The "F" Reviews--See the content keys for an explanation of the numbers.
The Fall of Five, by Pitticus Lore
See the review for Lorien Legacies.
See the review for Lorien Legacies.
See the content keys for an explanation of the numbers.
The Fall, by Bethany Griffin
Why this book is worth considering:
There are two genres I purposely avoid in What's In It reviews--religious and horror (slasher and occult) novels--because most parents don't need help discerning the appropriateness of those for their teens. Once in a while, however, a book makes it onto the list that belongs in one of those categories, and The Fall is one of them. In this case, I didn't realize it was a horror novel until I was about halfway into it, and when I did, I decided to include it. Why? Many parents want strong writing and "literary" experiences for their teens, rather than mind candy, and, like Miss Perigrine's Home for Peculiar Children (another novel I would consider horror/fantasy that I reviewed for this website), The Fall helps meet this need. It is a re-imagining of the short story classic, "The Fall of the House of Usher," by Edgar Allen Poe. According to Griffin, elements of other Poe stories also weave their way through the novel. As someone who appreciates well-done re-imaginings of classics, I felt that The Fall belonged on the What's In It list.
Griffin does a masterful job creating a spooky, gothic mood in her novel with all the classic elements: murky bogs, dead foliage, a crumbling house full of creepy rooms, a tragic heroine, supporting characters who appear normal but aren't, a mysterious murder or two, crypts and curses and lots of ghosts. Anyone who loves old-fashioned ghost stories will be spellbound by this eerie tale until the end!
Why this book might not be right for your teen:
Although I love suspense stories, I found much of the novel to be both slow-moving and frustrating. For a long time, I wasn't even sure of the story's main conflict, because nothing important seemed to happen. Also, the story is told in first-person present and is non-linear. This means that we follow Madeline through different periods of her life, but while she remains in her own present, we hear her story in bits and pieces as we switch back and forth through time. Some readers really enjoy this, but I am not one of them. Although this is not a black mark against the novel itself, since it is only my personal preference, I felt that Griffin could have done a better job with it by altering the Madeline's voice at different ages. Because she sounded the same at 12 as she did at 17, for example, I found it more difficult to believe she was "real," and I had a harder time keeping track of how old she was and where I was in her life story.
Another reason I could not give this novel five stars is that I found myself aggravated by Griffin's choice to use heavy subtlety in outlining her characters, setting, and various events. Many authors like to reveal "just enough" to the reader to help them figure things out, and usually I do not need everything spelled out for me. However, in this novel, Griffin's idea of "just enough" was actually not nearly enough. Chapters often left me confused about what had just happened or what Madeline was really experiencing or what she was really trying to say. I couldn't even figure out the novel's historical setting or location until late in the novel, and even then I had to guess based on what I knew about Poe and a few minor details that Griffin did include. In some parts of the novel, too, I had to stop to review to make sense of some events, and even then I was often not sure if I really understood. Worst of all, at the end of the novel I was left completely frustrated, because Griffin ended on such a subtle note that I still don't understand the story's resolution. Some readers enjoy this kind of ambiguity, but I am not one of them.
Regarding mature content, parents should know that because of it's historical context, swear words are few or non-existent. And although there is a little romance, as Madeline becomes attracted to one of her doctors, but it is very mild. More troubling to some will be the frequent presence of ghosts, an animal's tragic death, a non-graphic murder, and a house that has an evil consciousness. The house is essentially a character that has a strong influence in the story, and its goal is to continue the line of the Usher family in order to perpetuate the curse that is at the heart of the story.
This occult element may be a deal-breaker for some parents, but there is a greater concern even for parents who don't mind that. Because Madeline, the bearer of the curse for her generation, has little opportunity to marry and continue the Usher line (she is so tied to the house that she cannot safely leave), the house begins to push her and her twin brother together as a way to continue the line. At the end, a friend of her brother does enter the house and seems like a potential husband for Madeline, but at the end of the novel (SPOILER ALERT!), Griffin chooses to be ambiguous about whether Madeline unites with her brother, the friend, or neither. Although no incest seems to actually occur (even that is a little unclear), the hints about incest as a way to continue the line are strong enough to potentially disturb many parents and possibly even teen readers.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to younger teens / older teens / all teens/ no teens.
Author Website: http://www.bethanygriffin.com/fall.html
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
Why this book is worth considering:
There are two genres I purposely avoid in What's In It reviews--religious and horror (slasher and occult) novels--because most parents don't need help discerning the appropriateness of those for their teens. Once in a while, however, a book makes it onto the list that belongs in one of those categories, and The Fall is one of them. In this case, I didn't realize it was a horror novel until I was about halfway into it, and when I did, I decided to include it. Why? Many parents want strong writing and "literary" experiences for their teens, rather than mind candy, and, like Miss Perigrine's Home for Peculiar Children (another novel I would consider horror/fantasy that I reviewed for this website), The Fall helps meet this need. It is a re-imagining of the short story classic, "The Fall of the House of Usher," by Edgar Allen Poe. According to Griffin, elements of other Poe stories also weave their way through the novel. As someone who appreciates well-done re-imaginings of classics, I felt that The Fall belonged on the What's In It list.
Griffin does a masterful job creating a spooky, gothic mood in her novel with all the classic elements: murky bogs, dead foliage, a crumbling house full of creepy rooms, a tragic heroine, supporting characters who appear normal but aren't, a mysterious murder or two, crypts and curses and lots of ghosts. Anyone who loves old-fashioned ghost stories will be spellbound by this eerie tale until the end!
Why this book might not be right for your teen:
Although I love suspense stories, I found much of the novel to be both slow-moving and frustrating. For a long time, I wasn't even sure of the story's main conflict, because nothing important seemed to happen. Also, the story is told in first-person present and is non-linear. This means that we follow Madeline through different periods of her life, but while she remains in her own present, we hear her story in bits and pieces as we switch back and forth through time. Some readers really enjoy this, but I am not one of them. Although this is not a black mark against the novel itself, since it is only my personal preference, I felt that Griffin could have done a better job with it by altering the Madeline's voice at different ages. Because she sounded the same at 12 as she did at 17, for example, I found it more difficult to believe she was "real," and I had a harder time keeping track of how old she was and where I was in her life story.
Another reason I could not give this novel five stars is that I found myself aggravated by Griffin's choice to use heavy subtlety in outlining her characters, setting, and various events. Many authors like to reveal "just enough" to the reader to help them figure things out, and usually I do not need everything spelled out for me. However, in this novel, Griffin's idea of "just enough" was actually not nearly enough. Chapters often left me confused about what had just happened or what Madeline was really experiencing or what she was really trying to say. I couldn't even figure out the novel's historical setting or location until late in the novel, and even then I had to guess based on what I knew about Poe and a few minor details that Griffin did include. In some parts of the novel, too, I had to stop to review to make sense of some events, and even then I was often not sure if I really understood. Worst of all, at the end of the novel I was left completely frustrated, because Griffin ended on such a subtle note that I still don't understand the story's resolution. Some readers enjoy this kind of ambiguity, but I am not one of them.
Regarding mature content, parents should know that because of it's historical context, swear words are few or non-existent. And although there is a little romance, as Madeline becomes attracted to one of her doctors, but it is very mild. More troubling to some will be the frequent presence of ghosts, an animal's tragic death, a non-graphic murder, and a house that has an evil consciousness. The house is essentially a character that has a strong influence in the story, and its goal is to continue the line of the Usher family in order to perpetuate the curse that is at the heart of the story.
This occult element may be a deal-breaker for some parents, but there is a greater concern even for parents who don't mind that. Because Madeline, the bearer of the curse for her generation, has little opportunity to marry and continue the Usher line (she is so tied to the house that she cannot safely leave), the house begins to push her and her twin brother together as a way to continue the line. At the end, a friend of her brother does enter the house and seems like a potential husband for Madeline, but at the end of the novel (SPOILER ALERT!), Griffin chooses to be ambiguous about whether Madeline unites with her brother, the friend, or neither. Although no incest seems to actually occur (even that is a little unclear), the hints about incest as a way to continue the line are strong enough to potentially disturb many parents and possibly even teen readers.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to younger teens / older teens / all teens/ no teens.
Author Website: http://www.bethanygriffin.com/fall.html
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia, by Candace Fleming
*Booklist Editor's Choice 2014; Booklist Editors Top of the List for Youth Nonfiction 2014; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon 2014; Horn book Fanfare 2014; Huffington Post Great Kid Books for Gift-Giving 2014; Junior Library Guild selection; Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book 2014; New York Public Library Best Books for Teens 2014; Publishers Weekly Best Young Adult Books 2014; School Library Journal Best Book 2014; Wall Street Journal 2014; Washington Post Best Books for Kids 2014; Cybils Award in Nonfiction for Young Adults, finalist*
Core themes: Russian history--Nicholas, last tsar of Russia; fall of one government and set up of new; consequences in a society when ruling powers don't come close to the people
Drugs/alcohol: There may have been references to adult drinking, but I did not record them.
Religion/occult: multiple factual references to Russian Orthodoxy in the context of Russian history and the Romanov family
Romance/sexuality: 1
Violence/abuse: multiple references to peasant struggles, uprisings, protests, and Russian revolution events that turned violent; description of the Romanov family murder
Vulgarities: 1
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: Although What's In It? focuses mostly on YA novels, true stories have always had their place here. At first I wasn't planning to include The Family Romanov and read it mostly because I was personally interested in it. After all, it is a history book more than anything else; it's not a memoir or a typical biography, for it provides as much a study of politics as it does the story of the last tsar of Russia. In addition, it did not seem particularly targeted to young adults but instead to a general audience. And yet, by the end of the book I decided it had to take its place among all the novels here. Fascinating, moving, shocking, exciting, and poignant, The Family Romanov is a must-read for any teen who enjoys history. In addition to the story of Tsar Nicholas and his family, the book includes many photographs of the royal family and key events, and it also includes eyewitness accounts from peasants and other commoners who lived during this turbulent time in Russian history.
I would suggest this book to: younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://www.candacefleming.com
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
*Booklist Editor's Choice 2014; Booklist Editors Top of the List for Youth Nonfiction 2014; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon 2014; Horn book Fanfare 2014; Huffington Post Great Kid Books for Gift-Giving 2014; Junior Library Guild selection; Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book 2014; New York Public Library Best Books for Teens 2014; Publishers Weekly Best Young Adult Books 2014; School Library Journal Best Book 2014; Wall Street Journal 2014; Washington Post Best Books for Kids 2014; Cybils Award in Nonfiction for Young Adults, finalist*
Core themes: Russian history--Nicholas, last tsar of Russia; fall of one government and set up of new; consequences in a society when ruling powers don't come close to the people
Drugs/alcohol: There may have been references to adult drinking, but I did not record them.
Religion/occult: multiple factual references to Russian Orthodoxy in the context of Russian history and the Romanov family
Romance/sexuality: 1
Violence/abuse: multiple references to peasant struggles, uprisings, protests, and Russian revolution events that turned violent; description of the Romanov family murder
Vulgarities: 1
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: Although What's In It? focuses mostly on YA novels, true stories have always had their place here. At first I wasn't planning to include The Family Romanov and read it mostly because I was personally interested in it. After all, it is a history book more than anything else; it's not a memoir or a typical biography, for it provides as much a study of politics as it does the story of the last tsar of Russia. In addition, it did not seem particularly targeted to young adults but instead to a general audience. And yet, by the end of the book I decided it had to take its place among all the novels here. Fascinating, moving, shocking, exciting, and poignant, The Family Romanov is a must-read for any teen who enjoys history. In addition to the story of Tsar Nicholas and his family, the book includes many photographs of the royal family and key events, and it also includes eyewitness accounts from peasants and other commoners who lived during this turbulent time in Russian history.
I would suggest this book to: younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://www.candacefleming.com
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
Far From the Tree, by Robin Benway
*National Book Award for Young People's Literature finalist, 2017;
Why this book is worth considering:
I haven't come across many novels about the lives of adopted or foster teens, and I think it's an issue that most people do not understand very well. I certainly don't, so I valued the experience of vicariously viewing the world through the eyes of the three very different teens who all take the role of protagonist this novel. Benway has obviously taken a lot of time to research her subject and talk to real teens, for she takes the reader deep into their minds in a way that could only be accomplished through genuine understanding, not just sympathetic guesswork and assumptions.
The storyline is complicated, yet smooth and well-crafted, if a little contrived at times, and Benway is gifted at creating dialogue that sounds so real that I really did feel at times like a fly on the wall. Best of all, though, is the last few chapters. This novel has a whopper of an ending, one of the most powerful I've read in YA novels. In fact, I will confess that I think I cried about four or five times--in a good way. I almost never cry over books. Far from the Tree is a story of family, friendship, identity, and most powerfully of all, the healing forgiveness of both self and others. Because of its heavy storyline, it is not what I'd call "entertainment" and is definitely not right for every teen, but I think that many teens--especially adopted and fostered teens--will connect meaningfully to this novel.
Regarding content of concern, the novel contains no sex, only a few references to it. There are also very few references to religion and just a little minor violence. Parents may like to know that adults are presented in a mostly positive light in this novel--flawed but supportive, selfless, loving, and committed to doing the best they can for their children.
Why this book might not be right for your teen:
As powerful as the ending of the novel was, the rest of it contained large portions that I didn't enjoy much at all. This is a highly realistic novel, gritty and raw and full of painful situations. Nothing is wrong with this, of course, but teens who need lighthearted novels will probably find this novel a "downer" until the beautiful ending. Also, I found it difficult to like the characters much, although Joaquin was my favorite. I sympathized with them, but oftentimes they were so bratty, sensitive, and selfish that I found myself wondering if they were more contrived than realistic. Although I work with teens and have teens of my own, these characters sometimes did not seem to correlate with my own experience with teens. This perception may be off, however; I may just be showing my age here. It could be that Benway understands teens better than I do, and I think that many teens will connect with and relate to the protagonists in a way that I can't.
Parents need to know that the novel contains a lot of content that may be concerning--frequent hard swearing, including blasphemy; a prominent and physical homosexual relationship (though no sex) for one protagonist; references to a past sexual relationship that ended up in pregnancy for another protagonist; an alcoholic parent who ends up in rehab; recreational marijuana; and a couple of references to the delights of sex. This novel is also a good example of how stories can be subtly instructive in ways that some conservative parents might not want for their teens. Early in the novel, for instance, the homosexual protagonist talks about how supportive and proud her parents were when she came out as a lesbian, because they are not "antiquated dinosaurs."
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to younger teens / older teens / all teens/ no teens.
Author Website: https://www.robinbenway.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
*National Book Award for Young People's Literature finalist, 2017;
Why this book is worth considering:
I haven't come across many novels about the lives of adopted or foster teens, and I think it's an issue that most people do not understand very well. I certainly don't, so I valued the experience of vicariously viewing the world through the eyes of the three very different teens who all take the role of protagonist this novel. Benway has obviously taken a lot of time to research her subject and talk to real teens, for she takes the reader deep into their minds in a way that could only be accomplished through genuine understanding, not just sympathetic guesswork and assumptions.
The storyline is complicated, yet smooth and well-crafted, if a little contrived at times, and Benway is gifted at creating dialogue that sounds so real that I really did feel at times like a fly on the wall. Best of all, though, is the last few chapters. This novel has a whopper of an ending, one of the most powerful I've read in YA novels. In fact, I will confess that I think I cried about four or five times--in a good way. I almost never cry over books. Far from the Tree is a story of family, friendship, identity, and most powerfully of all, the healing forgiveness of both self and others. Because of its heavy storyline, it is not what I'd call "entertainment" and is definitely not right for every teen, but I think that many teens--especially adopted and fostered teens--will connect meaningfully to this novel.
Regarding content of concern, the novel contains no sex, only a few references to it. There are also very few references to religion and just a little minor violence. Parents may like to know that adults are presented in a mostly positive light in this novel--flawed but supportive, selfless, loving, and committed to doing the best they can for their children.
Why this book might not be right for your teen:
As powerful as the ending of the novel was, the rest of it contained large portions that I didn't enjoy much at all. This is a highly realistic novel, gritty and raw and full of painful situations. Nothing is wrong with this, of course, but teens who need lighthearted novels will probably find this novel a "downer" until the beautiful ending. Also, I found it difficult to like the characters much, although Joaquin was my favorite. I sympathized with them, but oftentimes they were so bratty, sensitive, and selfish that I found myself wondering if they were more contrived than realistic. Although I work with teens and have teens of my own, these characters sometimes did not seem to correlate with my own experience with teens. This perception may be off, however; I may just be showing my age here. It could be that Benway understands teens better than I do, and I think that many teens will connect with and relate to the protagonists in a way that I can't.
Parents need to know that the novel contains a lot of content that may be concerning--frequent hard swearing, including blasphemy; a prominent and physical homosexual relationship (though no sex) for one protagonist; references to a past sexual relationship that ended up in pregnancy for another protagonist; an alcoholic parent who ends up in rehab; recreational marijuana; and a couple of references to the delights of sex. This novel is also a good example of how stories can be subtly instructive in ways that some conservative parents might not want for their teens. Early in the novel, for instance, the homosexual protagonist talks about how supportive and proud her parents were when she came out as a lesbian, because they are not "antiquated dinosaurs."
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to younger teens / older teens / all teens/ no teens.
Author Website: https://www.robinbenway.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
See the content keys for an explanation of the numbers.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
*movie released in 2014, TODAY Book Club pick, TIME Magazine’s #1 Fiction Book of 2012, #1 New York Times Bestseller, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller, #1 USA Today Bestseller, #1 International Bestseller, #1 Indie Bestseller, 2013 Children’s Choice Book Awards for Teen Book of the Year*
Core themes: love (“Love is keeping the promise anyway”), cancer, death, Big Questions: Is life good? What is the meaning of life? (Hazel says to Augustus that it is “mean of you to say that the only lives that matter are the ones that are lived for something or die for something” because she doesn’t think her life fits that description)
Drugs/alcohol: references to vodka and pot; angel dust in Howl; Augustus and Hazel drink champagne in Amsterdam (though not much, given their medications); Van Houten is an alcoholic and always drunk
Religion/occult: There are many references to religion, but faith itself is not an important part of their story. They both quickly dismiss empty platitudes. Augustus believes there is something more but Hazel doesn’t seem certain. She does talk about returning to a time before the Big Bang with the Word in uncreated space, so it’s possible she does believe in God. Later she thinks the “world wasn’t built for humans.” There is also a reference to Venerable Antonietta Meo (a Catholic).
Romance/sexuality: 1, 2, 5, 6
Violence/abuse: Augustus asks Hazel to read his favorite book, in which the main characters kills 118 individuals in 284 pages; many scenes of a violent video game in which terrorists are attacking and killed; they help a friend egg his ex-girlfriend’s car
Vulgarities: 1, 3, 4, 7
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: One of the main themes in the book is discovering the meaning of life. What is the purpose of life when you know you are going to die a painful death at a young age? What does it mean to watch the people who love you suffer as you suffer? What will happen to them when you die? Though Hazel is not religious and seems to be agnostic at best, her search for this meaning could be part of an interesting disussion of whether a belief in God gives our lives meaning. My favorite part of the book is after Augustus has died. Hazel’s father approaches her and they talk briefly of Augustus and how badly they feel after his death. He says to her that it was a “privilege to love him” and that it is exactly how her parents feel about her. He’s giving her a bit of the answer, a piece of the puzzle that gives her life meaning in the relationships she has with those who love her, even though it means grieving with and for her.
In Amsterdam, the cab driver tells them, “In freedom, most people find sin.” This is one of quite a few statements that could be interesting to discuss with young people reading the book. The sexual references and rough language in the book seem consistent with a group of teenagers suffering from cancer and watching their only friends (other young adults with cancer) suffer and even die. Rather than the problem of evil (how could God exist with such suffering), the main theme is a wondering about the meaning of life. The author seems to answer that wondering with a relationship, which is a fascinating answer.
I would suggest this book to: younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://johngreenbooks.com/
Reviewer: Jill Papsdorf
*movie released in 2014, TODAY Book Club pick, TIME Magazine’s #1 Fiction Book of 2012, #1 New York Times Bestseller, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller, #1 USA Today Bestseller, #1 International Bestseller, #1 Indie Bestseller, 2013 Children’s Choice Book Awards for Teen Book of the Year*
Core themes: love (“Love is keeping the promise anyway”), cancer, death, Big Questions: Is life good? What is the meaning of life? (Hazel says to Augustus that it is “mean of you to say that the only lives that matter are the ones that are lived for something or die for something” because she doesn’t think her life fits that description)
Drugs/alcohol: references to vodka and pot; angel dust in Howl; Augustus and Hazel drink champagne in Amsterdam (though not much, given their medications); Van Houten is an alcoholic and always drunk
Religion/occult: There are many references to religion, but faith itself is not an important part of their story. They both quickly dismiss empty platitudes. Augustus believes there is something more but Hazel doesn’t seem certain. She does talk about returning to a time before the Big Bang with the Word in uncreated space, so it’s possible she does believe in God. Later she thinks the “world wasn’t built for humans.” There is also a reference to Venerable Antonietta Meo (a Catholic).
Romance/sexuality: 1, 2, 5, 6
Violence/abuse: Augustus asks Hazel to read his favorite book, in which the main characters kills 118 individuals in 284 pages; many scenes of a violent video game in which terrorists are attacking and killed; they help a friend egg his ex-girlfriend’s car
Vulgarities: 1, 3, 4, 7
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: One of the main themes in the book is discovering the meaning of life. What is the purpose of life when you know you are going to die a painful death at a young age? What does it mean to watch the people who love you suffer as you suffer? What will happen to them when you die? Though Hazel is not religious and seems to be agnostic at best, her search for this meaning could be part of an interesting disussion of whether a belief in God gives our lives meaning. My favorite part of the book is after Augustus has died. Hazel’s father approaches her and they talk briefly of Augustus and how badly they feel after his death. He says to her that it was a “privilege to love him” and that it is exactly how her parents feel about her. He’s giving her a bit of the answer, a piece of the puzzle that gives her life meaning in the relationships she has with those who love her, even though it means grieving with and for her.
In Amsterdam, the cab driver tells them, “In freedom, most people find sin.” This is one of quite a few statements that could be interesting to discuss with young people reading the book. The sexual references and rough language in the book seem consistent with a group of teenagers suffering from cancer and watching their only friends (other young adults with cancer) suffer and even die. Rather than the problem of evil (how could God exist with such suffering), the main theme is a wondering about the meaning of life. The author seems to answer that wondering with a relationship, which is a fascinating answer.
I would suggest this book to: younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://johngreenbooks.com/
Reviewer: Jill Papsdorf
The Fiend and the Forge, by Henry H. Neff (The Tapestry, book 3)
Why this book is worth considering:
Wow. Things are bad. Demons rule and very few humans seem to care or want to do anything about it. Max, on the other hand, is ready to head out on his own. All the events in Max’s life seem to be preparing him for the next one. Tons of action and intrigue continue in the series, with just enough doubt to make you question which side is which at times...but not for very long. There are some instances where the book gets you to question who is good and who is evil… and then dumps you right back into the action. Trust, friendship, and family are steady themes in these books.
Why this book might not be right for your teen:
Demons rule the world and angels are apparently captive slaves. There continues to be a fair amount of violence…and fear…in small spaces in the dark with demons. Otherwise, the books continue to be really clean. There are hints of romance, references to swearing, and the only drugs are mythical poisons created from other-worldly sources.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to younger teens / older teens / all teens/ no teens.
Author Website: http://www.henryhneff.com/
Reviewer: Ethan Blomquist
Why this book is worth considering:
Wow. Things are bad. Demons rule and very few humans seem to care or want to do anything about it. Max, on the other hand, is ready to head out on his own. All the events in Max’s life seem to be preparing him for the next one. Tons of action and intrigue continue in the series, with just enough doubt to make you question which side is which at times...but not for very long. There are some instances where the book gets you to question who is good and who is evil… and then dumps you right back into the action. Trust, friendship, and family are steady themes in these books.
Why this book might not be right for your teen:
Demons rule the world and angels are apparently captive slaves. There continues to be a fair amount of violence…and fear…in small spaces in the dark with demons. Otherwise, the books continue to be really clean. There are hints of romance, references to swearing, and the only drugs are mythical poisons created from other-worldly sources.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to younger teens / older teens / all teens/ no teens.
Author Website: http://www.henryhneff.com/
Reviewer: Ethan Blomquist
The Fixer, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
*RT Book Reviews--Top Pick, 2015*
Why this book is worth considering:
Tess Kendrick spends her time helping to maintain a ranch in Montana, trying to keep a low profile in high school and caring for her Grandpa who is slowly succumbing to Alzheimer's disease. The last thing she expected was for her older sister Ivy to return home and take control of everything she cares about. Within days of Ivy's arrival her Grandpa agrees to seek treatment in Boston and Tess is packed off to Washington D.C. to live with Ivy. Tess's world is turned upside down as she tries to navigate a daily relationship with her sister, whom she hasn't spoken to in years, and the new high profile political world her sister has thrust her into.
This is a new YA genre for me. I have read plenty of adult books in the political intrigue/suspense lane but never one written for YA. The author skillfully creates smart, funny, believable teens to populate her Washington D.C. thriller. The plot is realistic and could be taken straight from some recent news headlines. This story is devoid of foul language and awkward, inappropriate bedroom scenes; it also contains no swearing, religious content, or drinking/drugs. It is a clean, catchy story with enough mystery to keep you turning the pages.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
If you don't like political thrillers or mysteries then this book probably isn't for you. There is some light romantic tension but not enough to keep anyone who likes those types of stories interested. I will say I did figure out a few of the mysteries early on in the plot but it didn't take away from the overall story. The ending drags a little but it is still satisfactory and leaves enough questions unanswered to set up a sequel. I have read another YA book by Jennifer Lynn Barnes called The Naturals. It is a little more graphic as the plot centers around the hunt for a serial killer. The romantic tension and suspense is more palpable in the The Naturals series. I like that she creates teen characters who are smart and funny but not unrealistically so. You won't find any Dawson Creek dialogue in her books.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to: younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: www.jenniferlynnbarnes.com
Reviewer: Annika Holland
*RT Book Reviews--Top Pick, 2015*
Why this book is worth considering:
Tess Kendrick spends her time helping to maintain a ranch in Montana, trying to keep a low profile in high school and caring for her Grandpa who is slowly succumbing to Alzheimer's disease. The last thing she expected was for her older sister Ivy to return home and take control of everything she cares about. Within days of Ivy's arrival her Grandpa agrees to seek treatment in Boston and Tess is packed off to Washington D.C. to live with Ivy. Tess's world is turned upside down as she tries to navigate a daily relationship with her sister, whom she hasn't spoken to in years, and the new high profile political world her sister has thrust her into.
This is a new YA genre for me. I have read plenty of adult books in the political intrigue/suspense lane but never one written for YA. The author skillfully creates smart, funny, believable teens to populate her Washington D.C. thriller. The plot is realistic and could be taken straight from some recent news headlines. This story is devoid of foul language and awkward, inappropriate bedroom scenes; it also contains no swearing, religious content, or drinking/drugs. It is a clean, catchy story with enough mystery to keep you turning the pages.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
If you don't like political thrillers or mysteries then this book probably isn't for you. There is some light romantic tension but not enough to keep anyone who likes those types of stories interested. I will say I did figure out a few of the mysteries early on in the plot but it didn't take away from the overall story. The ending drags a little but it is still satisfactory and leaves enough questions unanswered to set up a sequel. I have read another YA book by Jennifer Lynn Barnes called The Naturals. It is a little more graphic as the plot centers around the hunt for a serial killer. The romantic tension and suspense is more palpable in the The Naturals series. I like that she creates teen characters who are smart and funny but not unrealistically so. You won't find any Dawson Creek dialogue in her books.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to: younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: www.jenniferlynnbarnes.com
Reviewer: Annika Holland
See the content keys for an explanation of the numbers.
Flipped, by Wendelin Van Draanen
*California Young Reader's Medal; 2002 International Literacy Association Children's Choice Award; 2004 California Young Reader Medal; made into movie 2010*
Core themes: sometimes people are greater--and sometimes less--than the sum of their parts; the importance of looking below the surface of people; compassion; superficial attraction maturing into true romantic feelings; knowing when to give second chances; being different is okay; seeing yourself and your family for what you really are; doing what’s right, even when you look foolish; how people perceive the same experience differently
Drugs/alcohol: none
Religion/occult: not observed for this title
Romance/Sexuality: 1, 2 Note: The "2” rating is because of a couple of non-graphic innuendos.)
Violence/abuse: in response to rebellious daughter’s outburst in calling him a jackass, he slaps her; key character’s family begins having a lot of loud arguments and relational issues midway through the novel
Vulgarities: 1, 2
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: I simply loved this book. It is a great example of the limitations of a book’s cover and blurb, because those of Flipped do no justice to the contents inside. I doubt this book is destined to become a classic, but it does deserve a permanent place on YA shelves. It’s warm, funny, sweet, authentic, and much more meaningful than I expected. The questionable material listed above was a little disturbing, but it wasn’t gratuitous. I felt the quality of the writing outshone the objectionable content, so I gave it to both my daughters to read as soon as I finished. The movie version is a pretty faithful adaptation, too.
I would suggest this book to younger teens / older teens / all teens/ no teens.
Author website: http://etrtr.blogspot.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
*California Young Reader's Medal; 2002 International Literacy Association Children's Choice Award; 2004 California Young Reader Medal; made into movie 2010*
Core themes: sometimes people are greater--and sometimes less--than the sum of their parts; the importance of looking below the surface of people; compassion; superficial attraction maturing into true romantic feelings; knowing when to give second chances; being different is okay; seeing yourself and your family for what you really are; doing what’s right, even when you look foolish; how people perceive the same experience differently
Drugs/alcohol: none
Religion/occult: not observed for this title
Romance/Sexuality: 1, 2 Note: The "2” rating is because of a couple of non-graphic innuendos.)
Violence/abuse: in response to rebellious daughter’s outburst in calling him a jackass, he slaps her; key character’s family begins having a lot of loud arguments and relational issues midway through the novel
Vulgarities: 1, 2
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: I simply loved this book. It is a great example of the limitations of a book’s cover and blurb, because those of Flipped do no justice to the contents inside. I doubt this book is destined to become a classic, but it does deserve a permanent place on YA shelves. It’s warm, funny, sweet, authentic, and much more meaningful than I expected. The questionable material listed above was a little disturbing, but it wasn’t gratuitous. I felt the quality of the writing outshone the objectionable content, so I gave it to both my daughters to read as soon as I finished. The movie version is a pretty faithful adaptation, too.
I would suggest this book to younger teens / older teens / all teens/ no teens.
Author website: http://etrtr.blogspot.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
The Fountains of Silence, by Ruta Sepetys
Why this book is worth considering:
I have deeply admired Ruta Sepetys' writing since I read her first novel, Between Shades of Gray. She is the kind of writer who will remain on bookshelves long after most authors have been forgotten. Not only are her stories well-crafted and illuminating, her writing is more artful than that of most contemporary authors. They also open windows into little-known pockets of history, and this is actually why I chose to read The Fountains of Silence in the first place. I know little about Spanish history, and I enjoyed learning about this part of it. The story is also compelling and complex. It is particularly sophisticated for a YA audience; in fact, I thought I was reading an adult novel until I was more than halfway through it. This is because it is actually a "crossover" novel, one that appeals to both teens and adults; however, I would not suggest it to teens under 16. This is only because of its mature thematic content, characters, and storyline. Despite its more adult appeal, it is surprisingly clean and would probably be rated PG if it were a movie.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
As beautifully written as Sepetys' novels are, they are neither light nor easy. The Fountains of Silence is more of a literary novel than an entertaining one. It also has some shocking historical content, some of which casts the Catholic Church is a morally questionable light that may confuse or disturb young Catholic readers. However, Sepetys treats the subject matter fairly and without exaggeration or stereotyping. There is a little violence and some references to adult activity, such as drinking, romance, and sex, but they will not be problematic for most readers. The novel is far cleaner than many YA novels. Concerned parents will need to consider this novel in terms of mature thematic and historical content more than anything else.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to: younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: https://rutasepetys.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
Why this book is worth considering:
I have deeply admired Ruta Sepetys' writing since I read her first novel, Between Shades of Gray. She is the kind of writer who will remain on bookshelves long after most authors have been forgotten. Not only are her stories well-crafted and illuminating, her writing is more artful than that of most contemporary authors. They also open windows into little-known pockets of history, and this is actually why I chose to read The Fountains of Silence in the first place. I know little about Spanish history, and I enjoyed learning about this part of it. The story is also compelling and complex. It is particularly sophisticated for a YA audience; in fact, I thought I was reading an adult novel until I was more than halfway through it. This is because it is actually a "crossover" novel, one that appeals to both teens and adults; however, I would not suggest it to teens under 16. This is only because of its mature thematic content, characters, and storyline. Despite its more adult appeal, it is surprisingly clean and would probably be rated PG if it were a movie.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
As beautifully written as Sepetys' novels are, they are neither light nor easy. The Fountains of Silence is more of a literary novel than an entertaining one. It also has some shocking historical content, some of which casts the Catholic Church is a morally questionable light that may confuse or disturb young Catholic readers. However, Sepetys treats the subject matter fairly and without exaggeration or stereotyping. There is a little violence and some references to adult activity, such as drinking, romance, and sex, but they will not be problematic for most readers. The novel is far cleaner than many YA novels. Concerned parents will need to consider this novel in terms of mature thematic and historical content more than anything else.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to: younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: https://rutasepetys.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
Frost, by Marianna Baer
*Cybils Award for YA Fiction finalist, 2011*
Why this book is worth considering:
I really enjoy suspenseful movies, so a suspenseful novel is the next best thing. This was an engrossing read, hard to put down and intriguing. It became spooky sometimes, but it's really more of a psychological thriller that hints that some of the events might or might not be paranormal. The author never really answers that question satisfactorily. Overall, I enjoyed the story quite a lot.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
Despite being a suspenseful pageturner, this novel contains quite a lot of mature content. First, it deals with difficult themes like drug abuse (though we don't start seeing it until late in the book), mental illness, and the question of whether immaterial beings (ghosts, demons, etc.) can be real. In the end (SPOILER ALERT), the author leaves readers hanging on this question, as if she doesn't want to say what she thinks but wants skeptical readers to be open to the idea, as well as to other possibilities. Some plot incidents that I'd been waiting to see resolved were just left with big question marks, which I personally found aggravating, however purposeful the author intended it. Generally, though, I think the author was trying to explore the point at which mental illness, drug abuse, and paranormal incidents intersect--that point where it's hard to tell exactly what is happening, because any of the three could be possibilities.
Apart from mature themes, the characters were also engaged in mature/controversial situations. For example, the protagonist was a virgin but had no intention of remaining one until marriage (her words), and she engaged with some heavy/lustful kissing. Overall, the characters were secular and worldly with no sense of God or spiritual matters (at least where the book is concerned). There was a brief scene that introduced a lesbian couple and other scenes that featured teens engaged in drinking, breaking school rules, premarital sex (subtle references only), and swearing (including blasphemy). The protagonist was clearly atheist, and she talked some about her belief in things that could be proven real. After reading the book, though, I don't think the author could have written the book with a protagonist who believed in the supernatural, because it would have altered the ideas that the book explores.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to: younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://mariannabaer.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
*Cybils Award for YA Fiction finalist, 2011*
Why this book is worth considering:
I really enjoy suspenseful movies, so a suspenseful novel is the next best thing. This was an engrossing read, hard to put down and intriguing. It became spooky sometimes, but it's really more of a psychological thriller that hints that some of the events might or might not be paranormal. The author never really answers that question satisfactorily. Overall, I enjoyed the story quite a lot.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
Despite being a suspenseful pageturner, this novel contains quite a lot of mature content. First, it deals with difficult themes like drug abuse (though we don't start seeing it until late in the book), mental illness, and the question of whether immaterial beings (ghosts, demons, etc.) can be real. In the end (SPOILER ALERT), the author leaves readers hanging on this question, as if she doesn't want to say what she thinks but wants skeptical readers to be open to the idea, as well as to other possibilities. Some plot incidents that I'd been waiting to see resolved were just left with big question marks, which I personally found aggravating, however purposeful the author intended it. Generally, though, I think the author was trying to explore the point at which mental illness, drug abuse, and paranormal incidents intersect--that point where it's hard to tell exactly what is happening, because any of the three could be possibilities.
Apart from mature themes, the characters were also engaged in mature/controversial situations. For example, the protagonist was a virgin but had no intention of remaining one until marriage (her words), and she engaged with some heavy/lustful kissing. Overall, the characters were secular and worldly with no sense of God or spiritual matters (at least where the book is concerned). There was a brief scene that introduced a lesbian couple and other scenes that featured teens engaged in drinking, breaking school rules, premarital sex (subtle references only), and swearing (including blasphemy). The protagonist was clearly atheist, and she talked some about her belief in things that could be proven real. After reading the book, though, I don't think the author could have written the book with a protagonist who believed in the supernatural, because it would have altered the ideas that the book explores.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to: younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://mariannabaer.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
Full Cicada Moon, by Marilyn Hilton
*A Junior Library Guild selection; APALA Literature Award--Children's, 2015-16; a Kirkus Best Book of 2015*
Why this book is worth considering:
Here is yet another middle-grade novel that is perfect for a young teen. Lyrical and lovely, it dives deep into the issues of race and identity in 1969 Vermont. The novel is written as a prose-poem, a format I feel is getting a little old, but it is written well. Although I found myself a little annoyed at times by the protagonist, 7th/8th grader Mimi Oliver, the author did a beautiful job weaving in both her perspectives and that of the heavily-white community in which she lived. Much of the novel seems a little preachy to white readers, but near the end the author manages to balance that out with a lighter, more understanding touch. This is a literary novel that early teens may not only enjoy reading but also discussing with other readers. I could hand it to any pre-teen or teen with a clear conscience.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
Being a middle-grade novel, parents can rest easy in regards to sex, violence, vulgar language, and other mature content. It does touch upon themes of race and interracial marriage, and it opens the door for a discussion of where America was in regards to race relations in 1969. The story touches lightly upon drinking, as Mimi's parents drink sake for their New Year's celebration and allow her a sip. Also, Mimi and her friend Stacey experience the first stirrings of romance with a couple of boys at school. Nothing inappropriate happens between them, however.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to: younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://www.marilynhilton.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
*A Junior Library Guild selection; APALA Literature Award--Children's, 2015-16; a Kirkus Best Book of 2015*
Why this book is worth considering:
Here is yet another middle-grade novel that is perfect for a young teen. Lyrical and lovely, it dives deep into the issues of race and identity in 1969 Vermont. The novel is written as a prose-poem, a format I feel is getting a little old, but it is written well. Although I found myself a little annoyed at times by the protagonist, 7th/8th grader Mimi Oliver, the author did a beautiful job weaving in both her perspectives and that of the heavily-white community in which she lived. Much of the novel seems a little preachy to white readers, but near the end the author manages to balance that out with a lighter, more understanding touch. This is a literary novel that early teens may not only enjoy reading but also discussing with other readers. I could hand it to any pre-teen or teen with a clear conscience.
Why it may not be right for your teen:
Being a middle-grade novel, parents can rest easy in regards to sex, violence, vulgar language, and other mature content. It does touch upon themes of race and interracial marriage, and it opens the door for a discussion of where America was in regards to race relations in 1969. The story touches lightly upon drinking, as Mimi's parents drink sake for their New Year's celebration and allow her a sip. Also, Mimi and her friend Stacey experience the first stirrings of romance with a couple of boys at school. Nothing inappropriate happens between them, however.
Literary artistry: * * * * *
I would suggest this book to: younger teens / older teens / all teens / no teens.
Author website: http://www.marilynhilton.com/
Reviewer: Cheri Blomquist
See the content keys for an explanation of the numbers.
The Future of Us, by Jay Asher
*Barnes & Noble's Best Teen Books of 2011; Publisher's Weekly Best Children's Fiction of 2011; New York Times bestseller; California Book Award Winner; Best Books for Young Adults (YALSA); Quick Picks for Reluctant YA Readers (YALSA); Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults (YALSA); Borders Original Voices finalist; International Reading Assoc. - Young Adults' Choices; Kirkus Reviews Editor's Choice; Book Sense Pick - Winter; Chicago Public Library Best Books; Association of Booksellers for Children - Best Books;
State Awards - Winner (voted on by students): Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota*
Core themes: divorce, teen love and friendship, blended families, discerning homosexual identity
Drugs/alcohol: none
Religion/occult: none
Romance/sexuality: 1, 2 (also, possible reference to a character entering a homosexual relationship, but book was unclear)
Violence/abuse: none
Vulgarities: 1, 3 (frequent)
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: Even though there is a lot of controversial content, this is a very real and down-to-earth book. I couldn't put it down, and I think there are things to learn from it. I loved it!
I would suggest this book to younger teens / older teens / all teens/ no teens.
Author website: http://jayasher.blogspot.com/
Reviewer: Annika Blomquist
*Barnes & Noble's Best Teen Books of 2011; Publisher's Weekly Best Children's Fiction of 2011; New York Times bestseller; California Book Award Winner; Best Books for Young Adults (YALSA); Quick Picks for Reluctant YA Readers (YALSA); Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults (YALSA); Borders Original Voices finalist; International Reading Assoc. - Young Adults' Choices; Kirkus Reviews Editor's Choice; Book Sense Pick - Winter; Chicago Public Library Best Books; Association of Booksellers for Children - Best Books;
State Awards - Winner (voted on by students): Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota*
Core themes: divorce, teen love and friendship, blended families, discerning homosexual identity
Drugs/alcohol: none
Religion/occult: none
Romance/sexuality: 1, 2 (also, possible reference to a character entering a homosexual relationship, but book was unclear)
Violence/abuse: none
Vulgarities: 1, 3 (frequent)
Literary artistry: * * * * *
Comments: Even though there is a lot of controversial content, this is a very real and down-to-earth book. I couldn't put it down, and I think there are things to learn from it. I loved it!
I would suggest this book to younger teens / older teens / all teens/ no teens.
Author website: http://jayasher.blogspot.com/
Reviewer: Annika Blomquist