Summer Reading Club Book Reviews

Books reviewed by other LAPL teens.

The Legends and the Inca Crystals by Lia Ginno

Daniella B. of Central Library
Move over Harry Potter. This story is in Cornwall, England. A family member is missing and two children, one a teenage girl who comes from Peru and the other a boy who is English find themselves caught up in a desperate struggle against an evil wizard. The story starts off slow but is super as it gets going. It is a mixture of moden technology and ancient myths. A great adventure story. (8/18/08)

Memoris Of A Geisha by Arthur Golden

Tiffany of Palms - Rancho Park
This book really teaches that you should be happy with what you have and enjoy life. Young Chiyo is forced into the life of a geisha and has to make do with what has been bestowed in her. She loses her whole family due to a family problem. This book teaches a lesson that you have to accept life even though it's not the path you have chosen. (7/31/08)

Dial L for Loser by Lisi Harrison

Alice of Palisades
This may sound nerdy or the book title is just plain weird. Every page has a surprise; every chapter or new day is a time turner. In this book you can learn a lot of things. As a Lisi Harrison reader I recommend going to her site. Also follow her tips in the book. Dial L for Loser is one in a great series. The movie is coming soon. (7/31/08)

Melinda and the Wild West by Linda Weaver Clarke

Diana B. of Angeles Mesa
"Melinda and the Wild West". . . despite the wild, untamed nature of the Bear Lake Valley. . . Ms. Clarke has succeeded in presenting to her readers the beauty of the area. The scenery is portrayed so vividly that you can see each and every color. You can feel the crispness of the air in winter or smell the flowers in the field in spring. You can feel the peace Melinda feels while walking through the woods or feel her fear when she comes face to face with a bear. And amidst such a beautiful portrayal of life, you see a love story unfolding like no other. Melinda's spirit is fiery, but her tenderness touches those she meets. Ms. Clarke is a talented author! (7/31/08)

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Claudia of Felipe de Neve
Lissa Dragomir, a Moroi princess, and her dhampir novice guardian, Rose Hathaway, have both run away from St. Vladimir Academy, a school for vampires. They were away for two years but they have been dragged back. Now they have to duck and weave through jealous girlfriends, hot guys, temtptation, and love as they try to fit back in the crowd. What they do know is that the reason they ran away is that there had been a sinister dark plot cooking up...and it involves Lissa's strange powers. Who is after Lissa? Read this book and find out. Be sure to check out it's sequel Frostbite too.

Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer

Christina Gao of Mar Vista
This is book is about a girl who just transferred a new school wherer she falls in love with very handsome boy, who is actually an vampire. If you are reading this book, you cannot 'literally' put the book down. (8/1/08)

Princess in the spotlight by Meg Cabot

Maya Hallowitz of Sunland - Tujunga
This sequal is the the perfect book if you love the Princess Diary Series. In this book Mia's mom is preagnant with her algebra teacher's baby! Then Mia is getting notes from a secret admirer. Reccomended for Kids 10 and up. (8/8/08)

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Laurie of Felipe de Neve
This book will really spike up your interest if you're into faeries. Aislinn is a girl who has always seen faeries and now she's being stalked by one. Keenan, the King of the Summer Court is certain that Aislinn is the new Summer Queen. But Aislinn has set certain rules for herself to keep her safe. But that doesn't stop Keenan from trying to get close to her. He needs her to save the fading summer from the lasting winter, or all humans, and fey, will perish. You really need to read this book. I personally love it and reccomend its sequel Ink Exchange.

The Heavenly Village by CYNTHIA RYLANT

Wendy L. of Edendale
It is not a book, not poetry, but it's a novel that describes and gives you comfort on how life will be in haven. This novel waarms up your heart and help you deal with death of the lost ones that you use to have.This novel helped me understand and deal with the dead of my own family membe which recently passed away. This may sound mysterious,but I think it is giving you a description on how heaven will be when it is time for us to leave Earth. I will recommend this book to anyone who is going through a rough time dealing with someone who just recently passed away. (8/1/08)

From Geek To Godess by Cathy Hopkins

Dina Y. of Memorial
From Geek to Godess is an interesting book about a girl named Gemma who leaves all her friends behind to go to a boarding school where she gets into a little bit of trouble dealing with the mean girl Sara Jenkins and her friends. She becomes the year's Zodiac Girl. The only two friends she has are one of the Sara's friends who really isn't that mean and a shy little girl who Sara refers to as a mouse their names are Tasha and Ruth. Being a Zodiac Girl isn't easy there are a lot of sacrafices to make and a lot of trouble to go through. I highly recamend you to read this book.I give it two thumbs up. Cathy Hopkins is an amazing author. (7/31/08)

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Iris of Pico Union
This is one book that really keeps you wondering what will happen next. It takes you into this whole other world where everything is what it is. There is nothing in the middle. This is a world where one can't wait to be sixteen to get this life changing surgery. I'm not going to give the book away it's a series. There are Uglies, Pretties, and Specials. All three make you go through roller coaster rides of all kinds of emotions. It's basically a utopia waiting to be destroyed; I strongly very strongly recommend this series. (8/8/08)

Claws by Will Weaver

Alan of Mid-Valley Regional
This book is about a sixteen-year-old teen named Jed Berg. His life is perfect; he drives his dad's 1969 Chevy Camaro, is number-one singles in varsity tennis; he has a hot girlfriend, and his parents are living together in a big house. He then receives a mysterious letter from a pink-haired punk chick named Gertrude who tells him that his dad is having an affair with her mom and has photos as proof. Jed finds info on "Gertrude" and finds a joint and puts it in his pocket thinking it will come in handy. "Gertrude" or Laura finds out that Jed knows about her so they talk about how they are going to tell their parents . They both tell their parents and Jed's dad leaves to live in a motel and Laura's dad gets taken away by the police. Jed loses his spot from #1 singles and gets detention for acting up. Police find the joint in Jed's locker and he was going to be held for trial. Laura was going to help him but they went to rescue Laura's runaway sister. When they had her they made camp and in a rescue attempt Laura dies. Jed's life goes down the drain; he is obsessed with his fantasy family and he has poor hygiene. His fantasy family dies and he confesses his love for Laura to his dad. (8/8/08)

When Lightning Strikes by Meg Cabot

Osose of Encino - Tarzana
This book is about a normal American girl named Jessica Mastriani. Born and raised in Indiana, Jessica plays her flute in the orchestra of her high school, Ernest Pyle High School. Then one day, she and her best friend Ruth got stuck in a thunderstorm. They waited it out under one of the metal football bleachers;however, a lightning bolt struck the bleacher and hit Jessica while she was leaning against the metal support beam. After this she gained to power to know where a missing person was located after seeing there picture. Her newfound ability caused a lot of problems for her. Newsreporters were always watching her. The FBI wanted her to work for them. Worst of all, she wanted to help all of the missing people, but she never knew who wanted to be found or not. This fact caused her a lot of hardships. This is the first book in a five book series. It is packed with adventure, love, and mystery. I recommend this series to people who love happy endings.

How To Be A Girly Girl In Just Ten Days by Lisa Papademetriou

Patricia L. of Hyde Park - Miriam Matthews
This story starts out with a tomboy named Nicolette Spicer (with the nickname of Nick)who has never liked a boy. All of a sudden during lunch she goes to get soda and just as she opens it she crashes into a boy. The soda spills on him. She goes to get napkins and clean him up but it just so happens that the napkin had mustard and now even the mustard is on the cute boy's shirt. Her best friend Lindsay Sweet notices something going on and starts to investigate his life.T hen Nick sees the boy (who she later finds has the name of Ben) with his arm around a girl named Hannah who is perfect and popular.Hannah invites Nick to her slumber party and tells her Ben is going to be there. Will Nick go or is she too afraid? Will she change her attitude to make him like her? Read the book and find out!!!!!!!!! (7/31/08)

Life as I knew It by Randi Hacker

Meiling of Valley Plaza
This book is for 11-14 age group. It's about a girl named Angelina Rossini. One morning her dad gets hurt and she has to visit him at the hospital. From there the story takes 0ff. In this book there are many messages. One message is about friendship. Angelina has her great friends to help her get through all of this. One of her friends is closer to her than all the rest. Jax, one of her friends, is found attractive to Angelina. In conclution, this book has many messages. I think that it is an exceptional book, especially for girls. So read this book. (7/31/08)

One of those hideous books where the mother dies by Sonya Sones

Jasmine Z. of Encino - Tarzana
This book was very nice, quick, and easy. The book is about a girl whose mother dies and is sent to live with her famous father in L.A. she has never seen her father befor and does not want to either. She makes new friends and learns that the reson her father has left her mother was because of his deep dark secret .... she learns to get along with her father... and her friends.

Eclispe by Stephenie Meyer

Payje Redmond of Granada Hills
Twilight, New Moon, and now Eclispe have striken us all. Stephenie Meyer has shown us how one person can be faced with so much conflict and distortion, but in the end how love makes everything so meaniful. Bella Swan has dealt with some of the most extodinary problems but the love of her life makes everything worth fighting for. She may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but it seems someone is always there to save her, whether Edward the love of her life or Young Jacob Black a beloved friend. Edward the vampire and Jacob the werewolf. These are just bland titles to suppress the truth of who they really are. Yes their titles are a main factor of their daily life and because of that Belle is placed in unnecessary situations, but to Belle they are so much more than that. To Belle they are a savior, a friend, and a love one, all of which she appreciates and loves to the fullest potential.

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

Amaru T. of Central Library
The story of the Lisbon sisters and their eventual suicides is told through the eyes of a group of young neighborhood boys, who become obsessed with the Lisbon girls after the suicide attempt of the youngest sister, Cecilia. After slitting her wrists, "like a stoic", Cecilia is rushed to the hospital, where she is saved from an untimely death. When her doctor questions her motives for attempting to end her life, she responds, "obviously, Doctor, you've never been a thirteen-year-old girl". This, unfortunately, is the closest thing to a reason for the tragedy that unfolds in the following year that the reader will ever find in this beautifully haunting novel. Easily one of the most enthralling novels I've ever read, I recommed this book to anybody ready to be completely engulfed in a story of innocence, obsession, and suicide. Don't be suprised if by the last pages you need more. (7/31/08)

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

Maria E. of Mark Twain
This was one of the best books that I have ever read. It was about this family that could not get along because there was a stepfather and a stepsister. The stepsister always tried to get her new stepbrother and stepsister in trouble. Well, they all moved to a new neighborhood and the house used to be a church. By the time the family started to discover some creepy stuff and these things made them get into a bigger argument. Well, in this new neighborhood there was a ghost that tricked this girl into doing things that she should not had done. This ghost was really bad but the girl did not want to leave the ghost because she said that this was her only true friend. At the end of the story the whole drama was solved and the family was closer than ever. (8/1/08)

CRANK by Ellen Hopkins

Franny of Robertson
What do you get when you mix the perfect daughter, with summer romance, and a good dose of cocaine? Well you get a little monster Ellen Hopkins likes to call CRANK. CRANK lives inside your head. He eats up all there ever was. He devours the good of you and replaces it with Bree. Bree is a witty devil who turns you inside out and upside down. That's what she did to Kristina George Snow. Kristina is a junior in high school, straight A student and is on the road to success and a perfect life. Until she falls in love with a boy who introduces her to CRANK. From then on she was no longer Kristina. She was Bree. CRANK is a phenomenal book. It goes into the depth of a once normal teenage girl's life lost to drugs. It is so detailed and thrilling that you are driven to tears and even shaking. The story is a real wake up call. Throughout the book you aren't watching Kristina loose herself. You are Kristina and you walk with her down the rode that perhaps has a happy ending. (8/11/08)

The Watcher by James Howe

Franny F. of Robertson
Margaret likes to watch. She observes those who inhabit the beach. She listens. But she never socializes. She just sits on some steps. Close enough so she can watch. But far enough so that no one notices her. Why not go into the water? No. She's is scared. She just sits on her steps with her notebook. Like Harriet The Spy. She observes and thinks that no one notices her. She's just a faint shadow. Little does she know everyone is watching her. Some parts had it's magic. Others were just dull and useless. It's definitely not my favorite book. The story switches too much and is confusing. The idea is great. Howe just didn't take enough time to write the book. He rushed through skipping needed detail. (8/11/08)

Twilight by Stephenie Meyers

Kennedy K of Chatsworth
Twilight is about a girl named Bella, who moves from Arizona to Forks Washington to live with her dad. She has not lived with her dad since the age of fourteen. Bella does not think she will like Forks because it is always raining and everyone already knows each other so she thinks it will be hard to make friends. In her near encounter she is saved by the schools outcast Edward Cullen. They form a forbidden and unlikely friendship that progresses to more. Get the book and find out more. (8/8/08)

Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks

Lauren of Sherman Oaks
Theresa, a struggling divorced mother finds herself being thrust into a world of self-realization after she finds a message in a bottle washed up on the shore during a vacation. "Dear Darling Catherine," it began, and those three words helped begin her journey to find the man who had written letters that touched her heart, but what she didn't know was that he would also be the same person to help her learn to love again and that he would find out letting go may be the hardest thing you could ever do. (8/8/08)

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Lena (Seanna) of Encino - Tarzana
This has to be about the best book I've ever read! It never has a dull moment! GO TEAM JACOB! I love the description and the characters. The love is so wrong but so romantic and cute that how can you stop reading. I would seriously wish for MORE AND MORE books to come out. Breaking Dawn shouldn't be the last. =) IT'S A LOVE TRIANGLE! Lets keep it comming! (8/8/08) Good job on this Stephenie! Reviewed bye: Lena Micaela

Marked by P.C Cast and Kristin Cast

Elizabeth S. of Encino - Tarzana
This is a highly recomended book. I really want people to read this one. It's very funny, and P.C cast and Kristin both did a good job caturing serious situations. This book is about a fledgling vampire who struggles to find herself in a new world where school begins at night and people sleep in the daytime. It's about friendship, and going to the people you love for advice. it's also got a bit about parent relation ships too. (8/18/08)

About A Boy by Nick Hornby

Sarah of Will & Ariel Durant
This novel is about a 12 year-old boy, Marcus, and a grown man, Will. The only thing Will cares about is doing nothing and picking up girls. Marcus just wants to fit in. Brought together by an outsider's attempt at suicide, they both grow in ways neither of them could possibly imagine. The characters seem so three-dimensional that you'll relate to at least one of them most of the time. I wouldn't call this book light-hearted for it portrays life as it is, with the jubilant moments and the shockingly sad ones. You'll find the answers to some of your questions about society and the nature of people throughout the course of the book; just as the characters do. (8/8/08)

Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario

Zoe of Donald Bruce Kaufman - Brentwood
This book was this summer's required school-wide read, so I wasn't expecting it to be all that fun to read. But I was pleasantly surprised; I actually enjoyed reading this book. The book is a piece of non fiction that follows the journey of a boy who travels north from Honduras to Texas to reunite with his mother in America. The book addresses immigrants' motives for moving north and all the struggles they go through to get there. The book was a page turner because I never knew what Enrique would encounter next on his journey or if he'd be caught and deported again. This book opened my eyes to another point of view about immigration. Living in America, all we hear is how immigration should be stopped, but this book gave me more compassion for Latinos who come north. This is a must read for anyone who appreciates and likes to learn about other cultures. (8/11/08)

The Secret of the Forgotten City by Carolyn Keene

Sophia Lee of Central Library
The Secret of the Forgotten City is another intriguing book of the Nancy Drew Mysteries. In this adventurous mystery, there are rumors that long ago a treasure was hidden in a city now buried under the Nevada desert. Nancy and her friends plan to join a dig to hunt for the gold. Before the young sleuth starts, she meets an Indian woman with 6 missing ancient stone tablets with petroglyphs that are clues to the gold. However, this clue brings threats and dangers from a thief who also wants the treasure. Nancy, Bess, George, Ned, Burt, and Dave search for the treasure in 102-degree temperatures as they pursue Nancy's hunches above and below ground. In the end Nancy and Ned nearly lose their lives when they find themselves stuck in a tunnel with gushing water just after Nancy has discovered the hidden treasure of gold. Does Nany make it out alive with or without the gold? Read this book to find out. (8/11/08)

Kindred by Octavia E. buttler

Stephanie N. of Los Feliz
This book was beyond my expectations. It's both sci-fi AND non fictional at the same time. It's well written, and has the world's most suprising ending *no spoilers here:D*. It's a very powerful, educational,and interesting book geared toward feminists, liberals, and those who are interested in going through an adventure with Dana, a brave African American woman. (8/11/08)

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

Elizabeth of Granada Hills
Hattie's parents died when she was young and has been shifted from relative to relative until she is 13 and her distant cousins Aunt Ivy and Uncle Holt take her. However, a mysterious letter from her mother's only brother arrives saying he is dying and is leaving her 320 acres of Montana land! She only has 10 months to fix up her land or she loses it. This is a vivid tale of frendship and the trials of life in WWI America. (8/20/08)

The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares

Xenia of Panorama City
If you loved the first book or just loved the movie, you will absolutely fall head over heels for The Second Summer of the Sisterhood. Follow Lena, Carmen, Tibby, and Bridget through heartbreak, smiles, tears, and just a summer they won't forget. Lena suffers a heartache after breaking up with her Greek boyfriend Kostos, but realizes she is still in love with him. Carmen gets stuck in a tornado of confusion when her mom starts dating and its starts to ruin her attitude and her love life. Tibby is still shocked after the death of her leukemia-diagnosed friend. She enters a summer program for a film college and after an embarassing movie about someone she loves dearly, her life is turned upside-down. Bridget flies off to Alabama in disguise to meet her grandmother. She learns interesting facts about her mother and her family and yearns for the life she had last summer. This Summer will really keep your eyes locked, so go to your nearest library and check one out. After you read it, you will be dying to see it in the movie. (8/11/08)

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer

Ana Banana of Mar Vista
Ok so lately all the vampire books have been in style, and honestly I love them all but I found a few different vampire books too. Peeps is the first book in a vampire series by Scott Westerfeld and it's great for teens. But the book I am here to talk about is eighth grade bites which is the first book in the Vladimir Tod series. Tod is a thirteen-year-old boy who is a typical eighth grader, parties, teachers, crushes... but there is just one difference... yup you guess it... he's a vampire... oh yah... this book took me about a day to finish and its sequel is ninth grade slays. It's a good and quick read.. of course not as good as all the twilight books ;) ok enjoy!! (8/19/08)

Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan

Jake of Platt
This was a very interesting book. Supposedly a true story, this is the first novel in a frightening saga. When a young boy (Darren) gets a ticket to a freak show, he doesn't know it will change his life forever. An incident with a stolen spider results in having Darren save his best friend's life by becoming a half-vampire and a vampire's assistant. Want to know what happens next? Read the book to find out. (8/19/08)

Tony Hawk: Between boardslides and burnout by Tony Hawk

Nicholas of Granada Hills
This story is about Tony Hawk and what he does for a living. So it tells about what trophies he has won. it also tells about his family and friends. I also liked it because its cool and its about skateboarding and I like skate boarding. (8/20/08)

One Fat Summer by Robert Lipsyte

Marcus of Granada Hills
Bobby is a fat kid, but this one summer he goes to Rumom Lake. His Dad makes him work out. His Mom and Dad are always fighting. He gets a job from Dr. Khan, a rich, stingy estate owner. He has to manage an enormous lawn but he gets paid a dollar per hour. He is also being bullied by a kid named Willie. At the end, he is at gun point by Willie and has a near escape from getting shot. (8/20/08)