Ungifted Ungifted #1 by Gordon Korman Funny Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Donovan Curtis is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction by mistake after he’s caught by the Superintendent for destroying school property. While Donovan is not gifted, he’s smart enough to know that he’d better hide out there as long as he can or he’s going to be in huge trouble with both his family AND the Superintendent. For awhile, … Read more
The Awakening by Kate Chopin Classic Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Edna Pontellier falls in love with Robert even though she’s married with 2 kids. She fails to find liberation from society and commits suicide. I liked this because it was very realistic. Chopin beautifully captured the progress of Edna’s emotions up until her death.
Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber Mystery Realistic Fiction Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) Perry Stormaire’s family has been hosting Gobija Zaksauskas – a Lithuanian foreign exchange student – for the past few months. Gobi is definitely not what Perry had hoped for (hot, experienced), although she does have an outrageous accent. But she’s not what she seems, either. Just before she’s supposed to go back to Lithuania, she expresses … Read more
Wild Things by Clay Carmichael Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) When 11-year old Zoë’s mother passes away, she is taken in by her uncle, Dr. Henry Royster. Both are accustomed to being on their own – Zoë had to take care of herself because of her mom’s mental illness and poor choices, and Henry lost wife #3 and became an artist (he makes large metal sculptures) – and both are rather independent … Read more
Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) A thirteen year old girl was found in the back of a seventeen year old’s truck…BY HER DAD! She wasn’t trusted by anyone! I liked this book. I could never put it down! It was so suspenseful. It was also hard to understand sometimes. Review #2 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) A girl named Deanna … Read more
Hot Lunch by Alex Bradley Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing) Molly and Cassie fought. They had to work in the cafeteria together. They became best friends and super. I liked it because it could really happen. Review #2 * * * * Stars (Great!) This book is great, but is a little shaky in the beginning. Molly and Cassie hate each other, but they are assigned to work in … Read more
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins Realistic Fiction Romance * * * Stars (Pretty good) As a senior, Anna wanted nothing better than to celebrate her last year at home in Atlanta. However, her dad decides to ship her to a snotty boarding school in Paris. She’s less than thrilled until she sees Etienne St. Clair, who’s got everything: the looks, popularity, and a sense of humor. I liked it because it took … Read more
After by Amy Efaw Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) When Devon, a straight-A student and amazing soccer player is tried for murder, everyone assumes they have the wrong girl. Devon isn’t the kind of girl who would hide a pregnancy and then throw her baby in a dumpster. Is she? I liked this because most of the book took place in a court room or jail cell. Never having experienced … Read more
Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool Realistic Fiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) 12-year-old Abilene Tucker’s father has raised her “on the rails”, but now he has chosen to abandon her in the town of Manifest where he spent his youth, as he heads back to his wanderer’s life. Abilene discovers a hidden box of keepsakes, which leads her and her new friends on a search for a spy. The objects in the … Read more
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Caitlin’s (5th grader) brother Devon was killed in a devastating shooting at the Virginia Dare Middle School and she’s not sure life is ever going to be the same. She misses him, but she has Asperger’s syndrome, so her way of relating to people and the world is a little different than normal. It doesn’t help that Caitlin’s dad is falling apart with … Read more