The Class of 2k7 Wants to Share our Reviews
Excellent press continues to roll in for the Class of 2k7! Here’s the latest buzz:
Me and the Pumpkin Queen by Marlane Kennedy
“A warmhearted and genuine offering that demands little and gives much.” — Kirkus
My Last Best Friend by Julie Bowe
“Delightful details enhance this friendship story.” — School Library Journal
“Engaging… realistic… will certainly appeal.” — Kirkus
“Bowe’s characters emerge fully formed. Ida embodies the universal longing to connect with a kindred spirit.” — Publishers Weekly
“We hope to read more from this talented new author.” — Kidsreads.com
Blood Brothers by S. A. Harazin
“The story will grab readers from the first sentence.” -– Kirkus
“A terrific novel of friendship, family, longing and belonging in Blood Brothers.” — Teri Lesesne
“Will hold the interest of all but the most squeamish readers.” –- Richie’s Picks
Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles
“This suspenseful, disturbing debut will help older teen readers understand that abusers are victims, too. If you enjoy the emotional, gritty work of E.R. Frank or Ellen Hopkins, you’re gonna love Jo Knowles.” — Jennifer Hubert, Reading Rants
Before, After, and Somebody in Between by Jeannine Garsee
“(Garsee) tells this disturbing-yet-poignant tale… with a clear voice and authenticity.” — Childrens Literature
“This gritty story has great appeal.” — Kirkus
“Packed with tension… an over-the-top fairy tale… (Garsee) knows about what she is writing and she leaves out nothing… painfully realistic.” — VOYA
Tips on Having a Gay (ex) Boyfriend by Carrie Jones
“Jones offers a convincing small-town environment, and the author’s poetic prose ably captures her heroine’s emotional upheavals.” — Publishers Weekly
“Jones’s smart and emotional writing style enhances this slightly addicting, fast-paced read.” — VOYA.
“An emotional story that’s true at heart.” –- Kirkus
“It’s good to have her talent in the field.” — KLIATT
First Light by Rebecca Stead
A Children’s Book Sense Pick for Summer 2007
“[T]his compelling contemporary ice-age mystery introduces two engaging characters whose personal courage is tested as they discover one another’s worlds as well as the truth about themselves. Thoroughly enjoyable arctic adventure.” –- Kirkus
“Credible and absorbing … a journey worth taking.” — Publishers Weekly
Bad Girls Club by Judy Gregerson
“Bad Girls Club is as riveting as Dave Pelzer’s A Child Called It books, but is far better…” — Midwest Book Review
“I’m expecting to hear a lot more about this book…” — Jen Robinson’s Book Page
“To say that I enjoyed the book is not quite accurate—rather, I was engrossed in it and unable to put it down…” — Fallen Angels Reviews, 5 stars
“One of the best I have ever read.” — Teen Reviewer, Flamingnet.com, Top Choice Award
“Gregerson’s first novel is sure to garner lots of attention.” — Smartwriters.com
“Books like A Child Called It have long been popular with teens. This book will appeal for many of the same reasons.” — Professornana, The Goddess of YA
“I would recommend this book to all teens and young adults and believe it should be incorporated into the curricula of health classes at the middle and high school levels.” — Stanley C. Goldklang, Ph.D., Psychologist, NJ
“Thank you for sharing this story with the world—it needs to be heard.” — Tony Zabinski, Teacher, Connecticut
Toby Wheeler: Eighth Grade Benchwarmer by Thatcher Heldring
A Junior Library Guild selection.
“A truly great basketball story. Every hoops fan will love this book.” — Phil Jackson, member of the NBA Hall of Fame and head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel by Ruth McNally Barshaw
“The engaging text reflects a contemporary preadolescent sensibility and is chock-full of clean, distinguished line drawings on each spread.” -– School Library Journal
“Part journal, part graphic novel, all fun.” -– Kirkus
“Minimal text, sprightly illustrations, and plentiful action.” — paulamorrow.com
“Fun to read and recommended.” — curledupkids.com
“Funny and insightful.” -– kidsreads.com
For more reviews, visit Ruth’s website: www.ruthexpress.com
Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst
“So inventive with her take on fairy tales’ relevance to our world.” — Charles de Lint, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction
“An entertaining, introspective, clever remixing of traditional fairy tales with a Labyrinth edge and a self-aware sensibility. ” — Realms of Fantasy Magazine
“Deeper than most rewritten fairy tales, this existential story is chunked with big ideas about the fairy-tale genre, yet the story is lightened with touches that will connect with its audience.” — Kirkus
“The story is peppered with sly allusions, and Julie is an appealingly reluctant heroine, one whose goodness and bravery come with plenty of wry, contemporary sarcasm.” — Booklist
“Durst pulls you in on page one and takes you on a wild adventure that’s in parts hilariously funny, seriously thoughtful, depressing, and still filled with love, hope, and family.” — SFRevu
“An amazing, wild, romp of an adventure… What really sets it apart is that Durst truly gets the darkness in the old fairy tales, … the darkness of happily ever after. ” — Wands and Worlds
“Hilarious in parts, sad in parts, and surprisingly honest. A great book. I enjoyed it immensely!” — TeensReadToo
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
“Fans of the smart/chic horror typified by Buffy the Vampire Slayer will instantly fall for this new series.” — Publishers Weekly
“City of Bones is a highly readable first novel… left me looking forward to the next adventure.” — LOCUS Magazine
“Lush and fun.” — Kirkus
“This fast-paced fantastic thriller will keep readers on the edge of their seats.” — VOYA
“I fully expect that City of Bones will be the hottest YA fantasy novel of the summer.” — Greenmanreview.com
“This debut novel from a brilliant, smart new voice in Young Adult literature is a marvelous adventure.” -– teensreadtoo.com
Beauty Shop for Rent by Laura Bowers
“Teens will find Abbey’s emotional turmoil rings true… But it’s the multi-generational friendships—the feisty, sniping conversations … brim with humor—that make Bowers’s first novel a delight.” — Publisher’s Weekly, starred review
“This deceptively simple book reveals Abbey as a wonderful character who will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers.” — School Library Journal
“Step into this Beauty Shop for Rent for a good, clean read that will tickle your funny bone, massage your mind, and warm your heart.” — Bildungsroman
“Realistic, yet humorous, this is a satisfying novel.” — www.teensreadtoo.com
Big Slick by Eric Luper
“Big Slick is an action-filled tale involving hot girls, hot cars, very dangerous people, serious desperation, and some seriously bad choices… I’m betting that Big Slick is going to be both extremely popular and a great new title for reluctant readers.” — Richie’s Picks
“Big Slick is filled with colorful characters, poker action, humor, romance, and illegal deals that will keep you turning the pages. Teen readers—both guys and girls, poker fans or not—will be fighting over who gets this one first.” — Sally Kruger (ReadingJunky) from www.teensreadtoo.com
No Castles Here by A.C.E. Bauer
“[D]ue to some excellent character development, you anxiously wait to hear both the fairy tale stories and Augie’s story…, both were equally enthralling.” — Books4Ever
Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham
A School Library Journal Hot Pick
“This engaging read will entice enthusiastic and reluctant readers; the drama of the shark attack will hook them, and Jane’s inner journey will hold them til the end.” -– School Library Journal, starred review
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
A Children’s Book Sense Pick for Summer 2007
“A fully imagined faery world that runs alongside an everyday world, which even non-fantasy (or faerie) lovers will want to delve into.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review
“A debut that reads like the work of a seasoned pro. I can’t wait to see what Marr comes up with next.” — Charles de Lint, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
“A modern day fairy tale wherein the girl saves herself and the denouement involves a negotiated partnership.” — Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books (recommended read)
“Twilight meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in an urban, faery world.” — Assoc. of Booksellers for Children newsletter (New Voices Profile)
“Expertly crafted, alternating effortlessly among four different characters. It’s chockfull of ancient faery lore while at the same time bringing to life an ultramodern girl. Captivating!” — Galley Talk in Publisher’s Weekly
“With glorious imagery and faery deeds more light-hearted than most gritty urban faerie fantasies, it doesn’t take long to feel at home with Wicked Lovely.” — Calgary Herald
“Aislinn’s ability to straddle the real and faerie worlds is quite breathtaking, and readers will rapidly turn pages to see if she chooses the mortal Seth or the Summer King.” — Shelf Awareness
Reality Leak by Joni Sensel
“Perfect for the younger reader.” — Newton’s Book Notes
“Unique characters, unique plot. Full of one imaginative adventure after another… an enjoyable read.” — Deliciously Clean Reads & Becky’s Book Reviews
“Part mystery, part fantasy and packed with humor, this extremely creative novel will hold readers in lighthearted suspense through all 218 pages.” — Kendal Rautzhan, syndicated reviewer
The Penguins of Doom by Greg R. Fishbone
“The Penguins of Doom is a fun romp aimed squarely at middle grade readers. The format and voice are both unique.” — Jen Robinson’s Book Page
Girl Overboard by Aimee Ferris
“Girl Overboard is part of the Sass series, so it is heavy on light romance. Where this story excels is its detailed, vivid descriptions of marine life and science, which allows it to transcend the rest of the series. High school science teachers could easily find a place for it on their shelves.” — David Gill, ALAN website, Bill’s Best Books 2007
Me and the Pumpkin Queen by Marlane Kennedy
“This marvelously heartwarming story deserves a big blue ribbon.” — BookPage
“[R]eaders… are likely to be drawn in by Kennedy’s straightforward narrative, as solid and unadorned as a pumpkin, yet lovely in its own way.” — Booklist