I enjoy Ally Carter's books. They are fun to read, but also have characters I want to root for, along with plots that keep things moving along and susI enjoy Ally Carter's books. They are fun to read, but also have characters I want to root for, along with plots that keep things moving along and suspense/action/excitement. I very much enjoyed this new world she has created where the teen children of diplomats are all living on the same street, even if in different countries. It was an interesting look inside this world...and after that ending, and what she now knows, I can't wait to see where Grace goes next!...more
A dead boyfriend, a town that is falling apart, a family keeping secrets, a best friend, a new boy who looks suspiciously like the dead one...a mysterA dead boyfriend, a town that is falling apart, a family keeping secrets, a best friend, a new boy who looks suspiciously like the dead one...a mystery that leads to a conspiracy and a fight for her life. I think my students will like this fast-paced read full of mystery and suspicions and a teen girl taking matters into her own hands to find out what's really going on. A character girls can root for. Some of the ends were tied up a little too quickly/nicely for me at the end, but overall it was an enjoyable read....more
This is a fantastic series. Highly engaging, incredibly interesting, and unendingly thrilling. The mental and crime aspects are intriguing, and somewhThis is a fantastic series. Highly engaging, incredibly interesting, and unendingly thrilling. The mental and crime aspects are intriguing, and somewhat frightening. I hope there will be more to this series!...more
Read this in one sitting because I couldn't go to sleep not knowing how it would end. Although elements were predictable, I enjoyed it. Think Every DaRead this in one sitting because I couldn't go to sleep not knowing how it would end. Although elements were predictable, I enjoyed it. Think Every Day meets Pivot Point with a dash of Girl Interrupted....more
This book is tough for me to review. I thought I liked it, but then I started to get irritated by it. I was hooked into this story of a girl who can oThis book is tough for me to review. I thought I liked it, but then I started to get irritated by it. I was hooked into this story of a girl who can only tell the truth and must answer any question asked of her because she is an "oracle." There is a murder mystery and high school stuff and I liked the character. The writing is basic, straight-forward, just telling the story. However, I was frustrated because I figured out "whodunit" pretty early on, and I got really annoyed that the main character wasn't picking up on it. She seemed pretty smart, so I felt like she should've been picking up on more of the clues than she was. I also felt like the aspect of her going from being the school "freak" to all of a sudden having two of the most sought after guys in school vying for her seemed a little hard to believe (as far as why she wouldn't question it), and as a reader, it seemed so obvious to me which guy was the one who was more honest and better for her. And,ultimately, when I got to the end, I felt letdown. Not only because I knew who it had been all along, but when the suspense had been built this whole time, and the climactic moment comes, we only got another page and a half to wrap everything up. I felt cheated out of a full conclusion to the story. Most of that I could overlook (and imagine my students will), but my bigger issue was when it came to a scene where one of the boys was going to kiss Aria and she didn't exactly want it, but he kept pushing it. The concern I have is the message it sends, especially in light of all of the discussion lately on consent in relationships and any physical encounters, I hesitate because I didn't feel like there was enough of a repercussion or aftermath of her saying she wasn't sure and then him moving forward with it anyway in that particular scene. So because of that, I was made even more uncomfortable with the overall story. I can say though, when I was reading it in class and frustrated, I told a few of my 8th grade girls what I was frustrated with, and they all requested to be the first to read it when I was done.
*ARC received from publisher in exchange for an honest review....more
Stunning, enthralling, engaging, a little frustratingly confusing, but so smart in how it all comes together in the end. One of the most unique books Stunning, enthralling, engaging, a little frustratingly confusing, but so smart in how it all comes together in the end. One of the most unique books I've read with alternating text and illustration sections. It's like a logic puzzle you keep trying to figure out how the two stories interconnect and have a bunch of theories only to find out you were quasi right but really not all along. This one is twisty, but after I finished, I wanted to reread it all over again....more
An exciting and satisfying conclusion to Kate Messner's Silver Jaguar Society trilogy. Once again, the cast of characters makes you feel for them, theAn exciting and satisfying conclusion to Kate Messner's Silver Jaguar Society trilogy. Once again, the cast of characters makes you feel for them, the action creates tension, the mystery heightens curiosity, the setting comes to life (catacombs in Paris!), and the plot keeps you turning pages - all tied together with intelligent writing. Manhunt is a perfect mystery/secret society story for the middle grades set....more
This is a special book. Natalie Lloyd has written a magical, enchanting book that pulls at the reader to keep turning pages and believe in magic. A heThis is a special book. Natalie Lloyd has written a magical, enchanting book that pulls at the reader to keep turning pages and believe in magic. A heartwarming book that is a must-read for middle grades. ...more
I really enjoyed reading this book! Take a suspenseful medical mystery type of story, the stress of SATs, high school friendships, and throw in some rI really enjoyed reading this book! Take a suspenseful medical mystery type of story, the stress of SATs, high school friendships, and throw in some romance and you get a page-turning read. I liked the characters a lot, was creeped out when I should be, was surprised at some of the twists, and was rooting for them to figure it all out. And the writing is beautifully descriptive in a realistic high school voice. The plotting is well-paced to increase suspense and slowly reveal memories that screech toward an ending that shows the importance of relationships. I know my students are going to love this one....more
That was crazy-there were moments when I gasped out loud at what was happening in this story. Different than what I thought it would be, but an enjoyaThat was crazy-there were moments when I gasped out loud at what was happening in this story. Different than what I thought it would be, but an enjoyable space/sci-fi/romance/survival story. One of the best parts was the dual POVs with interstitials of an interview after the fact that helped put it all in perspective. I liked the characters very much and think that my students will enjoy this one, too. I will definitely be reading the next book....more
I really, really enjoyed reading this book. It was not exactly what I was expecting, and that's good because this psychological thriller was more thanI really, really enjoyed reading this book. It was not exactly what I was expecting, and that's good because this psychological thriller was more than I thought it would be. Suspenseful, intense, creepy, engaging...it was a page-turner for sure. I can see my students getting into this one. In fact, they're already wanting to read it after seeing my reaction to the big reveal at the end in class today. They all wanted to know what book made me gasp out loud with a "No way!" I would recommend this intriguing look at serial killers to fans of I Hunt Killers as a read alike....more
I love Trish Doller's books - her characters are strong, yet broken, and written in such a way that they grab you from the start and don't let you go I love Trish Doller's books - her characters are strong, yet broken, and written in such a way that they grab you from the start and don't let you go until you've turned the last page, and they still stick with you after you've closed the cover. Their journeys to growth and acceptance and finding their self-destiny are fascinating to follow, and Cadie's is one I couldn't not read, even though parts were creepy. I am not usually a fan of creepy books, but I'm a huge fan of Trish's, and this one did not disappoint. Like her other books, this one is mature YA, but compulsively readable....more
I really enjoyed Kim Harrington's young adult debut book, CLARITY, also a mystery book, so when I Review originally posted on Heise Reads & Recommends
I really enjoyed Kim Harrington's young adult debut book, CLARITY, also a mystery book, so when I saw that she had a middle grades mystery series also, I made sure to get it right away. Part of the reason is that so many of my students liked CLARITY also, so it's always nice to have a favorite author in the classroom, but also because some of my students aren't ready for the maturity of the young adult book yet, so I was hopeful that the SLEUTH OR DARE series would be a good fit for my other readers, and I'm sure it will be.
PARTNERS IN CRIME is a perfectly middle grades book. The writing level and complexity of the subplots and main mystery are all right in that sweet spot. The mystery was a bit obvious to me, but again, I'm not the age or ability level of the intended audience. It didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book at all though. One thing that is really nice is that the mystery is such that it's a great fit for younger middle grades students who want to try mystery but aren't ready yet for more complex novels.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this book. There was quite a bit about their relationships with their families, and the arc the characters take to accepting and appreciating their own families is a nice message. In addition, the two main characters are not the popular girls, but instead each have their own interests aligned with their intelligence and abilities. It's nice to see a story with these characters who are into astronomy and technology being the strong leaders of the book, and even though they're not popular, they still have good relationships and confidence in themselves. There are some subplots relating to bullying and typical middle school dynamics that are handled well also.
Once again Harrington has struck just the right voice. The book is written with a strong female lead and in such a way that it sounds like she's talking right to the reader. This allows us to get insights into what's happening, but also stay fully engaged in the story. Overall PARTNERS IN CRIME is a fun, quick mystery with heart. I look forward to reading the next two books in the series: SLEEPOVER STAKEOUT and FRAMED & DANGEROUS and handing these off to my students....more