The Trouble with Poetry

By: Billy Collins

Genre: Poetry

Pages: 101

Published: 2007

“Movie” Rating: G

Compare to:

The Poetry of Robert Frost

The Collected Poems of Wallace Stevens

The Wild Iris, Louise Gluck

In a nutshell:

A collection of poems about everyday experiences and things.

What you may enjoy:

Collins voice is strong in his poetry. Each poem reads easily, almost like prose. The poems are simple, yet profound. You can read quickly for face value or slowly with deeper contemplation.

What you may NOT enjoy:

There isn’t much rhythm to this poetry. It doesn’t feel like poetry. And most of the poems have to do with Collin’s life and contemplations, making it mundane for some readers.

Warnings:

Sex and Nudity:

Husband and wife sleep together

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As You Wish

By: Jackson Pearce

Genre: Teen

Pages: 304

Published: 2009

Told In: First Person

Compare to:

The Siren, Kiera Cass

Mirrored, Alex Flinn

You Wish, Mandy Hubbard

In a nutshell:

Viola feels invisible and just wishes to belong, but she’s hesitant to vocalize what she wants when a rushed jinn appears to grant her 3 wishes. Together, they learn what it means to belong and to be happy with who you are.

What you may enjoy:

Viola’s character sits well with teens. She vocalizes what many of them feel. While an effortless read, it carries subtle messages about self-respect and identity. The story is captivating and unique.

What you may NOT enjoy:

The story is predictable and cliché. It has your standard expected teen book characters and endings. While it does contain deeper lessons, the ending kind of cancels out the moral of the story.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Man punched in the face

Sex and Nudity:

Boy and girl kiss passionately; Mentioned that a girl took off her shirt; Boy kisses girl; Boy and girl kiss (many different times, but never graphic)

Language and Profanity:

Hell, Damn (3 times), F*ck, Ass, God

Drinking and Drugs

Teen drinking several times, teen smoking

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The Case of the Claymore Diamond

By: Daniel Kenney and Emily Boever

Genre: Young Reader Mystery

Pages: 82

Published: 2014

Told In: Third Person

Series: The Math Inspectors, 1 of 4

Compare to:

Nancy Drew, Carolyn Keene

Encyclopedia Brown, Donald Sobol

A to Z Mysteries, Ron Roy

In a nutshell:

A group of four friends who love math, decide to use their skills to solve mysteries while simultaneously proving how important math is.

What you may enjoy:

This series is meant for 3^rd-5^th grade readers. It fills a perfect niche for kids who love mysteries whether they like math or not. At the back of the book, word problems are provided that relate to the story. A great mix of math and literature!

What you may NOT enjoy:

The series is quite silly. The kids often compare themselves to the Scooby Doo gang, with their own set of cliché says. The adults are made to seem unobservant and slightly incapable.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Man has a bleeding cut on his head

Sex and Nudity:

None

Language and Profanity:

None

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Killer Cupcakes

By: Leighann Dobbs

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 146

Published: 2012

Told In: Third Person

Series: Lexy Baker Series, Book 1 of 12

Compare to:

Sunshine Hunter, Maddie Cochere

Pretty, Hip, and Dead, Madison Johns

Dying for Dinner Rolls, Lois Lavrisa

In a nutshell:

When Lexy’s ex is found dead, poisoned by her bakery’s cupcakes, she becomes number one on the suspect list. To prove her innocence, Lexy decides to solve the mystery herself.

What you may enjoy:

This is a fun short read. It’s not heavy on the mystery and adds some light romance. The writing is good for such a small, simple book.

What you may NOT enjoy:

There is not much depth to this book. The murder’s motive for framing Lexy is weak, and their character sporadic.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Man poisoned; girl hit over head; man attempts to strangle woman; man sprayed with pepper spray

Sex and Nudity:

Man and woman kiss

Language and Profanity:

Damn (3 times); Hell; God; Bitch

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