Cheater by Michael Laser explores the validity of dishonesty to achieve an objective. Super smart high school junior Karl Petrofsky becomes involved with a ring of students who use quite a bit of technology to cheat on classroom tests. One of the ringleaders Blaine tells Karl that “school’s purpose…is to sort us out…if it were really about learning, then grades wouldn’t matter.” Lizette, Karl’s real friend, tells him that “cheating doesn’t help anybody…it’s a matter of pride.” Ethical considerations come into play. Good entertaining read that questions right and wrong.

MIDNIGHT TWINS BY JACQUELYN MITCHARD

Fast paced light story about identical twins who are mirror images of each other. Meredith and Mallory Brynn change as they become teenagers. Mallory is able to foretell future calamities and Meredith sees outcomes of what has happened. It got a bit confusing in spots. I’d have made them fifteen instead of thirteen. Anyway, all comes out right in the end – very predictable. There are two more books in this planned trilogy. The last book I read by Jacquelyn Mitchard, All we know of Heaven was ever so much more gripping and had more depth of character. Saying that, however, I would still read the next two books in the series.

The Story of Forgetting by Stefan Merrill Block

The chapters alternate between two families in different states. A member in each family is closely related, though you don’t know who at first. I liked the development of the characters. They come across as very human in dealing with the impact of there situation.

The theme is an aberrant genetic link that binds the two main characters. They both have a common ancestor who suffered from an early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. From the novel I saw how people with memory loss probably cope. I felt the stress put on the families. It was a good optimistic turn to have one family meeting the remains of the other at the end. You can read about the novel and its origins at stefanmerrillblock.com. If you want to learn more about Alzheimer’s visit the website at www.alz.org.

Sunrise over Fallujah, by Walter Dean Myers

Jenn's Pick!

Robin Perry, who becomes known as "Birdy," disobeys his father's wishes and leaves Harlem for the war in Iraq, rather than heading to college. The story follows Birdy and the rest of his Civilian Affairs unit through the first half of 2003, when many thought the war would be over quickly. As part of the Civilian Affairs, or CA, Birdy and his unit are supposed to be making connections with the Iraqi people, offering protection and first aid, seeking intelligence, and generally putting a friendly face on the American presence in Iraq. As the story progresses, the unit is involved in more and more combat, and it's increasingly difficult to tell friend from foe, or to imagine a speedy end to the conflict. Birdy writes home to his parents, and to "Uncle Richie," who is the main character in Meyer's award winning novel about Vietnam, "Fallen Angels."