E'tre the Cow by Sean Kenniff

On a scale from 1-10 I would rate E'tre the Cow an 8. It was a good book, and was entertaining and it really taught me a lesson. The book is about a bull named E'tre, who is embarrassed of it's looks. When people (humans) see E'tre and mistake him for a cow, they make fun of the flies on his haunches and his hoofed legs. "The shame of this burns like the sun on my back," the bull once said. E'tre tells the story of a bull with a bold, unique, tough life stuck inside the pasture fences. E'tre has dreams about the beautiful green pastures beyond these fences. E'tre is not like the others, he is much more than they are in many ways. In the fences the grass is thin. The cows hunger and E'tre starts to become desperate. He is the only cow that finds himself starving, literally.

~Giovanni, Teen Book Reviewer

Thirteen Days to Midnight by Patrick Carman

Thirteen Days to Midnight was an action packed thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole book. Thirteen Days to Midnight is about three people; Milo, Ophelia and Jacob. Before Mr. Fielding, Jacob's foster parent had died Jacob gave him a superpower. With three words Ophelia, Milo, and Jacob will never be the same. This was a great book that I would recommend to people who like Sci fi / action packed thrillers. There were some points in the book that dragged but a large majority of this book was amazing.
~Michael, Teen Book Reviewer

Malice by Chris Wooding

The book Malice by Chris Wooding is about a fictional comic book that is known by teenagers for being the best comic book on the market. The comic is about the world of Malice, a world of nightmares and death. The main characters, Seth and his friend Luke, are lovers of the comic Malice. After Luke gets kidnapped, Seth thinks that the comic book took him, because rumor has it if you say the comic villain's name, Tall Jake, he will come and drag you into the world of Malice. Seth and another friend named Kate go to Luke's house to see if they can find any evidence pertaining to his kidnapping. In Luke's room, they find a copy of Malice, but the pages are blank. Knowing that the comic book was purchased at a creepy book store in their neighborhood, they return there to look for clues to Luke's disappearance. After purchasing another comic book copy, they discover Luke in the pages of the comic, scared out of his wits. To save his friend, Seth performs the ritual of calling Jake's name four times and is sucked into the world of Malice. The first person that Seth encounters is a teenager named Justin who explains to Seth that Malice is more than just a world of nightmares, but also of death. When Seth is in the world of Malice, he is faced with many trials including battling Tall Jake, who is out to kill him. The end of the book is a cliffhanger as we do not know what transpires with Luke or Seth. We need to stay tuned for the next book.

When I read it, I knew it was one of the best books I had ever read because half of the book is a comic. If I were to recommend this book to someone, I would recommend it to a child over the age of ten, because it is very intense and kind of twisted. I hope you find my review to be interesting and if you want, the second book in the series, Havoc, was just released.

~Jacob, Teen Book Reviewer

Good Neighbors by Holly Black

The book Good Neighbors by Holly Black is a good contrast from other books we usually read today. It's not a novel but instead its a manga. It does have some pictures that are somewhat disgusting with killings and whatnot, but that seems to be the whole point of the book. This book is about this girl who finds mysterious happenings around her and finds creatures with wings around her and she sets of on a journey to find the truth, and it involves a lot of violence. In the book, the pictures really gets you the images of what the scene and the characters are about. And also because its a manga it much easier to visualize the book and the text. I really didn't think this was my type of book because it had lots of blood and all and I would give 3 out of 10. But if you are looking for a book that is violent and that dosen't have lots of words, this is the book for you! If you do not however like killings and guns and knives, you shouldn't really read it but if you want to try another type of book than go ahead!

~Soram, Teen Book Reviewer

Alex Van Helsing: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson

I have just finished reading the book called, Alex Van Helsing: Vampire Rising. This book was amazing... Alex, a fourteen-year old teenager finds many vampires that try to kill him. Little does he know, his school was right near an ancient university called Scholomance. After Alex made friends, two of his friends were captured by Icemaker, the vampire clan lord. Alex tries to help recue them back with his teacher, Sangster (who was also a vampire hunter). In the end, both of the friends got rescued back and they defeated Icemaker. I would recommend this book to anyone that is 13 years old or higher. I loved this book since there were so many events that made the book very interesting....

~Jack, Teen Book Reviewer

Scat by Carl Hiaasen

Scat is a comical mystery told from an environmental perspective. This clever novel is told from a third person point of view. During a biology field trip to the Black Vine Swamp a wildfire, set by the greedy Red Diamond Energy Corporation, breaks out and the field trip is cut short. One of the biology teachers, Mrs. Starch, goes missing when she heads back into the smoking swamp to recoup Libby’s dropped asthma inhaler. Two of her students, Nick and Marta, set out to discover why Mrs. Starch disappears. When Mrs. Starch goes back into the burning Black Vine Swamp a concerned man, named Twilly, asks the biology teacher to help him take care of an adorable baby panther while he attempts to find the missing mother panther. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the environment and mysteries. This novel also incorporates the important topic of saving endangered animals. Overall, Scat is a hilarious novel that I would recommend to anyone.
~Matthiew

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

Recently, I finished a book titled The Lying Game by Sara Shepard. I enjoyed reading this book, and had trouble putting it down. Now, I eagerly await the second book in this riveting series. I would recommend this book to young adults, purely because younger children might not understand it or enjoy it as much. In this story, there is a child named Emma, who was abandoned by her mother Becky when she was in kindergarten. Eventually, she was turned over to an orphanage, but people only wanted to adopt babies. So, Emma has lived in numerous foster homes. She finally found one she liked, but was framed for taking her foster mother's money. There was also this mysterious video that showed a girl getting choked to death. One problem: the girl who was choked looked exactly like HER! She was kicked out of the foster home. By looking on Facebook, she saw that she had an identical twin sister named Sutton. Something I forgot to mention: Sutton is dead, but her ghost follows Emma around. All of her memories are hazy, so she doesn't know how she died. Anyway, Emma sent a message to Sutton on Facebook to meet her, and received a reply. One problem: Sutton is dead! WHO sent that response to Emma? When she goes to meet Sutton in the place it said in the reply message, she ends up getting picked up by Sutton's friend who thinks Emma is Sutton. Can Emma-a shy girl-pretend to be Sutton-an outgoing jokester-to figure out how her identical twin died? Read the novel to find out!
~Brynn, Teen Book Reviewer

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, by Jules Verne

I read the book 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, by Jules Verne. This book can be quite slow in the beginning and might be hard to understand, but it is still a great book. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea is a famous classic book that was published in 1869. The book is mainly about the United States government trying to find a mysterious creature that is sinking many ships. The U.S. government send Pierre Aronnax, a scientist, along with, Conseil, and Ned Land the harpooner to kill or capture this monster. They board the ship called the Abraham Lincoln. On their journey to find the creature, they get attacked by it and Pierre Aronnax, Conseil and Ned Land go overboard. When they land, they land on a submarine vessel and they are taken as prisoners. Once they are taken as prisoners, they meat Captain Nemo, the commander or captain of the submarine called the Nautilus. He offers them a stay at the Nautilus and freedom unless, they go back to their cells when asked.

I enjoyed this book as it got closer to the climax because in the beginning it was very boring and slow. My opinion of this book would be good because it was very interesting. I recommend this book to people who can read long books because this book is quite lengthy. Also, I recommend this book to people how like classical or science fiction stories because this book can be considered both.

~Brian, Teen Book Reviewer

The Warlock : the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott

The Warlock is the fifth book in the series, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, written by Michael Scott. It is fast paced, with the book taking course over no more than three days. Ever since Josh learned about the other twins that the Flamels had found, he became more and more suspicious of them. He doesn’t quite trust the Flamels as much as his twin sister, Sophie does. Josh believes the evil Dr. Dee instead. In this new book, Josh officially goes to Dee’s side. Dee had been declared “utlaga,” or outcast by the Dark Elders. Now, everyone and everything are on the hunt for Dr. John Dee. Now, there is a slight change in his plans. Dr. Dee is now not planning on reviving the Dark Elders and instead, wishes to destroy everything; all of the Shadowrealms, the human race, and the elders. Dee also gains a capable ally, Virginia Dare. Dee plans to destroy all of the elders at once. And the only place where all of them are together is Danu Talis. Scathach, Joan, Saint-Germain, Palamedes, and Shakespeare are summoned by a strange hand-hooked man. They travel back in time to Danu Talis. There, they meet Abraham the Mage and they learn that Abraham had already predicted that all of this would happen. They must destroy Danu Talis, otherwise known as the lost city of Atlantis, if they want the world today to exist. Perenelle and Nicholas’s time is running out. They have no more than one or two days to live. Will they be able to live long enough to see the result of all of their hard work? The prophecy says this: “The two that are one must become the one that is all. One to save the world, one to destroy it.” With Josh choosing Dee’s side, will he be the twin that destroys it? What will happen to the world?

I loved this book because it was filled with non-stop suspense. Although the book took course over three days, the events were described with a lot of detail. The Warlock was also unpredictable at times, with various twists. I knew that Josh did not trust the Flamels. However, I always thought that he would stick by their side and fight against Dee because of his sister. But now, he thinks that Sophie is an enemy and goes to Dee’s side. I was certainly not expecting this. The twins were always so close. But now, their bond is severed and the future of the world is at stake. The book ended with a cliff-hanger with a very, very unexpected ending. I can’t wait until the Summer of 2012 when the final book, The Enchantress, is released!
~Cynthia, Teen Book Reviewer

Teen Community Service Opportunities

6th-12th Graders Welcome

Teen Book Reviewers
Read and write book reviews for our Teen Blog. Earn 3 hours of community service. Go to our Teen Blog for all the info: http://hhhlteenreads.blogspot.com/

Teen Writing Workshop DXY674
Thursdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5, 19, 26, (no meeting 4/12) 6-7 pm (DH)
We are participating with Huntington's Project Excel on a writing workshop for teens. One hour of community service for each session. Registration underway.

Ariella's Friendship Circle DXY659
Monday's March 5, 12, 19, 26, 7-8 pm (DH)
Training session for volunteers to visit children with special needs. Registration underway.

Teen Advisory Board
Thursdays, March 8 & April 19, 7 pm (DH)
We're creating a scavenger hunt for National Library week, Find it @ hhhlibrary. No registration required.

St. Pat's Day Craft DXY675
Saturday, March 17, 10 am-11 am (DH)
Drop-in craft session for kids to make St. Pat's Day Craft. Registration begins 3/2.

Teen Entrepreneur Workshop DXY676
Monday, April 23, 7 pm (DH)
Join Project Excel and find out what it takes to start and run a business. Registration begins 4/2.

Computer Tutor Volunteers Wanted
11th and 12th graders willing to tutor adults one on one can pick up an application to tutor at the Adult Reference Desk.

Teen Programs

T-Shirt String Scarf DXY670
Thursday, March 29, 7 pm (DH)
Learn how to upcycle an old tee into a warm and stylish string scarf. Please bring a colorful t-shirt with you to transform. Registration begins 3/1.

Let's Make Pizza DXY671
Saturday, April 21, 11 am (DH)
Learn how to make pizza from scratch. Make the dough (measure, mix, knead and shape your pizza) and bring home to bake. Registration begins 4/5.

SAT Preparation Course
Tuesdays, March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3, 17 or Wednesdays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 18, 6:45-8:45 pm (DH)
Certified teachers will help prepare you for the SAT. Students need to purchase and bring to the first day of class McGraw Hill's SAT 2012 Edition and a calculator. In person registration begins 2/14. Cost: $80

Kaplan SAT/ACT Practice Test DXY672
Saturday, March 24, 10 am-2 pm (DH)
Practice the SAT and ACT in a test-like enviroment. Registration begins 3/8.

Hunger Games Jeopardy DXY673
Thursday, March 22, 7 pm (DH)
Get ready for the movie, test your knowledge and win prizes! Registration begins 3/8.

Then I Met My Sister by Christine Hurley Deriso

The book Then I Met My Sister tells the heart wrenching tale of a high schooler who receives her dead sisters diary as a gift from her aunt on her birthday. Because all she had ever known about her sister Shannon had been deduced from happy pictures and impressive medals and awards on the walls, the depressed, angry, slightly suicidal sister portrayed in the diary is not at all what Summer expected. This book was truly terrific. It is told from the perspective of a witty, rebellious, and interesting teenager who you quickly grow to love. It is a book you cannot put down once you've started. I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone.

~Nina, Teen Book Reviewer

Spirits In the Stars

In the sixth book of the Seekers series, Spirits in the Stars, Toklo, Lusa, Kallik, and Ujurak continue their journey across the Endless Ice. Food is hard to find, and Lusa, Toklo, and Ujurak are having a hard time fighting off the longsleep, but they know that the end of their journey is not too far ahead. Kallik and Ujurak lead the bears to an island where there are other white bears. The white bears seemed to be expecting Lusa, and most of them are very kind to her. There are a few, though, who don't trust the foursome. These white bears are sick, however, and Lusa believes that she knows why.The bears feel that they should help the island by saving everything on it from the twolegs' oil rigs. However, saving the island might be the end of their journey for one bear, and the others might have to move on without them.
Along the bears' whole journey, new friendships are made, old ones are strengthened, and the four bears learn to trust each other and work as a team.
I would recommend this book for animal lovers and people who have read the Warriors series, also by Erin Hunter. I would also recommend that you read the first five books of the Seekers series first, otherwise there might be some parts that you won't understand. This was a great book, and I was enthralled up to the very last sentence.
~Catherine, Teen Book Reviewer

I read a graphic novel called Yummy – the Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri & illustrated by Randy DuBurke. The novel is about a boy named Roger who is 11 years old and lives in Chicago. Roger is upset and tries to figure out why a boy named Yummy dies. He heard rumors that Yummy killed someone and he thinks he might have been a gang member. I think the illustrations were really interesting. They weren't like cartoons. They almost looked like photographs. It looked like it took the artist a long time to draw them because they were very detailed. This graphic novel made me think about gangs and bullies and the bad situations some kids face. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries.
~Wendi, Teen Book Reviewer

Project Excel Presents: A Behind the Scenes Tour of The New York Times Headquarters

The Huntington Youth Bureau's Project Excel has scheduled a trip New York Time's Headquaters for Tuesday, February 21st from 9am-5pm.

If you are interested in Journalism, Creative Writing, New Technology, or Experiencing a newsroom that most people only see on television then this trip is for you.
Drop off and Pick Up are at Project Excel which is located at 423 Park Ave, Huntington, NY 11743 (3rd Floor).

The price of the trip is $10 per person.

Space is limited so to reserve your spot contact Denise at 631-271-5499

Gemini Bites by Patrick Ryan

Gemini Bites by Patrick Ryan is a book about three teenagers who have to cope with their busy school, family, and love lives. Kyle and Judy Renneker are twins, but they have nothing in common. They live in a family of 9, and they often have to compete for attention. Because of this competition, they try to outdo each other, and they end up hating each other as much as is humanly possible. When a new kid is invited to stay at their house for a month, they are not sure what to expect. Both twins are slightly inerested in him, but they are more frightened by the thought of him staying under their roof. In school, the boy, Garret, has proved to be very strange. He makes references to instruments of death, and is constantly making "slips of the tongue" like "...some mor--some people really do...". When he first moves in with the Renneker family, everyone is surprised by his behavior, but he quickly reverts to the way he acts at school, except when he is around the adults. Judy and Kyle end up fighting for his attention, too, because they can't stand when one of them does something and the other can't.
Soon Garret reveals the truth...he is a vampire. But Judy and Kyle don't quite believe him. Is he lying? Or could this possibly be the truth? And how will the trio's love lives unfold?
I would recommend this book for people who like romance and realistic fiction books. This book kept me hanging until the very end!
~Catherine, Teen Book Reviewer

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a great time to remind friends, family and boyfriends or girlfriends how special they are.

There are lots of really simple designs for quick Valentine's Day cards that can be printed or created for the one you love:


Elementary School Style (Make sure to print these landscape)





Monster Valentines
Or Paper Airplane Valentines







These are only a few of the great easy handmade Valentine's around. I highly recommend checking out these and a few others for a variety of ways to share your Valentine's Day wishes.

Death Cloud by Andrew Lane

In Death Cloud Sherlock Holmes is 14 years old. He has to spend his summer with an aunt and uncle that he doesn’t know. They seem very strange to him. A lot of people are dying in the town where he is staying. They say they died from the plague, but Sherlock does not believe this. He begins to investigate. Sherlock Holmes has a tutor named Amyous Crowe. Amyous Crowe, and Matty, one of Sherlock’s friends, try to work together to solve why people are dying. This book is so exciting and action filled. Following how Sherlock Holmes and his friends try to figure out the deaths, makes you feel like you are part of the book. This book was a very amusing and entertaining book and I would definitely suggest it to somebody.
~Justin, Teen Book Reviewer

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

I read the book I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore. There are 9 aliens in the beginning of the story who left their home planet and came to Earth. They left their home planet, Lorien because the Mogadorians destroyed it. Every time the Magadorians capture any of the 9 aliens, each of the aliens get a scar on their leg. The nine aliens were supposed to all go to different places around the World. The Mogadorians captured the first three aliens, therefore they are set to find Number Four and kill him.The Magadorians capture the Aliens in order, and when they capture the third alien, Number Four knows he is next.
But Number Four is constantly moving and changing his name. His guardian's name is Henri, and Henri is the one who makes sure Number Four (also known as John Smith) is safe and travels with John. John wants to live a normal life but it is hard to because he has super powers. Once he develops his legacy, he is able to control light and do other things he never knew he could do. It is hard for him to pretend to be a normal teenager because his hands glow when he becomes too emotional about anything. In one of his schools, there is a bully who gets John upset and John's hands glow. Throughout this story, John struggles to stay alive and yet pretend to be a normal teenager. Constantly moving, it is impossible for Number Four to make friends. Until now, when he meets Sam (a nerdy boy) and Sarah. His new relationships make the thought of leaving very difficult. And now, that his legacies are starting to develop, it's becoming harder to keep his true identity a secret. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to reading a Science Fiction book that has aliens in it.
~Kyle, Teen Book Reviewer

Pick-Up Game: A Full Day of Full Court edited by Marc Aronson and Charles R. Smith Jr.

In the book Pick-Up Game: A Full Day of Full Court, there are various short stories that show a day in the life of The Cage, the famous, well-known basketball court in NYC. Poems and photographs by Charles R. Smith JR. help introduce each new short story which consists of a different player. The short stories were written very well and excellent, especially the two stories from Walter Dean Myers and Sharon Flake, which stand out and are very interesting due to the in-depth details of those two stories. Each story is written by a different author from a different character's perspective. In each story, the main character reflects on what he thinks of the game. The short stories give you a sense of the drama inside the game and out. However, this book can be confusing at times because of various different viewpoints. One thing that is the same in all of the short stories is the location, The Cage, located at the corner of West 4th Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, where players from many different places got together to play ball. This book gives you a good idea of what street ball is, opposed to a normal basketball game. Street ball players go by the rule "no blood, no foul", therefore you could infer that street ball is rough.

I would recommend this book to teenagers and adults who have a good sense of the game of basketball, because there are times in the book when players talk about "picks and rolls" and "give and go's", and these sayings to someone who doesn't understand baskeball could cause confusion and affect their full comprehension of understanding this book. Anyone who enjoys basketball and just loves the game should most certainly read this book.
~Carson, Teen Book Reviewer

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

Most people do not like to read works of historical fiction, but it encompasses many famous and/or enjoyable books. The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell is not one of them. The plot moves fast, slow, and jumps around too much. This makes it hard to even figure out what year/season it is. Also, Mitchell’s use of antiquated language sometime clouds what the characters are attempting to convey.
Amelia is an average girl living with her brother and his wife in Broken Tooth, Maine. After a series of arguments, they decide to send her to live with her cousin Zora Stewart in Baltimore. The glamour and charm of Baltimore enchant Amelia. Then she discovers her strange ability to see the future, but only at sunset. At first her powers are fun and harmless, but she then sees darker and more lethal things. Amelia is also in love with a painter named Nathaniel who has an ability of his own.
On a scale of 1-10 I would rate this book a 5. The language clouded meaning and the plot was at many times dull. If you want to read historical fiction I would recommend you read a book like I was Jane Austen’s Best Friend.
~Luke, Teen Book Reviewer

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

In Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, Clara is part Angel. Her mom is half angel and her brother is also part angel. Clara is receiving her purpose and she keeps having the visions at random times. In school, at the mall, anywhere. Then she moves to Wyoming to await the time for when the purpose happens. She meets Wendy and Angela who become her BFF’s. Wendy’s brother, Tucker, and Clara are teasing and not liking each other from the start. Then Clara meets Christian Prescott and right away, Clara knows that this is the boy in her visions. I found this book very interesting and I hardly put it down. It was so intense and adventurous and so mysterious. But, I did not like the ending. It’s end was just so abrupt and sudden and was a little bit confusing. Other than that, I would say that this was an awesome book.
~Victoria, Teen Book Reviewer

Z by Michael Thomas Ford

The book Z by Michael Thomas Ford centers around a teenage boy named Josh in the year 2038. He loves torching zombies in his holographic video games, an obsession he can’t brush aside. Charlie, one of the best players in the game, makes an offer too good to be true – to join the In Real Life games and torch the zombies for real. Josh accepts, ignorant to the web he entangles himself him. The zombies are real, their lives are actually at stake, players are dying, and the mysterious drug named Z has a cost that’s anything but monetary.
This book was a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that kept on the edge. I enjoyed the non-stop action, and the overall plot of the book. It was an interesting read, different from the book I usually read. The subplots of friendship and love contributed to the main plot of the book – the game. I enjoyed reading it and recommend this book to anyone who likes action.
~Joanna, Teen Book Reviewer

Wish by Aledandra Bullen

I recently finished a book titled: Wish by Alexandra Bullen. To briefly summarize it, it's about a girl named Olivia. She is very independent and shy. She used to be more cheerful...before her twin sister drowned. Olivia misses Violet (her twin sister) greatly, and she wants more than anything in the entire world to have her back. After Violet drowned, Olivia's mother decides to move the family to where she used to live. After they got there, Olivia's mom was invited to a welcoming party for them. Olivia, unlike her sister, has absolutely no fashion sense, so she has nothing to wear...until she remembers Violet's lovely pink dress. One problem: there is a gargantuan rip down the side of it. Olivia knew that she would have to get it fixed. She brought it to a run down seamstress run by Posey. Posey promises to have the dress fixed by the next day. The next day, there IS a dress at the door, but it's not Violet's dress. To fast forward a bit, on the way home from the party, Olivia says: "I just wish I had my sister back." After she says this, a glowing butterfly appears. She returns home...and finds Violet's ghost waiting for her. Although having Violet back is a miracle, it isn't exactly what Olivia expected it to be. But, Violet helped Olivia improve her wardrobe, make a plethora of friends, and have a boyfriend as awesome as Soren. Before long, Olivia learns how to stand on her own and to be her own person. She uses her last two wishes up, and lets Violet go. She no longer needs Violet to push her along. Olivia has now gained confidence. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was interesting to see an author take a story that could potentially be realistic fiction, and to add a bit of fantasy into it to make it all the more interesting to read. I also liked the author's style of writing. Bullen (the author) allows the reader to know all of the main character's thoughts without actually telling the story in first person point of view. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a very detailed, but very excellent story. Caution: this novel contains a 1/4 cup of funny, 3/8 of a cup of suspense, 1/2 a cup of romance, and 3/4 of a cup of interesting!!! Enjoy!
~Brynn, Teen Book Reviewers

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Where She Went by Gayle Forman is a novel told from the point of view of rock star, Adam Wilde. He has everything that most people want: he is the vocalist and guitarist for the chart-topping band "Shooting Star," has a celebrity girlfriend Bryn, and has tons of adoring fans. However, Adam is far from happy, struggling to get through everyday because of his breakup with his ex-girlfriend Mia Hall, a cello prodigy. Mia has her share of struggles too; her entire family was killed in a car crash that she narrowly suriveved. But when the two happen to meet in New York City, they both embark on a journey to explore the city and their past relationship. This book is written in a format with all the even chapters being about Adam in the present while the odds are about what he went through in the past. This book is a real page turner because it is a romance along with giving the reader a glance into the world of the "rich and famous," showing that everything isn't how it seems. Another cool thing about this book is in some chapters, there are some lyrics from Shooting Star's first album Collateral Damage, which Adam write about his feelings when Mia broke up with him. So go out and read this book!
~Divya, Teen Book Reviewer

Afterlife by Claudia Gray

The book , Afterlife by Claudia Gray, is about two characters named Bianca and Lucas. They have always been together, despite the number of obstacles they had to overcome. However, when a twist of fate transforms Lucas into a vampire, the creatures that he had spent his whole life hunting, and Bianca into a wraith, things don't seem so easy anymore. Lucas now possesses a strong desire to drink blood and is a threat to all humans. He turns to the only place that can provide him with peace and teach him how to cope with his need to kill...Evernight academy. However, the sanctuary for Lucas has become a dangerous place for Bianca, but she's determined to stay by Lucas's side. Surprisingly, the leader of Evernight, Mrs. Bethany, welcomes Lucas kindly, despite the fact that he had hunted them before. Bianca and the others start to uncover a plan of Mrs. Bethany's- one to hunt wraiths, like Bianca. Lucas doesn't seem to suspect Mrs. Bethany as he begins to trust her due to her help with his new vampire troubles. Mrs. Bethany's plan may seem more dangerous than it appears and Bianca and Lucas will find this particular challenge harder to overcome...especially when it threatens to tear them apart and the strength of their love is tested.
I highly recommend this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat with the new twists and turns that appeared one after the other. I was extremely eager to find out the fate that awaited Bianca and Lucas. With Lucas having nightmares and struggling to keep his hunger under control and Bianca learning about her new amazing powers, they are both still determined to stay together. Although somewhere in my heart I knew that they would have their happily ever after in the end, I was still interested to find out how they managed to achieve their desires. I thought that the whole plot was extremely creative, with vampires and wraiths in the story. I also loved the displays of love shown in the book. Although losing their loved ones can drive them to hatred, some of them still managed to regain their sanity in the end, as shown in the book. Even after all of the troubles that Bianca and Lucas had to face and their insecurities, their determination to stay together never wavers in their heart. Overall, I extremely loved this book. However, I recommend that you read the first book, Evernight, before getting a jump start on the series. I guarantee that you won't regret reading the books!
~Cynthia, Teen Book Reviewer

Lockdown, Escape From Furnace by Alexander Gordon Smith

Lockdown, Escape From Furnace by Alexander Gordon Smith is a science fiction novel that takes place in the future and kids can receive a life sentence if they kill a person. This life sentence is a danger was approved because of the summer of slaughter. Many teenagers and kids murdered others during this summer and this scared many people, so the life sentence for kids was approved. Also, the Furnace Penitentiary was created for those kids sentenced to life in prison. Many gangs were sent to this prison, and this reduced the number of people that were killed by teenagers. However, the killings did not end. Sometimes, the kids were even framed! This is what happened to Alex Sawyer, the main character of the story. Alex Sawyer is a teenager going through adolescent becomes a bully with his best friend Toby. They bully smaller children and take their money. As they grow older, they start robbing houses. They are an intelligent pair of teenagers and have been very successful and lucky in their raids, until one night- the night that changes everything in the teenagers’ lives.
They were planning their biggest robbery that night and were going to be set for a good chunk of their lives if they were successful. The beginning of the robbery seemed pretty successful, until they split up. Many men in dark black suits showed up and halted Alex and Toby. At first they looked like police, but then they soon realized that men who had guns with silencers weren’t part of the police forces. The men in black had very intimidating expressions. A very tiny man in a gas mask appeared and pointed at Toby. Almost immediately, Toby was shot dead, leaving Alex without a best friend and framed for murder. The next morning he was caught and sentenced to life in prison Furnace, the maximum security prison. The men in black appeared again, and they turned out to be the prison guards of the Furnace. Why would prison guards frame innocent teenagers for murder?
Arriving at the prison with 3 others also framed for murder, Alex had made some friends. As he entered the underground prison, despair begins to sink into his brain. He realizes that there is no chance of escaping underground. When he is transported underground, he meets the skulls. They are a ruthless gang during the summer of slaughter that would kill you even if you looked at them funny. The warden introduces himself, and his face is deformed. You can’t stare at his eyes. Alex is soon introduced to his cell, and he has a roommate-Donovan. Donovan soon becomes Alex’s best friend in prison. The prison however, is no ordinary prison. Strange tests happen in the prison, and people get killed in these test. At night when lights are flashing red in the covers, you have a chance of getting taken to be experimented on. These tests are cruel changing you into an inhuman form and making you a mutant.
There are also many strange creatures in this prison such as the scrawny figures in gas masks and oxygen tanks, the men in black suits with super human strength, skinless dogs ready to attack you in an instant and mutant human taken for experiments. At any time they can take you and you just have to just hope they don’t. Every day, the prisoners have to do chores, including shoveling tunnels, cleaning toilets, laundry, and cooking. As Alex is shoveling tunnel, he noticed a glimpse of bright light coming from inside a doorway, and the smell of fresh air. The prisoners are about a mile underground, so how could there be light and air? Alex soon finds out that this is the only means of escape, and he needs all the help he can get from the prisoners if he ever wants to see sunlight again.
I liked the book because it gave me a feel about what life was like in prison. Every chapter made me want to read more, and this is a great book for those who like action. Some parts i didn't like, however. I didn't like all the cruel deaths of the prisoners, and the images formed in my mind were disturbing, but overall, this was an amazing read, and i would like to coninue reading more books in the series.
~Dylan, Teen Book Reviewers

Subject Seven by James A. Moore

Subject Seven is an exciting and interesting novel. Its plot was creative and compelling. It is about a group of teenagers, who as children, were turned into deadly assassins by a group of scientists. Subject Seven is one of the children, who is able to escape, and aware of his situation, lashed out violently against the people who captured him, and others throughout the story. He attempts to round of the other “subjects;” Hunter, Cody, Gene, Tina, and Kyrie, who have since been released following the Subject Seven incident. The plot moves fast, as narration is first person, and switches between the other teens in the story, as they struggle for their lives, and the truth of their respective pasts. The story has some graphic scenes, and some vulgar language, so I would not recommend it to younger readers. However, I would recommend it to older teens who enojy fast-paced action.
~Eric, Teen Book Reviewer

Grace by Elizabeth Scott

The book Grace by Elizabeth Scott is about a young girl named Grace who was born and raised to be a suicide bomber. Her people are unhappy with their tyrannical ruler and Grace is sent on a suicide mission to sabotage the government. But when Grace decides that she cannot do it and that she is meant to be something more than a suicide bomber, she must learn to live with the consequences.
I would not recommend this book to another middle school student. It was too slow and unexciting for me and the way the author talks is confusing. It is not one of the better books that I have read and I think the author could have made it more interesting and faster paced. I liked the idea but not the plot.

~Alexis, Teen Book Reviewer

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

The novel, Ink Exchange, by Melissa Marr is a story of a girl named Leslie. Just like any other teen she wishes she could escape from the life she's living and start a new one somewhere else new and fresh. After her mother passed away, everything in her life changed completely. Her father was no longer a father figure to her and her brother always sold her to his friend in order to make money. Leslie spends most of her time at the ink parlor around the corner from her house. The only problem is, she doesn't know the secret that the parlor hides. The novel is like any teenage life but with a twist. It's full of love, magic, complications, and much more. You could think of it as the Romeo and Juliet of the 21st century with a little umph added on. The beginning could be a little confusing at first but you understand it more in the middle. Ink Exchange is one of those books only a female can read to deeply understand and in my opinion I think it was written to reach out to teenage girls. The book is one of those books you just cannot put down, you just need to know what happens to the characters. Another way to think of it, it's that movie that's so full of suspense that you just can't watch but you constantly ask the people around you "What's going on?! Did he find her?! Is she hiding? Did she run away? Someone jsut please tell me what's going on!" Ink Exchange is a must read. Melissa Marr is a great writer and one of my personal favorites.

~Nabiha, Teen Book Reviewers