By The Time You Read This I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters

Title: By the time you read this I'll be Dead

Author: Julie Anne Peters

Rating: 5 stars

Ages recommended for: ages 13 and up!

Everyone should read this book, and I mean EVERYONE. It shows the perfect example of someone's hurt and how much bullying can make someone this upset.

Daelyn is in a neck brace after recent esophogus surgery after her latest suicide attempt. While waiting for mom to pick her up after school, she waits, sitting on a bench, reading a book. One day, Santana comes over and starts talking to her. Daelyn, not being able to talk this soon after the surgery, has no choice but to listen. Santana and Daelyn somehow become closer, even though Daelyn tries and tries not to. While browsing online, Daelyn finds Through-the-light.com- another suicide forum. The website gives her 23 days to live, each chapter counts down the days.

On the website, Daelyn posts about her life: fat camp, bullying- all the horrible things that happened to her when she was fat during childhood. I thought the ending of the book was horrible and terrible and made me really mad at the author. Read it and see what happens!!!

Rachel is currently reading......

1) By the time you read this I'll be Dead by Julie Anne Peters

2) Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

3) Glass by Ellen Hopkins

4) Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr

5) Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (for English)

(hopefully some new reviews up soon! keep checking back)

Today

Bonjour lovely readers!

Today I went to my grandma's and out shopping.
Had pizza for lunch at grandmas' and pet her kitty, Lola.
Before we went to grandma's we stopped and I got new jeans. After grandma's we traveled to... the book store!! My second home!! I purchased "By the time you read this I'll be Dead" by Julie Anne Peters. It's really good so far- about a girl who has attempted suicide three times, the last time leaving her mute and with a neck brace.
Good so far. Like the characters and like how she can't talk.

Must get back to chatting and reading book reviews and adding books on goodreads!
Hope you all had a great week. Can you even believe that it's 2010?
I'm enjoying writing the date on my first period class white board every morning- it makes me feel special :)

~Rachel

Currently Reading...

Rachel is currently reading:

*Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr

*Glass by Ellen Hopkins

*Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (for English class)

The topic just might be homework and school....

In third grade I disagreed on all ends with the kids in my class, and at times, my teacher for not giving us enough homework.
Many times I protested on us not having any, and I would score the class some math problems- my teacher sometimes even gave me personal assignments.
Lots of kids don't do their homework and it bugs me as much as a moth floating around my ceiling. Annnnoyyyinnnnng.
I don't see why they don't have time to fit it into their schedule. I know from personal experience that lots of them are extremely busy with sports, rehearsals, lessons, and other activities after school. But it's honestly not that hard to fit in history note taking, vocab sentences and a few math problems. Do your homework during the time when you're sitting around, watching TV, or having a break, or in the car.
Also note: I'm not asking for MORE homework. What we have is currently pleanty :)


Today my History teacher asked our class if we liked DBQs. Apparently everyone gave her looks varrying from disgust to sadness. I raised my hand and said "I like DBQs."
I got too many strange looks....
BUT SERIOUSLY!!! I LOVE THEM! THEY'RE FUN AND YOU GET TO WRITE ABOUT STUFF!! The topics we've done with them so far are all topics I'm interested in, and my history teacher was definitely right about us being able to do them easier than we could have if, in the beginning of the year she had handed us a blank DBQ and said "go for it."

So, I guess my final point of this post was to say:
Do your work in school, do it well, and don't mope about homework!!

~Rachel

Break by Hannah Moskowitz

Title: Break

Author: Hannah Moskowitz

Rating: 5 stars

Ages recommended for: 13 and up

This book was absolutely amazing. It's about Jonah. Jonah breaks his bones- purpously. Jonah's younger brother is Jesse, who is allergic to almost everything. And new baby brother Will doesn't stop crying, even at 8 months.
When Jonah's not-girlfriend, Charlotte tells the school principal of her concern of Jonah's bone-breakage, Jonah's life is turned upside down as he is sent to the "Crazy Bin".

That was just about the worst review of this book you can imagine. It's honestly extremely good, and definitely a must-read :)

New idea...

I decided I want to kind of blog about myself/life/currently reading stuff as well on rachelsreviews.
So, to start off, I'm currently reading "Break" by Hannah Moskowitz. This book is absolutely amazing- I'm loving it. I literally haven't put it down since I started it. Nearly finished, so expect a review of it in a few hours :)
Since it's MLK day, school's out, so I've been sitting around, eating lettuce all day.
Nice and calm in my purple bed.
I know hardly anyone currently reads this blog, so I feel like I'm talking to myself kinda. Oh well. A few of my friends will come look and laugh at this. Well. Post a comment if you want me to talk about something in particular.
Keep reading on :)

~Rachel <3

Happy New Year!

5


4


3


2


1

annnnnnnnd...

LOOK FORWARD TO TONS OF NEW REVIEWS FROM RACHEL IN 2010!!!!!!!!!

Title: Crank

Author: Ellen Hopkins

Rating: 5 stars

Ages Recommended for: 14 and up!

This book was another in verse. I really really enjoyed it. It is fiction, but based on the true story of the author's daughter.
Crank all starts with the main character, Kristina Georgia going to visit her father, whom she hasn't seen since she was six. While living in this new enviroment, she meets Adam, who introduces her to the good feeling of meth, or crank.
After coming home, Kristina, now called Bree's life is not better. Bree has taken over, changing everything Kristina once knew. Very good, well recommended book.

Praise for CRANK:

"Powerful and unsettling." - Kirkus Reviews

"The poems are masterpieces of word, shape and pacing... a stunning portrayal of a teen's loss of direction." - School Library Journal

"Hopkins delivers a gritty, fast paced read." - VOYA

Cathy's Book by Jordan Weisman

Title: Cathy's Book: If found call (650) 266-8233

Author: Jordan Weisman

Rating: 4 stars

Ages Recommended for: 13- 16

I'm honestly not sure how I can talk about this book... I did enjoy it- it was a quick read, though.
Cathy's boyfriend Victor has just broken up with her.Through stalking and breaking entry, she gets him back and finds out his big secret.

I heart you, you haunt me by lisa schroeder

Title: I heart you, You haunt me

Author: Lisa Shroeder

Rating: 5 stars

Recommended for: ages 13- 16T

his book was written in verse- kind of like a poem, really, but the words telling the story shortened a bit and put into a poem look.
It was a really really good read- I started reading it during first period and finished it by 5th period. (Don't tell my teachers!)
Ava's beloved boyfriend, Jackson is dead.Now Ava has to live with the guilt of his death in her hands, and her sorrow of never seeing him again. But while looking in the mirror, is it even possible that she saw Jackson's face beside her's? Can Ava continue to have Jackson with her?

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Title: Perfect Chemistry

Author: Simone Elkeles

Rating: 5 starsAges

Recommended for: 14 and up!

I must say, first off, that this book was fabulous!! I LOVED it- It was definitely enjoyed so much that I went out and purchased it at Borders. Very well written, very addicting book.
Brittany Ellis is your typical popular, gorgeous, perfect character. But not so perfect on the inside?
Alex (Alejandro) Fuentes is your typical hot, mexican gang member. But secretly wishing to be something someday?
When the two are paired as chemistry partners, their worlds are wripped into and torn apart, the only thing holding them together themselves.