timothy@thenation.com    
JIM THE BOY by Tony Earley, 5 stars
I am currently reading "Jim the Boy." It gets five (5) stars from me. I think it is a wonderful book, a very simple story that reveals very complex truths about childhood, life, death, and family. Also I like it because the characters are all "country-folk" but the author doesn't rely on stereotypes to develop them, and I can relate to the story because I have uncles of my own who are very important to me. It is not sentimental or silly; it is a serious book about a boy. One of the best things I've read since THE YEARLING, by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.

Also I am reading LES AVENTURES DE TINTIN by Herge, because I am studying French and this is a good way to work on my French. I don't know if these books really count, though, because they are cartoons. But they are still wonderful and funny. And Herge is a great artist.

JujuG4040@aol.com
OUR TOWN by Thorton Wilder, 4 stars
I had to read this book in the 11th grade. It is written in play form, so it's really easy to understand it. This book is about the life and times of a small town and it's citizens set years ago. This book  is very interesting and entertaining.

A STRING OF THE HARP by Nancy Bond, 5 stars
This book is one of the best books I've ever read. The story is set in Wales, where 3 kids and their father lived. They moved there from the U.S., shortly after the children's mother died in a car accident. The 3 kids are lonely and in a foreign place, plus all  their father does is work and he doesn*t spend much time with them. Until, one of the kids finds a mysterious statue near their new home in Wales and their lives as they know it changes.

If you're looking for a book that's exciting and that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I definitely recommend you read this book. :) Enjoy!

missjazzmin@mindspring.com
The Secret Scroll series by Lynne Ewing, 4 stars
Okay, maybe it's just that I really want to be a witch, but I think these books are the best!!!!!!!! As are the Isobel Bird series books. Though I think I like Secret Scroll a little better.

Patti198@aol.com
CATCHER IN THE RYE by J.D. Salinger, 5 stars
We recently read this book in my English class, and it is definitely something I will read again someday. I think many teenagers can relate to how the main character, Holden Caulfield, feels at times.

Andijh7@aol.com
THE DARK: Book I by Andrew Hyatt, 5 stars
This book was absolutely amazing and beautiful! The story takes so many twists and turns that it eventually ends up being an out of body and out of world experience for the main characters. Its about an ordinary kid who discovers the key to turning the world into something completely perfect, but also nightmarish at the same time. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good read. However, this book is not traditional, it can only be downloaded at www.hungrypublishing.com but it is much cheaper than a traditional book and it is worth it!!

Carolinenm
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee, 5 stars
I would have to say that my absolute favorite book is TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. I love the way that it is written, and it just flows with such capacity that it overflows the mind  with questions and thoughts and I love ALL of the characters!

sunshinegrl420@yahoo.com
A DESTINY OF SOULS by Christopher Rice, 4 Stars
I'm not sure if it's actually written for teenage readers, but I read it. I think it was very good for his first book, but it's nothing like what his mother writes. No vampires, witches, mummies, etc. It's based on three best friends, and during Junior High they lose one of their friends..you'll see why if you read it; I wouldn't want to give the ending away.

megs_baby04@yahoo.com
WHIRLIGIG by Paul Fleischman, 4 stars
This was a really good book about a teenage boy, Brent, who tries to kill himself by wrecking his car, when he kills the girl in the other car, Lea. As a punishment for this, Lea's mother wants him to post whirligigs, Lea's favorite toy as a child, in the four corners of the country. As he travels, he meets many different people who make an impact on his life. This book was rather short in quantity, but gives you the
best parts without all that other mumbo-jumbo.

TidBit909@aol.com
BRIDGET JONES' DIARY by Helen Fielding, 4 stars
This book is fun to read and easy to relate to. The book is basically about Bridget's life and her need to fulfill her New Year's resolutions. You feel like you are right there next to the alcohol, calorie, lottery ticket, cigarette counting nut! It takes you day by day through her life for one whole year. If you like this book you can go on and read the sequel to it which is already out!

Pink Cutie218   
My favorite book is GO ASK ALICE. It is a book about a girl growing up. She falls in with the wrong crowd and starts drugs. Eventually, she ends up addicted, and can't get off.  In the end, she even dies. It goes to show you that drugs can really mess up lives. The consequences are deadly.

boyzaremean@yahoo.com
GIFTED TOUCH by Melinda Metz, 4 and a half stars
This book is wicked cool. And scary and weird.

DarkShadez97@aol.com
THE SILVER KISS by Annette Curtis Klause
It has a sad but happy ending

BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE by Annette Curtis Klause
Unexpected happy ending

Bratsos414@aol.com
BURNING FOR REVENGE by John Marsden, 4 stars
This book is about a group of 5 teenagers who live in Australia when their country is invaded. It tells about how they work to fight these invaders, and get their country back to the way it was before the war. This is an awesome book, though not as good as the first book in the series: TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN

girlstar87@aol.com
ANGUS THONGS AND FULL-FRONTAL SNOGGING by Louise Rennison, 5 stars
It's so so so funny. I love the British slang!

penultimate77@aol.com
Let's see, let's see... I have to say the new Ursula LeGuin book, TALES FROM EARTHSEA (or something like that) was pretty great. Be careful though. If you haven't read any other books from the Earthsea series, I'm not sure this one will make all that much sense. As LeGuin, herself, says in the in beginning of the book, start with WIZARD OF EARTHSEA.

My question is this, though. LeGuin has been writing fantasy for years and is totally amazing. Why isn't she as trendy or popular as J.K. Rowling? I hate to say it but compared to the Earthsea gang, Harry Potter and co. seem about as interesting as the Scooby gang.