Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca La Block

Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After losing contact with her family during the Earth Shake that hits futuristic Los Angeles Pen takes off on an epic adventure to find them. Along the way Pen encounters dangerous creatures and giants and must fit her way through each obstacle.

Love in the Time of Global Warming is La Block's take on a contemporary dystopian version of The Odyssey. While it draws on elements from the original epic, Lia Block takes a refreshing approach in her telling. This is something that will easily appeal to teens whether or not they have read Homer's original. It is full of action and fantasy that keeps readers on the edge of their seat. I read this in one sitting.

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Striker: Sudden Death by Nick Hale

Sudden Death by Nick Hale
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jake's father is a former pro-football(soccer) player turned coach who has now been offered a job coaching the Russian St. Petersburg team. The team scout collapses at dinner with Jake and his father and foul-play is suspected. Twists and turns abound as more people surrounding the team turn up dead. Jake begins to suspect his father has something to do with the murders and begins to investigate himself.

The plot is interesting although the writing is at times bogged down by heavy description. Fans of Robert Muchamore's Cherub series may enjoy this series as well. The action scenes fly, but other scenes move too slowly due to the abundance of description. All in all, a good, solid start to a mystery series that middle school and high school students will enjoy.

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Like Mandarin

Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

After reading Hubbard's second book Wanderlove I was super excited to read her first book Like Mandarin. One of the things that Hubbard does extremely well is use the setting as an additional character. Set in Wyoming, Like Mandarin is the story of 14 year old brainy Grace and her fascination with 18 year old Mandarin who is known for her trysts with men and running wild through town. Grace is tasked to help Mandarin complete a community service project for graduation. As the two become friends, it is increasingly clear that both girls suffer from psychological issues. Mandarin decides to take off for California after graduation in search of a modeling career and asks Grace to join her.

The opening is promising, but Grace's obsession with Mandarin turns disturbing. I had trouble making heads or tails of the girls relationship and struggled to find the message. That being said, the writing is strong and descriptive. Overall, this is one that might appeal to some teen girls, but I feel that Wanderlove is a stronger effort with a larger appeal.

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Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Charming, unique book. Between the Lines had an unexpected charm. It is the story of a book character who wants to break free from his fairy tale. It's a unique take that incorporates fairy tales and modern teen life. This is one that will appeal to a wide teen audience. Some of Jodi Picoult's adult followers may enjoy this one as well.

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The Future of Us by Jay Asher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having been a high school student in the mid-90s I have to say I loved this book! The pop culture references were spot on and took me right back to my teen years. I'm not sure how much teens of today will relate to it, but I do think they will like the social media aspect of it.

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What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Great coming-of-age story! Mclean's parents' divorce made front page news after her mother's affair with the local university's basketball coach. Her father took a job as a consultant moving from town to town trying to save failing restaurants. Disgusted with her mother, Mclean decides to live with her father, much to her mother's dismay. The novel picks up as Mclean and her father are moving to their fourth city in 2 years. As the story unfolds you find that Mclean picks a new persona and identity in each new city as to not become too attached. Before she knows it, the walls she's carefully built begin to crumble as classmates Riley, Deb, and Dave befriend her. She comes to realize she's taken on new identities in each city not only to protect herself, but also because she lost her sense of her own identity with her parents divorce. Before she can figure out who she is, she has to let go of her anger.



Told with honesty and well-rounded characters, this is a great read about what happens to a teen when parents divorce. Mclean is given a realistic voice, and her relationships with her parents and friends are just as realistically complex. This would be a good recommendation for any teen struggling with parental relationships.



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Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Teen beauty queens competing in the "Miss Tenn Dream" pageant are in a plane crash on their way to a tropical island during the contest. Only about a dozen survive the crash and they must devise a survival plan until they are rescued. What develops is a series of laugh out loud episodes as the girls deal with the wilderness. The story is told in alternating sections for each girl and shows the reader what life was like pre-pageant for each girl. Each contestant's background and reasons for entering the pagaent are explored. There are some twists and turns and surprises along the way which I won't spoil, but it was a unique read in a fantastic way.



I would recommend this one for older teens. For the librarians and teachers out there, the book does include discussions of sexuality and gender so just be aware of that before recommending.



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