The Sin Eater

The Sin Eater

By: Gary D. Schmidt

Published by: Puffin Books

Reading Level: Young Adult

184 pages

Summary: Cole's mothers death was hard on him. But not as hard as it was on his father. The depression was hitting his father hard so he decided to move them down to Albion to live with his mothers parents the Emersons. The Emersons have a long history line, full of stories that help Cole pull through his mothers death. That and his friends Will and Peter. His father on the other hand does not find anything to pull him out of his depression and just stays locked in his room. It is not long before Cole begins to discover stories about The Sin Eater. A Gealy who would walk around at night and eat every bodies sin that they left out, some even cooked it in bread. Some might find this very strange but it was his way of saving the people. This story intrigues Cole and he begins to dig up the real story of The Sin Eater, who just might save him as well.

Personal Review: Gary D Schmidt is a wonderful writer whose words intrigue you. The story line of Sin Eater at moments really bored me, but Gary never let me down with his smooth words. They were what made this book. Great descriptions, and in the end an over all good book with a good moral to the story. I would recommend it to anyone who may be struggling in life and needs to here some comforting words on depression or death. So they can see you can pull through it, you just have to find a reason to.

Warnings: Lots of death scenes

Godless

Godless

By: Pete Hautman

Published by: Simon Pulse 2004

Reading Level: Young Adult

198 Pages

Summary: It all started with a punch. One day Jason Bock and his best friend Shin were looking for snails below the water tower when they run into Henry Stagg. Henry Stagg is a little guy with a big temper and is a big bully. When he punches Jason he gets knocked under the towns water tower and looks up. After years of questioning his parents catholic beliefs he starts to wonder if there is another God. Like a water tower. He explains it to Shin as "what is the basis of life, water, where to we get water? the water tower". It isn't long until Jason is able to round up a few more members of the ten legged thing. Dan, Magda, and even Henry himself. They call themselves the Chutengodiansism. But do they take it to far? The night they decide the water tower for midnight tuesday mass changes everything. Leaving them with a memory of a night they will never forget.

Personal Review: Honestly this was a really hard book to get into for me, and follow. It seemed very athiest and very against religion. I felt that it made fun of faith, repentance, and religion in general. Not one of the best books i have read, and not one that i would recommend.

Warnings: Language, and Sexual References

The Final Warning

The Final Warning

By: James Patterson

Published by: Little Brown and Co. 2008

Reading Level: Young Adult

320 Pages

Summary: Max and her flock are not normal children. They are winged children who can fly and have all sorts of other powers, they even have a talking dog. They find themselves in many different predicaments but are always able to get away from the humans that want to kill them. But this time it wasn't humans. When they go down to Antarctica to work with a bunch of scientist to help global warming they soon find that there are a few moles in the scientist group. And before long they are captured by these robots who want to sell them and make millions. These robots are a little harder to get away from then regular humans.

Personal Review: I have to admit i was not very excited for this book. The cover really threw me off. Like they say Don't Judge a book by its cover. I learned that lesson with this book. It was really good and actually had a lot of good information, and a good story that kept me entertained. I found it to be really funny as well. I would highly recommend it.

Warnings: Crude Language

Hush An Irish Princess Tale

Hush An Irish Princess Tale

By: Donna Jo Napoli

Published by: Autheneum 2007

Reading Level: Young Adult

307 Pages

Summary: Melkorka is a princess of a mediavel Ireland Kingdom who lives a easy happy life. That is until her brothers hand gets cut off on by a Viking on a trip to Dublin. His family has to defend his honor so the day of the battle her family send her and her sister Brigid on the road to a different town a days travel away. The trip is going good until her and her sister get kidnapped onto a slave ship. Beat and starved the first few days, Brigid bails off the boat and hopefully swims ashore. But Melkorka is stuck on board. But throughout this whole thing she never mutters a word. This becomes her power. Her masters get stuck under this power and always treat her very well for a slave.

Personal Review: I loved this book. It had such a powerful message of courage and love and compassion. I really think any young teenager would love this book, and could learn a lot from it. I would highly recommend it, although not to everyone. This is because it has some really horrible scenes that i don't think all teenagers and even some adults are ready to read about.

Warnings: Crude Language, Rape scenes, Graphic scenes, Sexual References

The Cat Ate My Gymsuit

The Cat Ate My Gymsuit

By: Paula Danziger

Published By: Bantum Doubleday Dell Publishing Group 1974

Reading Level: Young Adult

119 Pages

Summary: Marcy Lewis is a blimp. Well atleast she thinks so. She avoids talking, and she especially avoids her gymsuit. She makes up an excuse everyday in Gym class so she does not have to participate. As bad as school is for her home life is even worse. Her mother downs Tranquilizers as her father yells at her, her brother, and her mother. It is not until Ms. Finney becomes her english teacher and begins teaching her to not be so afraid and to come out of her shell and other important life lessons like standing up for what you believe in that Marcy really starts to grow. Then they fire Ms. Finney for not saying the pledge of allegiance. Marcy and her newly acquired friends of Nancy and Joel fight the school board along with their parents and face the consequences all in hope of getting Ms. Finney reinstated.

Personal Review: I admit at times this book was really hard to get through but overall was not as bad as i was expecting for a book from the 70's. The book had a really good moral about standing up for what you believe in despite the consequences. As hard as it was to read at times i would still recommend it to those who are struggling trying to find there place, and learning to stand up for themselves.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp

By: Rick Yancey

Published by: Bloomsbury Publishing 2005

Reading Level: Young Adult

368 Pages

Summary: His father left before his was born and his mother died when he was young as well. Alfred was a large boy that was tossed around in many foster homes. He was very happy when his Uncle agreed to take him in. It is his Uncle that first gets him into his predicament. Does he steal the sword ... and his uncle want him to from Samsung his uncles boss for a million dollars. When his Uncle threatens to send him back to foster care he agrees to steal the sword, but little did he know that taking that sword put the world in great danger. It was no regular sword, but that of King Author and was the most powerful weapon. After the death of his Uncle Bennacio a knight the only knight left to protect the sword comes and gets him as Samsungs last wish. The question remains why Alfred? He is not your typical hero, or is he? Alfred travels with Bennacio in hopes are getting the sword back. Can he do it? What happens when love comes into the picture?

Personal Review: This was quite a thrilling book. It was very entertaining but at times seemed to drag on. My heart went out to Alfred who didn't fit in, lost all his loved ones, and then had to save the world. What a tough life. All in all i really enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

Warning: Crude Language, Graphic fighting scenes

Wee Free Men

Wee Free Men

By: Terry Pratchett

Published by: Harper Collins 2004

Reading Level: Young Adult

400 pages

Summary: Tiffany Aching is a bright nine year-old, good at making cheese, a young witch, and has an incredibly annoying little brother Wentworth who has a thing for sweets. So when the Queen of faerie kidnaps Wentworth it is Tiffany's job to get him back. She must first find her power though, and with the help of her mentor Miss Tick, and the toad and of course the Nac Mac Feegles, (which are little blue tattooed Faerie men who love to fight and drink) she must rescue him and defeat the queen and her. She soon finds out that magic is not all it is made up to be but it is a very useful skill when needed. She also finds out her grandma Aching was a witch as well. So she must use knowledge she learned from her as well to help her rescue her brother.

Personal Review: This is an incredibly written book. It is so funny, and so entertaining you can't put it down. Anyone and everyone would enjoy it. And i highly recommend it to everyone which includes children and adults.

Warnings: Crude Language