Cam's Bookshelf .: Authors :: Award Winners :: Updates :. .: About Me :.

2004 Best Books Nominations Last updated January 15th, 2004 Confused? There were: 207 nominations. Final list: 84 books. I have read: 68 nominations. 31 of those books made the final list. FULL LIST OF 2004 BOOKS Alt Ed by Catherine Atkins. 5Q, 4P Very well done look at how we can hurt each other unintentionally or intentionally and how everyone deals with their own pain. Very poignant. The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell. 5Q, 4P A superb fantasy! For Freedom: The Story Of A French Spy by Kimberley Brubaker Bradley. Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares. 5Q, 5P After staying up all night reading the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, I wouldn't have believed you if told me that this sequel could be anything other than amazing. It's more of the same - but in a good way. The ups and downs of the 4 girls through their summer is still great to read. This one didn't make me cry like the first one did, but it was still addictive and well worth the money I spent on a hardcover copy. It doesn't feel repetitive or succumb to bad sequel syndrome. I hope she makes it a trilogy! Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan. 4Q, 5P This was a fast paced, exciting fantasy book about a boy from our world, and a faerie prince from another, parallel world. The beginning was a bit slow, but it picked up and I enjoyed it immensely. Sequel worthy! True Confessions of a Heartless Girl by Martha Brooks. 5Q, 3P I don't usually like prickly characters like Noreen, but this book won my heart. It was flowing and really well written. You'll connect completely with everyone involved in the story - and enjoy especially the people who you don't usually find in a YA novel, like the elderly women of the Manitoba community. The setting of this book is fascinating - and so is everything else about it. However, it's not chock full of excitement and action and won't attract readers as well as some other nominees. Lucas by Kevin Brooks. 4Q, 4P Something felt like it was missing from this fairly long, but mostly enjoyable read. It was mysterious and spooky, but kind of weird too. And some things never felt fully resolved. The Queen of Everything by Deb Caletti. 4Q, 3P The Queen of Everything is an interesting book. I didn't find it spectacular, but it wasn't bad at all. The idea behind the plot is certainly an original one, and I liked Jordan's honest commentary of the things around her. The way she described Laylani, her mother, the people coming to Parrish Island, Big Mama and every aspect of her life was great. I didn't mind when she went off on a tangent telling another story, especially if it was about fiesty Grandpa Eugene. However, this is not one of my favourite nominees. Close To Shore by Michael Capuzzo. 5Q, 5P In this exciting, fast paced and riveting story of (as the subtitle says) "The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916" you'll learn the true story of what started America's paranoia about sharks, and culminated in the movie "Jaws". Read how a single shark (the author supposes, after meticulous research) brought fear to the heart of thousands of bathers and vacationers along the Atlantic Shore almost 90 years ago. Actual newspaper clippings, reports from witnesses to the vicious attacks, testimonies from shark experts and local police chiefs add to the story and give it another element - this IS the truth, not fiction. Utopia by Lincoln Child. 3Q, 4P Thrilling, dangerous, fun and innovative could all describe the plot of Utopia... for the first 150 pages. After that it starts to drag and seems repetitive. I was ready for the end a lot sooner than it came. Teens will be excited about this for the start, but I doubt many will bother persevering to the finish. King of the Mild Frontier by Chris Crutcher. 5Q, 5P King of the Mild Frontier is hilarious. Chris Crutcher takes the reader back to Cascade, Idaho in his childhood, filled with humorous mishaps, tears, confusion and mischief. From being a Boy Scout Bawlbaby to losing the fourth of July bike race and giving the commentator a one finger salute... What does Chris have to say for himself? "I like cookies." Whether or not you've read any of his other books (if you have, this will give interesting perspective on his characters and the man behind them), you'll enjoy this. I guarantee it. The Tears Of The Salamander by Peter Dickinson. A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly. 5Q, 3P Jennifer Donelly writes a compelling, lively and interesting story with wonderful characters and a fascinating setting - 1906 in the Adirondacks (or as the protagonist, poor farm girl Mattie Gokey calls it, the North Woods). Since Mattie's mother died, she's had to juggle roles as sister, housekeeper, student, breadwinner; and now that her handsome neighbour Royal seems to be showing puzzling interest in her - future wife. Mattie loves nothing more than reading, writing poems and stories and picking out a new word every day from the dictionary her mother bought with hard earned money before she died. But Mattie is tied down by the need to take care of her sisters, father and a promise she made, but desperately wants to break. This story is told in flashbacks from Mattie's current job as hired help at the Glenmore Resort for wealthy tourists, where the entire town is caught up in the intrigue that follows the drowning death of a guest. Mattie knows something no else does, but is torn between loyalties to old promises and what others want her to do, and what she knows is right and she owes to herself. You will not be able to put down this fantastic and well crafted read. Beyond The Hanging Wall by Sara Douglass. 4Q, 4P A well-told fantasy story with many classic elements and good description. It doesn't seem particularly special, but will leave you satisfied and gives you everything a good book should. I never finished it. Skud by Dennis Foon. 5Q, 4P Skud is told through the eyes of 4 teens living in a mixed up world filled with violence, rage and sorrow. Brad is a hotshot hockey player egged on by his demanding father and taught to get his way by any means (like bodychecking) since he was four years old. Andy is an aspiring actor with dreams of making it big, directing his own movies and living the good life. But when he meets Shane, the toughest guy in the high school, who sells drugs and has killed before, everything changes. Andy sees the softer side of Shane, the one mourning his younger brother, who was killed with a breadknife. Tommy is the school's golden boy. On the honour roll, soccer team; a cadet who wants to fly F-16s and is going places. But when his girlfriend Sheila breaks up with him, things slowly start unravelling and through the perspectives of these 4 guys, the story of pain unfolds. It's absolutely brilliant. Friction by E.R. Frank. 3Q, 3P After reading this book, I am still confused about whether I liked it or not. I'd have to say I'm undecided. It's about Alex, a 12 year old girl who attends an alternative school with a more relaxed approach to education. A new girl, Stacey, joins their class, and she starts suggesting that their teacher, Simon, is sexually interested in Alex. At first Alex is shocked at this accusation, but slowly she begins to wonder if Stacey is right after all. Alex is confused about who's good and who's bad, and what's really going on. You will be too. This book seemed aimed at a younger reading level than other nominations, and I did not find it 'enjoyable'. True Meaning of Cleavage by Mariah Fredericks. 2Q, 3P I found this book rather cliched and annoying. The story was fairly interesting, but the characters weren't likeable at all, and it wasn't particularly compelling or ground breaking. Keesha's House by Helen Frost. 5Q, 4P This was an amazingly clever and well crafted book in poems about teens struggling with problems in their lives - from drugs and alcohol, to pregnancy, to being kicked out of their home because they admitted to their parents that they're gay. One common element binds them together. They have taken refuge in Keesha's House. A place you can go to hunker down when everything gets too awful to deal with. A place to slowly put your life back in order without people butting their noses into it. I didn't even realize until the end that each chapter was a sonnet. Fat Kid Rules The World by K.L. Going. 4Q, 5P A compelling plot everyone will love - music and being in a band. A main character who has undergone far more than his fair share of teasing, exclusion and open hostility from people who profess to be above that. Nevertheless, the fact that Troy is a doormat is frustrating, but after all, every book needs conflict, and everything will not always work out perfectly. This is a great read. Singing The Dogstar Blues by Alison Goodman. 5Q, 5P This intelligent, witty story with the feisty and instantly likeable main character, Joss, is an amazing work of futuristic science fiction. The action doesn't stop for a moment, and you will continually be amazed at this vision of time travel, gadgets and human interaction, which never really changes over all those years. Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night Time by Mark Haddon. 4Q, 4P Brilliant (but has some flaws). Getting inside Christopher's head and making a thoroughly believable and original character is the most amazing thing Mark Haddon has done. The math, illustrations and diagrams add to the book and show us how amazingly different Christopher's reasoning and thoughts are. Shooting Monarchs by John Halliday. 3Q, 2P Although Shooting Monarchs takes a different approach to making teens think about what they read (on capital punishment and the judicial system), I would prefer a book with some nice closure. I found it difficult to care about Macy, the main character, when all I had was contempt for him. The other characters were almost likeable, but it felt like something was missing. The sentence structure of this book seemed simplistic and undeveloped. I wouldn't recommend it to people looking for a fun or exciting read. Geography Club by Brent Hartinger. 4Q, 4P As much as this is an important message that teens need to hear about tolerance, I don't think Geography Club has the highest literary quality. The characters seemed stereotypical and kind of one dimensional (ex. Kimberley was just "bad", most people he told were overjoyed and it didn't seem to realistically portray the range of complicated emotions other books on this topic have. Russel was either happy or sad). That said, it was still a gripping read that I found quite interesting. What The Birds See by Sonya Hartnett. 3Q, 1P Although this book is well written and "haunting", it is also incredibly bizarre and mysterious (but not in a good way). It has an eerie feel to it, which was quite intriguing and made me want to keep reading and find out what was going on. The book seemed to strongly hint that 2 events of 1977 (the finding of the sea monster and the disappearance of the 3 children) would be connected to the storyline, but they turned out to have nothing to do with anything, which was a disappointment. I eagerly read to the end of the book, because it would finally all make sense. Big disappointment. It still makes no sense. The climax is just odd. This may be interestingly written, but there is no way this book will appeal to teens. Across The Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn. 5Q, 5P I loved this book! At first, I found it a bit hard to get into and I thought it might be weighed down with description, but it became captivating later on. I often forgot it wasn't really ancient Japan, the author's descriptions felt so real. I loved the intrigue and delicate balance of politics going on behind the scenes. I also liked the fact that it was a tasteful ending to the first book, not a complete cliffhanger. I can't wait for the conclusions to the trilogy! Aleutian Sparrow by Karen Hesse. 5Q, 4P This is a quick read, but a very thought provoking and emotional one. Karen Hesse uses beautifully crafted poetry that is candy to the mind to tell the story of Alaska's native people in World War II, and how they were mistreated by the government. This is a story more people need to hear, and get angry about, told in a very engaging and pretty format. Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes. 5Q, 3P This is a beautifully written, haunting and touching story of a 12 year old girl, Martha, who is experiencing a happy-one-minute then sad-one-minute summer at her grandmother's cottage. Some teens might find it too young, but it is nevertheless worth your time. Jackie's Wild Seattle by Will Hobbs. Green Angel by Alice Hoffman. 5Q, 4P When Green's family are killed in a horrible event (that resembles September 11th to me, in a slightly twisted mythical way) she retreats into the solitude of herself to try and cope. She slowly comes to terms with her loss and begins to venture out into the world again and bring her surroundings back to life. This book was far too short, but it was a pleasant read. A Fistful of Sky by Nina Kiriki Hoffman. 5Q, 4P Gypsum is the only one in her family other than her father, who doesn't have special magic acquired during "transition", a transformation everyone else underwent that left them with powers ranging from transfiguration to creating simple enchantments. But one week, when she's 20 (and long after she's given up on getting magic and belonging) the change happens to her and she discovers she has been given the gift of curses. An unexpected and dangerous power to have. Gyp doesn't want to hurt people, but she knows that if she rejects her power, it will kill her. How she will learn to deal with this new part of her without destroying herself and others around her? In a witty, funny and exciting way. You'll love going on a journey with Gyp as she has accidents, victories and experiences bumps along the way to love, acceptance and mastering her power. A Stir Of Bones by Nina Kiriki Hoffman. Keeper of the Night by Kimberly Willis Holt. 5Q, 4P Although this book is made up of incredibly short chapters and very simple sentences, it has an almost poetic flow that is hard to describe. I'd want to call this book "beautiful". Isabel is now in charge of her household, since her mother committed suicide. Her father has withdrawn into himself, and her younger brother has found his own way of coping (with cutting himself). The richly described setting of Guam is one of the best elements of the story - you feel like you're there, and the author gets completely inside the minds of all the characters and locals. Come along for Isabel's journey of healing and acceptance, a fascinating glimpse of Guam and a heartwarming story. The Canning Season by Polly Horvath. 5Q, 4P Although they will probably be deterred by the cover, I guarantee that if teens read this book, they will love it, and the unique humour. You will fall in love with the characters and their eccentricities. Polly Horvath's dry wit had me in stitches. Some of the lines are classic. She's a wonderful storyteller, and this is a great and enjoyable tale I will pass on to family members young and old. The First Part Last by Angela Johnson. 5Q, 5P Through sets of chapters reverting from "then" to "now", Angela Johnson tells the story of Bobby and his baby Feather. Bobby is 16 and when his girlfriend Nia tells him she's pregnant, his world changes dramatically. Because of the unique way this single story is split into two time periods that meet at the end, you already know the ending (or so you think) but you don't know how events unfolded to get you there. From sketches of Bobby's life before Feather is born to days when he is bone weary from caring for her in the absence of her mother, this book is excellent. The perspective of a single father raising a child is fascinating. Alice, I Think by Susan Juby. 5Q, 4P Alice has a unique, witty and extremely funny way of looking at everything and anything. Her home town of Smithers BC. Her weirdo parents. The amusing characters inhabiting her life - at school, at her therapy centre, at the new age bookstore. You will laugh loudly and might embarass yourself if you read it in public. This book is sharper and better than the "Princess Diaries" and "Angus Thongs And Full Frontal Snogging". Canadians especially will get a kick out of it, but people of all ages, male or female will enjoy it too. Shakespeare Bats Cleanup by Ron Koertge. 4Q, 4P Although I never thought of myself as a fan of poetry or novels in verse, I have to admit this genre is growing on me. When Kevin is forced to stay in bed for a month with mono, the prospect of missing out on baseballs games and hanging out with his friends does not excite him. But when he casually starts writing some words down on a page, and secretly borrows one of his writer father's poetry guides the exile starts to become more bearable. He slowly recovers, all the time writing about the death of his mother, past and present loves and his discovery of a whole new way of expressing himself. If I had to describe this book in three words it would be 'short and sweet'. It's fun and cheerful (although I have to admit I didn't "get" the title until I was finished reading it). Buddha Boy by Kathe Koja. 3Q, 4P Although this book was well written, came with a moral and an absorbing story that leaves the reader with a bit of guilt and reflection on whether you're being the best person you could be, I found it fairly average. It did not particularly stand out from the crowd. The parts about Buddha Boy's art were interesting. Even though the characters seemed black and white, they had other dimensions. The Adventures of Flash Jackson by William Kowalski. 4Q, 3P Haley Bombauer is a feisty and lovable heroine, who has always been a tomboy and plans on staying one for life. She's sick of her mother and gossipy small town neighbours trying to get her to be more ladylike. I found her views on everything amusing and fresh. When Haley falls off the roof of her barn and breaks her leg, she's looking at a long, boring summer. I thought this book would be about her coming to terms with her injury, her father's death, her friend Frankie's schizophrenia. It's not. This is not just a coming of age story. It morphs into something reminiscent of "Nell", where she moves into the woods with her reclusive grandmother and shuts herself off from society for almost a year. As much as some readers will probably be weirded out by the drastic changes in plot and character, I was fascinated by the stories about herbal lore and how her grandmother is actually an age old spirit inhabiting the magical woods (I will say it once again: This is not your average coming of age story! It looks like general fiction, but it becomes fantasy almost). If you told me how it ended when I first started the book, I would have been shocked beyond belief, but by the time I got there, I was used to the changes and found it really interesting. This book is certainly different, but this reader enjoyed it immensely. The Loser's Club by John Lekich. 4Q, 5P Alex Sherwood and his friends Winston and Manny are tired of being pushed around by the school bully, Jerry Whitman. So they form The Loser's Club, a haven for other popularity challenged kids from their high school. It started off as a place to hang out and let off steam from being constantly tormented, humiliated and mugged. But it ended up as a place to fight for the rights and self esteem of losers everywhere, through the unlikely venue of a Christmas lights display competition. They face off against Whitman, with the help of Julie Spenser (hobbies? "brooding"), a rare girl who has befriended Alex. The ending is predictable, but it doesn't matter because it's what you want to happen. I think this book would make a great movie. It's got lovable guys, great humour and a winning candid style. Thumbs up! The Gangster We Are All Looking For by Thi Le. 3Q, 2P In this beautifully and poetically written book, we follow the life of a young girl who came to San Diego as a Vietnamese refugee in the 1970s. Her family has many problems and in the episodic and haphazard way the book is told, we touch down on them briefly before flitting about and landing on something else, perhaps a sweet memory of growing up. A lot of times the book doesn't make any sense and it is extremely difficult to follow what is going on. It may be word candy, but it seems like the author would have done better by publishing a book of poems instead of a novel. I cannot see this appealing to many teens, most of whom will not persevere through the whole novel. Flip by David Lubar. Alchemy by Margaret Mahy. 3Q, 3P Roland is instantly suspicious when his English teacher, Mr. Hudson, asks him to spy on one of his less popular classmates. But he has no choice but to go along since Mr. Hudson has proof that Roland was shoplifting. When he gets closer to Jess Ferret (his target), Roland is instantly aware that something is very different about her, but he doesn't know what. He is sure that there is some kind of conspiracy involving Jess, his teacher, her missing parents, and a magician who haunts his dreams in a recurring nightmare. This book is sometimes irritating to read due to the authors overuse of italics and showing us the characters thoughts (with repetitive questions like "What's going on? Why?" that quickly become annoying). It's certainly different, and it's not a bad story, but there are other books about discovery of magical prowess that are far more rewarding. The Flip Side by Andrew Matthews. 4Q, 4P I didn't get a lot of the Britspeak , but the story made up for that. Robert Hunt is a teen confused about his true identity. This book brings up some good points, especially for people confused or curious about who truly they are. It also brings up some interesting philosophical points. During a class discussion on Shakespeare, they talk about gender stereotypes and how boys would dress up to play girls roles in classical theatre. The story moves on to deal with Robert discovering his feminine side and his friend coming out about his sexuality - both topics not usually discussed in YA lit. I think the book handled them well. I found this book too short. It wasn't perfect, but it was still a fairly good (albeit an easy) read. Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty. 5Q, 4P This was an amazing book that I would highly recommend (more to girls than guys, but if boys actually picked this up I bet they'd like it too) to teens as well as adults. Jessica Darling is a witty, sexy [okay, it's out in the open. I really like this imaginary girl!] character who it's really fun to read about. I was completely drawn in. By the story. Days Of Jubilee by Patricia and Frederick McKissack 5Q, 4P This was a fascinating and thought provoking look at the end of American slavery. You will learn many things about the civil war, some about the Underground Railroad, and some about the conflicting politics of the north and south, Abraham Lincoln, his allies and enemies. I don't normally read non-fiction for fun, but this was a worthwhile read, and we can still learn many lessons about tolerance and attitudes about racism today. Acceleration by Graham McNamee. 4Q, 4P This was a fun, fast paced thriller that was a great read. It has some slightly disturbing elements, but still maintains a mostly light tone (but still riveting and leaving you on the edge of your seat). It's a very original idea, and I loved being familiar with the place a book is set. Zipped by Laura and Tom McNeal. Fluke by Christopher Moore. 4Q, 4P I really liked this one, a hilarious book that also deals with Darwin's Theory of Evolution. Christopher Moore has a truly original sense of humour, and the Hawaii setting and environmental crusader characters are refreshing and interesting. The Beast by Walter Dean Myers. 5Q, 4P Kissing Kate by Lauren Myracle. 4Q, 4P Firebirds: An Anthology Edited by Sharyn November. 5Q, 5P This is an amazing collection of fantasy and science fiction short stories. There is a variety of popular authors, and great authors waiting to be discovered that is sure to attract many fans and create more. The calibre of the stories is very high all around, there's not just a few really good ones. Some have sword and sorcery, some are fairy tale or myth retellings, and some have such a subtle ingredient of magic, you have to look for it. The Glass Cafe by Gary Paulsen. 3Q, 4P A nice, quick read. Likeable characters, fun plot, but there's not much substance to it. By making it angstier or focusing on the powers of children's welfare authorities, Paulsen could have made it into a book that made you think hard about social issues, but he didn't. Instead, the conflict is solved effortlessly and fast. Which is fine, but it doesn't make for much conflict. It's basically a long-ish short story. The River Between Us by Richard Peck. 5Q, 3P A beautifully crafted story with a vivid setting and characters. It is a fascinating and original look at another aspect of the Civil War. I found the first 40 pages slow and slightly boring, but once it got going I was hooked. This book will be appreciated by historical fiction readers, and those who like character driven novels, but people who usually enjoy more fast paced books will probably be bored and disappointed. Keeping You A Secret by Julie Anne Peters. 4Q, 4P Holland Jaeger is popular, has a great boyfriend, and is on the student council and swim team at school. Everything seems perfect, but when she begins to feel weird emotions about Cece, a new girl at school, things get confusing for her. Cece's a lesbian, but Holland never thought she herself could be. As the two embark on a relationship that grows more intimiate, Holland realizes the truth about herself and learns the hard way about prejudices she will face from others around her, including her own mother. This is a well written novel about coming out, that was an enjoyable read. It has some flaws, but is great on the whole. Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce. 5Q, 5P After a fight with her mother, King's Champion Alanna the Lioness, Alianne runs away from Pirate's Swoop and is captured by bandits and sold into slavery on the exotic Copper Isles. She serves a noble household and becomes embroiled in a conflict between the native raka people of the isles, who are planning a rebellion for more freedom, since they have been oppressed by the luarin ruling class. Under the protection of the Trickster God, Kyprioth, Aly learns she is part of a plan to create massive change and meddle in the affairs of the islands. Well written, fast paced and engrossing with romance, humour and action, this book has something for everyone. The beginning is a little hard to get into, but persevere and you will be rewarded! Slumming by Kristen D. Randle. 4Q, 4P The 3 different perspectives of the Mormon teens made this interesting. I read it in one sitting (it held my interest). The "project" Nikki starts is an interesting idea, and it's neat watching the relationships they have with their 3 "chosen ones" evolve as they realize things they didn't know about themselves and others. The ending was good, but more closure on the issue of Alicia's mom and her actions regarding Morgan would have been helpful. Some loose ends weren't wrapped up. Pirates! by Celia Rees. Vampire High by Douglas Rees. 4Q, 5P Mortal Engines by Phillip Reeve. 4Q, 4P How I Fell In Love And Learned To Shoot Free Throws by Jon Ripslinger. 3Q, 4P Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling. 5Q, 5P The most eagerly anticipated book of 2003 does live up to high expectations. Fast paced plot, a goldmine of character development - and come on, it's HARRY POTTER! God Went To Beauty School by Cynthia Rylant. 5Q, 3P Through a series of whimsical and beautifully crafted poems about God, Cynthia Rylant creates an endearing, thought provoking and enjoyable book. These aren't your usual poems about God (as we think we know Him). God gets a dog, God gets cable, God goes to beauty school, God takes a boat ride, eats spaghetti and other random, but fascinating chapters. Just like the Joan Osborne song, this book asks "what if God was one of us?". How would he live and discover new things? It sounds silly, but it's anything but. It's short and sweet and different and everybody should read it. As much as I thought this was wonderful, though provoking and fun poetry, I don't think it should make the final list because many people do not enjoy poetry and the book is just too short. Pool Boy by Michael Simmons. 4Q, 5P Dust by Arthur Slade. 3Q, 3P Hannah's Garden by Midori Snyder. 4Q, 4P Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli. 4Q, 4P Slightly young for teens, but a good story anyway. Misha is a rather odd narrator, but this is still fairly interesting and gripping. The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud. 5Q, 5P Fault Line by Janet Tashjian. 5Q, 5P This is one of my favourite nominations. The setting is fresh, the jokes and comedy are great, and the characters are real and likeable. It also made me really think hard about abuse in a way I never have before. I used to be a victim blamer to some extent, but this book has made me reconsider my views on the subject because I can see the thought processes and interactions of characters and people who would be in the situation. I understand the motivations of both Kip and Becky. It was enriching, a joy to read and impossible to put down. I also had a long list of names and movies to look up on the internet (I now know who a lot of SNL comics are who I hadn't heard of before this). The Song Reader by Lisa Tucker. 5Q, 4P I thought this book was engrossing, original and really interesting. I couldn't put down the story about Leeann and her older sister Mary Beth's unique song reading, the lives of other people around them interwoven in the story and how things can go wrong so easily. To The Top: The Story Of Everest by Stephen Venables. 4Q, 4P The informative, but easy and readable style of this book will allow for many people to actually enjoy reading non-fiction about something they might have been required to study. The sections on how physically demanding the trek to Everest is were interesting. Amid all the IMAX films and articles, I'd forgotten what an amazing feat of the human body this is. It's very historical too, and hearing about the forgotten people who came before Sir Edmund Hillary was a treat. Coming from someone who has hiked up Everest himself, it makes the book all the more rewarding and fascinating. The author has been in all of these frozen, dangerous places! Excellent and informative. Restless by Rich Wallace. 4Q, 4P This was an interesting book about ghosts and it actually makes you think about philosophy and death from reading about the experiences of the main character and the narrative of his dead brother. Herbie was very likeable, and it was an enjoyable read. Claws by Will Weaver. 5Q, 5P I really connected with the character Jed Berg and followed his story with interest. I liked his honest and fun narration. At first this book felt like a mystery, then after the discovery and revelations take place, everyone has to deal with the consequences. I was completely drawn in. It felt real. I didn't like the end of the book as much as the beginning and middle. During the Ded Beets Chapter I kept yelling at him to smarten up (which I suppose is a good thing, since I got so involved). I thought using a computer game was a weak plot device, and the ending seemed completely over the top, although I am prepared to accept it. I highly recommend this book, especially to teenage guys (finally a book that most guys will like, most YA books I read are tailored more to girls). Zigzag by Ellen Wittlinger. 5Q, 4P Paint Me Like I Am Teen Poems From WritersCorp. 5Q, 5P The Merlin Conspiracy by Diana Wynne Jones. 5Q, 5P Dragon and Thief by Timothy Zahn. 3Q, 5P Draycos is a warrior poet of the K'da - a dragon on a scouting mission in the hopes of saving his entire species from certai demise at the hands of the Valahgua, an alien race bent on their destruction. Jack is a 14 year old on the run from the law for a crime he did not commit. He does have a shady past, but wants to clean up and make a better life for himself. When the stories of these two collide, a fun and fast paced story (albeit one lacking a little bit in substance) results. Jack becomes Draycos' "host", a symbiotic process where Jack gives Draycos the life force he needs, and Draycos helps Jack fight his way out of some sticky situations on the way to clearing his name and ultimately defeating the evil foes we get a brief glimpse of at the beginning of this book. They have some rip roaring adventures along the way. The ending is an enormous cliffhanger (not to worry, as Zahn plans on making this a 6 book series). Don't read this if you're looking for "serious" sci-fi. But if you don't mind a sometimes confusing, but upbeat narrative, choose this. It's certainly not the height of literary quality, and sometimes misses the mark, but it's fun.