Louder Than Words by Jenny McCarthy

Reading level: Adult
4 out of 5

One morning Jenny sensed something was wrong with her son and she ran to his room. Evan was having a seizure in his crib. 911 was called and Jenny and Evan's medical journey began. Evan was diagnosed with epilepsy even though it didn't run in the family and he hadn't suffered an injury to the head. The seizure medication helped the seizures but Evan wasn't responding. He was in his own world. Jenny was relentless to find out what was really wrong. Finally after going to a different doctor Evan was diagnosed with Autism. Then began Jenny's journey to pull her son out of his world of Autism. She did that by researching, talking to other parents, getting Evan enrolled in a school that helped Autistic children, and just never giving up. Then finally she discovered an intense combination of behavioral therapy, diet, and supplements that became the key to saving Evan from Autism. This book is very inspiring. Jenny didn't just accept that her son had Autism she became a detective and found what would help heal her son.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Reading Level: Young Adult
4 out of 5


What happens when you put together the head cheerleader and a gang member? Love of course. I'm not making fun I really enjoyed this book and I like when opposites attract. At Fairfield High School, in the outskirts of Chicago, the south siders and the north siders don't mix well. So when Brittany Ellis (head cheerleader) and Alex Fuentes (gang member) get paired up in chemistry sparks start to fly and they are not generated from lab experiments. Brittany thinks that she has Alex all figured out and Alex thinks the same of Brittany but in reality they don't know anything.

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

Terra Cooper is tall, blond, and has an enviable body but with the turn of her cheek everyone stares at the red birthmark that covers half of her face. Born with a port wine stain all the treatments over the years have not helped so Terra keeps her face hidden under layers of makeup. She's ashamed of her face and her controlling father never lets her forget about her "flaw".

Sometimes when I read a book a character just rubs me the wrong way. Terra's father did just that. He is a map maker that was exiled when he said that China found America first. This has made him mean and bitter and he verbally takes it out on his wife and children. I really wanted to step into the book and slap him. He is a bully and I don't like bullies.

Terra's plan is to graduate high school a year early and go to a college as far away from her father as possible but her father tells her he won't pay for any college but the local one. Terra feels defeated just like her mother who consoles herself with food. One day Terra almost runs over Jacob and her life gets turned around. He challenges her assumptions about herself and her life and she wonders about her true path.

This story really is about finding yourself and learning to love yourself. Very good read.

Hold Still by Nina Lacour

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

How would you feel if one day you are laughing with your friend and the next day she is gone? Gone by suicide. Caitlin and Ingrid are best friends. Ingrid tells Caitlin that she will go wherever she goes and by the next day Ingrid is dead. Caitlin is devastated. How did she not see the signs? Could she have helped her friend? One day Caitlin finds Ingrid's journal under her bed. Ingrid had to have deliberately put it there because Ingrid didn't go anywhere without her journal. Caitlin lets herself read one entry a day so she can keep Ingrid with her as long as possible. The days and months after Ingrid's suicide Caitlin starts to heal with the help of her parents, her new friend Dylan, love interest Taylor, and Ingrid's journal. This is a very heartfelt book and you feel for Ingrid and Caitlin. Suicide is sad and hard to understand, especially for the ones left behind. From the book jacket, "Nina LaCour brings the changing seasons of Caitlin's first year without Ingrid to the page with indelible emotion and honesty."

The Politician by Andrew Young

Reading Level: Adult
(4 out of 5)

Even though this book may be a “tell all” by Andrew Young, John Edwards’ aid of 10 years, it is a very eye-opening comment on the personal relationships between aspiring presidential candidates, their aids, family members and entourage. In the Politician Andrew Young has exposed the egotism and unacceptable behavior of a man who wanted to be the leader of the free world. Although he was an accomplice in John Edwards’ extramarital affair and abuse of power, you may understand Andrew Young’s motivations even if you do not agree. Look for the illusions and delusions that are inherent in people whose lives revolve around power and money. After you read this book you may become more skeptical and cynical about the political process … which is after all a good thing for a free country.

Submitted by Helen

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garicia and Margaret Stohl

Reading Level: Young Adult
(5 out of 5)

This book is right up there with Twilight for me. If you are a fan of Stephenie Meyer, Cassandra Clare, or Claudia Gray check out Beautiful Creatures. It's sooooooooo good! I loved the characters, the setting, the story, everything.

Ethan Wate has been having dreams about a girl. Then this girl moves into town. Lena Duchannes is the girl he has been dreaming about and he feels a undeniable connection between them and he is determined to figure the connection out. You can't help but fall in love with Ethan and Lena and their families. The characters are well developed and the story just flows. This book is full of romance, danger, and magic. I can't wait for the next one, Beautiful Darkness, that comes out in October.

Immortal by Gillian Shields

Reading Level: Young Adult
(3 out of 5)

Evie Johnson is sent to Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies when her grandmother is put in a nursing home and her father is in the army. Wyldcliffe is housed in a Gothic mansion on the bleak northern moors, is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming.

When Evie gets to the school she finds that the teaching is strict, the students are snobbish, and the oppressive atmosphere leaves her feeling lonely. Her only lifeline is Sebastian who she meets by chance. Soon she is sneaking out to see him every night but something about him doesn't add up. Evie is haunted by a ghostly girl that looks a lot like her. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of the past and present that she cannot control.

What I liked about this book is that the chapters alternate between Evie and the diary of Agnes. Evie is in the present while Agnes lived in the past. Of course I'm pretty sure there will be a second book because everything doesn't get resolved at the end but I couldn't find any information about a second book.