Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin review

Kelsey Finkelstein is fourteen and FRUSTRATED. Every time she tries to live up to her awesome potential, her plans are foiled – by her impossible parents, her annoying little sister, and life in general. But with her first day of high school coming up, Kelsey is positive that things are going to change. Enlisting the help of her three best friends — sweet and quiet Em, theatrical Cass, and wild JoJo — Kelsey gets ready to rebrand herself and make the kind of mark she knows is her destiny.

Things start out great - her arch-nemesis has moved across the country, giving Kelsey the perfect opportunity to stand out on the soccer team and finally catch the eye of her long-time crush. But soon enough, an evil junior’s thirst for revenge, a mysterious photographer, and a series of other catastrophes make it clear that just because KELSEY has a plan for greatness… it doesn’t mean the rest of the world is in on it.

From Goodreads

Kelsey is funny & poignant. We meet her & her three best friends in the final glory days of their last summer before high school where Kelsey unveils her big plans for freshman year. Naturally everything she has planned goes awry almost instantly & as her friends begin to bloom in their own niches, Kelsey finds herself odd-girl-out.

I really enjoyed Kelsey's inner monologue throughout her ordeals & we're not just talking run-of-the-mill freshman stuff. She's pretty much an embarrassing disaster waiting to happen simply because she's not patient enough to wait for the right moment. Although in some instances she is too patient & that causes just as much drama. Even through her ups & downs, Kelsey remains true to her plan to make it the best year possible. That kind of resilience is what helped me overlook some personality flaws in characters & their decisions.

The writing was nuanced enough to allow for individuality, but at the same time rhythmic enough that I felt I could almost predict where things were going. While not necessarily a bad thing, I did feel like I spent a fair amount of time trying to puzzle out when the author was going to make "x" happen. Still enjoyable to watch it all unfold, but a tad bit frustrating.

The enthusiasm & melodramatic nature of teen girls though makes up for any frustration I incurred. Seriously if you took several of the sassiest & wittiest women on comedy television you'd have these gals. It was a riot & a bit heartbreaking to watch them triumph & suffer, but you knew in the end they would benefit from the experience.

Overall I'd have to say this was a quick, light read that definitely lends itself to becoming a series. I'm not sure if that's in the works, but I'm hoping so!

Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin review

Happy Birthday to Me by Brian Rowe review

Cameron is a young stud. On track for an ivy league education, this basketball star has got everything going for him. He even already has the leading lady, Charisma. Nothing seems to hold him back from doing whatever he wants; that is until a testy waitress's prank backfires.

After falsely claiming it to be his birthday, at the same restaurant, to the same waitress, within a short amount of time, Cameron discovers an unsettling truth. He is no longer a comfortable 17 year old, he is now aging a whole year of his life with each passing day. At first it's nothing too serious to worry about & he even enjoys some of the perks of looking a bit older. But when he continues to age, things that have always been true are changing with him. Cameron is dropped from the basketball team, right as they are preparing for the State Championships & Charisma decides that dating an older guy isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Cameron begins to accept the way things really are and discovers the value in his friends & family. Unfortunately he may not get to live long enough to celebrate that fact due to his condition. Can it be halted in time & if so, by what magic can it's effects be reversed?

Brian Rowe has captured my attention. While the story starts out picture perfect, like so many others, it quickly turns into a nightmarish fable. Cameron is a spoiled, ungrateful character that I wanted to punch from the get-go. The thing is, he doesn't really know he's spoiled because his way of life is the only one he's ever known. He's always had money, been popular & good looking, with very little self-esteem issues. Cameron doesn't really know what it's like to be anything but perfect, so the birthday curse was a magnificent way to take all that away from him, not quickly, but slowly so that he can learn from it.

The supporting characters (ranging from the drama queen Charisma to a vengeful, yet well-meaning waitress named Liesel & a nerdy little sister) keep the story moving & give us perspective on Cameron's changes. They kind of act like a marker of his progress during his transformation. Each one marks a different chapter in Cameron's life that allows one to see the full effect the aging condition has on him.

The writing was light & humorous, but still filled with all the want-to-know information. I found that while we were introduced to many characters, we only got to know a few well enough. I think there could have been a little more development of Cameron's family & maybe a little more information about Liesel. While I also think that the main character needed to take a cold shower (the boy was obsessed with trying to have sex with his girlfriend), I think the inclusion of a gay teammate gives the book an up-to-date feel. The good thing is that this is just the first in a trilogy of books to come.

If you're looking for something quirky, unique & fast, Happy Birthday to Me is a go-to book. What did y'all think?

Happy Birthday to Me by Brian Rowe review

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger review

Dwight is a weird kid, but not as weird as the Origami Yoda he carries around on his finger. Several kids in his sixth grade class think he's just trying to get attention, but really Origami Yoda is very wise. Dwight speaks on behalf of Origami Yoda simply because the green paper creature lives on his finger, but he does not come up with Origami Yoda's answers.



Tommy, a classmate, decides to put together a case file listing all the "miracles" & "advice" that Origami Yoda supposed made happen so that he can decide once and for all if Origami Yoda is for real or not. Harvey, a decided non-believer, makes snarky comments after each story down-playing the plausibility of Origami Yoda's wisdom.



Tommy's findings are meant to be simple, but nothing could be farther from the truth. After hearing dozens of tales, Tommy is no closer to the truth than he was at the beginning, but what he does find is even more surprising.



The Strange Case of Origami Yoda is without a doubt one of the cutest books I have read in quite a long time! We start off with Tommy explaining why the case file has been put together & what he (and his classmates) hope to achieve. Several students tell different stories about dim-witted Dwight's amazing ability to give voice to Origami Yoda's astounding wisdom. Harvey really is a snarky nay-sayer, but I admire his character's ability to quantify why Origami Yoda's advice did nothing to improve several situations.



I liked how each chapter in the "case file" had a different narrator & the font style changed accordingly. The font really lent an extra emotion to the characters that we really couldn't obtain through hearing about them. We don't learn much about hardly any of the characters except what we are told from other characters. A composite of each person exists made up of the different glimpses we see from other characters. This whimsical approach allows the reader to engage on a different level because you're not focused on getting from A to B in the story, you're focused on collecting the next puzzle piece to solve the debate at hand.



Even more entertaining about this book is the simple fact that it appeals to all sorts of readers. You don't have to be a Star Wars fan to understand the jokes & you certainly don't have to be a boy to get the underlying story line. Also, the drawings & sketches in this "case file" really allow the reader to escape back into a middle-school mindset. The jokes are different, the expressions are unique & one can never really know what the expect from one moment to the next.



This book was funny beyond measure & an absolute pleasure to read. At under 150 pages, I strongly urge you all to read this comical tale about an estranged boy & his Origami Yoda.



Oh yeah and of course there is a sequel. Recently released: Darth Paper Strikes Back promises to follow in its predecessor's hilarity.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger review

Waiting on Wednesday: Demonglass (Hex Hall #2)

Waiting on Wednesday recognizes that we as bookies pine for books. This post is about what I am impatiently waiting for right now. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Many of you may remember how much I LOVED Hex Hall by the fabulous Rachel Hawkins. But did you know that the sure-to-be terrific sequel Demonglass is coming out in three short weeks on February 15th?! Obviously, if you haven't read the first book READ NO FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS!!! Fair warning.

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

From Goodreads

After the whirlwind ride that was the first book, this one seems to build upon subplots only hinted at in Hex Hall. I am truly looking forward into delving into Sophie's true nature as she must confront the reality of her existence & everyone else's too. This series seems to be taking off quite well & I am looking forward to a deeper understanding of the inside workings of this magical world. Rachel's writing has bewitched me & I love it!! What are you waiting on this week?

Waiting on Wednesday: Demonglass (Hex Hall #2)

My Trip Back to Middle School (or my 7th grade book talks)

Last week, in celebration of National Library Week, the public library I work at was invited into a local middle school to talk. We presented information about general library policies, events and opportunities for teens, and of course BOOKS to over 300 7th graders!

Pictured above are the 19 books I took with me. While this was a few too many, let me just tell you that there were some quite popular titles above that I think some of you may not be familiar with.

Why I Fight by J. Adams Oaks is a very unique book. It follows 6 years in the life of prize bare-knuckle fighter Wyatt Reaves. Starting from the tender age of 12, after his Uncle Spade "rescues" him from living in a homeless shelter with his mother, the story tracks Wyatt's place in society. His uncle sees the potential to makes lots of money off Wyatt's natural talents and chooses to chase that track. After years of fighting though, Wyatt starts think that maybe he wants more from his life. Does he just deserve the seedy hand he's been dealt or does he deserve something more form life? It's a great book for reluctant readers and young guys. It's written like one would expect a teen to speak, so it makes the story very accessible to readers.

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson is perfect for those who love historical fiction. I find this storyline fascinating and a definite twist on the traditional characters. The year is 1776 and the story is about 13 year-old Isabel, a slave. She has watched as her entire life has been decided for her. Who owns her, where she sleeps, when she works, and so much more. Isabel has no real control or rights in her own life or that of her sister. So when they are sold to Loyalists, instead of being set free as they were promised, Isabel must make a very tough decision. She can spy on her owners for the American revolutionaries or she can keep quiet and live her life, as miserable as it may be. This book is a great retelling of what might have actually happened during the American Revolution. Isabel is just a servant girl, but she had the right to freedom just the same as everyone else.

30 Days Has September by Chris Stevens is the best book in the world for students of any age and any subject. It has all sorts of nifty tricks and tips from how to remember the order of the great philosophers (go think of the SPA: Socrates, Plato, then Aristotle) to the rhyming song about the 6 wives of Henry the VIII (Kate, Anne, Jane, Anne, Cate, Kate who were divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, and survived). It also have math, grammar, commonly mispelled words, chemistry, and nifty factoids. It's a cute little book full of trivia facts and easy ways to help you keep on top of all the information there is to know.

Many of the others are ones that I have reviewed already (Candor, The Hunger Games, The Sky is Everywhere) and some are of little interest to me, but were appropriate for the audience. I had a blast talking with these kids and it was really easy to engage them. I loved asking "So, which do you want to hear about giant cockroaches or zombies?" (Gregor the Overlander and The Forest of Hands and Teeth) and hearing some kids squeal and others yell their answer. They were quite amused and many of them asked questions and wanted to know more about some books that I didn't speak about in their session. I'm very excited to get to go to another 7th grade session at another middle school in late May.

What other books do you think would be great recommendations? They can be anything from realistic to historical fiction, fantasy or sci-fi, and even non-fiction. Let me know your suggestions in the comments!

My Trip Back to Middle School (or my 7th grade book talks)

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

May 2, 2008 is the day that forever changed life at Garvin High School. On that day, Nick Levin opened fire on the students in the Commons before school. The reason behind this atrocity? The Hate List. This list was a compilation of names of people that Nick and his girlfriend, Valerie Leftman, hated for what they did to anyone and everyone. It ranged from kids at school who bullied them to parents at home who didn't care. What Valerie had always assumed was a way to blow off steam, turned out to be fuel for the hatred that was dwelling in Nick.

After a long recuperation from being shot in the leg while trying to stop her now former boyfriend, and being determined a "non-participant" in the massacre, Valerie is trying to move on with her life. She feels like her therapist is the only one looking out for her because her dad won't forgive her, her mother doesn't trust her, her friends (and Nick's) have abandoned her, and her brother just doesn't know how to act around her. She hesitantly starts her senior year at the same school with no expectations for anything. The stares, glares, and nasty treatment she completely expected, but not the attempt at friendship from one of the Hate List's most central entries: Jessica Campbell. She embodied everything that Nick and Val couldn't stand not to mention she ridiculed them incessantly. Now Val finds herself on the receiving end of Jessica's kindness and attempt at friendship.

Val must find her way through this year without causing any more pain. She cannot change what happened and she cannot undo anything that was done, but she can help herself and others move past this tragic time without trying to wipe it completely from their memories. It must be remembered so that it won't happen again.

Hate List is an absolute roller-coaster of emotion. It's told only through Valerie's experience, but it cuts back and forth from May 2 and the days following, to present day. There are also little newspaper articles about the victims so that we can see how the information was presented to the town. It takes a serious look at the fallout from one of these horrific events. It's not something that these towns quickly recover from and then sing "Kumbaya" together. It's a gritty, rough experience that scars most people for the rest of their lives. The living have a hard time dealing with the reality that their lives became.

Valerie and Ginny Baker are two incredible examples of some aftermath that must be dealt with in these situations. Anyone who ever associated with the perpetrator (especially someone close) usually catches at least part of the blame for the incident. Val caught a lot as she was implicated as being an organizer. Her experiences in the school after the attack were strained at best and down right hostile at its worst. Ginny Baker's a stunning example of what can happen to those who live. They feel guilty, they feel betrayed, and they can often times become depressed with suicidal thoughts. While I am not claiming to be an expert, nor is the author Jennifer Brown, the portrait seen within this book is incredibly accurate and stunning.

Jennifer's characters were vibrant and true to life. I believed that the characters acted and reacted consistently within their own world. I would expect a grief-stricken teenage girl to wander off on her own and never give a thought to what others might think about it. I can also see angry people trying to get revenge on someone they believed involved in hurting a loved one. The narrative was well-written and more truthful than anything even some of my most vivid nightmares could create. While I wish many people never had to experience things like this, we live in a cruel world. I hope that this book can open people's eyes and their hearts both before and, if necessary, after this kind of a tragedy.

What do you think of this subject? Drinking, drugs, and sex are one thing, but I don't think I've come across anything quite like this before. Thoughts, comments? Leave them below!

Hate List by Jennifer Brown