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SEBCO's Student Reviewer Program
For information on how you can become involved in The Sebco Student Reviewer Program, please click here to send an email with your contact information and you will be contacted shortly thereafter.
2009 - 2010 STUDENT REVIEWERS
JUAN
9th Grade
Charlotte High School
Rochester, NY
Librarian: Joyce Kowba 
Book Review: Rose Sees Red
Author: Castellucci, Cecil
Publisher: Scholastic Press
“It’s 1982. Even without the Cold War going on, Rose has a lot to worry about: her: best friend has convinced everyone to hate her, she’s horrible at ballet, and everyone thinks she’s depressed. But all that changes once her Russian next-door neighbor, Yrena, crashes into her bedroom through the window. Yrena changes Rose’s perspective about everything. Rose takes Yrena out to a party in downtown New York City, but things go wrong and Yrena goes missing. This book is full of surprises and thrills. I love it.”
--SEBCO Student Review, Juan, 9th Grade, Charlotte High School, Rochester, NY
LAURA
8th Grade
Charlotte High School
Rochester, NY
Librarian: Joyce Kowba 
Book Review: The Fire Opal
Author: McBride, Regina
Publisher: Delacorte Press
“A girl named Maeve O’Tullagh had a wonderful life with her family and daydreamed about the legendary Holy Isles. Once her sister, Ishlee, was born, Maeve’s mother went into an impenetrable trance. Maeve tries to help “awaken” her mother, but is unsuccessful. Then her sister goes into the same trance. Maeve sets out on a journey to get her mother and sister back. In order to bring back her mother and sister, Maeve goes to a goddess, named Danu, who tells her to find the special fire opal stone needed to set her mother and sister free. Meanwhile a handsome, devious villain, who will stop at nothing, tries to win Maeve’s hand in marriage. This thrilling adventure and fantasy book will endear everyone who reads it.”
--SEBCO Student Review, Laura, 8th Grade, Charlotte High School, Rochester, NY
KEYARA
10th Grade
Charlotte High School
Rochester, NY
Librarian: Joyce Kowba 
Book Review: Sleepless
Author: Balog, Cyn
Publisher: Delacorte Press
“Sleepless by Cyn Balog is about a girl named Julia and a guy named Eron. Eron has been a sandman for a while, and he has watched over Julia her whole life. Finally he has a chance to become human again. That becomes difficult when he finds out that his replacement is Julia’s dead boyfriend! As Eron becomes more and more human he tries to tell Julia how he has felt about her for a long time. Her dead boyfriend gets angry and breaks the rules of being a sandman and if he doesn’t get his act together quickly, Eron can’t become human. The dead boyfriend can’t let go of Julia and he doesn’t want her to be with someone else. Will Eron stop the dead boyfriend before he does something stupid that prevents Eron from becoming human? Will Julia pick Eron as her best friend? Or will it all go up in a fiery blaze? This book kept me guessing and wondering what would happen next.”
--Keyara, 10th Grade, SEBCO Student Review, Charlotte High School, Rochester, NY
LAURA
8th Grade
Charlotte High School
Rochester, NY
Librarian: Joyce Kowba 
Book Review: Will
Author: Boyd, Maria
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
“It all started when Will mooned the girl’s school bus that broke down at school. While Will waited in Principal Waddlehead’s office, a teacher came up with an idea: why not let Will, a talented guitarist, play in the school musical? Now Will is stuck in the musical. He has to give up his weekends for a performance at a girl’s finishing school. Zach, a kid who proclaims he is Will’s best friend, doesn’t leave Will’s side. Will hates that, but at least there is an attractive leading lady. Is it really death by high school musical or will Will discover the person he truly wants to be because of the musical?”
--Laura, 8th Grade, SEBCO Student Review, Charlotte High school, Rochester, NY
JESSICA CANNON
11th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: 7 Souls
Author: Miller, Barnabas and Orlando, Jordan
Publisher: Delacorte Press
“7 Souls is a truly, stunning masterpiece in its own right. Not something I’d usually read, it somehow managed to capture my attention so that I couldn’t put it down. The book is centered around a young girl who wakes up without any idea what she did the day before. Sadly to say, it’s her birthday and instead of her day getting better, it slowly goes from bad to worse. Oh, and did I forget to mention that she dies? Or so she thinks…and in order to save herself, she must first watcher herself die from the seven different viewpoints of seven different people. This book is not only filled with mystery, but also an evil spell as well. If you like books filled with drama, mystery and evil spell casters, be sure to check this book out.”
--Jessica Cannon, 11th Grade, SEBCO Student Review, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
ZACHARY WALTON
12th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: Ship Breaker
Author: Bacigalupi, Paolo
Publisher: Little, Brown
“This book is about a boy named Nailer who works on the light crew of a ship, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota to have enough to eat. Nailer was working in the hull when he fell into an oil pit. He was with another worker who left him to die. When he ends up surviving, this co-worker gets kicked off the crew. Luck strikes him when he discovers an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane. Now he faces the most important decision of his life. Should he strip the ship for all it’s worth or rescue a girl who is the ship’s lone survivor? The girl is beautiful and possibly wealthy. Could she lead him to a better life?”
--Zachary Walton, 12th Grade, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
SHAUNA MOORE AND BEATRIZ LOPEZ
11th Grade and 12th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: Sisters Red
Author: Pearce, Jackson
Publisher: Little, Brown
“Lopez reported that she read the first two chapters of the book and found it unappealing. She passed it on to Moore who found it harder going that she expected. “I am not into bloody, ripping apart something sort of scenes,” she wrote. It was apparently too graphically violent to appeal to these two avid readers who take to all sorts of genres. The subject matter is werewolves, but the author uses a different name for the creatures and Moore pronounced it “a horrible book altogether.””
--Shauna Moore, 11th Grade and Beatriz Lopez, 12th Grade, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
AUBREY TARANTINE
Sherman High School
Sherman, TX
Librarian: Tom Brott 
Book Review: Vampire High: Sophomore Year
Author: Rees, Douglas
Publisher: Delacorte Press
“As Cody Elliot enters his sophomore year at Vlad Dracul, he has no idea what adventures await him. His artsy cousin, Turk, whom he doesn't care for much, has moved in, and he dreads every moment he has to spend with her... But does he? This year, Cody will make some unlikely friends, some from 1820, and solve an age-old mystery, bringing gadje and jenti together for a common purpose.”
-- Aubrey Tarantine, SEBCO Student Review, Sherman High School, Sherman, TX
MICHELLE BALSARA
9th Grade
Spring Woods High School
Houston, TX
Librarian: Laura Flocks Book Review: Accomplice
Author: Corrigan, Eireann
Publisher: Scholastic Press
“Accomplice was an amazing book that demonstrated the true meaning of friends, betrayal, and most of all trust. Each character has their own unique personality, whether it’s sly and conniving or shy and self-conscious. The story line was put together very well and it shows that people often go to extreme measures to get what they want even if it means ruining someone else’s life. Chloe and Finn were once best friends but it seems to me that to Chloe, Finn is no longer a friend; she’s someone who’s beneficial to her. This book explained what it was like to watch everything fall apart in front of your eyes and realizing that it’s always better to be truthful, then not, and live your life in regret wishing you would’ve. Overall I would have to say this was an interesting book that I really hope Miss. Corrigan will write a sequel to.”
--Michelle Balsara, SEBCO Student Review, Spring Woods High School, Houston, TX
MICHELLE BALSARA
9th Grade
Spring Woods High School
Houston, TX
Librarian: Laura Flocks Book Review: Everlasting
Author: Frazier, Angie
Publisher: Scholastic Press
“Everlasting was a novelistic, beautiful book on everything from humiliation to love. This book kept my eyes wide open until I was finished….and then it kept my eyes even more wide when I read it for the 2nd time. The characters are smart, conniving, loving, and most of all filled with wonder. Later in the book Camille, a beautiful high-status woman begins to subconsciously develop feelings for Oscar, a low-status man., I thought the foreshadowing was just absolutely amazing. Everything from the magical rock, to her love for Oscar. Oh and Ira, he cracks me up like no other with his humorous and witty personality. Miss Frazier, I must say your writing is phenomenal and the ending of this book was so great that you almost made me cry, which means a lot. I look forward to seeing many more of your books. I would give this book a 9 out of 10 for being so amazingly eye-popping!”--Michelle Balsara, SEBCO Student Review, Spring Woods High School, Houston, TX
KEYARA
10th Grade
Charlotte High School
Rochester, NY
Librarian: Joyce Kowba 
Book Review: Girls in Love
Author: Abbott, Hailey
Publisher: Point
“The book Girls in Love by Hailey Abbot is about three cousins and their summer vacation. They each made summer goals. Jessica, the youngest, has been dating a boy named Connor for a while. They have talked about taking the next step, but for some reason he rejects her. Hurt and upset, she and her cousins go out on the town. To her surprise they see Connor with another girl! Greer, the oldest, has had her share of players and her goal is to find an honest guy. From her past experiences she knows a player when she sees one, until she meets a guy named Hunter. He says he’s not a player, but Greer has her doubts. Lara had been dating Jessica’s older brother since before her mom married his uncle. They had an argument during the school year and he hasn’t called her back. She is unsure whether they are broken up or not. Lara’s goal was to stop keeping secrets from the people she loves, but that becomes hard when she starts seeing someone new. Then Jessica’s brother comes back from camp and wants to get back together with her. Will Jessica find out the truth is more than she can handle? Is Hunter a player just trying to get one thing and will Greer’s suspicions turn out to be true? Will everything blow up in Lara’s face and leave her with nothing or will everything work out for the best? Will the three cousins meet their summer goals before the summer is over?”
--Keyara, Charlotte High School, Rochester, NY
ZACHARY WALTON
12th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: Lighter Side of Life and Death
Author: Martin, C. K. Kelly
Publisher: Random House
“Sixteen-year-old Mason loses his virginity to his best friend, Kat. However, now Kat wants to forget the whole thing happened and ends their friendship so she won't have to think about it. Hurt and disappointed, Mason turns to a new friend, Colette, an attractive 23-year-old living on her own. He is surprised when she takes an interest in him. They hit it off and Mason falls for her. Suddenly, Mason is living in a whole new world. Colette pressures him to keep their relationship a secret. What would happen if his family found out about this forbidden new love? This is a good book and I hope there is a second one.”
--Zachary Walton, SEBCO Student Review, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
SHAUNA MOORE
11th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: Beautiful Between
Author: Sheinmel, Alyssa B.
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
“To me, this book was not as good as other books sent to be reviewed by Sebco books. In my opinion, it’s like a fairy tale gone wrong and did not have the best quality I think the author could have put into it. For some reason, I did not understand a lot of what the author was trying to say. She just made it seem like the worst type of fairy tale there ever could be. For me, a fairy tale should include major romance and love, but Sheinmel did not include any of that.”
-- Shauna Moore, SEBCO Student Review, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
ELIZABETH RAINEY
9th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: Tension of Opposites
Author: McBride, Kristina
Publisher: Egmont USA
“Tessa McMullen is just an average high school student when suddenly, one day, her best friend Noelle is kidnapped. For two years, no one hears anything until Noelle’s brother, Cooper, gets a call from her telling him where she and her kidnapper are so they can set up a sting operation. Tessa is so excited that she finally has Noelle back, but Noelle is different. She’s making Tessa call her “Elle” instead, dating the star quarterback and doing drugs. Tessa tries to reach out to her, but Noelle is unresponsive and distant. Tessa and Noelle are drifting apart as Tessa is making new friends and even getting a boyfriend. Read the book to see what happens… This book was excellent and very much so for girls!”
--Elizabeth Rainey, SEBCO Student Review, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
AUBREY TARANTINE
Sherman High School
Sherman, TX
Librarian: Tom Brott 
Book Review: X Isle
Author: Augarde, Steve
Publisher: David Fickley Books
“X-Isle is about a city half-drowned and the island across the way that can act as their ‘escape’. Only young boys can go though, and they have to be skinny as well. No girls and no adults. But because nobody has ever gone to the island and come back, the people left on the mainland just assume that it’s ‘paradise’, which is why all of the parents will get anything they can to bribe the boatmen to take their children back over to x-isle after they’ve come to the mainland to get supplies. The story is about a young boy named Baz, who is lucky enough to get onto the ship to go to this island, but soon finds out that it’s not all fun and games like he thought it would be.”
-- Aubrey Tarantine, Sebco Student Review, Sherman High School, Sherman, TX
LAURA
8th Grade
Charlotte High School
Rochester, NY
Librarian: Joyce Kowba
Book Review: Ghosts of Ashbury High
Author: Moriarty, Jaclyn
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
“Everybody in Ashbury High thinks Riley and Amelia are bad kids because of the way they dress and the school they came from. Riley and Amelia have been together for years. Swimming was Amelia’s passion and Riley went with it just to swim beside her. Amelia is on the swim team and famous for breaking her record time and the school’s record time every time she swims. But the strange thing is, Riley and Amelia only speak to themselves when they are together and don’t talk at all when not together.
A girl named Emily thinks Amelia is hiding a terrible secret from Riley by her impression of them together. Emily is trying to prove there are ghosts in Ashbury High and she and her friends Cassie and Lydia think Riley and Amelia have something to do with it. Will they figure out what, if anything, Amelia and Riley have to do with the ghosts? Is Amelia really hiding a secret from Riley? Why do Emily and Amelia only speak to themselves? Will they ever speak to anyone else in the school? If you want to find out, read the book. It’s a book that really makes you think!”
--SEBCO Student Review, Laura, Charlotte High School, Rochester, NY
TIARA
9th Grade
Charlotte High School
Rochester, NY
Librarian: Joyce Kowba 
Book Review: All Unquiet Things
Author: Jarzab, Anna
Publisher: Delacorte Press
“Carly has been murdered and her cousin Audrey's father has been accused of the crime. Audrey knows that her father is a alcoholic and a gambler, but she also knows that he's not a killer. So Audrey turns to the one person she knows will help find out who really killed Carly - Neily. Neily was Carly's boyfriend at one point until she dumped him for Adam. Adam is popular; a basketball player and a drug dealer. While Audrey and Neily uncover things that lead up to the night Carly died, they put themselves in danger. Will Audrey and Neily ever find out who really killed Carly and set Audrey's father free?”
--Tiara- 9th Grade, SEBCO Student Review, Charlotte High School, Rochester, NY
AUBREY TARANTINE
Sherman High School
Sherman, TX
Librarian: Tom Brott 
Book Review: Thirteen Days to Midnight
Author: Carman, Patrick
Publisher: Little, Brown
“Thirteen Days to Midnight,” by Patrick Carman, is a gripping story about Jacob Fielding and the indestructibility he has procured through a car crash with the only person he ever felt close to; Mr. Fielding. When Mr. Fielding and Jacob crash into a tree on one of their weekly drives, right before Mr. Fielding dies, he looks at Jacob and says to him, “You are indestructible.” These three words are the theme for the rest of the story. Milo, Jacob’s best friend, and Oh, who is not only the new girl in town, but also Jacob’s new girlfriend, go on a sort of adventure with Jacob. Jacob realizes that he has a power, one that makes him immortal; but one that he can also give to other people in their time of need. And while Milo wants to side with Jacob and thinks that they should really just keep the power to themselves, Oh is on the other side of the fence. She wants to help save people and she thinks that if they don’t use the power to help others then they’re wasting the power all together. But what Oh doesn’t realize is that death doesn’t just disappear; it eventually has to catch up.”
--SEBCO Student Review, Aubrey Tarantine, Sherman High School, Sherman, TX
DORIS BARLOW
E.E. Smith Senior High School
Fayetteville, NC
Media Coordinator: Iva Marie Kelly Book Review: How to Make a Bird
Author: Murray. Martine
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
“Mannie, in an effort to find her-self, takes a fantastic journey across the country on the road to self discovery. Along the way, she finds out a lot about herself, her family, and the world she thought she knew. Despite my high expectations of this book, it turned out to be a major disappointment. As I started the book, it was dry and not at all exceptional in any way. I continued to read, however, hoping that the storyline would pick up. Instead, the story simply got duller and more simplistic, and the style of telling the story more complicated. Although Mrs. Murray makes a valid attempt to tell the tale, as realistically as possible, from the torn views of a young girl all she does is confuse and bore the readers. For me, this book held no life lesson, no secret to the world that was not already apparent or that was simply common knowledge. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone, even as something to read when you are in an extremely contemplative mood. Even then, I would only recommend it to those who have taken a class in, or are, philosophers. In short, this book is dull, drab, and boring, and should, and probably will, only be appreciated, by someone who thinks on a higher level…and that is not even guaranteed.”
-- Doris Barlow , SEBCO Student Review, E.E. Smith Senior High School, Fayetteville, NC
DORIS BARLOW
E.E. Smith Senior High School
Fayetteville, NC
Media Coordinator: Iva Marie Kelly 
Book Review: Dying Breath: A Forensic Mystery
Author: Ferguson, Alane
Publisher: Viking
"When Cameryn Mahoney finds a note from her murderous ex-boyfriend, Kyle O' Neil , its the start of a race against the clock as Cameryn tries to beat Kyle at his own game, before he ends her life.
The Dying Breath was, by far, one of the best forensic fiction books I have ever read. Each chapter leaves you engrossed in detail; not only in the characters, but in their development and interaction with each other. As we draw closer to the final confrontation between Cameryn and Kyle, we can almost feel as if we are there, experiencing the action as it happens. This feeling, however, transcends throughout the entire book. A well constructed, and scientifically accurate, piece of literature, it is a book I would recommend to any fan of CSI or Bones."
--SEBCO Student Review, Doris Barlow, E.E. Smith Senior High School, Fayetteville, NC
MARLANA ZINK
9th Grade
Nazareth Academy
Rochester, NY
Librarian: Sr. Anna Derouchie 
Book Review: Stolen
Author: Christopher, Lucy
Publisher: Chicken House
Imagine being stolen and kidnapped from your family and friends by a stranger - only youve seen this stranger before. Gemma is sixteen when she is drugged and kidnapped, and taken far away from her home in London. If you are into books full of drama, suspense, and a hint of romance, read Stolen by Lucy Christopher and find out what happens to Gemma.
--SEBCO Student Review, Marlana Fink, Nazareth Academy, Rochester, NY
DANIER COOPER
9th Grade
Nazareth Academy
Rochester, NY
Librarian: Sr. Anna Derouchie
Book Review: Forbidden Sea
Author: Nielson, Sheila A.
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Adrianne Keynnman is an average girl who went from riches to rags after her father passed away. Adrianne always has to watch the boy that she loves (her best friend Denn Young) flirt with the rudest, prettiest girl on the Island: Cora Lynn. To top it all off, Adriannes aunt is always acting as if she hates her, no matter what she does; and other boys on the island not only insult her, but even try to throw her into the sea. Adrianne feels that things go from bad to worse, when a mermaid almost tries to drown her sister, Cecily: or so Adrianne thinks& It turns out that it isnt Cecily that the mermaid is after, but rather Adrianne. Little does Adrianne know that the mermaid has something planned for her; something more extravagant and glorious than anything she could possibly imagine. Once Adrianne finds out how much her future can change for the better, she has a big decision to make; does she choose to enter a world of utter paradise, or stay on the island with her family.
--SEBCO Student Review, Danier Cooper, Nazareth Academy, Rochester, NY
OLIVIA PINE
8th Grade
Nazareth Hall Middle School
Rochester, NY
Librarian: Sr. Anna Derouchie
Book Review: Pickle King
Author: Promitzer, Rebecca
Publisher: Chicken House
Rebecca Promitzer did lovely job writing this exciting and freakishly out of the ordinary novel. The characters were entrancing and very well thought out from a readers perspective. The plot was and enticing tale of murder, woven for a younger audience to understand. I loved the atmosphere of The Pickle King ; it just made one want to keep reading it over and over again. It was a very engrossing read, full of mystery and adventure at every turn. I never expected a novel entitled The Pickle King to be such a good story. Overall, I loved the entire story.
I would recommend this book to a younger audience, around 9-12 years old. The content of the book is for this age because of the murder and the scary, haunting scenes. This book was a joy for me to read, and I hope to see it on the shelves soon.
--SEBCO Student Review, Olivia Pine, Nazareth Hall Middle School, Rochester, NY
BEATRIZ LOPEZ
12th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: Owl Keeper
Author: Brodien-Jones, Christine
Publisher: Delacorte Press
"The Owl Keeper is a great story for young readers. Shortly after his grandmothers quick and suspicious death, young Max Unger is diagnosed with a weird disease. He is allergic to the suns particles and confined to a world of darkness. Everything, he loved is taken away from him: his Gran, his books, and his stuffed owl. Through all the changes with the arrival of an extinct silver owl and the presence of a runaway girl, he must now face the truth about the lies he grew up in, before the High Echelon took him away on his twelfth birthday.
--SEBCO Student Review, Beatriz Lopez, Poolville, High School, Poolville, TX
DULCE RODRIGUEZ
9th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: Northward To the Moon
Author: Horvath, Polly
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books
Jane has to travel all over the world to visit one of her stepfathers old friends who is very ill. She sees the world from a different point of view and has to face all kinds of adventures. I would recommend this book to most fifth graders and up. It will take you on an adventure you will never forget.
--SEBCO Student Review, Dulce Rodriguez, Poolville, High School, Poolville, TX
SHAUNA MOORE
11th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: Spring Fling
Author: James, Sabrina
Publisher: Point
Spring Fling involves seven girls and three guys who attend rival high schools in the same town. They all end up in the same Florida town for Spring Break, rooming next door to each other. The three guys make a bet amongst themselves to see who can get a kiss from one of the girls first, not thinking that over time they might just fall in love. One of the reasons I like this book is because, like my previous reviewed book, it is told in different points of view. This book has romance, betrayal and many other emotions. Spring Thing shows you why there are certain people you trust and people who will stab you in the back. Overall, this was a good book to read and I suggest it mainly for girls because I consider it a chick lit book.
--SEBCO Student Review, Shauna Moore, Poolville, High School, Poolville, TX
JOCELYN RODRIGUEZ
11th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: Less Dead
Author: Lurie, April
Publisher: Delacorte Press
The Less Dead by April Lurie is a really good book. It is about a teenage boy named Noah Nordstrom who loves music and poetry. His dad is the host of a Christian radio show that Noah doesnt like very much. There has been somebody calling in to his fathers show who always talks about how being gay is a sin. A week after the caller stops calling, a gay teenager is murdered and Noah believes the caller is the murderer.
One day, Noah meets Will Reed, who also loves music and poetry. They become good friends until Noah discovers Will is gay and is interested in him! Noah then stays away from Will, but when Will becomes the serial killer's third victim, Noah gets involved in the investigation to find the murderer. The story involves discussion of religion and homosexuality. The Less Dead is an interesting story that I encourage anyone to read.
--SEBCO Student Review, Jocelyn Rodriguez, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
DANA YOUNG
10th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote
Book Review: Less Dead
Author: Lurie, April
Publisher: Delacorte Press
The Less Dead is truly a remarkable book for teens of all ages. Its about two lovers and their best friend. One of the lovers, Noah, has been drinking at parties and hasnt been getting home in time for curfew. Two teens are killed and Noah thinks the killer could be a host on his dads radio program. So, if you are into mystery books and love stories this book is for you. On a scale from 1-10, I would give it a 10 because this book is that awesome!
--SEBCO Student Review, Dana Young, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
JESSICA CANNON
11th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It
Author: Selzer, Adam
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Eighteen-year-old Algonquin Ally Rhodes, the ice queen of a vicious circle, is just like every other normal girl, except for one huge difference she lives in a town where it is normal to see vampires, werewolves and zombies walking around her school. All the students of Allys school are obsessed with these unworldly creatures. To them the vampires are the preps, followed in popularity by the werewolves, then the zombies. The normal students are either trying to convert themselves into one of the creatures or at least date one, except for Ally. Shes more concerned with what college shes going to attend. That is, until she goes to the club Cage to review a band for her schools blog, only to fall for Doug, a guest singer. To Ally, Doug is drop-dead gorgeous and, unlike the wannabe Goths at her school, he's a zombie. Whats Ally to do when she finds out and starts to turn into one of the girls shes always dissing? The book is funny, dramatic, and romantic with a tragic twist. A MUST READ for teens, but, hey, take my advice and read it for yourself.
--SEBCO Student Review, Jessica Cannon, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
ELIZABETH RAINEY
9th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote
Book Review: I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It
Author: Selzer, Adam
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Senior Ali Rhodes is a newspaper columnist for her school and is disappointed when her next assignment is to review the local rock band. Before the band enters the state, she is shocked to hear a whisper-like voice singing one of her favorite songs. The voice is coming from Doub, a pale boy wearing an old worn-down suit who smells terrible. After the show, Doug comes over the meet Ali, and before she realizes what is going on, shes agreed to go on a date with him. On the date, Ali falls for Doug so much that she doesnt notice the weird things about him, like how he never changes clothes, never seems to eat and smells. Suddenly, one of her friends reveals that Doug is a zombie. After that, Alis life is never the same. Recommended strongly for girls. BR>--SEBCO Student Review, Elizabeth Rainey, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
ZACHARY WALTON
12th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: Flightsend
Author: Newbery, Linda
Publisher: David Fickling Books
This first summer at their new home Flightsend proves to be a turning point for Charlie and her mom. For Mum, theres a new business and the fresh start she knew she needed. For Charlie, theres a new job, new friends and a newly discovered talent for art. They are both dealing with the loss of Mums boyfriend, Sean, who she pushed away after their expected baby girl died before she was born. Charlie believes Mum is making a big mistake with these drastic new changes, but she couldnt be more wrong. I thought it was an OK book, but not my favorite.
--SEBCO Student Review, Zachary Walton, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
MICHELLE BALSARA
9th Grade
Spring Woods High School
Houston, TX
Librarian: Laura Flocks 
Book Review: Happyface
Author: Emond, Stephen
Publisher: Little, Brown
"Happyface by Stephen Edmond was an amazing book that had me laughing and crying the whole time. The words on the page turn into a real-life scenario and it never seems like its fake. The book was charming, interesting, imaginative, and there was never a part where the book was boring. Happyface is a dorky, socially awkward kid and when he moves to a new school he decides to change himself. This change helps him get new friends and keep his mind off of Chloe, Everett, and his whole family situation. He deals with rejection, being made fun of etc, but in the end he turns out a decently "happy face". In the end of the book I thought the nickname Happyface was sarcasm because with all the things that had happened to him, how could he be happy? Then I realized the whole story was the road to becoming a happyface (a happy person), this is at least what I thought. I really loved how the author waited until the middle-endish to reveal things about Chloe, Everett, his moms affair, his dad, and that Everett was dead, I was always wondering where Everett was. Out of 5 stars I give this book 10!"
--SEBCO Student Review, Michelle Balsara, Spring Woods High School, 9th Grade Student, Houston, TX
MICHELLE BALSARA
9th Grade
Spring Woods High School
Houston, TX
Librarian: Laura Flocks
Book Review: Beautiful Creatures
Author: Garcia, Kami and Stohl, Margaret
Publisher: Little, Brown
"Beautiful Creatures is an amazing book that introduces you to a whole new mythical world. Casters, Sirens, Light, and Dark, all of it pulls you in and you cant stop your mind from running wild. The romance between Lena and Ethan starts out extremely rocky but soon builds into something beautiful, making you wish you were Lena or Ethan. I know I was. Mostly all of the characters face life-threatening decisions and all throughout the book you will find yourself saying No dont do it, Lena or Yes, shes LIGHT . Lena and Ethan face so much together and their love grows like the leaves on a tree. It was an extremely enticing and all together lovely book. It was worth every single minute of my time."
--SEBCO Student Review, Michelle Balsara, Spring Woods High School, Houston, TX
MICHELLE BALSARA
9th Grade
Spring Woods High School
Houston, TX
Librarian: Laura Flocks 
Book Review: After
Author: Harmel, Kristin
Publisher: Delacorte Press
"After was a story about&&I guess you could say Recovery. For anyone out there that has lost someone they truly loved, they look into Laceys life and see the similarities between their grief and pain. I felt like I was Lacey when I was reading. Im usually not the type to get emotional but after I finished the book I was extremely moved. Lacey is one of those teenagers who try to be perfect hoping that would fill the holes in her life. But then, Sam comes along. Sam is like her in many ways hes lost his dad in a way Lacey couldnt understand at first. They go through a journey of self-recovery together and Lacey finally starts to realize her fathers death was not her fault, and begins to stop blaming herself for something she could have never stopped from happening. After was a charming deep story about what its like to truly recover."
--SEBCO Student Review, Michelle Balsara, Spring Woods High School, Houston, TX
ALEX CORTES
O'Connor High School
Helotes, TX
Librarian: Sheryl Stoeck 
Book Review: Voices in the Dark
Author: Banner, Catherine
Publisher: Random House
"Voices in the Dark was a great book. Although the beginning was slow and a little hard to get into, once the story began and the plot progressed, I was hooked. The book took place in an alternate London where magic exists. The story is told from the point of view of Anselm, a young man who tells an older man of why he is currently traveling alone. As the story goes deeper into itself, the secrets come to light about who Anselm's deceased father is, and why his current step-father, Leonardo North, is evading the government, leaving Anselm to watch over his little sister, Jasmine, and his pregnant mother. Once I got into the book, I could not put it down. I had to keep reading because the characters felt so real. In fact, they were so real, I created my own representation of how they looked and sounded and soon, I thought I was watching these events rather than reading about them. If you're a patient reader, enjoy plot twists, and simply love compelling and exciting books, then I highly recommend Voices in the Dark as a must-read."
--SEBCO Student Review, Alex Cortes, O'Connor High School, Helotes, TX
DANA YOUNG
10th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: 12 Finally
Author: Mass, Wendy
Publisher: Scholastic Press
"The main character is a girl who wishes upon every little thing, like a star, days that go by, stray eyelashes, dandelion tops, and, of course, birthday candles. Shes looking forward to turning 12 because she thinks that then her parents will stop treating her like a little kid. Shes looking forward to more responsibility, staying home alone, going places with her friends by themselves. In short, she wants more freedom and independence. Its about a typical girl growing up. If you are someone who likes to wish for things or to read about people who wish on things, this book is for you. Its really a girly book so I recommend it for girls and wouldnt recommend it for boys. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a seven."--SEBCO Student Review, Dana Young, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
SHAUNA MOORE
11th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: Three Rivers Rising
Author: Richards, James
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
"This book is set in the 1800s around the time of the Johnstown Flood. It is told through many points of view. The first point of view is that of the rich daughter who does not like what society is expecting of her. The second point of view is that of a hired hand on the dam where the girl visits every summer. You soon realize these two are already connected in the beginning of the story. The next point of view is that of an engineers wife who has to take care of their many children. The fourth point of view is of a nurse who is transferring from her original med school to a new one. The fifth point of view appears unexpectedly later in the story and may be discounted by the reader as unimportant. Of course, the girl falls in love with the hired hand, but the only time she gets to see him is when hes fishing. When he learns she will be shunned from society for loving him, he refuses to see her anymore. But her sister is the one who gets banished and shunned from society for having an inappropriate romance. This book was very good and I recommend it to all my friends, but I would warn them that if they cant keep track of several points of views, they might not like this one. You have to be able to actually get into the characters that you are reading so you dont get confused about who is who. Remember to read the persons name at the top of the page when it shifts points of view. Most of the book is narrative; it doesn't contain a lot of dialogue. It is written in a poetic voice."
--SEBCO Student Review, Shauna Moore, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
BEATRIZ LOPEZ
12th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote
Book Review: Three Rivers Rising
Author: Richards, James
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
"Three Rivers Rising is a story based on an actual flood that occurred during 1889, though the people are fictitious characters. It tells the story from all their points of view and it slowly shows you how they all get into each others lives. The main story I believe concerns Celestia and Peter how their love is impossible because of their different social classes. Her parents fight hard to break them up because of what the other people in their social class would think. In the end, what they love the most is in danger due to the Johnstown flood.
--SEBCO Student Review, Beatriz Lopez, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
BEATRIZ LOPEZ
12th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: Freaks & Revelations: A Novel
Author: Hurwin, Davida
Publisher: Little, Brown
"Freaks & Revelations is a story based on two people who make peace years after a violent first meeting. Dag is a 17-year-old Neo-Nazi, Mohawk-wearing, punk-rocking skinhead. Jason is a 13-year-old gay castaway. Dag has always had trouble with his dad and takes refuge in punk rock and drugs and quickly starts becoming a hard, cold person. Jason has to learn how to survive on the streets, eventually becoming a boy for hire. Eventually, these two meet when Dag and a bunch of skinheads jump four gay guys, Jason included. Jason always remembers those blue eyes of Dags while Dag remembers Jasons green ones. Inspired by the true story of Tim Zaal (Dag) and Matthew Boger (Jason) who have shared their story on Oprah.
--SEBCO Student Review, Beatriz Lopez, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
ZACH WALTON
12th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote
Book Review: Dreamer
Author: Ryan, Pam Munoz
Publisher: Scholastic Press
"This is a book about a little boy who grows up to be a famous poet. As hes growing up, his father is constantly telling him he is throwing his life away and should be studying to be a doctor or a lawyer, but The Dreamer perseveres. This is a good book for younger kids (upper elementary, middle school) and not so interesting for high schoolers.
--SEBCO Student Review, Zach Walton, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
ELIZABETH RAINEY
9th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote
Book Review: Shadow
Author: Moss, Jenny
Publisher: Scholalstic Press
"Shadow is a book about a girl whose job it has been for all of her sixteen years to follow her queen around, just like a shadow. She does this because it was prophesized on the day the queen was born that on her sixteenth birthday, she would die. One day her monotonous life takes a sharp turn. When Shadow awakes after having slept the night beside the queen, she finds the queen dead. Everyone immediately assumes she is the murderer. She is whisked away by Sir Kenway, a knight who has promised to keep her safe and to run for safety. I recommend this more for girls who like romance. This book would really be enjoyed by any age group, but especially if you like fantasy. I enjoyed this book very much.
--SEBCO Student Review, Elizabeth Rainey, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
JESSICA CANNON
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: Sigh of Naruhi Suzumiya
Author: Tanigawa, Nagaru
Little, Brown Publishers
"Only one word can describe this book: Hilarious! Haruttis back and causing more trouble than ever in this sequel to The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. And let me say the book is every bit as good as the first one as Haruhi continues to be oblivious to the fact that the three things shes looking for are right in front of her, not to mention the fact that shes a goddess with the ability to destroy the world. Hows that for bang? On a scale from one to 10, I give it an 8 for the humor and unexpected things that occur. The author has one creative mind. This book is recommended for teens and adults, but you should read the Melancholy title first to understand it.
--SEBCO Student Review, Jessica Cannon, Poolville, High School, Poolville, TX
JOCELYN RODRIGUEZ
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: River
Author: Beaufrand, Mary Jane
Publisher: Little, Brown
"The River by Mary Jane Beaufrand is a good book. It is about a teenage girl named Veronica, or Ronnie, who moved from a large city to a rural town and doesnt have many friends other than Karen, a girl she babysits. Ronnie lives close to a river and she says she can hear it talking to her. One morning, as she sets out on her weekly Saturday morning run, she finds Karens dead body in the river. From that day on, Ronnie tries to find out who and how Karen was killed. If youre into mystery-solving stories, you will like this book. It has mostly teenager characters and it includes some discussion of drugs. I really liked this book and I encourage any teen to read it. I assure you, you will like it.
--SEBCO Student Review, Jocelyn Rodriguez, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
MICHELLE BALSARA
Spring Woods High School
Houston, TX
Librarian: Laura Flocks 
Book Review: Scarlett Fever
Author: Johnson, Maureen
Point
"Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson was an exceptional book on what its really like to be a teenager. This book states the absolute truth about handling break-up, a job, love, and insecurity. The book keeps you excited all the way through and there is never a moment where it just drags on. The characters are enticing and make you feel like youre in the book. When the characters are sad you feel sad, when theyre ecstatic then you are too. The drama is real. You find yourself sighing and saying that happened to me . Maureen Johnsons writing is charming and insightful and its like the characters are jumping off the page with their dynamic characters. But, the author did not overdo it, she wrote just enough to make it seem real. Overall it was a wonderful, it pulls you in so much that its almost impossible to put it down."
--SEBCO Student Review, Michelle Balsara, Spring Woods High School, Houston, TX
AUBREY TARANTINE
Sherman High School
Sherman, TX
Librarian: Tom Brott 
Book Review: Possessed
Author: Cann, Kate
Point
Possessed by Kate Cann is about a girl named Rayne who, trying to get away from her stifling life, moves to Mortons Keep. While living and working there, she hears stories. Theyre all about ghost hauntings and about cults who use the grounds for various reasons. She gets kind of scared about these stories and so she decides to go out one day and meet the two girls who originally talked to her about the job at Mortons Keep. She meets them, and their group, and is thrilled to be accepted by them, until she starts hanging around them more. As time goes on she realizes that there is more to these friends that shes hanging out with than first meets the eye, and that there is more to the theories behind Mortons Keep than she had originally thought. Possessed is a fast paced book that keeps the reader reading and the pages moving. Its sure to keep the people of the fiction/mystery genre in their seats and leave them satisfied in the end.
--SEBCO Student Review, Aubrey Tarantine, Sherman High School, Sherman, TX
ABILENE GONZALEZ
11th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote
Book Review: My Imaginary Boyfriend
"This is a one of a kind book. It captures all the funny, fun, OMG moments as well as the sad, lonely and (sometimes) inappropriate fun during the teen years. The book is about a girl, Heidi, who has three friends: Ludy (hyper crazy), Filly (Goth) and Dai (gay). She moves around a lot and doesnt want to be known as frog girl, a nickname resulting from an embarrassing science lab experience. Over the summer, her friends get boyfriends and, due to a misunderstanding, she ends up having to invent one. She gives him a name, creates an e-mail address for him and has to lie to her friends and even herself. She has no one to talk to about the mess shes in except for her boss, who is about to move away. This book mixes your emotions from really happy to totally sad with very little effort. Its a great book if you happen to have really good friends who are all very different. I personally loved it and would love to encourage other teens to read it. Great job, Susie Day!"
--SEBCO Student Review, Abilene Gonzalez, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
BEATRIZ LOPEZ
12th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: Efrain's Secret
Author: Quintero, Sofia
Alfred A. Knopf
"Efrain's Secret is a very good book. Its about how far someone (Efrain) would go to break the statistics that have surrounded him since he was born. At the same time, it teaches those who are going to take the SAT a few new words if they dont already know them, including a chapters worth on how to use those words. I loved this book because its about how things in life really are, how sometimes the persons whose job it is to motivate you really dont. This is a book I recommend for all high school seniors to read. Smart people from the ghettoes arent always that rare. Sometimes, if you really look closely, they are standing right in front of you, whether in person or in ink."
--SEBCO Student Review, Beatriz Lopez, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX ELIZABETH RAINEY
9th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: The Lonely Hearts Club
Author: Eulberg, Elizabeth
Point
Recently, I read The Lonely Hearts Club, which is about a girl named Penny Lane, obviously named after her parents favorite band, The Beatles. It starts out with Penny having a crush on her long time best friend Nate. Finally, she does get what she wants and has a relationship with him, but thats when things take a turn for the worse. He hurts her emotionally by cheating on her with another girl. Shes so devastated she starts her own club called The Lonely Hearts Club (another tribute to The Beatles) and swears off boys forever. If you like romance and humor than I recommend this one for you. Its a wonderful tale of friendship. I also strongly recommend this for girls, and yes, the girls in this book do talk about their feelings. I can honestly say that although I do read a lot of books, I will remember this one for its sparkling humor, moments of true togetherness and words of wisdom.
--SEBCO Student Review, Elizabeth Rainey, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
SHAUNA MOORE
11th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote Book Review: Wish
Author: Bullen, Alexandra
Point
This book was very good, but it did get boring when there wasnt any dialogue for a couple of pages. Other than that I didnt have any problems with this book. I thought it was cool how this book was based on wishing and the old fairy tale standby of three wishes. When Olivia moves to her mothers home town, she realizes that it is nothing like where she came from. The most important thing she doesnt realize is it is going to be even harder without her sister there to help her. Olivia is to attend a gala related to her mothers work and has to find a dress to wear. When she finds one of her sisters dresses, she takes it to get a hole in the side fixed and ends up with a completely different dress than she had ever expected. After that, she goes to a friends party and, on her way home, makes a wish for her sister to be back. The next morning, her sister is there. To say this book is strange is not correct because it is sooo strange that you get sucked into all the drama. You realize that if this could happen to you, you would have the weirdest experience, just like Olivia and Violet have. Once you get started with this book, you will never want to put it down and when you finally get finished, you will think it has a different ending than you thought it would, but you loved it either way. It is an amazing story.
--SEBCO Student Review, Shauna Moore, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX ZACH WALTON
12th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: The Last Summer of the Death Warriors
Author: Stork, Francisco X.
Arthur A. Levine
This book is about a boy named Pancho who has no family left. His mother died, followed by his dad and then his sister was murdered. With everyone gone, he is sent to St. Tony to live until he turns 18. At St. Tony, Pancho meets a kid named D.Q. who has cancer and is about to die. Pancho and D.Q. become friends. This is a really good book and its worth you sitting and reading every word.
--SEBCO Student Review, Zach Walton, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX
JESSICA CANNON
11th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote
Book Review: Fever Crumb
Author: Reeve, Philip
Scholastic Press
I can sum this book up in one word: amazing! Its a very interesting story told from different points of view, but its all centered around one person the main character, a young girl named Fever Crumb. Fevers life is one big mystery. It tells about her adventure as she leaves the only home shes ever known to help a man, Kit Solvent, with a top secret project in a time when women are not seen as reasonable creatures. Not only that, but Fever also has memories that arent even hers and discovers that she might not even be human. To top it all off, a bounty hunter is on her trail. Its a book actually worth checking out, but dont take my word for it, check it out yourself! Note: This book is a prequel to the Mortal Engines Quartet.
--SEBCO Student Review, Jessica Cannon, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX DANA YOUNG
10th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote
Book Review: After Ever After
Author: Sonnenblick, Jordan
Scholastic Press
After Ever After is a great book because it shows love, drama, and excitement. The book is about Jeffrey, a boy who has cancer, but is in remission. He is in love with a new girl in school, even though she seems to be out of his reach. Hes angry at his brother, who has taken off to Africa to find himself just when Jeffrey needs his advice the most. I think that this book is a great book. I cant wait for all my friends to read it, too. On a scale of one to 10, I say that it would be an eight because the book was that great!
--SEBCO Student Review, Dana Young, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX CRYSTA BUTTURINI
12th Grade
Poolville High School
Poolville, TX
Librarian: Jeri Calcote 
Book Review: Token of Darkness
Author: Atwater-Rhodes, Amelia
Delcaorte Press
The beginning was really weird, but kind of interesting. This book was harder than my previously reviewed book to get into, but once I got into it, I couldnt put it down. The book is about Cooper Blake who gets into a car accident and can no longer play football, which ruins his career. But thats not all that changes in his life. He can now see the ghost of a young girl named Samantha. The way they portrayed the ghost was really funny; she made me laugh. Cooper then figures out he is not the only one with weird powers. The head of the cheerleading squad as well as a loner from the neighboring school, Delilah and Brent, also possess such powers. Delilah can see beyond the physical world and Brent can hear strangers thoughts. The book is amazingly written and all the characters stand out. I really enjoyed it and will read it at least two or three more times.
--SEBCO Student Review, Crysta Butturini, Poolville High School, Poolville, TX JUBILEE S.
Charlotte High School
Rochester, NY
Librarian: Joyce Kowba 
Book Review: The Knife That Killed Me
Author: McGowan, Anthony
Delcaorte Press
The knife that killed Paul Varderman was a cheap, black kitchen knife from Woolworths. He had time to think about every event about how he died&
The normal high school: bullies, girls, and the annoying teacher that you deal with. Paul soon gets mixed up with Roth, someone far from normal. Paul delivers a package for Roth to another gang leader, Goddo. Goddo leaves him with a message, and something to help him remember the message. For along time it's peaceful. Paul starts to like a girl named Maddy and hangs out with a group most refer to as the freaks . He becomes friends with many in the group. The leader, Shane, defends him in everything he says.
But you're always reminded of the knife. Paul never let's you forget it. The knife that gets closer and closer to him with every passing page. The knife that took his life.
How did Paul die? Who killed him? Why did he die? You will only know if you read The Knife That Killed Me.
--SEBCO Student Review, Jubilee, Charlot
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