Maze Runner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

I just finished this action-packed novel. Will post a review soon or...you can read my review on Shelfari.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Unwind

Connor is a known troublemaker. His parents have tried to discipline him, but nothing has worked. So they have signed him over to the government. He is now an Unwind.

Set in a futuristic America where it is legal to take the body parts of others and distribute them to those in need, this novel explores a variety of issues, including abortion, organ donation and harvesting, life after death, and terrorism. Once Connor has realized what will become of him, he runs away in order to get a chance at survival. He meets up with two other unwinds, one of which is a tithe, a child being offered as a sacrifice. After several suspenseful events, the three teens end up in a desert commune of other unwinds. The group has it's own social structure and leader. Connor has suspicions about him....is he selling the unwinds? What will happen if he doesn't fit in?

Told from different points of view, the story is difficult to connect with in the beginning. For readers with the patience to make it through a few chapters, it does become very exciting and they will want to see how the novel ends and if the three main characters meet their demise.

Starbooks Book Club

We had the second meeting of the Starbooks Book Club on November 19th. It was a great turnout! Everyone loved reading Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. If you haven't read it...check it out! The library has several copies. Next, we are reading Unwind by Neal Shusterman. It took me a bit to get into it, but I loved it! There will be lots to debate about this book. I will post my review later this week.

Boot Camp

Boot Camp by Todd Strasser

Garrett has made some mistakes, but none seem bad enough for this...in the middle of the night, he is taken to a teen boot camp for juvenile delinquents. He survives horrible physical and mental abuse in order to "cure" him. This book made me angry and I desperately wanted justice for Garrett. An intense and quick read, this book is very highly recommended for all teens.

Thirteen Reasons Why

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen has received a strange package...in it are several cassette tapes recorded by his classmate, Hannah Baker. Hannah is dead and on the tapes she has detailed who and what has killed her. Although Clay doesn't want any part of it, he listens to the tapes, drives to the appropriate locations, and ponders his responsibility in her death. In this debut novel, Jay Asher does an excellent job showing readers what goes through teenage minds and how to help those in trouble. This novel is haunting, yet highly recommended.

Story of a Girl

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr

Being labeled as the school slut after her father finds her in the back of a car with an older boy, Deanna is doing her best to change her reputation. Her dad can't stand to look at her and her peers judge her harshly. What can she do to make them see she is not that "type" of girl? What happens to someone when they can't overcome something from the past? This highly recommended book examines family and school dynamics and makes readers think about their judgments of others.

If I Stay

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

It has been the worst day of Mia's life. In an instant, everything has changed. After a tragic car accident that has claimed the lives of her family, Mia lays in a coma trying to make the toughest decision. Should she stay with Adam and live her life as a gifted musician or join her family? This is a thought-provoking book that is recommended for high school and up.

Just beginning!

This is my first attempt at blogging and I am really excited! In the near future, I will be adding book reviews and book "trailers" to the site. Keep visiting to see what's new!