Book Review: The Night She Disappeared; by April Henry

   I had a taste of one of April Henry’s books (Girl, Stolen) a few months back, and I immediately love her work. Naturally, I look for more of her books up and this peaked my interests. Little I know, she be taking me through another emotional, end of the seat experience. and I am happy that she did. (I was in a reading slump and her books brought me back)

   Honestly, the cover and the title itself intrigued me, the storyline just grab me from the beginning. That first quote is quite heart gripping (points at quote). The chapters are titles as the number of days. That’s kind of cool. Characters are at times a bit confusing, I couldn’t figure out who is who at first, but it work out in the end.

Bottomline, the thing about this book is, it can happened to anyone. my regret is, I wish the book could last a bit longer. I do wish April would give more development to Kayla, her family and her kidnapper characters POV though. But yeah overall, It was a total nail biting experience.

Quote:
It was me who took the order. It could have been anyone. I don’t know why I feel guilty. But it was me.

The Night She Disappeared
By April Henry

Gabie drives a Mini Cooper. She also works part time as a delivery girl at Pete’s Pizza. One night, Kayla—another delivery girl—goes missing. To her horror, Gabie learns that the supposed kidnapper had asked if the girl in the Mini Cooper was working that night. Gabie can’t move beyond the fact that Kayla’s fate was really meant for her, and she becomes obsessed with finding Kayla. She teams up with Drew, who also works at Pete’s. Together, they set out to prove that Kayla isn’t dead—and to find her before she is.

Finished Reading: 28th February 2014
Acquire: 21st November 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Teens | Mystery | Realistic Fiction
List } 100 Books in a Year 2014 | TBR Challenge | TBR Pile Challenge (i) | Tbr Pile Challenge (ii) 
Release Day }  13th March 2012
Publisher } Henry Holt and Co.
Format } Hardcover
ISBN } 9780805092622
Pages } 240 pages
Source } Bought for BND $13.00
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Support my reading by getting your copy } Paperback | Kindle

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Book Review: Girl, Stolen; by April Henry

So many friends and readers had refer me this book for quite a time now, and I had put it off because I refused to be peer pressured into reading anything. (Yeah that was weird).

Wow.. unintentional kidnapped teenager in the backseat, throw in the twist that she is blind and sick with pneumonia. This is why you don’t leave kids unattended in a car, even for a bit while! You probably have your kid kidnapped and ransomed! Or even dead! Cheyenne, despite, sick and blind is quite brave. She formed a bond with her unintended kidnapper, Griffin, ironically from his father and the other two blockheads who worked with his father.

I still don’t get why a parent would leave a sick blind teenager alone in a car (even for a little while!). I actually expected to be on the edge of my seat for this one, but it wasn’t so. Griffin was obviously not going to harm her of any way after reading 2-3 chapters. Of course the rest of the character was doing a cliché. It wasn’t that bad, but it would have been a better read. it does show me the insides of being blind, feelings and such.

For a fan of tragedies, crime, mystery realistic fiction, as I said, it didn’t really put me at the edge of my seat, but enough to get me keep reading till the end. That was a good try. and honestly, it could really need an edge or two. (it feels like Hallmark)

Girl, Stolen
By April Henry

Sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of the car while her stepmom fills a prescription for antibiotics. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, the car is being stolen.
Griffin hadn't meant to kidnap Cheyenne and once he finds out that not only does she have pneumonia, but that she's blind, he really doesn't know what to do. When his dad finds out that Cheyenne's father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes--now there's a reason to keep her.
How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare?

Finished Reading: 07th December 2013
Acquire: 11th February 2013
Rate } ♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Young Adult | Teens 
Release Day }  01st October 2012
Publisher } Henry Holt and Co.
Format } Hardcover
ISBN } 9780805090055
Pages } 213 pages
Source } BookSwap
Age Group } pg 15 yo +
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Book Review: Mick Harte Was Here; by Barbara Park

I never thought I be sad for a book character.

And yes.. the narrator lied when she said, “this isn’t the kind of book where you meet the main character and you get to like him real well.” She made sure she fall in love with this character… only to tell us he died. No spoilers there.

This is a story about remembering Mick Harte. And this is the story how the people who left cope post-event.

It’s an emotional read, it shows how different people deals and cope with the death of a person they know. 

P/S Get tissues ready before you start reading this one.

Quote. “The upside to grief is it takes away your appetite. When people say you look good they really mean it. Nature's thoughtful that way.”

Mick Harte Was Here
By Barbara Park

How could someone like Mick die? He was the kid who freaked out his mom by putting a ceramic eye in a defrosted chicken, the kid who did a wild dance in front of the whole school--and the kid who, if only he had worn his bicycle helmet, would still be alive today. But now Phoebe Harte's twelve-year-old brother is gone, and Phoebe's world has turned upside down. With her trademark candor and compassion, beloved middle-grade writer Barbara Park tells how Phoebe copes with her painful loss in this story filled with sadness, humor--and hope. Chosen by Publishers Weekly as one of their Best Books of 1996. "A full-fledged and fully convincing drama

Finished Reading: 01st March 2013
Acquire: 06th February 2013
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Realistic Fiction | Young Adult | Teens | Middle Grade
Release Day }  26th January 2011
Publisher } Yearling
Format } eBook
ISBN } 9780307786821
Pages } 96 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Interests } Realistic Fiction Readers 
Awards }
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Book Review: After by Amy Efaw

It has been awhile since I’ve actually posted a book review (or anything really). I apologize. I had a very hectic end of year, with work and life… (and not really reliable internet connection). Even reading took its toll, but I assure you, I will try not to stop reading. Anyway… I’ve seen this book around the book blogsphere for a while now, and I haven’t quite have the time to pick it up until now. I have alot in my “to be read” pile and it will take a while before I actually able to finish reading them all. (how scary).

If you have been living under a coconut shell or a rock, you wouldn’t have heard the news about how almost to frequent news of trash babies and door babies.. let’s keep it simple, babies left by people in the trash, in the wild, in places, in bags etc in the news. Most of us heard about it, yet there’s hardly any news of “After”. What happened to the parents? f course, there’s alot of horror movies about babies haunting their parents, but face it, there’s no after news.

Until now…

Somebody offered to read this books years ago. I wasn’t really into the genre  back then, but I’ve revisited the reference after we had this Teens Awareness week at work. It was an eye opener.

Let’s talk about this book. The main character, Devon, had a baby, threw the baby into the trash like a piece of nothing. Heartless, people say (the normal reaction we have after listening to the same kind of news in the medias). Here’s the twist… she didn’t know she was pregnant, she didn’t realize it was her baby until a few months later. Wow… yup bullshit. That was my reaction. Then, the author brings us walking into the characters state of mind. her memories, her feelings, her thoughts, her fears, her aspirations. I actually feel sorry for her, regardless what she did.

Amy Efaw did an excellent job in writing Devon’s story. I actually learn a lot, and somewhat empathize with the character.

Cover. If you hadn’t notice, the model on the cover has the reflection of a pregnant woman on the back of the leaning model



****SPOILER****



The only reason why I gave it a 4 spades, was the ending. It was a major twist, but I was hoping for more. I wanted to know about the boy. The baby’s father. How about the baby? I do hope Amy Efaw would do a “follow up” sort of books regarding this one. It would be awesome. I hate being left hanging like that.     

Quote: She can paint a pretty picture but this story has a twist. The paintbrush is a razor and the canvas is her wrist

After
By Amy Efaw

An infant left in the trash to die. A teenage mother who never knew she was pregnant . . .
Before That Morning, these were the words most often used to describe straight-A student and star soccer player Devon Davenport: responsible, hardworking, mature. But all that changes when the police find Devon home sick from school as they investigate the case of an abandoned baby. Soon the connection is made. Devon has just given birth; the baby in the trash is hers. After That Morning, there's only one way to define Devon: attempted murderer.
And yet gifted author Amy Efaw does the impossible. She turns Devon into an empathetic character, a girl who was in such deep denial that she refused to believe she was pregnant. Through airtight writing and fast-paced, gripping storytelling, Ms. Efaw takes the reader on Devon's unforgettable journey toward clarity, acceptance, and redemption.

Finished Reading: 13th December 2012
Acquire: 24th November 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Realistic Fiction | Young Adult
Release Day }  11 August 2009
Publisher } Viking Juvenile
Format } Paperback
ISBN } 9780670011834
Pages } 350 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 15 yo +
Interests } Realistic Fiction    
Awards } Borders Original Voices Award for Kids & Teens (2009)
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon.com | Kindle

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Book Review: Suicide Notes; By Michael Thomas Ford

What can I say about this book. It was daunting. The depth the main character brought you under his skin, his thoughts. to sum it up. it was triggering, if you have a cutting problem, do NOT read this book.

But it is also kind of hilarious.....yet in the same time heartbreaking to read.

It isn't as depressing as it sounds. this book consisted of 45 days presenting every single day and thoughts of Jeff while he's in the hospital. He cope with his smartass remarks and just "blah" personality.

Personally, it was a good read. I actually went through it with all the emotions and actually relate, laugh and feel what the characters and his mates are feeling, not to mention going through.

I wouldn't really expect to see this in any school libraries due to the "harsh" content (but heck) it would be nice read outside school and during their own personal time.

"Seven little crazy kids chopping up sticks;
one burnt her daddy up and then there were six.
Six little crazy kids playing with a hive;
One tattooed himself to death and then there were five.
Five little crazy kids going out to sea;
One wouldn't say a word and then there were three.
Three little crazy kids playing in the zoo;
One jerked himself too much and then there were two.
Two little crazy kids playing in the sun;
One took a bunch of pills and then there was one.
One little crazy kid left all alone;
He went and slit his wrists and then there were none."

Quote. "That's what people do. Kill the things they're afraid off."

Suicide Note
By Michael Thomas Ford

Fifteen-year-old Jeff wakes up on New Year's Day to find himself in the hospital. Make that the psychiatric ward. With the nutjobs. Never mind the bandages on his wrists, clearly this is all a huge mistake. Jeff is perfectly fine, perfectly normal--not like the other kids in the hospital with him. They've got problems. But a funny thing happens as Jeff's forty-five-day sentence drags on: the crazies start to seem less crazy. . . .
Compelling, witty, and refreshingly real, "Suicide Notes" is a darkly comic novel that examines that fuzzy line between "normal" and the rest of us.

Finished Reading: 15th November 2012
Acquire: 31th March 2011
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Realistic Fiction | Young Adult
Release Day }  7 September 2010
Publisher } HarperTeen
Format } Paperback 
ISBN } 9780060737573
Pages } 304 pages
Source } Borrowed
Age Group } 18 yo +
Interests } Survivor Books    
Awards } Ala Rainbow List (Young Adult Fiction, 2009)
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon.com

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Book Review: The Maze of Bones (The 39th Clues 1); By Rick Riordan

I had my eye on this book for a long while now. I heard about the contest but that really didn’t tempt me (since it’s not applicable for me to join either). I broke down one day, when a friend offered me the book to read as he told me, it would be popular amongst my middle grade students. As method goes, I usually take a dash of spice and read some books before actually agreeing on adding them in the school library collection.

My verdict… it somewhat reminded me of Lemony Snicket’s A Series Unfortunate Events. Orphans in an adventure off to win their inheritance. Dan and Amy Cahill are two strong characters, facing their greedy relatives, who seemed to want to get rid of them so they be out of the way of money! A total page turner. I guess some of the middle grader I cater might like reading this sort. Personally, I thought it had a good plot.

Not in my usual sort of read, but yeah I’m looking forward to read the next book in this series.

Quote: “She led the way. Eyeless sockets of the dead seemed to stare at them as they passed.

The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues #1)
By Rick Riordan

Minutes before she died Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her decendants an impossible decision: You have a choice - one million dollars or a clue.

Grace is the last matriarch of the Cahills, the world's most powerful family. Everyone from Napoleon to Houdini is related to the Cahills, yet the source of the family power is lost. 39 clues hidden around the world will reveal the family's secret, but no one has been able to assemble them. Now the clues race is on, and young Amy and Dan must decide what's important: hunting clues or uncovering what REALLY happened to their parents.

Finished Reading: 04th November 2012
Acquire: 02th November 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Mystery | Realistic Fiction | Middle Grade
Release Day }  1 October 2008
Publisher } Scholastic Press
Format } Hardcover 
ISBN } 9780545060394
Pages } 220 pages
Source } Swapped
Age Group } 10 yo +
Interests } Adventure and mystery lovers    
Awards } -
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon | Kindle

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YA Book Review: Thirteen Reasons Why; By Jay Asher

rate } ♠♠♠♠♠ ♥
genre } fiction | young adult | realistic fiction | mystery | high school
release day } 1st October 2010
acquired } 05th January 2011
publisher } Sleuth RazorBill 
format } paperback
isbn } 9781595141880
pages } 288 pg.
source } given
age group } pg 18
interest } pg 18 + ages
awards } South Carolina Book Award for Young Adult Book Award (2010),Florida Teens Read (2008), Georgia Peach Honor Book Award (2009),Kirkus Reviews Editor's Choice, California Book Award Winner
Buy @ Amazon.com | Nolly Book | D BookHaus

Thirteen Reasons Why
By Jay Asher

Via Goodreads
Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker - his classmate and crush - who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah's pain, and learns the truth about himself-a truth he never wanted to face.

Thirteen Reasons Why is the gripping, addictive international bestseller that has changed lives the world over. It's an unrelenting modern classic.

My 2 Cents
I was given this book as one of my blogger friends “Random Acts of Kindness” (RAoK) program which I have had also participated once a while as well. This was in my wishlist and in my To Be Read pile for a while I think I should apologize for letting other books drowning it out. I’m sorry.

As you have realized, I have been on a binge read to anything that’s around the subject of self-surviving. So this is kind of a different. Post suicide. Sad part is, I can relate to Hannah Baker, the main character of this book. The one who taped the audiotapes for the 13 people who are the reasons of her suicide.

I was actually mad at Hannah for giving up. but after picking it up and read. All I could think was, lots of these people could have changed her decision. Helped her. She wanted help but, I doubt it was arrogance that stopped her from asking for it straightforward but I guess the exact reason was.. nobody seems to give a damn. They are also the contributors of the reasons she took her life. Sad really.

The characters are so memorable, that I actually picture it as a movie, though I kept seeing Alexa Vega playing Hannah Baker. Most of what I remembered what that “scene” she did with her so called friend, Courtney in her room with their erotic conversation, to trap their Peeping Tom, Jessica gotten raped, Hannah and Bryce, and most of all her conversation with her school counselor.

What saddens me the most is, I couldn’t put this book my my school library. It’s a good book and all but it’s not appropriate due to some of 18+sx scenes portraying in some of the chapters. If that’s absent, I am sure 100 % that it would be an awesome book in the subjects of bullying in for the teens.

Quote
“He asked if I was all right, and I forced myself to nod. But my eyes kept starring at the flass---through the glass--- at the spoon. And I kept thinking, over and over, Is this what it feels to go insane?”

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YA Book Review: Hate List By Jennifer Brown #WU2011R

rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
genre } fiction | young adult | realistic fiction | teen | drama
release day } 5th October 2010
acquired } 17th April 2010
publisher } Little, Brown Books For Young Readers 
format } paperback
isbn } 9780316041454
pages } 416 pg.
source } bought
age group } pg 13
interest } pg 13 + ages
awards } Michigan Library Association Thumbs Up! Award (2010), The White Ravens (2010), Voya Perfect Ten (2009)
Buy @ Amazon.com | Nolly Book | D BookHaus

Hate List
By Jennifer Brown

Via Goodreads
Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

My 2 Cents
Cover. That Hate word is loud by itself. That look on their eyes are full with sharp scrutiny. I like it! It tells you exactly what to expect in this book and yet it make you read, wondering why are they giving that look.

Her Squeaks. Halfway through this book, all I could think was: “The fate of a victim, who turn the bullies into a victim, and yet still the victim.” Yes, halfway through this, I feel Valerie is not getting the fair treatment from either her family nor her schoolmates. Nobody asked her the real story. They just judge and assumed she’s guilty. What’s sadder is her own father seemed to wish she doesn’t exist because of that mass shooting. I also can’t help thinking Nick Levil’s name is one letter exchange to Nick Devil too. I wonder if that was intentional. The characters are just so believable. I feel sorry for Valerie, and somewhere along the line I also felt suspicious of Jessica Campbell intentions. This book reminded me of Columbine and other school shooting events it’s just eerie.

Since it’s so good, why has this been nesting in my To Be Read pile  for so long? I got distracted by work (I think) and it got buried under that ever growing monster. Nevertheless that was the mistake. This ended up to be a good book. I suggest this book to any teens to adults. It probably touch your life too.

☺

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Book Review: Diary of a Wimpy Kid | By Jeff Kinney

Finally! I have my hands on this book! Yes, it just suck to actually read the second book first before reading the first book within a series. Honestly… that was really annoying to do.

Regressing!

This is a wonderful start to a wonderful series. It is attention grabbing enough to cater our reluctant readers as well as our middle graders (being in an ESL educated school). It’s “new” way to get kids to read (not just kids, we adults seem to be like this book too.) Other than paving a way through new sub-genre, this just shows.. what’s normal, is relative.

I actually have fun reading this book that I actually finished reading this in one seating! It was a quick 1 hour or so sort of book, so it’s a wonderful quickie. The comics are silly and not quite as just illustrations, it’s more of part of the story itself.

Bottomline, don’t you just wish you wrote this book? hehe

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1)
By Jeff Kinney
Boys don't keep diaries—or do they?
The launch of an exciting and innovatively illustrated new series narrated by an unforgettable kid every family can relate to
It's a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you're ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary.
In book one of this debut series, Greg is happy to have Rowley, his sidekick, along for the ride. But when Rowley's star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friend's newfound popularity to his own advantage, kicking off a chain of events that will test their friendship in hilarious fashion.

finished reading : 20th November 2011
rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
genre } fiction | children | realistic | humor |graphic novels | juvenile 
release day }  April 2007
publisher } Amulet Books 
format } paperback
isbn } 9780810994553
pages } 224 pages
source } bought
age group } 12+
interests } reluctant readers | middle graders | 9 yo+  
awards } ALA Teens’ Top Ten (2008)
Get Your Copy } Amazon.com

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Book Review: The Last Straw; By Jeff Kinney

Another great sequel to the wonderful series. Loving it. It’s pretty much going strong here. I can’t help feeling this is one of those new age books for reluctant readers…. with hidden moral agenda in it *snickers* I just love books that would sink good moral issues silently.

To me, Greg is a typical student, with typical aspiration, with typical need to get himself some attention. Nevertheless, what grabs you into loving this book is how most of us could relate to him, young or adult. This was another one hour or so read, if you life a quickie, this series would be a giggle tickle for your need. A wonderful page turner and yes it’s another favorite material.

First Sentence. New Year's Day You know how you're supposed to come up with a list of "resolutions" at the beginning of the year to try to make yourself a better person?

Quote. I didn't really know what to expect from detention but when I walked into the room, the first thought I had was, I don't belong in here with these future criminals.

The Last Straw (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #3)
By Jeff Kinney
Let's face it: Greg Heffley will never change his wimpy ways. Somebody just needs to explain that to Greg's father.
You see, Frank Heffley actually think he can get his son to toughen up, and he enlists Greg in organized sports and other 'manly' endeavors.
Of course, Greg is easily able to sidestep his father's efforts to change him. But when Greg's dad threatens to send him to military academy, Greg realizes he has to shape up ... or get shipped out.

finished reading : 08th April 2011
rate } ♠♠♠♠
genre } fiction | children | realistic | humor | graphic novels | juvenile 
release day }  April 2009
publisher } Amulet Books 
format } paperback
isbn } 9780810988217
pages } 224 pages
source } bought
age group } 12+
interests } reluctant readers | middle graders | 9 yo+  
awards } New York Times Bestseller (2009)
Get Your Copy } Amazon.com

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