Is It Still Cheating if I don't Get Caught? by Bruce Weinstein

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Weinstein offers some guidance on ethics in this easy to read and practical guide. At the start of the book, he outlines five "life principles," then gives senarios, which many teens will be able to relate to, "what would you do" options and then an explanation of how you should behaveand how the principles will lead to ethical decisions. The hypothetical situations cover school issues, sports, friends, and dating to Internet use and drugs. His advice repeatedly refers back to the life principles,Do No Harm, Make Things Better, Respect Others, Be Fair, Be Loving.

I think I will use some of these with my 7th graders with regard to cheating, plagiarism, and bullying.


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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place. Thrown into a harsh landscape with little resources, each contestant fights to stay alive as the cameras track their every move for the entertainment of the crowds back home. No one expects the scrawny girl from the poorest District to last very long. I can't wait for the next installment.


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Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Told in alternating narratives, Perfect Chemistry portrays a romance between two unlikely lab partners. Brittany is her Chicago high school's "golden girl" but few of her friends know that her parents are totally dysfunctional and that she is highly invested in caring for her physically and mentally disabled older sister. Alex is a member of the Latino Blood, but he wishes he could leave gang life and pursue a college career. The plot thickens as Alex accepts a bet from a friend that he cannot hook up with Brittany by Thanksgiving. Smoldering doesn't quite do justice to the romantic banter that sparks between them.


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Strays by Ron Koertge

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Although the plot line is simple (boy finds acceptance/self-confidence)and the story is complicated, readers will enjoy the wit and hope filled account of a lost boy finding himself.

Recently orphaned Ted is placed in a foster home. The Rafters have two other foster children. Ted, who relates more to animals (he speaks to them and they speak back) slowly becomes more communicative. Nice quick read.


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On The Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Part mystery, love story, coming of age, this novel is a page turner. Marchetta successfully develops two generations of characters who grab you and become individuals you can relate to. Her insights into teens' thought processes are revealing.

Taylor Markham boards at an Australian school. Her mother abandoned her when she was 11 years old. She wants to find her mother but must also deal with the disappearance of her close friend while also seeing to her duties as house leader of her dorm.


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Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a fun and relaxing book to read. It flows easily and keeps your interest with humor and twists. I started off thinking I wouldn't like the main character because she steals her best friends fiance. However, the more I read the more I ended up liking her. There is a satisfying twist at the end which I will not spoil for future readers. Definitely a summer (or any other time) read.


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Shift by Jennifer Bradbury

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
A mystery and a friendship story. Chris and Win set out from West Virginia for Washington State on their bicycles. As they near Washington, Win disappears. The chapters alternate between flashbacks of the trip and current details of the investigation and how the events affect Chris. Characters develop nicely during the novel. Teens will be able to relate to the thought processes of the characters and their on/off friendship. Anyone will enjoy the mystery and the suspense Bradbury creates.


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Beowulf by Gareth Hinds

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Good introduction to Beowulf. Summarizes the epic story and gives the reader a clear understanding of the plot. Useful for reluctant readers and those who do not get the plot line from the poem.

This is a graphic novel and the depicitons are "graphic" making it appealing to teen boys in particular. This would be a good classroom addition.


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