From the back cover: From her first moment at Merryweather High, MJ Sordino knows she's an outcast. She busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops—a major infraction in high-school society—so her old friends won't talk to her, and people she doesn't know glare at her. She retreats into her head, where the lies and hypocrisies of high school stand in stark relief to … [Read more...] about Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson: A-
Books
Haunted by Jeff Mariotte: C-
From the back cover: Cordelia's getting her first big break—as a contestant on yet another twist on "reality programming." The catch? She has to spend five days and four nights in a so-called haunted house. Not a problem for a girl who lives with a ghost and works with a vampire (and even managed to graduate from Sunnydale High School in one piece). She's a shoo-in. But … [Read more...] about Haunted by Jeff Mariotte: C-
Solitary Man by Jeff Mariotte: B
From the back cover: Widow Mildred Finster is a life-long fan of "cozy" mystery novels. She decides at the tender age of seventy-one that she'd like to become a real private detective. She finds a card for Angel Investigations and thinks the name sounds very sweet. After all, she loves angels. What could be more perfect? Angel and the gang are hip-deep in their own … [Read more...] about Solitary Man by Jeff Mariotte: B
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt: A-
From the back cover: Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could live forever? In this modern classic, author Natalie Babbitt explores the unforeseen complications that arise when the Tuck family unwittingly drinks from a spring of eternal life! Then ten-year-old Winnie Foster discovers them and their secret, as does a mysterious stranger. When the stranger threatens them all with … [Read more...] about Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt: A-
Sanctuary by Jeff Mariotte: B
From the back cover: Angel and Co. are enjoying a rare moment of relaxation at the karaoke bar Caritas when a loud explosion draws the gang—and the rest of the bar's patrons—outside. A building across the way is on fire, but the conflagration is nothing more than a diversionary tactic to distract people from a drive-by shooting! And when the smoke clears, Fred is … [Read more...] about Sanctuary by Jeff Mariotte: B