Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

SYNOPSIS:  Beatrice lives in a time when society is separated into five different factions:  Dauntless, Abnegation, Amity, Candor, and Eurodite.  When she turns sixteen, she is expected to choose either to stay in Abnegation, or join another faction.  This choice sets her on a course that will bring adventure and danger.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This series is exciting and fast-paced.  It definitely kept my attention.  However, it had some Sensuality, and Violence.  I would recommend the series for older readers.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality and Violence

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  The Hunger Games, Matched

3 Willows by Ann Brashares

SYNOPSIS:  Three girls find they are growing apart from each other.  During a summer in which they go their separate ways, they each face important issues, and find they miss the friendship they once had.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This is a spin-off of the Traveling Pants series, but works alone, as well.  It is a similar story-line and has similar content (some sensuality).  However, I thought it was well written, and addresses some important issues (including eating disorders).  I would recommend it for more mature readers.

RATING:  PG with some sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Teens and Young Adults

STARS:  3 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Along for the Ride, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Gone by Michael Grant

SYNOPSIS:  Sam is at school when suddenly his teacher disappears into thin air.  He finds that every other person above the age of 15 has disappeared also.  Because of heroic actions in his youth, Sam is looked on as a leader, and reluctantly tries to help the youth of his town find order in the midst of complete disorder.  However, he finds others want to be in charge, and when some of the teens and animals start exhibiting supernatural abilities, fighting breaks out amongst the teens.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This sounds like a fun idea, but it quickly got too dark for me.  The author didn't pull any punches, and there is some quite disturbing imagery, as well as what I would consider gratuitous violence.  In my opinion, this was too mature for the intended audience.  However, I admittedly have a low tolerance for violence, so I'm sure others would disagree with me.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence, Language, and some mild Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Maze Runner, I am Number Four, 13 Days to Midnight

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

SYNOPSIS:  Rebecca Bloomwood is a financial journalist with a shopping problem.  She can't seem to curb her spending, even when she is thousands of dollars in debt.  She tries to creatively find her way out of her tangle of bills.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Although the narration in this book is clever and funny, there is some strong language, as well as sensuality and sexual references.  Definitely not for younger readers, and maybe not for older readers, either.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality and Language

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Princess Diaries, The Nanny Diaries

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

SYNOPSIS:  Lina and Doon are friends living in Ember, a city founded by The Builders over 200 years earlier.  Things are changing--food is running out, the power cuts off at times, and the town's leaders are corrupt.  Lina tries to unravel the mysteries of the city, with the help of Doon.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This is a good series for younger readers.  It is exciting and mysterious, and the characters in the book are courageous and smart.  I would recommend it readers of any age.

RATING:  PG

AUDIENCE:  Pre-Teen

STARS:  3 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Matilda, Dave at Night

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

SYNOPSIS:  Two sisters are growing up in the late 19th century upper class.  While others try to pair them up advantageously, they try to find true love.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I think I am getting better at judging books by their covers, but I was disappointed in this book.  It felt more like a trashy romance novel than a book of substance to me.  It includes a lot of drama and some sensuality, without any real payoff in terms of storyline.  I wouldn't recommend this book, and would definitely not recommend it to young readers.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality, Language, and some Violence

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

STARS:  0

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  A Great and Terrible Beauty, similar to Gossip Girl in book format

The Agency Series by Y.S. Lee

SYNOPSIS:  Mary is caught as a thief and sentenced to death.  She is rescued, however, and taken on at an all-girls' academy.  Eventually, she shows both the talent and desire to help them with their undercover agency.  She is sent to spy on a rich man suspected of illegal dealings.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  These weren't the best mystery I've ever read, but it was entertaining.  It had lots of adventure, and plenty of "girl power" moments that would keep the attention of teenage girls.  However, there was some violence, and some mild sensuality, so I would recommend it for Teens and Young Adults.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality and Violence

AUDIENCE:  Teens and Young Adults

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Nancy Drew, A Great and Terrible Beauty

Beastly by Alex Flinn

SYNOPSIS:  Kyle is one of the most popular, handsome boys at his school--and he knows it.  He is an unapologetic snob, and goes out of his way to be rude to others.  Finally, a witch decides to put him in his place and turn him into a hideous beast.  Only true love can break the spell.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  At first glance, this looks like a typical fairy tale retelling.  However, it is geared toward an older audience, and has violence and sensuality in it.  There is a lot of focus on teenage issues, but I thought it was more appropriate for an older audience.  It was a fun idea, but I don't think I would recommend it.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence, Language, and Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Young Adult

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Briar Rose, Princess of the Midnight Ball

Emily Hudson by Melissa Jones

SYNOPSIS:  Emily is sent away from her boarding school for improper behavior.  She is left at her uncle's mercy, and he tries to find her a suitable match.  However, she fights against the bonds she feels are tightening around her, and runs away with her cousin to Europe.  Unfortunately, he begins to see her as a possession, and soon, she has to escape from another unhealthy relationship and try to find herself.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This was another audiobook I checked out from the library, and was a little hard to get through.  I imagine it would have been even harder if I had been reading it instead of listening to it.  I found the heroine to be dramatic and inconstant, and couldn't really interest myself in what happened to her.  There was some mild sensuality in the book, including a brief relationship with a married man, so I would recommend this book only for young adults or adults.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults, Adults

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Juliet, North and South

The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

SYNOPSIS:  Two kids from the nineties realize they can log into their future facebook accounts and see what their future is like.  They get caught up in trying to change their futures and question what they really want.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This was an audiobook that I checked out and wasn't impressed with.  It's kind of a fun concept, but poorly executed.  Also, there was a lot of sexual references in the book.  In all, I'd skip this read.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality and Language

AUDIENCE:  Young Adult

STARS:  1

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  The Missing series, Along for the Ride