Galley Review: The Education of Bet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

When Will and Bet were four, tragic circumstances brought them to the same house, to be raised by a wealthy gentleman as brother and sister. Now sixteen, they've both enjoyed a privileged upbringing thus far. But Bet's education is contained within the walls of the house and is limited. While Will is forced to go to school. So Bet convinces Will to switch places; she'll go to school to live as a boy, and he'll stay home where he prefers to be.

What SL teens are saying about the book...

"The conversations between Bet and Will are amusing. The dilemma Bet faces of having to be both Bet and Will at times also was funny. But the book felt rushed. And the big plot twist was obvious from the beginning and did not elicit the right reactions from the other characters."--Hanah K.

"It was slightly typical. I could see where it was going from the beginning. There was not enough suspense; everything went too smoothly. I wanted more thrill. The most compelling aspect was a look at cross dressing in the 1800s!"--Stephanie L.

Book Review: Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

Ellen Hopkins latest book written in verse is about five teenagers from different parts of the country. Three girls. Two guys. Four straight. One gay. Some rich. Some poor. Some from great families. Some with no one at all. All living their lives the best they can, but all searching...for freedom, safety, community, familiy, love. What they don't expect, though, is all that can happen when those powerful little words "I love you" are said for all the wrong reasons.

What SL teens are saying about the book...

"The book has smooth story lines and teaches you about many different lifestyles--all tied together by drug use."--Deja P.

"I love Hopkin's writing style--it is moving and poetic and all the stories are compelling. I sometimes wish she wouldn't be so cynical, but then again, that's probably her appeal."--Sonia R.

Galley Review: Wereling by Steve Feasey

A teenage boy's ordinary life is wrenched apart when he discovers that he is the last hereditary werewolf and that the most evil bloodthirsty vampire known to the netherworld wants him dead.

What SL teens are saying about the book...

"The story was intense, dramatic, and action-filled. My only disappointment is that it went by kind of fast."--Jessica P.

"I like the details about werewolves that the author uses. I also like the use of all types of monsters and demons and how the author didn't just have two types of monsters like most other YA fantasy books."--Jenny L.