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Who is the target audience on YA books?
I’m supposed to write a review of this book. I’m struggling with it honestly. I’ve written tons of reviews, but this one has me completely stymied. “Why?” you may ask, “Was it a bad book?” No. Actually it was really good. REALLY good. There was a lot of suspense and some really great plot twists. It was full of serial killers and crime scenes that would make the writers of CSI and Criminal Minds salivate with delight. My problem with the book is that the target audience is 12-18 year olds. I’ll let that sink in again. The book about serial killers that I just finished reading was targeted to…
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Book Review: Bird on Fire
Bird on Fire by Jane Wells Genre: Non-Fiction, Devotional Publisher: David Crumm Media LLC Published Date: November 10, 2013 Everyone’s heard of The Hunger Games. Right now, the sequel, Catching Fire, is the number one film in the U.S. The actors are all over every news channel doing interviews and anyone connected with Hollywood is seeing them on entertainment websites. It is a full-fledged in your face phenomenon that doesn’t seem to be slowing down. This series about a young girl who has literally been sacrificed to her government in some of the most horrifyingly violent situations imaginable isn’t exactly family friendly entertainment. Though the series was written for grades…
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YA Book Review: The Time Traveling Fashionista and Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile
The Time Traveling Fashionista and Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile by Bianca Turetsky Reviewed by: Lori Twichell Genre: YA, Sci Fi Publisher: Hachette Book Group Published Date: December, 2013 Louise Lambert loves her vintage fashion. The fact that it helps her travel through time doesn’t hurt at all either. Even though she’s usually ready for whatever’s going to happen, this time throws her for a loop. Almost literally. Instead of simply traveling back to spend time with Cleopatra, Louise makes a stop along the way. She ends up on the set of the famous film, Cleopatra, starring Elizabeth Taylor. Talk about meeting fashion icons! However, as usual, Louise’s trip is…
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Review: Hero by Alethea Kontis
Hero by Alethea Kontis Reviewed by: Lori Twichell Genre: YA, Fantasy Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers Publication Date: October 2013 Saturday Woodcutter has a lot going on around her. With a family that’s well known for being magic, she’s pretty convinced that she’s the only one with no ability. She’s got sisters known for their beauty and her mother who speaks and things come true. One sister can’t write anything down because it happens. And her brothers? Oh that’s a whole other kettle of fish. So Saturday is content to just train and practice with her magical sword and live her life. Until the day things go south. That’s…
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Book Review: Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not? by Travis Thrasher
Are you Gonna Kiss Me Or Not? by Travis Thrasher and Thompson Square Reviewed by: Lori Twichell Genre: Drama, Romance Publisher: Howard Books Publication Date: June 2013 When Daniel and Casey were assigned to work together for a school project, it was something neither of them was really jazzed about doing. But they discovered, after a little time working together, that they were a pretty decent team. Even so, it took a little while longer for them to realize that they could probably make a really good couple. When they finally got together, they dated through high school and some college before drifting apart to try and find their own…
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Book Review: Grace Unplugged by Melody Carlson
Grace Unplugged by Melody Carlson Genre: Drama Publisher: B&H Books Pub Date: September 1, 2013 Grace Trey loves music and God. At 18, she’s grown up surrounded by both. Her father, Johnny Trey was a one hit wonder on the music scene ‘back in the day’ and now he’s a worship leader at a prominent southern church. As part of his worship team, she plays with him every Sunday, has toured churches around the country with him, and is in the process of recording an album with him. But still, she wants more. She’s tired of being told what to do and how to play music. When she breaks out…
