Sweethearts

Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

Stars: 2 out of 5
Genre: Fiction
Age group: 15 and up

When I picked up, Sweethearts, I thought it would be about 2 young lovers who get separated then meet again, fall in love, and then get married.

Like most things, I was wrong.

Sweethearts is about 2 outcasts, Jennifer and Cameron. When Cameron disappears, Jennifer is devastated that her only friend is gone. In high school, Jennifer changes and known as the popular Jeanna. Life is good until Cameron comes back and Jeanna is afraid that Jennifer will slip out.

Sweethearts was an unique book. The characters were original. The plot was one of a kind. You won't find another ending like this. Sweethearts is written in the future and Jenna/Jennifer is looking back at the beginning. I liked that part because it kept the book interesting.

Like Story of a Girl, Sara Zarr wrote a unique, one of a kind, and original book.

Book Blogging Appreciation Week

My Friend Amy has created a week dedicated to book bloggers. That idea is pretty great. It's time to open nominations for Book Blogger Appreciation Week Awards 2008!

Listed below are the categories of awards. There are many. You may not have a nomination for each award. It doesn't matter. Nominate up to two blogs per category and send an email to BbawawardsATgmailDOTcom with your choices. You DO NOT have to have a blog to make nominations. Comments left on this post will NOT be accepted as nominations. Each category will be narrowed to the top five blogs by number of nominations received, so don't be shy!!! Support your favorite blogs and bloggers! Nominations will close on August 31st.

And the categories for the Book Blogger Appreciation Week Awards 2008 are:
Best General Book
Best Kidlit Blog
Best Christian/Inspirational Fiction Blog
Best Literary Fiction Blog
Best Book Club Blog
Best Romance Blog
Best Thrillers/Mystery/Suspense Blog
Best Non-fiction Blog
Best Young Adult Lit
BlogBest Book/Publishing Industry Blog
Best Challenge Host
Best Community Builder
Best Cookbook Blog
Best History/Historical Fiction Blog
Best Design
Most Chatty
Most Concise
Most Eclectic Taste
Best Name for a Blog
Best Published Author Blog
Best Book published in 2008
Best Meme/Carnival/Event
Most Extravagant GiveawaysBest Book Community site

Send in your nominees now! For more info, go here: http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/2008/08/bbaw-award-nominations-are-open.html

New template

As you can see, I changed the template from 2 columns into 3 columns. I think that this extra column will help you find information easier. What do you think? Do you like this template or the other one with 2 columns? Also, if you have any templates you like, I would appreciate it if you give me the download link.

Have a nice day,
mary

Something to Blog About

Something to Blog About by Shana Norris

Stars: 2.5 out of 5
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age group: All ages

When I first saw the title of this book, I knew I had to had it. The title had the word blog in it and I'm writing a blog. Plus the cover page is pretty funny, I mean, fire is dangerous, but fire is funny in hair.

The book itself was okay. The characters were cute. The plot was funny. However I felt that the problem of the exposed blog should have been stretched out more. It would be more problematic if Angela wrote some lies in it or if the teachers were included in the blog.

Overall, this book was cute.

My first contest!

Listen up, all book fans and reviews! I'm having a contest! Book Reviews 4 Teens are reviews of teen books through a teen's eyes. I've decided that I need another reviewer. To participate, just send your name (first name only), age (must be 13-19), a paragraph of why you want to write for Book Reviews 4 Teens and a review of your favorite book to miaoru95@aol.com. If I get enough emails, I may choose more winners. The winner (or winners) will be announced on 9/30/08.

Eligibility:

1) You must be a teen between the ages of 13 and 19.

2) You must speak, write, and read ENGLISH fluently.

3) If chosen, you must write at least 1 review every month.

Rules:
1) One email from each person. You may give more than 1 review, but 3 reviews max.

2) The email must come before 9/26. I will choose the winner (or winners) on 9/30/08.

Prizes:
One winner (or more) gets the honor of writing for Book Reviews 4Teens.

Have fun and if you have any questions, feel free to comment. :)

xoxoxo,
mary

Tattoo

Tattoo by Jennifer Barnes

Stars: 4 out of 5

Genre: Fantasy

Age Group: all ages

This book was amazing. Tattoo was filled with teen drama, mystery, action, adventure and tons more.

One of my favorite parts was the powers. Barnes had a lot of creatitvity with them. How Delia used her power was funny and my favorite. I really liked how in the ending, Bailey discovers that she gets to keep her powers. That seemed like the story was going to stretch on and it wasn't going to end. I would love to read the sequel of this book and other books by Barnes.

Great job, Jennifer Barnes!

Hacking Harvard

Hacking Harvard by Robin Wasserman

Stars: 4 out of 5
Genre: Fiction
Age group: 14 and up

The title was the thing that caught my eye when I was looking for a book. When I opened the book, I thought it was going to be about a bunch of morons trying to breaking into Harvard for some things, getting caught, and learning their lesson.

I was wrong.

When I read the first chapters, I doubted that the boys could break into the Ivy League. Again, I was wrong. I kept making these assumptions that were wrong. Surprises were on every page. What surprised me the most was the ending. It was far from what I expected. This book is truly one of a kind.



Hacking Harvard is clever, funny, and perfect for everyone.

Win a copy of Breaking Dawn!

For all you Twilighters, you have a chance to win Breaking Dawn! Enter at this link:
http://bookroomreviews.wordpress.com/2008/08/23/win-a-copy-of-breaking-dawn/#comments

Enter now!

DollarsTo Donuts

Dollars to Donuts by Matt Groening

Stars: 3 out of 5
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fiction
age group: all ages


This book was very cute and funny. Every single page had full color graphics and made me laugh out loud. It was fun to read about each different but wacky adventures of the Simpsons and friends. It was hilarious and genius to make Homer and Ned switch places for a day. Even though this book is 150 pages of comics, I learned a lot about certain characters like Ned's and Sideshow Mel's past...



If you want a wonderful book that will stick with you for a long time, Simpsons Comics Dollars to Donuts is your book!

The Krusty Book

The Krusty Book by Matt Groening

Stars: 3 out of 5
Genre: Fiction
Age group: all ages

Though Krusty is a freak, this book was interesting. I learned a lot about Krusty's "job", attitude, and friends. Even though his jokes are lame, the book was very cute and Krusty is a freak. I recommend any book in The Simpsons Library of Wisdom to anyone who loves The Simpsons.

Nice work, Matt!

The Lisa Book

The Lisa Book by Matt Groening

Stars: 4 out of 5
Genre: Fiction
Age Group: All ages

As a big fan of Lisa Simpson and The Simpsons, I really enjoyed this book. Filled with random facts, character profiles, full color pictures, and Lisa, this book was a joy to read. It reminded me of all those hours watching The Simpsons at night with my brother.

Matt Groening is a genius, first with the hit TV show, and now the books for even more Simpson fun!

Forever

Forever by Judy Blume

Stars: 2 out of 5
Genre: Love, realistic fiction
age group: 15 and up

Honestly, I didn't get this book. There isn't really a plot, the main characters are boring, the extra characters aren't necessarily, and the ending was not really an ending. Forever was a like a chapter in a book. I really didn't get it.

If Kath has a boyfriend and if she loves him, why did she think about Theo? She didn't even feel guilty. When Michael dumped her, why wasn't she feeling upset? Who does Kath choose, Theo or Micheal?These questions are still unanswered. Just thinking these questions made me feel like the love between Kath and Michael wasn't all that strong.

Judy Blume, I think you better stick with writing kids books about Fudge.

Anasi Boys

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

Stars: 3 out of 5
Genre: Fantasy
Age Group: 14 and up

When I picked up Anansi Boys, I didn't know what to expect. I never read Neil Gaiman's works before. After I was done, I was glad that I read a fantastic author's works.

While reading Anansi Boys, I was fascinated at Gaiman's cleverness and Anansi's history. I learned so much about the witty spider Anansi and his sons, Charles "Fat Charlie" and Spider. The characters were so different but kept bumping into each other in the book which caused several plots.

Neil Gaiman wrote a witty, smart, and scary good story.

Street Love

Street Love by Walter Dean Myers

Stars: 3 out of 5
Genre: Love, Realistic fiction
Age group: 14 and up

This was actually one of my first Walter Dean Myers book I've read and I have to say, Myer's is quite an author.

Street Love is written in stanzas in different character's views. That is really cool to see what each character is thinking.

Street Love was so sweet in it's own way. It wasn't sappy love; it was more like boyfriend/girlfriend love. However, you can still feel the bond between Junice and Damien. I really liked that Myers made it so that they loved each other but Damien's parents hated Junice's family. Junice's family was in trouble and Junice's mother didn't like that Junice was spending time with a boy. That forbidden love caused by the parents made Damien and Junice love each other even more.

I saw how the setting effects the plot. Junice and Damien grew up in Harlem, New York. The descriptions about the setting were so vivid, I felt I was watching Junice's and Damien's love grow.

Street Love is a remarkable remake of Romeo and Juliet 21st century!

Book Contest

There will be a book contest for The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong on this link:

http://bookroomreviews.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/ya-monday-the-summoning-by-kelley-armstrong/#comments

Enter! It's a great contest to win a great book!

Breaking Dawn

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Stars: 4.5 out of a possible 5
Genre:Fantasy, Love
Age Group: 15 and up

Breaking Dawn was a thrill to read. It kept me on the edge of my seat. There were surprises on each page. I literally gasped on each page and my brother found me talking to myself about the book. Even though the book is around 700 pages, it was one of the fastest book I've read. It was impossible to put down.

When I was done with the book, I was upset I finished it, so I read it again. The second time was even better. I still enjoyed reading about the love between the vampire, Edward, and the human, Bella. Even days after I finished it, I still found myself dreaming and thinking about it. Breaking Dawn will stay with it you for a long time!

I was a little disappointed there wasn't any fighting like in the other books of the Twilight Saga. I really wanted to see Bella's gift in the battlefield.

I have to say, Well done, Stephenie Meyer! It was a great end to a great series!

Why a Blog?

I created this blog for books and teens. This blog is made especially for teens. These reviews are books for teens through a teen's eyes.

In this blog, you can comment on my reviews to discuss whether or not you agree with me. But, please, no foul language. If you want a book that you want my review on, feel free to tell me.

I hope I can please teens with my reviews. I also want more teens to read. Studies have shown that kids who read during the summer do better in school. So, please, read. Enjoy!