Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender (R.I.P. Challenge book #3)

15-year-old Alexis, a pink-haired outcast, has come to terms with her dysfunctional life. Her parents are distant due to her mother’s long hours at work and her sister, Kasey, is a friendless doll-collecting wimp whoconstantly needs Alexis’ help. But then Kasey’s mood swings start to get more dramatic. Her speech changes, sometimes sounding a bit archaic. And occasionally, when she gets angry, her blue eyes flash green. As Kasey’s behavior gets more violent and destructive, Alexis realizes that something has possessed her timid little sister. Something that has killed in the past. Somethingthat plans to do a lot more killing in the future. Only Alexis and her new friend Megan can put a stop to the evil plan of a long-dead, but not gone, little girl.Alender’s creepy tale of possession hits all the right notes. Alexis and her little sister, Kasey, are believable characters. And the spirit is effectively malevolent. The tension built slowly and pulled me into the story until I couldn't stop reading...almost as if I was possessed...

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (R.I.P. Challenge book #2)

Mary's village life is simple. Lives revlove around family and the Sisterhood, which keeps everyone safe from the Unconsecrated. But Mary wants more. Growing up with stories of the world before the Return, she senses that there must be more out beyond the boundaries of her village. Beyond the fences where mindless Unconsecrated pull and hammer and moan, constantly trying to break through to gnaw and gnash and infect the living. Then one day, they breach the fence. That's the day Mary's life changes. Her world expands. And her hopes of a different life are realized - though it's not the life she had wished for.

Think about all the zombie movies you have seen. This is the world more than 100 years later. When all the living have left of our way of life are the stories of their great-great-great-great-great grandparents. The zombies have overrun the world, and only the village is left. There is no way out. There is no other way of life. There is nothing but the village and the Unconsecrated. This is the setting of The Forest of Hands and Teeth. But amid the hopelessness is Mary. Who has hopes and dreams beyond the village. This is her story. And it's riveting...

Hell Phone by William Sleator (R.I.P. Challenge book #1)

Nick is poor. So poor he lives in a tiny trailer, has no computer, and has to work everyday after school. And he has no cell phone. Then he gets the flyer. Cheapest prepaid cell phones in town. With his precious savings Nick buys a $20 phone (a return with no caller ID) and 150 minutes. He's overjoyed and can't wait to talk to Jen, his girlfriend and the reason he bought the phone.

But as soon as Nick turns the phone on, the calls begin. A sobbing woman begging for help. A pushy man who urges Nick to steal cell phone accessories, but won't tell Nick what he wants. And a heavily accented man who warns Nick not to trust "them." And then there are the games that come with the phone: Games From Real Hell. As the cell phone keeps ringing, a wretched, screeching cat noise, Nick gets more and more involved with the callers. Until, finally, they drag him into hell...

This book was a quick, easy read. Intriguing enough for teens who don't usually enjoy reading, and with a plot that holds a reader's interest. I enjoyed it, and recommend it for those who like a tiny rush of fear, but want to sleep well at night!

Camp Confidential: Natalie's Secret by Melissa J. Morgan

This was a happiful book that wasn't a thriller, but was still a good read. It's about a girl from NYC who's sent to camp by he mom to get her away from city life. Things start out smoothly until all of Natalie's friends find out about her little secret, and then things start to go really wrong.

~ Becky Thielman, age 13

Book Description: When her mother makes her leave Manhattan to attend a summer camp in Pennsylvania, eleven-year-old Natalie tries to overcome her aversion to nature and makes new friends while, at the same time, keeping the identity of her famous father a secret.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey

An overaverage high school boy and his uncle enter a world of knights, swords and violence. Alfred ends up with excalibur and lets it fall into the wrong hands. It's up to him to fix that problem with the help of a decendant of a Round Table knight.
~Nelson Thain, age 14

Book Description: Through a series of dangerous and violent misadventures, teenage loser Alfred Kropp rescues King Arthur's legendary sword Excalibur from the forces of evil.

Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto

It was a good read but needed more action.

~Ryan Jones, age 10

Series Descripton: Naruto must pass the difficult test to enter the Ninja Academy; deal with his konohamaru; and learn to get along with his new classmates, Sasuke and Sakura. Assigned to a three-person team, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura must survive a brutal test against their upper-level ninja instructor, Kakashi. Only two can pass -- will Naruto be one of them?

Orange Planet #1 by Haruka Fukushima

Orange Planet #1 was awesome!! And also very good.

~Lyric Jones, age 11

Book Description: Like a lot of girls, Rui has boy problems. But most girls would be thrilled to have a problem like hers: there are too many boys in love with her! First ther's Taro, the adorable boy next door. Then there's Eisuke, a teaching intern who's just too hot to handle. And finally, Kaoru, the one boy who just may hold the key to Rui's heart!