Erasing Time

Erasing Time by CJ Hill tells the story of twins Taylor and Sheridan who wake up to find themseves transported four hundred years in the future.  Scientists transported the twins instead of the scientist they were looking to transport to help them perfect a new weapon.  The twins are initially overwelmed with the society they have been transported into unnerved with the many differences in the society and soon realise that they must escape from the city and it's controling government.

This was an interesting dystopian novel and the time travel aspect made for a nice way for the reader to explore the society.  I didn't find the plot that different than other dystopian novels on the market (teens in dystopian society, teens discover something fishy, teens must escape, evil government chases them. . . . ) but it was enjoyable enough.  I remained interested in the book throughout.

Appropriateness:  There is no adult content in the book.  The characters were both eighteen and the romance did not involve much more than kissing and it was not the focus of the story.  I would reccomend this book to readers 13+ (but it is appropriate for younger advanced readers).

Samurai Awakening

Samurai Awakening by Benjamin Martin stars David Matthews a foreign exchange student living in Japan.  He begins the story unable to speak much Japanese and horribly out of shape.  However, when he attends a sword ceremony he finds himself possessed by a Japanese god and suddenly able to speak and understand Japanese.  He soon starts to train and becomes a part of this new family who fights evil.

This is a very detailed book that will speak to readers that are very interested in the topic.  The plot moves a little slowly because of all the detail which makes it not as engaging for those who aren't interested in Japanese mythology however the book is not overly long (it's right around 300 pages).  This is a book that readers will either love or hate.

Appropriateness:  This book seems very heavy at times.  Although there is no inappropriate content and or much relationship drama and it is not overly violent it's a little heavy for middle grade readers and I'd recommend it to readers 14+.

Review copy provided by Amazon Vine

Summer of the Gypsy Moths

Review given to me by a delightful fifth grader who loved this book and asked for more like it.

Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker is a great book.  It is about two girls Stella and Angel, and their gaurdian Lousise who dwelt in Cape Cod.  In the beginning of the book the girls hate eachother but gradually become best friends because Lousie dies unexpectedly.  The girls don't tell the police and have to take care of themseves and cover up for their missing guardian.

This book fills you with emotions and is very intersting.  Stella and Angel's backgrounds are realistic yet their circumstances are unlikely.  It is a terrific book.

This is a nice chapter book that elementary school aged girls will love.  It is not filled with super difficult vocabulary but is interesting enough for fifth graders making it a great one for struggling readers.

Review copy provided by Amazon vine.  Review provided by one of my team of kid reviewers.

Silly Looking Thing

The Silly Looking Thing by Eva M Sakmar-Sullivan tells the story of Itsy Bitsy Frog.  Itsy Bitsy Frog goes down to the pond every day to play.  When what he calls a Silly Looking Thing asks to play he says no way, even deciding that he would avoid the pond.  After talking to his parents he learns that he hasn't been acting right.

This is an adorable picture book that teaches about friendship and acceptance with a bit of science on the side.  It's short and sweet and teaches a great lesson.

This book will be enjoyed by kindergarten and first grade students.

Review Copy provided by netgalley

Prom

Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson features Ash, a lower class Philadelphia senior who is more interested in hanging out with her dropout boyfriend than the prom.  But when the prom adviser is arrested for stealing the entire prom budget she somehow becomes in charge of organizing and fundraising to keep the prom alive.

This is a book that will have some appeal to reluctant readers who are sick of reading about perfect goody too shoes girls who do everything right.  Ash has a looser boyfriend, no college ambitions and doesn't come from a well off family or go to a good school.  This is unlike Anderson's other heavier books and instead reads more like a generic fun fluffy teen chic lit prom book (but with a non-perfect heroine).  Because I'm a fan of that type of novel I loved this book and tore through it quickly with a smile on my face at the happy ending.

Appropriateness:  There is a lot of adult behavior in this book.  Ash is sexually active with her boyfriend (although there are no sex scenes) and does not think twice about getting drunk.  Ash is the type of kid that you hope your daughter doesn't end up like, barely graduating high school and attached to a looser boyfriend although she does have a good heart.  I'd recommend this book to readers 13+ and use it as an excuse to talk to your kids about how the choices you make in your teens have long term consequences. 

Virtuosity

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez follows prodigy violinist Carmen who decides to take charge of her life at an important time in her life.  She stops taking her anxiety drugs and goes out with one of her fiercest competitors.  For the first time she questions how she's lived her life and defies her mother when she starts dating her toughest competition.

I enjoyed this book.  It did a fantastic job of putting the reader into this world of classical music.  The romance was sweet and felt natural with ups and downs and distrust.  Carmen is a great character who rebels by taking charge of her life.  Her addiction to anxiety drugs (encouraged by her mother) was believable and would be a nice starting point for a discussion of the many "enhancing" drugs that are taken to improve performance.

Appropriateness:  A main plot point in this book is Carmen's addiction to Anti-Anxiety drugs.  The romance is sweet and innocent while also interesting enough for older teens.  Carmen spends the night in her boyfriends room and wakes up with her dress on.  There is also a suicide attempt.  I would reccomend this book to teens 14+

Review Copy obtained by Amazon Vine

You Are So Undead to Me

You Are So Undead to Me by Stacy Jay follows Megan Berry a Zombie Settler.  Megan's settler abilities have just come back and at the most inconvenient time.  Megan is a teenager trying to get a date for homecoming and audition for the Pom squad.  This is hard enough without both regular and rogue zombies disturbing her life.  Will Megan be able to figure out who is creating these zombies and save homecoming?

This is a delightful "fluffy" zombie novel.  I loved the settler mythology that was created and Megan's powers and responsibilities conflicting with her desire for a normal life made for a story that was fun without being too terrifying or bloody.  I finished the book quickly and can't wait to read the next in the series.

Appropriateness:  There is no adult content in this book.  The romance consists of a bit of kissing.  I recommend this book to readers 11-15

Undead

Undead by Cirsty McKay stars Bobby who finds herself in danger when her classmates turn into rabid zombies on a ski trip.  Bobby, Smitty and a few other classmates find themselves on the run from their teachers and classmates who were turned into zombies.  They have to get away and find out what it was that caused the mass outbreak.

This is a terrific humorous horror novel.  It did a perfect job of combining the absurd with the horrific keeping the reader both scared and giggling throughout.  The side characters are caricatures and so much so that it's funny.  The nerdy computer guy, the bitchy cheerleader, the outcast, rebel and of course the evil villains and terrifying zombies. 

Appropriateness:  This book has a lot of zombie violence.  Vice principals are beheaded, little kids are bitten and the main characters are in a lot of danger.  Aside from the violence there is no adult content.  The romance was a very small subplot and was limited to just kissing.  I would recommend this book to readers 12+

Fang Girl

Fang Girl by Helen Keeble stars Jane who wakes up and finds herself in a coffin.  Now just because she was obsessed with vampires didn't mean she wanted to be one.  She soon travels home to see her very shocked parents (and brother who is sure she is a zombie) who treat her change like an interesting science experiment.

I could not stop laughing throughout this book.  It was a fantastic comedy.  From the brother who was sure she was a zombie to her zombie goldfish and her obsession with organization I couldn't stop reading and finished the book quickly.  I can't wait to read more from Hellen Keeble.

Appropriateness:  This book has no adult content and the romance is light and fluffy.  I would recommend this book to readers 12+