Results of Teen Read Week's "Choose Our Next Book" Project

A while ago, we asked some of our teen patrons to recommend a book to the library staff.  We figured we're always recommending books to you, why not turn the tables?  You recommended them, we read them!  Take a look at the results:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’sStone/ J.K. Rowling (J FIC Rowling)

Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School for Wizards and Witches. Recommended by Casey, Grade 9             

My thoughts on the book are that it is one of those great books that you can read for the first time or as a re-read (as many people have done!).  The story still captures your attention and if you are reading for the second (or third) time, you start picking up on details you may have not noticed the first time. Enter the magical and dangerous world of Harry Potter and his friends and you will be hooked!!! (5 out of 5 stars)- Diane

The Report Card/ Andrew Clements (J FIC Clements)

Fifth-grader Nora Rowley has always hidden the fact that she is a genius from everyone because she wants to be treated normal, but when she comes up with a plan to prove that grades are not important, things begin to get out of control. Recommended by Morgan, Grade 6

Andrew Clements is a consistent author in my opinion.  His books are always filled with characters and story lines that hold your attention.  The Report Card is no different.  With changes in the current curriculum and standardized testing at an all-time high, this book is right on mark with what is on everyone’s minds.  It will definitely make you think about what a grade means. (4 out of 5 stars)- Catherine

The Fault in Our Stars/ John Green (YA FIC Green)

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten. Recommended by Casey, Grade 9

This book was amazing and terrible and heart wrenching and hilarious. It was everything all at once, making it beautiful and difficult to read.  What i liked about the book: 1- Characters are deep, intelligent and emotionally charged; 2- Power of love; 3- Original Story; 4- One of the best YA books for such a heavy topic.  What I did not like: 1- Teenagers DO NOT talk like that! Meaning the dialogue did not suit the characters; 2- Hazel was kind of annoying to me (kind of like a know it all); 3- Way too sad; 4- Predictable story line. (3 out of 5 stars)- Deepa

Smiles to Go/ Jerry Spinelli (J FIC Spinelli)

Will Tuppence's life has always been ruled by science and common sense but in ninth grade, shaken up by the discovery that protons decay, he begins to see the entire world differently and gains new perspective on his relationships with his little sister and two closest friends. Recommended by Daniel, Grade 6

For most people, life changes in the blink of an eye. For Will Tuppence, life changes in the blink of a proton after the first life-defining particle winks out of existence. Annoying little sisters, determining the best jelly bean flavor, school, potential girlfriends that may or may not be kissing best friends, Valentine’s Day schemes in how to get the girl, mortality – Will deals with the many issues of being a teenager with a sense of humor that makes me wish my own inner narrator were just as funny. Sometimes, you’ll laugh with Will; other times, you’ll laugh at Will, but Will is the type of character you’ll find yourself rooting for all the time. Heartwarming and witty, I really enjoyed getting to know Will and his friends. (4 out of 5 stars)- Rebecca

The One and Only Ivan/ Katherine Applegate (J FIC Applegate)

Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all. Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he's seen and about his friends, Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line. Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better. Recommended by Morgan, Grade 6        

I really loved this book because it was so touching and heartwarming. It is a book that people of ages will enjoy. You will quickly fall in love with all the characters. I was sad to finish the book because I wanted to read more about them. It is a quick read and definitely worth your time! (5 out of 5 stars)- Donna

Eragon/ Christopher Paolini (YT FIC Paolini)

In Alagaësia, a fifteen-year-old boy of unknown lineage called Eragon finds a mysterious stone that weaves his life into an intricate tapestry of destiny, magic, and power, peopled with dragons, elves, and monsters. Recommended by Ben, Grade 7

I found the story to be too derivative of Star Wars and the Lord of the Rings. I join others who reviewed this book with the opinion that author's early works sometimes are best left in the drawer. It was not original enough, it was bogged down in the author's recent exposure to Middle Earth and a galaxy far far away. (1.75 out of 5 stars)- Matt

The Selection/ Kiera Cass (YA FIC Cass)

Sixteen-year-old America Singer is living in the castle-divided nation of lllea, which formed after the war that destoyed the United States. America is chosen to compete in the Selection--a contest to see which girl can win the heart of IIIea's prince--but all she really wants is a chance for a future with her secret love, Aspen, who is a caste below her. Recommended by Casey, Grade 9 & Hayun, Grade 8    

The Selection is set in a futuristic society, where people are divided into castes.  The caste determines the career path for anyone born in your family, with lower castes being so poverty stricken that they face starvation.  The Selection, a competition to become the Prince's wife, happens within this serious political climate.  America is one of the girls chosen to be part of the Selection, but is secretly in love with someone a caste below her.  Find out what happens to this love triangle in this fast paced story that reads like a reality show. (3.5 out of 5 stars)- Wonda

The Name of the Star/ Maureen Johnson (YA FIC Johnson)

Rory, of Benouville, Louisiana, is spending a year at a London boarding school when she witnesses a murder by a Jack the Ripper copycat and becomes involved with the very unusual investigation. Recommended by Rebecca, Grade 9

This is the story of an American girl, Rory who travels to London to spend her senior year abroad. It starts out as a contemporary tale of a young girl trying to fit into a new school, adapt to a new way of doing things and make new friends. In the story there is mention of murders happening around London in "Jack the Ripper" style. We eventually find out that Rory is somehow caught up in it all after she sees a mysterious man around campus that no one else can see. I found this book very intriguing and suspenseful. It kept me on the edge of my seat because I couldn't figure out what was going to happen next. I'm not crazy about the horror part, but I think anyone who likes this type of genre would like this book. This is an Advanced Battle book for high school students and I would definitely recommend it for anyone who likes horror/ghost story genre. It is book 1 in the Shades of London series. (4 out of 5 stars)- Joanne