Making out – Jake Finds Out

So I know you’ve been waiting with baited breath…

So we continue on with the saga of the Chatam island teens. In this installment we witness the fallout of Zoey’s decision to choose Lucas over Jake. When Jake finds out the group of teens is divided as the new couples form. As soon as Jake is alone, Claire leaves Benjamin for Jake. Nina then decides to pursue her feelings for Benjamin. As soon as it seems that things have settled down Lucas and Zoey find out that he is being shipped off to Texas to live with his grandfather. Zoey and Lucas struggle to find a way for their relationship to survive while Benjamin tries to convince the real driver that Lucas shouldn’t have to suffer even more something he didn’t do.

It seems to me that perhaps this series could be condensed down, with each book in the series become one or several chapters. Although the author is very good at making you want to finish the book. With the big plot points wrapped up she throws you a single sentence about Nina that makes you want to go on to the next book, Nina won’t tell.

Age range: 14-16
Ranking: Quality: 2/5 Popularity: 3/5

Making out – Zoey fools around

The first book in the “Making out” series (formaly “Boyfriends and Girlfriends”)

Zoey lives in a small close-knit community on an island off the coast of Maine. She is in her last year of High School and all is pretty standard except that her boyfriend Jake’s older brother was killed in a drunk driving accident. Lucas one of the other people in the car has confessed and been sentenced to two years. The majority of this book takes place after Lucas returns to the island. Zoey is torn by her “duty” to her boyfriend and the other islanders to shun Lucas and her feelings for him. It is very slowly revealed that perhaps Lucas the only one uninjured in the small car was not the driver after all. Even if he is not a killer is Lucas who Zoey wants or does she really love Jake.

This book wasn’t very good but the writing was compelling in places. Overall the story was about 100 pages too long. The truth that was hinted at so many times was pretty obvious and I was pretty sure that I knew how things were going to go down. I felt compelled however to finish the book just to be proved right. And I will read the next one just to see what happens when Jake finds out.

Age range: 14-16
Ranking: Quality 2/5 Popularity 3/5

Flipped

Flipped tells the story of Bryce and Julianna, known as Juli, who live across the street from one another. Told in alternating chapters you get both of their points of view of the monumental events in their lives. The book begins when Bryce and his family move into the neighbourhood in second grade and ends when they are both in eights grade. This book doesn’t really have an issue or really a strong plot line. It is really a story of their relationship and how it changes over time, as well as how they and their families change. The story moves around a few main events: the destruction of Juli’s favourite sycamore tree, Juli’s entry in the science fair, Bryce’s Grandfather coming to live with them and Bryce’s selection as “basket boy”. Getting both sides of the story makes it easier for you to get at the “truth” of what happened. The resolution of the book although not complete was fantastic.

I absolutely loved this book. I found that the method of storytelling using both Bryce and Juli’s voices really brought the feelings to live. At different times within the book you are completely onside with one character and think the other is being silly, but then as quick as anything things change. The growth of the characters is amazing as the book spans a good seven years. It is also interesting to see how what they think about each other and their families also change. I would definitely add this to my collection. I think that this book could work equally well for boys and girls, as both characters are very sympathetic and realistic.

Age range: 13 plus

Ranking: Quality – 5/5 Popularity – 4/5

Sticks and Stones

Jujube is a normal high school girl, that is until she goes out to her boyfriend’s car during a dance. “Mr. Warpspeed” tries to get her to do more than she wants, but she says no and they go back in. Jujube finds out that she has been labeled as a slut. Jujube discovers how hard it is to fight against a label, especially since no one is interested in the truth. Jujube and her friend Carlos use an English project about communication to bring to light the hurtful side of gossip, graffiti and labels.

The issues dealt with in this book are universal, as most teens have been labeled as something they are not. Trying to cope with this label is something that many teens struggle with and “Sticks and Stones” actually shows a very positive was to deal with it. The book is well written and enjoyable to read. It was possible to forget that this was supposed to be a hi/lo book as you didn’t notice the simplicity of the writing or storyline at all. I would like to see Orca put out a book about the other side of this story, the pressure on teenage boys to be sexually experienced and brag about it to their friends.

Age range: 12 plus
Ranking: Quality – 4/5 Popularity – 5/5

10 Things to Do Before You’re 16

Beth and Anna have just turned 15 and have realized that time is running out if they are going to be fabulous and popular by their 16th birthday. They live in the shadow of Frankie, the fabulous girl at school, who has a modeling contract and gets into clubs. They decide to make a list of the 10 things that they need to do over the next year. Jump ahead nine months and the girls still haven’t done anything on their list. They push themselves into overdrive to get it done. Some of their efforts, like home applied hair extensions, are a disaster and others work out well. They learn that although pampering and preening can be fun that it isn’t necessary for happiness.

A fun little book that and old English teacher of mine would refer to as “toilet reading”. This was a very quick read with not that much substance but I still wanted to know how it ended. There is some Brit slang that some readers may have trouble with but you get used to it rather quickly.

Age range: 14 – 16

Ranking: Quality – 3 Popularity – 4?

Zee’s Way

Zee and his friends have it in for the merchants of a local strip mall, but they deserve it. As the “war” between the merchants and the boys escalate Zee decides to graffiti the side of the building. But as an artist Zee decides to paint a door on the wall as well. Although the merchants paint over the graffiti they leave the door. After a few repeats of the tagging Zee gets caught by Mr. Feniuk, who hires him to paint a mural rather than graffiti. As Zee discovers that the merchants aren’t all that bad he and Mr. Feniuk decide that perhaps they can bring the two sides together.

This hi/lo was much slower paced than Death Wind but I still enjoyed it. I felt that the situation that was portrayed was much more realistic and could probably be understood by more teens. Although this book lacks action, Zee’s thoughts and feelings are explored in more depth. I think that perhaps the target audience, teen boys who don’t like to read, may not appreciate this fact. This is not the best hi/lo that I’ve read.

Age range: 14 plus
Ranking: Quality – 2 Popularity – 3

Luna

Told through the eyes of a young girl, Regan, trying to come to grips with the fact that her brother is a girl. Regan has become the only support for her older brother Liam, who now goes by the chosen name of Luna. He has decided it is time to transition to being a woman on a full time basis, not just at night. The burden that Regan carries isolates her socially and contributes to her struggles in school. At school she is always in the shadow of super intelligent Liam. At home she is trying to defend Liam and herself from their overbearing father. When she gets paired up with the new guy in chemistry class Regan thinks her luck is finally changing, but Luna’s unstoppable emergence throws everything off kilter. It is really difficult to summarize the depth of emotions expressed in this book. As we follow Regan she learns to deal with who she is as well as who her brother is.

This book was mesmerizing. The storytelling is fantastic, seamlessly merging the present with flashbacks. Even though this book does not tell Liam/Luna’s story completely you do get enough bits and pieces to be able to empathize with the character, you know why she must be free. I loved the way that Regan doesn’t really understand why Liam is transgender but that doesn’t matter, she loves and supports him. Throughout the book I just wanted desperately for Regan to be happy, to be able to have someone to be there for her. Really I wanted to be there for her and Liam and I guess that is the sign of a great book.

Age Range: 15 plus
Ranking: Quality – 5 Popularity – 3

Death Wind

Allie’s parents are fighting all the time, she has failed three of her four classes and she thinks she may be pregnant. To get away from all of this she decides to run away and join her friend Razz on his skateboarding tour. After a few days Allie and Razz return to Barrie, much to Allie’s disappointment. As they arrive back in town it is hit by a tornado. Allie and Razz witness the destruction and Allie must find her parents. Allie realizes that her problems seem small in comparison to the wake of destruction.

Hi/lo books are supposed to be quick and compelling reads that are driven by actions and this is definitely true of Death Wind. The background information is presented in a couple of sentences. The focus is on Allie’s thoughts and feelings. I found that the level of action presented in Death Wind might be seen as unrealistic, although the tornado is based on a real event. The only criticism I have is the way that this book ends. Allie finds her parents alive and well and tells them that she is flunking and possibly pregnant and they decide to rebuild their house and family. Perhaps I just want to hear more, what happens to Allie after the shock of the tornado wears off. Does her family really change?

Age Range: 12 plus
Ranking: Quality – 3 Popularity – 4