Fractured

I got Fractured, book 2 in the Slated series by Teri Terry, from the library. This book follows Kyla as she is caught between two dangerous adversaries and must decide where she stands. I won't elaborate further as to not give away more of the story, but you can look at the post below for my summary of the first book.

This was another super addicting book. Once I got into it, it was hard to stop reading. This was one of those books I should never read alone--I was completely freaked out by the end and was glad I wasn't home alone. I love Kyla as a character and felt so involved in her life and confused alongside her as she tried to figure out who to trust. I like how the book slowly uncovers more and more unanswered questions, but it has still left much to be discovered in book 3. Sidenote: I also really like this series because the books are pretty clean, though this one did have two swear words as well as a lot of bloodiness. Not for the faint of heart. :)

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Slated

I had a friend recommend Slated by Teri Terry, so I got it from the library. This book is about 16-year-old Kyla who is re-entering society after being slated--having her memory and personality wiped blank. (The government in this futuristic society takes care of young criminals by slating them.) But as Kyla starts getting used to life with her new family and new school, she finds herself with some memories she shouldn't have and realizes there is another side to everything--and she has to decide whether it's safe to get involved.

This was a super good book. It was extremely addicting and suspenseful, so I was kind of freaking out at times while reading it. I just thought the plot was very unique and clever, and I really loved the main characters, Kyla and Ben. It was fun to follow all of the side characters in the book and to figure out how things were going to play out. The book didn't have a satisfying ending, so I am anxiously awaiting books 2 and 3, which I have on hold at the library. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Theodore Boone: The Fugitive

I found Theodore Boone: The Fugitive by John Grisham at the library and was happy to see there was another book in this series. These books follow 13-year-old Theo, the son of lawyer parents who wants to be a lawyer or judge himself one day. This book follows the case from the previous book, that of Pete Duffy, a local man accused of murder. When Theo finds himself face-to-face with Pete while on a school trip to DC, suddenly Theo is more involved in the case than he intended.

I enjoyed the book--I just think this series is fun. The story is definitely not very believable at times, but I can look past that and just have fun with it. I think Theo is an interesting character, and I think these books would also be really educational for kids in terms of how the justice system works.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Echo

I saw Pam Munoz Ryan had written a new book called Echo, so I put it on hold at the library. (I really like this author.) I couldn't figure out a good way to explain a summary of the book, so here is the summary from the School Library Journal: "A mouth harp (aka harmonica) becomes the tangible thread that connects the stories of three children: Friedrich, a disfigured outcast; Mike, an impoverished orphan; and Ivy, an itinerant farmer's child. Their personal struggles are set against some of the darkest eras in human history: Friedrich, the rise of Nazi Germany; Mike, the Great Depression; Ivy, World War II. The children are linked by musical talent and the hand of fate that brings [the] harmonica into their lives. Each recognizes something unusual about the instrument, not only its sound but its power to fill them with courage and hope. Friedrich, Mike, and Ivy are brought together by music and destiny in an emotionally triumphant conclusion at New York's Carnegie Hall."

This was a well-written and engaging book. I feel like I really liked each separate story of the three kids and maybe would have preferred to hear each child's full story rather than the partial stories that were then interconnected in the book. I read this book a month ago so have already forgotten anything else to chime in, but it was a good one. :)

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)