I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

Ally Carter

Hyperion 2006

Summary

Cammie Morgan is a spy in training--and she likes it. Until one day she meets an ordinary boy and falls head over heels. Except there's only one problem, she isn't an ordinary girl, she's a super genius, knows fourteen different languages, can kill a man seven different ways with her bare hands, and is pretty much everything this boy isn't. The question is, how does she keep up a relationship with this guy, keep it from the teachers at school, and pass all her classes? Cammie has to decide that one for herself, and she learns a lot along the way.

Personal Review

I finished this book in two days. This was a very cute book that really dove into the teenage girl life, and the things that every girl has to go through, like relationships, mother/daughter relationships, friendships, really cute teachers that don't want you to pass the class, and just growing up. Although I was a little confused sometimes as to what was happening, but other than that it was a really cute book that any teenage girl would enjoy. I also really liked how clean it was. And it was pretty funny too.

Cautionary Notes

There a few swear words in the book.

Uglies

Uglies

Scott Westerfeld

Scholastic 2005

Summary

Ever since Peris turned, Tally has been counting the days when she turns sixteen. See in the city where Tally lives once you turn sixteen you have an operation that makes you pretty. And Tally is tired of being an Ugly. She wants to go with Peris and all their friends in Pretty Town. But then Tally meets Shay. Shay has different ideas about becoming a Pretty. So when one night Shay disappears the government comes in and tells Tally that unless she wants to be turned pretty she's gonna have to track down her friend and bring her back. Tally has to decide between her friend or staying ugly forever--until there's an even bigger decision to make.

Personal Review

This is one of my new favorite books! Holy cow, it was soooooooo good! Before I started to read it I thought that I wouldn't like it, but I was wrong! Once I started reading I couldn't stop. Not only is the story line good, but the message is outstanding! I loved how Westerfeld got the message of being beautiful isn't everything you think it is, out there by using an amazing story that would entertain anyone.

Cautionary Notes

There are a couple swear words, and there is some violence and threats.

Godless

Godless

Pete Hautman

Simon Pulse 2004

Summary

Jason Bock doesn't believe in God. He doesn't believe in anything, until one day Henry "knocks" some sense into him, literally. Flat on his back, Jason stares up at the underbelly of the water tower and realizes that it's god. He then forms his own religion with a couple kids from around town who are bored that summer. But soon things start getting out of hand when Jason realizes that he can't control all his members, and some of them might want to do things that aren't authorized in their "commandments."

Personal Review

This book was a quick read. However, I didn't like it too much. For some reason it didn't hold my interested, and just seemed like the storyline wasn't really going anywhere and Jason wasn't really learning anything too important. Although I will give it this, this book was extremely funny at some parts.

Cautionary Notes

This book deals with questioning religion, so anyone that has a problem with that shouldn't read this. There is also bullying, slight nudity, and a few swear words.

Schooled

Schooled

Gordon Korman

Scholastic 2007

Summary

Capricorn Anderson is a weird name, but that's not the only thing that's weird about him. He wears tie-dyed shirts, has never had a hair cut, knows all about the 60s, doesn't know how to open a locker, has never watched TV, and has never seen a fight, when he sets foot for the first time in the 'real world'. To top it all off he was nominated for 8th grade president at C Average Middle School. When he gets elected he doesn't know what to do. Lucky he's made some "friends" to help him along the way. With each chapter told from a different point of view, this book is filled with Cap's, and 1100 other student's adventures at C Average Middle School.

Personal Review

First of all, I laughed through pretty much this whole book! Second of all, I didn't want to put this book down, it was so good! I loved the whole message of the book, even though I'm not exactly sure what it was. It might be that even though we don't live in the 60s, we should still uphold their values of peace and what not. Actually friendship and acceptance was a huge theme in this book, and that really touched me. What I also thought was so cool was how Cap, a kid stuck in the 60s, was able to influence so many people for the better and really change their lives around. This is a great book for middle school kids, that is light, funny, and has an awesome message in it!

Cautionary Notes

There is bullying and a little violence as well as pranks and practical jokes.

Trouble

Trouble
Gary D. Schmit
Houghton Mifflin 2008

Summary
Henry's brother, Franklin, is struck by a car one night, and is mortally injured. The driver of the car is a Cambodian refugee, Chay, who attends the same high school as Franklin. Instantly Henry's family starts to fall a part, and people in their small town in Massachusetts start to harass Chay and his family. That's when Henry decides to climb Mt. Katahdin. He and Franklin had been planning on climbing it, so why should Henry stop just because Franklin can't come anymore? Along the way he meets up with Chay who has problems of his own. This story is about love, acceptance, forgiveness and facing the truth.

Personal Review
I LOVED this book! It was very well written and kept me turning pages until I got to the end. Schmit is a vivid writer, and I felt some of the relationships that were severed and made in this book. Although one thing I felt was missing was really getting to know Henry. I felt that Schmidt didn't let us into his mind enough. Although this could have been done so readers focused on the emotions more, or other things in the book. Overall it was an excellent book with an excellent message.

Cautionary Notes
I don't think there are any swear words, but I could be wrong. There is violence and harassment as well as a family dealing with a tragedy.

Everytime a Rainbow Dies

Everytime a Rainbow Dies
Rita Williams-Garcia

Summary
Thulani doesn't like to interact with people. His friends and life are is doves which he keeps on his roof. Until one day when he sees a girl being raped in the ally below. After saving her he looks for her, seeks her out. He's fascinated by her. She draws him away from his doves and out into the streets of Brooklyn. At first she rejects him, but soon she starts to accept him. But their lives are leading them into different directions. Will Thulani have the strength to let go?

Personal Review

This book was okay. It was a great story, and I loved the characters. The growing up and changing that Thulani did was very well done as well. However, I didn't like the content of the story. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone, and I wouldn't read it again.

Cautionary Notes
There is some language in this book, as with a lot of sexual content.

Freewill

Freewill

Chris Lynch

Summary

Told through the inner dialog of Will, a seventeen-year-old boy who is going through trauma because of his parents death, this story is very confusing. Will is going to a school designed for kids that have been through traumatic experiences. He is put in a woodworking class, although he insists that he should be a polite. He none-the-less carves what his teacher tells him to carve. But soon he starts to car totem poles, which end up at the sight where mysterious teen deaths occur. Will soon starts to believe that he is somehow responsible for these deaths.

Personal Review

I didn't like this book at all. I couldn't follow it very well. I didn't understand exactly what was happening, or even how it ended. I felt that the ending didn't come. It just ended with nothing. I felt that Will was a very unreliable narrator, especially as it got closer and closer to the end, and I believe that in itself was why it was so confusing, because Will didn't seem to know what was going on.

Cautionary Notes

This book deals with death, and also has swearing in it.

Touching Spirit Bear

Touching Spirit Bear

Ben Mikaelsen

Harper Trophy 2001

Summary

Cole Matthews is the bully in his hometown. He's been causing havoc for years. It goes too far one day when he beats another kids up so badly that the kid has to be hospitalized. Cole is then, by choice, exiled to an island in Alaska. Cole doesn't want to deal with his anger, and in consequence is mauled by a mysterious white Spirit Bear. After he nearly dies he has two choices: 1) continue to be angry with the world 2) change. But the question is, will he be given a second chance?

Personal Review

I personally really liked this book. It has a great message in it about anger management. Sometimes it's not worth it to become angry. I also love the message about how other people in your life can influence you for the good or bad. In this book it shows both, and it's really neat to see Cole realize this and watch him choose who he will listen to. I love the battle he has with fighting his anger, because you can apply that to any bad habit anyone has. This is a really great book that I think every teenager should read.

Cautionary Notes

There is violence, teens with bad attitudes, bullying to the extent of beating someone up, and there are a couple swear words.