Book Review: Fake ID by Lamar Giles

Fake ID
Author: Lamar Giles
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Mystery
Released: January 21st 2014
Review Source: Edelweiss /HarperTeen

Nick Pearson is hiding in plain sight…

My name isn’t really Nick Pearson.

I shouldn’t tell you where I’m from or why my family moved to Stepton, Virginia.

I shouldn’t tell you who I really am, or my hair, eye, and skin color.

And I definitely shouldn’t tell you about my friend Eli Cruz and the major conspiracy he was about to uncover when he died—right after I moved to town. About how I had to choose between solving his murder with his hot sister, Reya, and “staying low-key” like the Program has taught me. About how moving to Stepon changed my life forever.

But I’m going to.

The reason why I decided to request this book is because I liked the title and the mystery it contains. I know, right? But who doesn't like the suspense in finding out the truth? Although I was not really thrilled about the cover, I was intrigued to discover why Nick Pearson is in hiding!

Nick Pearson’s family moves to Stepton, Virginia. Actually, Nick is not his real name. This is a fake name that was provided by Witness Protection. Why? Well obviously they are on the run. Nick’s job is to stay low but on his first day of school he meets girl name Reya. (Love, makes us do crazy stuff). He also gets in trouble and is somehow rescued by Eli Cruz, Reya’s brother. Eli tries to get him involve in solving a town mystery, which Nick doesn’t want to do anything with it. But after he finds Eli dead, he must uncover the truth.

Although I had a hard time connecting with the main character, I liked how the story made me second guessed my many theories. I like how I was thrown off guard when I discover the truth and shocked when person behind the crime was revealed.  Well what can  I say, I am not a good  detective.

It amazed me how insane people and how good they can cover their true persona. More importantly, how crazy mysterious a hometown can be. You really do need to research about almost everything in life to be secured with your choices in life. Fake ID is a fun mystery story and those that enjoy reading this genre; I recommend that you read it.

Book Review: He Said, She Said by Kwame Alexander

He Said, She Said

Author: Kwame Alexander

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Released: November 19, 2013

Review Source: Amistad/Harper Collins

Goodreads Summary

Sparks will fly in this hip-hop-hot teen novel that mixes social protest and star-crossed romance! He Said, She Said is perfect for fans of Walter Dean Myers and Rachel Vail alike.

He says: Omar "T-Diddy" Smalls has got it made—a full football ride to UMiami, hero-worship status at school, and pick of any girl at West Charleston High.

She says: Football, shmootball. Here's what Claudia Clarke cares about: Harvard, the poor, the disenfranchised, the hungry, the staggering teen pregnancy rate, investigative journalism . . . the list goes on. She does not have a minute to waste on Mr. T-Diddy Smalls and his harem of bimbos.

He Said, She Said is a fun and fresh novel from Kwame Alexander that throws these two high school seniors together when they unexpectedly end up leading the biggest social protest this side of the Mississippi—with a lot of help from Facebook and Twitter.

The stakes are high, the romance is hot, and when these worlds collide, watch out!

​A unique high school story, He Said She Said is a somewhat cliché teenage romance that tries to portray a deeper message with a comedic tone. A tale of witty satire and filled with the usual high school drama, this novel some what falls short on being a pleasuring book. Compared to other teen novels, this book falls short in terms of quality and creativity. The characters in the book start off showing a little bit of potential but fail to achieve any real connection with the reader. While the book does try convey a good message about social protest, the way it goes about just seems to diminish the actual topic conveyed.

​He Said She Said is a novel based on the romance of two high school seniors who of course face a pivotal time in their lives. Omar Smalls is an All American high school quarterback who seems to have the world at his fingertips. With people basically kissing the ground he walks on, Omar seemingly lives life without a care in the world. Next comes Claudia Clarke, the good girl who’s bound to go to Harvard and change the world. Having been hurt before she guard’s her heart ferociously, not letting just anybody get close to her. Predictably these two don’t hit off at first but soon their romance blossoms into a classic teenage love story. To go along with the romance the novel also has a plot line about a social protest that tries to show the power of speech and teenagers in general. In my opinion this book has a couple problems that hinders it from being really good. The first problem I have is sadly the characters of the novel. To me the main characters seem forced and don’t really grow or show progress in their development.Claudia, one of the main characters, is the typical smart good girl who wants nothing to do with guys. On a whole there’s nothing wrong with her character, you just don’t get a sense of connection. At one point of the story you do feel some sympathy for her but in reality as a reader it was easy to see coming, Omar, the other main character, causes a vast amount of feelings, some good and some bad. At some points he is the most annoying person to ever live, while later on you see the potential he has to become a great character. Ultimately though he falls short in becoming a memorable main character in a novel in need of a standout character. The second problem that I have with this novel is the dialogue used by everyone in this book. As a teenager I know the language we as a younger generation use deals with a lot of slang, but in this novel I was somewhat amazed at how some of the teenagers were talking. At one point I honestly started laughing just from some of the language used. For some people this would be a major turn off in reading this book. Overall this book has a lot of potential, but the somewhat cheesy dialogue and characters ultimately take away from what could have been a meaningful book.

Book Review: Darius & Twig by Walter Dean Myers

Darius & Twig
Author: Walter Dean Myers
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Released: April 23rd 2013
Review Source: HarperTeen

New York Times bestselling author and Printz Award winner Walter Dean Myers once again connects with teenagers everywhere in Darius & Twig, a novel about friendship and needing to live your own dream.

Darius and Twig are an unlikely pair: Darius is a writer whose only escape is his alter ego, a peregrine falcon named Fury, and Twig is a middle-distance runner striving for athletic success. But they are drawn together in the struggle to overcome the obstacles that Harlem life throws at them.

The two friends must face down bullies, an abusive uncle, and the idea that they’ll be stuck in the same place forever in this touching and raw new teen novel from Walter Dean Myers, award-winning author of Monster,Kick, We Are America, Bad Boy, and many other celebrated literary works for children and teens.

As readers we always have a set of authors that we grow very fond of. Those great authors whose novels for some reason snare us into being fans forever. For me personally, Walter Dean Myers is that type of author. One of those authors who produce great novels, Myers has honed his craft of storytelling. Walter Dean Myers writes with an emotion filled style that portrays the trials and tribulations undergone by his characters. In his new book Darius and Twig, Myers answered the request of his fans by writing a story about friendship and its powerful bond.

Darius is a young guy struggling to make it in the world. Trying to provide for his emotional mother and little brother. Darius' only means of release is through his writing and his best friend Twig. Twig, a runner on the rise, also faces some inner demons causing a strong friendship between the two. Faced with bullies, gang violence, and college, the two have to rely on each other to pull through the tough times. While not one of the more powerful novels, this book still delivers a powerful message. Using his familiar urban dialogue, he conveys a message of hope and friendship that will persevere. My only disappointment is that I wish the novel was longer. Overall, another emotional, thought provoking novel that will have readers looking into their own lives.