BEFORE I DIE by Jenny Downham

Before I die is about a girl named Tessa who was staring death in the face. Tessa was dieing of cancer, and decided she no longer wanted to be stuck at home dieing. So she made up a list of things she wanted to do before she died. Her list included saying yes for an entire day, sex, doing drugs, becoming famous, breaking the law, falling in love, getting her parents back together and a few other things. She asks her friend Zoey to help her do the list and not let her quit. Zoey begins by taking her out to a club in which she has her 1st experience with drugs and sex. As time went on she began to do one thing after another on her list. One day she goes over to the neighbors house Adam and asks him if she can burn some papers. This turns into a relationship that grows and grows as time goes by, but also as time goes by something special happens between Adam and Tessa. They fall in love but at the worst time, Tessa's body is failing. As Tessa's body slowly fails, she begins to comes to terms with dieing, getting sleepier and sleepier.

I've learned from this book just to live your life to the fullest.

Story really grips onto you, making you cherish life.

Recommended for grades 11-12 and adults.


KH in Greenville

JUMPED by Rita Williams-Garcia

Jumped is about 3 girls: Trina, Dominique and Leticia. Trina is a very confident about herself. Leticia failed her math final by 13 points, causing her to have to go into school early for an extra help math class. Last but not least Dominique, who loves basketball and gets furious when she finds out her basketball playing time has been cut due to a bad grade in math. Trina crosses path with Dominique and her gang when Dominique is already angry about her basketball dilemma. This causes some angry feelings and now Dominique is out to get Trina, but Trina has no idea. Leticia who skipped out of "zero period" to use her phone heard it all and now struggles with whether to tell Trina or not. Will Trina really get jumped? Only time will tell.

I learned how much of a difference speaking up and not speaking up can be.

I wouldn't recommend this book because I found it confusing jumping from person to person, making it difficult to follow and the girl characters to be obnoxious.

Recommended for grades 9-10.


KH in Greenville

SHATTERING GLASS by Gail Giles

Shattering Glass was about a boy named Simon Glass. Everyone thought of him as the "text book" geek. Constantly people picked on him especially Lance Ansley. Until Rob (the kid who transferred and is now the new popular kid), decided to take on the challenge of turning Glass (AKA Simon) into a popular kid. As these changes began to happen to Simon: new hair, clothes, friends, something else changed... his attitude. As Simon, Rob, Young, Bobster and Coop began to become closer something happened. Simon began to be not as controlled by Robert and this made him angry. After all this time Robert spent on trying to turn Simon into Senior Class favorite, turning Young against his own girlfriend and rallying up voters. Simon lost Senior Class favorite to Rob and Rob knew Simon had something to do with it. Robert lost it, making Simon spill all of Rob's secrets. Rob had been molested for 5 years and Simon knew where Rob's dad was. Rob then lost it and took a bat, beating Simon dead.

I gained a whole new perspective on the impact of how you treat people.

Highly recommend, the little paragraphs at each chapter starting to reveal hints to the end makes you want to keep reading and to keep puzzling everything together.

Recommended for grades 9-12.


KH in Greenville

THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB by Elizabeth Eulberg

This book is about a girl named Penny Lane (named after a Beatles' song) that has had some pretty disastrous experiences on the dating market and she decides no more! She starts the Lonely Hearts Club (also named after a Beatles' song), which is a group of girls who vow not to date, not to let their sole focus in life be getting a boyfriend, and to just have fun with each other. Of course, then they have to admit that not all the boys in high school are jerks and everything just gets more and more complicated when Penny tries not to fall in love with one of those non-jerk boys.

What I gained from this book is that you don't need boys to get through life or high school. All you need is yourself and your TRUE friends. When you finally realize that you need to do for yourself and not for others then you can actually realize who matters and who doesn't.

I would recommend this book to teens who are interested in love and really wondering how guys can act. It just shows you there is more to life than dating.

Recommended for grades 11-12.


AH in Beacon

HOW TO RAISE YOUR PARENTS: A TEEN GIRL'S SURVIVAL GUIDE by Sarah O'Leary Burningham

This book is basically a guide for teens on how to ask your parents questions. For example, how to convince your parents for a later curfew or how to ask to get a tattoo. This book goes chapter by chapter about different questions you might have or ways to ask your parents certain things. Also, it explains what certain phrases your parents use mean and every couple of pages there is comments from parents.

I gained a lot of useful information, for example the art of negotiation, how to get privacy, how to talk curfew, and more. Each chapter basically covers an issue a teen girl will go through in her life with her parents.

Yes I would recommend this book not only is it a good read, but it tells you how to talk to your parents through each one of the issues listed in the chapters. It could be the difference from you getting your license and curfew changes and not getting it.

Recommended for grades 6-10.


KH in Greenville

A FIELD GUIDE TO HIGH SCHOOL by Marissa Walsh

This book is about a girl named Andie who is going into her freshman year of high school at a private school, named Plumstead, without her best friend. Her sister Claire, who is going into her freshmen year of college, decides to write her a guide all about high school and the school she is going to. Some of the suggestions in the guide are, don't come to your first day of school in your back to school outfit, don't ask for help from an upperclassman, join at least one of Plumstead's activities, and also don't follow this guide, there is no real guide to high school.

You can't just follow a guide, you have to experience it for yourself.

Good read, recommended.

Recommended for grades 9-10.


KH in Greenville

RATS SAW GOD by Rob Thomas

This was a book about a boy named Steve York who cruises through his high school career smoking pot until his guidance counselor tells him the only way he'll graduate is if he writes a 100 page paper about anything he wants. This book takes you through his high school years. Steve writes about his life, his astronaut dad, the girl he loved (Dub), his sister Sarah, and his mom. Steve talks about his life when he was living in Houston with his astronaut dad, when he meets his best friend Doug and creating a group called GOD (Grace Order of Dadaists), and falling in love with Dub. Then he talks about what happens and how he lost Dub, and how he ended up in San Diego with his mom.

I gained a lot about how pot can affect your life. Steve wasted his years lighting up forcing him to do this assignment for school so he can graduate.

I would recommended this book, although it was confusing because he was writing about his life during both junior and senior year, and I got confused because this book would keep flipping in between both.

Recommended for grades 11-12.


KH in Greenville

OSTRICH BOYS by Keith Gray

This book is about 3 boys (Sim, Blake and Kenny) who go and decide they want to give their best friend, Ross, the funeral he deserves. They steal his ashes, catch a train, and are now on their way to Ross, in Scotland. On their way they lose the bus tickets and money, go race motor bikes and go bungee jumping. As the book progresses they begin to cope with the loss of their friend and the emotions they've been hiding.

I didn't really gain much from the book. The plot did bother me, I just couldn't get into the book. The information that could be helpful to other teens is that they can get through the loss of a loved one and you can't run and hide from your feelings.

I felt it was a difficult book to get into, and the British language through me off a bit.

Recommended for grades 11-12.


KH in Greenville

LET'S CLEAR THE AIR: 10 REASONS NOT TO START SMOKING

This book is basically jam packed full of information about smoking and what it does to you also including stories/opinions/facts from several kids. You learn from these kids that there are reasons for not starting smoking. Also some of the pages are full of facts! Like when the 1st study linking smoking to lung cancer , heart disease, and emphysema was released. Also, there weren't always warning on cigarette packs.

The information this book gives you will be the information you need to help you choose to stay away from smoking. This information could also help someone who is smoking just to be "cool" to get the real facts and get them to quit.

Yes I would recommend this book to a friend, because this information needs to be known. It could be the difference between life and death. Also this book could be a great resource for anyone who is a teacher, or just even wants the facts to tell someone to get them to quit.

Recommended for grades 6-12 and adults.


KH in Greenville

BODY DRAMA by Nancy Amanda Redd

Body drama is all about girls & the body problems they face and the questions they might be scared to ask. It shows real life girls with real life problems and it shows that no matter what shape or size, you're beautiful.

I learned a lot from this book about what's normal about your body and what's not.

Full of important information although the pictures are very graphic. There are female body parts that some may find inappropriate.

Recommended for grades 9-12.


KH in Greenville

CUT by Patricia McCormick

Cut is about a girl named Callie. She was sent to "sick minds" (Sea Pines) because she was cutting herself. Callie has been hiding a lot about her life but she can't stay quiet much longer. Callie cuts herself and just lets it bleed, but this time she gets worried and goes to see the nurse Ruby. Callie has been hiding the guilt that her brother's sickness is her fault but finally she talks. She talks all about her brother, her mother and her father but avoids talking about herself. She breaks the silence multiple times saying it's her fault but she won't explain why. She gets so worried she breaks out of "sick minds" and runs away, calling her dad to come get her. The silence about the day her brother got sick finally comes out. Her father takes the blame, and Callie knows now that it wasn't her fault after all, and she asks her dad to take her back to Sea Pines.

I learned that you can't run away from your problems and there is always help to whatever problems you face, but cutting isn't the answer.

Yes I would recommend this book to a friend, her story is inspiring and gives hope to people who are cutting themselves to solve their problems.

Recommended for grades 9-12.


KH in Greenville

THE VAST FIELDS OF ORDINARY by Nick Burd

Dade Hamilton is about to go off to college, but before he escapes his small town, he has to endure the hardest summer of his life. It's hard enough keeping his sexuality secret from his parents (he's a closeted homosexual), but his "boyfriend" treats him like dirt, he has a crappy job at his local super market, and a girl from his town has recently gone missing. It's not all bad though. Throughout the summer, Dade makes friends with Lucy, a girl from Cali who is fun, friendly, and an out-of-the-closet lesbian. And let's not forget Dade's new crush, the handsome Alex Kincaid, who helps Dade get through his summer (far from unscathed, though).

If anything, this book is about finding who you are and accepting that person. The lesson to be learned is to accept yourself as well as others. If you don't, life can crush you.

Despite some grammatical errors, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good read.

Recommended for grades 9-12.


HS in NE-Millerton

BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS I'LL BE DEAD by Julie Ann Peters

This book is about a girl named Daeyln who was bullied her entire life. After many failed suicide attempts she decides this time will work. She stumbles upon a website, basically a count down to her death, but this all changes when a boy named Santana won't leave her alone.

I gained a new perspective on how one person can really help save someones life. She was set on killing herself and all it took was Santana to not give up on her to make her decide against it. This book was powerful because of her struggle. She was struggling between emotions, she didn't want to feel them. Her stories also made it powerful as well she drank ammonia and bleach to kill herself when Santana was struggling to stay alive.

Very deep story really hits you hard.

Recommended for grades 11-12.


KH in Greenville

CRANK by Ellen Hopkins

Crank is about a girl named Kristina struggling with her meth addiction, "crank" or "monster." This is when Bree comes out and everything changes from then on out. Kristina battles with her other side (Bree) and ends up failing. Then Bree takes over, and her life begins to revolve around meth and a boy who ended up breaking her heart.

I gained a lot from reading this book, meth is a very powerful drug. Meth takes over your mind, you become addicted, needing it more and more. It also alters your state of mind making you do things you wouldn't normally do, in Kristina's case, sex.

Highly recommended although a little confusing at times.

Recommended for grades 9-12.


KH in Greenville

THE LUCKIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD by Steven Levenkron

This book is about a young girl named Katie who is involved in figure skating while maintaining an A+ average in a private school. She faces troubles with her mother because not only does her mother expect more from her all the time, she also puts so much pressure on her because she wants her to do better when this isn't what Katie wants, it is what her mother Katherine wants. Katie has no friends and does not socialize with anybody at all. Her father is not involved in her life at all because he walked out on them. Katie finally had it when she started cutting herself because it felt good to release the pain she had. She finally got caught when it was getting worse and she finally blew up. She got herself help and started counseling and was finally able to tell her mother how she felt and how this wasn't her dream, it was her mother's, and she wants to go to public school and she wants to have a normal life. Getting caught cutting herself and getting the proper help she needed changed her life in such brilliant ways.

From this book I gained courage and I learned that holding in your feelings can lead you to very bad places. Not only did Katie have the courage to open up to the Counselor and say what she said to her mother she was able to stop cutting herself because she wanted to get help before she got emotionally sicker.

I believe that if you are seriously hurting yourself emotionally and physically it might feel like you're going to just destroy yourself and you're never going to get better but in all reality this book shows you that there are ways to come out from that hole that you're in to see in the sunshine. There are ways to come about your problems. And that it is going to be okay.

Recommended for all teens.


AH in Howland

BEYOND BRUISES: THE TRUTH ABOUT TEENS AND ABUSE by Sherri Mabry Gordon

This book explains all about abuse. It lists the many different kinds of abuse and what to look for if you think you're being abused, or if you think someone is being abused. It explains the many kinds of abuse (Physically, Sexually, Verbally, and Emotionally). This book also features a story about 15 year old Melanie who was being abused which leads into an explanation about what abuse is and what to do to help.

I gained a lot of knowledge from this book including what abuse is, how you cope with it, how you can tell someone is being abused, the effects of abuse and your options to help stop someone who is abusing you or someone you know.

This book is helpful to anyone including someone who is being abused, and someone who knows someone who is an abuser. It gives information on what to do and how to help, and can be a great resource for anyone.

Recommended for grades 9-12 and adults.


KDH in Greenville

IN LOVE AND IN DANGER, A TEEN'S GUIDE TO BREAKING FREE OF ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS by Barrie Levy

This book is very helpful and has very good advice for all teens no matter what age. The book shows the signs of an abusive relationship. It show girls and guys that they are not alone when it comes to abusive relationships.

I learned that many girls and guys are in abusive relationships. Also i learned ways how to help anyone who is in an abusive relationship. I couldn't put the book this book down when I started to read it.

I would recommend this book because it is something that will help teens, and show them that they are not alone when it comes to abusive relationships.

Recommended for all teens.


SD in Howland

STREET LOVE by Walter Dean Myers

This book is about two teenagers who fall in love, and even though the parents of both teenagers don't approve of their love they find a way to be happy.

I learned that even though this book is fiction, true love happens everywhere no matter who you are, what you look like, or what your ethnic background is.

I would recommend this book because it is something kids can relate to.

Recommended for grades 9-10.


SD in Howland

SPLIT IN TWO: KEEPING IT TOGETHER WHEN YOUR PARENTS LIVE APART by Karen Buscemi

This book is all about how to help kids of any age deal with their parents getting or are divorced. The ideas the book gives the reader are very easy to do, and the child and parents will be able to do them together, even thought they live apart.

I gained helpful advice about how I would handle being organized, how I would be able to make both my homes feel like home, how to pack better when I go house to house and other helpful things.

I would recommended this book because it is very helpful to kids who have parents that are divorced.

Recommended for all teens.


SD in Howland

IF I STAY by Gayle Forman

"If I Stay" is a truly inspiring novel that captures the interest of its reader through its suspenseful chapters, and its page turning experience.

This book has inspired me to appreciate life to its fullest and to not take anything for granted.

In this book I learned a series of medical terms and surgeries and also the importance of life and death, and how they affect others. I think it is a novel that teens should definitely read.

Recommended for grades 9-12.


CS in Town of Esopus

THE PATRON SAINT OF BUTTERFLIES by Cecilia Galante

Agnes and Honey are best friends who live in a strict religious community called Mount Blessing, under the leadership of Emmanuel, the perfect, sinless founder of "the Believers." The two friends were always two peas in a pod--until Agnes became more interested in religion than being a regular kid. When tragedy strikes Agnes' family, the girls must leave the commune and face the real world, where they must also come to terms with their differences.

From this novel, I learned a little bit about the power of brainwashing from the way Agnes was utterly obsessed with living a sinless life.

The Patron Saint of Butterflies is a great fictional piece, but should not necessarily be taken as a serious portrayal of modern religious community life.

Recommended for grades 9-12.


RVK in Town of Esopus

THREE LITTLE WORDS by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

In Three Little Words, Ashley Rhodes-Courter retells the horrors of her childhood in the foster care system in Florida. Her story, though a heartbreaking one, eventually morphs into one of hope.

From reading this book, I learned from one girl's story that it is possible, through hard work and determination, to make something good out of bad circumstances. It also gives an eye opening insight into the American foster care system.

Rhodes-Courter writes in an excellent and enjoyable style.

Recommended for grades 11-12 and adults.


RVK in Town of Esopus

SHUT UP by Marilyn Reynolds

SHUT UP is about a boy named Mario and what he and his family goes through. First his mother gets shipped off to Iraq and Mario and his little brother Eddie stays at their Aunt Carmen's house. Now, Aunt Carmen has a boyfriend named Denton whom she thinks is the most perfect man in the world, but he has a secret. Denton is a pedophile and he is after Eddie. So, Mario protects Eddie, as he had promised his mother, but he ends up losing what was once importance to him, including a girl but turns out she wasn't all that. In the end, Mario becomes more aware of what he wants to do in life instead of being a firefighter and knows what's really important besides parties.

You should take action if you know any information about someone getting hurt. People should not just think about themselves, they need to help their friends and people that they know who are in trouble. People can not just stand by the sidelines when they know someone is getting hurt.

SHUT UP is a really good read. It really makes you more aware about the world and how people really treat one another when they are in trouble. SHUT UP will make you annoyed and angry at the characters, but nevertheless it is a fantastic book. It does have inappropriate content, so be aware of that.

Recommended for grades 9-12.


JN in Howland

WTF by Peter Lerangis

"One plan, two parties, six players." This book is about about a group of six kids; Jimmy, Cam, Byron, Waits, Reina, and MC, all kids looking for a good time until all of their plans start to slide. Cam is your classic jock who looks for fun anywhere & any time and just tries to keep his group happy. When he goes to Waits for the drugs, Waits turns him down because he owes money...so Cam gets Jimmy in on the plan to get more money and then get Byron to drive. After that there is the accident and that's where all plans fail and everything changes....

I have learned that getting involved with drugs has no upside to it. There are many outcomes and some are not very nice, so staying away from them all together would be the best choice. This book is very interesting and kept me captivated the whole time I was reading it.

Recommended for all teens.


HE in Philmont

ASK COSMO GIRL ABOUT NUTRITION & FITNESS

This book is all about things having to do with nutrition and fitness. It has questions asked by cosmo girl readers and even 4 chapters on a healthy diet, work it out, love your body and weighty issues.

I learned some important information from this book. For example skipping breakfast will make you gain weight instead of losing weight. Also, after 1 hour of exercise chocolate milk would be better than just drinking plain water!

This book answers any question you can think of. It's full of information everyone wonders about when trying to get healthier.

Recommended for all teens and adults.


KH in Greenville