Banff Library Teen Site - Fiction Reviews

AGE: 14+
LOCATION: Y JOH
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: *** You had better read this!
REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library staff

Imagine that your flaky, artistic aunt has left the family to travel the globe and hasn’t been heard of for a very long time. Suddenly, you get a package in the mail that contains 13 envelopes and instructions to open them one at a time as you complete each letter’s task. Would you follow their directions and go traveling on your own? Ginny does, and it turns out that her aunt’s letters have quite a lot in store for her. When the first envelope holds $1000 and instructions to buy a plane ticket to England, it starts looking like an interesting summer. Ginny explores the great museums of Europe, meets some weird and funny artists, and just might discover what her aunt meant by all of this.

AGE: 12 - 15
LOCATION: J COL
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: ** Much better than I expected
REVIEWER: Isaac, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant

This book tells us facts about magical creatures in the “Artemis Fowl” series of books. It explains how Holly Short became a LEPrecon, it tells us about the fairy code, the Gnommish alphabet, and all the characters and creatures you find in the books – including more about Artemis Fowl himself. I recommend that you read this book before you read any of the “Artemis Fowl” series because it will help you to understand it all better.

See a review of Artemis Fowl in Adventure Fiction Reviews.

AGE: 14+
LOCATION: Y KOR
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: *** You had better read this!
REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library staff

Leo Carraway is 17, about to graduate high school with a scholarship to Harvard, and has his life completely sorted out. However, things get turned upside-down when he is accused of cheating during final exams. Through a strange twist of events, Leo finds himself working as a roadie on the biggest, baddest, punkest rock tour of the summer – and he doesn’t even like punk music! Leo thinks King Maggot, the lead singer of the head-lining band, is his father and he needs the guy’s help, so he sticks it out. Hilarious, vivid, and as fast and edgy as the most alternative music you’ve ever heard, this is a really fun story about how quickly your life can change.

AGE: 12+
LOCATION: Not in library collection
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: * Could have been better
REVIEWER: Marika, Grade 6 student

Is Cupid in love? Have you ever heard of Cupid? I have. You think he is loving, caring, and your guardian angel with lots of heart, right? Well NOT exactly. In this book, Cupid (the god of love) falls in love himself and events are bound to get scrambled up.

Cupid falls in love with a mortal named Psyche, who people say is the most beautiful woman in the world, so she thinks. When Psyche’s father gets a letter from someone that says she has to marry a monster he keeps it a secret. Will Psyche marry the monster?

I think Cupid is a boring, “fall asleep” book because the vocabulary doesn’t hold your attention, and the characters could be developed with more depth. Cupid is for ages 12 and up and I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone younger because of the inappropriate scenes.

AGE: 12 - 16
LOCATION: Y MAC
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: ** Much better than I expected
REVIEWER: Grace, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant

Larger than average, Virginia Shreves was born into a perfect family. Her mom is an exercise-holic, her father is forever staring at beautiful, skinny women, her sister is an attractive beauty, and her brother goes to one of the best colleges. One day, Virginia’s brother is brought home, charged with date rape, and everything turns to chaos.

AGE: 10 - 14
LOCATION: J FIT
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: ** Much better than I expected
REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library staff

Jo is good at hockey, really good. Jo has always worn a hockey jersey at Halloween and has always played in the youth hockey league. But now Jo is the last girl left in the group of kids trying out for the team. Each year, as the game got rougher and more competitive, the girls gradually left the team to try other more feminine sports, like figure skating. Jo wants to keep playing hockey, though. Can she continue to take the hits against the boards? Will she give up her dream and quit, or will Jo stay in the game?

AGE: 12 - 16
LOCATION: Y LOW
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: ** Much better than I expected
REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library staff

At 15, Rosie wants something more exciting than her suburban life in Western Australia. Colouring her hair and piercing her nose has really upset her parents, but Rosie doesn’t see what the big problem is. When she becomes friends with the cute new dread-locked boy at school, they decide to get away for a while. Ever wondered what it would be like to stick your thumb out by the side of the road and see where fate takes you? Rosie’s ready for some adventure and the open roads are calling.

AGE: 14+
LOCATION: Y SER
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: ** Much better than I expected
REVIEWER: Grace, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant

Laid-back Chicano Evie evolves through all the social cliques of her latin-flavoured, southern Californian home; from a lazy “Flojo” girl to a blue-haired rebel to a blonde and snobbish “Sangro.” Now Evie has to choose; hang out with her best friends Jose, Raquel, Mondo and Alejandro, or with her long-gone-come-back best friend Dee Dee and the Sangros? Interesting but, unless you’re Spanish-speaking, you won’t understand half of the conversations that take place in the book.

AGE: 12+
LOCATION: Y ROS
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: *** You had better read this!
REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library staff

This chillingly realistic depiction of a world war breaking out in the 21st century is told from the point of view of Daisy, a 15-year-old New Yorker. The self-centered and disgruntled teen is sent away from her pregnant stepmother to England where she is to stay with her aunt and cousins on their remote farm. Surprisingly, she instantly bonds with her previously unknown relatives, but war soon breaks out and rips the family apart. Daisy's candid, intelligent story draws readers into her very private world, which appears almost utopian at first with no adult supervision. In this new, unorganized existence, social taboos are temporarily erased and she finds herself falling in love with her cousin Edmond. When soldiers take over the farm, they send the girls off separately from the boys, and Daisy realizes she must rise to the challenge if she is to keep herself and her youngest cousin, Piper, alive. In the span of a few months, she goes from a put- out and angry young girl to a courageous survivor motivated by love and kindness. Readers will surface from this book shaken and a little wiser, feeling that they have vicariously experienced a war themselves as they witness Daisy's worst nightmares and her incredible growth.

AGE: 14+
LOCATION: Y ZUS
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: *** You had better read this!
REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library staff

Ed Kennedy isn’t much good at anything and doesn’t really care. He does have a couple of good friends; they hang out together after working at their slacker jobs and they play cards. Until Ed unintentionally stops a bank robbery… then his life starts to change. He receives an odd message that forces him to start taking part in his community, to start caring about the people around him. But who is sending Ed these messages? And, why him? It’s funny, it’s smart, and an outstanding story.

AGE: 12 - 16
LOCATION: Y FRE
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: *** You had better read this!
REVIEWER:
Reviewer: Grace, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant

Magenta Orange was in love; she had the hugest crush on Adam Jordan, but he was going out with Anthea Pritchard. Blind to the fact that best friend and next-door neighbor, Daniel Davis, was madly in love with her, she races off to get a date with Adam – and ends up with one! Daniel’s brother was going out with Anthea behind Daniel’s back, so Adam asks out the first girl he sees, which turns out to be Magenta. Unfortunately, Magenta’s clumsiness ruins it all and their relationship ends with the first date. Will poor Magenta ever realize that Daniel is the one for her? Or will she forever roam the earth, doomed to have all her relationships go no further than the first date?

AGE: 12 - 16
LOCATION: Y FRE
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: *** You had better read this!
REVIEWER:
Reviewer: Grace, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant

In the sequel to “Magenta Orange,” Magenta is going out with irresistible hottie, best friend, and next-door neighbor, Daniel. Life couldn’t get any better for Magenta, so it gets worse instead. Daniel is offered a part in the school play and discusses it with a grade 12 girl. Convinced that Daniel is cheating on her, Magenta breaks up with him and starts snogging bad boy, Ryan. Of course, Anthea Pritchard ruins it all by going out with Ryan behind Magenta’s back… so, it’s “adios, amigo” to bad boy Ryan and it will soon become “aloha!” to hot actor, Darien! Wanting to impress Darien, Magenta signs up for the school play, but it turns out that Darien is a really mean guy with a false identity. Poor Magenta; shut out again. Why doesn’t she just leap into the open, loving arms of Daniel?

AGE: 10 - 15
LOCATION: Y ELL
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: ** Much better than I expected
REVIEWER:
Reviewer: Isaac, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant

Isaac, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant

Parvana’s best friend, Shauzia, has left Afghanistan and now she is faced with surviving on her own in the streets of Peshawar, Pakistan. With a dog at her side, she must beg for food, money, and a place to sleep. I thought this book was very sad because it shows that Parvana is in desperate need, but she doesn’t give up even though things get very tough. This is the third book in the Breadwinner series.

AGE: 12+
LOCATION: Y HAR
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: *** You had better read this!
REVIEWER: Lee, member of Teen Book Club

Devon’s obsessed, until he is framed for defacing his school and is thought guilty by everyone except his “girlfriend” and the criminal. He overturns his problems and becomes “normal” again. Hope you enjoy!

AGE: 14+
LOCATION: Y HEA
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: ** Much better than I expected
REVIEWER: Grace, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant

Half Taiwanese, half white – “hapa” girl, Patty Ho, is being sent off to math camp. She makes friends there with Jasmine and Anne, and soon Patty feels at home. She is doing great at math camp but ends up staying out too late one day and then everything goes crazy. Her mom is seething, and her boyfriend cheats on her. Patty is given the choice to turn back or stay – which will Patty pick?

AGE: 10 - 15
LOCATION: J ELL
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: ** Much better than I expected
REVIEWER: Isaac, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant

This book is about a young girl in Afghanistan, Parvana, who is on a journey to find her missing Mom, sister, and brother. During the journey, she loses her father and another girl she was traveling with, so that she ends up taking care of a baby and young boy all on her own. I thought this book was very sad because of death and war. It is the sequel to “The Breadwinner.”

AGE: 12- 16
LOCATION: Y CHE
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: *** You had better read this!
REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library Staff

So you think that you are the biggest, most dedicated fan to your favourite band? Well, Dominic lives and breathes Plastic – the pop music sensation that he discovered before anyone else. He knows everything about them, idolizes the musicians and their lyrics, and adores their lead singer, Lisa Voyd. So, Dom can hardly believe his luck when he gets stuck in an elevator with her during a signing session. Two hours alone and uninterrupted with his favourite person in the world! Except that it turns out Lisa’s not quite the person he imagined… and, like it or not, their short time together is going to have a profound impact on their lives.

AGE: 14+
LOCATION: Not in library collection
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: ** Much better than I expected
REVIEWER: Pablo, Grade 6 student

How long do you think Sam can keep the secret? You are an 18 year-old guy who is finished school, you have a girlfriend, and you own a 1974 red VW Bug and everything is going swell…Well, unfortunately it is not going very well for Sam right now.

Sam and Charlie used to be best friends until one day. Sam ended their relationship for no apparent reason. Sam is keeping a secret from Charlie and it is getting harder and harder to keep. Sam has a little sister named Hanna. Charlie has a father that is always working and Charlie’s mother is dead. Although this was an excellent book I did not like it very much because of the way it was written. The author’s writing style was awkward and confusing. The vocabulary was somewhat boring.

AGE: 15+
LOCATION: FIC KID
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: *** You had better read this!
REVIEWER: Rilla, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant

An interesting story about a girl finding out the truth about her mother’s history.
If you are interested in this title, or have read it and enjoyed it, look at the “Interested in moving from YA books to ‘adult’ books?” suggestions in the reading lists for more titles.

AGE: 12- 17
LOCATION: Y COH
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: *** You had better read this!
REVIEWER: Grace, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant

This amazing sequel to “Gingerbread” is a must-read. 17 year old Cyd Charisse (CC) is in her last year of school and is absolutely convinced that Shrimp is her true love. After a bit of “fooling around,” Shrimp says the four words of a doomed relationship: let’s just be friends. CC is heart-broken. How will she ever survive? Read the book to find out!

AGE: 14+
LOCATION: Y kor
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
RATED: *** You had better read this!
REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library Staff

Vincent Luca is the youngest son of tough-guy New York crime boss, “Honest Abe Luca.” Although he benefits from his family's ill-gotten gains (how many other teens get a new Porsche for their sixteenth birthday?), he isn't interested in taking up the “family business.” That’s especially true when Vince starts going out with Kendra, who – unfortunately! - just happens to be the daughter of the FBI agent who’s job it is to put Vince’s father away in prison. Meanwhile, Vince faces the usual complications of being a teen, like trying to get his schoolwork done and play quarterback on the high school football team, while also trying to avoid getting caught up with the Mob -- like the unconscious man in the trunk of Vince’s car!

See the Romance Reviews for another reader’s opinion.

AGE: all
LOCATION: CD 781.532 SPR
GENRE: Contemporary Music
RATED: ** Much better than I expected
REVIEWER: Siddharth, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant

The music on this CD is good because it is calm and soothing. When I listen to it, the music kind of takes control of me.

AGE: 14+
LOCATION: Y SEN
GENRE: Contemporary Music
RATED: ** Much better than I expected
REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library staff

16 year old Theodora is one of the hottest actresses going these days, but her bad girl reputation is putting her career at risk. In an attempt to clean up her image, Theodora’s publicist plans a new reality-TV show: “Theodora: a regular teen!” Thing is, to be a regular teen, the independent star must move back into her childhood home and shadow a real regular teen for a month while their every move is filmed. The real regular teen is Emily, who would rather continue life as it was – going unnoticed in a big school with a couple of good friends she can count on – rather than having everyone using her to get closer to the big star. Will the two girls survive the month? And each other?



		Contemporary 13 Little Blue Envelopes – Johnson, Maureen AGE: 14+ LOCATION: Y JOH GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: * You had better read this! REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library staff Imagine that your flaky, artistic aunt has left the family to travel the globe and hasn’t been heard of for a very long time. Suddenly, you get a package in the mail that contains 13 envelopes and instructions to open them one at a time as you complete each letter’s task. Would you follow their directions and go traveling on your own? Ginny does, and it turns out that her aunt’s letters have quite a lot in store for her. When the first envelope holds $1000 and instructions to buy a plane ticket to England, it starts looking like an interesting summer. Ginny explores the great museums of Europe, meets some weird and funny artists, and just might discover what her aunt meant by all of this. The Artemis Fowl Files – Colfer, Eoin AGE: 12 - 15 LOCATION: J COL GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: Much better than I expected REVIEWER: Isaac, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant This book tells us facts about magical creatures in the “Artemis Fowl” series of books. It explains how Holly Short became a LEPrecon, it tells us about the fairy code, the Gnommish alphabet, and all the characters and creatures you find in the books – including more about Artemis Fowl himself. I recommend that you read this book before you read any of the “Artemis Fowl” series because it will help you to understand it all better. See a review of Artemis Fowl in Adventure Fiction Reviews. Born to Rock – Korman, Gordon AGE: 14+ LOCATION: Y KOR GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: *** You had better read this! REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library staff Leo Carraway is 17, about to graduate high school with a scholarship to Harvard, and has his life completely sorted out. However, things get turned upside-down when he is accused of cheating during final exams. Through a strange twist of events, Leo finds himself working as a roadie on the biggest, baddest, punkest rock tour of the summer – and he doesn’t even like punk music! Leo thinks King Maggot, the lead singer of the head-lining band, is his father and he needs the guy’s help, so he sticks it out. Hilarious, vivid, and as fast and edgy as the most alternative music you’ve ever heard, this is a really fun story about how quickly your life can change. Cupid – Lester, Julius AGE: 12+ LOCATION: Not in library collection GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: * Could have been better REVIEWER: Marika, Grade 6 student Is Cupid in love? Have you ever heard of Cupid? I have. You think he is loving, caring, and your guardian angel with lots of heart, right? Well NOT exactly. In this book, Cupid (the god of love) falls in love himself and events are bound to get scrambled up. Cupid falls in love with a mortal named Psyche, who people say is the most beautiful woman in the world, so she thinks. When Psyche’s father gets a letter from someone that says she has to marry a monster he keeps it a secret. Will Psyche marry the monster? I think Cupid is a boring, “fall asleep” book because the vocabulary doesn’t hold your attention, and the characters could be developed with more depth. Cupid is for ages 12 and up and I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone younger because of the inappropriate scenes. The Earth, my Butt and Other Big, Round Things– Mackler, Carolyn AGE: 12 - 16 LOCATION: Y MAC GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: Much better than I expected REVIEWER: Grace, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant Larger than average, Virginia Shreves was born into a perfect family. Her mom is an exercise-holic, her father is forever staring at beautiful, skinny women, her sister is an attractive beauty, and her brother goes to one of the best colleges. One day, Virginia’s brother is brought home, charged with date rape, and everything turns to chaos. Getting in the Game– Fitzgerald, Dawn AGE: 10 - 14 LOCATION: J FIT GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: Much better than I expected REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library staff Jo is good at hockey, really good. Jo has always worn a hockey jersey at Halloween and has always played in the youth hockey league. But now Jo is the last girl left in the group of kids trying out for the team. Each year, as the game got rougher and more competitive, the girls gradually left the team to try other more feminine sports, like figure skating. Jo wants to keep playing hockey, though. Can she continue to take the hits against the boards? Will she give up her dream and quit, or will Jo stay in the game? Guitar Highway Rose– Lowry, Brigit AGE: 12 - 16 LOCATION: Y LOW GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: Much better than I expected REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library staff At 15, Rosie wants something more exciting than her suburban life in Western Australia. Colouring her hair and piercing her nose has really upset her parents, but Rosie doesn’t see what the big problem is. When she becomes friends with the cute new dread-locked boy at school, they decide to get away for a while. Ever wondered what it would be like to stick your thumb out by the side of the road and see where fate takes you? Rosie’s ready for some adventure and the open roads are calling. Honey Blonde Chica – Serros, Michele AGE: 14+ LOCATION: Y SER GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: Much better than I expected REVIEWER: Grace, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant Laid-back Chicano Evie evolves through all the social cliques of her latin-flavoured, southern Californian home; from a lazy “Flojo” girl to a blue-haired rebel to a blonde and snobbish “Sangro.” Now Evie has to choose; hang out with her best friends Jose, Raquel, Mondo and Alejandro, or with her long-gone-come-back best friend Dee Dee and the Sangros? Interesting but, unless you’re Spanish-speaking, you won’t understand half of the conversations that take place in the book. How I live now – Rosoff, Meg AGE: 12+ LOCATION: Y ROS GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: * You had better read this! REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library staff This chillingly realistic depiction of a world war breaking out in the 21st century is told from the point of view of Daisy, a 15-year-old New Yorker. The self-centered and disgruntled teen is sent away from her pregnant stepmother to England where she is to stay with her aunt and cousins on their remote farm. Surprisingly, she instantly bonds with her previously unknown relatives, but war soon breaks out and rips the family apart. Daisy's candid, intelligent story draws readers into her very private world, which appears almost utopian at first with no adult supervision. In this new, unorganized existence, social taboos are temporarily erased and she finds herself falling in love with her cousin Edmond. When soldiers take over the farm, they send the girls off separately from the boys, and Daisy realizes she must rise to the challenge if she is to keep herself and her youngest cousin, Piper, alive. In the span of a few months, she goes from a put- out and angry young girl to a courageous survivor motivated by love and kindness. Readers will surface from this book shaken and a little wiser, feeling that they have vicariously experienced a war themselves as they witness Daisy's worst nightmares and her incredible growth. I am the Messenger – Zusak, Marcus AGE: 14+ LOCATION: Y ZUS GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: * You had better read this! REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library staff Ed Kennedy isn’t much good at anything and doesn’t really care. He does have a couple of good friends; they hang out together after working at their slacker jobs and they play cards. Until Ed unintentionally stops a bank robbery… then his life starts to change. He receives an odd message that forces him to start taking part in his community, to start caring about the people around him. But who is sending Ed these messages? And, why him? It’s funny, it’s smart, and an outstanding story. Magenta Orange: the trials of a teenage temptress– Frrer, Echo AGE: 12 - 16 LOCATION: Y FRE GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: * You had better read this! REVIEWER: Reviewer: Grace, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant Magenta Orange was in love; she had the hugest crush on Adam Jordan, but he was going out with Anthea Pritchard. Blind to the fact that best friend and next-door neighbor, Daniel Davis, was madly in love with her, she races off to get a date with Adam – and ends up with one! Daniel’s brother was going out with Anthea behind Daniel’s back, so Adam asks out the first girl he sees, which turns out to be Magenta. Unfortunately, Magenta’s clumsiness ruins it all and their relationship ends with the first date. Will poor Magenta ever realize that Daniel is the one for her? Or will she forever roam the earth, doomed to have all her relationships go no further than the first date? Magenta in the Pink: the dramas of a disaster-prone diva – Frrer, Echo AGE: 12 - 16 LOCATION: Y FRE GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: * You had better read this! REVIEWER: Reviewer: Grace, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant In the sequel to “Magenta Orange,” Magenta is going out with irresistible hottie, best friend, and next-door neighbor, Daniel. Life couldn’t get any better for Magenta, so it gets worse instead. Daniel is offered a part in the school play and discusses it with a grade 12 girl. Convinced that Daniel is cheating on her, Magenta breaks up with him and starts snogging bad boy, Ryan. Of course, Anthea Pritchard ruins it all by going out with Ryan behind Magenta’s back… so, it’s “adios, amigo” to bad boy Ryan and it will soon become “aloha!” to hot actor, Darien! Wanting to impress Darien, Magenta signs up for the school play, but it turns out that Darien is a really mean guy with a false identity. Poor Magenta; shut out again. Why doesn’t she just leap into the open, loving arms of Daniel? Mud City– Ellis, Deborah AGE: 10 - 15 LOCATION: Y ELL GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: Much better than I expected REVIEWER: Reviewer: Isaac, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant Isaac, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant Parvana’s best friend, Shauzia, has left Afghanistan and now she is faced with surviving on her own in the streets of Peshawar, Pakistan. With a dog at her side, she must beg for food, money, and a place to sleep. I thought this book was very sad because it shows that Parvana is in desperate need, but she doesn’t give up even though things get very tough. This is the third book in the Breadwinner series. Not as Crazy as I Seem – Harrar, George AGE: 12+ LOCATION: Y HAR GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: * You had better read this! REVIEWER: Lee, member of Teen Book Club Devon’s obsessed, until he is framed for defacing his school and is thought guilty by everyone except his “girlfriend” and the criminal. He overturns his problems and becomes “normal” again. Hope you enjoy! Nothing but the Truth (and a few white lies) – Headley, Justina C. AGE: 14+ LOCATION: Y HEA GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: Much better than I expected REVIEWER: Grace, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant Half Taiwanese, half white – “hapa” girl, Patty Ho, is being sent off to math camp. She makes friends there with Jasmine and Anne, and soon Patty feels at home. She is doing great at math camp but ends up staying out too late one day and then everything goes crazy. Her mom is seething, and her boyfriend cheats on her. Patty is given the choice to turn back or stay – which will Patty pick? Parvana’s Journey – Ellis, Deborah AGE: 10 - 15 LOCATION: J ELL GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: Much better than I expected REVIEWER: Isaac, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant This book is about a young girl in Afghanistan, Parvana, who is on a journey to find her missing Mom, sister, and brother. During the journey, she loses her father and another girl she was traveling with, so that she ends up taking care of a baby and young boy all on her own. I thought this book was very sad because of death and war. It is the sequel to “The Breadwinner.” Plastic Fantastic – Cheshire, Simon AGE: 12- 16 LOCATION: Y CHE GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: * You had better read this! REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library Staff So you think that you are the biggest, most dedicated fan to your favourite band? Well, Dominic lives and breathes Plastic – the pop music sensation that he discovered before anyone else. He knows everything about them, idolizes the musicians and their lyrics, and adores their lead singer, Lisa Voyd. So, Dom can hardly believe his luck when he gets stuck in an elevator with her during a signing session. Two hours alone and uninterrupted with his favourite person in the world! Except that it turns out Lisa’s not quite the person he imagined… and, like it or not, their short time together is going to have a profound impact on their lives. Saints of Augustine – Ryan, P. E. AGE: 14+ LOCATION: Not in library collection GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: Much better than I expected REVIEWER: Pablo, Grade 6 student How long do you think Sam can keep the secret? You are an 18 year-old guy who is finished school, you have a girlfriend, and you own a 1974 red VW Bug and everything is going swell…Well, unfortunately it is not going very well for Sam right now. Sam and Charlie used to be best friends until one day. Sam ended their relationship for no apparent reason. Sam is keeping a secret from Charlie and it is getting harder and harder to keep. Sam has a little sister named Hanna. Charlie has a father that is always working and Charlie’s mother is dead. Although this was an excellent book I did not like it very much because of the way it was written. The author’s writing style was awkward and confusing. The vocabulary was somewhat boring. The Secret Life of Bees– Kidd, Sue Monk AGE: 15+ LOCATION: FIC KID GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: * You had better read this! REVIEWER: Rilla, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant An interesting story about a girl finding out the truth about her mother’s history. If you are interested in this title, or have read it and enjoyed it, look at the “Interested in moving from YA books to ‘adult’ books?” suggestions in the reading lists for more titles. Shrimp– Cohn, Rachel AGE: 12- 17 LOCATION: Y COH GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: * You had better read this! REVIEWER: Grace, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant This amazing sequel to “Gingerbread” is a must-read. 17 year old Cyd Charisse (CC) is in her last year of school and is absolutely convinced that Shrimp is her true love. After a bit of “fooling around,” Shrimp says the four words of a doomed relationship: let’s just be friends. CC is heart-broken. How will she ever survive? Read the book to find out! Son of the Mob – Korman, Gordon AGE: 14+ LOCATION: Y kor GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATED: * You had better read this! REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library Staff Vincent Luca is the youngest son of tough-guy New York crime boss, “Honest Abe Luca.” Although he benefits from his family's ill-gotten gains (how many other teens get a new Porsche for their sixteenth birthday?), he isn't interested in taking up the “family business.” That’s especially true when Vince starts going out with Kendra, who – unfortunately! - just happens to be the daughter of the FBI agent who’s job it is to put Vince’s father away in prison. Meanwhile, Vince faces the usual complications of being a teen, like trying to get his schoolwork done and play quarterback on the high school football team, while also trying to avoid getting caught up with the Mob -- like the unconscious man in the trunk of Vince’s car! See the Romance Reviews for another reader’s opinion. Spring Awakening: Exploring nature with music – CD AGE: all LOCATION: CD 781.532 SPR GENRE: Contemporary Music RATED: Much better than I expected REVIEWER: Siddharth, Teen Summer Reading Programme participant The music on this CD is good because it is calm and soothing. When I listen to it, the music kind of takes control of me. Theodora Twist – Senate, Melissa AGE: 14+ LOCATION: Y SEN GENRE: Contemporary Music RATED: ** Much better than I expected REVIEWER: Tonya, Banff Public Library staff 16 year old Theodora is one of the hottest actresses going these days, but her bad girl reputation is putting her career at risk. In an attempt to clean up her image, Theodora’s publicist plans a new reality-TV show: “Theodora: a regular teen!” Thing is, to be a regular teen, the independent star must move back into her childhood home and shadow a real regular teen for a month while their every move is filmed. The real regular teen is Emily, who would rather continue life as it was – going unnoticed in a big school with a couple of good friends she can count on – rather than having everyone using her to get closer to the big star. Will the two girls survive the month? And each other?		Vampire High by Douglas Rees Stuff for Your Space by Ellen Warwick Harry Houdini by Vicki Cobb


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