Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Pages: 325
Intended Audience: Mature Teens
Genre: Real life/Romance
Notes for Parents: Has mature scenes, coarse language, obscene phrases, bullying, domestic violence

The Inside Cover

Eleanor…Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough…Eleanor.
Park…He knows she’ll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There’s a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises…Park.
Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is a New York Times bestseller.

What’s good?

It all started with an awkward seating arrangement on the school bus and first, grew into a reluctant friendship, then became a tender romance. I love how the romance unfolds slowly and quite deliberately (unlike so many of today’s “love at first sight” romances). The short chapters make it easy to read, while the cacophony of crude characters that surrounded the misfit couple make their relationship feel very intimate, pushing the story forward with an even flow. The writing is clever and filled with emotion, and the pop culture references capture teenage life in the 80s nicely.
Best Part: Park’s parents.

What isn’t good?

Eleanor’s negativity gets irritating and she obsesses about the silliest things, but ultimately most of it is understandable considering her ongoing situation. Also, I wonder if today’s teens will understand all the 80s references.
Worst part: I don’t understand why Eleanor did what she did in the end. It was not a satisfying resolution for me.

Recommendation þþþoo

Occasionally it gets a little “sickly sweet,” but it would have easily earned four checkmarks from me if the end had made any sense. Still, this was a heartwarming and heartbreaking tale that left an impression. Definitely recommended.

Rowell, Rainbow. Eleanor & Park. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2013. (Hardcover)

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Pages: 316
Intended Audience: Mature Teens
Genre: Horror/Romance
Notes for Parents: Language, violence, gory details, ghosts, scary scenes. This is for mature readers only.

The Back Cover

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: he kills the dead.
So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn’t expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he’s never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is an example of another back cover that tells too much! They (whoever “they” are) have to learn to tease, not tell. There is a sequel to Anna Dressed in Blood called Girl of Nightmares.

What’s good?

Solid writing, a strong plot, and well-executed characterization make this a compelling mystery. The first person, present-tense point of view is complemented by a good use of language, humor and dialogue. Swift pacing and plenty of suspense keep the story exciting and the small, remote Northern Ontario city is an excellent setting. Cas is a likeable protagonist (despite his over confidence and occasional conceit), and he’s surrounded by a strong cast of supporting characters.
Best Part: Tybalt.

What isn’t good?

The story was a little light on emotion. For a group of teens that witnessed the unthinkable, they managed their trauma quite well. Besides that and a few questions about the mythology that I wish had been addressed, the strength of the story made it easy to get past any weaknesses.
Worst part: Tybalt! Why, Kendare Blake, why?!!

Recommendation þþþþo

I generally avoid both horror and romance novels (especially the young adult variety), but I was genuinely impressed by Anna Dressed in Blood.  It had a good balance of suspense, humour, and adventure, with a little light romance on the side. And I totally didn’t see the last part coming! It was worth the read so I definitely recommend it.

Blake, Kendare. Anna Dressed in Blood. New York: TOR Teen, 2011.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Pages: 327
Intended Audience: Teens and mature tweens
Genre: Dystopian/Romance
Notes for Parents: Some mature themes

The Back Cover

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime.
The opportunity to be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, and leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she begins to realize that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the first in a series.

What’s good?

The story has a good, progressive plot that kept me reading. Life within the castle walls was interesting and the “selection” process was entertaining. Characterization is good; the main character is likeable and the supporting characters are effective.
Best Part: When Prince Maxon meets America for the first time.

What isn’t good?

I completely disregarded the history of Illéa because it was nonsense. I tried to ignore the silliness of the future being so patriarchal and archaic, but it was impossible to escape the numbered caste system, the focus on physical beauty, and the expectation that men are providers and woman are supporters.
I wasn’t bothered by the weird names like some reviewers, but I did find that the writing itself was a bit off. Strange descriptive choices left me confused.
Worst part: Another love triangle? Ugh!

Recommendation þþþoo

A friend of mine recommended this book because she loved it. This has been accurately described as The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor. I loved the Hunger Games and absolutely hate The Bachelor, which is fitting because my overall feeling of this novel is…it’s okay. It was an easy read, and if I’d had the second book handy, I probably would have continued reading (which is why I gave this 3 checkmarks instead of only 2). It was entertaining, but it was little more than fluff.   

Cass, Kiera. The Selection. New York: Scholastic, 2012.

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Pages: 378
Intended Audience: Tweens and up
Genre: Real life drama
Notes for Parents: Includes some mature scenes.

The Back Cover

7 reasons to read this novel:

1. Friendship. It doesn’t always happen easily, especially for Willow. But now she has met Mai, a girl with enough energy to tackle the impossible, and one who sees Willow for who she really is.
2. Oddballs. We all feel like outsiders sometimes. Willow the genius—who has mastered several foreign languages and medical-school textbooks all by the age of twelve—certainly doesn’t easily fit in with the crowd. Neither do the other people in this story filled with terrific, memorable oddballs.
3. Hobbies. It helps to have something interesting to focus on, such as Willow’s passion for nature. When tragedy strikes, it is the simple act of growing sunflowers that first brings her some pleasure again.
4. Laughing and crying. But despite the tragedy, this is a beautiful, satisfying book—the kind that makes you see your own life in a new way. And through the heartache, you will find yourself laughing…at the wonderfully absurd moments that happen even on the hardest days.
5. Miracles. Those unexpectedly sill moments are miraculous. This is a story filled with everyday miracles.
6. Family. And the most miraculous thing of all is a loving family.
7. Willow Chance herself, whose heart leads her on a path to belonging—a path that is surprising, exhilarating, and without a doubt, one you will never forget.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:
Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. It has never been easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, but that hasn’t kept her from leading a quietly happy life... until now. Suddenly Willow’s world is tragically changed when her parents both die in a car crash, leaving her alone in a baffling world.

What’s good?

Great characters highlight this quirky tale of a middle school genius who loses her parents. Willow Chance is a know-it-all, but somehow remains very likeable. It’s apparent that underneath her intelligence, she is still a little girl who grieves for her family. The supporting characters of Pattie and her kids, Dell the counselor, and Jario the taxi driver all contribute lovingly to this endearing story. Sophisticated vocabulary, loads of trivia, short chapters (and lots of short sentences) and an exciting plot, make this an uplifting, enjoyable read.
Best Part:  “My edges are gone. I’m sea glass.” (page 189)

What isn’t good?

It’s hard to believe that a 12-year-old can be such a genius and nobody knows it. She’s not identified and she’s never skipped a grade. It seems to me that if she was showing signs of genius at age 4, everyone would be well aware of it by now.
Her level of genius is a little hard to believe too. She knows computers, 3 languages, medicine, botany, electronics, and so much more, but she doesn’t understand a fist bump or the use of the word “hot” to describe a woman. Odd.
My only other complaint is the ending. Without giving anything away, everything was conveniently wrapped up in a pretty little bow. The solution didn’t seem realistic.
Worst part: The back cover description. It was presumptuous and not at all helpful.

Recommendation þþþoo

This is a beautiful story. Despite the convenient ending and a few questions left unanswered (for me, at least), the overall message seems to be that families come in all shapes and sizes and happiness can be attained if you just give it a chance. I loved the quirkiness of the characters and the plot was entertaining. Definitely recommended.

Sloan, Holly Goldberg. Counting by 7s. New York: Scholastic, 2013 (Hardcover)

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

Pages: 166
Intended Audience: Tweens
Genre: Real Life
Notes for Parents: There is absolutely nothing that should concern parents.

The Back Cover

My copy had no description.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the story of a young girl, Hollis Wood, who’s been moved from foster home to foster home for most of her life. When at last she thinks she’s found a permanent home, something happens and she moves on again. Will she ever find a family?
This is a Newbery Honor book.

What’s good?

This is a quick and easy read. The main character, Hollis, is very likeable as are all of the secondary characters. I enjoyed the first person narration, with Hollis’ immature view of the world and misinterpretations of people’s actions and motivations. The plot was solid and kept me reading because I wanted to know about the “incident” that drove her from the family she adored, and how things would work out with Josie.
Best Part: Henry the cat.

What isn’t good?

My only real complaint is that it was all fairly predictable. You know things are going to work out in the end. Despite that, it was still a nice read.
Worst part: The “incident” was a little anti-climactic.

Recommendation þþþoo

This was a nice, simple story with a strong plot, interesting characters and a good narrative. I recommend it for anyone looking for a quick and easy read.

Giff, Patricia Reilly. Pictures of Hollis Woods. New York: Scholastic, 2002.

Awakenings by Hally Willmott

Pages: 359
Intended Audience: Teens
Genre: Supernatural
Notes for Parents: Nothing for parents to be concerned about.

The Back Cover

When 16-year-old Jacey Adison’s parents tell her they must move again, she has never questioned their life style. Until now…When Jacey was two, her parents fled the protection of their birthplace, the mystical dimension of Nemele. Leaving was the only solution her parents believed might allow them to keep their family together and alive.
Her parents have never revealed their true identities to Jacey. Consequently keep her true lineage and unique birthright from her. Jacey’s family has pretended to be non-magical humans as a ploy to prevent an ancient omnipotent entity from killing more innocent beings in its relentless quest to possess Jacey.
Born as an anomaly, Jacey possesses rare abilities that both virtuous and corrupt entities seek to use as their own. Should either side prevail, Jacey may be the savior or downfall of every world within Nemele’s domains. Blindly thrust into life and death situations. Jacey learns of her true powers within her dreaming and conscious states.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

The back cover tells too much!!! This is the first book in a series.

What’s good?

The story follows a teenage girl whose family tragedy leads to the revelation that she and her brother are part of a mysterious community. The supernatural world of Nemele, which exists parallel to our own universe, is inhabited by all sorts of fascinating beings thought only to exist in mythology and fairy tales.
Best Part: The cover

What isn’t good?

It was an awkward beginning to a series that will hopefully get better with subsequent volumes. Putting editing and printing issues aside, the first person narration was poorly executed, especially since the reader – in part because of a back cover with too much information – constantly knew more than Jacey, the narrator. Jacey’s character was often disturbingly underwhelmed by the things happening around her even though she claimed not to know what was going on.
Worst part: Jacey’s strange, arbitrary knowledge of obscure mythology.

Recommendation þþooo

I never felt an emotional connection with Jacey. In fact, the entire story seems to lack some necessary emotion considering that grief, deception, and danger swirled viciously around the plot but was never really drawn into it. The world-building was admirable and the setup has potential, but ultimately I have no interest in the main character. This was a disappointment.

Willmott, Hally. Awakenings. Kailua, HI: Limitless Pub., 2013.