Teen Fiction Reviews from 9 th Grade Students
Written During Past Summer Reading Programs
All ratings are out of 5, with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best
Monkey: A Journey to the West by David Kherdian
Rating: 3 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
Monkey was born from a rock. He is the Handsome Monkey King of the Mountain of
Flowers and Fruit. Monkey wants to learn how to be immortal, so her travels for 10 years across the Eastern and Western Oceans. He meets Patriarch Subodhi, who teaches Monkey about immortality. After learning this, and much more, Monkey puts his new skills to use by cloudsomersaulting back to the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. When he gets back, he is greeted by the other monkeys. He finds that the Demon King of Havoc has taken over the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. After defeating him, Monkey goes to the Dragon King to ask for a weapon. He is greedy, and doesn't thank the
Dragon King. So the Dragon King tells the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor calls Monkey to heaven, and gives him a lowly job at the stables. Monkey is furious. He leaves, and makes trouble in heaven, and then he is imprisoned under a mountain. Years later, he is rescued by Hui-an, who is going to seek the sacred scriptures.
Along the way, they get some friends, and together, they go on a journey.
Monster Blood Tattoo by D. M. Cornish
Rating: 4 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
This book was the first in the series. Though I don't know if there are others in the series I would recommend the Foundling to any one looking for a good book. It is very much fantasy and about an orphan who wanted to join the Navy. He became a Lamplighter instead. Though skeptical at first he changed his mind after a while and had a great adventure
Murdered, My Sweet by Joan Lowery Nixon
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9

Jenny Jakes and her mom, a famous mystery writer, go to San Antonio for a reading of their millionaire cousin's will. But when Porter Harmony gets murdered, Jenny's mom goes into detective mode, believing that she can solve a mystery. But Jenny knows better, and with a friend named Carlos, she chases down suspects and uncovers many different schemes. It takes all that Jenny has to save her mom and solve the murder before someone else gets murdered.
My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
Savannah Delano is dumped by her perfect boyfriend for her sister. Then her fairy godmother shows up, only she's not a fairy godmother, just a fair godmother. And she's a cell carrying, shopaholic teen godmother named Chrissy Everstar. Wehn Savannah wishes for a life like a princess, she gets sent into the Middle ages: once as Cinderella and once as Snow White. When she finally makes it home, she finds out that her "prince", a boy from her school named Tristan has been sent back to the Middle Ages and
Savannah decides to take responsibility and rescue him. On the way they fight trolls, dragons, and a mysterious Black Knight. Together, they must make Tristan a prince and on the way, Savannah might find what she's been looking for all along.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Genre: Fiction- Based on a True Story
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
My Sister's Keeper is about a girl named Anna who was genetically conceived as a perfect match donor for her sister Kate who has leukemia. She has always given Kate bone marrow and blood platelets. But Anna decides to sue her parents when they ask her for a kidney, which Kate will die without. She wants to be able to make her own medical decisions and be her own person, not a part of Kate. But she also wants her sister to live. The book is about tearing a family apart- and keeping it together.
One Good Knight by Mercedes Lackey
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9

Andromeda the naive princess of a manipulative mother doesn't know what to do when a dragon attacks her kingdom. When she learns sacrificing a virgin princess will make the dragon go away she ends up being chosen to be sacrificed. Sir George the Knight who saves her and herself go on a quest to find the dragon’s lair, and make him leave. this was a very well written book about a person who you can feel sorry for. though at times you want to yell at Andromeda to Think this was a very good book.
Palace of Mirrors by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Genre: Fairy Tale
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
All her life, Cecilia has grown up knowing that she is a princess. Her parents were murdered and she was taken into safety and disguised as a peasant girl. Another girl, Desmia is acting as the princess. But Cecilia is in danger. Her enemies are trying to take her away. So one day, along with her best friend Harper, Cecilia runs away to the capital city. When she gets there, and tries to confront Desmia, Cecilia is locked in a tower.
Desmia believes that she is the true princess.
Pandora Gets Jealous by Carolyn Hennesy
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
Pandora Gets Jealous is the first book in the Mythic Miss-adventures series. Pandora is a thirteen year old girl whose father is the titan Prometheus. He has a box filled with all of the evils of the world, which Pandora accidentally opens, releasing all of the evils, but leaving the most important thing- hope- in the box. The box tells her journey to find the first of the seven evils, jealousy.
Pandora Gets Lazy by Carolyn Hennesy
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
Pandora Gets Lazy is the third book in the Mythic Miss-adventures series. In this book Pandora is looking for
Laziness, which is in the Atlas Mountains, where her uncle is holding up the heavens on the top of the highest mountain. But right away Pandora is separated from her friends, and they have to survive on their own. While

her friends are captured and taken onto a ship to work, she is sent tumbling from Apollo’s chariot, and is stuck in the desert. She has to find her way, with the help of some new friends.
Pandora Gets Vain by Carolyn Hennesy
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
Pandora Gets Vain is the sequel to Pandora Gets Jealous. In this adventure, Pandora is off to find Vanity in
Egypt, the second of the evils she has released. But on there way to Egypt Hera, one of the Greek Gods has a lot in store for Pandora, and Pandora and her friends are sent off course on a wild adventure. While they are sailing to Alexandra, Hera sends a storm and knocks them off course. And that's just the beginning, with many adventures up ahead.
Phoenix and Ashes by Mercedes Lackey
Rating: 4 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
This book was about someone who is treated like Cinderella. Eleanor is treated like a slave and her only solace was the fire elementals she could talk to. Reggie was a pilot who crashed. He was an Air elemental master but after the crash he spurned his powers. He and Eleanor have to help each other to survive the events that transpire. I thought this book was really good. I would advise it to most people.
Princess of the Midnight ball by Jessica Day George
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
The 12 Princesses of West fallen wear out their dancing shoes every night, and no one can figure out why.
Then, they all begin to become sick, but cannot tell why. King Gregor sets a "contest" that whichever prince can figure out their secret will be allowed one of the girls' hands in marriage. But each prince falls and each prince dies in some sort of accident. Soon, the girls are accused of witchery. Galen, a gardener who has fallen in love with the eldest, Rose, decides to try his luck with the secret. With his invisible cloak, he follows the girls to the underworld ruled by the evil King Under Stone. Together, they defeat him and lock his sons in the underworld forever.

Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
Persephone lives with her overprotective mother in a beautiful vale. Her only friends are nymphs, and she's never actually seen a man. She's sick of always being treated like a child, so when a handsome man offers her the chance to leave with him, she takes it. Now she's queen of the underworld. She befriends a shade named
Melita who helps Persephone with her garden in the underworld. But up on earth, Demeter is causing destruction in order to get Persephone back from Hades. Persephone leaves to stop the destructions, and solves the misunderstanding between everyone, helps Melita's daughter and husband, and eventually is able to go back to her husband because of a pomegranate.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Genre: Romance Suspense
Rating: 4 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
This story is about a young girl who marries a middle aged, fairly wealthy man. When she goes to live with him, Max, she finds a well-known mansion. Everyone she meets, including the maids, butlers, and friends, compares her to Max's deceased wife, Rebecca. the heroine feels out of place until she learns a secret; Max killed Rebecca. Through many page turning events the couple strive to keep the secret and live together happily. What will happen???
Rich Girls by Victoria Ashton
Genre: Humor, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
Adrienne Lewis returns to work at the fabulous Warner penthouse. But things are going to change for her.
Mrs. Warner has decided that Cameron needs to become Debutante of the Year. In order for this, Mrs.
Warner is paying Cameron to steal Brian back. As for Adrienne's best friend, Liz braun, she's dating handsome and wealthy Parker Devlin. But constant phone calls interrupt perfect moments and then there's Isabelle
Schuyler, whom Parker is escorting to balls in Aspen and Manhattan. Liz isn't sure if he's playing her, or if what they have is real

Royally Jacked by Niki Burnham
Genre: Romance
Rating: 2 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
Valerie has a pretty good life, until her mom announces that she's gay and leaving Valerie's dad for her girlfriend, Gabrielle. Then her dad gets a job in Schwerinborg, and Valerie decides to move there with him, leaving behind her crush, David. But when they get to the palace in Schwerinborg, Valerie meets Prince Georg, and falls in love. Things weren't great before, but now, things have gotten a bit more interesting for Valerie.
Rumors by Anna Godbersen
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
Rumors still swirl about Elizabeth Holland's death, and best friend Penelope Hayes is ready to claim the spotlight-and Henry Schoonmaker. It's up to Diana Holland to save their family, but when her true love is about to be married, there is nothing she can do to stop it. Then Elizabeth Holland returns to New York, and family and friends reunite. As for Lina Broud, former maid to the Hollands, discovers that gossip is all that really matters in New York City.
Sand Dollar Summer by Kimberly K. Jones
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
Sand Dollar Summer is about a girl named Lise, who lives with her mother and her brother. One day her mom gets into a car accident, and she takes them on vacation to Maine, where she can recuperate. Lise is scared about what might be in the water, and is angry at her mother for taking them to the beach. They are living in a shack, and are a long way from the library. But somehow she must find a way to make it through the summer.

Something to Blog About by Shana Norris
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
Libby Fawcett has a major crush on a guy named Seth Jacobs, but her life is beginning to become a major mess. First, she accidentally sets her hair on fire during chemistry class. Then, she finds out that her mom is dating a Mr. Rivera, who turns out to be none other than the father of her arch-nemisis, Angel Rivera. So Libby created a secret blog, only for herself she could vent all her feelings. But one night, Angel opens up Libby's blog for all to see, and the whole school is reading her private blog. To make things worse, Seth gets mad at her, her best friend Keisha gets mad at her, and so does her other best friend and cousin, Robert. But in the end, Libby does what she believes is right, and manages to solve it all.
Spy Goddess by Michael P. Spradlin
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 1 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
This book is about a girl named Rachel who is forced to go to a school in the middle of now where for 1 year.
She had the choice of this or juvie. Her new school is not like any she's ever been to before. It's got special classes such as decoding and crime scene investigation. Pretty soon she discovers a secret about the school, which leads her on an adventure to find the school's headmaster and some valuable artifacts.
Sure Fire by Jack Higgins
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
The teenage kids, Rich and Jade, recently lost their mother, their only known kin. After the funeral, a man came up to Rich and Jade and told them that he is their father (his name is John Chance). When the kids started living with him, they were rebellious because it was hard for them to get used to their new father. But after John was kidnapped by a evil oil company, the kids discovered that John is a spy and they hastened to recue John from the oil company. In the end, the kids found John and at the same time destroyed the oil company. They lived happily as a closely-knit family for the rest of their lives.

Taking Off by Eric Kraft
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
This story has two parts: the past and the present. The past part tells the story of Peter Leroy, an imaginative boy from the small town of Babington, New York. His greatest dream was to make an areocycle, which is a cycle that is made from a motorcycle. In the end of this book, he successfully built his areocycle and he is planning to fly it to New Mexico. The present part tells the story of Peter Leroy when he is a older man. He is married to an imaginative woman and he lives in Manhattan. Everything in his life was going smoothly until his wife fell from her bicycle and suffered a serious pelvic break. So, Peter had to help his wife to rehab. In the end of this book, she is doing better. I think that this is a really good book and I can’t wait to read the sequel!
Talking to Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
This is the fourth book in the enchanted forest chronicles. Daystar, Cimorene's son has to go save the enchanted forest. The only problem is that he has no idea what is going on. With the help of an angry temperamental fire witch it’s up to him to save his father. I really liked this book and advise it to any one looking for a good book.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
This book tells the story of a teenage boy named Junior. He is an indian and he lives on a reservation with his poor family. Junior was fed up with the lousy school in the reservation so he asked his parents to send him to a nearby rich white school. His parents agreed. When he started going to the white school, most kids disliked him, both indian and white. But after a while, both sides accepted the fact that Junior is a smart kid and is happy in the white school. The story ends with Junior having many friends in the white school and at the reservation.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
Bella has justed moved from her sunny, warm home to her dad's rainy and cold house in the Forks. She is cranky and upset until she sees Edward in the hallways of school. This brightens up Bella's mood. Then,
Edward starts treating Bella funny; he skips school and ignors Bella. Through many adventures and talks with
Edward, Bella discovers his true identity; a vampire! Bella and Edward soon undertake many adventures, such as playing vampire baseball and being chased by a mad vampire.
What Janie Found by Caroline B. Cooney
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
This book is also a sequel to The Face on The Milk Cartoon. Although I missed reading a book in between, I still enjoyed this book a lot and it still made sense. After Janie's dad has a stroke, Janie finds in his documents that he had been supporting her kidnapper all along. She also finds out where her kidnapper lives. Janie ends up about to contact her kidnapper when her brother convinces her of the right thing to do to help both of her families. I really liked this book.
Whatever Happened to Janie? By by Caroline B. Cooney
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
This book is the sequel to The Face on the Milk Carton. The book, The Face on the Milk Carton ends the book on a cliff hanger so you can't wait to read the next book. In this book, Janie meets her real parents and stays with them for a few months. This doesn't work out so well mostly because Janie doesn't want to adjust to this new style of life. I would recommend to read The Face on The Milk Carton first, or otherwise this book wouldn't make any sense.

When You reach me by Rebecca Stead
Genre: Mystery, Time Travel
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
Miranda, a sixth grader who lives in New York, starts getting strange notes that seem to know things that haven’t happened yet. As she gets each note she starts to realize that whoever has written them may not be from where she is from. Or WHEN she is from. It all started the day her best friend got punched and started ignoring her. But then she meets a strange boy who seems to know a lot about the "myth" of traveling time.
Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
Ellie's older sister Nina disappeared 2 years ago. But when she finds an old picture that Nina drew, she decides to go looking for Nina, but where does she start? Then she meets Sean. Together, they go on a road trip to try and find Nina. And Ellie's best friend is worried about her. But along the way, Ellie discovers a lot more about
Sean than she ever expected.
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
Genre: Fiction, satire
Rating: 5 stars
Review Written by Someone in Grade 9
This book was interesting - a little funny and a little weird. The purpose of the book was basically to make fun of humans and all the "stupid" things that they do. Cat's Cradle told the story of a man who was doing a research paper on the father of the atomic bomb, and how his research takes him to different parts of the world. Parts of the book were realistic, while others were clearly made up. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in human nature.