Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Title: Article 5
Author: Kristen Simmons
ISBN: 9780765329585
Publisher: Tor Teen
Released: January 31, 2012
Page #: 362
Source: My public library

Summary:
"New York, Loss Angeles, and Washington, D.C. have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked and replacd with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police - instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior - instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested don't usually come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember things that weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

In the three years since the war ended, Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And what's worse, one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings... the only boy Ember has ever loved."
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First Lines:

"Beth and Ryan were holding hands. It was enough to risk a formal citation for indecency, and they knew better, but I didn't say anything. Curfew rounds wouldn't begin for another two hours, and freedom was stolen in moments like these."
Page 9
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Review:

I absolutely loved this book. It had all of my favorite elements of an amazing post-apocalyptic story. I'll get to that in a minute... I will try not to gush. This was one of those books where I found myself skipping ahead to find out what happens and getting to wrapped up to go back... but I made myself.

After a huge war, the government effectively goes into lockdown. They start enforcing more and more strict rules. Eventually, the rules get so intense that it's hard for almost anyone to comply with them. Ember and her mother get picked up for something they can't change and are separated. And Ember desperately tries to get away. She's also concerned about Chase - her one and only love - who is now a soldier and seems to have lost all parts of himself to the cause.

My description doesn't really do this book justice. It's a story of family first. And love. And unity with other people in your situation. And Ember knows she has to find her mom to save her from whatever fate she is facing. The government is known for killing people for the smallest offense. They all fear for their lives and what could happen to them.

Ember is awesome. She fights from the second she is picked up by the soldiers. She fights to get out of her situation. She fights to understand how and why things are happening. And she fights to reunite her family make sense of how the world works. There's also the romance aspect - but not like any other type of romance. Well, it's just much more complicated than any other romance... ever :). I was so excited to see what happened with them... sigh. I'm hopeless that way.

I'm trying really hard to not give anything away about this book. There are things that happen in the end that totally change the entire tone of the story. But those changes (and many other things) are what make this book so intense!

You know, I just realized that there wasn't much explanation about the war before this story happened. There's mention of bombing and such, but I don't remember much else. Of course, I was reading pretty quickly... but I don't remember anything about it. Though, it doesn't affect the story much - except that it happens. Anyway...

I've already recommending this book to a few other people... therefore, I'm definitely going to pass this along. Anyone who loves post-apocalyptic stories will really love this one, I think. It's definitely worth your time. I'm really hoping there is going to be another book that continues the story, but I haven't heard about any. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Helen's Book Blog
Geek Girl's Book Blog
Proud Book Nerd
The Reader Bee
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Ruby's Reads
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Starting the Next Chapter

Scary School by Derek the Ghost

Title: Scary School
Author: Derek the Ghost
Illustrator: Scott M. Fischer
ISBN: 9780061960925
Publisher: Harper
Released: June 21, 2011
Page #: 233
Source: Copy from the author

Summary:
"You think your school's scary?
Get a load of these teachers:
* Ms. Fang, an 850-year-old vampire
* Dr. Dragonsbreath, who just might eat you before recess
* Mr. Snakeskin - science class is so much more fun when it's taught by someone who's half zombie
* Mrs. T - break the rules and spend your detention with a hungry Tyrannosaurus rex!

Plus:
* Gargoyles, goblins, and Frankenstein's monster on the loose
* The world's most frighteningly delicious school lunch

And
* The narrator's an eleven-year-old ghost!

Join Charles 'New Kid' Nukid as he makes some very Scary friends - including Petunia, Johnny, and Peter the wolf - and figures out that Scary School can be just as funny as it is spooky!"
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First Lines:

"It's not often that a new kid arrives at Scary School, but when one does, no one wants to bother learning yet another name, so they just call him or her 'new kid.'
Everyone knows that the human brain can only hold so many names. About fifty is all there's room for."
Page 1
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Review:

What a fun story! I cannot imagine a more entertaining middle school.

I can't imagine what it would be like to go to a monster school. I mean, the teachers are allowed to eat students and they are practically required to be frightening. The students aren't much better - but there are some humans. Of course, they might be zombies by the end of the school year.

One thing that really appealed to me about this book was the format of the chapters. I think it's a great idea to have fairly separate chapters. That way your reluctant readers can get into part of the story for a chapter at a time. Also, you learn about all of the various characters better that way. It's just a really good format for a middle grade novel.

I loved some of the irony in this book. The students have a part where they get super excited to meet Frankenstein and all they get is a chubby old guy... not at all what they expected. I also thought it was clever to have other schools come in for this Ghoul Games stuff. It gave the author the ability to come up with even more crazy characters - not that there weren't enough!

The ending is what really made me love the book, I think. No, I'm not going to give it away. But I just think it showed what a good story it is and how it can still teach some life lessons... even though it's not exactly the obvious point of the book. As a side note: I think my favorite mini-story was about Petunia. I love that she was purple, that she was followed by insects... just a really cute story.

Honestly, I think this book was adorable. I know that early middle school students will really get into it. I already have the second book in my hot little hands and I will have to read it soon. So much fun. I'll definitely be getting it for some of my middle schools. It's an easy sell :).
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Other Blog Reviews:

Literary Exploration
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To Read or Not To Read
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The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch

Title: The Eleventh Plague
Author: Jeff Hirsch
ISBN: 9780545290142
Publisher: Scholastic
Released: September 1, 2011
Page #: 304
Source: Overdrive Audio through my library

Summary:
"In the aftermath of a war, America’s landscape has been ravaged and two-thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade. But when Stephen’s grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler’s Landing, a community that seems too good to be true. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are. And when they play a prank that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler’s Landing--and their lives--forever."
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First Lines:

"I was sitting at the edge of clearing, trying not to stare at the body on the ground in front of me. Dad had said we'd be done before dark, but it had been hours since the sun had gone down and he was still only waist deep in the hole, throwing shovelfuls of dirt over his shoulder."
Page 1
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Review:

The whole premise of this story really freaked me out. Can you imagine a virus spreading so fast and killing so many people? Well, maybe it's freaky because it seems like it could really happen.

This starts out as the story of a family - how they have survived. They roam around looking for salvage to trade for goods. But after they try to take on some slave traders, Stephen's father takes a huge fall while they're on the run. He is in a coma and without regular medicine, there's nothing that can be done. But Stephen is found by some men who are a part of a community. They take Stephen and his dad back with them to try to help. It's in this settlement that Stephen really learns about community.

Can you imagine living all of your life in a world where fear and violence reign so supreme? Stephen practically doesn't know of anything else. It's really a story about people learning to live with the aftermath of destruction. And you can see all walks of life - the survivors, the thieves, the cheaters, those in denial, and those who are profiting. It's kind of amazing to think about which category you might fall into.

The whole Chinese-started-it thing was really interesting to me as well. While I'm sure having another superpower country do this makes it seem fairly realistic, it adds a context I hadn't expected. There's a little talk of race and country origin because of one of the characters. People become scared of her because they think she's from China. And I'm very glad that she found a prominent place in this story. It helps give a little depth to it.

I think the point at which the story really started to take shape for me was when Stephen started to realize how things were handled in Settlers Landing. There are things that start to make sense - things that fall into place. You realize that not everything is as idyllic as it seems. But it's still about people believing in each other and trusting each other. One of the big themes seems to be about trust. I liked that added component.

I think anyone who has gotten into the post-apocalyptic stories lately will enjoy this one. It's got a very interesting premise and it really gave me something to think about. I know others will enjoy this one as well. It's not one to be taken in lighthearted-ly.... it's an intense story and it will go over well, I think. Add it to the ranks of good teen fiction :).

Full disclosure: I listened to this book through my library's OverDrive service.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Emily's Reading Room
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Waiting on Wednesday (95)

Waiting on Wednesday" is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Here's what I'm waiting on this week...

Being Friends with Boys
by Tera Elan McVoy
To be released: May 01, 2012

Summary from Barnes and Noble:
"Charlotte and Oliver have been friends forever. She knows that he, Abe, and Trip consider her to be one of the guys, and she likes it that way. She likes being the friend who keeps them all together. Likes offering a girl’s perspective on their love lives. Likes being the behind-the-scenes wordsmith who writes all the lyrics for the boys’ band. Char has a house full of stepsisters and a past full of backstabbing (female) ex–best friends, so for her, being friends with boys is refreshingly drama-free…until it isn’t anymore.

When a new boy enters the scene and makes Char feel like, well, a total girl…and two of her other friends have a falling out that may or may not be related to one of them deciding he might want to be more than friends with Char…being friends with all these boys suddenly becomes a lot more complicated."

I'm always looking for the next fun romance book. Having been "one of the guys" myself, I think this book sounds like a good time. I haven't read anything else by this author, but I look forward to giving this one a shot! So fun :)

What are you waiting on this week?

Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abby McDonald

Title: Getting Over Garrett Delaney
Author: Abby McDonald
ISBN: 9780763655075
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Released: January 24, 2012
Page #: 319
Source: My public library

Summary:
"Seventeen-year-old Sadie is in love: epic, heartfelt, and utterly one-sided. The object of her obsession - ahem, affection - is her best friend, Garrett Delaney. For two long, painful years, Sadie has been Garrett's constant companion, sharing his taste in everything from tragic Russian literature to '80s indie rock - all to no avail. But when Garrett leaves for a summer literary retreat, Sadie is sure that the absence will make his heart grow fonder - until he calls to say he's fallen in love. With some other girl! A heartbroken Sadie realizes that she's finally had enough. It's time for a total Garrett detox!

Aided by a barista job, an eclectic crew of new friends (including the hunky chef, Josh), and a customized self-help guide, Sadie embarks on a summer of personal reinvention full of laughter, mortifying meltdowns, and a double shot of love.

Abby McDonald serves up her trademark wit and wisdom in this hilarious new novel."
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First Lines:

"You have to understand: I've been madly, hopelessly, tragically in love with Garrett Delaney for two years now - ever since the fateful day when I looked up from my list of the Top Ten Couples of All Time and saw him sauntering into the local coffeehouse."
From the Disclaimer (unpaged)
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Review:

This book was a 24 hour read for me. I really had a hard time putting it down. Probably because it was so fun and Sadie's life is far more interesting than mine :).

Sadie is just like every other girl with a crush... obsessed. Almost her every waking thought is about him. She spends her time thinking over every little thing to determine what it means. But while he's away for the summer, she realizes she has to let him go. And Sadie spends every waking moment NOT thinking about Garrett... mostly. She makes new friends, finds out what she's been missing, and becomes a whole new woman! That is... until he comes back. dun dun dunnnnn. :)

Okay, so I haven't read anything by this author before. I'm thinking that I should do some backtracking and pick them up. I absolutely loved this book. It was adorable and clever and funny... what more could a girl ask for? Not to mention that it really hits home. I'm not sure how many people were like this, but I had a massive crush in high school. Like in a sort-of-obsessed kinda way. So, unfortunately I really relate to that part of this book. I'm not the only one, I'm sure.

I really wish I had this book when I was in high school... it would have (hopefully) snapped me out of it. Not only is it an awesome story about a kick ass girl, it's also a how-to guide on getting your brain to stop obsessing over that one certain guy. I'm sure that's not the intent, but it probably would help someone. At least help them see the light. :)

Really, there are so many characters in this book to love. One of my favorite things is the rekindled friendship between Sadie and Kayla. It's amazing how much people can grow apart and how boys can really get inbetween girlfriends. But I loved seeing this friendship come back around - It doesn't happen often enough in real life. That was definitely my feel-good story line in this one.

I couldn't help but feel super proud of Sadie at the end of this book. She's much more awesome than I ever could have been. I'm sure that makes the story a little less realistic, but I really enjoyed her story. I will definitely be recommending this book to my chick lit lovers. Any fans of Stephanie Perkins stuff will probably get into this book as well. I'm a fan of McDonald now... gotta go check out some more!
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Other Blog Reviews:

Coffee Table Reviews
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