Ai Yi Yi, La Linea

I will admit that I really didn't want to read this book, La Linea by Ann Jaramillo. I did it because it is a Lonestar Book (Texas Librarian Association's Middle School Librarian's list). The cover is intriguing and it's super short (like 126 pages). I thought, maybe it would be okay, like one of those movies you didn't want to go see, but someone else wants to and you go and end up loving it. This really isn't the case with this book unfortunately. I did read it. It took me several weeks because it didn't keep me involved. The characters, Miguel and Elena are trying to cross la linea, the border, from Mexico into the US to be reunited with their parents. The characters are stereotypical. The action is slow paced. I wished that it had more action and suspense. When it finally did build up, it ended flat. In fact, you don't feel like you have enough closure. As an adult, I can "get" this book and might be intrigued (my family did come from Mexico a long time ago, yadda, yadda, yadda) but if I'm a middle schooler, the cover and the length will appeal but the story will make me drop this book. I'm really surprised it made the Lone Star list, but at the same time not. We, as librarians, need to stop thinking that middle school kiddos will always agree with us on what we think are good and interesting books. I'm sorry to say that I can't really recommend this one.

More Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet

If you read the first book by Lola Douglas (True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet) then you'll love More Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet. In this second installment, Morgan (aka Claudia aka the Starlet) wants to stay in Fort Wayne, Indiana even though she has been exposed as a sort of a Lindsay Lohan starlet. She has some great friends and a budding relationship with super cute yet super dorky Eli. She also has everybody following her around because of her superstar status and she does have an enemy, Debbie who is out to make her look stupid and get Eli. Her mom and manager want her to come back to Cali and get back onto the Hollywood train. What will Morgan do? This book is written again in journal style. This is definitely a chick lit book and any of my more mature 8th grade girls (yep, wouldn't hand it over to a 6th grader who might not be mature for the topic of date rape or the mention of sex) who love the Meg Cabot or Clique/Gossip Girl series would love this book.

The Warrior Heir

It took me several days but I finally finished The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima. It was superlong (over 400 pages) but it was worth it. The main character in this modern fantasy is 16 year old Jack. He was actually born a wizard but a wizard doctor implanted a warrior stone into him to save his life and make him her warrior champion when he gets older. His family doesn't want this to happen because it could lead to Jack's death. People are coming out of the woodwork to kidnap or kill Jack. The novel, though long, will keep the reader entertained. For the most part, it is action packed and fast paced. It almost feels like one of those thriller movies. The size alone will probably intimidate reluctant readers, but the storyline will capture them quickly (this would be a great read aloud book!). Middle school boys and girls(and younger high school guys and girls) who love thrillers or magic will totally dig this book. There isn't any bad language or majorly mature situations (just a little kissing) so it would be okay for 6th graders.