Readers Guide

This post is not a review, just, as it says: a guide. Sometimes I'll refer to something from my english class and sometimes it's a name I've made up for a more detailed thing:

Voice- The way the author speaks through the character. If you think the author's "voice" was great, you could almost hear the character speaking to you.

On the back of the book- The summary of the book.

A Sarah Dessen book- Teenaged girl/boy romances with complicated family lives.

3D- not just words on a paper, but layered and real. Generally referring to characters. It means that they have secrets, and a life beyond the story in the book.

(I'll add more)

-Jojo

Sold

Sold by Patricia McCormick was one of the best books I've read all year. The general idea is the a 13-year-old girl from the mountains in Nepal gets sold into prostitution. Saying that: it's so much more. Her voice is so different, I could honestly believe that this was a Auto-biography. It is actually fiction, but inspired by all the girls who really do get sold into prostitution. I hope this book inspires people to help stop the sex trade.

Written almost in a poem, the unique style made Sold easier to read and specially true to the book and characters. I applaud  Patricia McCormick for doing all her research, making a point and all without forcing it on you or making the book too boring.

I thought it was so cool that I person from America could write with such a realistic voice. I wanted the book to keep going and going. I wanted to know what would happen to Lakshmi (the main character) and all the other ones. It really puts our troubles into perspective. 

There are definitely some heavy parts in Sold and I recommend it to mature readers. The youngest I would suggest would be for end-of-year seventh graders. Once you do reach, or if you've already reached, the maturity level of Sold it's a must read.

-Jojo

Marley and Me

I know many people have seen Marley and Me in theaters, but nothing compares to the wit and dry humor of Josh Grogan. There were many times I had to laugh out loud because of the ludicrous situations Marley got himself in. Josh Grogan did a fantastic job of combining the lovable aspect of the world's worst dog with family life. Don't not read this because it's sad it's worth every tear.

I recommend this to everyone when they need a laugh or a sweet story.

-J

Blue Bloods

The premise of Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz is vampires, but not the Edward Cullen kind. These vampires have a whole different cycle, live in the "real" world, and are not quite invisible. This series follows just a few of the teenaged vampires in town as they battle their enemy. Unfortunately, who the enemy is, is the real problem. 

I read this book after spending four days (a long time for me) on a highly disappointing book. It was a huge relief to read something that kept me so captivated I read it in one night. I recommend this to middle schoolers who enjoy a mystery with the details of a complicated love story.

-J

I Am The Cheese

I Am The Cheese by Robert Cormier had me hooked by the first page. I couldn't put it down the rest of the night. The end left me with questions, but the good satisfied kind. 

It's about a boy on a journey to give his father a present. I can't say much more because I'll give it away, but I promise it's a worthwhile read.

This is not the sort of book you'd want to read for a break, it'll keep you on your toes the whole way through. I recommend it to 13 and up readers who like suspense and physiological thrillers. 

-J