Librarian book reviews

Year of the Beasts by Cecil Castelucci

March 14, 2012 saralissapaulson

Year of the beast

by Sara

Tess is not as beautiful as her sister Lulu and when Lulu starts going out with Tess’s own not-very-secret crush Charlie, her jealousy takes control. Just for spite, she starts hanging out with the not-so-popular kid, Jasper, who is actually pretty nice, but a loner. She just cannot see beyond the rage inside, not even enough to be nice to her new boyfriend. Comics are thrown in and tell the story of her becoming Medusa, for all her jealous acts like ruining Lulu’s cute new shoes, and a strange but alluring Minotaur trying to show her a new path. If she doesn’t either start to appreciate Jasper or give up her jealous feelings for Lulu, tragedy will come knocking on her door. Read it to find out just how it will unfold for lost, angry Tess. I recommend this to all girls and boys who are trying to find a way to be a good sibling or a good boyfriend/girlfriend. You know it just ain’t easy!

(Roaring Brook, 2012)

Librarian book reviews

47 Book Club pick – Drive By by Lynne Ewing

February 5, 2012February 5, 2012 saralissapaulson

Drive by is a story of JImmy, a teenager whose death revealed a double life. He was against gangs, never told his family, but when he was shot, the truth came out. Jimmy is complex character–one that has good intentions, but goes about obtaining his goals by breaking the law. If you think you live in a bad neighborhood, just read about this one. What would you do if you were the oldest son and had to support your family? Would you follow Jimmy’s footsteps or Tito’s? Read this book and see how hard life can really be if you are a young man. We all felt for Tito and his little sister Mina. Read this and walk a mile in their shoes.