In these book reviews for August you will find a collection of stories written especially for young teens.
Girls Only! By Beverly Lewis
In this delightful collection of stories about young athletes, we find four different girls who each have a dream of becoming an Olympian. While each girl pushes herself to be dedicated and work hard to be the best she can be in her sport, she must also balance her ambitions with the complexities of school, friends, and family. What really intrigued me about these short stories was the role that faith in God plays in each of the lives of these young girls. While Beverly Lewis is not an LDS author, her book has the familiar principles of prayer, family ties, and dependence on a higher power that we hold so dear. I recommend Girls Only for girls and young teens who have an interest in young Olympians.
Heck, Where the Bad Kids Go by Dale E. Basye
The last things that Milton can remember of his mortal life were: the face of his nemesis, Damian, a blast of hot marshmallow, and his dear sister, Marlo crying over the demise of her vintage dress. Just as quickly as Milton discovers that he is dead, he finds himself passing by the beautiful angelic voices, moving far away from the puffy white clouds, and going down, down, down to land in a kiddie pool filled with balls and garbage. He has officially landed in “Heck”, a terrible place where naughty kids to go after death. Much like the idea of the adult “Hell”, “Heck” is a place of torture, a place of endless misery, and occasionally a place of rehabilitation where bad kids suffer until their souls reach the age of 18 and they can be officially judged. The only good thing about being in Heck is that somehow, Marlo has also landed there too. While Marlo has lived a life of deceit, thievery, and a-moral deeds and may deserve to spend some time in Heck, Milton has been a reluctant accomplice at best. There must be some mistake! He doesn’t belong in “Heck”. But how to escape this horrible place that feels like one endless school day, is something maybe not even a brainy kid like Milton, can figure out…or can he?
This book was not only hilarious, but it had all the makings of a book that young teen will go wild for……like an escape route through the sewer. This book is a perfect find for young teens, both girls and boys, who are looking for a laugh-out-loud, fresh, original novel.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules by Jeff Kinney
Written in journal style, these comic books are perfect for young teens. Poor wimpy kid, Greg Heffley, is mortified to think that his mom would buy him a diary to record his feelings. The only reason that he even begins writing at all on the blank pages is so that when he becomes famous he’ll have a record of his amazing life to show his fans. Greg writes “middle school is the dumbest idea ever invented”. He knows that he is small and wimpy and can only imagine what types of punishments the bullies have in store for him. This book is filled with sarcasm and insights that will have you roaring on the floor because while it’s so funny, some of it rings strangely true. Sure to please even the pickiest young teenage reader.
The Island Gang: The Legend of the Masks by Larry Johns
Still together and going strong, the Island Gang sets out on another water adventure. With Grisham and his new wife, Rose, aboard, the six youth known as “The Island Gang” travel out to sea in their updated boat, the newly christened Luminescence. The gang thinks they will follow Grisham’s maps and hunt treasures on the various islands in Fossil Bay . Gary changes their plans when he finds a mask floating in the water and makes the connection to the “Legend of the Masks”, documented in papers from Grishams’s treasure box. As the group sets sail for the Gulf Islands they find more strange and interesting things that are intriguing and almost unbelievable. Of course mixed in with the mysteries the gang finds: an old “friend”, Harley, the Underground, more mysterious masks, and a whole lot of adventure just ripe for the taking. A sequel to Island Gang: Larry Johns has written a more sophisticated novel that will delight Island Gang fans everywhere. I recommend this book for teens, both boys and girls, and lovers of mysteries, legends, and adventure.
Strange Town Volume One: The Woods Behind Trevor Malone’s House by Joseph Daly
Also a novel about teenage sleuthing, Strange Town Volume One: The Woods Behind Trevor Malone’s House is a great read for young teens; especially boys. When Trevor realizes that there are weird things happening behind his house and in the surrounding areas, he enlists the help of his two friends and his dog to figure out what mysteries and secrets the woods hold. Could it be merely the bully next door playing a trick, did a ship of alien life-forms come to take over the town, or is it something much more evil and dangerous than anyone ever suspected? Find out by joining Trevor Malone and his friends as they journey into the woods.
I really liked this book! It moved fast and I kept me interested until the end. One of the author’s strengths in writing is his descriptions. The events, the settings, and the characters in this book were so vivid and natural that I found myself instantly swept into the world of Trevor Malone.
