Spoiler Alert Mini-Review: Damage Done by Amanda Panitch

Damage Done
Coming soon to WPPL

Before: Julia had a twin brother, a boyfriend, and a best friend.

After: She has a new identity, a new hometown, and memories of those twenty-two minutes that refuse to come into focus. At least, that’s what she tells the police.

Now that she’s Lucy Black, she's able to begin again. She's even getting used to the empty bedroom where her brother should be. And her fresh start has attracted the attention of one of the hottest guys in school, a boy who will do anything to protect her. But when someone much more dangerous also takes notice, Lucy's forced to confront the dark secrets she thought were safely left behind.

One thing is clear: The damage done can never be erased. It’s only just beginning. . . .



Spoiler Alert reviewer: Alexa
1=No. Just, no. 2=It's OK. 3=I liked it. 4=I really liked it. 5=It was EPIC!

The Book Itself
How well designed was the plot? 5!
How vivid was the setting? 4
How believable were the characters and the dialog? 5
How well did the book hold your interest? 4
How well did the author's language add to the book? 4
How well did the writing match the books intended audience? 5

Worldwide
Rank this book's mass appeal. 5
How readable was this book? 4
How pleasurable will reading this book be to most teens? 5! 5!

Personal
How highly would you recommend this book? 5! 5! 5! 5!
How likely are you to read something else by this author? 4
How memorable was this book? 5
How did you feel about the ending? 5
How creative was this book? 5! 5! 5! 5! 5! 5!

Marketing
How well does the cover match the story? 5
Rank the jacket blurb. 4
Rank the title. 4
How well does the title match the story? 4
Stopping point in the book? Finished

Tell us what you thought of the book overall:

In one word: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Tell us what you really did not like about this book: I love this book too much to hate anything about it!

Pick 5 words to describe this book: suspenseful, saddening, mysterious, drama, AWESOME!!

Spoiler Alert Mini Review: Thirteen by Tom Hoyle

Thirteen
Born at midnight in London, on the stroke of the new millennium, Adam is the target of a cult that believes boys born on this date must die before the end of their thirteenth year. Twelve boys have been killed so far. Coron, the crazy cult leader, will stop at nothing to bring in his new kingdom. And now he is planning a bombing spectacular across London to celebrate the sacrifice of his final victim: Adam.
Spoiler Alert reviewer: Victoria

1=No. Just, no. 2=It's OK. 3=I liked it. 4=I really liked it. 5=It was EPIC!

The Book Itself
How well designed was the plot? 4
How vivid was the setting? 3
How believable were the characters and the dialog? 3
How well did the book hold your interest? 3
How well did the author's language add to the book? 3
How well did the writing match the books intended audience? 4

Worldwide
Rank this book's mass appeal. 4
How readable was this book? 4
How pleasurable will reading this book be to most teens? 2

Personal
How highly would you recommend this book? 2
How likely are you to read something else by this author? 1
How memorable was this book? 1
How did you feel about the ending? 3
If you did not finish, how did you feel about the beginning?
How creative was this book? 2

Marketing
Rank the cover (only if the final cover version has been released).
How well does the cover match the story? 5
Rank the jacket blurb. 5
Rank the title. 5
How well does the title match the story? 5
Stopping point in the book? Finished

Tell us what you thought of the book overall:

In one word: Okay

Tell us what you really did not like about this book: More character development

Pick 5 words to describe this book: Fast paced, scary bland thriller

Flush by Carl Hiaasen

Reviewed by Jake L.
Grade 8

Noah's dad is a stubborn man. He landed in jail for sinking a casino boat that he believed was dumping waste into the Florida Keys waterways. Now Noah and his friend, Abby, have to prove that the boat is dumping waste into the water and that his Dad isn't wrong. The stakes are high. This is the last straw for Noah's mom, so if he isn't successful his family will probably fall apart.

Noah is an average teenager in the Florida Keys, but his dad is not the average dad. His dad is an environmental enthusiast who ends up in jail for sinking a casino boat that's dumping waste into the ocean. One problem: no proof of any wrongdoing on the casino boat. Noah and Abby make it their mission to prove that the casino is polluting the water. This leads them into making some unlikely friends, many enemies, and buying a lot of food dye.

I thought the setting and plot were outstanding in this book. Hiaasen's plots are consistently impossible to anticipate but are always gripping. He also gives a very clear picture of where Noah is throughout the book.

I would recommend Flush to anyone and everyone, especially a Florida resident. It teaches lessons in perseverance and protecting the environment. It's just another great book by Carl Hiaasen.

Spoiler Alert Mini Review: Conversion by Katherine Howe

Conversion

When girls start experiencing strange tics and other mysterious symptoms at Colleen's high school, her small town of Danvers, Massachusetts, falls victim to rumors that lead to full-blown panic, and only Colleen connects their fate to the ill-fated Salem Village, where another group of girls suffered from a similarly bizarre epidemic three centuries ago.

Spoiler Alert reviewer: Victoria

1=No. Just, no. 2=It's OK. 3=I liked it. 4=I really liked it. 5=It was EPIC!

The Book Itself
How well designed was the plot? 1
How vivid was the setting? 1
How believable were the characters and the dialog? 1
How well did the book hold your interest? 1
How well did the author's language add to the book? 1
How well did the writing match the books intended audience? 1

Worldwide
Rank this book's mass appeal. 1
How readable was this book? 1
How pleasurable will reading this book be to most teens? 1

Personal
How highly would you recommend this book? 1
How likely are you to read something else by this author? 1
How memorable was this book? 1
How did you feel about the ending? 1
If you did not finish, how did you feel about the beginning?
How creative was this book? 1

Marketing
Rank the cover (only if the final cover version has been released). 2
How well does the cover match the story? 2
Rank the jacket blurb. 3
Rank the title. 3
How well does the title match the story? 2
Stopping point in the book? Finished

Tell us what you thought of the book overall:

In one word: Dull

Tell us what you really did not like about this book: No interesting characters, snail-slow plot & everything else

Pick 5 words to describe this book: Boring, not worth a dime

Spoiler Alert Mini Review: Trust Me I'm Lying by Mary Elizabeth Sumner

Trust Me I'm Lying

Having learned to be a master con artist from her father, Julep Dupree pays expenses at her exclusive high school by fixing things for fellow students, but she will need their help when her father disappears.

Spoiler Alert reviewer: Delaney

1=No. Just, no. 2=It's OK. 3=I liked it. 4=I really liked it. 5=It was EPIC!

The Book Itself
How well designed was the plot? 3
How vivid was the setting? 4
How believable were the characters and the dialog? 4
How well did the book hold your interest? 4
How well did the author's language add to the book? 4
How well did the writing match the books intended audience? 4

Worldwide
Rank this book's mass appeal. 4
How readable was this book? 4
How pleasurable will reading this book be to most teens? 4

Personal
How highly would you recommend this book? 4
How likely are you to read something else by this author? 4
How memorable was this book? 4
How did you feel about the ending? 4
If you did not finish, how did you feel about the beginning?
How creative was this book? 3

Marketing
Rank the cover (only if the final cover version has been released). 5
How well does the cover match the story? 5
Rank the jacket blurb. 3
Rank the title. 4
How well does the title match the story? 5
Stopping point in the book? Finished

Tell us what you thought of the book overall:

In one word: Thrilling

Tell us what you really did not like about this book: Nothing

Pick 5 words to describe this book: Fast-paced, exciting, snarky, mystery, entertaining

Kitty Hawk by Roland Smith

Reviewed by Jake L.
Grade 8

Angela and Q are back again. They are with Boone and his team tracking down the cell on a highly dangerous mission, leading to hopefully the final showdown with the cell.

Q and Angela go with Boone to Kitty Hawk after tracking the cell through the Carolina area. Meanwhile, they learn some interesting things about Boone and his dog, Croc. Malak is with them as well, but will she survive?

I though the setting in this book was better than the setting in the last book in this series, The White House. You will feel as if you are a member of the team. The author allows you to be there with the kids using the setting.

I thought this book was outstanding because of the author's style. He leaves enough to the unknown so that your eyes are glued to the pages. When the final showdown comes, you will probably need a shower from sweating so much, because of the way Smith develops the plot.

The White House by Roland Smith

Reviewed by Jake L.
Grade 8

Angela and Q are back. Their parents’ tour is now taking them to Washington DC, and an unexpected stay in the White House. What could go wrong in the most secure building in the world? Ironically, everything.

Angela and Q race through the streets of DC and the White House trying to figure out who is good and bad. Meanwhile, they are trying to figure out more about the mysterious roadie, Boone. They also meet the President and his two children.

I think the plot was very well developed throughout the story. The author keeps you engaged with the conflict. The setting in this book was ok. In some parts of the book it was a little hard to understand, but the quality of the story makes up for it.

The White House was a good book. I would recommend it to anyone who likes adventure books. The author keeps your eyes glued to the page. When physical conflict erupts you will not dare take your eyes of the page.

sequel to Independence Hall

Independence Hall by Roland Smith

Reviewed by Jake L.
Grade 8

Q and his mysterious new stepsister, Angela are leaving from San Francisco to tour with their mom and dad, who are the popular music group, Blaze and Roger. Things get very interesting when Angela's birth mother's past comes to haunt them.
Q, Angela, and a weird roadie travel across America with international spies close on their tail. Meanwhile they have to stop their parents from noticing anything funny and cancel the tour. They have to give these spies the slip soon or else.

This book has a thrilling conflict. Roland Smith keeps you turning the pages with anticipation. Every confrontation with the spies is narrated flawlessly.

I would recommend Independence Hall to anyone who enjoys adventure books. The author does a great job developing the plot and describing the setting: two key elements of a good read. It is a great book.