Beastly

Oh how I love fairy tales!!! This story is based off of the fairytale of Beauty and the Beast. It is set in New York and a private high school. Kyle is the type of kid that every girl would like to date. He is tall, blond, and beautiful! The only problem is Kyle is ugly on the inside. Kyle is constantly making fun of other students for their looks, until the day is makes fun of the wrong girl. This girl is a real true witch. She decides that Kyle's outsides should reflect his insides (ugly). So she turns him into a hideous beast! Not even his own father wants to be seen with him now. Kyle has 2 years to try and break the curse and the only way to do that is to get a girl to see past his hideous features and to love him for who he is, not what he looks like. This is easier said then done. This fairytale takes place now and has chat rooms and all...so don't miss it!

The Rag and Bone Shope by Robert Cormier

Wow, what an interesting book. I did not even know this author existed. This author has been banned from libraries for his negative description of adults in his book. This book dealt with a 16 year old boy named Jason. Jason was the new kid in town and did not have a lot of friends. He befriends a 12 year old girl next door. After an afternoon of putting together a puzzle and then returning home, Jason awakes to discover that the girl was murdered and he was the last one to see her alive. Jason wants to help the investigation, but what he doesn't know is that he is their prime suspect. Interrogator Trent is sent in especially to help Jason confess to the crime. However, Jason is innocent. Read to find out what happens. It is a quick read!

Freaky Green Eyes By, Joyce Carol Oates

Wow to this book. It was not what I expected. I felt like I really got an inside look to separated or divorce families. It is a world that not everyone can understand (and I must say that I do not). It was hard to read and comprehend how the dad could lie to his children to turn them against their mom. Then to see the kids in the book turn on their mom because of the lies the dad told. It really made me stop and think what some home life situations might be like at home. I would encourage anyone to read this book...boy or girl! I think it is great!

Heat by Mike Lupica

I am glad that this book was recommended to me by a student. I have wanted to read a book by Mike Lupica for awhile, but have never found the time. This is a cute story about a 12 year old super star baseball player (Michael), who is so good that some of the other coaches don't believe he is 12. This causes problems for Michael especially since he is keeping a very big secret. A secret that rip his family apart. This book grabbed me right from the beginning with a purse snatcher and an amazing throw! Any sports fan will like this book!

NORTH

This story was about a boy named Alvin (which made me think of Alvin and the Chipmunks) who decides it's time to go out into the world and explore on his own. I applauded this decision because Alvin's mother was treating him like a little boy and even having him walked to school by an adult! I did find the story of him making it all the way into northern Alaska a little unbelievable. I was looking for some more action packed adventure. Alvin kept talking about a polar bear, so I expected to read about a run in with a polar bear. I also wanted more of a homecoming with what the mother and grandmother thought of this runaway. Interesting book, but I was looking for more!

The boy who couldn't die

Well this just let's me know that there is a book out there for everyone. This book was about a boy scared of death and makes a deal with a voodoo witch to become "invincible". However, the moral of the story of course is be careful what you wish for. Everything has a price. I really like William Sleator (The Elevator, The Beasties), but had a hard time with the ending to this book. William Sleator is known for leaving his books open-ended, but I felt that this was an extreme. There was a lot of information given in the last page and then it just left you. Any one else have any thoughts?

When lightening strikes

I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked instantly. It starts with this girl (Jessi) who is struck by lightening and ends up having dreams about where missing kids are located. I found this plot entertaining to read. However, I did have a problem with some of the language and innuendos from this book. I felt they were unnecessary and even took away from the unique situation of Jessi. What do you thin?