francescadefreitas's reviews from LibraryThing

You are so not invited to my bat mitzvah! by Fiona Rosenbloom

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:34:15 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "Hilarious.! Stacy's little brother is getting beat up at school, her parent's separation has devastated her mother, and her big crush and her best friend are awfully cozy. Stacy's on her own, with three mitzvah's to perform before the biggest day of her life - her bat mitzvah. This was a little predictable, but by the end I was laughing out loud. And it's nice to have a good tween Jewish main character. I'd give this to Princess Diary fans, or girls looking for funny stories."
New York : Hyperion, c2005.

Perfect you by Elizabeth Scott

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:34:52 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "Kate's life is rotten - her best friend has gone over to the popular side and pretends she doesn't exist, her father is chasing a chasing a dream to sell vitamins, and it's not only mortifying, but breaking up her family. And why does she keep on imagining kissing Will, the gorgeous but slutty boy she despises at school. I really liked this, I especially enjoyed Will - and while Kate sometimes seemed a little bit think about relationship things, I could really feel for her. Kate's family was also well drawn. I'd give this to highs chool romance, or family drama fans."
New York : Simon Pulse, 2008.

Bloody Jack : being an account of the curious adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L. A. Meyer

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:35:09 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "Mary, age unknown, but maybe 12 disguises herself as a boy and signs on as a ship's boy on the HMS Dolphin, where she finds danger and adventure across the seas. The street slang was a little tedious at first, but eases off. I felt the story was a little rushed, but I enjoyed Jacky's voice, and I'll look out for the next book in the series. I'd give this to people looking for stories about pirates, orphans, adventure stories, or girls-in- disguise stories. Maybe to Tamora Pierce fans, depending on how the series progresses."
San Diego : Harcourt, 2002.

Wondrous strange : a novel by Lesley Livingston

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:41:51 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "17 year old Kelley has moved to New York and got a part as an understudy for a production of Midsummer Night's Dream. All at once, she's playing the part of Titania has a kelpie living in her bathroom and is being stalked by a gorgeous boy who insists he's trying to protect her. I enjoyed this urban fantasy, it was a quick read, none of the characters made much of an impression. Everything tied up too tidily at the end, I felt, and I didn't buy into the romance. But still, I'd give this to urban fantasy fans, people who like theatre stories, or Shakespeare-based fantasy."
New York : HarperTeen, c2009.

Kisses and lies by Lauren Henderson

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:35:30 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "(spoilers) Fun, fun, fun. Scarlet is still investigating Dan's murder, working with PI-in-training Taylor, and just maybe having something with Jase. As she finds out more about Dan's family background, it looks like his murder may have more to do with this family life than his school life. I really enjoyed this, and I was delighted that Dan's murder is resolved at the end - and a teeny bit glad to see that there is stills cope for more story about these characters. Again it was Scarlett's relationship with Taylor that I most enjoyed, together they are a delightful pair."
New York : Delacorte Press, c2009.

Frannie in pieces by Delia Ephron

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:02:00 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "15- year old Frannie is heartbroken by her father's sudden death - heartbroken, and suddenly afraid of a world where things can kill you instantly. She uncovers a wooden puzzle her father made and bit by bit she rebuilds the pieces of her life - and builds a new picture of her divorced parents. This is quiet, and nothing much happens, but Frannie is painted with a delicate touch that doesn't over explain, but lets events happen. I'd give this t people looking for stories about death in the family, or slightly sad realistic stories. The magical realism doesn't intrude much, and is easily ignored as dreams if you hate fantasy."
New York : Laura Geringer Books/HarperTeen, c2007.

Rainbow road by Alex Sanchez

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:34:25 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "I didn't enjoy this book as much as the previous two - the idea of the three boys on a road trip was so fraught with disaster it just seemed silly, and their stops along the way had a clear agenda. I think the message overwhelmed the characters in this one. But I'd still give it to fans of the first two books, so they can find out what happens in the end."
New York : Simon & Schuster , c2005.

Rainbow High by Alex Sanchez

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:21:46 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "Nelson is anxiously waiting for the results of his HIV test - and falling in love with a boy who's already positive. Jason has the boyfriend of his dreams, even if they aren't public yet - but is he ready to give up his educaiton so they can stay together? And is Kyle ready to come out to the entire school? The Rainbow Boys are back, and their stories are as full of humour, feeling, and drama as ever."
New York : Simon & Schuster, c2003.

Pish Posh by Ellen Potter

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:55:47 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "Clara is 11, and the arbiter of taste in her parent's restaurant. She has an unfailing eye for who is a Somebody, and who has become a Nobody. From her table, she doles judgement on the high society customers who quake when her glance turns in their direction. When she condemns an old family friend as a Nobody, he hints that there is a mystery under her nose, and Clara can't settle until she discovers what she's failed to notice. Set firmly in a New York that doesn't exist, it is Clara's gradual development into a human being that make this story appealing. I'd give this to fans of mystery stories, or growing up stories."
New York, NY, U.S.A. : Philomel Books, c2006.

Bloom by Elizabeth Scott

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:01:32 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "Lauren has the perfect boyfriend - but when he's not around, she's a school nobody. When a friend from her childhood arrives, Lauren's questioning of her perfect life get a focus. A sweet school romance. Give to people looking for first love stories, or gentle highs chool romances."
New York : Simon Pulse, 2007.

Rites of spring (break) : an Ivy League novel by Diana Peterfreund

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:54:46 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "Finally, Amy ends up kissing the boy I've liked all along! Pure beachy fun, I'd give to fans of the first."
New York : Delta Trade Paperbacks, 2008.

Under the Rose: An Ivy League Novel (Ivy League Novels) by Diana Peterfreund

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:04:24 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "More college secret society silliness and romance. It looks as if this year's club has a traitor. A fun, light, read, I'd give this to fans of the first."
Delta (2007), Paperback, 368 pages

The President's daughter by Ellen Emerson White

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:02:26 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "Meg is 16 and already used to hardly seeing her politician mother. But when her mother runs for President, things change in a hurry. This was a neat view of presidential elections, but more importantly a wonderful view of a family under a great deal of pressure. Meg's parents and brothers struggle with press exposure, having their mom away campaigning most of the time, and a house full of strangers, as well as all the other pressures that come with being a family. Through it all Meg is a sympathetic character even when she's being difficult. There is a lot of 'she grinned' in this, but Meg is painted with a deft touch. I'd give this to people looking for a realistic family story, or to catch someone's interest in American federal politics."
New York : Feiwel and Friends, 2008.

Someday this pain will be useful to you by Peter Cameron

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:46:30 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "I listened to the audiobook version of this, and it never captured my attention. James just annoyed me, and I felt it hard to feel for him. While very little happened in the story, the ending felt rushed and pat, as if the author also got a little bored."
New York, N.Y. : Listening Library, p2008.

Deadline by Chris Crutcher

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:45:28 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "'Dying child' memoirs are not my favourite genre, but this one stood out because it was over the top, and quiet. When Ben finds out that he'll be lucky to live through his senior year he decides to live life entirely on his terms. This includes joining the football team, reforming the town alcoholic, and asking out the girl of his dreams. But living life to the full isn't as easy as it seems - especially when you don't tell anyone you're dying. I especially liked Ben's relationship with his brother."
New York : Greenwillow Books, c2007.

Fade by Lisa McMann

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:49:56 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "While I found the school predator plot overblown and unlikely, the realism of Janie and Cabel's relationship was even better in this second book. I really like the way that Lisa McMann understates rather than overstates, the sparseness of the text make the events much more powerful. The toll of Janie's gift adds depth to her story."
New York : Simon Pulse, 2009.

Crowned by Julie Linker

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:49:43 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "I expected this to by like every teen pageant film I'd ever seen, but it had more character depth - as well as being very funny. I'd give this to people looking for a fun, girly, high school comedy, with a dash of romance."
New York : Simon Pulse, 2008.

The September sisters by Jillian Cantor

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:40:50 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "Abby is 14 when her younger sister disappears. As her family crumbles under the weight of loss and suspicion, her best friend abandons her to social isolation at school. A forced friendship with a neighbours grandson and the hope of finding her sister hold Abby together. I wasn't overwhelmed by this one, it didn't grab me emotionally. It didn't have any thriller elements, and the mystery never really came to the surface, instead it was a story about surviving with unresolved mysteries. But Abby's coping with distant parents, and with Tommy's on/off friendship didn't pull me in. I'd give this to people looking for a sad family story."
New York, NY : HarperTeen, c2009.

Rainbow boys by Alex Sanchez

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:40:59 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "Jason, Kyle, and Nelson, three teens experiencing the stresses of high school, family, and growing up, with the additional pressure of coming out of the closet. I really enjoyed this - it took me a little while to warm to Nelson, with his flippancy hiding his real feelings, but by the end, all three boys felt very real to me. The chemistry between all the boys was very well done, and the moments where emotion overrides sense were very easy to sympathise with. I will eagerly read the rest of the trilogy. I also appreaciated that this wasn't just a set of coming out stories, a 'problem book' the pressures the boys experience at school and home, the expectations for their future, all contribute to the story of friends helping each other through a challenging time in teen life. I'd give this to people looking for a realistic story of high school life or GLBTQ romance."
New York : Simon & Schuster, c2001.

Envy : a Luxe novel by Anna. Godbersen

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:40:35 -0400

francescadefreitas's review: "The sparkle has gone off this series for me, and I found this final volume a little tedious. Elizabeth's troubles are obvious, Diana is too easily manipulated, and Penelope is too one dimensional. Other characters are cardboard as well. I am relieved to find that there is only one book left to complete the story. I'd only give this to fans of the previous volumes."
New York : Harpercollins, c2009.