they say they come in threes

Here are three books to watch out for:




Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Synopsis:
Jerry Spinelli, author of Newbery Medalist Maniac Magee, Newbery Honor Book Wringer, and many other excellent books for teens, elegantly and accurately captures the collective, not-always-pretty emotions of a high school microcosm in which individuality is pitted against conformity. Spinelli's Stargirl is a supernatural teen character--absolutely egoless, altruistic, in touch with life's primitive rhythms, meditative, untouched by popular culture, and supremely self-confident. It is the sensitive Leo whom readers will relate to as he grapples with who she is, who he is, who they are together as Stargirl and Starboy, and indeed, what it means to be a human being on a planet that is rich with wonders


my review.


3 positive reviews:

The story is so sweet and poingiant. Leo and Stargirl are both so cute and innocent, and seeing how Leo becomes fascinated by and then gets to know Stargirl, seeing the world through her eyes, is a really fun journey.

-Forever Young: A YA Lit Blog

The book is fairly short (only 186 pages), but it moved me. It made me want to dance in the rain and send cards to strangers. It made me want to be more unique. More me. I cannot wait to read the sequel to this story, Love, Stargirl. PLEASE read this book!

-25 Hour Books 

Stargirl shines! I think this book should be read by every highschool/middle school student. It makes me want to do nice things for people and to do more to get rid of my own ego.

-Super Reader Girl's Book Reviews




3 negative reviews:

 I felt like Spinelli aimed for something transcendently beautiful, aimed… and missed. Just barely, but still missed. The overall messages of the novel are freedom of expression and individualism, which I strongly agree with.

-Say What?

I felt like Stargirl was to forced to be enjoyable. The plot wanderd, and in the middle of the book, the focus changed. I felt that the book was about 50 pages to long, and it skewed my view of it, because by the end I was so bored with it. I recomend checking it out from the library, so you can decide for yourself. Its one of those borderline books, you either love it or you hate it.

-Kelly 

Stargirl kind of seemed to good to be true, and I like characters that are very flawed instead of perfectly perfect ones. Perfect just seems a little one-dimensional. There were lots of details in it that I enjoyed, though, especially the descriptions of the desert. If I could give half stars, I would give it 2 1/2 instead of just 2.

-Kitty "the Random"

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

Synopsis:
Fields of white opium poppies stretch away over the hills, and uniformed workers bend over the rows, harvesting the juice. This is the empire of Matteo Alacran, a feudal drug lord in the country of Opium, which lies between the United States and Aztlan, formerly Mexico. Field work, or any menial tasks, are done by "eejits," humans in whose brains computer chips have been installed to insure docility. Alacran, or El Patron, has lived 140 years with the help of transplants from a series of clones, a common practice among rich men in this world. The intelligence of clones is usually destroyed at birth, but Matt, the latest of Alacran's doubles, has been spared because he belongs to El Patron. He grows up in the family's mansion, alternately caged and despised as an animal and pampered and educated as El Patron's favorite. Gradually he realizes the fate that is in store for him, and with the help of Tam Lin, his bluff and kind Scottish bodyguard, he escapes to Aztlan. There he and other "lost children" are trapped in a more subtle kind of slavery before Matt can return to Opium to take his rightful place and transform his country.


my review. 


3 positive reviews:

This one kept me up until three a.m. This "Newbery Honor" is head and shoulders above the winner of the medal for 2003. (Crispin isn't even in the same league as this book). This is also head and shoulders above most SF books of 2003! Give it a look you won't be sorry!

-Timothy Capehart "Review-a-holic"

..incredibly good - tight story, excellent plot development, and really great characters. The story follows a clone, Matt, who is the only clone who hasn't had his brain destroyed and he must figure out if he's destined for greatness or to be simply an organ bank for his maker. The book doesn't feel like what I think of as science fiction, but it definitely deserved every award that's plastered on the cover. Highly recommended.

-Everyday Reading

...will leave you in a grace period upon finishing it - you will want to just sit and ponder the story and it's issues before beginning a new book. It is a book that, while not completely relevant to our modern society, almost everyone can relate to through the characters feelings and struggles...Nancy Farmer created a wonderfully unique story. There is humour and there is pain. It will leave some sort of impact on all who read it.

-brittanyann013

3 negative reviews:

Farmer has tried to create a certain view of society, but too many gaps existed in the world she created for the social commentary to make sense or deliver any message. Despite all the awards, I'm definitely done with Farmer's work.

-Tia's Book Musings

...despite the wonderfully drawn out characters and thought provoking themes, The House of the Scorpion weakens at the end, where the plot strays too far and goes around in crazy directions too quickly.

-Yuri Kim

She writes very well and I was hooked, reading without a break. In the end I felt disappointed because the plot didn't come together. The finale felt improvised - with the author trying to somehow tie all the strands together and doing a less than stellar job. 

-Ming Jeong Lee



Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins
Synopsis:
In an intimate and absorbing drama about a displaced Indian family in the 1970s, Perkins (Monsoon Summer) vividly highlights the conflict between traditional Indian values and feminist ideals. After Ashas father goes to America in search of a new job, the rest of the family moves from Delhi to Calcutta to live in the more restrictive household headed by her grandmother. As often as she can, Asha escapes to the rooftop to confide her woes to her secret keeper, a diary; breaking the rules of the house, she also befriends the son of the family next door, who gazes at her through a window. But their relationship changes irrevocably when tragedy prompts Asha to make a painful sacrifice for the sake of her mother and sister. Readers may not always agree with Ashas bold decisions, but they will admire her courage and selflessness as she puts her familys needs before her own. Besides offering insight into Indian culture, Perkins offers a moving portrait of a rebellious teen who relies on ingenuity rather than charm to prove her worth.

my review. 

3 positive reviews:

The characters drew a hole in my heart from how life like they were and how the ending wasn't exactly what I wants. It was still amazing. If you want to discover a book, that will pull your heart strings and makes you wonder... How much would you sacrifice to save someone that you loved? It also was great at making Asha and It seem like real sisters. I really hope that you check this book out.

-Sarah Woodard

This book had one of the most satisfying endings I've read in a long time. The sacrifices Asha makes and the growth she shows was truly heart warming.

-Eclectic Reader

I enjoyed the progression and development of all of the characters all up until and through the heartbreaking and surprising development at the end. I didn't want it to happen, but I don't think it could have ended any other way.

-My Friend Amy

3 negative reviews:

hmm I honestly can't find any negative reviews.

Hope you end up reading those books and I hope you find some new blogs.