Off To Neverland!

Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook

by Christina Henry

Paperback, 292 pages

Published July 4th 2017 by Berkley Books

ISBN: 9780399584022

Library/ Bought

About:

There is one version of my story that everyone knows. And then there is the truth. This is how it happened. How I went from being Peter Pan’s first—and favorite—lost boy to his greatest enemy.

Peter brought me to his island because there were no rules and no grownups to make us mind. He brought boys from the Other Place to join in the fun, but Peter's idea of fun is sharper than a pirate’s sword. Because it’s never been all fun and games on the island. Our neighbors are pirates and monsters. Our toys are knife and stick and rock—the kinds of playthings that bite.

Peter promised we would all be young and happy forever.(Goodreads)

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:

I loved this book. It is a perfect dark retelling of Peter Pan staring my favorite pirate Hook (Jamie)! This is the story of how Jamie was once a Lost Boy. In fact he was Pan’s first and favorite lost boy, until things get so bad that Jamie rebels and tries to escape. That’s a big “No” in Pan’s book! This book explains how Jamie becomes the Captain that everyone knows him as today. It’s violent, unexpected, heart touching and perfect. Be warned if you read this book you may never look at Peter Pan (the character) the same way ever again! He is not the fun loving Disney character you might be picturing right now. And Hook isn’t a middle aged, mustache wearing, crocodile hating, evil pirate.  He’s actually a cute teen trying to survive the dangers of Neverland and keep his friends alive.

If you even remotely enjoy fairytale retellings then pick up this book ASAP! Know that it’s not for those who are hard core “Neverland is a happy place and Pan is the best” believers. Pan in this book will shred all of those beliefs with his sword!

Hunter or Pawn?

Warcross (Warcross #1)

by Marie Lu

Hardcover, 353 pages

Published September 12th 2017 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 9780399547966

Book Box/Autographed

About:

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life.

The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down Warcross players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. To make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire. (Goodreads)

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:

This is an exciting fast past first volume in Marie Lu’s new (2017 release) Sci –Fi series. It’s not completely original. It kind of reminded me of Ready Player One, but it was still a great read. The story line is awesome. A mix of video game tournaments, virtual reality, bounty hunting, and a touch of romance (it’s YA so what do you expect?). The characters were all likable. I was rooting for Emika the whole way through. I even like Hideo…. At first anyway. One problem I had with the story is that once a certain secret is reveled in the book, it wasn’t too hard to figure out who the “bad” guy is. That being said though, the twist at the end of the book leaves me wondering…. Who is Emika going to help in book 2? And who is really the bad guy in the end? I can’t wait for book 2 “Wildcard” coming out in September of this year! I’ve already ordered it for our library and placed my hold on it. Weather you’re a Sci-Fi fan or not, pick up this book and give it a read. I think you’ll like it! 

This Might Change Your Life...

Long Way Down

by Jason Reynolds

Hardcover, 320 pages

Published October 24th 2017 by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

ISBN 9781481438254

Library Audio Book

About: 

A cannon. A strap.
A piece. A biscuit.
A burner. A heater.
A chopper. A gat.
A hammer
A tool
for RULE

Or, you can call it a gun. That’s what fifteen-year-old Will has shoved in the back waistband of his jeans. See, his brother Shawn was just murdered. And Will knows the rules. No crying. No snitching. Revenge. That’s where Will’s now heading, with that gun shoved in the back waistband of his jeans, the gun that was his brother’s gun. He gets on the elevator, seventh floor, stoked. He knows who he’s after. Or does he?

As the elevator stops on the sixth floor, on comes Buck. Buck, Will finds out, is who gave Shawn the gun before Will took the gun. Buck tells Will to check that the gun is even loaded. And that’s when Will sees that one bullet is missing. And the only one who could have fired Shawn’s gun was Shawn. Huh. Will didn’t know that Shawn had ever actually used his gun. Bigger huh. BUCK IS DEAD. But Buck’s in the elevator?

Just as Will’s trying to think this through, the door to the next floor opens. A teenage girl gets on, waves away the smoke from Dead Buck’s cigarette. Will doesn’t know her, but she knew him. Knew. When they were eight. And stray bullets had cut through the playground, and Will had tried to cover her, but she was hit anyway, and so what she wants to know, on that fifth floor elevator stop, is, what if Will, Will with the gun shoved in the back waistband of his jeans, MISSES.

And so it goes, the whole long way down, as the elevator stops on each floor, and at each stop someone connected to his brother gets on to give Will a piece to a bigger story than the one he thinks he knows. A story that might never know an END…if WILL gets off that elevator.  (Goodreads)

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:

This is a powerful read. I feel like it had even more of an impact because I listened to it and heard it from a voice not my own. It made it feel more real. Like someone was standing there telling me the story of their life. I’m not sure if I had read it instead if it would have been the same way.  I don’t usually pick up novels in verse, that’s why I waited so long to read this one. For some reason the format doesn’t really appeal to me. Listening to it being read though was a whole new experience. If I hadn’t known already I don’t think that I would have picked up on it being a novel in verse. The story is just that well crafted. It’s sad and will probably anger you. I couldn’t believe the “rules” that the people in this situation are suppose to follow blindly. There’s so much that can go wrong in their vicious cycle. One person dies, then a loved one is suppose to go get revenge by killing the killer, but by that loved one killing someone another loved one steps up to take revenge on the original revenge killing. Where does it stop?!? I know that in the real world that this is really how some people live. I know that kids can’t play outside in some areas for fear of being shot. I remember going to school with my mom, who was a teacher in one of these areas, and having her tell me to stay away from the windows because shootings happened outside the school on almost a daily basis. It’s a scary way to live. It’s also scary to think that this is how people live and no one stops it. This book is beautifully worded and might change your look on things. And the ending…. DAM! I want to know what our main character chooses. I want to believe he ends the stream of violence but at the same time I know that’s not how his world works and getting out of the cycle is probably almost impossible. I whole heartily recommend listening to this book, or reading it if you don’t mind novels in verse. 

A Who Done It, Done Right...

One of Us Is Lying

by Karen M. McManus

Hardcover, 358 pages

Published May 30th 2017 by Delacorte Press

ISBN13: 9781524714680

Library Book

About:

The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars, One of Us Is Lying is the story of what happens when five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has something to hide. 

Pay close attention and you might solve this.

On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.

Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule. 

Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess. 

Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.

Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.

And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app.

Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention, Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who's still on the loose? 

Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them." (Goodreads)

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:

This book had me guessing who the killer was until the end. I had my suspicions, but the actual end game wasn’t my first thought. I loved that! It made the book go by really fast and kept me hooked. This book felt like a mix of Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girls episodes in some ways… complete with interruptions by an unidentified person/murderer taunting the police and public with blog posts. Even Simon’s tumbler posts sounded very Gossip Girl/Pretty Little Liars with the whole use of people’s initials instead of names. That mixed with alternating viewpoints made this a different format for a mystery book… at least different from what I usually read. Because we were seeing into so many different characters/suspects lives and minds, it was really hard to pick out the killer. The main characters were all fairly likable. They’re human so they each had their flaws, which was nice to see, but also caused me to dislike them in someways (I’m not a fan of cheaters). Each character had their own problems and secrets to deal with, which made them relatable and made the story more interesting. Older teens who are looking for a great mystery should pick this one up! Younger teens might be intimidated by the drinking, drugs, and sex that are all mentioned in the book. This book is currently on the new Abe Lincoln Award List and the Read For A Lifetime List (both are Illinois High School book programs). 

Off To Neverland...

The Wendy Project

by Melissa Jane Osborne

Paperback, 96 pages

Published July 18th 2017 by Super Genius

ISBN13: 9781629917696

Checked Out From Library

About:

16-year-old Wendy Davies crashes her car into a lake on a late summer night in New England with her two younger brothers in the backseat. When she wakes in the hospital, she is told that her youngest brother, Michael, is dead. Wendy — a once rational teenager – shocks her family by insisting that Michael is alive and in the custody of a mysterious flying boy. Placed in a new school, Wendy negotiates fantasy and reality as students and adults around her resemble characters from Neverland. Given a sketchbook by her therapist, Wendy starts to draw. But is The Wendy Project merely her safe space, or a portal between worlds? (Goodreads)

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:

Not what I was expecting, but in a really good way. The story was an amazingly creative take on a modern Peter Pan story that revolves around loss and grief. The storyline is heartbreaking and the art is perfect. Touches of color in the graphics throughout bring fantasy and hope to the otherwise pencil sketched grief ridden story. The story will definitely tug at your heart strings. It’s short and an extremely quick read. I can’t wait to see what else this author will come up with. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Peter Pan (like me), anyone who is dealing with grief/loss, or really anyone who is just looking for an amazing quick read.  

A Double Review...

Can Your Smartphone Change the World?

by Erinne Paisley

Paperback, 133 pages

Published September 12th 2017 by Orca Book Publishers

ISBN: 9781459813038

Checked Out From Library

And 

Can Your Outfit Change the World?

by Erinne Paisley

Paperback, 160 pages

Published February 20th 2018 by Orca Book Publishers

ISBN: 9781459813069

Checked Out From Library

About:

Can Your Smartphone Change the World?

Can Your Smartphone Change the World? is a twenty-first-century guide for anyone who has access to a smartphone. This how-to manual looks at specific ways you can create social change through the tap of a screen. Filled with examples of successful hashtag campaigns, viral videos and new socially conscious apps, the book provides practical advice for using your smartphone as a tool for social justice. (Goodreads)

Can Your Outfit Change the World?

What you choose to wear becomes part of your identity, but it doesn't affect just you. Your clothing sends a message to the world, whether you want it to or not! And often we don't know what that message really is. Can Your Outfit Change the World? looks at how and where clothes are made, how the people who make the clothes are treated and how the companies who sell the clothes affect the health of our planet. Armed with information, you can follow the book's guide to spending your fashion dollars in a responsible and eco-friendly way. Your outfits have more power than you might realize! (Goodreads)

Ratings: 5 Stars for Smartphone/ 4 Stars for Outfit

Review:

I’ve had a ton of younger teens come up to me looking for books on activism and ways that they can help change the world. When I found these books I was so excited! They’re colorful and have ton of pictures of Erinne (the author), celebrities, and other teens who have made a difference. There are a ton of resources in each book ranging from websites to # campaigns (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, etc.). All of them are easy for teens to understand and follow. Who knew that every time you post a picture of your food on instagram if you just add #mealforameal to it there’s a company that will donate food to a group in need. Each book starts out with Erinne telling her story about how she made her prom dress out of old math homework in honor of Malala and her fight for education. Erinne took all of the money that she would have spent on a dress and donated it to Malala’s charity. From there things just exploded. Erinne’s dress went viral and she ended up making a difference not just in her school but all over the world! Reading her story might inspire teen readers to try different things as well. This series is one that I am happily going to be taking on book talks this summer! 

Teen Recommended...

The Chaos of Standing Still

by Jessica Brody

Hardcover, 406 pages

Published November 28th 2017 by Simon Pulse

ISBN: 9781481499187

Checked Out From Library, Teen Recommended

About:

Over the course of one chaotic night stranded at the Denver airport, Ryn confronts her shattered past thanks to the charm of romance, the uniqueness of strangers, and the magic of ordinary places in this stunning novel from the author of Boys of Summer.

Ryn has one unread text message on her phone. And it’s been there for almost a year.

She hasn’t tried to read it. She can’t. She won’t. Because that one message is the last thing her best friend ever said to her before she died.

But as Ryn finds herself trapped in the Denver International Airport on New Year’s Eve thanks to a never-ending blizzard on the one-year anniversary of her best friend’s death, fate literally runs into her.

And his name is Xander.

When the two accidentally swap phones, Ryn and Xander are thrust into the chaos of an unforgettable all-night adventure, filled with charming and mysterious strangers, a secret New Year’s Eve bash, and a possible Illuminati conspiracy hidden within the Denver airport. But as the bizarre night continues, all Ryn can think about is that one unread text message. It follows her wherever she goes, because Ryn can’t get her brialliantly wild and free-spirited best friend out of her head.

Ryn can’t move on.

But tonight, for the first time ever, she’s trying. And maybe that’s a start.

As moving as it is funny, The Chaos of Standing Still is a heartwarming story about the earth-shattering challenges life throws at us—and the unexpected strangers who help us along the way. (Goodreads)

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:

This book was recommended to me by one of my favorite Teen visitors. She told me that I had to read it because it was so cute and funny, but serious at the same time. I think she described it perfectly. 

First the serious part…

The book revolves around a girl who is suffering from survivor’s guilt a year after her best friend was killed by a drunk driver. In a way she’s not really letting her self move on from the accident and can’t be happy because of it. Her adventures getting stuck in the airport and the people she meets there help her grieve and work her way to becoming whole again. There are also other characters, like the boy she meets, who are wrapped up in their own troubles. Parents who don’t care, expulsions, cheating husbands, divorce, etc. all come into play. During this one night at the airport the characters start to work through and even overcome some of their issues. All of this was put out there in a well written way. The author used her characters to show how everyone is going through something, but sometimes even bad thing can help something good come along. And how if we listen and trust each other, sometimes we can make others issues a bit better. 

Now for some of the cute funny stuff…

This book is done in a really cute way. We have a mini love story that starts out with an accidental switching of phones due to both having a Tardis phone case. (I love Doctor Who, so points to the author for that and all of the shows references too!) We have monorail surfing. We have one character who is trying to figure out if the conspiracy theories about the Denver Airport are real or not. That was really interesting. The stuff that kid find is really in the airport! Creepy pictures, hidden luggage conveyer belts that cost millions that never worked, a creepy horse statue with fire eyes, and more… it’s all real! Really! I looked it up while reading the book because I didn’t believe it at first! There’s a crazy New Years Eve party. There’s stranded fliers bingo. Just read the book! You’ll find even more! 

The only thing that brought this story down were all the flashbacks. While it was nice to know more about the friend who died, the flashbacks were kind of long and tedious. They usually brought a halt to the interesting stuff that was going on in the airport. 

Overall, I give this book 4 stars. I think teens who are looking for a funny read with a tad bit of sadness/seriousness will really enjoy this book. There is some drinking by certain characters and a bit of kissing too. Other than that the book is pretty clean. 

Read This Book!!!

Devils Within

by S.F. HensonHardcover, 390 pages

Published October 31st 2017 by Sky Pony Press

ISBN 9781510714564

Checked Out From Library

About:

Killing isn’t supposed to be easy. But it is. It’s the after that’s hard to deal with. 

Nate was eight the first time he stabbed someone; he was eleven when he earned his red laces—a prize for spilling blood for “the cause.” And he was fourteen when he murdered his father (and the leader of The Fort, a notorious white supremacist compound) in self-defense, landing in a treatment center while the state searched for his next of kin. Now, in the custody of an uncle he never knew existed, who wants nothing to do with him, Nate just wants to disappear.

Enrolled in a new school under a false name, so no one from The Fort can find him, he struggles to forge a new life, trying to learn how to navigate a world where people of different races interact without enmity. But he can’t stop awful thoughts from popping into his head, or help the way he shivers with a desire to commit violence. He wants to be different—he just doesn’t know where to start.

Then he meets Brandon, a person The Fort conditioned Nate to despise on sight. But Brandon’s also the first person to treat him like a human instead of a monster. Brandon could never understand Nate’s dark past, so Nate keeps quiet. And it works for a while. But all too soon, Nate’s worlds crash together, and he must decide between his own survival and standing for what’s right, even if it isn’t easy. Even if society will never be able to forgive him for his sins.

Like a teen American History X, S.F. Henson’s Devils Within is gut-wrenching, thought-provoking, no-holds-barred look at the plague of white supremacy in contemporary American culture that may have you examining your own soul. (Goodreads)

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:

I choose to read this book because it was on the Morris Award Nomination list. I’m so glad I picked it up. This book is a haunting take on racism in the U.S. It focuses on a teen (Nate) who was born into a white supremacist group. His father was the leader of the group and tried force Nate to become like him. During an escape attempt Nate kills his Father basically before his dad can kill him. After time in jail and a mental facility, Nate is handed over to hide with his Uncle in a small town in Alabama. It is in this town that Nate discovers who he can really be, a good person. It’s hard for Nate. People aren’t exactly welcoming to him at first, including his own Uncle. Eventually Nate becomes friends with Brandon, who is a minority that his Father would have killed. This eventually opens Nate up to becoming friends with a variety of other people and to view them in different ways. It’s not all rainbows and sunshine in this new town. Nate has a hard time with flashbacks and hiding who he really is. He gets betrayed by people he trusts. And eventually his past comes looking for him in violent ways. 

This is S.F. Henson’s first book (as far as I understand), and wow, she really packs a punch. In the world that we live in right now, where there are constantly terrorist attacks and deportation threats, this book really shines a light on some of the home grown racism that is alive and thriving right here in our own backyards. It’s scary to read about how these groups think, run, and get away with what they do. The author says in her Author’s Notes that this book is based off of real events and things that the group did (red shoe laces, indoctrination, boot parties, etc.) are all real. Nate is an amazingly strong character. I was hoping he’d end up ok with a second chance in the end. After learning more about the Uncle, I felt the same way about him. This book really hits the nail with all the racism that is out there that people don’t realize is racism. Take a second and think about all the times you’ve thought about someone by their race. It could be something as simple as “Grrr I can’t believe that _________ guy just cut me off”. Or “Why do ____________ always think they can get away with that crap?”.  We all get mad sometimes, and usually pinning things on a race or even gender is the easiest way to get the frustration out. In the long run though those kinds of thoughts might be adding more fuel to the hate fire. After reading this book, I’m going to try and take a closer look at how I think about and treat others. I’d rather be a solution to the problem, than a cause. 

These hate groups are all over the country. Visit the Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) website to see an updated map of all documented groups. Its rather scary.  www.splcenter.org/hate-map 

Not Everything Is Black And White....

Renegades (Renegades #1)

by Marissa Meyer 

Hardcover, 556 pages

Published November 7th 2017 by Feiwel & Friends

ISBN: 9781250044662

Received in Shelflove Crate (Book Box)

About:

Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone...except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both. (Goodreads)

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: 

I loved Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles series, but I wasn’t sure how this one was going to be. I love super heroes and villains but YA versions that are good are hard to come by. I had semi high hopes for Renegades going in and it didn’t disappoint. Despite it being pretty long (it’s over 550 pages) it was a fast read. It was refreshing getting to see a “villains” backstory and have it resemble something that could be the beginning of a superheroes. Nova has a good reason for hating the “good” guys and in her eyes the “bad” guys did more good than the superheroes. Having the good guys make mistakes and possibly not be as good as they think they are was refreshing too. Throwing in alternate views between Anarchist Nova and Renegade Adrian (a good guy who has a secret mission of his own) created a great balance between “good” and “bad”. It reminded me of the conundrum that is the x-men and how good and bad aren’t black and white, and everyone has their own opinion on the matter. Is Magneto bad for wanting to protect mutants and give them freedom? Are the X-Men good because they have a different vision for the same goal? It’s all your point of view on the matter. Renegade definitely leaves the reader rooting for both Nova and Adrian. I also loved the costumes for all of the characters. It reminded me of old school DC comics. The fact that the Puppet Master had a blimp that is his vehicle of choice was priceless for me as a old Batman movie fan. This book ends with a huge cliff hanger leaving us readers wanting more…. RIGHT NOW! I really don’t want to have to wait! Like the Lunar Chronicles, this book can easily be read and enjoyed by any teen young or old.  It’s going to be one of my book talk books at the Junior Highs for summer reading this year.  

One With The Force

Rebel Rising

by Beth Revis

Hardcover, 410 pages

Published May 2nd 2017 by Disney Lucasfilm Press

ISBN: 9781484780831

Checked Out From Library

About:

When Jyn Erso was five years old, her mother was murdered and her father taken from her to serve the Empire. But despite the loss of her parents she is not completely alone—Saw Gerrera, a man willing to go to any extremes necessary in order to resist Imperial tyranny, takes her in as his own, and gives her not only a home but all the abilities and resources she needs to become a rebel herself.

Jyn dedicates herself to the cause—and the man. But fighting alongside Saw and his people brings with it danger and the question of just how far Jyn is willing to go as one of Saw’s soldiers. When she faces an unthinkable betrayal that shatters her world, Jyn will have to pull the pieces of herself back together and figure out what she truly believes in…and who she can really trust. (Goodreads)

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:

If you’ve looked at past posts of mine you might have seen that I am a big Star Wars fans. Being as such, I know how much likes/dislikes vary among fans. A fan who likes one thing might be yelled at by another fan who disapproves of that. It’s all a matter of opinion in my book though. I have seen all of the movies many times and have read some of the books and graphic novels. I’m no expert but part of my heart belongs to the series and always will. 

That said, I enjoyed this book. By the end of Rouge One I was hoping Jyn would make it somehow. This book at least gave me a little more of her story, even if it was backstory. Even though her story is tragic from start to finish, she is such a strong female character and I respect that. This book was not perfect. It was a tad slow in spots. Starting from when she hides from the Storm Troopers after her mother is killed, we get to see her life growing up to the point when Cassian finds her in prison at the beginning of Rouge One. The characters were pretty spot on, but not exactly like their movie counter parts. It’s a YA novel so that’s to be expected. Throughout the book we learn how Jyn was trained by Saw and what led her to become the person she is in Rouge One. How she kind of loses her humanity, but then finds it again. The fact that Rouge One is a standalone movie (not part of one of the trilogies) and that it introduced us to new characters who haven’t received official backstories yet helped this book. I’m not sure the author could have pulled off a book about the original characters (Luke, Leia, Han, Chewy).  To turn Jyn’s story into a YA novel was easy considering she’s pretty much a clean slate, and Revis does a good job setting her characters up. I think that any Star Wars fan of almost any age will enjoy this read. Like I mentioned before, it’s not perfect, but it is something to fill in the time between movies being released and to get you deeper into the Star Wars Universe.