Teens

Book Reviews: Back to School this Summer!

by Jillian Bietz

At the pool, on the beach or inside with the AC at full blast this summer, it's always fun to plunge in a great book during the summertime.

These books are all about different teenagers and their various day-to-day lives. And while they may be set in those infamous high school days-something most of us can relate to- we all have our unique stories, and these characters prove no different. So whether your high school life is yet to come, where you'll be returning next fall, or was many years ago, these entertaining scenarios will make you reassess your high school experience- for better or for worse!

Prey by Lurlene McDaniel
Ryan Piccoli is just a regular kid. He has a great group of friends (including longtime best friend Honey, who's had a secret crush on Ryan forever) is preparing to get his drivers license, and often bickers with his caring yet clueless dad. But on the first day of school, Ryan's life changes forever. Enter Ms. Lori Settles.

New to the school, history teacher Ms. Settles is young, gorgeous, and dresses like she knows it. The girls are jealous of her, and the boys can't take their eyes off her-Ryan included. One day, Ms. Settles asks Ryan to help her move furniture into her apartment. Their secret meetings outside of school don't stop there. Frequent e-mails turn into late night rendezvous at a coffee shop, and eventually, a secret, illicit affair begins. But as Ryan's "love" for Lori grows, his life deteriorates into a string of lies, confusion, and manipulation.

Spoken from the viewpoints of Ryan, Honey, and Lori, "Prey" paints a sickeningly realistic-sounding picture of how someone so innocent could get so carried away.

Sweet Valley High Series #1: Double Love by Francine Pascal
It's often said that everything old is new again. And "Sweet Valley High" is back in a big, updated way! "Sweet Valley" proves that no matter what the hottest trends are, who drives the coolest car or even what year it is, high school will forever be the same.

If you lived in the 1980's, chances are you'd be a teased haired, shoulder-pad sporting "Sweet Valley" freak. In 1983, the best-selling series captivated the nation, paving the way for future overtly-cliché, high school melodramas. Eventually, over 150 books (not including the spin-off series'!) were created, as well as dolls, games, videos, and a 1990's TV show.

Even though Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are identical twins and best friends, they couldn't be more different. Elizabeth is altruistic, studious, loyal, and levelheaded whereas Jessica is snobby but still affable, lighthearted, and friendly.

Jessica is no stranger to getting what she wants. She can wrangle her way into anything, and doesn't let the repercussions stop her, even though it means she must rely on her doppelganger to get her out of trouble. And though in the past Elizabeth never minded rescuing her sister from time to time, when a certain boy enters the picture, all bets are off. Elizabeth is determined to snag him and will rival anyone who gets in her way-even Jessica.

The Hollywood Sisters: Star Quality by Mary Wilcox
The fourth book in "The Hollywood Sisters" series, Jessica and Eva are at it again!

The very first day of high school always stinks. And if it's your very first day of high school at a new school, which happens to be an-ultra fancy Beverly Hills prep school, it's even worse. But when your sister is a total Hollywood it-girl but you'd rather sit in the corner and evade all attention? Well, you're in for a plain old disaster. Welcome to Jessica Ortiz's world!

Though Jessica older sister, Eva, may be a major TV star, she's very shy. But when a string of mysterious happens occur, the new girl becomes the target- and Jessica must prove her innocence while still remaining true to herself and becoming who she wants to be.

The Hollywood Sisters know that life isn't something that comes with a script! Perfect for pre-teens, "The Hollywood Sisters" books are entertaining, fashionable and fun!

Comments

Scott Morrow adventure series

Looking for gripping yarns to read about Venturers?

Thought no one cared enough to write adventure stories catering specifically for Venturers and Rovers? These are boy scouts aged 14-18 and 17 to 26 respectively.

Try Australian author Christopher J. Holcroft’s Scott Morrow adventure series. The first two books, Only The Brave Dare and CANYON were published during the Year of the Scout. They deal with the Scott and hhis Venturers as they battle against Russian mafia and also the treacherous Australian wilds.

In the first two books Venturer Scott Morrow became the hero he never wanted to be, but the hero a nation wanted and needed – by accident.

In the third book, A Rite Of Passage, Scott makes a stance by choice that changes he and his Venturers forever when a group of Girl Guides have their lives threatened during an explosive gun fight between warring biker groups.

When the chips are down and a hero is needed, Scott Morrow stands and delivers.

Only The Brave Dare and CANYON are available through Poseidon Books at www.poseidonbooks.com as paperbacks and ebooks.

A Rite of Passage is available through Infinity Publishing at www.buybooksontheweb.com as a paperback and ebook.

For more details on the books and the author, go to www.christopherholcroft.com

#1 - Christopher J. Holcroft - 06/05/2010 - 03:48

Must Read For Venturer Scouts

A Rite of Passage

Review by Venturer Scout Alex Baehnisch
Georges River Unit

A Rite of Passage is the final novel in Christopher Holcroft's trilogy about the adventures of Scott Morrow and his Venturer Unit. It is set in the harsh realities of the modern world with the story of Scott Morrow interwoven with that of a biker gang turf war which conclude with a gripping and heroic ending.

The novel follows on from Scott Morrow’s other adventures and focuses on him learning to dive and the ensuing dives. Scott is in the last months of his time as a Venturer and the task of courage exhibited by Scott in the climax of the novel can only be described as his rite of passage to rovers.

A Rite of Passage also incorporates the parallel movement of the Girl Guides, specifically the Ranger Guides as they socialise and interact with the Venturer Scouts. The two groups of teenagers are realistically represented participating in activities such as scuba diving and a formal dinner at McDonald’s.

These interactions show the blurred lines between the two movements in the 21st century which is highlighted by the Rangers requests for more adventurous activities.

A Rite of Passage has an excellent story relevant to modern society and the challenges which await us, both morally and physically. It, as with the other two books in the trilogy are must reads for anyone interested Venturer Scouting. It has a suspenseful plot which will engross the reader till the very end.

#2 - Alex Baehnisch - 11/17/2010 - 05:18

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