Codes for Reviews

First Initial (Overall Rating):
E = Exceptional
VG = Very Good
G = Good
F = Fair
NR = Not Recommended

Second Initital (Reading Level):
A = Average Reading Level
E = Easy
M = Mature

“The views expressed are of individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of their respective institutions.”

For more information about YAR, please email Dora Ho at dorah2005@gmail.com


Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Halo

General YA Fiction

F/A. Adornetto, Alexandra. Halo. Feiwel and Friends, 2010. 484p. 978-0-312-65626-3. $16.99.


Three angels sent from Heaven on a mission to bring goodness to the world arrive in Venus Cove, a sleepy seaside town: Gabriel, the warrior, the archangel; Ivy a healer and seraphim, one of the wisest angels; and finally Bethany, the youngest of the three. She is ecstatic to be among humans and to be starting high school at Bryce Hamilton. She meets Xavier, the handsome school captain. Bethany knows that she must not reveal her true nature. Falling in love with a human is forbidden, but she cannot resist her undeniable attraction towards Xavier. Meanwhile, Venus Cove is falling under the influence of dark forces. Will the angels be able to save everyone in time or will Bethany’s violation of the rules put them all in jeopardy? The first in a new series. While fans of Fallen and Hush, Hush will be attracted to this title; they may find the pacing slow and the romance saccharine. Camille Campos, LAPL, Angeles Mesa

Friday, February 11, 2011

The Trouble with Half a Moon

Middle School Fiction

G/A Vigilante, Danette. The Trouble with Half a Moon. Putnam, 2011. 192p. 9780399251597. $16.99

Dellie's family hasn't been the same since the death of her brother. Her parents barely let her leave the house, except to go to school. After a shooting in her apartment building, she decides to take matters into her own hands. She and her best friend Kayla start helping out Corey, a young neighbor who they suspect is being neglected and possibly abused by his mother. Through her interventions and the help of a new, Jamaican neighbor, Dellie starts to heal.

Sarah Mae Harper, CoLAPL- AC Bilbrew Library

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Twenty Gold Falcons

Middle School Fiction Category

G/A Gordon, Amy. The Twenty Gold Falcons. Holiday House. 2010. ISN: 978-0-8234-2252-4.. 216p. $16.95.

Twelve years old Aiden Farmer moved back to Gloria with her mother where her great-grandfather once lived. Moving into Uncle Tony’s apartment was the only thing that she and her mom can afford now after her father passed away. Aiden grows up on a farm so people in school call her the “Farmer” girl and she definitely was not part of the “in crowd”. Her only friend at school was a nerd named Adam. One day, Marisa the most popular girl in school announced that she is going to find the Gold Falcons in the Ingle Building. It just happened that her Uncle Tony’s apartment was in the Ingle Building. Together with Adam and cousin Liesl, she not only find the Gold Falcons, but also some of her long lost relatives inside this building. In this book the Gold Falcons refers to the gold coins that Aiden’s grand-grandfather once collected. A good adventure story for middle-grade readers. Dora Ho, Los Angeles Public Library - Youth Services.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The Mockingbirds

High School Fiction

G/A Whitney, Daisy. The Mockingbirds. Little Brown, 2010. 352p. 978-0-316-09053-7. 16.99.

Themis Academy administration thinks that their students are perfect. But of course they aren’t. Since the administration won’t discipline students, the students have formed their own secret committee to do it, the Mockingbirds. Even though Alex is confused about the details, she knows that she was date raped by Carter and wants the Mockingbirds to try him in their court. The book follows Alex through the process and emotion of dealing with the crime committed against her. With all of it’s references to To Kill A Mockingbird, this book would make a great companion book to students reading Harper Lee. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Annexed

High school fiction

G/A. Dogar, Sharon. Annexed: a novel. Houghton Mifflin, 2010. 352p. ISBN: 978-0-547-50195-6. 17.99

Teens grow up learning the story of Anne Frank, but what about those who were in hiding with her? Peter van Pels, 16, provides a new perspective of life in the annex, and of Anne. Peter’s story begins from the sick bay of Mauthausen concentration camp, where he cannot help but remember all that came before. These memories are told in diary format, with Peter’s present-day comments following some entries. He arrives at the annex, angry and resentful. Of all the annoyances in this new, cramped existence, nothing is worse than Anne Frank and her curiosity, self-assurance, and optimism. As time passes, Anne evolves from pest to the girl Peter loves. Dealing sensitively with pent-up teenage energy as well as the horrors of the concentration camps, this will appeal to fans of realistic as well as historical fiction.

Anjelique Granados, CoLAPL-Angelo M. Iacoboni Library