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TLR's Summer Book Splash
This post will be stickied for the remainder of the challenge.
Welcome to TLR's first summer reading challenge. We want to thank Doodle Bug Designs for creating the button above for us. The challenge is open to all our readers: parents, teens, those who just love teen books, bloggers, or non-bloggers. It's simple to participate. Make a list of pre-teen, teen or young adult books you would like to read and share them with us. The challenge starts today, June 22, and will run through September 22, the first day of fall.
And it wouldn't be a challenge without a prize or two at the end. Every one who participates will be entered in a drawing to win a free book. Present and past reviewers may participate in the challenge but will not be entered into the drawing. The drawing will be September 22.
Here's how to participate:
1. Bloggers:
a. Grab the code for the "TLR's Summer Book Splash" button from the code box below and add it to your sidebar and the post where you will leave your list of books-to-be read.
And it wouldn't be a challenge without a prize or two at the end. Every one who participates will be entered in a drawing to win a free book. Present and past reviewers may participate in the challenge but will not be entered into the drawing. The drawing will be September 22.
Here's how to participate:
1. Bloggers:
a. Grab the code for the "TLR's Summer Book Splash" button from the code box below and add it to your sidebar and the post where you will leave your list of books-to-be read.
b. Sign the Mr. Linky and add the link from your challenge post so that we can find it.
c. Leave a comment with your email address if it's not listed on your blog.
d. We would love to hear how your summer reading went. If you do a wrap-up post please sign the Mr. Linky again with the link to that post.
2. Non-bloggers: Leave a comment with your list of books-to-be read and be sure to include an email address where we can contact you for the drawing.
3. You must be a US resident to participate in the book drawing.
4. You will get one extra entry into the drawing for signing up for each of the following:
* Subscribe to our Feedblitz newsletter located on our sidebar.
* Become a Fan of Teen Lit Review on our Facebook page by clicking on the link below.
Leave a comment on this post to receive your extra entries.
The Red Necklace
By Reviewer Dianne
Title: The Red Necklace
Author: Sally Gardner
Primary Audience/age group: 9-12 (according to Amazon)
Genre: Historical fantasy
# Of pages: 384
Publisher: Dial
Year of Release: 2008
Part of a Series? No
Rating: 3
Recommend? Yes
Description: Fourteen year old Yann Margoza was orphaned as an infant and raised by Têtu, a Gypsy dwarf. Both Yann and Têtu possess supernatural powers which they use in the employ of Topolain, a magician who performs in Paris in 1789 as unrest grows into the dawn of the French Revolution. Topolain is lured into bringing a special performance of his act to the villa of Marquis de Villeduval for the benefit of the evil Count Kalliovski. Topolain is murdered during the presentation and Yann is caught up in a web of intrigue and narrow escapes. He is drawn to Sido, the Marquis’ twelve year old daughter who has been literally banished from the house until now. He feels compelled to rescue her from the burgeoning anger of the people that is directed toward the aristocracy in France and from Count Kalliovski who is determined to exert his power over her.
Review: This is an extremely well written novel that immediately draws you into the action and holds you until the very end. Our hero Yann was likable and believable and Count Kalliovski was as detestable as Yann was likable. The background of the French Revolution gives a feel for the atmosphere of the day. The common people were laboring under heavy taxes and were growing continuously more discontent with being treated as expendable. As they become more and more angry with their situation, mob mentality took over and the people lost all sense of reason. There is plenty here to spark a lively discussion. I thoroughly enjoyed this book...nothing boring here.
Rating: 3 for violence
Positive: Yann is determined to do what he can for the good of his country and for his fellow man, even at personal sacrifice. He demonstrates a fierce loyalty to Têtu and to Sido. Yann displays perseverance as he seeks to improve his lot in life. Sido also demonstrates an almost untenable devotion to her father seeing that it is evident that he does not care about her. Greed and tyranny are key ingredients in the story, but they are always viewed in a negative aspect.
Spiritual Elements: Magic plays an important part in this story as the gypsies possess supernatural powers allowing them to predict the future, read minds, and move objects without touching them. The gypsies’ magic was referred to as sorcery, but there was no sense of their magic being evil.
Violence: The French Revolution was a violent time and blood flowed in the streets of Paris. There are descriptions of the violence that took place, from maiming to murder. Kalliovski’s MO was to place a necklace of garnets strung on a ribbon around the neck of his victims, making it look as if they had had their throats slit. Houses were burned and ransacked.
Language: Considering the intensity of the story, there was very little objectionable language. There word h*** was used a couple of times.
Sexual Content: There was reference to sexual relationships that had taken place and some were implied, but there were no descriptions. The only kiss between Yann and Sido was on the cheek, and that did not take place until they were seventeen and fifteen. There was also reference to rape that had taken place, but it was not referred to as rape.
Other: The drink of the day was ale.
Recommendation: I would recommend The Red Necklace as a riveting story that gives a feel for a time and place other than our own. The integrity of the protagonist and his willingness to persevere in the face of adversity makes him a worthy role model. The level of violence makes it inappropriate for the age range designated by Amazon. The 9-12 age range would more appropriately be grades 9-12.
Title: The Red Necklace
Author: Sally Gardner
Primary Audience/age group: 9-12 (according to Amazon)
Genre: Historical fantasy
# Of pages: 384
Publisher: Dial
Year of Release: 2008
Part of a Series? No
Rating: 3
Recommend? Yes
Description: Fourteen year old Yann Margoza was orphaned as an infant and raised by Têtu, a Gypsy dwarf. Both Yann and Têtu possess supernatural powers which they use in the employ of Topolain, a magician who performs in Paris in 1789 as unrest grows into the dawn of the French Revolution. Topolain is lured into bringing a special performance of his act to the villa of Marquis de Villeduval for the benefit of the evil Count Kalliovski. Topolain is murdered during the presentation and Yann is caught up in a web of intrigue and narrow escapes. He is drawn to Sido, the Marquis’ twelve year old daughter who has been literally banished from the house until now. He feels compelled to rescue her from the burgeoning anger of the people that is directed toward the aristocracy in France and from Count Kalliovski who is determined to exert his power over her.
Review: This is an extremely well written novel that immediately draws you into the action and holds you until the very end. Our hero Yann was likable and believable and Count Kalliovski was as detestable as Yann was likable. The background of the French Revolution gives a feel for the atmosphere of the day. The common people were laboring under heavy taxes and were growing continuously more discontent with being treated as expendable. As they become more and more angry with their situation, mob mentality took over and the people lost all sense of reason. There is plenty here to spark a lively discussion. I thoroughly enjoyed this book...nothing boring here.
Rating: 3 for violence
Positive: Yann is determined to do what he can for the good of his country and for his fellow man, even at personal sacrifice. He demonstrates a fierce loyalty to Têtu and to Sido. Yann displays perseverance as he seeks to improve his lot in life. Sido also demonstrates an almost untenable devotion to her father seeing that it is evident that he does not care about her. Greed and tyranny are key ingredients in the story, but they are always viewed in a negative aspect.
Spiritual Elements: Magic plays an important part in this story as the gypsies possess supernatural powers allowing them to predict the future, read minds, and move objects without touching them. The gypsies’ magic was referred to as sorcery, but there was no sense of their magic being evil.
Violence: The French Revolution was a violent time and blood flowed in the streets of Paris. There are descriptions of the violence that took place, from maiming to murder. Kalliovski’s MO was to place a necklace of garnets strung on a ribbon around the neck of his victims, making it look as if they had had their throats slit. Houses were burned and ransacked.
Language: Considering the intensity of the story, there was very little objectionable language. There word h*** was used a couple of times.
Sexual Content: There was reference to sexual relationships that had taken place and some were implied, but there were no descriptions. The only kiss between Yann and Sido was on the cheek, and that did not take place until they were seventeen and fifteen. There was also reference to rape that had taken place, but it was not referred to as rape.
Other: The drink of the day was ale.
Recommendation: I would recommend The Red Necklace
as a riveting story that gives a feel for a time and place other than our own. The integrity of the protagonist and his willingness to persevere in the face of adversity makes him a worthy role model. The level of violence makes it inappropriate for the age range designated by Amazon. The 9-12 age range would more appropriately be grades 9-12.
Antsy Does Time
By Reviewer Dianne
Title: Antsy Does Time
Author: Neal Shusterman
Primary Audience/age group: Young Adult
Genre: Fiction
# Of pages: 247
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
Year of Release: 2008
Part of a Series? Yes. 2 of 2
Rating: 3
Recommend? Yes
Description: (From the book jacket) It was a dumb idea, but one of those dumb ideas that accidentally turns out to be brilliant – which, I’ve come to realize, is much worse than being dumb. My name’s Antsy Bonano – but you probably already know that - and unless you got, like, memory issues, you’ll remember the kid named the Schwa, who I told you about last time. Well, now there’s this other kid, and his story is a whole lot stranger, if such a thing is possible. It all started when Gunnar Ümlaut and I were watching three airborne bozos struggle with a runaway parade balloon. That’s when Gunnar tells me he’s only got six months to live. Maybe it was because he said he was living on borrowed time, or maybe it was just because I wanted to do something meaningful for him, but I gave him a month of my life... ...And that’s when things began to get seriously weird. If you want to know more, like how ice water made me famous, or how I dated a Swedish goddess, you’re going to have to open the book, because I’m not wasting anymore of my breath on a stinkin’ blurb.
Review: This book has adolescent boy stamped all over it. “Antsy” Bonano is rude, crude and irreverent. He is also funny and kind and caring. He loves his family, and even though he spends a fair share of time annoying them, he wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world. Antsy is a 14 year old boy who definitely has a talent for coming up with one outrageous plan after another. He brings new meaning to the term “time sharing” as he seeks to comfort a friend he thinks is dying. Pretty soon the entire school is trying to get in on the act and things get completely out of hand.
This book was a whole lot of fun to read. Antsy’s quirky personality makes him a very likable character and you can envision all the events that take place...even if they are totally unbelievable. An engrossing read.
Rating: 3 for crudeness and irreverence.
Positive: It is evident from the very first chapter that Antsy is all heart in spite of his sometimes explosive temper. His family and friends are most important to him and he will go out of his way to support them in any way he can. On the surface Antsy seems total goofball, but flashes of insight show that there is more to him than meets the eye. Antsy does a lot of maturing and is well on his way to becoming a caring, responsible adult.
Spiritual Elements: Antsy is from an Italian Catholic family, so the church is frequently mentioned. Antsy does not have a very accurate view of God, heaven or hell, but on one occasion as he is praying for his father who has been hospitalized, he realizes that “prayer isn’t for God....Instead we’re the ones who are changed by it.”
Violence: When Antsy got into a heated argument with Gunnar, Kjersten (Gunnar’s sister) popped him in the eye with her fist to prevent her mother attacking him with a meat tenderizer. (It was for his own protection.)
Language: Crude language of adolescent boys...no profanity.
Sexual Content: Antsy is entranced by Gunnar’s older sister Kjersten and there are a couple of times that they kiss.
Other: Gunnar’s father becomes addicted to gambling after losing his job.
Recommendation: Antsy Does Time
will appeal to middle school boys in particular and most middle schoolers in general. Recommend for 12+.
Tennyson
By Reviewer Dianne
Title: Tennyson
Author: Lesley M. M. Blume
Primary Audience/age group: 9-12
Genre: Historical Fiction
# Of pages: 225
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Year of Release: 2008
Part of a Series? No
Rating: 5
Recommend? Yes
Description: Tennyson Fontaine and her eight year old sister Hattie live happily in the back woods of Mississippi, not realizing that they are poor as church mice during the depression in 1932. When their mother disappears one day, their father went on a mission to find her and bring her back. He sends the girls to Aigredoux, to stay with their eccentric Aunt Henrietta who lives in the ruin of the family mansion on what was once one of the richest plantations in Louisiana. Aunt Henrietta devises an implausible plan using the girls as pawns to rescue their deteriorating mansion and failing fortunes.
Tennyson is haunted by dreams of Aigredoux and is soon drawn into the shadowy history of the plantation. Family secrets are revealed involving intrigue, the treatment of the slaves and the shallowness and greed of her ancestors. This gives Tennyson the basis of a story, and Tennyson concocts a plan using her journalistic talents to try to get her mother to return home.
Review: This was an interesting premise that interweaves refined Southern society with the taint of slavery and the ruined state of many families during the depression. The transition between what was actually happening and what Tennyson was dreaming was awkward and confusing, especially at first. I found some episodes riveting and others rather dry. All in all, it showed a contrast between the ante-bellum Old South aristocratic lifestyle and the down to earth realities of the depression of the 1930’s.
Rating: 5
Positive: Both of the girls loved and adored both their mother and their father, and their happiness did not depend on what they possessed, as long as the family was together. Tennyson was very protective of her younger sister.
Spiritual Elements: The housekeeper, Zulma, referred to Tennyson as “voodoo girl” after Tennyson revealed the information that she had dreamed. There is no mention of the occult as being a part of the dreaming process, but it was a little spooky.
In one instance, the housekeeper told her to say a prayer, and Tennyson replied that she had never said a prayer before. Tennyson really had no idea what to make of God.
Violence: There was an incident when a slave was hit in the face when she protested against her sons being taken away from her.
Southern mansions were ransacked and burned, leaving families turned out and destitute.
Language: None
Sexual Content: None
Recommendation: I think it will only appeal to a small select group of 9-12 year olds, and possibly to some a bit older as it is more complex than most preteen literature. Although Tennyson is eleven in the story, I had a hard time picturing her as that young. I would recommend this to 13 and up, but do not see this as inappropriate for 9-12 year olds.
Title: Tennyson
Author: Lesley M. M. Blume
Primary Audience/age group: 9-12
Genre: Historical Fiction
# Of pages: 225
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Year of Release: 2008
Part of a Series? No
Rating: 5
Recommend? Yes
Description: Tennyson Fontaine and her eight year old sister Hattie live happily in the back woods of Mississippi, not realizing that they are poor as church mice during the depression in 1932. When their mother disappears one day, their father went on a mission to find her and bring her back. He sends the girls to Aigredoux, to stay with their eccentric Aunt Henrietta who lives in the ruin of the family mansion on what was once one of the richest plantations in Louisiana. Aunt Henrietta devises an implausible plan using the girls as pawns to rescue their deteriorating mansion and failing fortunes.
Tennyson is haunted by dreams of Aigredoux and is soon drawn into the shadowy history of the plantation. Family secrets are revealed involving intrigue, the treatment of the slaves and the shallowness and greed of her ancestors. This gives Tennyson the basis of a story, and Tennyson concocts a plan using her journalistic talents to try to get her mother to return home.
Review: This was an interesting premise that interweaves refined Southern society with the taint of slavery and the ruined state of many families during the depression. The transition between what was actually happening and what Tennyson was dreaming was awkward and confusing, especially at first. I found some episodes riveting and others rather dry. All in all, it showed a contrast between the ante-bellum Old South aristocratic lifestyle and the down to earth realities of the depression of the 1930’s.
Rating: 5
Positive: Both of the girls loved and adored both their mother and their father, and their happiness did not depend on what they possessed, as long as the family was together. Tennyson was very protective of her younger sister.
Spiritual Elements: The housekeeper, Zulma, referred to Tennyson as “voodoo girl” after Tennyson revealed the information that she had dreamed. There is no mention of the occult as being a part of the dreaming process, but it was a little spooky.
In one instance, the housekeeper told her to say a prayer, and Tennyson replied that she had never said a prayer before. Tennyson
really had no idea what to make of God.Violence: There was an incident when a slave was hit in the face when she protested against her sons being taken away from her.
Southern mansions were ransacked and burned, leaving families turned out and destitute.
Language: None
Sexual Content: None
Recommendation: I think it will only appeal to a small select group of 9-12 year olds, and possibly to some a bit older as it is more complex than most preteen literature. Although Tennyson is eleven in the story, I had a hard time picturing her as that young. I would recommend this to 13 and up, but do not see this as inappropriate for 9-12 year olds.
Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover
By Reviewer Rachel
Title: Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover
Author: Ally Carter
Primary Audience/age group: 11 and up
Genre: Adventure
# Of pages: 263
Publisher: Disney Pr
Year of Release: 2009
Part of a Series? Yes, 3 of _?_ Gallagher Girls Series
Rating: 3 View Scale
Recommend? Yes but with Reservations
Description: At the end of summer vacation, Cammie goes to Boston to watch Macey’s father accept the vice president of the United States’ nomination. During their visit in Boston, Cammie and Macey are attacked, the intentions of their attackers being to kidnap them. However, the girls get away by using their spy training. As the new school year begins, Cammie and her friends unfold secrets pertaining to the attack and they find that they have to asked the question: Who is after Macey?
Review: The book was not what I expected. Unlike the first two Gallagher books, Don’t Judge a Girl by Her Cover lacks humor and replaces it with suspense. By the end of the book, instead of having a smile on my face and laughing hysterically, I felt sort of sad. The book was well written, and in itself was good. However, it focuses on the heartbreaking parts of a spy’s life, and forgets the whole funny “teenager girl spy drama”.
Rating: 3 for sexual content.
Positive: The most positive thing in this book is the importance of friendship. Bex, Liz, Macy and Cammie stay together no matter what. They are willing to sacrifice themselves for each other and they prove it.
Spiritual Elements: None.
Violence: a person gets shot and the girls find themselves in a few fights.
Language: One "oh my gosh"… but other then that no.
Sexual Content: The girls get a little boy crazy. Cammie longs for another kiss from Zach and is angry when he doesn’t give her one when they have to hide in a collapsible bunk together… um akwaaaaaard. Cammie also “overhears” a guy and girl kissing. The girls describe guys as hot and once they use the word sexy. There is a kiss but it isn’t very descriptive.
Other: Cammie still has a tendency to break the rules.
Recommendation: Like I said this was not what I expected and I was a little disappointed, but Ally Carter kept it clean. There are a few things in the book that are borderline. I did not like Cammie’s obsession with Zach. I also didn’t like the feel of the book. It wasn’t really that funny it was more on the gloomy side. But in all, it was mostly a clean book.
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Carny Town News and Views
Coliseum Midway Cancelled: No Reason Given | Indiana's NewsCenter: Fort Wayne WPTA-TV, WISE-TV, CW, and My Network | Local & Regional
Coliseum Midway Cancelled: No Reason Given | Indiana's NewsCenter: Fort Wayne WPTA-TV, WISE-TV, CW, and My Network | Local & Regional. FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Indiana's NewsCenter) - Those of you who look forward riding the tilt-a-whirl and ferris wheel during the 3 Rivers Festival midway are going to be disappointed this year.King of Pops Ferris Wheel
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New Fun FREE Family Activities at the R.I. County Fair - Quad Cities Online. U of I Extension invites you to celebrate the Rock Island County Fair at their Big Top Adventures July 21—25 featuring FREE family shows and activity stations University of Illinois Extension, Rock Island County invites the public to enter the magical world of the circus this summer as the entire 4-H Building at the Rock Island County Fairgrounds is transformed into a bustling, colorful circus! The community is encouraged to get their free tickets to experience a wondrous performance by CircEsteem, Children"s Activity Stations, Zany Janie...Go hog wild at the Arapahoe County Fair > Goings-on > Stories > Littleton > YourHub.com
Go hog wild at the Arapahoe County Fair > Goings-on > Stories > Littleton > YourHub.com. Folks are Going Hog Wild over the fun and excitement at the Arapahoe County Fair, July 22 - 26 at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 E. Quincy Ave. in Aurora. At an incredible value, $10 admission includes all concerts including Firefall performing July 25, activities and entertainment except for carnival rides and games. This means you don't pay extra to cheer for the bull rider during the rodeos, groove to live music or enjoy the fireworks. You don't fork over any cash for face...
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MTV2's Sucker Free | 12/14/08 | 50 Cent
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