Pirate Cinema by Cory Doctorow

First line: "I will never forget the day my family got cut off from the Internet."

Plot: Teenager Trent is obsessed with making films - he cuts footage from published movies and edits them seamlessly together to create his own story. But when Trent is caught illegally downloading, his whole family loses its Internet access and with it their livelihood. Unable to face his family, Trent flees to London. On the streets, he discovers a new family, a new life, and a new cause to fight for.

Comments: Pirate Cinema was an intriguing story of citizens' rights, the bonds of family and friends, and politics from the perspective of a brand-new activist - all told from the point of view of a teenage boy.

Admittedly, I didn't read the parts where the politics became too complicated. There was a lot of detail in this book, but it was often too technical and dry for me to find any interest in it. Not just politics, but also a lot with the technology references. I think partly this technology was a different level than what we have now, so I had trouble getting used to the small changes, but there was also a lot of in-depth descriptions that more computer-knowledgeable people would understand. As a normal person merely competent with a computer, I didn't understand much.

Similarly, the characters in this book would often speak for paragraphs at a time in a way that seemed unrealistic to me. They all had so much to say! But I skimmed over these long chunks of dialogue because I found them to be boring, extensive speeches.

The characters felt much older than they were supposed to be. I couldn't believe Trent was only sixteen or seventeen. The rest of the characters were the same age, and they all seemed like twenty-somethings. This was another part of the book that felt unreal.

In fact, after about halfway through the book, it felt like everything was oriented towards the goal of warning readers of a possible future with an overbearing government. The plot and the characters felt forced to fit the message of protecting your rights as a citizen and standing together as a democracy. It's perhaps a good message, but the impact of the story was lessened dramatically. I finished the book but didn't really enjoy it anymore.

I liked Trent for the most part, and I liked some of the other characters, so it was fun to read about their bonds growing closer as they defeated challenges together. I just wish the story had focused more on them.

Rating: I rate Pirate Cinema a seven out of ten.

Zoe Letting Go by Nora Price

First Line: "My name is Zoe Propp." Not the most exciting lead I've ever read.

Plot: When junior Zoe Propp is dropped off by her mom at an institution for anorexic girls, she doesn't understand. The other girls are delicate twigs, while Zoe considers herself much more normal in body weight and sanity. Zoe spends her time writing letters to her best friend Elise, who doesn't ever write back. What's going on?

Comments: Zoe Letting Go was written in the form of diary entries and letters from Zoe to Elise - this style worked really well for the story, especially because the reader only knew what Zoe told them. I liked Zoe's voice throughout the book.

The stories of all the anorexic girls helped introduce the reader to the complications of the phrase "eating disorder": it showed just how dangerous these obsessions can be through the perspectives of otherwise normal girls. Meaning, an eating disorder isn't something that only happens to a crazy person - it's real and happens to real people. The girls in this book started out just trying to fit in and look skinny, like many girls, but for these teens it became something more. The hardest part to understand is the way in which these girls viewed their new eating habits as normal, or not a big deal. That's why I think this is such an important story to read - teenagers need to know that this happens to normal people, and they need to see both the consequences of eating disorders and the results of trying to recover from one.

As for Zoe specifically, I didn't actually like her very much. She whined a little more than I liked, and though she didn't want to participate, she spilled opinions and secrets constantly (and, I thought, unrealistically) during her sessions with the counselor. I'm not entirely sure why, but I just didn't like Zoe, which made it difficult for me to care about her problems.

The details about how the institution worked were pretty interesting, though, and seemed to be very well researched. I'd never known much before about the recovery of anorexics, so I found the detail helped make the story feel real. I also enjoyed the recipes sporadically placed throughout the book.

The ending was predictable, honestly. I'd guessed what was up with Elise before I was even halfway through the book. It lessened the whole impact of the big reveal at the end and left the story anticlimactic. The story also didn't go into a lot of detail and left plenty of questions unanswered. Zoe never actually seemed to get better, either - none of the girls did, though they all left the institution after the chosen block of time. Their eating disorders or other issues weren't resolved.

Rating: I rate Zoe Letting Go a seven out of ten.

BZRK by Michael Grant

First Line: "A girl sat just three chairs down from Noah talking to her hand."

Plot: In this gripping tale of nanotechnology, two sides are warring for control over the minds of the most powerful people in the world. Spunky teen billionaire heiress Sadie and solid, righteous average-teenager Noah are dragged into the chaos, recruited by the "good guys", a team of young adults who call themselves BZRK. They fight to prevent the "bad guys" from taking over the world, but in the process have to use tactics with questionable morality while trying to convince themselves there's a difference between what they do and what the "bad guys" do.

Comments: Firstly, BZRK was surprisingly graphic - not a good book for the squeamish reader. It vividly and bluntly describes grisly deaths as well as an unromantic view of the human body as seen from the microscopic level. The descriptions are intriguing and clear, but can also be viewed as gross.

Initially, the nanotechnology aspect of the story (which is a hugely important theme, as the plot only furthers through the use of nanotechnology) is not explained well. Actually, it isn't explained well anywhere in the story, but it's especially confusing in the beginning. The idea of nanotechnology is thrown at the reader without context, background, or really any help whatsoever. You really just have to skip over the mystifying parts because you won't find the answers to your questions. However, the idea of nanotechnology is used very well in this story - it was a new perspective and seemed vaguely realistic. It was interesting, if also a little terrifying.

The main characters, Sadie and Noah, don't seem very well fleshed out. They feel molded to fit the plot and too little like real people. Their immediate serious romance is ridiculous, in my eyes. True, they've been drowning in a totally strange, stressful situation and can find comfort in each other's shared experiences, but it just doesn't make sense to me how they so quickly trust each other completely and seemingly fall head over heels in love after a few days.

The other characters were pretty good, if all a little predictable. I liked the variety of people - like impassive, precise Vincent and competitive, obnoxious Bug Man - and their code names made me pay more attention to them. I wanted to know their real names, so their personalities stood out more vividly to me and made them seem more human.

The ending felt too easy and simplified. BZRK is the first in a series, so it was left sort of open for a sequel, but I think what used to seem like insurmountable odds were suddenly, unrealistically flipped in the "good guys'" favor just to tie up loose ends. For Sadie and Noah, at least. Their potentially deadly adventure ended way too easily, I thought.

I liked that the "good guys" worried about whether or not they actually were good guys, since they had to use tactics similar to those used by the "bad guys". They said it was for the sake of humanity, but they all still realized that they weren't totally innocent. I thought that was very realistic. Though the "good" vs. "bad" was very clearly separated, it wasn't completely black and white - this is good because real life is a mix of gray.

Rating: I rate BZRK a seven out of ten. The story was intriguing but the characters didn't work very well for me. I probably won't continue reading the series.

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Plot: Before Wendy came to Never Never Land and captivated the forever-young Peter Pan, he was in love with the stoic and beautiful Tiger Lily. She grew up as a wallflower in her village, not fitting in to traditional societal expectations. When Tiger Lily meets Peter Pan, he intrigues her, which keeps her coming back to visit. Peter Pan disrupts her world and Tiger Lily struggles with the unfamiliar feelings now surging through her.

Comments: I loved the new take on the Peter Pan and Tiger Lily story. It was very creative and had a different perspective on the classic tale. Tiger Lily was inspiring in how she refused to change herself for society - but she was also hard to relate to and understand because she was so impassive all the time. I never quite understood her feelings.

Peter Pan wasn't a very likable character either because he was honestly kind of a jerk. I didn't understand what Tiger Lily saw in him. I mean, seriously - she had a wonderful boy back at the village who loved her for who she was, and she treated him badly. It didn't make any sense. That part annoyed me.

The ending wasn't satisfying either. It didn't make sense with everything that had been happening. The whole story just didn't seem to really fit in with anything.

Rating: I rate this book a seven out of ten.

Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Plot: Teenager Ryan once tried to take his life. A year later, his only friends are from the mental institution where he recovered. Everyone at school avoids him and his mother hovers constantly. Ryan's only escape is to stand underneath the waterfall by his house - the exhilerating pounding of the water reminds him that he's alive. Then Ryan meets Nicki, who starts asking him questions he doesn't want to answer, bringing up haunting memories of the past.

Comments: I have to admit that I really didn't like Nicki. She's boisterous, bossy, and rash. On the other hand, Ryan is quiet, stoic, and blank. They contrast like a watercolor painting to a black and white photograph. Nicki pushes Ryan to talk about his suicide attempt and his depression - though really, this is probably good for Ryan. But I sided with Ryan when it seemed she was using him for her own purposes.

I thought Ryan was a sort of plain character. The whole point of him was that he kept his emotions shut away, but in showing this, Hubbard made it difficult for the readers to understand or sympathize with him. And perhaps that is the point. I still liked him. He was solid and confused in a way that makes sense. He felt real.

I was bugged by the romance between Ryan and Nicki. I don't understand why they couldn't have just been friends. A book about teenagers growing to know each other doesn't have to end with them together, and it felt kind of forced with these two. And why is the cover a picture of teenagers kissing? That's not the focus of the story.

This story is more about accepting the past and learning to live. Appreciating life and what it offers. Letting go and moving on. Friendship. That's why I liked this book.

Rating: I rate Try Not to Breathe a seven out of ten.

Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick

Plot: Based on interviews with Arn Chorn-Pond. Growing up in Cambodia, Arn remembers the day the soldiers marched everyone out into the countryside. For the next several years, he struggled to survive in the forced labor camp under the harsh government of the soldiers. This is his story of horrors, loss, survival, and courage.

Comments: Never Fall Down, while written in a somewhat subdued tone, is a harrowing, true tale of the Killing Fields and Chorn-Pond's experiences as a child soldier. The things that he saw and went through will stay with you for a long time.

Initially I didn't like the way in which McCormick chose to write the story. It's written from Chorn-Pond's point of view, as if someone with bad English is speaking. I thought this was unnecessary and an unfair way of representing this boy's memories and experiences. However, McCormick says this: "Trying to capture that voice was like trying to bottle a lightning bug. Every time I imposed the rules of grammar or syntax on it, the light went out. And so, in telling Arn's story I chose to use his own distinct and beautiful voice."

Chorn-Pond's courage and determination to survive throughout this story is astounding. There are so many situations that he was lucky to survive. It's hard to read but I think a good way to learn more about this awful truth in history.

Rating: I rate Never Fall Down a seven out of ten. An amazing story, written a little detached from the emotions.

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

Plot: Young English adventurer Robinson Crusoe shares his tales of misfortune and survival as he travels the world. He lives through shipwrecks, encounters with cannibals, and many years on a deserted island.

Comments: Robinson Crusoe is an old book. It was first published in 1719, so as you can guess, the language is odd. The way in which Crusoe speaks can make some sentences confusing. Most of it is understandable, if outdated.

Another thing about the book being old: it's racist and religious. The foreign tribesmen of the Caribbean are treated as animals, which was the way they were viewed by England in the 1700's. I didn't like reading those parts, but it's from a long time ago. Don't be offended because the past is past and things are better now. As for the religion, I accepted that Crusoe was religious and left it at that. It doesn't have to affect the story.

The story itself was interesting. Crusoe certainly survived many fatal situations. It was fun to read about how he grew his civilization on the island where he spent so many years. I didn't always understand the science of how he did things, but the general concepts were clear.

The sense of time in this book seemed rather skewed to me. Sometimes Crusoe would say "two years later..." Also, he described all the things he did on the island, then explained afterwards that this took him years. Everything he did seemed so in the moment, until you realize he's been doing it for months. I can't imagine having the patience and determination to begin projects knowing they'll take that much time away. The book encompasses many years of his life, and it felt strangely like fast-forwarding.

Rating: I rate Robinson Crusoe a seven out of ten. A good read, and a classic.

Mr. Shivers by Robert Jackson Bennett

Plot: During the Great Depression, thousands roam the country seeking jobs and money. Among the crowds of hobos is quiet, determined Marcus Connelly. But Connelly is searching for something other than a job: he looks for the scarred man who murdered his daughter. Connelly lives only to take revenge upon this man who leaves behind whispers of a terrible legacy; the man everyone knows as Mr. Shivers.

Comments: Beginning as a solemn, grim story of a man driven to vengeance, Mr. Shivers soon twisted into a dark, disturbing tale. By the last page, I was thoroughly perturbed. This is certainly not a book for young people (I recommend high school and up) or for those who are easily frightened or sickened. The descriptions can get fairly graphic in a matter-of-fact manner that makes it even more disgusting.

I liked Connelly at first because he was such a simple person who didn't say much. He cared about other people. However, as the story progressed and he grew more obsessed with his quest, Connelly changed. He started to be like the very man he despised, Mr. Shivers. This disappointed me, and I no longer cared about Connelly. By the end, every character was just another pawn to play in the sick, twisted game of the story.

While this was a well-crafted story, I was so disturbed by it that I didn't enjoy it very much.

Rating: I rate Mr. Shivers a seven out of ten.

After Hamelin by Bill Richardson

Plot: The night before her eleventh birthday, young Penelope is struck deaf. This curse becomes a gift when Penelope is safe from the Piper's enchanting music, while all the other children in Hamelin are stolen away. She must embark on a journey to rescue her friends through the dangerous world of Dreaming.

Comments: I remember enjoying this book much more when I was years younger. I believe this is a great story for young readers, perhaps eleven themselves like Penelope, but it isn't meant for sophisticated reading. The simplistic, predictable way in which the story is written can be boring and uninteresting for higher level readers.

Trying to think of After Hamelin through a young person's point of view, this was a good story. The old tale of the Piper and his magic pipes luring children away from their parents was expanded upon very well with extra details and characters. The contrast between Penelope as a young girl and as an old woman narrating the story was fun to read. However, I felt closer to the old Penelope than I did the young, main character Penelope.

After Hamelin was written using easy words and concepts and should be an exciting story for young readers. I recommend it for late elementary school or early middle school students.

Rating: I rate After Hamelin a seven out of ten for young readers.

Up the Capitol Steps by Barbara Roberts

Plot: Up the Capitol Steps: A Woman's March to the Governorship is Barbara Roberts' memoir as Oregon's first and only woman governor. In this book, she recalls the long, political journey from her childhood to the hard-won position of governor. This is a story of a strong woman who made a difference in her state and in views toward women in politics.

Comments: First, I will emphasize that this is not an autobiography. While Roberts does write about her life and her experiences, she focuses on the events that led her to her political career. I must admit that I am not supremely interested in politics. Because of this, many parts of the book were slightly dull. Now, due to Roberts' skillful writing, I strongly believe that anyone with an interest in politics or history would find this very interesting. I simply lean toward less technical books.

It was difficult for me to read this book because of the complex descriptions of bills, organizations and politicians. In the end I only read half of the good-sized book because I felt most of the story was over. The second half occurs when Roberts has gained governorship and is detailing accomplishments and events in that political sector. Once again, I think this book could be very interesting; it is merely my own lack of interest in political technicalities and history that caused me to be less than enraptured.

Rating: I rate this book a seven out of ten. Roberts' voice throughout the stories is fun and engaging.

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

Plot: When housemaid Anna Frith's village becomes infested with the plague, they make the decision to quarantine themselves to protect the outside world. Through these grueling times of sickness and tragedy, Anna rises to the challenge and proves herself an able healer and strong young woman.

Comments: This is a story filled with imperfect people struggling in a cruel world. Anna is strong in some ways and weak in others. I love her capability and willingness to help but dislike her subservient nature. Every person in Year of Wonders has flaws, creating a mismatched, conflicting reality of strained relationships and deteriorating faith.

The story was fairly predictable, disappointingly. What was probably meant as merely foreshadowing completely gave away important aspects that would appear later in the book. Nothing came as a surprise or very impacting in any way. I didn't feel very attached to any characters, and so everything that happened was rather insignificant. However, the tales of survival and failure were intriguing and somewhat inspiring. The story was enjoyable and at times captivating, though I was not able to feel much empathy for the characters.

Rating: I rate Year of Wonders a seven out of ten.

One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

Plot: In order to escape a constricting life, May Dodd joins a government program in the late 1800's in which white women are sent to marry Cheyenne Indian men. The hope is that these "civilized" ladies will assimilate the Indians into modern society. Along with a motley group of eccentric women, May experiences the true life of a Cheyenne and realizes that everything looks different from the other side.

Comments: This was a very interesting story, with engaging imagery and creative characters. The idea itself was intriguing. I didn't feel much of a connection with May, but I absolutely loved a few of the other women. They were all quirky, different, and very strong. Their sisterhood among themselves and with the Indian women was touching and light-hearted. Furthermore, the relationships between the white women and their new Indian husbands were at times sweet, at others amusing. I loved learning about the Cheyenne culture and their beautifully purposeful ways.

Once again, I wasn't a huge fan of May Dodd. She was very casual about sex and not terribly compassionate. However, she was independent and determined, both admirable qualities. Her story is unconventional and wound into the lives of others.

Rating: I rate this a seven out of ten.