Rucker Park Setup, by Paul Volponi

"I liked it because it was about basketball and friendship. I also liked it because it was kind of a motivational book. It showed you how you don't have to be a product of your environment, and you can be anything you set your mind to." Reviewed by MaKenzie, Homeschooled.

"It was very interesting because it had suspense. I was waiting to see who killed J.R.. I took a guess at the beginning and my guess was correct. I also liked how the author expressed emotions. It was a true page turner." Reviewed by Terrance, Brown Summit Middle School.

Slam, by Nick Hornby

"I didn't really expect to like this book. Stories about Tony Hawk fans and teen pregnancies aren't usually my type, but I'll admit it . . . I was won over. Sam was a good character - funny, smart, and imperfect enough to be real. The fast-forwarding into the future helped the storyline too." Reviewed by Adrienne, Southeast High School.

"I thought it was very good . . . It explained the importance and responsibility of parenting." Reviewed by MaKenzie, Homeschooled.

Useful Fools, by C.A. Schmidt

"This was an excellent book. Even though it is a work of fiction I know that certain events in the book do occur in real life. I wish that the ending had said more. Maybe there could be a sequel that describes how Alonzo worked to become a doctor and then he goes back for Rosa. I do recommend this book to other readers."

Reviewed by Nadia, Southeast High School

"This story was a little shocking to me. It really portrayed both sides of rebellion, without sugarcoating the cruelity and pain that it cost the citizens of Mexico. I was sad while reading this book, but that just made me realize how well-written it was. I think this should be required reading for all of America."

Reviewed by Adrienne, Southeast High School

boy proof, by Cecil Castellucci

Victoria is a straight-A teen living in Los Angeles who only has two goals in her life: becoming class valedictorian and staying eccentric. Loner by choice, Victoria has seen the science fiction movie Terminal Earth 42 times and dresses like the main character ~ shaved head, heavily pierced ears and white cape. She’s even adopted the nickname “Egg.” Nothing would please her more than to be left alone so she could ace her finals and help her dad create special effects for the movies. But then a new classmate, smart & good looking Max Carter, joins her school. Despite herself, Egg becomes friends with Max, even though she tries to keep her distance. But when Max starts dating another girl, Egg’s world turns upside down!

Buried, by Robin Merrow MacCready

"I feel that the book has great aspects, but somewhat lacks sparkle . . . . It has good suspense & a happy, unexpected ending."

Reviewed by Nicole, from Greensboro Montessori School

Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens, by Sean Covey

Everyone thinks they've got their act together - that is until your homework starts piling up, your room gets trashed, you have a fight with your parents, and you start thinking that nobody is on your side! That's when you notice those kids at school who always seem happy, prepared, on target with everything they do, and you ask yourself "how do they do it?"

Young author Sean Covey just might have the answer. His dad wrote the popular book "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," which guided many people toward a more rational & satisfying way of living their lives. Sean built on that to create his own ideas on how teens can get more organized, minimize stress, and get more satisfaction from life.

What are Sean's ideas? He starts with basic things like creating a "Personal Bank Account" to keep track of the positive and negative things you do for yourself and others. The more positive things you do, the better you feel about yourself! He also talks about keeping the promises you make (especially to yourself), being honest, tapping your talent, and avoiding some common negative things like neglecting your talents.

And what are the "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens"? Things like beginning a task with the end in mind, and "keep hope alive" when things in your life start to look bleak. Each of the habits is explained with lots of personal examples from the author life, as well as others. The book reads easy, is well illustrated, and it makes sense!

Magyk, by Angie Sage

"This book is amazing. It has a wonderful story legend . . . . . (and) the characters are equally in the story; (no one is) left out."

By Timothy