The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride, Book 1) by James Patterson

The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride, Book 1) by James Patterson

Who care’s about the plot!? This book was action packed and super fun to read!
Ok I guess I should mention the plot, I can’t help myself. A group of children were genetically enhanced with wings, and with help, escaped the lab where they were created. Living on their own, 14-years old Max takes care of the whole group. They range in age from 6-14 but for all intents and purposes are all 14. Besides a lame attempt to have the youngest bond with a stuffed bear, the dialogue, thoughts and actions of these children were all at a pre-teen level. The easiest thing to do is just pretend they are all the same age and get over it.

Also created at the lab were various other half-breeds, including the half-dog Eraser’s who continually come after the small flock. Although at one point its discovered that Max is implanted with a chip, and a mention of how pets are chipped and tracked with them, the group never fully gets it that the Erasers keep finding them due to this chip. Which can get really annoying, I keep thinking of the saying that the definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. The flock keeps hiding and getting found over and over again without rest. Stupid. Despite the fact that this plot is all over the place, growing increasingly stranger and stranger, the books is truly an addicting read.

For Tweens?
Just enough creepy lab stuff, fighting, and male characters to appeal to Tween boys. Just enough wings, flying, and girl characters to appeal to the girls. A must have!

Final Word

What editor on earth allowed this author to include a reference to “Seven of Nine” in this book! This is an obscure reference to a character from the TV show Star Trek: Voyager that was featured from 1997-2001. This is so lame for a number of reasons. First off this book came out in 2005! So already the reference is outdated. Secondly even if the characters in the book were cooped up watching old TV shows it is a stretch to believe that the average reader would have done the same. This is actually quite telling about the author. Seems like a typical Sci-Fi guy to me -all in a bundle for a hot woman who plays “Seven of Nine” subsequently everyone else should be to. Men.

Patterson, James. Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride). New York: Little, Brown Young Readers, 2007. ISBN#0316067954

The Fledging of Az Gabrielson by Jay Amory

As reviewers we pretend, based on our experience, education, and intelligence, that we can actually determine whether a book will be popular with Tweens. But ultimately, we are not in that foggy, unsure, adolescent hormone ridden mindset –unless we are actually a tween age reviewer. Which leads to reviewing complications due to age.

The book I read for this review presents just such a problem. When asked to buy into a post-apocalyptic world full of people that have evolved wings because they live above the permanent cloud layer, I am thrilled. But when I find out that below the cloud layer there are normal people who live in near darkness, but run through forests and fields, I hit a wall. There can’t be trees and forests without sunlight!! Everything would be dead!!!! A tween reader might find themselves able to image this fictional world with ease and not hit this same educational based roadblock, but not me. Infact I wanted to stop reading the book and was quite huffy about the whole thing.

The main character Az (short for Azriel) is a wingless boy in a world of winged people. Though he has a loving and supportive family, he does feel handicapped and different. The lives of his people are supported mostly in part by supplies that arrive mysteriously by elevator from the world beneath the cloud layer. Turns out those ‘Groundlings’ have been filling those elevators for religious fear-based reasons, and were now rebelling. Az is sent down, being better suited to blend in, to find out more information. The ensuing debacle introduces a romantic interest, an evil rebellion leader, and non-stop action sequences.

Beyond my educationally induced glass wall against bonding with this book, there was another factor that did not endear me. This author uses the world Chortle! I couldn’t believe it! The only thing I can think of is that these writers must be reading each others books and picking up the same language patterns. I refuse to accept that tweens and teens chortle. Or I guess it might be just a neurotic personal flaw. I have a favorite author who I think over-uses the phrase ‘beat a hasty retreat’. I have taken to scratching it out with pen in all of her books that I own. Sadly I know what is under the pen marks and still think it in my head as I am reading it. (Arg, it sucks being weird!)

For Tweens?
This book is a fine example of teenage angst, feeling different, overcoming disabilities, being brave, taking chances, family loyalty and doing what is right. It is fast paced, action filled, and an interesting concept. Although you couldn’t pay me to read it again, but I still think that Tweens will like it a lot!

Final Word:

Its makes for a distracting read when the main characters name Azreal is constantly reminding you about a certain cat who craves Smurfs for dinner! Won't be a problem for Tweens, having not grown up with this cartoon -yet another age related complication!


Amory, J. (2008). The Fledging of Az Gabrielson (The Clouded World Book1). London: Gollancz. ISBN#0575079800

Persistence of Memory by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

In this book the main character Erin has mental problems, and not just the everyday 16 year old kind, the padded cell kind. (So endearing, don’t you think?). Add to this a lovely vampire named Shevaun, and a strange bond between them that drives them both mad = a whole rats nest of plot! Supportive and strong boyfriends (because every teen has one those!) are there to help unravel the situation, but its all mixed up in magic, history and a host of useless characters. (See rats nest below for a visual).

What it boils down to is: readable. I found the characters lacking enough in substance that I didn’t care about what happened to them, but the book is short and fast paced enough I figured I’d follow through to the end (as if I were a lawyer following an ambulance to a car crash).

For Tweens?
As a whole this book is acceptable for Tweens –there is an appealing fantasy meshed with today's world element, the language is simple, the plot is not adult-only content, and the characters are few. If you need something to fill the shelves, this might do the trick! But as a recommend for an excellent book, it falls extremely short.

Final Word:
I must add that I found the use of the word ‘Chortle’ in this book extremely upsetting and find myself wondering if many tweens spend time chortling? Have you chortled lately? As for myself, I prefer to guffaw. (I once found a children’s book that featured the word Masticate, so I think I will put Chortle as a close second). So now I am off to try my best not to chortle while I masticate. Wow, that sounds wrong.

Atwater-Rhodes, A. (2010). Persistence of Memory. New York: Delacorte Books For Young Readers. ISBN#9780440240044

Sabriel by Garth Nix

This book is like a cold clear day in the mountains, calm and refreshing. (Not like a mint! I know what you were thinking!). There is a stillness that stays, even when dead scary monsters are chasing the main character, as they tend to do. But thankfully Sabriel not only has charter magic, she is a trained necromancer. (She is the kind that makes the walking dead go back to being just plain dead). Unfortunately, she doesn't have much experience. But when the top job of the Abhorsen opens up suddenly its time for her to shine. Well only if she wants to save the citizens of the magic filled Old Kingdom and the mostly normal country of Ancelstierre (which are separated by a wall). Although the wall which separates these two places is guarded like the former Berlin Wall, trouble is spilling out, threatening both places. This setup reminds me of the movie/book Stardust by Neil Gaiman, where a magical world Stormhold, is separated by a wall from the village called, surprise, Wall. (Score 1 for Nix on creativity).


Its up to Sabriel to fix the entire dilemma, so she must test her untried magic against the dark powers that stand against her. Nix includes a host of memorable characters, my favorite being Mogget, the cat with a secret. Bring a blanket because this book has just enough ice to make you feel chilly!

There are many books that Nix writes about this world, with a rotating host of characters that overlap. But this is the only one I like, maybe it’s because it feels like he loved writing this book. It’s full of little details that bring this book to life and feels unrushed –despite the frantic pace of the plot.

For Tweens?
This is a great book for Tweens. Not only is Sabriel’s life in transition, but she must face her fears, and most of all..have confidence in herself.

Final Word:
Classic. Keeper.


Nix, G. (2008). Sabriel (Abhorsen). New York: HarperTeen. ISBN# 0061474355

Dragon's Blood by Jane Yolen (Book 1 of Pit Dragon Trilogy)

Let’s ignore the review for now and talk about Covers. You know that you judge a book by its cover, I mean literally. Once that initial honeymoon stage is over and the books is a keeper, then the cover doesn’t matter as much. As far as Tweens go, the cover does more than just catch their attention, but also can act as a status symbol. (Like wearing a cool new set of headphones or sweat pants that say Juicy on the backside). So the cover better be super cool. This book has gone through many cover up-dates and the age of the main character just keeps going up! I think the original cover on the left shows a 10 year old boy, while one in the middle shows a 13 year old, while the cover on the right shows a full out 16-18 year old teen. So depending on the book cover this book might find its way into the children’s section or teen section.

The main character, Jakkin is facing a crossroads. He can stay the same, a slave to dragon breeders -a monotonous yet mostly safe, life sentence. Or Jakkin can step up, take a chance and become a man. He can steal a dragon egg, raise it, and help it to win money at the dragon fights so he can buy his freedom. That is a big mountain to climb, but Jakkin has a secret, an in-born trait that gives him an advantage. On top of everything else, he has his slave duties, his friends, his enemies, the need for sleep to deal with, and his first crush to deal with.

My favorite thing about this book is that Jakkin has the opportunity to move beyond the normal challenges for a person his age, to excel and to dream big. My second favorite thing is that there are two more books already published to keep reading more about Jakkin’s story. Dragons are a popular genre now, so don’t let this one get swept out with the old, it’s a keeper for many more generations.

For Tweens?
This book is an ageless classic and also a great book for Tweens. Because it is science-fiction/fantasy there is nothing to 'date' it -like mentions of old technology or no longer current media references. The unique world presented by Yolen is enthralling and her characters are stunning.
Final Word?
Classic. Keeper.

Yolen, J. (1982). Dragon's Blood: The Pit Dragon Chronicles, Volume One (Pit Dragon Chronicles). New York: Magic Carpet Books. ISBN #0152051260