Teen Review by Hanin... A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer

The book that i read was called a Child Called "It" by dave pelzer It is probably one of the saddest books you could ever read its a about a little boy name David Pelzer who got abused by his mother every since he was 5 years old. In the begging they used to be one big happy family.She would always take them out and have fun on family vacations. Then one day she just snapped in this book it talks about how she tortures and abuses this poor innocent boy she would call him "it" and make him sleep in the garage on the floor. on his dads army jacket also make him do ALL the chores. She wouldn't get him anything on Christmas or his birthday but she got all her other sons gifts. She wouldn't fed him for days. She would feed him ammonia and even make him throw up and eat it! This book will really hit your heart and it will change the way you view and think or life and will make you thankful of how lucky you are with you life. I advise everyone to read this book and this is a true story. Thanks for your review Hanin! You've earned yourself a free book. I will be emailing you soon. If any other teen would like to submit a review, please email it to me by hitting the 'Email Us' button at the top of the page. Thanks!

The Ninja Reviews...The Compound by S.A. Bodeen

In a whirl of confusion the life of Eli Yanakakis changes forever. On his ninth birthday he is shoved down into the earth with his family, leaving his too-slow Grandmother and twin brother behind. For the last six years Eli and what is left of his family have been living three stories underground in the compound created by his billionaire, computer-genius father. Built to withstand the nuclear blast that had driven them underground, the family is forced to wait 15 years before they can emerge into breathable air. But six years into their incarceration the food supply is dwindling and Eli's father has a horrid solution - one that Eli can't believe his family is starting to buy into. Angry and repulsed, Eli begins to investigate his father's claims to find out the frightening reality behind the compound, leading both father and son into a struggle for power and safety.

This book is Bodeen's first young adult novel and definitely earns itself a place in thriller YA literature. The book does have a few faults. The voice of Eli is repetitively pessimistic, which, though it makes sense does grate occasionally on the reader. The use of the Supplements is both horrible and illogical, making readers think twice of the super-genius supposedly possessed by Eli's father. There are some dragging plot moments but the author does succeed beautifully in portraying the frayed nerves of a family that has been too long trapped together. The sibling rivalry rings true, especially between Eli and his older sister Lexie. Though flawed, the book is an excellent first attempt and will have readers looking forward to another Bodeen thriller.

This book is on the Texas Lone Star Book reading list for 2009-2010. Some foul language is used. Recommended for all teens, especially those who love thrillers, survival stories, and dysfunctional families!

Video Book Review Contest!

This March, create a video review of your favorite book! Act it out, narrate a review over video of your hand drawn pictures, or do anything creative! Pick up the rules and release form from any Arlington Public Library branch. You can also download the forms from the Teen Events website!

Entries are due by 5 p.m. on March 31st.

The most creative review will receive a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble!

You must be in grade 7-12 to enter. Please pick up a copy of the rules and regulations in the teen area of your library before submitting a video.

Anti-Valentine's Day Party at the Woodland West Branch!

Okay. It's not exactly anti-valentine. It's more about doing something different on Valentine's Day. Doesn't matter if you've got a boyfriend or girlfriend or if you're single. You can celebrate no matter what. And you can celebrate without flowers and dinner and, well, all the traditional stuff.

So, if you want to do something different (or if you're just bored), come to the Woodland West Branch and hang out. Here's what we'll be doing:


- Sculpt roses with chocolate
- "Re-design" some romance book covers
- Make keychains with whatever anti-valentine statement you want


If you have any questions about this event, our number is 817-277-5265. Call and ask for me!

The Ninja Reviews...The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Coming March 10, 2009!

Mary lives in a village - an island in the middle of a forest - ruled by the Sisterhood, protected by the Guardians, and in a perpetual state of fear. The fence that surrounds her village keeps out the constant and always present terror: the Unconsecrated - flesh-eating undead who constantly throw themselves at the chain-length fences, driven mad by an insatiable hunger. The Sisterhood, the religious sect that maintains order in the village, is in charge of the survival, and submission, of everyone enclosed in the fence. But the passion in Mary cannot be contained, and she cannot get the stories her mother tells her about the ocean out of her head as she desperately tries to keep herself from being married off to a man she doesn't love.

Then, suddenly, the fences are breached and Mary, along with a small group of survivors, must make their way through a gated path that travels deeply into the Forest of Hands and Teeth and into a world they have never known. Mary's passion and desire constantly battles the edicts of submission that have been instilled in her heart. She is a quick and courageous character, and her genuine emotions of love and wonder keep her close to the reader's heart. Though the plot loses some steam near the end of the novel, readers will stay perched on the edge of their seat until the very last word.

This book kept me completely engrossed from page one. I even dreamt one night that I was in the Forest of Hands and Teeth with the Unconsecrated chasing me! Though Ryan leaves some minor questions unanswered, the entire novel is completely compelling and will keep the reader completely engrossed until the very end. The ending seems a little less nile-biting then the rest of the book, but even so, the moment I closed the book I realized I had been holding my breath the whole time I had been reading.

The Ninja Reviews...Evermore by Alyson Noel

Release date: Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 ---> TOMORROW!!!

The cover is a bit reminiscent of Twilight and, once you get into the book, there are a lot of similarities. There is the new girl at school, beautiful and awkward, and the mysterious guy who is both charming and dangerous. Is he good for her or bad? Should she run from him? And do we want her to?

But to be fair, that is really where the similarities end.

Sixteen-year-old Ever lost her parents and younger sister in a car wreck that also left Ever with a multitude of abilities that she doesn't want. She can see auras, hear everyone's thoughts, and if she touches someone she can know everything about them. She lives with her aunt, who loves her but is distant, and has managed to make two good friends at school. But school is daily torture as Ever tries to ignore the bombardment of private thoughts and feelings of her classmates and teachers with the help of her two friends (who know nothing about her abilities), baggy clothes that make her a bit more unnoticeable, and the earbuds of her MP3 player always in her ears and turned up full blast.

When Ever meets Damen, she feels an instant attraction, but also fear. She just wants to be left alone. She can't deal with getting close to anyone. But when Damen touches her, all she gets is silence. She doesn't hear his thoughts or, for that matter, the thoughts of anyone around her. Is this good or bad?

Ever is an easy character to like. I really felt for her because of all she lost and what she struggled with daily. Her two best friends are also great characters who provide both a little humor. Another recurring character I enjoyed was the ghost of Ever's younger sister, who visits frequently. I kept asking myself if her sister was there to provide comfort to Ever or if she just wasn't ready to move on.

When Damen's past was finally revealed, I felt that the author took a few chapters too long to get there and that once she did, she rushed through it a bit. It was a lot of info to take in that quickly. And Damen - not sure if I liked him or not. He could be pretty creepy.

Overall, I thought Evermore was a really fast, engaging read with some great characters. It is the first in a series, so I'm eager to see if we will learn more about Ever, Damen and friends in the next one, or if the author will introduce us to some brand new characters. Either way, it's sure to be a great read.