VIRALS by Kathy Reichs

Virals by Kathy Reichs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Teenager Tony Brennan is just getting used to living with the father she never knew on a secluded island of the coast of South Carolina. Luckily she has a loyal group of friends she spends her time with. When Tony discovers an undercover experiment involving a furry little wolf-dog pup, she convinces her friends to help her break the pup out of captivity. In doing so the group is exposed to an experimental version of the parvovirus which seems to heighten the friends' senses to that of a wild canine. If that isn't intriguing enough, the friends discover a skeleton and use their new "powers" to help solve a decades old murder case.

With murder and supernatural powers, Kathy Reichs has provided a high-paced adventure mystery that is sure to keep your interest.

WONDER by R.J. Palacio

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

To quote a line in J.M. Barrie’s The Little White Bird as referenced in Wonder by R.J. Palacio, “Shall we make a new rule of life…always try to be a little kinder than is necessary?” The story of August Pullman in Wonder is a story for all ages on the importance of not just being kind to the point of being polite but of taking one step further and being even kinder, being a friend.
August Pullman was born with a deformity. A deformity so severe that Auggie himself says, “I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.” A deformity so severe that Auggie walked around with an astronaut helmet on his head for two years to avoid the stranger’s stares, gasps and screams. Now Auggie is going to school for the first time, middle school no less where life can be cruel to even the most “normal” looking kid. Author R.J. Polacio takes the reader through Auggie’s fifth grade year through the eyes of six different characters, including friends and family members. A year that is difficult at best and heartbreaking at worst. But there is always a ray of sunshine in the form of the courageous Auggie and the shift in the attitudes of the students who walk the hallways with a classmate who is normal despite his differences and still extraordinary, a wonder.
As I read Wonder I felt as though I was in the hallway with Auggie. How would I have reacted as a fifth grader? I want to say that I would have been kinder than necessary as I strive to be now. Read Wonder by R.J. Palacio and consider J.M. Barrie’s challenge to “be kinder than is necessary”. Even better read it with child, grandchild, or neighbor and share the message.

BEFORE I DIE by Jenny Downham

Before I Die by Jenny Downham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Life isn't fair. Especially for 16yr. old Tessa Scott who has been living the last 4 years of her life fighting a losing battle against cancer. Now she has chosen to stop treatments to prolong her life. Before she dies she has a list of things she wants to accomplish that keeps growing and growing. Ranging from simple to illegal, Tess' list makes for a compelling story. I can't lie though, if you don't want to cry then don't read this book. She is a young girl with a terminal illness, enough said. In spite of my tears I did enjoy this book alot.

NO PASSENGERS BEYOND THIS POINT by Gennifer Choldenko

No Passengers Beyond This Point by Gennifer Choldenko
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

12 year old Finn, his 14 year old sister India, and their 6 year old sister Mouse are being sent from California to a new life in Colorado. A life that none of them are looking forward to. After their mother loses their house she sends the three on a plane to live with their Uncle Red. The thing is, the plane never arrives in Colorado. Instead Finn, India, and Mouse are welcomed to Falling Bird, a city that is all about giving you your dream life, but just for a day, before you are asked to make one of the toughest decisions of your life, stay in Falling Bird or risk your life trying to return home, wherever that may be. In Falling Bird everything is illogical. Children drive taxis and every new visitor is given a huge welcoming party. This book is beyond imagination with a great twist at the end. Remember to keep track of the narrator as characters speak in alternating chapters.

THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hannah Baker is dead. She killed herself. She has recorded her story on tape for those who played a role to listen to the events, random and intentional that led to her decision to end her life. Clay has received those tapes in the mail. He liked Hannah, he's not sure how he could have caused her take such drastic measures. He listens to the tapes, the stories of thirteen people that have played a part in Hannah's escape from life. What did he do? Could he have stopped her? Could anyone have stopped the snowball that started with a small rumor and ended with Hannah committing suicide? This book was hard to put down. I was drawn to the plot and wanted to know the reasons why. I was also hoping the entire book that Hannah was not dead but that it was all a terrible joke. I think I'll try to read a happy book next.

MATCHED by Ally Condie

Matched by Ally Condie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book has been flying off the shelves in libraries and bookstores. I had to read it and I enjoyed it but I think it had been hyped up too much to meet my expectations. Cassia, 17, lives in a futuristic society where the government controls the lives of its citizens. What a person eats, where he/she works, when he/she dies, and who he/she fall in love with are decided without a personal choice in the matter. On her seventeenth birthday Cassia is "Matched" with her best friend Xander. This is an uncommon match and even more Cassia is confused by a second "Match", Ky. Now Cassia must choose between the safety the government provides and her true feelings. It is a love story without a lot of action but it is set up for a action packed sequel.

CARBON DIARIES 2015 by Saci Lloyd

The Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Set just 4 years in the future, Carbon Diaries 2015 presents the world facing dire circumstances due to global warming which has caused extreme climate changes. When England becomes the first nation to start rationing carbon dioxide in order to combat the damage that has already been done, 16 year old Laura records her life in short diary entries. Not only does Laura have to combat draughts, massive floods, and other disasters, she also has to survive her teenage years while her family and world crumble around her.

It took me some time to get into this story but by the end I was on the edge of my seat. The diary entries bring the all too believable disasters to life. While reading I thought of all the strange environmental happenings of the past few years and those still to come in the future. The only thing I wish is that there was more action at the beginning of the book like there was at the end. However, with the build up to the climax of the story, I'm more than ready to read the sequel, Carbon Diaries 2017 to find out what 2 more years has done to the world.

ALL THESE THINGS I'VE DONE by Gabrielle Zevin

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The year is 2083 and Prohibition has returned. But this time it is not alcohol that is banned, it's chocolate and coffee. Paper is rare and water is rationed. Sixteen year old Anya's life is defined by the prohibition of chocolate. As the daughter of a slain mob boss and the namesake of one of the most famous chocolate companies in the world, Anya lives a seemingly normal if not slightly dangerous life. She goes to school and takes care of her family, including her younger sister, older brother who is mentally challenged, and her dying grandmother, protecting them at all costs from the world of crime that threatens to swallow them whole. She even finds the time to date. But when her recently dumped boyfriend is poisoned by chocolate, Anya is the prime suspect and her family history is enough to send her sheltered world crashing down. After a brief stint in juvi, a new boyfriend who happens to be the D.A.'s son, and her mafia family falling apart, Anya is forced to make a choice, struggle to survive her way or follow in the footsteps of her father and join the family business.

This story was entertaining and I plan on reading the sequel that comes out this week. However, I agree with other readers that there wasn't much of a climax or point to this story which is why I'm curious for the next book. The story is not fully developed yet. Still, it's worth reading for anyone who likes crime, love, or mystery stories.

BETWEEN THE LINES by Jodi Picoult

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Did you ever wonder what happens to the characters of a book once you're finished reading? I never did until I read this book.

Jodi Picoult's latest novel in collaboration with her daughter is the story of Delilah, a fifteen year old self proclaimed social outcast. Her social network includes one friend, Jules. That is until Oliver enters the picture. Oliver is the handsome prince who has taken a keen interest in Delilah. If only he could just get her to notice him. See, the problem is, Oliver is just a character in a fairy tale, the fairy tale that Delilah has not been able to stop reading ever since she found it in the library. Oliver wants out of the story and Delilah is the only one who can help him. What ensues is a fantastical story that unites two worlds. Once Delilah gets past the whole "Am I a crazy person who is hearing fictional characters?' thing, she takes on the adventure of bringing Oliver to her world. Will Oliver and Delilah have their happy ending?

Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this story. The story told in the alternating voices of Delilah and Oliver wrapped around Oliver's fairy tale was an intriguing tale for young adults that kept my attention throughout. Great for readers looking for a love story wrapped in fantasy.

YA Picoult

THE LUCK OF THE BUTTONS by Anne Ylvisaker

The Luck of the Buttons by Anne Ylvisaker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Tugs Esther Button is just like the rest of her family. Extremely, extraordinarily normal and by no means lucky. If anything they are the opposite of lucky and extraordinary, and maybe not quite "normal". Twelve year old Tugs is the tomboy who spends all of her time with her cousin, like it or not, because she doesn't quite fit in with the girls from the wealthy families. Well, Tugs' luck is about to change. She is about to become friends with the most popular girl, win a brand new camera, and even the local writing contest. Can she also save her town from the mysterious stranger who is taking everyone's money with the promise of their very own newspaper?

Though this story takes place in a small Iowa town in 1929 I think that today's readers will relate to Tugs as the girl or the girl next door who doesn't quite fit in. This humorous story with a little mystery makes for a great read for young girls and boys alike.

J YLVISAKER
AR 4.5