Ambergate
by Patricia Elliott
Published 2007 by Little, Brown Young Readers

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Ambergate, by Patricia Elliot, is a dark spiderweb of unraveling mysteries that leave you aching to jump ten chapters and figure out what it’s all about. Based in an early nineteen hundreds society, Ambergate takes place in a land divided by evil superstistions and dictatorship. The protagonist, Number 102—a girl with no name—hints early on that she had done something terrible in her old home, The Capital city—and expresses visions of blood on her hands and a dead woman in a cellar. She tells that she is a criminal; when the men finally come for her, she is forced to flee from her beloved Murkmere, an old estate in which the heir, a young woman named Leah, disappeared three years ago. In her flight, Number 102 comes upon countless soldiers, a harlem house, a ship-full of troublesome sailors, the frightening orphanage she is enslaved to, and a quiet young man named Erland, who’s past is sure to open many doors in her journey—perhaps even the sacred Amber Gate.

Reviewed by Bailey

The Wizard, the Witch & Two Girls from Jersey
by Lisa Papademetriou
Published 2006 by Sleuth RazorBill

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Beginning with two unlikable girls bound together by a troublesome book report, The Wizard, the Witch, and Two Girls from Jersey, by Lisa Papademetriou, is not at all what you think. Filled with quirky turnabouts and ironic situations, this book is not one to be judged lightly. The characters are a range of pompus (but beautiful) elves, easily persuaded wizards, a hero quickly put to an end, and a talking box that can’t keep mum. Veronica, a bookworm with a headful of fantasy refrences that she spouts now and then to help put things in perspective, and Heather, a girl not to be taken in, are thrown into a world of cookie-cooking Kiblar elves and tiny dragons, and under the guise that they have come to overthrow the evil Queen of Twilight, they must work together to get home before anyone discovers their secret.

Reviewed by Bailey

Behind the Secret Window: A Memoir of a Hidden Childhood During World War Two
by N. Toll
Published 2003 by Tandem Library

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This is the gripping story of Nelly told in her own words.

In this book she tells of her long and difficult journey through hiding in World War II.To cope with all of the trauma she paints watercolors and shares them with you.

World War II ended and some Jews survived, but will Nelly survive along with her family?

Read this intriguing diary to find out Nelly’s fate.

Reviewed by Chelsea

The Truth about Forever
by Sarah Dessen
Published 2004 by Viking Books

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This is the gripping story of Nelly told in The Truth About Forever.

What if a group of people change the way you view life forever? Well, that is the case for sixteen year old Macy Queen in Sarah Dessen’s newest book, The Truth About Forever. Macy’s father recently had passed away right in front of her eyes and she and her mother have no way of showing their grief to the outside world. Summer is here and her super intelligent boyfriend, Jason, is going away to “Brain Camp.” She is now stuck with a “dull-as-dishwater” job at a library while devoting all of her free-time studying for the SATs. Once her mom hosts open house events, Macy’s way of life is going to change. At these events, she meets the Wish Catering Crew and each member of this group will inspire her in a different way. There is “bighearted Delia; quiet, introspective Monica; and fun-loving, fashion-conscious Kristy” (Dessen). But, there is the most inspiring one, Wes. “Artistic, insightful, and understanding Wes- who helps Macy look at life in the different way the most………….” (Dessen)
 The Truth About Forever was on the “New York Times” Bestseller List and is getting raving reviews from fans around the United States. A student at GlenOak High school says, “ This is one of the best books I’ve read in my whole life…………..it is the best one written by Sarah Dessen!” When reading this book, I couldn’t help to notice that I felt all of the emotions of Macy Queen! When Macy was sad, I was sad too…..if she was angry, I was angry too. But most of all, when Macy was love struck by Wes, you couldn’t help but to fall for this guy too! Wes is just one of those guys that you thought was real because of the effect he has on Macy and how powerful it was. I highly, highly recommend this book to all teenagers out there! The Truth About Forever is very powerfully written and it will definitely change the way you think about life, as it has for me. The Truth about Forever, is closer than you think.

Reviewed by Lorianna

The Clique
by Lisi Harrison
Published 2004 by Little Brown and Company

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The Clique series is about five girls: Massie, Kristen, Alicia, Dylan, and Claire who live in Westchester County, New York. The five girls belong to the exclusive group at Octavian Country Day School. As the book states, “The only thing harder than getting in is staying in.” In the series there are currently 5 novels: The Clique, Best Friends for Never, Revenge of the Wannabes, Invasion of The Boy Snatchers and the newest, The Pretty Committee Strikes Back. Every Clique books suck you in with its real-life situations with the drama of junior high school girls. In addition, the novels contain boy problems and several crushes. Teen girls will love the Clique because it feels real and also because of the glamorized lives of the characters. Be sure to, if you have not already, check out this hot series of drama, love, and high fashion of the Clique girls. You will not be able to put them down!

Reviewed by Chelsea

Of Mice and Men
by John Steinbeck
Published 1993 by Penguin Books

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Anyone like reading short books?If you’re like most teenagers, you probably need to read some 500 page novel like you need a hole in your head.For those in search of a quick, fast-paced read that packs a large punch, look no further than Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.

Like most of Steinbeck’s novels, Of Mice and Men is set in California.The novel is basically about two completely opposite, luckless migrant farmers that are chasing the American Dream.One, Lennie, is a mountain of a man that is somewhat lacking in intelligence.The other, George, is tiny compared to Lennie but possesses a sharp mind.The pair are inseparable and rely on each other to live, although George is eager to be free of his incompetent friend.Together, the two try to find work at a ranch in hopes of saving up enough money to one day have a small farm of their own.Their dream is noble and it seems as if they can almost grasp it before the dream is snatched away from them by both Lennie’s stupidity and ignorance and George’s desire to be rid of Lennie and live his own life.The two are eventually separated by death in one of the most harrowing and bitter endings that I have ever read.

Of Mice and Men is only around 100 pages long, but it is nevertheless a very deep book, dealing with themes such as friendship and the disillusionment of the American Dream.It also has a plot that, although certainly not dripping with action, has many shocking twists and climactic moments.

The only issue that I have with Of Mice and Men is that it contains numerous instances of profanity, but from my experience, that is almost unavoidable in modern American literature.It also contains a brief amount of violence, but it is minimal and essential to the plot..If you are willing to overlook these things, you will find an excellent novel that is short enough for the typical teenager with a short attention span but deep enough for the more advanced reader.

Reviewed by Jesse

The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Published 2004 by Scribner Book Company

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F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsbyis simply a masterpiece.If you like to read and have any sort of appreciation for literature, I would strongly recommend checking out this American classic.

Set in 1920’s New York City, Gatsby is, on the surface, the story of Jay Gatsby, an extravagant, mysterious, and corrupt millionaire, and his love for the superficial and elusive Daisy Buchanan.The story is told through the eyes of Nick Carraway, an honest young man who is in search of some sort of morality, or lack thereof.Through Nick’s experiences with Gatsby, he matures and develops a respect for the crooked millionaire that he at first despised, ultimately finding the need for the morals that he once ran away from.Gatsby’s willingness to believe in his dreams and his unwavering devotion to the elusive Daisy elicit sympathy and admiration from both Nick and the reader. Gatsby’s ultimate demise, caused by the “foul dust that preyed on his dreams,” makes Nick realize that, among much dishonesty and superficiality, the corrupt Gatsby conceals what Nick calls an “incorruptible dream.”

The Great Gatsby doesn’t only have an intriguing plot, however; it contains deep, thought-provoking messages regarding such themes as the American Dream, money, and morality.An intricately written yet easy-to-read novel (around 200 pages), Gatsby has a wealth of meaning that one has to look beyond the surface to find.

With an engaging and fast-paced plot, a cast of characters that you’ll both love and hate, and vivid imagery throughout, The Great Gatsby is one of the best pieces of American literature that you’ll read.There are bound to be some who don’t appreciate this novel, but if you’re interested in an excellent, thought-provoking read, then do yourself a favor and check this book out.

Reviewed by Jesse

Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream
by H. G. Bissinger
Published 2006 by Perseus Books Group

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If you are in high school or have ever been in high school in Stark County or elsewhere in Ohio, you are probably aware of the role high school football plays in this area.There are numerous winning programs with great tradition around the state, and you’d be hard-pressed to find an empty seat in many stadiums on any given Friday night in autumn.Football has a majestic appeal at the high school level around Ohio, fascinating both the young and old with the simplicity of high school kids playing the great American game, football, and representing their schools and communities with pride.

H.G. Bissinger tells the tale of such a place in Friday Night Lights, a biting non-fiction narrative about the effects of high school football on a lonely Texas town.Friday Night Lights is a beautiful yet haunting picture of the important role that high school football can play in a community, sometimes reaching the level of an obsession.In the book, we are presented with the town of Odessa, Texas—economically depressed, racially divided, and in a state of social turmoil.The people of Odessa have lost their dreams and they cling to the one thing they have left—football.Rabidly and loyally supporting their local high school as it competes on the football field, the parents and fans that sit in the stands place an enormous amount of pressure upon their teenage children that play on the field.Through the course of one tremendous season, the author gives the reader an extraordinary insight into the heart and soul of small-town America—and on a higher level, a startlingly realistic commentary upon society at-large.

I would only recommend Friday Night Lights for older, high school readers.The book, written in a purely realistic and objective manner, contains a good deal of profanity as it examines the words and beliefs of the people of Odessa. It is lengthy and contains a lot of background information about Odessa, Texas, and the people that live there.It is an excellent read, however, and I couldn’t help but see the parallels to places around here in Ohio like Canton.Written for both football fans and non-football fans alike, Friday Night Lights is a desperate portrait of the fundamental values of our society and how those values hang upon the game of high school football, where the lights of the local football stadium “so powerfully, and so briefly, ignite the darkness.”

Reviewed by Jesse

Diary of an Anorexic Girl
by Morgan Menzie
Published 2003 by W Publishing Group

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It's a very interesting book that actually keeps your attention and amkes you want to keep reading and hard to put down.  A true story of an unstable and confused teenager that many can relate too.

Reviewed by Justine

Moonlight Secrets
by R. L. Stine
Published 2005 by Simon Pulse

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This book mixes thrilling suspense with bone-chilling mysteriousness and gruesome details.  IF you read this book you'll get hooked on the fear Street Nights series.  this is one ghostly murder story no one is bound to forget!  Now, I'm hooked for good!

Reviewed by Danielle

How Not to Spend Your Senior Year
by Cameron Dokey
Published 2004 by Simon Pulse

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An okay book about a teenage girl that has to deal with moving from school to school and tells of her journey.

Reviewed by Justine

Things Fall Apart
by Chinua Achebe
Published 1994 by Anchor Books

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When you look at the book you think, OMG so boring! As you keep on reading you realize that this is very educational.  The author tells of a great man who has to deal with "things falling apart!"

Reviewed by Vanavia

Cirque Du Freak #1: A Living Nightmare: Book 1 in the Saga of Darren Shan
by Darren Shan
Published 2004 by Little Brown and Company

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This book is so good that at times my eyes would get wide reading some of the most unbelievable things.  Cirque Du Freak takes you on a journey of emotions, and it makes you feel the pain and happiness.  It take some turns you would expect and others you wouldn't dare to guess!

Reviewed by Danielle

Perfect
by Natasha Friend
Published 2004 by Milkweed Editions

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It was a good story of troubles a young girl faces which most can relate to but I didn't find it much interesting and couldn't really keep my attention.

Reviewed by Justine

Keeping the Moon
by Sarah Dessen
Published 1999 by Viking Books

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In this award-winning book everyone will obtain a favorite character.  Keeping The Moon is a great summer story about a girl named Colie with a famous mom, a lost identity and no one to turn to, Colie finds friends in the compelling characters at her summer home with Aunt Mira.  As the summer progesses Colie starts to shed her skin and become the person she really is for one here she is just Colie not the "loser" like she is back home.  Also she is around people that want her to change unlike her perfect mother.  Pick-up this great read, and you may find yourself change too.

Private
by Kate Brian
Published 2006 by Simon Pulse

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