Invisible ( Smith High) by Marni Bates

      Having the ability to be invisible at school is one thing, but when Jane Smith becomes invisible to her friends, she decides to fight back. Kenzie is busy with Logan and her popularity with a rock group. Corey is busy with his rock star boyfriend. Neither seems to have time for her any more. 
     Working on the school paper, Jane has remained in the background but that's about to change too.  Scott Fraser, the super photographer for the school paper has been given the task of watching over Jane as she tries to find her first story.  Jane was dealing with Scott constantly around.  He drove her crazy.  Could she stay invisible forever? Not if Scott has his way.

     Fabulous! This book really allows teens to see it's okay to embrace their own uniqueness.  I LOVE THAT! As someone who was invisible through school, I understand some of what Jane was feeling. Well written and characters so relatable you'll see friends in them.  Your teen should read this series. Marni Bates is a wonder at relating to teens on their own terms. 

     I found no issues in this one.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it really does a fantastic job of talking to teens.

Awkward by Marni Bates

     Mackenzie Wellesley is a typical high school student.  Her friends are very important to her.  Then her life changes drastically.  The awkwardness they feel becomes almost tangible.  Someone video tapes Mackenzie after she flattens a football player with her backpack. It really is a hit.  Now Mackenzie just wants life to get back to normal but she's not sure it will ever happen.   

      Extremely well written and characters you'd find in any high school.  Sweet, funny, romantic and right on the button about the awkwardness a teen feels at that age.  Ms. Bates really knows how to relate to her readers and how to make them feel better about themselves.  Your teen will love this whole series of books.  It really touches on the things that matter most to teens.

     I found no issues.

      I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it really took me back to my high school days. 

If You Were Me and Lived in India by Carole P. Roman

     The newest country we visit is India!  So colorful and historically rich.  Your child will love this series of books.  A chance to travel and learn about our world, it's wonderful.  They speak 100 languages in India.

     Carole P. Roman makes traveling fun and educational. It's a perfect way to teach your children the things we all have in common. It will make the world seem a little bit smaller to them.

     I found no issues.

     I gave this on 5 cheers out of 5 because I love this series.

The Treasure of Snake Island by Carole P. Roman

      Captain No Beard and his crew are off on a new adventure.  This time in search of treasure on Snake Island.  While watching the sunrise, Polly the Parrot reminds them," Red sky in morning, Sailors take warning."  Soon the rain starts pouring. Polly explained she learns from reading! 

    Wonderful, fun and exciting. The little in your life will love this book.  Treasures, snakes and rain, what's not to like, right?  You will be surprised at what the treasure really is though. 

     I didn't find any issues.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it's another great addition to the littles library.

Broken Wing by Anna Klay

     Tarot cards predict the future of many of the towns people.  Pettington really is a small town.  Ray Long, having left his home to get away from the violence and anger, is trying to live a better life. It's not working though. The Tarot say many things and one of those things is Ray needs to deal with the violence.  Skye Roosevelt comes into his life and together they create a son. How will Ray deal with all the new stress?

     A book filled with colorful characters, this one will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Not in a good way though. It keeps you on edge because it starts off strong and goes nowhere.  Trying to be deep and philosophical, it just leaves and empty space.  Avoid this book.

     As I said above, there are issues. I think it could have been written better. Less metaphors and symbolizing.  

     I gave this one 2 cheers out of 5 because I know the path the author was looking for, she just never found it.   

Quarantine: Alone #3 by James Phelan

     New York is no longer standing.  An explosion took out the city rather easily.  Now, Jesse is trying to live life as normally as he can.  It's made more difficult by people infected with virus that makes them into killing machines.  There are so many obstacles to overcome before any healing can begin. Sixteen year old Jesse is in the middle of it all.

     Phenomenal writing and characters you can relate to, make this book one your YA fan needs in their library.  Twists and turns keep you guessing what will come to pass as Jesse tries to help those he can.   The best thing is, this book gives us hope. It doesn't condemn us to death.

     I found no issues with this one.


     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because I really enjoyed it and would love to see a movie made.

     

Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep

     Gwen Frost was given the job of taking down Loki.  Things got mixed up though when Loki was let go.  Everyone thought Gwen did it.  She was trying to prove her innocence when more problems arose.  Being arrested and held for trial, Gwen wasn't sure what else could go wrong.  The students at Mythos made every day difficult for Gwen. Her friends however, stood beside her all the way. Gwen's goal was to find the person who let Loki out. With some help, she knows she can do this.

    Fantastic! This book is truly a great fantasy.  I love that it includes Gods and Goddesses, as well as other typical fantasy things.  I was highly impressed with the Beyond the Story part.  It tied everything together and let you know where they were heading. Well written and characters you'll enjoy from the beginning. This is one you need to read.

    I found no issues.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it grabs you from page one.

The Three Doors by Brian D. Holland

      Jared Helm was able to do something most people would never believe. He was able to travel on the astral plane.  He didn't have control of it and never knew for sure when it would happen, it just did.  While traveling the astral plane one evening, Jared's spirit took him to lower Maine.  He was enjoying the trip until he felt the evil around him.  He didn't connect it to anything in  particular at first. Slowly though, with the help of his friends, Jared pieced together what was causing the evil. It was so horrifying, he needed to bring in others with similar abilities.  Once the team figures out who is involved and why, they set about trying to shut down the events.  The little Maine town where it was happening would be forever changed. 

     A book like this one is perfect for those who enjoy horror stories with a bit of religion mixed in.  As you get deeper and deeper into the book, you'll read faster and faster.  Mr. Holland did a fantastic job of including everything in this book. Greed, power, evil, drugs, murder and even some devil worship.  The writing in is phenomenal !  The characters, though teens, are mature beyond their years.  If you are looking to add to your "TBR (to be read) pile" include this one. It will touch you and scare you. You'll wonder if anything like this could ever happen. It can and does.

      I only found one issue. The book seemed a little longer than need be. I understand to help the plot unfold it was all needed, but I think some chapters could have been cut and it still would have been awesome.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it really touched me.