Wintergirls - Review

  I read Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. In it, a teenager named Lia is anorexic. Her friend's death, her dad's new wife, and many more things keep her life difficult. She is haunted by her friend's memory and depressed. Her eating disorder is severe and everyone thinks it's gone too far. This is a difficult to read story about Lia's journey to recovery.
  This book is well written and the characters are strong. It's very intense and and fast paced. I'd rate this as PG-13 at the least. It's powerful in the same way Anderson's book Speak is: real emotions, true to the characters, and although depressing plots, in the end: a good story.

Wintergirls - Update

I'm currently reading Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. Like Anderson's Printz Honor winning book, Speak, it is slightly depressing. It is about a teen girl, Lia, who is severely anorexic. Her best friend, Cassie, was anorexic too. After months of not speaking to each other, Cassie is found dead. (Don't worry, I didn't spoil it, this happens in the beginning!) This book is packed with detail, descriptions, and "power-lines". It is realistic and nicely paced. Although, it is a little mature and definitely not a "funny, teen-clique," book.

Uprising - Review

I read Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix. It is a historical fiction book about three teens. It takes place during woman suffrage times. Bella is an immigrant from Italy who works in a shirtwaist factory for her family back in Italy. Yetta is a union girl who has strong feelings about women rights. Jane is a "rich" girl who grew up learning how to be "proper."
These three make an unlikely set of friends! But that's how it happens.
This is a very sad story, it will make you cry. It is tragic and inspirational.

"Keeping The Moon"-Review

   I read Keeping The Moon by Sarah Dessen. It was one of my favorites by her. It's about a girl named Colie who goes to stay with her aunt during the summer. Her mother is famous on TV because of her exercising techniques. Colie has had a hard life, full of teasing and bad reputations. When she comes to see her aunt she accidentally gets a job at the Last Chance Restaurant. There, she meets Morgan and Isabel. And then there's the mysterious art-crazed guy, Norman, who lives in the apartment under her aunt's house. With unique aunt Mira, kind Norman, sensitive Morgan, and independent Isabel, Colie discovers that she has the power to be confident in herself, and she always had.
   I liked this book because it was really true to the characters. After reading the book, you feel like you really know these people as if they were real. I suggest this book to any girl who doesn't mind reading about some harsh subjects (really mean girls, teasing) and girls who have low self-confidence should read it because the lesson is so strong and powerful.

"Lock and Key"- Review

   I read Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen. It was my favorite book by her so far. It's about a 17-year-old girl, Ruby, who gets abandoned by her mother and is forced to go live with older sister, Cora, and Cora's husband. She befriends her neighbor, Nate, and a few other people, including a woman named Harriet who eventually hires her for a job. She's also on a journey of discovering herself, and her relationships help her do that. Through the hardships of it all, Ruby realizes that she has been given a better future.
   I liked this book because it was deep, realistic, and not too slow-going. It was loaded with "power lines" (lines of writing that are so great you wish had written them yourself) and every page of it was special and meaningful. I'd suggest this book for readers who don't mind some mature content.

Out of My Mind- Review

    I read Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper. I ahve to say it is one the best books I've ever read. It's about a girl who has cerebral palsy, and she cannot talk or walk. She has an amazing photographic memory, but of course can't tell anyone. She finally finds a way to communicate, but in her school there is a lot of discrimination towards "retarded" people. This book make me sob at some moments. It's very emotional and deep, honestly the best story I've ever heard.

Anne Frank's Diary- Review

   I finally finished Anne Frank's diary. It was very wonderful, Anne was an amazing writer. She was only 16 when she died in the Holocaust, and she wrote the diary while she was 13, 14, and 15. Her last entry is definitely one of the best entries. The whole diary is deep and meaningful. There is definitely some "girls only" content and romantic situations.
All in all I'm glad I read it and I'll read again sometime because it's that kind of book. :)
I'm now currently re-reading a book in the Alice series that was the first prequel. Starting With Alice takes place when Alice was 8 years old, and it's hilarious.