Tagged by Mara Purnhagen

Harlequin Teen - You won me over with this one! I was introduced to Tagged by Mara Purnhagen when her proud aunt and BHS art teacher told me about her niece Mara's first published work. Just a few quick weeks later, she donated a copy for our media center. I set off immediately to read it. I was very pleasantly surprised.

The premise in Tagged may seem to be the giant, artsy gorilla graffiti that appears overnight on the side of buildings in town. But don't be fooled. There is much that digs deeper and includes a relevant, loved teacher who draws the best from his students, a fun coffee shop owner that completely trusts Kate and Eli, a bff friendship like no other, cool parents who give Kate respect and their support, and a budding romance that hopefully will go somewhere.

Let's see how many teen readers we can get to read the work of this wonderful, new author. We can support and celebrate her first book and keep our eyes open for many more. Congratulations Mara!

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork

One tool that school librarians use to select books for purchase is to watch the lists of 'Best' and 'Notable' titles. That's how I discovered Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork. The lists for Marcelo in the Real World include Best Books For Young Adults 2010, Best Books Of The Year 2009, Schneider Family Book Award: Teen 2010, and more. How can I go wrong buying this book for BHS? I'm not sure that it has found a teen reader yet. It seems to have been patiently waiting for someone to take it home for many months now. I've had my eye on it. I'm so glad that I picked it up to read.

Marcelo is a high-functioning autistic seventeen year old. Following his story taught me so much about Asperger's syndrome. Marcelo's father has decided that he should work one summer in the real world - the mailroom of his law firm. Although Marcelo resists, eventually he agrees to go to work with his father each day. The reward? He'll be able to attend his preferred high school in the fall if his father's plan proves to be a failure for Marcelo. In the real world Marcelo is forced to make tough decisions and realize that people and situations are not always perfect - including his father's business.

Give this one a try. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Gotta Keep Reading by Ocoee Middle School

Love their enthusiasm! Love the song! This is a must watch video! They were featured on Oprah last Friday. How exciting for these students in Ocoee, Florida. They are so right - "Gotta keep reading 'cuz this book's gonna be a good, good book to read!"



Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Witch & Wizard by James Patterson

James Patterson has endeared himself to teen readers with his Maximum Ride series of thrilling books. Witch & Wizard is the first in a new series that may also prove to be as popular, then again probably not. I must point out that the cover image is excellent. I did judge this book by the cover and noticed the fiery W more than the title on the cover. Did you observe the two faces that are part of the flames? Every time I saw this cover on the library shelf I was drawn to read it. And so I did.

Whit and Wisty are brother (16) and sister (14) who learn one frightful morning that they are a witch and wizard being sought for imprisonment by the New Order. They have never known of their magical powers so have never used them but now this magic may be all that will save them. They are forcefully removed from their home while their loving parents watch, powerless to intervene.

The story continues from one horrendous situation to another with magical elements that quickly save the pair when hope seems to be lost. There are parallels to the Harry Potter books by J. K. Rowling as well, which I found trite. Aside from the main characters being a witch and a wizard, the New Order is being lead by The-One-Who-Is-The-One—a close copy to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Lord Voldemort.

If you read this and agree with my analysis, please send a comment. If I’m way off base, let me know why. I’d love to know what others thought of this book that seems to have been very quickly written.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm