can occur in her environment. It's written in her language with an unusual style. 3 out of 5 stars.

Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser

Disturbing!! The book had good intentions but the author's use of the book as his personal soap box for gun control definitely irritated me! I feel like emailing the author to remind him that guns don't kill - people kill. He wrote it in a interview type style from the witnesses to a school shooting/hostage situation, which what the witnesses had to say was very poignant, but the author's little comments on each page about guns is unnecessary and distracting. If he hadn't done that I would have recommended the book but now I can't/won't. The topic of bullying and what people should do to prevent kids from feeling like there is no way out other than violence should have been addressed more than the whole gun issue. 0 out of 5 stars.

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

A student just recently signed this one out and it made me think to "blog" it. I loved this book. It brought to my attentnion the need to think and discuss how you and your love one need to determine what should happen if you're ever put on life support. I don't know if I could make some of the decisions the characters made in this book. 4 and one half stars out of 5.

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Very strange book about the "after life." It wasn't my favorite topic - it doesn't mention God or heaven per say. A 15 girl dies in a bicycle accident then travels to Elsewhere (not sure if it is heaven or hell). This book goes on to talk about her "life" in Elsewhere until she eventually returns to Earth (as a baby). I said it was strange. It was written well but the topic was just too much for me - 1 out of 5 stars.

Sold by Patricia McCormick

Simply written, but a powerful story. Written from the thirteen year girl's point of view. This story takes the reader through the journey of a 13 year old, peasant girl from the mountain region of Nepal sold into the world of prostitution in India. Definitely not for the young reader or the weak hearted. 4 out of 5 stars.

Boot Camp by Todd Strasser

Good book about how a kid, Garrett Durrell, is "transported" (kidnapped) from his home to Harmony Lake (a boot camp for troubled teens). It seems however, that Garrett isn't really a "troubled" teen. Garrett just doesn't live up to his parents expectations so they send him away. It was hard to see these kids go through so much breaking down. The author sites his sources for the book, and it makes the reader realize that these types of places actually exist. I know some kids need this type of environment, but I don't think that its a place for every rebellious kid. 3 and one half stars out of 5.

Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson

I know - I said I wanted to read this one - so I bought it this weekend and started and finished it on Sunday. I was thrown off by the title - I thought Sam was a man and was looking forward for a "love story," but Sam is the grandmother's name. It ultimately ended up a love story but it went through alot of heartbreak to get there. The message I received from this book is - live life to its fullest!
3 and one half stars out of 5.

Gym Candy by Carl Deuker

Started it Friday morning and finsihed it Saturday.This was a good book - easy read. The story follows a young man's journey through football and the enticement of steriods. It uses todays language and touches on some of the pitfalls. 3 stars out of 5.