From the back cover: Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted. But beneath all the fun—the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom—is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message … [Read more...] about Pretties by Scott Westerfeld: B
YA
So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld: C+
From the back cover: Ever wonder who was the first kid to keep a wallet on a big chunky chain, or wear way-too-big-pants on purpose? What about the mythical first guy who wore his baseball cap backwards? These are the Innovators, the people at the peak of the cool pyramid. Seventeen-year-old Hunter Braque is a Trendsetter, on the second level of the pyramid. His job: find … [Read more...] about So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld: C+
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: A+
From the back cover: "It's just a small story really, about, among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist fighter, and quite a lot of thievery..." Narrated by Death, Markus Zusak's groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a young foster girl living outside of Munich in Nazi Germany. Liesel scratches out a … [Read more...] about The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: A+
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld: B-
From the back cover: In the not-so-distant future, Tally Youngblood is quickly approaching her 16th birthday and the mandatory pretty-making surgery that accompanies it. But when Tally's best friend Shay refuses the surgery and runs away to the Smoke, Tally must choose between friendship and beauty. When a top-secret organization forces Tally to spy on the rebels of the … [Read more...] about Uglies by Scott Westerfeld: B-
The Wish House by Celia Rees: C+
From the back cover: Richard has hung out at the abandoned house in the woods during his summer vacation for as long as he can remember. But this year, he discovers that a family has moved in. The father, J. A. Dalton, is an internationally renowned artist who insists on painting Richard's portrait, while Dalton's wife draws the boy into her circle as though he were one of … [Read more...] about The Wish House by Celia Rees: C+