MsWrobel

• Rated 5 stars

“This entire trilogy is amazing. I haven't read a book this fast in ages! Definitely recommended for about 5th or 6th grade (advanced readers) or middle school, and up.”

MsWrobel wrote this review 10 days ago. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“This second book from the Last Survivors trilogy is just as amazing as the first. It is one of those suspenseful and realistic books that you can't stop reading; you want to know what's going to happen to Alex and his sisters, Briana and Julie, so instead of doing things you need to do (chores, homework, etc.) you will find yourself reading this book!”

MsWrobel wrote this review 13 days ago. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This is a good realistic fiction book for guys in grades 8-12. Main character James is realist who doesn't understand the comings and goings of the "typical" teens with whom he attends school. This book is written "diary" style, with each entry dated, plus authentic bits and pieces from James' life such as word-for-word conversations with others (like his ex-gf or a younger girl who's interested in him) as well as samples of essays he writes for his AP English class. I recommend this book to mature teen guys who enjoy reading, writing and who might appreciate James' "I hate everything" outlook on life.”

MsWrobel wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This is a great non-fiction book for teen girls. I recommend reading the beginning, and then checking the table of contents for the sections you are really interested in. There are some encouraging, "how-to" sections, such as how to start a band, how to deal with a party when you know nobody, and "how to get along with your mother." Now, I'm not sure if I would have listened to this book's advice when I was a teen, but looking back, nearly 100% of what Teen Book Festival author Julie DeVillers says is true (tbflive.org). The only drawback is that the book is due for an update, having been published in 2002. Obviously, the advice parts have not changed in a decade, but some of the online/technical advice has - for example, the section listing how to make your own web site is devoid of social media and mentions Geocities as a good place to make your own page. However, this is a minor drawback and I think that every teen girl, mom, and school counselor/social worker/psychologist should read this book. (Or at least the parts they're interested in!)”

MsWrobel wrote this review Monday, January 16, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“This is an amazing book about survival! I read it in one afternoon and evening because I could not put it down. This book is a realistic sci-fi novel - so if you're a fan of either genre you will definitely like this story. I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.”

MsWrobel wrote this review Sunday, January 15, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“The author of this book found out late in life that her aunt, Sylvia (or Syvia), was a Holocaust survivor. The author interviewed Sylvia, and then wrote the book from her aunt's point of view as a little girl during World War II in Europe. Sylvia, her older sister, and her parents were Jewish and sent off to a concentration camp. This story tells of how they tried to survive -- such as digging holes in graveyards and crawling in so the Nazis wouldn't find them -- as well as who among Sylvia's friends and family did not survive. This is a sad but very interesting book and you will be able to read it quickly, especially if you like realistic or historical fiction.”

MsWrobel wrote this review Monday, January 2, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“Fever 1793 is a great book for middle-school students to read, even if they don't particularly like historical fiction, because it's written for readers in grades 5-8 and you will feel like you could be Mattie or one of her friends. This book is really the story of Mattie, her family, her city, and what happens when an incurable disease takes over. If you like sci-fi where strange creatures stalk humans or survival stories, then you will probably like this book. You will also like this book if you typically read realistic fiction because you will feel terrible for what Mattie has to go through. Mattie has a good sense of humor and she also knows that the disease (yellow fever) is getting worse. Her family's coffee shop could be a coffee shop today - customers come to hang out and joke around, but they also come to talk about serious issues going on in their city. If you have ever wanted to work in a coffee shop then you might also enjoy this story. Author Laurie Halse Anderson writes in a style that keeps you guessing: Will Mattie and her friends and family get sick and die or stay healthy and survive? At the end of the book, there is a section that answers questions about yellow fever and Philadelphia during Mattie's time.”

MsWrobel wrote this review Tuesday, December 27, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“If you like fantasy-adventure such as The Hunger Games or Harry Potter, then you will like this book. You would also like this book if you like writing - the author uses words that are unique or funny, plus he loves to use alliteration for a hilarious effect. ”

MsWrobel wrote this review Thursday, December 22, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“"Something Like Hope" is a compelling realistic fiction story by author Shawn Goodman, who will be at the Rochester Teen Book Festival on May 19, 2011 (www.tbflive.org). This book is for readers over age 11 who are mature and can handle reading swear words that are used judiciously but are essential in telling a sadly believable story. Some readers may want to wait until they are older, however, to read this gritty and authentic story. The chapters are extremely short; their length (or lack of it) make you want to keep reading. "Just one more chapter, just one more" is what you will be thinking, even after you've read six more chapters.
Readers will like this book if they enjoyed any of these books:
"Imani All Mine" by Connie Porter (young mothers)
"Get Well Soon" by Julie Halpern (teenagers living in institutions/detention centers)
"Locomotion" by Jacqueline Woodson (foster care)
"The Girl Who Fell From the Sky" by Heidi Durrow (difficult living circumstances)
Main character Shavonne is angry, scared and living in a girls' juvenile detention center. While similar to the books mentioned above, Shavonne's first-person story is not like any other because it's totally believable and sadly shocking. Author Goodman (who is also a school psychologist) clearly knows how teens think because as you read Shavonne's story you can see her experiences in your head as if they really are happening. This isn't necessarily a sad story that will make you cry (although the last chapter did make me cry) but it will make you think that there really are people out there who actually do the bad things that happen around Shavonne in this book - this "real" factor comes out in the author's writing. Clearly, and unfortunately, he writes from experience working with trouble teens in this highly recommended novel.”

MsWrobel wrote this review Saturday, November 5, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“This is a great book for guys, but girls would like it too. Main character 10th grader Liam Bergstrom gets called up to the varsity bball team. But the coach has his own way of doing things. Liam's plans for the year seem to change quicker than he can keep his life under control. This novel from author John Coy is a great story for basketball fans, but it also makes you think about what you would do if you were in Liam's shoes. ”

MsWrobel wrote this review Thursday, November 3, 2011. ( reply | permalink )