POC Reading Challenge 2011

I am definitely doing the the Persons of Color reading challenge again! You can sign up HERE.




Goal: Level 5 - Read 16-25 POC books 

Possibilities:
Angela Johnson
Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles
Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher

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Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Release Date: December 23, 2008

Age Group: Young Adult

Paperback: 368 pages

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

Review: Everyone's heard of of the forbidden love between Romeo & Juliet and in the modern and urban twist, the two main characters are paired up in chemistry class.

First off, I absolutely loved how Simone Elkeles alternates between Alex's POV and Brittany's POV. Sometimes I might get annoyed at alternating chapters (I used to dislike books like that!) but I think it makes this book even better. Brittany is captain of cheerleading and to everyone, she is viewed as perfect, however that is not the case. Alex is in a gang but there is more to him than meets the eye, whose POV I especially liked reading.

I didn't think I would enjoy this book as much as I did but luckily I was wrong! This has been one of my favorites books I've read this year (not that I've read a lot..will get on that!) because there were just so many things I loved about it! The writing, the romance, the forced partnership (LOVE THAT IN BOOKS!) and I haven't read a lot of books that deal with gangs and I thought it was a interesting change from the other books I read.

Epilogue = Win!

Rating:

Characters: 5/5

Originality: 4/5

Ending: 5/5

Writing: 5/5

Voice: 5/5

Plot: 5/5

Favorite character(s): Isabel, Paque, Mrs. Peterson were all great characters!

Cover: A- I found myself looking at the cover numerous times while reading the book. Typically, I don't care for covers with people on them but jeez the cover is HOT! I can't even describe how much I love the people and their pose! The only thing I didn't like was the pink text for the authors name and how the back is a pink background.

Thoughts: FANTASTIC book! I want need to read Rules of Attractions ASAP! 5 Stars

POC Reading Challenge

I love reading books that feature POC! So, I definitely was already going to be doing this challenge, but I decided to go ahead and make it official! You can click the button at the top of this post or just click HERE to sign up!

*I will be participating in Level 5. Which is reading 16-25 POC books!

1. Life of Pi by Yann Martel

2. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

3. My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins and Fenway Park by Steve Kluger

4. Rules of Attractions by Simone Elkeles

5. Riot by Walter Dean Myers

6. Push by Sapphire

Here are some books I hope to read:

8th Grade Superzero by Olugbemisola Rhuday Perkovich

Ash by Malinda Lo

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Conception by Kalisha Buckhanon

The First Part last by Angela Johnson

The God Box by Alex Sanchez

Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Out of my Mind by Sharon M. Draper

She's So Money by Cherry Cheva

Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon

Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher