Book Description

Welcome to New York City's Upper East Side where my friends and I live, and go to school, and play, and sleep- sometimes with each other.We all live in huge apartments with our own bedrooms and bathrooms and phone lines.We're smart, we've inherited classic good looks, we have fantastic clothes, and we know how to party...

Introducing Gossip Girl, a wickedly funny and risquÈ paperback original novel about the provocative lives of New York City's most prestigious private school young adults.Gossip Girl herself is an anonymous narrator with the ultimate insider scoop on the inner-workings of this privileged society because she's one of them.Sharp wit, intriguing characters, and high stakes melodrama drive the action of this addictive novel that will make Gossip Girl the lit world's new "it" girl.

In Gossip Girl, when the beautiful Serena van der Woodsen returns to private school after mysteriously getting kicked out of boarding school, the whole school is talking.All Blair Waldorf knows is that there's no freaking way Serena's going to just waltz back in with her Jimmy Choo mules and Kate Spade bag and steal everyone's heart again.But Serena's got other things on her mind, like college pressure and living up to everyone else's extreme expectations.Plus there's that Ryan Phillippe-looking guy who stands across the street and stares at her all the time.

It's going to be a wild and wicked year, I can smell it.

Love,

Gossip Girl ... Read more

Reviews (163)

Juicy Gossip!
Wanna know how the other half lives? From the viewpoint of a teenager? Then Gossip Girl will provide! One part internet gossip site and two parts rousing commentary from rich Upper East Side private school-ers. Gossip Girl is a lot of fun; the characters are smart, spoiled, selfish and too big for their britches; and the storyline, which takes place in the matter of a week or so, spotlights the best mix of teen angst in a grown-up world.

Serena van der Woodsen is back in town after a year of boarding school in Connecticut, and things couldn't be worse. Seems something is amiss with Serena's old friends. Blair, Isabel and Kati have better things to do besides wonder what Serena did to get kicked out of boarding school. However, not everyone is upset over Serena's return: Blair's boyfriend, Nate, is having a hard time being faithful; Nate's slimy friend, Chuck, is hoping the rumors of Serena's promiscuity are true; and Jenny, Dan and Vanessa find things in common with their new friend.

Not sure if this book would be for the young adult set or not, but it would be a great book either way. A different teen novel where no one gets carded, everyone smokes and fundraising parties (complete with Kate Spade goodie bags) are hosted by illustrious teenage committees. Very quick read and simple writing that doesn't sound like a high school essay. I recommend this novel with two manicured thumbs up! Hope there is a sequel in the works.

AWESOME
The first Gossip Girl book was incredibly addicting. It was also very funny and entertaining. Blair Waldorf, one of the most popular and wealthy girls at her school in New York, is a character that people love to read about. Yeah, she's very bitchy, but it just makes the book a lot more addicting and hilarious. This first book in the series is about Blair's best(ditzy) friend Serena coming back to NY after a year at boarding school (of which she was kicked out). Blair, who is mad at her, decides to take revenge on her former best friend. Awesome light read.

Incredibly stupid
I dont know about the rest of you but thid book is pretty pitiful. These people in these book are incredibly sad and dumb. They put on shows for everyone else and never show true feelings. Yeah they're all rich and well-off but its absolutely ridiculous. The gossip is the dumbest thing i've ever heard. And thats mostly what they do: gossip. The parents the kids, everybody. If this was reccommended to you from sisterhood DO NOT READ IT. Its crap and a waste of time trust me. Read Sloppy Firsts or The Black Book: The Diary Of a Teenage Stud

OMGosh! This book is so incredibly addicting!
I love to read and I must say that this is one of the most addicting books I have ever read. Once you start to read it you just can't put it down. The lives of these Upper East Side teens are just so juicy! Serena is the greatest but Blair is just so.... b****y. (But she gets nicer ;) )Keep reading this amazing series and if you haven't started yet then do so now!

Surprising
By the first three chapters, I was convinced this was the most immature book I've ever read. I thought it was a waste of time. As I continued, it became addictive. Now, by the time I finished, I'm can't wait to start book two. It was stupid, but I still loved it. The entire attitude of the characters and situations makes you think, "I can't believe this!" but still gets you wanting more, you just can't get enough. ... Read more

Book Description

Alice
COULD BE ANYONE.

Alice
COULD BE SOMEONE YOU KNOW.

Alice
USES DRUGS.

With over a million copies in print, Go Ask Alice has become a classic of our time. This powerful real-life diary of a teenager's struggle with the seductive -- often fatal -- world of drugs and addiction tells the truth about drugs in strong and authentic voice. Tough and uncompromising, honest and disturbing -- and even more poignant today -- Go Ask Alice is page-turning and provocative reading. ... Read more

Reviews (904)

The strong impact of this book is not always positive....
I am a high school counselor who deals with many real-life Alices every day. I was also a teen in the 1970s and read this book over and over.I still have my copy but I am not encouraging my own children or the children I work with to "learn a lesson" from it.

As others have said in the reviews, this is definitely a fictional account and I think that it can actually encourage drug use or at least risk taking behavior on the part of daring and confused teens. Alice had no real "battle scars"; She didn't O.D., she didn't get pregnant or become infected with an STD. She found friends, work and places to live and she even managed to keep a jounal (and hold onto the various pages, paper bags, etc that she wrote on even when everything else seemed to be falling apart. How unreal can you get!). And, in the end, her mommy and daddy saved her and everything was peachy keen. I found this lifestyle exciting and inviting as a teen, not a dire warning at all. Alice turned out okay and she even gained fame by writing a book. The kids who find this a caurtinary tale are likely the kids who woudn't get involved in drugs in the first place. For the rest of those seeking teens, it is just one more romantic picture of life on the streets.

I am concerned about the number of young people who seem to have found this book such a chilling and realistic portrayal of the life of a drug using runaway. They have a great deal to learn about life and, as their caretakers, we have a responsibility to give them realistic information, not propaganda that can do more harm than good in the end.

Go Ask Alice ( Heather Hendrickson )
I read the book Go Ask Alice. I thought it was the best book I have ever read in my life. I really dont like books but when i read this book I get all into it and can relate in several ways. This book is a true diary about a fifteen year old girl. Who does several drugs and finds herself with the wrong friends and gets into a lot of trouble. She lives with her parents and has two younger siblings, Alex and Tim. Her family moves away from her Grandparents, whom are very close to her. She goe to visit them in the summer.
When she was invited to a party, thats when she had first tried LSD. Which is a very dangerous drug. She didn't know she had taken it because they were playing a game "Button Button."
She wrote everything that had happened the first time she got high in her diary. This one drug lead into many more. She writes every issue that goes on in her life in this diary. There are many hardships in this book that she went through. In many ways I know a lot of teenagers can relate to her, and understand what she went through. I did and I enjoyed the book once you start you can't stop. There is many many problems in her life, and the only way you'll ever find out is if you read her diary.
Something very terrible happens to her in the end, it has to do with a pill. What happened to her?...Well read the greatest book ever and you will find out. Read Go Ask Alice, and you'll cry and laugh but most of all you'll put yourself in her shoes and say, " Wow she really had it tough. "

Thank you for your time in reading this. I really hope you get the chance to enjoy this book. Anyone can read it because you'll fall in love with this girl when you read her TRUE LIFE DIARY!

Heather Hendrickson

How can you not love it?
I can't imagine how anyone could read this book and not love it. I think it could only be a man who wouldn't like this book. I still have my mom's copy of this book from when she was a teenager. It has been passed from one girl to another through two generations and when my daughter is old enough, she'll read it too. The book is wonderful insight on how a young woman of the time could feel inside. How drugs could take over a girl from the right side of the tracks and how the parents never even really noticed. This book used to be required reading in most high schools and I think it still should be.

I liked it
its been awhile since i read it but when i did as a teenager i loved it!

Belivable to a point............
When I first came to know this book and what the plot was about it peeked my interest. I then started reading and felt saddened for this character. A Young girl who off and on has self esteem issues. She believes she does not fit into her family and she goes through the usual girl angst liking a boy who does not seem to take notice of her. In the end she is introduce to drugs by some classmates. This starts her into a spiral of drugs and sex. The Young lady never has sex without the drugs, in some of her entry in this diary(that supposedly at first glance is real) she hopes to someday enjoy sex without the drugs. As I was reading this book and reasearching to see if it could be found who this is individual is i found out it was not a real person but a work of fiction written by a Dr. Beatrice Sparks. To me it did take away a little of how i felt about the book. I thought it did not make sense for her to kill off the character after she had been through so much(running away coming back and being in a mental institution and getting help) That was never explain which left me to believe that the good old doctor just wanted to shock teens into the reality of drugs. I commend and will reommend this book but yet i felt she should not have killed off the character after pages of pages of her trying to get help eventhough, i know in the real word addicts do die trying to stay clean. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Amazing
The GG books are the greatest books written. Between Blair and her jelousy and Serena with her flings there was just so much action. It was non stop amazment and I think it only fit that every teenage girl experiance the GG phenomenon, it's worth the time spent in your room to read these amazing books!

Extraordinary Books!
I absolutely love the Gossip Girl book series! I read all five of the books in about 8 or 9 days ... they were that good!! Although the characters in the Gossip Girl series are mind-blowingly rich, it seems that they deal with the same problems as average teens, such as drugs, back-stabbing friends, and break-ups. When you think about it, that's really the messege of these books: that we're not all as different as we think we are. Also, Cecily von Ziegesar is such a convincing writer, sometimes I feel like I know Blair, Serena, Nate, and the rest of the gang, instead of them just being fictional characters! I recommend the Gossip Girl series to anyone who enjoys romance, drama, comedy, and rich people making fools of themselves!

It's actually pretty good!
Ok...This book wasn't like OMG I love it, but it was a really good book for teenagers. It has plenty of characters that you can get a feel for. It's a great book once you really get into it. You're kind of always wondering what's going to happen next.

AWSOME BOOKS!!!
this is such an awsome book, if your into girlie girlie type books...'ve 3 of them and am currently reading the 4th...you should tottally read these books. they're a little hard to get into but once you do your hooked! i hear the 5th is best so get reading...also i suggest the A-List novels...those are WAY better then these even though these books are good.

THE best books ever!
My friend gave me the first book. I was reluctant to read it. It didn't look great. The next week i had finished all 5 of them. My new favorite series. I loved them all sooooo much. i instantly felt compassion for blair, hatred toward serena, and attracted to nate, except for the weed. They were characters almost no one can relate to, but we love them anyway. If you haven't read these 5 treasures, do it now or regret it forever. ... Read more

Reviews (78)

Beginnings of a Very Good Series for Teenage Girls
Anna, a high school girl from New York's elite society decides to make the move across the country to live with her father in "Hollywierd." She is trying to reinvent herself into a new, more exciting Anna and within her first 24 hours in California she does just that.

Anna meets a college boy on the plane trip who invites her to a celebrity wedding. Anna accepts his invitation and attends the wedding where she meets Cammie, Sam, and Dee- The A-List. Cammie, Sam, and Dee are not overly happy with a new girl showing up to the wedding with the guy they all secretly have crushes on themselves. Anna's first few days in her new hometown are quite an adventure. This book ends with Anna attending her first day at the same school as the rest of the girls, setting up what is sure to be an entertaining school year to come.

What makes this book different from other series featuring young girls in California is that this one has some class. There are various references to classical music, poets, and theater which is refreshingly different. Anna, is very smart, well educated, and has good morals. Also, all the characters have at least some likable qualities. Cammie, who is easily the most difficult to like character even has a secret tender side that the reader is let in on. If the rest of the series keeps up these qualities then it should be an entertaining but intelligent read.

The Best Book Since A long Time
The A-List is a novel about a privileged girl named Ana who moves from New York to live with her dad in California for an internship with a literacy company. Ana is not your typical rich girl, she has depth, feeling, and wants more out of life than her new off the runway Prada handbag. Her parents are divorced, and her dad was hardly around since his work is his life and her mother will only do whats in her How to Live Rich Book. She leaves behind her best friend, Cynthia. Cynthia is everything that Ana isn't. Shes aggressive, outgoing, and not afraid to voice what she feels. Ana wishes to have some of these characteristics, and those wants are put to test the very moment she arrives on the plane heading towards Beverly Hills, California. She will encounter drunken old men, Cali. girls that have their noses stuck so far up that they don't even know whats bellow them, and a guy that could ultimately be "the one." Read and find out how Ana's life will end, or begin?

Wannabe Gossip Girl
It was interesting at first. It was catty and entertaining but as i turned each page, I could see how superficial and unrealistic the events in this book were. Its about a rich girl, Anna Percy, who decides to move to LA for a while so she can let loose. She gets to attend a celebrity wedding and meets hot guys and mean girls. All the characters in this book are spoiled, mean, brats with Louis Vuitton bags and money doesnt matter to them. Its too unrealistic and like Anna Percy said, "are these bad lines from a trashy teen novel?"...or something like that.

It tries to be like Gossip Girl and Sloppy Firsts but it doesnt succeed. I say, don't waste your time on this. Instead, try the ones I just compared with: Gossip Girl and Sloppy Firsts.

mediocre, at best
I picked up this book because it was recomended in the Gossip Girl series. I was, however, disappointed. The story is too slow-moving and the narrator was quite boring. I didn't like the style in which it was written, because it gave no depth or excitement to the story. I couldn't even get through the entire book, and had to stop midway. The A-List is one of those books that you have to keep putting down to go and do something else, otherwise your brain will explode from boredom. That's how I saw it, anyway. None of the characters were especially interesting, the plot pretty much reeked, and it moved. so. slowly. I definitley wasted my money on this book. (...)

very average
plotless. dry. there are many other words to describe dean's THE A-LIST, but most of them are too foul for FCC regulations.

The book is basically one girl's journey through L.A, while she falls in love with the wrong guy and gets on the bad side of the "a-list": bitchy Cammie, insecure Sam, and oversexed pseudo-hippie dee. when i first bought it and read it, i thought wow, this is like MEAN GIRLS, when it's really not. rereading it, it seemed boring, unfunny, and not even in the LEAST way similar to Gossip Girl, it's obvious parent.

there's a line between catty and stupid. THE A-LIST is neither. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ellen Hopkins's semi-autobiographical verse novel, Crank, reads like a Go Ask Alice for the 21st century. In it, she chronicles the turbulent and often disturbing relationship between Kristina, a character based on her own daughter, and the "monster," the highly addictive drug crystal meth, or "crank." Kristina is introduced to the drug while visiting her largely absent and ne'er-do-well father. While under the influence of the monster, Kristina discovers her sexy alter-ego, Bree: "there is no perfect daughter, / no gifted high school junior, / no Kristina Georgia Snow. / There is only Bree." Bree will do all the things good girl Kristina won't, including attracting the attention of dangerous boys who can provide her with a steady flow of crank. Soon, her grades plummet, her relationships with family and friends deteriorate, and she needs more and more of the monster just to get through the day. Kristina hits her lowest point when she is raped by one of her drug dealers and becomes pregnant as a result. Her decision to keep the baby slows her drug use, but doesn't stop it, and the author leaves the reader with the distinct impression that Kristina/Bree may never be free from her addiction. In the author's note, Hopkins warns "nothing in this story is impossible," but when Kristina's controlled, high-powered mother allows her teenage daughter to visit her biological father (a nearly homeless known drug user), the story feels unbelievable. Still, the descriptions of crystal meth use and its consequences are powerful, and will horrify and transfix older teenage readers, just as Alice did over 20 years ago. --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sharon Draper has indeed forged a fiery name for herself in the field of young adult literature--that of a courageous writer, willing to tackle tough, real-life problems while developing honorable, streetwise role models for troubled teens. Her previous novel, Tears of the Tiger, garnered much acclaim and became the first recipient of the Coretta Scott King Genesis Award. In this second novel, Draper weaves in characters from Tears--most significantly Gerald Nickleby, a young basketball player who discovers his innate strength and determination while protecting his stepsister's safety and his mother's honor.

Unfortunately, Draper's strengths (her desire to delve into tough social issues, such as child abuse, drug addiction, incest, bulimia, and domestic violence) become this book's weakness as the story line teeters on implausible. For example, in less than 20 pages Gerald faces the following: the death of a close friend (a passenger in a car that was driven by a drunk teammate); the discovery of his drunk, evil stepfather trying to sexually assault his younger stepsister; a brutal attack by his stepfather; and a raging apartment fire that threatens to kill them all. Nonetheless, Draper creates believable and important heroes for teenage boys--those who are forged from adversity, only to burn more brightly and courageous. (Ages 12 and older) --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (90)

I really like the book because it was very realistic.
The book Forged By Fire by Sharon M. Draper tells us about a boy named Gerald Nickelby who, when his loving aunt dies, is suddenly thrust into a new home filled with anger and abuse. A stepfather with a temper and an evil secret makes Gerald mad. Gerald and Angel grow close as he strives to protect her from Jordon and from their substance addicted mother. Sharon M. Draper hooks the readers by having something interesting happen and leaves you in suspense throughout the book. The storytelling pace was not fast and not to slow , but very action packed. It weaves the present and the past into a beautiful telling motion. The setting and the atmosphere is an abusive atmosphere in an cramped apartment in Cincinnati. The main characters are Gerald Nickelby, a young basketball player who discovers his strength and determination while protecting his stepsister's safety and his mother's honor. Aunt Queen is very loving and is the best aunt you could ever have. Angel is Gerald's youngest stepsister. Jordan is an abusive stepfather, and Monique is a substance -addicted mother. I understand the horrible feelings of an abandoned boy whose life is ruined when he meets his little sister and finds out that she's getting abused. As the book nears the end, the drug- addicted mother by the name of Monique now realizes the truth about Jordan. I really loved these book. It was one of the best books I've read in along time. It makes you think twice about taking life for granted. I think these would be a good book young adults (12-older) to adults.

Best book
Ashlie Roberts 01-10-01 3B In my sophomore English class we had to read a book that our teacher chose for us. I pick this one because it just seemed to relate to teenagers and some difficulties growing up. I read 'Forged by Fire' by Sharon M. Draper that is a well-written book. If I were Siskel & Ebert, I would give it two thumbs up! I got the book through an assignment in English class and read the whole thing in one day. I never put it down. It can really relate to life these days and how the world is so messed up. Just thinking about how those kids grow up makes me think of a life I could have had. It shows me how lucky we can be even we don't have a perfect lives. I can feel so much sorrow for someone I don't even know. Its plot and setting and everything seem to fit the problems of today's society. The first chapter shows Gerald, a three-year-old African American boy whose mother is addicted to drugs and leaves him alone all the time. After leaving him by himself one day, he gets a lighter and catches the apartment on fire. Luckily, a neighbor remembers to check for the boy. Gerald almost dies from smoke inhalation. His mother is taken to a drug rehab center; he goes to live with his Aunt Queen. After living nine wonderful years with Aunt Queen, he has a few surprises waiting for him. On his ninth birthday his life goes down hill from then. Gerald who takes responsibilities of his young sister who soon finds out about after living with his mom. For they have many obstacles to go through in life with only themselves to depend on.

Great!
This book was awesome and you don't need to be a certain color to enjoy it. It is a book that transcends color and tells you an emotionally deep story. I read it in one sitting. It is amazingly well written and refreshingly free of dirty language. Highly recommended!

Kris's book review
I really liked this book a lot. I would have to say that its the best book i've ever read. At the end of every chapter, the book kept you guessing and made you want to read more. The main character Gerald was my age, and I could relate to him very easily. It was about child abuse and drugs, and a lot of kids go thru this.
The worst part of the book is when Gerald's aunt Queen dies. He is thirteen years old, and has to go live with his mother who just got out of prison. They live in Atlanta, Georgia in a small apartment with Gerald, his mom Moniue, his sister Angel, and his stepdad Joradan.
The climax is definetly vivid along with the resolution. The climax is when Aunt Queen dies because there is much emphasis on that event. The resolution is also very vivid because Jordan dies in a fire. He molested Gerald's sister Angel, and beat him and his mom Monique, so he deserved to die.

mario's book review
I liked this book because it has a lot of relations to me when i was young. In this story there is a lot of brutal situations. It involves a boy and his little sister who has a lot of problems at home with there stepfather who is a major alcaholic and he cant control the things he says or does. The mother is very scared of the stepfather and he often hurts her to. The boys name is Gerald and his sisters name is Angel the stepfathers name is Jordan. Jordan doesnt bother Gerald often but whenever no ones there but him and Angel he tries to molest her. The only person that knows about it is Gerald and he tries everything he can to stop it. ... Read more

Reviews (215)

Tears of a Tiger: A story of Death and Depression
Tears of a Tiger, a novel by Sharon M. Draper, is an excellent choice for both teenagers and adults alike. The book is about four friends, Andy, Rob, B.J., and Tyrone have a beer in celebration of a major basketball victory. Andy begins to drive to his friend Kiesha's house, even though he is drunk. Without seeing it until the last second, Andy slams his compact Cheverlet Chevette into a wall, making the car burst into flames. Andy, B.J., and Tyrone escape from the car with minor injuries, but Rob is trapped inside the vehicle. Andy, B.J., and Rob try helplessly to rescue their friend, but the gas tank explodes, forcing the flames in the car to change from a small internal fire to a blazing inferno.
B.J. and Tyrone learn to deal with the tradgedy, but Andy is not able to recover easily. The remainder of the story is how Andy deals with the accident, even if that means hurting himself both mentally and phisically. I reccommend this book to all teenagers and adults because it discusses today's real-life issues that are applicable to everyone, especially teenagers. Also, the book is written from different people's perspectives, so you understand what the main characters are thinking. The novel explains that teenagers want the responsibilites of adults and think that they are immortal and nothing bad can ever happen to them.

In the Blinking of a Eye peoples lives change Forever...
The book,"Tears of a Tiger", by Sharon Mills Draper is a book I personally enjoyed and probably never forget. It teaches you that anything can happen to anyone and that life is a precious and once in a lifetime experience and to enjoy it while you can and be friendly and nice to everyone because you don't know if you will see them tomorrow. Somethings I liked about the book was it had newspaper articles, character's homework, diaries and letters. The author didn't just write it out the way books are usually printed. It's sort of like a diary. Also I liked it because she used words teens use. Monty (Andy's little brother) is my favorite character because when Andy is depressed and not himself Monty seems to give him a bit of hope.I liked it when the class was having a lesson on Macbeth who had killed his best friend, women and children, and the King. Also I liked the part when Keisha Montgomery wrote an essay on the importance of friedship and how its wonderful to have friends. What happened in the book could happen to anyone and also is funny, sad, and sus- pensful. I would highly recommend this to teens mainly in their late teens through early 20's.

The best book ever
Sharon M. Draper's Tears of a Tiger is the story of an unraveling black teenager who goes through a lot of pain, stress, and trauma. Sharon M. Draper writes in such a way that her literature literally brings tears to your eyes. This book describes bonds between friendship and love in a spectacular way. Tears of a Tiger presents the readers with lessons about drunk-driving and love.
17-year-old Andy Jackson discovers a world of depression when he and three other friends live a fatal car-accident. Andy, Rob, Tyrone and B.J. are four friends who celebrate after success in a high-school basketball game. All except B.J. drink during their ride on the car, even the driver, Andy. The likely conclusion that would occur happened, Andy crashed the car. All survived but Rob.
After Rob's death, Andy starts to go into a world of his own where he faces a lot of problems. He feels that Rob's death was his fault because he caused the car to crash. Without Andy, Rob wouldn't have been dead. That's not Andy's only problem. Andy's been having a lot of problems with his girlfriend. Andy's girlfriend, Keisha doesn't seem to like the fact that Andy has been in his own world. Lately she has noticed that Andy ignores her and starts being more and more of a pain. After they break up something terrible happens. If you read the book you'll find out.
This book was written in such a way that it was hard to put down. The author's style made you want to keep on reading. Each chapter was very unique. There were chapters that were newspaper articles and also phone conversations. By reading this book, I thought the author was a very creative person.
Tears of a Tiger is one of those books that the reader can generate a lot of thought. This book is filled with connection to the real world. This book shows the reader the consequences of drunk driving. Many teens can relate to this book, and that's what makes this book fun to read.
All and all, this was a very satisfying book. One downside may be that the author uses too much dialogue, other than that it's perfect. I would definitely recommend this book to adults and young adults. The ending left me hanging and wondering a lot about what was going on in Andy's head. I was thinking about all those people whose lives were ruined by drunk-drinking. This book left me thinking about how well the author constructed the narrative and how the situation was so realistic. This is one of those books which a reader can not put down because of its superior quality.

One of the best books ever!!!!!!
Sharon M. Draper's Tears of a Tiger is the story of an unraveling black teenager who goes through a lot of pain, stress, and trauma. Sharon M. Draper writes in such a way that her literature literally brings tears to your eyes. This book describes bonds between friendship and love in a spectacular way. Tears of a Tiger presents the readers with lessons about drunk-driving and love.
17-year-old Andy Jackson discovers a world of depression when he and three other friends live a fatal car-accident. Andy, Rob, Tyrone and B.J. are four friends who celebrate after success in a high-school basketball game. All except B.J. drink during their ride on the car, even the driver, Andy. The likely conclusion that would occur happened, Andy crashed the car. All survived but Rob.
After Rob's death, Andy starts to go into a world of his own where he faces a lot of problems. He feels that Rob's death was his fault because he caused the car to crash. Without Andy, Rob wouldn't have been dead. That's not Andy's only problem. Andy's been having a lot of problems with his girlfriend. Andy's girlfriend, Keisha doesn't seem to like the fact that Andy has been in his own world. Lately she has noticed that Andy ignores her and starts being more and more of a pain. After they break up something terrible happens. If you read the book you'll find out.
This book was written in such a way that it was hard to put down. The author's style made you want to keep on reading. Each chapter was very unique. There were chapters that were newspaper articles and also phone conversations. By reading this book, I thought the author was a very creative person.
Tears of a Tiger is one of those books that the reader can generate a lot of thought. This book is filled with connection to the real world. This book shows the reader the consequences of drunk driving. Many teens can relate to this book, and that's what makes this book fun to read.
All and all, this was a very satisfying book. One downside may be that the author uses too much dialogue, other than that it's perfect. I would definitely recommend this book to adults and young adults. The ending left me hanging and wondering a lot about what was going on in Andy's head. I was thinking about all those people whose lives were ruined by drunk-drinking. This book left me thinking about how well the author constructed the narrative and how the situation was so realistic. This is one of those books which a reader can not put down because of its superior quality.

TEARS OF A TIGER
The book was outstanding it taught me alot.I think Sharon Draper made the story seem so realistic and life like , I could hardly put the book down. The hurt and guilt that Andy Jackson had to deal with after killing his bestfriend ,while driving drunk was really more than he could handle. Him not realizing who to turn to the hurt and pain was eating away at him. So the only way out to him was to klii himself and get it all over with. I recommend anyone who haven't read this book to do so because it is amazing. As a teenager I could really relate with this story.
By Tynia Mitchell
St Louis Mo ... Read more

Amazon.com

The loveable, disaster-prone hero of Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key isback, this time in charge of his attention deficit disorder and ready to greetthe world as a normal kid--with the help of his new and improved meds, ofcourse. Now that Joey has a handle on his actions, he feels prepared to face themost mysterious member of his family--his estranged father, Carter Pigza. Heconvinces his skeptical mom to let him spend part of his summer vacation gettingto know his dad again. The only problem is that Joey's dad is just as wired asJoey used to be: "I looked over at his mouth, which never seemed to close--noteven the lips touched together--and it made me dizzy to listen to him." Carterbelieves that Joey can kick his ADD the way he himself kicked alcoholism--coldturkey. But when Carter flushes his meds, Joey has to decide if being friendswith his dad is worth losing his hard-won self-control. "That old Joey wascoming to get me and I couldn't do anything about it... I closed my eyes andtold myself to sleep while I could."

Jack Gantos's second book about Joey Pigza is just as delightful and soulful ashis first. Joey's attempts to keep the fragile peace in his life intact aretouching, and his intense longing to just be normal will mirror the feelings ofmost preteens, whether they have ADD or not. Joey Pigza may sometimes losecontrol, but he never loses his heart. This is an exceptional sequel. (Ages 10and older) --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Reviews (102)

Summer Reading
Joey's dad convinces Joey's mom to let Joey stay with him for the summer. Things go haywire when Joey's dad gets rid of his medicine. This causes many problems. So, will he get his medicine back?

JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTEL is a great book for a
Gross and funny laugh.

Think about reading it.
Joey Pigza is a kid who is on medicine for his hyperactivity. He meets his dad.His dad doesn't like the fact that he is on meds for his hyperactivity, so he flushes his meds down the toilet. After that day, Joey starts to lose control. Will Joey ever get back on his meds? Read this book to find out. This book is for anyone who wants a good laugh and loves a crazy story. It is a great story; I would read it over and over again.

Six Star Review
The good news, Joey's got 6 weeks with his dad.
The bad news, He's a Maniac!

Yes, Pigza's in for a bumpy ride down crazy town.He's playing hooky, turning himself into the abominable snowman and other crazy things.Can Joey ever pull himself together long enough to escape a madman of his father?

Prepare to bust a gut laughing cause this book is 101%gauranteed to have your family laugh so hard, they'll barf.

The Best Book Ever
Joey Pigza Loses Control
Joey Pigza is not so normal, but when he goes and lives with his dad we find out that Joeys' dad (Carter) isn't normal either. After Carter flushes Joeys' patches down the toilet, Joey does many strange things, from eating 1,000,000 jelly packets to trying to get back to his mom in his dad's car. After a while,Joey figures out that he needs his patches. What do you think will happen? Will he get his medicine or will he loses control?


Joey Pigza Loses Control is a funny book to read, but it teaches you that adults aren't always right about things.

Joey Pigza Loses Control


I kind of liked the story because, it sounded interesting. I wanted to find out if Joey's visit was worth it. I also think that Jack Gantos is a good author.

This book is about a boy named Joey who goes to visit his dad for the first time. His mom always said bad things about Carter, Joey's dad, but Joey was determined to find out the truth and prove she was wrong. So can they forget about the past or will it always be there? Joey has a problem, he can't sit still, and sometimes he can get a little carried away or, he just loses it all together. Carter's problem is he doesn't know how to treat his son and he drinks a lot of alcohol. They both take medicine patches to keep themselves in control but when Joey's dad takes the patches away, do you think the visit will still be the same so-so summer together or will it be a memory to last a lifetime...

In my opinion, I think that kids with similar disorder like A.D.D can relate to Joey and understand things from his point of view. This book is also kind of funny, so it can be fun just to read for school or in your spare time.
... Read more

Book Description

Gemma:"My parents are incompetent. They haven't got a clue..."

Tar: "I know it sounds stupid, but it was like the flowers had come out for Gemma..."

Lily: "They did everything they could to pin me down...my mum, my dad, school..."

Rob:"We stood for a while breathing big long breaths of air. It was cold and pure...You could feel it inside you, doing you good."

How do these teens come to run away from home? To be users? Addicts? As their stories intertwine and build, SMACK never lets up the pace. It is a book about people, families--real and those constructed by young people with no one to turn to but each other. SMACK is a book about a drug and the hold it can have. Written directly for its audience of young people and unflinching in its honesty, SMACK is the teen book of the year. ... Read more

Reviews (164)

Smack Shows The Progression Of Addiction
SMACK is a great read for teens and adults. What most impressed me was how Mr. Burgess shows the progression of addiction. They won't get hooked if they don't use a needle. They aren't hooked if they can stay off junk for a few days at a time. Their thinking becomes increasingly distorted as the addiction sucks them down. Even after shooting smack, Tar and Gemma still think they have some sort of control. After all, they only share needles with each other.

Tar loves Gems more than life itself, and they share everything. Towards the end, when she is sick in withdrawal, his love for heroin is stronger. After all, he only has enough for himself. This book is powerful stuff, and shows how an addict's mind works.

I am an adult and thoroughly enjoyed this book. I lent it to a 15 yr. old girl whose boyfriend recently returned from rehab for heroin addiction. When she returned the(paperback)book, the pages were curled and the cover worn. She loved the book, though admitted it made her cry. "It's so true," she said.

Compelling and Scary Downward Spiral
This is the story Tar and Gemma, two teenagers, who run away from their families in search of freedom and end up in a prison of their own creation -- drug addiction. This is a truly compelling book and I felt myself swept along in total sympathy with the main characters. At first it's all fun and games until they realize that you can't run away from certain basic human needs: the need for a home (which becomes a squat), the need for family (which becomes a group of squatters, who sadly are also junkies). It's only a matter of time before the lure of drugs (as a bonding ritual) takes over -- and then we watch these characters spiral downward. I read this book right after another Amazon purchase -- The Losers' Club by Richard Perez -- and while that novel isn't about drug addiction, but a 'failed,' lonely writer addicted to the personal ads, I was reminded of the need we all have to belong, to feel ALIVE. The story of Smack reminds us that we can never escape from ourselves, from certain innate human needs. And when we try to break away from the more traditional ways of life, those needs, that loneliness to belong is still there. I truly love this book and would recommend it to anyone. It's beautifully written and compelling. And sadly true.

BEST BOOK EVER!!
Smack is by far the best book I've ever read in my life. It's about two 14-year old teens, Tar and Gemma, who run away from their hometown. They meet alot of people and end up moving in with Lily and Rob, older heroin addicts. They get Tar anf Gemma into heroin and the two teens get stuck in a whirl-wind of drugs, sex, and booze. It's a great book about how messed up a persons life can get if you're out on your own. Fourtunatlly, Tar and Gemma get their lives somewhat back together, but they'll always have that addiction with them. This book is real, intence, and a great book. I reccomend this book to a mature audience because of the graphic details and swearing. Everyone should read Smack.

Amzing book!
This book was gripping from page one! It is the story about two teens,Tar and Gemma, who, fed up with their parents and their town, run away to the city. There they meet older kids who slowly get them hooked on heroin. The kids have nothing to rely on, nothing to keep them going, so they turn to each other and the drugs.

This book was incredible. I'm fourteen and in the beginning, I could relate to almost everything Gemma was going through: restrictive parents, wanting to run away.

Once the kids get into Bristol, its all fun and games at first. They live in a squat with a bunch of older kids who call themselves anarchists. They sit around all day, smoking pot and drinking, then go out at night and glue the locks on the bank doors. Nothing too terrible.

But then they meet another couple, who are so friendly and seem almost magical. They seem to have the right views on everything and pretty soon Tar and Gemma go to live with them.

The two older teens give them their hit of junk and pretty soon they're hooked. Gemma starts working as a prostitute to earn a little money for drugs, and evn when one of the girls gets pregnant and after a few near death experiences, no one can quit.

This is a very scary portrayal of what drugs can do to you. All these kids did was make a few bad choices and POOF their lives were ruined. I think if you've taken drugs, thought about taking them or thought there's no way you'd ever take them, you should read this book. It shows how easily you can get addicted and leaves a very long lasting impression.

Smack- A wonderful book.
I thought Smack was a great book. Every character in the book gets to share there point of view. You can feel everything in the book and almost see it as a movie running through your mind. I would reccomend this book to anyone who likes intence stories. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When we first meet 19-year-old Samantha, she sounds like a normalteenager, writing in her diary about an ex-boyfriend: "I will never fall in love again, never, ever! Why is life so cruel? Why do people like to hurt each other?" But a mere three months later--after moving into her own apartment, taking a job as a topless dancer, and becoming addicted to heroin--her tone takes on that of a grizzled drug abuser: "I've been shooting in my bony hip area... toward my groin, so no one can detect the needle points on my rear when I wear my G-string, and I'm getting terribly numb there." Samantha's story is told entirely in the form of her journal entries, which vividly reflect this young woman's rapid descent into the seedy world of addiction.

Author Linda Glovach creates a likable, believable character in Samantha: we recognize her humanity as a girl genuinely troubled by her mother's alcoholism (as well as by her mom's lascivious boyfriend); we feel the unconditional love she harbors for her diabetic Maine coon cat; we shake our heads as her greed for money and flippant attitude about her addiction cause Sam to make naive decisions. As Sam spirals further downward--still unaware of how far gone she really is, even though she can't complete a journal entry without shooting up--readers will feel the remorse of what could have been, and may learn a valuable lesson in the process. (Ages 13 and older) --Brangien Davis ... Read more

Reviews (56)

True to heart
This book made me very sad but i loved it. 19 year old Sam is struggling at home with her alcoholic mother and her mother's boyfriend Reed, who constantly makes passes at Sam. She decides to get her own apartment. She is currently working at a chicken restaurant. She and her friend decide to start a cleaning service and one of their customers says she knows of ways the girls can get money fast and easy: dancing. Sam decides to try it out. Then other dancers tell her she could make more as a topless dancer. The only way she would build up the courage to do this is with heroin. So she starts shooting up and one thing leads to another. Her thoughts and events are written in her diary, which she confides in deeply. throughout her tough addiction it doesnt help that she is stood-up by her "boyfriend". He just makes matters worse.
In some parts of the book I hated Sam and her boyfriend. I can't understand why she did what she did. It's sad. Then in some parts I pitied her. Her mother is too busy with her own problem that she wont help her daughter. The people who do know about Sam's problem dont really try to help her. but i guess you have to help yourself before others help you. Linda Glovach says she can personally relate to the heroin thing. She does a great job with this novel. Wasn't the best teen drug book i've read but it is worthwhile. it's a quick read and will leave you speechless. PEACE & LOVE

Beauty Queen: A Great Book
Beauty Queen
By: Linda Glovach
Reveiwed By: S.Ali
Period: 6

The book Beauty Queen is a very interseting book. This book is a journal of Samantha. She is depressed because her boyfriend dumps her. Her mother is an alcoholic. Samantha lived with her mother and, her mother's boyfriend. She decided she should move away from her mother and her mother's problems. Samantha gets a job as a exotic dancer to help her pay for her new apartment and to feed her and her cat Dinah. She has to pay her bills some how.

I really enjoyed reading this book, more than I liked reading other books. Usualy I don't like reading books in a journal format. But, this book is acceptable. This book is unlike any other book I have read. It is one of those books you will want to read over and over and over. This book is inappropriate for students of ages 12 and younger. Its more of an adult book.

There's nothing I didn't like about this book. It was an unusual book. I liked the way that the author wrote this book in a journal format. It was a fantastic book. It wants you to turn to the next page. To keep on reading the book until you're finished with the book. And, after the first time you were done reading the book. You still wanted to read it again.

My favorite part of the story is not reallty a part. It's more of a way the author did somthing to the book. The author made the book seem like a real journal, instead of a book. The author Linda Glovach made the book seem like a real journal. This is a good book for students who need or want to learn about what drugs can do to you. This book is very informative in that area. The main character, Sam, is going through so many problems. She thinks that drugs is the way out of her problems. But, in reality it just makes things worse.

LUved it
i really enjoyed reading this book. sum parts where a little scary to me because sometimes. but overall it was was really good. one of those books u can't wait to see wat happens next or even fears wat happens next.

eye opener>>amazing
i've never been one to read a book on my own. this was the first full book i read for my own pleasure and i couldn't put it down. i've read it three times and would read it again... the story is amazing and keeps you intrigued. i would def recommend this book.

unrealistic, yet effective
As I began reading Beauty Queen, I didn't really like it. I felt that it was sort of unrealistic (it seems that Sam develops a herion habit over about three days), and the drug use felt very contrived. Despite these issues I had with the book, about halfway into it, I began to connect with Sam. Although you don't get to know her all that well in the short novel, small details about her--her taste in movies, her endearing naivete, make her a lovable character in many ways. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but felt the drug use was not portrayed very realistically. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Staying Pure
Hi reviewers,

I am 15 yrs. old, and before I read the books in the "Payton Skky Series" (1-4) I was entering high school and I was really nervous about going. My friend actually was the one who let me borrow books (1-3) of the series. She told me how good they were and how they made her think of her life and how she handled situations similar to those in the books. I have to admit I was reluctant to read these books because I am really not a reader, but to my surprise I actually enjoyed reading the books. They were an inspiration to me. By reading the books I was able to help some of my friends and cousins through similar situations in "Sober Faith" (book 2). Not only did I enjoy reading the books My mother and best friend also enjoyed them. I can't wait to get book 5, "Surrendered Heart!" Even if you don't enjoy reading, you will learn from and enjoy these books as I did!!

A really inspirational book, irresistable
I'm 19 years of age and I loved it, I read the 1st, 2nd and 3rd series. I can really relate to the 1st series. I ran across the book at the point in my life when I was down. I read the table of contents and literally cried in the store, just thanking GOD for sending something similar to what I was going through. I bragged to my boyfriend on how wonderful the book was, and now he's reading them, and he's 21 years of age. The amazing part is he's enjoying them so much he's going to go buy the 4th book! I'm so proud of him, because this is my own little way of getting him back into church. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO READ IT!

A MUST to read for any young adult! Great gift to share.
I recently picked up Stephanie's Payton Skyy Series (all three) at a Christian Youth Conference. I am a parent of three and writer. I was thrilled to find books my daughter will one day be able to identify with being African-American, Christian and female. There are very few books out there for this age group. I decided to read them before putting them away for her (for when she gets older) and I found that I could not put them down. All I can say is God is good and finds wonderful ways to reach you. If I had books like these when I was in high school and dealing with the same issues, my life would have been a lot easier. Stephanie does not preach down at the reader. Instead the message is gently woven through wonderful characters. Payton Skyy is the type of girl most girls dream of becoming. This particular title was great because it deals with substance abuse. It not only helps the reader learn how to deal with it themselves, but how to help friends when they fall victim to it as well. Please pick this up and share it with any teenager you care about. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Story But It's Too Short
"The Beast", along with "Monster" and "Scorpions" is another masterwork of Walter Dean Myers, one of the greatest writers of our time. The story is about a college freshman who leaves his home in the projects of Harlem and his poet/girlfriend Gabi, for college. When he returns to Harlem for Christmas break he finds everything different, especially Gabi who is thinner and doesn't talk much anymore. Spoon(the college kid) discovers that Gabi's using drugs and the book has to do with the battle to get his girlfriend away from the beast.

This book is amazing. There are unique characters like Gabi's grandfather and Gabi's little brother who runs with gangs.
The one thing I would've liked is if it would've given more detail to Gabi and her brother getting cleaned. Myers kind've skips through really fast so you don't really see the emotion of quitting drugs.

But this is still an amazing book for all readers. I recommend you read all his books and then read some of Donald Goines novels if you're ready for them.

"The Beast"= A+

The beast
what i thought about the book the beast was it had some boring parts in the first few chapters. I do not recomend this book because it wasnt even exiting. if you want an action book this is not the book for you.Its about a guy named anthony witherspoon and hes going to collage and he meats a girl named gabi.this is not a action book.

Fighting the Beast
The book "The Beast" by Walter Dean Myers is a true book about hope, faith, and the will to live. Anthony Witherspoon, a seventeen-year-old man, attends school at Wallingford Academy in New Haven, Connecticut. Witherspoon, or more commonly known as Spoon, enjoys school , but his heart still aches for his home in Harlem, New York. As Spoon sat on the train home with one of his very good friends Chantelle, he never would have thought of the chaos and destuction that await him at home.

Gabi was one of the real reasons Spoon came home. She was part of him, his light and joy. He loved her so much, and they would even dream of the day when they would marry. But sometimes life is not as simple as we hope it to be. Spoon finds Gabi struggling for life in her emotions about her family, while her breath is being stifled by drugs. Her mother is pshically sick of cancer, and is getting worse by the day. There has been rumor that Gabi's brother, Rafe, was involved in a gang, though Gabi really does not want to believe it, and she has her own demons to deal with. Gabi gets lost fighting "the beast" of drugs, while Spoon stands beside her unsure of how to help.

"'I'm not sure of where we're going,' I said. 'But I'm thinking that it's okay not to be sure. I want to be unsure with you, Gabi. I want for you to take a chance being unsure with me.'
Gabi swung her head down and away from me. The words had been from my heart, but they hadn't been enough she needed more.....she needed a god, and I was only human." (p.168)

I think this book is very real. Myers, the author, descibes so vividly the sorrow, hope, and despair of the characters. Many people who read this book probably can relate to Gabi in some ways, though not necessarily with the problem of drugs. We all have beasts in our lives, though some of us may not have faced them yet. One of the biggest themes of this novel I believe is descibed in this quote:

"At that moment I didn't know what to say to Chantelle, or what to write to Gabi, except that I knew, or was beginning to know, that all journeys are harder than they appear, and that there are often hard roads to climb and beasts to slay along the way." (p.159)

Though some parts of this book can be overwhelming, I think this book is really important for those people who are fighting beasts in their lives. The novel really gives you a sense of hope, as Gabi develops throughout the story. It also always important to keep faith in life, and the wounds you may obtain from it will make you stronger. One main idea that I learned from this book, and I hope others do too, is that the things you do in life may become part of you, but it does not necessarily define who you are! :)

Best book ive ever read
I thought it was a touching story of young love, my breath was pulled right out of me when i read the ending. i loved it till the last page, best book ive ever read
! ... Read more

Reviews (35)

The Avenger has seen it all...
Thrilling, chilling and verbose; three words to describe the emotional path Cormier takes you through each time you turn the page. "We All Fall Down" is one of Cormier's most impressive works and clearly demonstrates a perfect thriller in my eyes.

Robert Cormier's descriptive paragraphs and wording not only absorb the reader, but compel them to unravel the book even further. It is the story of the Avenger, Buddy and Jane, and follows the effects a random act of violence has on the three.

"We All Fall Down" is a rather disturbing novel, but at the same time, enjoyable. This book illustrates fate and how a slight twist of it can alter lives forever.

Cormier does it again
Much like the Chocolate War, We All Fall Down deals with everyday problems teens' face in school, home, and in their personal lives. I loved how Cormier made this book accessible to teens but to adults as well. Abuse of alcohol, lies, the thought of death, and the deconstructing of family are issues that this book deals with. Cormier lets the reader see how Jane and other characters deal with these issues by writing from more than one point of view. For example, the reader can see how Jane copes with the fact her sister Karen is in a coma and might not wake up. Not only does this allow teenagers to relate to these feelings and emotions; it also connects to adults as well. They were once teenagers and have gone through the same situations as Jane, Karen, and Buddy. By reading this, adults can get a sense of what life is like for teens today and understand the reasons why teens do the things they do. It is the issues the book discusses and how the characters cope with their problems that makes this book so important to society today.

We All Fall Down
I was in actual pain after reading this story. It felt like a glass bell was hung from my throat and rang in my heart with every new twist in the climax of the story. He shows once again his amazing ability to name his stories. Like many of Cormier's novels one of the charecters makes you feel simpathy for them despite their strong flaws, but is leaves you feeling at least a little satisfied instead of disturbed. The twists in the story will be enough to keep you interested long enough to teer through the 100 pages.

Not worth the time
I read this book for school last year, and i was pretty excited to start it because it sounded like it would be good. By the time i got past the first chapter, however, I could tell that I was going to be disappointed. The author introduces a lot of issues into the book that he never really follows up on. For a book that is only a little over 100 pages, he shouldn't have included so many tangents that never seem to have any closure, and leaves you wondering what ever happened. The build-up to the climax, to find out who the "avenger" is, is the only good part about the book. I got a shock when i found out who it was, but the climax ended way too simply and way too early to keep me from being disappointed. It took me much longer to finish this book than it should have because I never wanted to read it. If i hadn't been forced to finish it, i probably wouldn't have. It's not worth the time it takes to read it.

This is the worst book I have ever read.
This is by far the worst piece of 'literature' I have ever been unfortunate enough to read. This book is supposed to deal with 'real life' issues of young adults when in all actuality is nothing more than a shameless attempt at hack writing. Remember how R.L. Stine wrote crappy horror stories for children to make money... this is worse. Not only does it have nothing to do with adolescent issues, it in some ways promotes rape, drinking, and violence. This is by far the most horrible story I have ever read. This story is also not even written very well. Worst Book Ever. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Quality read
The book Stoner and Spaz was a very interesting book that could happen in real life. this book was wriiten by Ronald Koertg.
This book was about a 16 year old boy named Ben Bancroft and her friend Colleen Minou. These two are an odd pair of people together but make an iteresting story. What happens is Ben meets Colleen in a movie theater and turns beens life around. Befour Been meets Colleen he is a kid who no one notices is around. Buit once theses two come togethere colleen turs been into a club gower. Gives him his first joint, and causes Been to make a movie.Also Been trys to make Colleen drug free. does been sucseed? read and find out.I thinkn that Ronald Koertg is trying to say that even the most diffrent people come togeher, and that people should have friends. this could be so because with out each other their lives would still be the same and have no point. Thi book is worth reading if you want to read a story about two odd people would be the most unlikly people to come together. ANd if you want an adventure

Tough, funny, realistic...I could go on & on
This is a story about an unusual friendship between a lonely physically handicapped "spaz" whose grandmother makes him wear $70 Brooks Brothers shirts to school and a "stoner" party girl who'll "get high and do anything."

Ron Koertge knows how people -- especially kids -- talk and, for me, hearing his characters' voices is the best part of any Koertge book.

Ben (the "spaz" of the title, he is afflicted with cerebral palsy) is smart, funny, and charming, and when Colleen (the "stoner") tells him that half the girls in her rehab group want to be his girlfriend, I couldn't help but think, "If I were in high school, I'd wanna be his girlfriend too!"

Colleen is also smart -- a fact that shines through her druggy haze -- as well as tough and fascinating. It's easy to see why Ben is drawn to her.

I love the characterization of Ben's proper, uptight grandmother. She's prim without ever being a stereotype.

As Ben and Colleen become friends, they help each other to see themselves more clearly. Colleen says Ben's wasted, atrophied arm is not so bad. Ben says Colleen's "ice-cream habit" is hurting her more than she realizes.

And so Ben attempts to get to know more people at school, and Colleen checks into a rehab program. As they "stand up and fall down, stand up and fall down," as their friend Marcie says, which one of them will remain standing? Can their strange friendship survive?

Check out this fast read to find out.

Life is a Scam
This book is incredibly funny a real down to earth example of the teenage drama and romance we sometimes suffer through. The book is about a stoned-out chick named Collen that stumbles upon geeky-little Ben, after their encounter Ben seems to suddenly fall for this girl and tries to get her attention, he wants only to be with her but it doesnt seem to want to turn out that way for Ben. With an overly protective grandmother that tries to ignore Bens CP or at least tries to act as if everything is normal (like nothing wrong with Ben even though there is), it seems like Ben wont have his way with the careless young youth Colleen. In my opinion this is a kick ass book, I totally fell for it the plot and the comedy, oh the comedy.

Not Just for CP Kids
This was an amazing book, I don't believe I've ever enjoyed reading as much as I did with this book. I'm not someone who pleasure reads a lot, but I truthfully enoyed reading this book, and heard from a friend it was good. It was on our school summer reading list so I picked it up. I read it all in one day, which isn't too much of a big deal since it's pretty short. However I felt, the book was great, and I don't agree with what a few other people are saying. One person said it wasn't realistic, that the main girl Coleen never suffered withdrawls are anything... but comon in the end she winds up being pretty much the way she started. And someone else said that there was to much cursing, however without the swearing would it have accurately portrayed the world i live in? I will admit that my review may be a little biased because I am 15, and I go through all the things these teens went through, but i actually think thats great. The writer did a great job of showing what a lot of teens go through, and anyone that thinks the book was over the top or overexagerated needs to go take a trip to their nearest highschool. The last thing i wanted to address, and what I felt was the best part of the book, the ending: someone said it was half-assed. Truth is it was perfect, the ending was sort of happy but at the same time it was sorta sad, but definitly very realistic. It kind of made me sad, because I have a friend that seems so much like Coleen, and truth is our relationship kinda did the same thing. Overall one of my favorite books ever.

"Stoner and Spaz"
I have CP like the main boy in the book (though nowhere near as severe, you can hardly tell I have it) and I thought it was an excellent portrayal of the everyday challenges people with CP and other movement disabilities face when trying to fit in with "normal" people

"Stoner and Spaz" is about a romance between 2 oddities, Ben Bancroft, a boy with spastic CP and Colleen Minou, a young druggie. Ben is very insecure within himself and mostly just mooches around at the movies rather than face the jeers and taunts of his fellow peers. It is not until Colleen comes into his life that he attempts to go about the usual social activities of a 16 yr old boy. With Colleen he smokes, drinks, goes to dances and has sex. This book is an excellent read which makes the reader cry, laugh and gasp all at once. I highly recommend it. ... Read more