It’s been a while since I’ve posted a review.  I haven’t had much time for reading lately.  I just finished another SC YA Book Award Nominee.  So here goes…

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

When I first started this book, I thought I wasn’t going to enjoy it.  The plot begins with Liz, a teenager who wakes up dead.  Yes, I just said that.  She journeys to Elsewhere instead of another “religious” afterlife.  I felt almost uncomfortable by that.  Instead of being uncomfortable, I became aware of the deeper messages of the book.  Through Liz’s journey to move on with her “life” we learn about living life to it’s fullest, getting 2nd chances, and not dwelling in that past.  This wonderfully written book reminds us of what it’s like to be young again and teaches us what is like to grow young again.  I highly recommend this book to everyone!

When I first heard of Twilight and that it was almost 500 pages and that it was about teenage vampires, I felt a little hesitant.  First, I don’t do well with long books and I don’t really like to read about vampires.  My personal preference is to read about things that could really happen.  And vampires…well, let’s just say I haven’t seen too many of those around here.  Maybe that’s because we’re in the sunny south.  After I started reading this novel, I very quickly understood why my students raved about it.

 I quickly became attached to the characters.  Bella, a 17 year old girl who has recently moved to a small town to live with her father.  A magnet for accidents, she requires the help and heroics of Edward Cullen–a pale but gorgeous teen who is the most handsome man Bella has ever seen. 

Even though it is revealed that Ewards is a vampire, Bella and Edward quickly fall for each other.  Through a series of twists and turns, Bella learns the truth about Edward and his family and even gets caught in the middle of a dangerous hunt. 

I really really recommend this book (and I don’t say that often!) for the girls…sorry guys. 

Gossamer by Lois Lowry (2006; 140pp)

This is a true Lowry novel. Her imagination filters through our reality making us really think about how dreams happen. This is an extrememly fast and easy read that takes us through the training of Littlest. As she begins to learn the techniques of “bestowal” she becomes dutifully attached to an older woman and her boy. It become Littlest’s duty to help strenghten and protect the pair.

This is a great quick read and only has an AR point value of 4, but don’t let the easy reading level fool you. Lowry’s beautiful descriptions and carefully chosen vocabulary makes it a wonderful book!

Freaky Green Eyes (2005; 375pp) is an easy to read psychological thriller type novel. We meet Franky, a typcial teenage girl who has trouble fitting into society. She’s a little shy but when trouble comes her way, a braveness emerges that she calls “Freaky.” Throughout the novel, Franky is recounting the events leading up to the demise of her parents’ marriage, including her father’s attempts to convince Franky and her family that her mother has abandoned them. Through a series of events and the bravery of “Freaky,” Franky is finally able to uncover the truth about her family and bring about a resolution.

**I’d be a little cautious about the language. It does use a little bit of profanity here and there. It also has one scene that is slightly violent.

The next two novels on my list: Gossamer by Lois Lowry and Twilight by Stephenie Meyer