The Outsiders

The other day one of my teachers was telling me about how the author of a particular young adult novel, was not only a girl, but also only 16 when she wrote a very well known book, read by teenagers throughout the country. So, I decided to read this book, that being The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.

The surprising honesty and maturity of the writing presented in The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is one of the many enjoyable features of this book. The book takes place in the poor part of a small town where the reader meets the "Greasers", the Greasers are the kids on the bad side of town, and they're forever in a war with the rich, Mustang owning Socs. The book is narrated by the youngest of the Greasers Ponyboy. Ponyboys parents are dead, and he lives with his two older brother Sodapop, and Darry. He's the only of his family still in school, Sodapop dropped out and Darry works to hard to have time to go to any sort of college. Ponyboys closest friend is Johnny, who is also part of the Greasers, Johnny is small and lives with drunk, fighting parents. When Jonhnny and Ponyboy get beat up by the Socs for hanging with "their girls", young, innocent Johnny pulls a blade on one of the Socs and kills him. This results in a major problem put on the shoulders of two young boys. 

This book is an excellent example of some of the difficulties youth face, and even though it was written in the late sixties, I found much of it still applies today. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has the courage to read a book on a tough and serious subject. This is an amazing piece of literature.

Movie Review

I'm not going to do this a lot, but as I'm sure most of the reading world knows the Twilight movie was just released. In honor of the release I'm going to put in my two cents!

I've been looking forward to the Twilight movie for months, so when it was released I was very anxious to go see it. I saw it with a very close friend who had also read Twilight, we laughed through the whole thing! partly because of the joy of seeing our favorite book characters come to life, and also because the people in front of us kept burping and swearing, but in the long run it was a great movie and an excellent adaption of a great book. 

I didn't like the monotone of Kristen Stewarts voice, but I got past that and other then that she was a great Bella. I could of used a bit more of Alice (she's one of my favorite characters) and thought it would of been nice if the movie had touched on Jaspers talent, but for the most it was a very enjoyable, and I will defiantly buy it when its released on DVD. 

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You

Book: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You

Author: Ally Carter 

Summary: I'd Tell You I love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You is about 15 year old Cameron Morgan (aka Cammie) who attends The Gallagher Academy For Exceptional Young Women with her two best friends Bex and Liz. On the outside The Gallagher Academy looks like any other boarding school for rich snooty girls, but on the inside it is anything but... you see the Gallagher Academy is really a school for spies. This book is based around the difficulty Cammie has when she meets a boy on her night in the town. A Gallagher Girl may be fluent in 14 different languages and could easily  knock a large man to the ground in a matter of seconds, but when it comes to boys Cammie thinks she may be out of her league, good thing she just got a new roomate, who is an expert in all things boy, to help her out. What kind of relationship could a girl like Cammie even have with boy when she'd tell him she loved him but than she'd have to kill him? 

recommendation:  This book will be enjoyed by any girl (and maybe even a few boys) of any age!

Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy

Tittle: Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures os Mary "Jacky" Faber Ship's Boy Author: L.A. Meyer 

This is one of my favorite books so... I'm going to tell you about it.

Summary:

Bloody Jack takes place in early nineteenth century London. The main character is Mary Faber, a poor Orphan living under a bridge with a gang of urchin children. For Mary life is hard. She and her gang have to beg and sometimes even steal to survive. When Charlie the gang leader is killed Mary decides to leave the gang and try a new way of surviving. She cuts her hair changes her name and gets a position on a Ship in the Royal Navy aboard a ship called the HMS Dolphin disguised as a boy. Mary newly named Jacky's life is now grand! She's out on the open sea, she is part of a brotherhood of ship's boy's, and she even gets food! But when the ship gets stirred up Jacky knows its only a matter of time before her true gender if discovered.

Review:

This book is humorously told through the point of view of Jacky. It is extremely exciting and utterly believable. 5 stars!!!

Recommendation:

This book does have some mature scenes, because of this I think anyone twelve to adult would enjoy this book! 

 

Saffy's Angel

Yesterday I started reading the fifth Casson book called Forever Rose. It is quite good so I decided to come on here, but instead of reviewing the fifth book I'll start with the first.  Before I start the book is called Saffy's Angel, and was written by Hillary McKay. OK here goes!

Summary: 

Saffy's Angel is the first Casson family book. The story takes place in the UK and follows fourteen year old Saffron. When Saffron was a baby her mother died and she was adopted my her aunt and uncle, she lives with her cousins who are more like brother and sisters to her. Her siblings consist of Indigo, Caddy, and Rose. When the children's grandfather dies, Saffy is left with an "Angel for Saffron" in his will, no one really understands what it means, but Saffron is determined to find out. A few days later Saffron is introduced to the "wheelchair girl" or Sarah. Sarah is Saffron's neighbor, but they had rarely seen each other. Sarah has weak legs and is there for in a wheelchair, but that doesn't stop Sarah from doing just as she pleases. Saffron confides in Sarah about her angel, and she to becomes determined that Saffron find her Angel. Together the girls end up going to Italy, the place Saffy lived as a baby. Will they find her Angel? Will they discover more of Saffron's past?   

Review: 

This book has a wonderful honesty about it that is not often found in books. The splendid work of Hilary McKay will keep readers entranced till the end and beyond. This story is a true tale of friendship, family, and finding yourself. 5 stars! 

Recommendation:

I'd say readers anywhere between ages ten and fifteen would be enthralled. This book calls to both boys and girls, but is probably slightly ore interesting to girl readers. This book is a must read! 

The Blogging Teen's first post!

My name is Siobhan I'm in my early teen years and I live in Washington. (I know I'm being pretty vague but I don't want creepy people stalking me. lol) I read a lot of books! Every few weeks I'll try to posts reviews, summaries, and/or recommendations. Even if no one views my blog I'll still keep posting. :D Oh and if there is anyone who actually does read my blog If you would like to comment or ask me to read certain books I would be ecstatic!