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Teen Fiction Reviews from 8th Grade StudentsWritten During Past Summer Reading ProgramsAll ratings are out of 5, with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best-2857515875Gathering Blue by Lois LowryGenre: science fictionRating: 5 starsReview written by someone in 8th gradeThis book is about a girl named Kira, who lives in simple world, like the future. Kira's father is killed by "beasts" when he was hunting before she was born. Kira is born with a twisted leg, and was only kept alive because she has a huge talent for weaving. When her mother gets sick and dies, Kira is "adopted" by the Council of Guardians and given an important weaving job. But when she finds a little girl locked up in a room below, Kira becomes suspicious of the Council and the way her world is. This book is really good, and has a mystery element to it. This is a great book for girls in middle school. (The other books in the series are The Giver and Messenger.-2857511430Gilda Joyce: the Ladies of the Lake by Jennifer AllisonGenre: mysteryRating: 5 starsReview written by someone in 8th gradeThis is a great mystery book. It's the second book in the Gilda Joyce series, but you don't have to read the first one (Psychic Investigator) to understand it, but it helps with the background story. Ladies of the Lake is about 13 year old Gilda Joyce, who is a psychic/detective. She goes to a private Catholic all-girls school called Our Lady of Sorrows and finds out that 3 years ago, a girl drowned in the lake on the grounds. Her ghost is said to haunt the grounds. Gilda thinks that something is weird about that, and tries to find out what really happened. Gilda makes a lot of shocking discoveries, but to find out what she finds, you'll just have to read the book.190500Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn ChildsGenre: Modern FantasyRating: 4 starsReview written by someone in 8th gradeGoddess Boot Camp is the sequel to Oh. My. Gods. Phoebe, who just found out that her great-grandmother was actually Nike, the goddess of victory, is having trouble controlling her new found, extremely strong powers. The gods start to worry about her powers getting out of control, so they decide to test her. Her stepfather (and headmaster) Damian sends her to Dynamotheos Development Camp (aka Goddess Boot Camp) which turns out to be a camp for 10-year-olds who are trying to get their powers to manifest. Also, Phoebe and her boyfriend Griffin are trying out for the marathon at the Pythian Games, which are the hematheos equivalent of the Olympics. And Griffin seems to be getting a little too friendly with his ex, Adara. Oh yeah, and on top of all that, Phoebe starts getting creepy, mysterious messages saying things like "Want to find out what really happened to your dad?" and no one can figure out who's sending them. Will Phoebe get through the gods' test and the Pythian Games tryouts? Will she figure out what's happening with Griffin and who's sending the messages? Find out in Goddess Boot Camp.1905020320Green Algae and Bubble Gum Wars by Annie BryantGenre: Realistic FictionRating: 4 golden stars Review written by someone in 8th gradeIn this book, Abigal Adams Junior High is having a science fair. Avery is concerned about the environment, so she decides to start a club, The Green Machine. She and the Green Machine all sign a petition as they try to make the science fair an environmental science fair, and they succeed! Meanwhile, Maeve is totally in love with her super-cute tutor, Matt. So she tries to look more grownup to impress him. Can she steal Matt's heart? Or does he have an eye for another certain girl?-4762540640Hang a Thousand Trees With Ribbons: the Story of Phillis Wheatley by Ann RinaldiGenre: HistoricalRating: 4 starsReview written by someone in 8th gradeThis book is about the life of Phillis Wheatley, the first African-American woman to publish a book. She is kidnapped at age 7 from her home in Senegal and sent on a ship to Boston. There she is sold to the Wheatley family in Boston. Phillis learns to read and write and becomes a poet. She meets many influential people. Since no one knows her full life story, parts of this book are made up. The story is good, but if you want a good ending don't read the author's note. After the part of her life that is told in the story, Phillis has a hard life living in squalor trying to sell her books. Overall this is an ok book.1905028575Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secret by J.K. RowlingGenre: fantasyRating: 5 starsReview written by someone in 8th gradeWhen a message saying that the Chamber of Secrets, said to have been built by Salazar Slytherin, Muggle-borns are attacked and everyone thinks that Harry's doing it. Harry finds out that he can speak Parseltongue, or snake-language, which was also spoken by Salazar Slytherin and is the mark of a Dark wizard. Meanwhile, Harry finds a magic diary by Tom Riddle, who later becomes Lord Voldemort. When Ron's sister Ginny is taken into the Chamber of Secrets, Harry and Ron have to find the Chamber and rescue Ginny. A great book for anyone.1905048895Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K RowlingGenre: fantasyRating: 5 starsReview written by someone in 8th gradeThe Goblet of Fire is the fourth book in the Harry Potter series. In the beginning of the book, Harry goes to the Quidditch World Cup with the Weasleys and Hermione. After the game, Death Eaters start floating Muggles up in the air and someone sets off the Dark Mark, Voldemort's sign. Harry has a strange dream about Voldemort murdering an old man and his scar starts prickling. And when Harry gets back to Hogwarts, he learns that Dumbledore has hired a retired Auror (Dark wizard fighter) as the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher. The students learn that an ancient contest, the (extremely dangerous) Triwizard Tournament, will be taking place at Hogwarts, but only for those 17 and older. One person is chosen from each school that participates. The champions chosen are Cedric Diggory from Hogwarts, Fleur Delacour from Beauxbatons, Victor Krum from Durmstrang, and... Harry Potter. What do all these strange events mean? Find out in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.1905036830Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K RowlingGenre: fantasyRating: 5 starsReview written by someone in 8th gradeWhen the Ministry finally accepts that Voldemort is back, walking and talking and killing, the Wizarding world erupts into chaos. People are being found dead, disappearing, and Muggles are being killed. Meanwhile, Harry and his friends are on the home front at Hogwarts. Harry gets an old potions book from the "Half Blood Prince" with written instructions that get him a great reputation in Potions class. Dumbledore starts giving Harry private lessons, showing Harry memories of Voldemort when he was younger. Life goes on (almost) normally. This is a great book, but it gets a little scary/intense/sad at the end.19050193040Shug by Jenny HanRating: 4 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8Meet Shug, whose life is turning upside down. She thinks she likes her best friend Mark, who is a boy. She's losing her mother to drinking, and her father never comes home anymore. She still has one best friend, and her older sister, but her life is still turning upside down. I like the insight of Shug's life, and how it profiles her life.19050-114300Speak by Laurie Halse AndersonGenre: Realistic FictionRating: 2 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8Speak is a book about a girl named Melinda who is an outcast. She used to be popular but ever since she busted a party by calling the cops, no one has wanted to speak to her. In fact, people are making fun of her and calling her mean names. Melinda is hiding a secret inside of her. And the only way to get it out is to speak her mind. I would give this a 1.5 out of 5.19050320040Sweet 16 by Kate BrianGenre: FantasyRating: 4 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8-28575885825This book is about a rude and selfish girl named Teagan. She has everything, the cutest boyfriend, the best clothes, and popularity. She is turning 16 this year and she plans to have the greathest sweet sixteen ever. On the night of her party, everything turns out wrong and Teagan ends up getting hurt. When she wakes up, she is taken through time to the past and even the future.That Summer by Sarah DessenRating: 5 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8This was another amazing book by Sarah Dessen! It had so much depth into the human mind. It is about a girl whose parents just divorced because her father fell for a co-worker. they get married. And her sister, Ashley, 5 years her senior, has fallen for a boy who seems totally not her type. Where does Haven fall into this mayhem of her family. She is dealing with her own issues and with those of her family and friends.-1905017780The Ashleys by Melissa De La CruzRating: 4 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8Meet the Ashley’s. The girls who rule Ms. Gamble's school, and all have the name Ashley. Having graduated to the upper part of Ms. Gambles, Lauren Page plans to become an Ashley, although the Ashley’s make it very hard for her. Watch out Ashley’s, here comes Lauren. This book shows what real life cliques are like and how hard it is to be in one. Follow Lauren on her journey to become an Ashley.190500The Awakening by Kelley ArmstrongRating: 5 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8Chloe has just tried to escape with her friends Derek, Simon, and Rae to try to escape the Lyle house, a home for troubled teens. Chloe and Rae have been caught and put in a mental hospital, but Derek and Simon haven't been found yet. And so Chloe manages to escape the mental hospital and is trying to get away from Dr. Davidoff the head of the Edison group that has genetically altered Chloe and her friends. They are determined to find Derek and Simon's father, knowing that he can help them. So Chloe is on the run from them with Derek, Simon, and Tori, another girl that was in the mental hospital, trying to get away from them forever, and they will be willing to risk everything. Follow Chloe and her friends on their dangerous adventure in The Awakening.-476258255The Baby-Sitters Club by Raina TelgemeierGenre: Graphic Novel/Realistic FictionRating: 4 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8This book is a girl named Kristy Thomas. One day she has a great idea, starting a baby sitting club. She and her 4 other friends, Claudia, Stacey, and Mary Anne, start their club right away. They start making ads and informing people about it. Soon enough, they start getting customers! The club is a big hit! But there are a few problems...1905058420The Diamonds by Ted MichealGenre: Realistic Fiction/GovernmentRating: 3 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8For as long as Marni can remember, the diamonds have ruled the school. Marni has always been a part of this group. But now, Marni gets kicked out because Clarissa becomes jealous of her. And worst of all, Clarissa has taken over the mock trial team, and is making new school rules. Will Marni be able to get back at Clarissa, or will Clarissa boss her around?1905022225The Fold by An NaGenre: Realistic Fiction/GovernmentRating: 4 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8This book was okay. After all of the books with happily ever after endings I have read recently, though, it was sort of a disappointment. It was still a good story about family and doing what is true to yourself and who you want to be, but not a happily ever after story. It is about Joyce, whose aunt, thanks to her new lottery found money, is intent on giving each person in her family a special gift. Joyce then has the opportunity to change herself with surgery in a way that boosts many Asians confidence. Is that cute Korean boy in her school worth all that dreaded pain to Joyce, and is the surgery the only way to get her a confidence boost.19050317500The Green Mile by Stephen KingRating: 5 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8This book is set in the south, during the Great Depression. It just blew my mind. There is nothing else to say. King sees the world in a completely clean, realistic way, but this book seems... unimaginable. It makes me think, 'it has to be true. no one could come up with that out of thin air.' It shows the opinions and thoughts of the American people during that hard time. It shows how mistakes happen, racism clouds judgment, and miracles happen. to understand what I've said, you need to read the book. there are really no words for it. I tried my best, though.-38100269875The Hotel New Hampshire by John IrvingRating: 5 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8This book is hilarious!!!!!!!! It also made me cry multiple times, and just feel weird other times. It is about a crazy, or just very odd, family from New Hampshire. Thier father is "living in the future" and misses what is happening in the "now". they go through a series of hotels because of him. This book was one I just couldn't put down, I read it in about 2 days, less really.-34290304165The House on the Strand by Daphne du MaurierRating: 4 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8This is a weird book. it is also a really good book. By the end you don't want to put it down, there are so many things you don't want wait to find out how they end up. this ook is about a man and his friend finding a drug that took them hundreds of years into the past. The drug is also potentially very dangerous, as they find out, because when they go into the past their bodies are still moving around, with the same movements, in their own time.19050243840The Last Olympian by Rick RiordanGenre: Fantasy/Action Rating: 5 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8The Last Olympian is the fifth and final book of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Percy and his friends have to defend Manhattan and Olympus from an invasion of Kronos's army while the gods are fighting Typhon, the father of all monsters. Percy becomes invincible by taking on the curse of Achilles. There a lot of really intense battles and some romance too. This is a great book for all ages, but older kids will probably like it more. The other books in the series are The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, and The Battle of the Labyrinth. All the books in this series are great!-57150287655The Lords of Discipline by Pat ConroyRating: 5 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8This was such an indescribable book!!!!! It made me laugh, cry, giggle, choke back tears, wish, hope, and feel pain. By reading this book, you get very attached to the 4 roommates and feel all of their pains. Even the Bear, the Colonel, You grow attached to and feel betrayal and love for. These four young men, are all going through a military college and facing the harshness of life at its harshest as the Institute builds and molds them into Whole Men. It is an incredible journey for those who make it.952588265The Power of One by Bryce CourtenayRating: 4 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8The Power of One was a great book. It is set in South Africa, following the story of a young boy, Peekay, as he confronts many challenges in his life. Peekay is the target of bullies at his bording school at a young age of five, these memories haunting him throughout his life. When Peekay leaves his boarding school, he meets Hoppie, an aspiring boxer who teaches Peekay that small can defeat big, if the right tactics are used. Peekay then aims to become the welterweight boxing champion of the world; he will be able to stand up to bullies if he does this. With a surprising ending, my only complaint with The Power of One is that it sometimes is slow moving.9525177800The Summoning by Kelley ArmstrongRating: 5 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8Chloe Saunders starts seeing ghosts one day at school, and she is sent to a house for troubled teens, where she keeps seeing ghosts. The adults at the Lyle House, the houe for troubled teens, are trying to get Chloe to quit seeing ghosts by giving her medicine. Chloe them meets Derek and Simon, and decides to break out of the horrible house, only to break out, and run to her Aunt Lauren, who knew about the ghosts, and checks her into a cell. I liked this book becuse of the magical powers Chloe, Derek, and the other in the Lyle house posess.46990-57150The Truth About Forever by Sarah DessenRating: 5 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8This is another great story. it is about Macy, who is getting over her father's death, alone, but in the same house as her over working mother. She is dating the safe, smart, boy who, for the summer is at Brain Camp. She is stuck with his job and her grief and a seemingly empty house except for sad memories. Then, at a party for her mother's clients, Wish jumps into her life with a "Gotcha!". When the catering company recruits her as assistance, Macy's life is turned upside-down.48260266065Thirteen by Lauren MyracleGenre: Realistic FictionRating: 5 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8Thirteen is about a girl named Winnie who just had her 13th birthday. Big changes are in the air. She is dealing with her first boyfriend, a friend who is growing up to fast, and a friend who's growing up to slowly. Winnie is stuck right in the middle. As she is dealing with all of this, her mom gets pregnant and is constantly grumpy. Can Winnie deal with her two friends, her first real relationship and a cranky mom? Or will it just throw her over the edge?-6667534925Uglies by Scott WesterfeldGenre: Realistic Fiction/MysteryRating: 4 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8This book is about a girl named Tally. Tally is about to turn 16, and when she does, she'll turn from a normal looking Ugly to a beautiful, stunning Pretty. When she becomes a pretty she will be at the top of the food chain, where her only job is to have fun. But then, her best friend Shay runs away. Either she goes on a journey to find Shay and become pretty, or never becomes pretty at all.-6667522225Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns GoodwinGenre: Historical/MemoirRating: 5 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8Wait Till Next Year is the story of Doris's childhood in the suburbs of New York City in the '50s. She was a huge fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers in the time of Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella, and other great baseball players. Doris also writes about her mother's illness and love of books. She describes the Dodgers and Giants leaving in 1957 and her mother's death less than half a year later. Wait Till Next Year is a really good book for anyone.-9525280670Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo BealsGenre: MemoirRating: 3 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8Warriors Don't Cry is the remarkable story of the integration of Central High School. Melba among eight other black students are chosen to integrate Central High School in the fall of 1957. Although the white students torture and threaten her, Melba always keeps her head held high. She knows school is the most important thing, and that she needs to do this. She won't give up because a true warrior doesn't cry.19050194945What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya SonesRating: 4 starsReview Written by Someone in Grade 8This was a good book. It is written sort of in the form of many poems put together and sort of like a journal. The girl in the story, Sophie, is going through lots of things. Her parents never stop fighting. Her mom watches soap operas all day. Luckily she has 2 best friends. She also has an assortment of feelings about the boys at her school. She lusts and loves and can't figure out that there is a dividing line between the 2.19050264795 113 things to do by 13 by Brittany MacleodGenre: humorRating: 4 starsReview Written by someone in 8th gradeThis book gives you things to do before you are 13 like learning to love math, chilling with yoga, jumping off a swing in mid-air, and much more! This book is really fun and gives you some really great tips. You will never get bored with this book. It reminds you that you should enjoy life the best you can and that you shouldn't stress out about it but just have fun! This book is really fun and it also includes tips from celebs! ................
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