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Razzle - Ellen Wittlinger 
Before his junior year of high school, Kenyon Baker and his parents move to Cape Cod to run a summer cottage colony. Ken has to paint the cabins and supervise the plumber in return for living in his own cottage, where he can have a darkroom to print his photographs. The first kid his age he meets is Razzle Penney, named for Raziel, the Angel of Mysteries. Razzle is an offbeat character who works at the Swap Shop at the town dump. She becomes the subject of an inspiring series of photos that Ken takes.
When beautiful, boy-crazy Harley takes an interest in Ken, it causes a rift in his friendship with Razzle. It all comes to a head when Razzle's mother breezes into town and tells her more about her past than she wants to know.
Genre: 
Age Appeal: 
Reviewed by Liane
Age: 15
Rating: 8.75
First off, I just realized that basically every book I have reviewed so far has my star of approval. Oh well. Maybe that's cuz I only review the good books. Okay.
_Razzle_ is a very good novel about a 15 year old boy whose parents retire and move out to Cape Cod to start a resort. Kenyon, called Ken by most, hates it. The only good thing is that he gets his own cabin with a bathroom that can be changed into a darkroom. On his first day, though, his mother and him head to the town dump, where he meets Razzle. She was named Razzle because her mother wanted to name her Raziel for the Angel of Mysteries, but she guessed that everyone would misprounce it. As the first line in this book states, "Looking back, I'd have to say my life was one long snooze until the day I met Razzle Penney at the Truro dump." Kenyon and Razzle bond right away, even if Ken thinks she's a little weird.
Ok, I'm going too much in depth about the plot. I'll get to analysis more. The characters are well developed and interesting. When they make a bad decision (i.e. KENYON! *smacks him upside the head*) you feel it and feel angry and indignant. At least I did. oh well. The plot is pretty good, really just how a summer changed this guy's life, which seems blah, but it's quite interesting. One of those books yuo just can't put down. I seem to be finding a lot of those lately. hm.
Ok.. Go read.
Rose and the Beast, The: Fairy Tales Retold - Francesca Lia Block
With language that is both lyrical and distinctly her own, Francesca Lia Block turns nine fairy tales inside out.
Escaping the poisoned apple, Snow frees herself from possession to find the truth of love in an unexpected place.
A club girl from L.A., awakening from a long sleep to the memories of her past, finally finds release from its curse.
And Beauty learns that Beasts can understand more than men.
Within these singular, timeless landscapes, the brutal and the magical collide, and the heroine triumphs because of the strength she finds in a pen, a paintbrush, a lover, a friend, a mother, and finally, in herself.
Genre:
, 
Reviewed By: Matt
Age Appeal: 
Age: 14
Rating: 6.52
Even though this book has won many awards it didn't fail to dissapoint me. This book was a boring blunder for Block. All the original magic of these fairy tales has now dissappeared. Replaced with mind-numbing dribble. I think I would rather have my teeth pulled then read this book again. What was up with her not using any quotation marks? I very much enjoyed the original stories and I was horrified to see how Block mutilated them. She must have had a taste of Snow White's poisoned apple when she wrote this book.
Seek - Paul Fleischman
Assigned to write his autobiography, high school senior Rob Radkovitz instead creates an oral portrait of his life, centering on the search for his missing father. Lenny G. abandoned Rob's mother when she was pregnant, leaving behind a tape of his last show as a DJ and a record of the sounds of his native Louisiana. Rob is assigned to write his autobiography. Rob's memories: his crusty grandfather, his adoring aunts, his mother's Spanish soap operas, his grandmother's racy mysteries read aloud, and especially and repeatedly his father's lone tape to build a counterpoint of past and present, recorded and heard, that is an ever-unfolding, ever fascinating fugue. Determined to find his father, Rob acquires a series of increasingly sophisticated radios, searching obscure stations across the country for that missing voice. This powerful need to find the absent part of his life drives the story forward as Rob both imitates his father in becoming a radio personality and makes a final break in accepting the family he has.
Genre: 
, 
Age Appeal: 
Reviewed By: Matt
Age: 15
Rating: 10.00
I thought that seek was an amazing book, it had a unique format being a radio play with 52 characters. The story is about voices, Rob's life has always been filled with voices. His english teacher assigns him to write an autobiography and he writes a moving tale abotu how he searches the radio for his father, and what happens when they finally meet. You also learn a lot about radio and pirate radio stations. The story has great characters, a well-crafted plot, and a good deal of humor - read it!
Ship of Magic - Robin Hobb
Bingtown is a hub of exotic trade and home to a merchant nobility famed for its liveships--rare vessels carved from wizardwood, which ripens magically into sentient awareness. The fortunes of one of Bingtown's oldest families rest on the newly awakened liveship Vivacia.
For Althea Vestrit, the ship is her rightful legacy unjustly denied her--a legacy she will risk anything to reclaim. For Althea's young nephew Wintrow, wrenched from his religious studies and forced to serve aboard ship, Vivacia is a life sentence.
But the fate of the Vestrit family--and the ship--may ultimately lie in the hands of an outsider. The ruthless pirate Kennit seeks a way to seize power over all the denizens of the Pirate Isles...and the first step of his plan requires him to capture his own liveship and bend it to his will....
Genre: 
Reveiwed by: Matt
Age: 14
Other Books in Series: Ship of Destiny, Mad Ship
Rating 4 out of 10
Age Appeal:
The characters were too simple, and the book was overly long, and I don't like nautical settings.
Shooting Monarchs - John HallidayGenre: 
Reviewed by Matt
Age: 16
Rating. .02
ARG! Who is this author?! This book has a truckload of bad and it features a pointless plot, contrived characters and poorly written teen characters. What is this guy thinking? I felt an urge to go to New York and find Margert K. McElderry books and then hurl myself onto the printing press for this book as a sacrifice, so no more copies could be made! On a side note, I feel sorry for all of the trees that were chopped down to make this book. I shall avenge your deaths. Great choice for a book burning. (Leave Harry Potter alone and go after this one! Because it is the actual tool of Satan.)
Smallville #1: Arrival - Michael Tietalbaum
Genre: 
Age: Appeal 
Reviewed by: Matt
Age: 16
Part of the Smallville Series
Rating: 2.8
If you are familiar with the WBs hit series Smallville then you should know that this book is about the teenage years of Clark Kent, growing up in the town of Smallville Kansas. (If you are familiar with the opening song "Save Me" by Remy Zero, you too might be wailing for someone to save you by the end of this book.) Open to page 1 and watch the rape of this critically-acclaimed TV show begin. While the small-town setting is painted well, that is about the only good thing I have to say about this book. The characters are extrememly boring and don't change at all throughout the book. Also, they are all stereotypes with almost no quirks: Chloe (high school journalist) Clark (geekiest guy in school), Whitney (School Jock), Lanna (Clark's dream girl, cheerleader), etc. The plot is about as see through as anything and follows the first episode of the show exactly. Seeing this I became incredibly bored. Thank goodness this was such a short book. The language used is simple and plain adds to the great boredom element. Howver, this book has excellent super powers being made of Kryptonite (an extremely dangerous and radioactive metal that destroys the life of anyone who touches it, but who is counting?) Not a very good asset for Sc-Fi fans, avoid like the plauge.
Smallville #2: See No Evil - Cherie Bennett, Jeff Gottesfeld 
Genre: 
, 
Age Appeal:
Reviewed by: Matt
Age: 16
Part of the Smallville Series
Rating: 8.74
Ah, relief and I thought nothing could save this series - not even Superman. I was wrong. Cherie Bennett and Jeff Gottesfeld authors of my personal favorite Smallville Episode "Jitters". (This books takes place between the year 1 shows "Cool" and "Hourglass") Once again the plot is a traditional "Guy-discovers-Kryptonite-but-guy-uses-it-to-get-back-at-the-world-that-screwed-him-and-he-gets-stoped-by-Clark-Kent-who-learns-a-secret-about-his-past." However, this formula is taken to new levels with this book. The characters even show some dimension. Very entrertaining. You even feel sympathy for the villain. (As you do in Jitters). Overall, the book is above average, providing a mildly exciting quick read.
Son of the Mob - Gordon Korman
Age Appeal:
Reviewed by: Stacy
Age: 14
Rating: 9.89
First off, I'm a sucker for romance novels. This one is no different. The romance was so sweet, and the book itself was laugh-out-loud funny, something I rarely find in a book. The characters were developed really well, along with the setting. I never would have guessed Vince's mom!
I especially liked all the Uncles. Uncle Pampers and the kareoke was great. It was a fantastic read, and I hope everyone decides to read it!
Spell for Chameleon - by Piers Anthony
Xanth was the enchanted land where magic ruled--where every citizen had a special spell only he could cast. That is, except for Bink of North Village. He was sure he possessed no magic, and knew that if he didn't find some soon, he would be exiled. According to the Good Magician Humpfrey, the charts said that Bink was as powerful as the King or even the Evil Magician Trent. Unfortunately, no one could determine its form. Meanwhile, Bink was in despair. If he didn't find his magic soon, he would be forced to leave....
Age appeal:
Reviewed by Stacy
Age: 14
Rating: 10.00
This book and all the ones that come after it are GREAT!! I think I'm about as obsessed with this author as Liane is about Mercedes Lackey. They're -that- good. _Spell for Chameleon_ is about Xanth, a land full of magic, and LOTS of puns. The story is mostly about Bink, who lacks a magic talent, so will be cast out. It's just a law. Like Spanish grammar rules, that's just the way it is. So, on his way to drear Mundania (what we call the "real world"), he meets three lovely women; the beautiful but hopelessly stupid Wynne, the average Dee, and the horrendously ugly but femalishly smart Fanchon. When he steps into Mundania, he's ambushed. He is taken to Evil Magician Trent, exiled twenty years ago for trying to steal the throne. Trent's magic talent is transforming living things into other living things. Potent stuff!! Anyway, Trent wants Bink to take him back to Xanth, which baffles Bink because he doesn't know the way. AND there is a magic Sheild that kills any !
living thing that crosses it surrounding Xanth. Lost yet? Good. Anyway, the story is really good, very funny, if you don't mind the puns. But, if you don't like sexual suggestions, just don't read them. But, come ON! We're big kids now. We can handle it. They're fun books and I think there's about nine books in the series. Awesome reads!
Stowaway - Karen Hesse
Before the novel is over, Nick's journal will have described the particulars of an adventurous, three-year South Seas voyage; provided his insights into the diverse personalities of his shipmates and his commentary on the unfamiliar customs he observes in places such as Tahiti and Australia; and quietly documented his own growth. Hesse manages to show both sides of just about every aspect of her story, from the delights and frustrations of shipboard life to the double-edged nature of the encounters between British and island cultures. Her compelling storytelling and clever pacing command the reader's attention, even while reflecting the rhythms of the journey, which include doldrums as well as swift sailing. An afterword clearly delineates the line between the known and the speculative; that said, the inclusion of standard nonfiction back matter such as a glossary, a list of the ship's company, and an itinerary (but no usable map) tends to reinforce the book's factual basis. Karen Hesse easily overcomes her implausible premise-a desperate stowaway provisioned with a weather-proof journal?-to tell one terrific yarn.
Genre: 
Reviwed by: Rochelle
Age:?
Age Appeal:
Rating: 6.50
I had high hopes for this book based on reading Hesse's Newbery award winning novel _Out of the Dust_. This novel, the story of a boy who stows away on a ship and ends up being part of Captain Cooks' search for a new continent, has an equally well researched depiction of people's lives at a point in history, but the writing style is far different. Instead of again using the concise free verse style she used in _Dust_, Hesse has many lengthy descriptions in this over 300 page book. I was impressed with the way she tried to stay true to the style of ship's journals as she told 11 year old Nicholas' story. However, I don't think that the average reader would stick with it long enough to get to the end because it is primarily a story of description, not action. I found all the places they visited -- Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia -- fascinating, and I loved learning more about what such a voyage would have been like, from the shipboard politics to the food they ate. If you
like historical fiction, try it.
Three Clams and an Oyster - Randy Powell
A four-man flag-football team in need of an Oyster.Sixteen-year-old Flint McCallister is the captain of a four-man flag-football team called Three Clams and an Oyster. Flint and the other two Clams, Beaterson and Deshutsis, are going to give this season all they’ve got, but, as usual, they’re having Oyster problems. The first Oyster on the team died a couple of years ago. The current one, Cade Savage, is partying too hard and is unreliable. Flint and the Clams are faced with a dilemma: should they stick with their old friend Cade or dump him and go with a new Oyster? And if they dump Cade, who will they get to replace him? Tim Goon, the unknown quantity with the roadkill hairdo? Thor, the nice-guy stoner? Or the girl, Summerfield, who pushes them out of their comfort zone and doesn’t shave her legs?In searching for an Oyster, Flint and his buddies are forced to reexamine their hallowed traditions and old habits – and to take a hard look at who they are and where they’re going.
Genre: 
, 
Reviewed by: Matt
Age: 16
Age Appeal:
Rating: 6.54
Powell's new flag football novel doesn't fail to fail. This book is a perfect example of mediocrity. Most of the characters lack depth except for Cade Savage who rarely appears in this book. The plot moves along at a slow pace making you wish this book was shorter then it was. The setting is a poorly painted Seattle Washington. Famous places in Seattle are mentioned, but not described. While this novel does include a nice wholesome theme about teamwork and the value of friends it does include a lot of mature humor, violence, gambling, profanity, crime, sexual and drug references. However, the main characters mostly show disdain for these behaviors. This novel will be a huge letdown for any football/flag football/sports novel fan, because they never actually play any organized flag football despite being on a team. There are some great bowling scenes however. The characters pretend to be "serious bowlers" (yes, I thought it was an oxymoron too!) A mediocre outing for Powell who crafted a disappointing book for teens and sports fans of all ages. However, if it was toned down, it would be a great book for kids.
Time Stops For No Mouse: A Hermux Tantamoq Adventure - Michael Hoeye
Meet Hermux Tantamoq, a "truly captivating hero." Hermux is a mouse who fixes watches by day and spends quiet evenings at home with his pet ladybug. Then his life is forever changed by the appearance of Linka Perflinger, daredevil, aviatrix and adventuress. When she suddenly disappears, Hermux sets out to find her.
What has happened to Ms. Perflinger? Who is the mysterious Dr. Mennus, and how is he connected with Tucka Mertslin, the eccentric cosmetics tycoon? Hermux must be daring and vigilant-tall orders for a small mouse! But he rises to the occasion. And nearly breaks our hearts in the process.
Genre: 
, 
Reviewed by: Matt
Age: 16
Age Appeal:
Book 1 of the Helmux Tantamoq Adventures
Rating: 9.70
Micahel Hoeye does an excellent job of creating the world of Hermux Tantamoq, expert watchmaker. From what I can gather Vertabrates (excluding humans of course!) have swapped places with humans, they act human, wear clothes, etc. I think the book is set in a period resembling the human 1920s or 1950s (not sure). However, the planet contains some regions of Earth, and other fictional regions. This book simply would not have worked with humans, and the animals make it all the more entertaining. Well-woven and interconnected sub-plots add a lot to this story. The characters have a lot of depth and evolve as the story goes on. A great read for anyone who loves Animal Stories, or a good Mystery.
Touching Spirit Bear - Ben Mikealson
Within Cole Matthews lie anger, rage and hate. Cole has been stealing and fighting for years. This time he caught Alex Driscal in the, parking lot and smashed his head against the sidewalk. Now, Alex may have permanent brain damage'and Cole is in the Biggest trouble of his life.
Cole is offered Circle Justice: a system based on Native American traditions that attempts to provide healing for the criminal offender, the victim and the, community. With prison as his only alternative, Cole plays along. He says he wants to repent, but in his heart Cole blames his alcoholic mom his, abusive dad, wimpy Alex -- everyone but himself -- for his situation.
Cole receives a one-year banishment to a remote Alaskan island. There, he is mauled by Mysterious white bear of Native American legend. Hideously injured, Cole waits for his death His thoughts shift from from Anger to humility. To survive, he must stop blaming others and take responsibility for his life. Rescuers arrive to save Cole's but it is the attack of the Spirit Bear that may save his soul.
Ben Mikaelsen paints a vivid picture of a juvenile offender, examining the roots without absolving solving him of responsibility for his actions, and questioning a society in which angry people make victims of their peers and communities. Touching Spirit Bear is a poignant testimonial to the power of a pain that can destroy, or lead to healing
Genre:
Reviewed by: Matt
Age Appeal:
Age: 14
Rating 10.00
This book was absolutely amazing! I couldn't put it down for a minute and I felt like I was on that island with Cole throught the entire story. If you have had any problems with anger you should definately read this book. Touching Spirit bear is a wonderful story of survival with excellant imagery. The begining is a little confusing, but that's where most of the humor in this book is, you have to stick with it through the flashback sequence.
Reviewed by: Rochelle
Age Appeal: 11-15
Age: ?
Rating: 6.50
Cole Matthews is an angry 9th grade bully who beats up a fellow student to the point of brain damage. He is then faced with a likely prison sentence, but through the intervention of a Tlingit Indian parole officer, gets another chance. The parole officer tells Cole about "Circle Justice," a Native American tradition in which the victim, the offender, and the community all work to find a healing solution. Cole is just taking advantage of the system at first, and is not at all repentant when he is sent to a remote Alaskan Island to spend a year coming to terms with what he'd done. He burns his only shelter down in a fit of anger, and then is mauled by a huge white bear and left to die in the woods. Amazingly, Cole is rescued and his body heals. Then, he must return to the island to serve out his year and to face the "Spirit Bear" who attacked him. This is an interesting look at the psychology of anger and the healing power of native traditions.
Average Review: 8.25
Treasue at the heart of the Tanglewood - Meredith Ann Pierce
Genre: 
Reviewed by: Stacy
Age: 14
Age Appeal:
Rating: 9.60
_Treasure in the Heart of the Tanglewood_ is about Brown Hannah, who lives at the edge of the Tanglewood. The Tanglewood is a forest that local lore says holds the land's greatest treasure, stolen by a wizard. The strange thing about Hannah is that flowers and leaves and shoots grow with her flaxen hair. Her only friends are Magpie, a nanny-like bird; Badger, a slow old softie; and the Fox Pups, three fox kits who love to play. None of whom can remember their past. She also associates with the Wizard. Every month the Wizard demands that Hannah pull out some of her shoots and leaves and brew them into a tea for him. He was always kind until the day he pulls every last leaf, sprig, and blossom out of Hannah's scalp and leaves her so drained of energy that Magpie has to get Blonde Grizzled Bear to carry her back to her cottage.
Something strange begins happening. Knights from someplace far away venture into the Tanglewood, looking for the mythic treasure hidden in the heart. None ever return. Hannah tries to deter them, but never succeeds. One day, she pleads with one dark night to abandon his quest, but he demurs, saying that he must recover the treasure that the Wizard had stolen from his Queen. She begs him not to go, but he does anyway, but with a lily from Hannah's locks pinned to his breastplate.
Hannah finds him in the woods the next day, barely alive. She nurses him back to health, calling him Foxkith, for he looks so much like a fox. He tries to go back into the woods, and when Hannah goes to give the Wizard a weakened brew, Foxkith follows her. The Wizard turns Foxkith into a real fox, all black but for a lily-like white spot on his breast.
Hannah goes to try and find Foxkith's Queen, to try and change him back, for she has found that she's fallen in love with him. As she does, she finds that she has changed. Indeed, she goes from Brown Hannah to Green Hannah, to Golden Hannah and finally to Russet Hannah. (For those people with small vocabularies {cough, everyone in bookgroup, cough}, Russet is like red :D)
She finds out her own past, and that of Foxkith and even the Wizard. And, she discovers what the lored Treasure at the heart of the Tanglewood really is.
True Believer - Virginia Euwer Wolf 
When LaVaughn was little, the obstacles in her life didn't seem so bad. If she had a fight with Myrtle or Annie, it would never last long. If she was mad at her mother, they made up by bedtime. School was simple. Boys were buddies. Everything made sense.
But LaVaughn is fifteen and the obstacles aren't going away anymore. Big questions separate her from her friends. Her mother is distracted by a new man. School could slip away from her so easily. And the boy who's a miracle in her life acts just as if he's in love with her. Only he's not in love with her.
Returning to the characters and language she explored so profoundly in Make Lemonade, Virginia Euwer Wolff rises to the occasion in this astonishing second of three novels about LaVaughn, her family, and her community.
Genre: 
Reviewed by: Rochelle
Sequal to: Make Lemonade
Age: ?
Age Appeal: 
Rating: 9.00
If you've read _Make Lemonade_, you absolutely must read this sequel because it's even better than the amazing first book in this proposed trilogy. In a waste-no-words free verse style, you hear about La Vaughn's life during her fifteenth year. Her best friends are getting harder to relate to, the boy she wants doesn't want her, and she's starting to look toward her own future. It may sound like just the story of an average year in a high school student's life, but La Vaughn is more than the average girl and Wolff's writing is better than even above-average books
Under A War Torn Sky - L.M. Elliot 
Genre: 
,
Age Appeal:
Reviewed by: Matt
Age: 15
Rating: 8.65
This is an interesting WWII novel set in WWII Europe. Henrey the books main character, is a farm boy from Virginia who rushes off to join the American Air Force. He is the co-pilot of a B-24 Bomber. His plain gets shot down in the French alps on a deep bombing mission to Germany. Badly wounded Henry find help, and enters Switzerland. Switzerland was a neutral country during the war. Henry could enroll in college classes, play tennis, and relax until the war ends. Henry, however, chooses to find his way through the Macquis (Mah-KEE) (The french resistance) to escape into Spain, then Portugal, and finally return to Britain. The characters in this book excluding Henry were very entertaining. Henry was a little boring and drab however. I also enjoyed the wealth of foreign languages in this book, Itallian, German, French, Russian, and Spanish all found their way into this book. Unfortunately most of this books excitement is at the beginning.
Virtual War - Gloria Skurzynski 
, 
Imagine a life of virtual reality -- a childhood contained in a controlled environment, with no human contact. Corgan has been genetically engineered for quick reflexes, high intelligence, and physical superiority. He is unbeatable in battle. But he lives his life in a lonely module. What is a real sunset like? Or a friend?
When he meets fellow teens Sharla and Brig, Corgan begins to doubt the Federation, whose decisions he has unquestioningly obeyed. Life outside virtual reality may be for him. His fourteen years of training are about to end as the real challenge approaches. But he can't lose focus now: He must win a virtual war, or the Western Hemisphere will be lost forever.
Age Appeal:
Reviewed By: Matt
Age: 14
Rating: 10.00
Every once in a while a book comes along that is special. It has everything I look for in a good book. This book has a little bit of everything set in a Virtual World. Just as addictive as a good video game Virtual War will suck you in. The ending brought tears to my eyes.
Reviewed By: Taishi
Age: 15
Rating: 8.5
Good book, better for younger readers, some older ones will enjoy it though. Hard to understand why they isolate everyone so much.
Average Review: 9.25
Watchmen - Alan Moore
This stunning graphic novel chronicles the fall from grace of a group of super heroes plagued by all too human failings. The concept of the super hero is dissected and inverted as strangely realistic characters are stalked by an unknown assassin.
Reviewed by: Matt
Age: 16
Rating: 10.00
Age Appeal:
I've often read the Watchmen was one of the fundamental graphic novels of the world. I never paid much attention to it until I picked it up. Immediately I was sucked in. The characters were very human and all trying to cope with their superhero-dom. Everyone had skeletons in their closets, everyone had a secret. This novel is set in New York against the back drop of the Soviet invasion of Afganhastan and the unerving prospect of a third world war. The plot moves along at a tantalizingly slow pace, including all sorts of side-stories, which just give the novel more flavor. Also, the plot includes several twists and a surprise ending. The only problem with Watchmen is that it is very mature. This wasn't a problem for me, but this Graphic novel is not for the faint of heart. Extreme levels of violence, sex, crude language and even some drugs and gambling. The bottom line is that Watchmen uses well-drawn, dark, moody, art-work and a deep story filled with rich characters and a sinuous plot. Watchmen helps to establish Graphic Novels as "not just for kids".
Whale Talk - Chris Crutcher
There's bad news and good news about the Cutter High School swim team. The bad news is that they don't have a pool. The good news is that only one of them can swim anyway.
A group of misfits brought together by T. J. Jones (the J is redundant) to find their places in a school that has no place for them, the Cutter All Night Mermen struggle to carve out their own turf. T. J. is convinced that a varsity letter jacket--unattainable for most, exclusive, revered, the symbol (as far as T. J. is concerned) of all that is screwed up at Cutter High--will be an effective carving tool. He's right. He's also wrong.
Still, it's always the quest that counts. And the bus on which the Mermen travel to swim meets--piloted by Icko, the permanent resident of All, Night Fitness--soon becomes the cocoon inside which they gradually allow themselves to talk, to fit, to bloom.
Genre: , 
Reviewed by: Matt
Age: 15
Age Appeal:
Rating 9.14
Whale talk was an interesting book, it had sad and funny parts, and parts that made no sense absolutely whatsoever. This book just missed getting a ten maybe if it made more sense. I liked the characters in this book a lot, the settings were pretty good. The surprise ending was also a little weird. Then theres the title this book really wasn't about whales all that much...
What a Great Idea - Stephan M. Tomecek
Genre: 
Reviewed by Matt
Age: 16
Age Appeal: 
Rating: 7.41
What a great idea is OK. Its a nice trip down memory lane from the hand axe to the LASER. But, its a little dry for me. So that is my main problem with it. Some inventions were fascinating, but as we got farther towards the present I really got bored of them. The illustrations were quite nicely done.
Wizards of the Game - David Lubar
Genre:
Age Appeal:
Reviewed by Matt
Age 16
Rating: 9.80
Wow, I'd never even heard of David Lubar until this year. He gets an incredible three titles on the nominee list. And his Wizards of the Game is a winner to me! Even though Mr. Lubar has worked on some terrible video games, like Frogger II, Frogger, and Home Alone. This book was a really great one about a roleplaying game gone out of control. The characters are about averagely written, but the plot is so darn original and entertaining, this makes for a great, quick read!
You Don't Know Me - David Klass, 
John ("My father named me after a toilet!") wrestles with the certainty that no one really knows him -- not in his miserable home, and certainly not at school. It's true that no one can guess his hidden thoughts, which are hilarious, razor-sharp observations about lust, love, tubas, algebra, everything. And then there's his home: his father ran off years ago, so he's being raised by his mother, who works long hours, and by her boyfriend, whom John calls "the man who is not and never will be my father."
Genre: 
Reviewed by: Taishi
Age: 15
Rating 9.4
Age Appeal:
A wonderful story told from the perspective of that kid in the corner that everyone overlooks as a dweeb or a weirdo. Very profound, shows the weirdness of everyday life like few could show it.
Reviewed by: Matt
Age: 14
Rating: 6.91
After reading this book that wasn't a book. (Infact it was a piece of trash masquerading as a book.) I will give a review of a book that's not a book. It was slightly above average. I don't stronly recomend it, whatever that means.
Reviewed by: Liane
Age: 15
Rating: 8.00
You don't Know Me is a book that isn't a book. Basically the whole book is full of things that aren't things. Confusing, no it's not really a confusing book. Actually its a very good book about a guy. OK.... read it or I'll sic my flying monkeys on you!
Ut oh... here they come, she really means business! RUN!
Average Review: 8.10
Each member that reviews books for this web site has their very own "Star of Approval". You can find a complete listing of all of the member's Stars of Approval here. You can look through the bios and try to find a member that has the similar taste as you, then look for their Star of Approval on every one of the books they have reviewed and would recommend to others.
Each member that reviews books for this web site has their very own "Star of Approval". You can find a complete listing of all of the member's Stars of Approval here. You can look through the bios and try to find a member that has the similar taste as you, then look for their Star of Approval on every one of the books they have reviewed and would recommend to others.
This "Guide to Age Appeal" was created by Matt and is meant to resemble the other parental guides used in other forms of media specifically Video Games, Movies, TV, Music and The Comics Code. Please remember that this site reviews teen and adult books, so books intended for children will not be reviewed here.
The Purpose of our Age Appeal guide is to help teens or their parents choose what is right for them. This guide is not to advocate censorship in any form it is simply a guide.
Note: Book, Story, and Novel are used interchangeably on this site and are meant to mean the written work that we review.
These ratings are also not meant to indicate if a book is good or bad. They are designed to give readers an independent look at the content of a book
The ratings are not enforced by anyone and are only meant to help teens read what is right for them.
Books are often subject to several interpretations so while as objective as possible, this guide is still subjective. Our
Our members rate books on several factors to determine the age appeal including: reading level, maturity level, level of gambling, level of violence, level of crude language, level of descriptions of sexual scenes or themes, level of drug use (or reference), Descriptions of Crime, level of sensitivity (i.e. to race, religion, gender, etc.), Morals and level of mature humor.
In our reviews our teen reviewers will try to list as many of the following descriptors as possible.
Detailed Description of Descriptors
Reading Level: To what grade(s) does this book apply to?
Maturity Level: Overall attitude that the writer takes to the readers. Is the book something that parents would want you to read? Are some offensive words or phrases, descriptions, or sentences emphasized? or are they part of the "background" of the story? Does this book involve lurid or unsavory descriptions or has an amoral character presented favorably possibly creating a desire to emulate that character? Does this book involve creatures associated with Satan-worship i.e. werewolves, vampires, etc. or instruments pertaining to those creatures?
Level of Gambling/Reference: Overall level or reference to betting-like behavior
Level of Violence/Reference: Overall level or reference to descriptions of blood, gore, or mutilation of body parts, killing of humans and/or animals unsafe/violent situations, rape, deliberate damage to objects, deliberate injury to humans or animals, deliberate damage to objects, implied violence, aggressive conflict, brutal torture/ physical agony, excessive bloodshed, gruesome crimes, depravity, use of guns, knives, or other weapons or objects as weapons i.e. (fireworks) or cannibalism
Level of Crude/Indecent Language: Overall level of explicit references to sex, alcohol, drug use, violence. Or profanity, obscenity, smut, coarse language, vulgarity, symbols with acquired undesirable meanings, use of offensive slang, promotion of discrimination or harm against people, promotion of alcohol, drugs or tobacco, promotion of harm against people or animals, promotion of weapon use, discussions involving stereotypes, racial epithets, bigotry or offensive colloquialisms
Level of Sexual Descriptions/Reference to: Overall level of and/or reference to provocative material or references and graphic descriptions or images of artistic, technical or general nudity (full or partial), genitals, sexual touching, erections, illicit sex relations, sexual content that is supposed to be artistic, medical, or education, suggestive phrases, sexual situations, lust, erotic material, masochism, pornography, extreme romantic passion, passionate kissing, seduction, perversion, or rape
Theme: Overall maturity of the message from the writer to the readers
Level of Drug Use/Reference to: Overall level or reference to the use/consumption of illegal drugs/controlled substances these substances might include but are not limited to: Hashish/Marijuana, Depressants, Anesthetics, Hallucinogens, Opiods and Morphine Derivatives, Stimulants including Nicotine, Steroids, and inhalants and/or descriptions that create a desire in the reader to use those substances, drug abuse, use of tobacco products by a minor, and/or descriptions that create a desire in the reader to use tobacco products, or consumption of alcohol by a minor, alcohol abuse and/or the consumption of alcohol in excess, and/or descriptions that create a desire in the reader to consume alcohol.
Level of Mature Humor/ Reference to: Overall level or reference to Vulgar or crude jokes or "bathroom humor" that some age groups would not understand but might be offended by.
Level and severity of of Crime/Reference to: Overall level or reference to descriptions that inspire others to commit a crime, a book that describes in detail the committing of a crime, the portrayal of crime as a glamorous activity, books that inspire others to emulate criminals, information on concealing weapons, books which posses disrespectful portrayal of established authority, the triumph of evil over good, the failure to punish the villain's deeds (if any), the portrayal of kidnapping in detail, the dying of established authorities as the result of a criminals actions, brutal torture, excessive knife and gun play, physical agony, and gory gruesome crime or instructions on weapon making
Level of Sensitivity: Overall level of tolerance to other genders, religions, cultures, races, sexual orientations, people or animals which physical afflictions or deformity, the sanctity of marriage, or family structure etc.
Morals: How do the morals in this story relate to the rest of society's morals? Or does this book discuss social issues i.e. abortion, adoption, animal rights, alcoholism, assisted suicide, birth control, capital punishment, child abuse, cloning, civil rights, crime, death, drugs, divorce drinking,, eating disorders, ethnic relations, euthanasia, family relationships, gambling, genetic engineering, gangs, genocide, hate crimes, medical ethics, pornography, rape, racism, religion, sexual behavior, smoking the occult/Satanism, suicide, violence, sex education, homosexuality, etc.? Is this book slanted towards one sort of viewpoint on a social issue? Do the characters present themselves in a way reasonably acceptable to society? Would there be any reason that a parent would feel that a certain age group should not read this book?
What do our different ratings mean?
11-13 (Pre-teens)
The book appeals to preteens. This book is mature enough for anyone 11-13. The book uses words that a 5th to 7th grader should be familiar with. The levels of violence, gambling, drug use, mature humor, descriptions of crime, crude language, descriptions of crime and sexual descriptions are kept to a minimum are in no way offensive and are not the main focus of the story. The writer stays sensitive to his audience. The theme is generally kid-friendly. This book generally goes along with society's morals. However, our reviewers feel that these books are not complex enough for people 14-18 (grades 8th-Adult).
13-15 (Junior High Students)
The book appeals to Junior High Students. There is probably violence, gambling, drug use, mature humor, descriptions of crime, crude language, and sexual descriptions involved in this book. However, this is not the main focus of the book. The book uses words that a 7th to 10th grader should be familiar with. The theme most likely is middle school friendly. The writer might stay sensitive to his audience. This book might agree with society's morals. However, our reviewers find that this book may not be enjoyed by people ages 11-13 (grades 5th-7th) because the book is too crude or complex or people 16-18 (grades 10th-Adult) because the book is too simple.
11-15 (Young Teens)
This book appeals to everyone except later teenagers. This book might include violence, gambling, drug use, mature humor, descriptions of crime, crude language, descriptions of crime and sexual descriptions. However, this is not the main focus of the book. The theme is teen friendly, but also caters to preteens. The theme could be kid friendly. The writer stays sensitive to his audience. This book generally agrees with society's morals. The words are simple enough that anyone from grades 5-10 can understand them, but they will not bore or insult older readers. However, this book may be too simplistic to be enjoyed by people 16-18 (grades 10th-Adult).
16-18 (Mature Teens)
This book only appeals to later teenagers/early adults. This book is likely to include violence, gambling, drug use, mature humor, descriptions of crime, crude language, descriptions of crime and sexual descriptions. These factors are likely to appear often in this book and might be dealt with in an offensive way. These factors could also be the main focus of the book. This book might not agree with society's morals. Also, the writer may not always be sensitive to his audience. The words are complex and intended for grades 10th-adult. The theme might have dark or immoral overtones. This book could be too complex or offending for ages 11-15 (grades 5th-10th)
13-18 (Teens)
This book appeals to teens. This book is likely to include violence, gambling, drug use, mature humor, descriptions of crime, crude language, descriptions of crime and sexual descriptions. These factors are likely to appear often in this book and may or may not be dealt with in an offensive way. However, these descriptions are dealt with so as not to offend early high school students. The theme is generally middle school friendly. This book might not agree with society's morals. Also, the writer may not always be sensitive towards his audience. The words are complex enough for grades 10th-adult. This book may be too complex or offending for ages 11-13 (grades 5th-7th)
11-18 (All Readers)
This book appeals to all readers. This book could include violence, gambling, drug use, mature humor, descriptions of crime, crude language, descriptions of crime and sexual descriptions. However, only what is central to the story is included. In all instances these descriptions are handled inoffensively and responsibly by the author. The words are neither simplistic or too complex for any age. The writer is sensitive to all age groups. The book generally agrees with society's morals. The theme is friendly for all ages. This book is suitable for all ages 11-18 (grades 5th-Adult).
Who gives ratings? Our teenage reviewers.
If you have questions or comments about our Age Appeal system or feel that a rating needs to be corrected you can contact me by e-mailing me at Bluesette3@aol.com.
Age Appeal Form
Part 1:
What is the reading level of this book (reading level should be based on the complexity of words, the length and complexity of sentences, and the overal length of the book and its chapters, also reading level should be completely seperate from the book's maturity level. For example the Scary Story series has a low reading level, but the content is much older.):
A. 5th Grade-6th Grade (Ages 10-12) Books on this level: Harry Potter Series
B. 7th Grade-8th Grade (Ages 12-14) Books on this level include: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
C. 9th Grade-10th Grade (Ages 14-16) Books on this level include: To Kill A Mockingbird and 1984
D. 11th Grade-12th Grade and Beyond (Ages 16-18+) Books in this level include: The Great Gatsby and the Scarlet Letter This book should not be considered for all readers
What is the overall Maturity Level of this book? (What is the Attitude of the writer to his readers? How offensive and lurid is the language of this book?)
A. Maturity Level 1 (Ages 10-12) The book's author takes a generally sensitive approach creating affable and law-abiding characters, this book also avoids thing like satan-worshiping, and does not show a direct connection between witches, werewolves, ghosts, etc. and satan
B. Maturity Level 2 (Ages 12-14) The book's author loses some of his naivity towards his audience. However, many lurid and unsavory aspects of life might appear in the book, but they are represented with sensitivity
C. Maturity Level 3 (Ages 14-16) The book's author has no shame about showing some of the lurid and unsavory parts of life, however it avoids using an amoral character
D. Maturity Level 4 (Ages 17-18+) The book's author makes it a point to display the unsavory and lurid, with an anti-hero character and an amoral theme. This book should not be considered for all readers
Part I Scoring: A's 0 points, B's 1 point, C's 2 points, D's 3 points
Also make sure to use your best judgement when scoring
* Points = All Readers (The one to choose if you are sure this book is complex enough for older readers, but simple and inoffensive enough for younger readers)
0 Points = Children's should not be reviewed
1 Point = Preteen
1-2 Points = Young Teens
3 Points = Junior High
3-4 Points = Teens
5-6 Points = Mature Teens
Part II:
How much gambling or gambling reference does this book contain?
A. Level 0 This book does not mention gambling at all.
B. Level 1 This book contains some references to gambling, but for the most part it is a minor part of the background of the story
C. Level 2 This book has many of its characters involved in gambling, but it is not central to the plot
D. Level 3 This book is centered around gambling
E. Level 4 This book is centered around gambling and gambling for illegal or imorral things.
How much violence or reference to violence does this book contain?
A. Level 0 This book contains no violence whatsover
B. Level 1 This book contains references to violence, but the actual details are not mentioned in this book
C. Level 2 This book has many of its characters involved in violence, however the use of blood/gore and weapons are limited
D. Level 3 This book is centered around violence, it might actively describes brutal crimes, physical torture and agony, violence done to animals, blood and gore, a large amount of unsafe behavior
E. Level 4 This book takes an amoral and unsensitive stance on violence, it contains longand detailed descripions of violence, unsafe behavior, weapons, rape, painful torture, general mutilation to animals or people, cannibalism, or very large and extremely detailed sections on blood and gore
How much crude/indecent language does this book contain?
A. Level 0 This book contains no indecent langauge or reference to it
B. Level 1 This book involves references to indecent langauge i.e. such and such a character swore
C. Level 2 This book contains a small amount of indecent langauge
D. Level 3 This book contains characters that have indecent langauge central to their speech patterns
E. Level 4 this book contains very large amounts of indecent langauge, and langauge promotes non-tolerence and drug-use
How much sex or reference to sex is in this book?
A. Level 0 This book contains absoluetely no reference to sex
B. Level 1 This book contains references to sex, but it is handled morally and only eluded to
C. Level 2 This book contains a small sex however it is handled in a medical nature or in a moral manner
D. Level 3 This book contains sexual situations, which are described and some detail and central to the plot
E. Level 4 This book is intended to be pornographic and provocative to its audience
What is the level of drug use in this book?
A. Level 0 This book contains asolutely no drug use or reference to drug use
B. Level 1 Drug use is referenced in this book, either by adults of legal age, or in a moral and educational manner
C. Level 2 This book contains a small amount of drug use, either abuse of alcohol by an adult of legal age, or drug use by a minor, however the other shows all of the negative consequences
D. Level 3 This book is centered around drugs and alcohol, and the characters recieve very few consequences from the use of the substances
E. Level 4 The book is extermely involved with drugs and alcohol and it creates a desire in its readers to do drugs. It also inaccurately describes drugs as having positive effects.
What is the level of vulgar jokes or "bathroom humor"?
A. Level 0 This book contains no mature humor
B. Level 1 This book has a sense of mature humor that would be funny to an 8 year-old (Captain Underpants-esque)
C. Level 2 This book contains a sense of mature humor that would be funny to preteens, involving puberty, etc.
D. Level 3 This book contains vulgar jokes that would be funny to teenagers (American Pie-esque)
E. Level 4 This book contains adult-related mature humor
What is the level of crime in this book?
A. Level 0 This book conains no crime
B. Level 1 This book references crimes like, traffic violations, or theft, breaking and entering, or a comical depiction of murder, a la clue
C. Level 2 This book contains some crimes like murder in greater detail, or robbery
D. Level 3 This book contains things like murder or rape, however, the violence involved in these crimes is not described in detail
E. Level 4 This book contains violent crimes described in detail
What are the morals like in this book?
A. Level 0 This book is full of tolerence, a strong nuclear family, and no divorce or unpleasant parts of marriage
B. Level 1 This book is mostly tolerent, however it might involve a divorce or "evil parents" a la Harry Potter
C. Level 2 This book is mostly tolerent, however it deals with issues like divorce in greater detail
D. Level 3 This book isn't completely tolerent, and it details with the far reaching psychological impact of divorce, and abusive parents
E. Level 4 This book contains little or no tolerence for others, and might detail with violent divorces, and a non-supportive, violent, and abusive family
What is the level of sensitivity in this book?
A. Level 0 The writer is very sensitive and steers clear of all social issues
B. Level 1 The author mentions some socail issues in passing, without offering his view on them
C. Level 2 The author discusses social issues to some extent, but does it with a large sense of morals
D. Level 3 The author talks about social issues in great length, but offers both sides of the story
E. Level 4 The author is completely amoral and approaches socail issues with a sense of one-sidedness
Part II Scoring: A's 0 ponts, B's 1 point, C's 2 points, D's 3* ponts, E's ** points
*Anything with a D circled in this section should not be considered for the all readers category
** Anything with E's should be considered Mature Teens
Add up the total points from section II and divide by 9. Take that number and round it up. Then add in the section 1 score and divide by 2. Finally, using your best judgement in cases of overlapping scores, choose one of the following sections.
((Part II Score / 9 ) + Part I)/2
0 Points = Children's, should not be reviewed
1 Points = Preteen
1-2 Points = Young Teens
3 Points = Junior High
3-4 Points = Teens
5-6 Points = Mature Teens
* Points = All Readers (The one to choose if you are sure this book is complex enough for older readers, but simple and inoffensive enough for younger readers)
Note: Book, Story, and Novel are used interchangeably on this site and are meant to mean the written work that we review.
The 12-Point Criteria
Five-Trait Writing: The Kent School District has pioneered six trait writing, they feel that is good writing will be based on six main concepts. (I have removed conventions because it should be perfect, or the novel shouldn't have been published.
Ideas and Concent: The story should be clear and focused. The details in the story should be relevent, telling and quality. The writer should also appear knowledgeable and experienced about their topic. The story's ideas should be original and fresh.
Organization: The overall organization of the story should enhance the theme. The story should be structured in a way that moves the reader through. The book should also contain an enthralling introduction and an ending that brings a sense of closure. The story also transitions well from section to section. The sequence of the story should seem logical, and the story should have a good pace.
Voice: The reader should have a feeling that the writer is speaking directly to them through the characters in the story. The reader gets a sense of the person behind the text. The writer also takes risks in revealing themselves. The tone of the story also gives flavor and texture.
Word Choice: The intended message of the story is given in a precise, interesting, and natural way. The words are powerful, specific, striking and acurate. The langauge is not overdone, but appears natural.
Senence Fluency: The text should have an easy flow, candance, and rhthym. The sentences are well built with varied structure, and allow for expressive oral reading. Sentence vary in length with purposeful beginnings, and creative connections.
The Covington Library Teen Bookgroup's 7-Points of Good Writing : Most of our reviews are largely base on these areas.
Plot: The book should contain an interesting series of logical events. The plot is also not overly long and contains smooth transitions.
Setting: The author should make the setting in integral part of the story, instead of making it "just there". Additionally, the author should use words to make the reader feel like they are there
Characters: The characters should be interesting and interact in an exciting and natural manner. The characters should also be round and grow, change, and develop throughout the course of the story. The author should also write character descriptions in an interesting manner.
Theme: The author should be successful in using the story to convey an important message about life. The author might also employ the use of symbolism to better exemplify his theme.
Style: The author should also write with their own specific style and create a work that has a never-before-written quality to it. Imagery, figurative language, and alliteration also may be used to enhance the writer's style.
Tone: The writer should take an attitude towards his audience in a manner that makes the overall message of the story more effective.
Point of View: The author should use a point of view effective for the story. Either 1st person, 3rd person omnipotent, or 3rd person narrative.
10.00-9.50 The book is as close to perfect as possible. The plot is enthralling Plot. The characters are well-described, act realistically, and change and grow as the story continues. The setting is vivid. The story has a message or idea it does a good job of getting across. The story has a unique style. The point of view and tone fit the story. The reviewer would recommend it.
9.49-9.00 The book is very excellent. The reviewer would recommend it. However, it could have been a little better written. One or two elements i.e. ( Plot, characters, settings, theme, style, point of view, and tone) are not quite perfect.
8.99-8.00 The book is above average. You would recommend it. Could have been better written. Several elements i.e. ( Plot, characters, settings, theme, style, point of view, and tone) need work.
7.99-7.00 The book is average. The reviewer might recommend it. Could have been much better written. Several elements i.e. ( Plot, characters, settings, theme, style, point of view, and tone) need a lot of revision.
6.99-6.00 The book is below average. The reviewer would not recommend it. Major revisions would be required to make it average. Several elements i.e. ( Plot, characters, settings, theme, style, point of view, and tone) are extremely poorly written. However, it is still salvageable.
5.99-5.00 The book is far below average. The reviewer would not recommend it. The book should have never been written in the first place. Just a bad idea for a book. To fix this book it would take a mircale that would constitute sainthood preformed by a member of the clergy who happens to be a book editor.
4.99-4.00 The book is extremely poor. The reviewer would not recommend it. The book is beyond help. Nearly every element i.e. ( Plot, characters, settings, theme, style, point of view, and tone) is unsalvageable.
3.99-3.00 The book is worse then extremely poor. The reviewer would not recommend it. At this point the author's career is in jeopardy. The reviewer would also rather have a major surgery then read this book again. Every single element i.e. ( Plot, characters, settings, theme, style, point of view, and tone) is very poor. This book was a bad idea to begin with, and the execution by the author was the icing on the cake of this bad novel.
2.99-2.00 Reading this book is like going through a major dental surgery without sedation. The reviewer would not recommend it. Some of the elements i.e. ( Plot, characters, settings, theme, style, point of view, and tone) don't even make an appearance and the ones that are there are beyond terrible.
1.99-1.00 The word "book" begins to escape this "book" All other books have disowned it. The reviewer would personally enjoy burning every last copy of this book.
0.99-0.01 This "book" should be locked in a vault and cast into the ocean, except the ocean would probably throw it back. The reviewer is currently undergoing hypnotherapy to erase every last memory of this book from their mind. Also this book has a great military application and could be deployed on a literate enemy causing them to go blind and eat themselves. In fact, Satan himself probably oversaw the creation of this book to drive people to suicide. The author of this book should be hunted down and killed, very slowly... Their career is over. Now.
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