Pint-Sized 'Pinions: Great Realistic YA Edition

Pint-Sized 'Pinions are mini-reviews that I post often (usually weekly). The books reviewed have either been reviewed a lot or I don't have much to say for them, whether negative or positive, to justify an extended review.

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Today's minis cover a few young adult novels, in the realistic fiction genre, that I though were simply outstanding. I can't say much more for these other than "They're great! Get them now!"

Fat Cat by Robin Brande
Knopf Books for Young Readers (October 13, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0375844492
336 pages

You are what you eat. . . .

Cat smart, sassy, and funny—but thin, she’s not. Until her class science project. That’s when she winds up doing an experiment—on herself. Before she knows it, Cat is living—and eating—like the hominids, our earliest human ancestors. True, no chips or TV is a bummer and no car is a pain, but healthful eating and walking everywhere do have their benefits.

As the pounds drop off, the guys pile on. All this newfound male attention is enough to drive a girl crazy! If only she weren’t too busy hating Matt McKinney to notice. . . .

This funny and thoughtful novel explores how girls feel about their bodies, and the ways they can best take care of their most precious resource: themselves.

This young adult novel is one of my all-time favorites. It's funny, sweet and meaningful. Cat is an amazing heroine and her journey can be enjoyed by anyone.

Grade: A+

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Hold Still by Nina LaCour
Dutton Juvenile (October 20, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0525421559
304 pages

An arresting story about starting over after a friend’s suicide, froma breakthrough new voice in YA fiction
dear caitlin, there are so many things that i want so badly to tell you but i just can’t.

Devastating, hopeful, hopeless, playful . . . in words and illustrations, Ingrid left behind a painful farewell in her journal for Caitlin. Now Caitlin is left alone, by loss and by choice, struggling to find renewed hope in the wake of her best friend’s suicide. With the help of family and newfound friends, Caitlin will encounter first love, broaden her horizons, and start to realize that true friendship didn’t die with Ingrid. And the journal which once seemed only to chronicle Ingrid’s descent into depression, becomes the tool by which Caitlin once again reaches out to all those who loved Ingrid—and Caitlin herself.

A sad, yet hopeful novel. Caitlin's struggle to get over her friend's death, and find herself in the process, is captivating. I really enjoyed LaCour's use of Ingrid's journal and Caitlin's new romance to help propel the story forward.

Grade: A-

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Front & Center (Dairy Queen, 3) by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (October 19, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0618959822
272 pages

After five months of sheer absolute craziness I was going back to being plain old background D.J. In photographs of course I'm always in the background...

But it turns out other folks have big plans for D.J. Like her coach. College scouts. All the town hoops fans. A certain Red Bend High School junior who's keen for romance and karaoke. Not to mention Brian Nelson, who she should not be thinking about! Who she is done with, thank you very much. But who keeps showing up anyway...

The entire Dairy Queen series is amazing. D.J.'s story is fascinating in its simplicity - much like the character herself. You have to read the previous two novels in order to fully appreciate how Front & Center develops. It's a very satisfying cap to a extremely enjoyable trilogy.

Grade: A-

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Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
St. Martin's Griffin (January 5, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0312573805
256 pages

Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High... until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around. Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.

Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up To Be.

Some Girls Are is raw and honest. One can't help but become absorbed in it's realness, even if they've never ecountered a similar situation. What really sets it apart is that Regina isn't always the lovable or the victim. A must read.

Grade: A

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Each book was reviewed from a copy provided by the publisher. Each synopsis was found at Amazon.com. I'm an Amazon Associate. Feel free to use my links to purchase items - the commission will go towards paying the shipping costs on giveaways.

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