BOOK REVIEW: THE HAUNTED MUSEUM- THE PHANTOM MUSIC BOX

THE HAUNTED MUSEUM:

THE PHANTOM MUSIC BOX

Suzanne Weyn

Scholastic

2014

Available: Paperback, Kindle

     Twelve-year-old Emma Bryant loves to dance and wants to make the special dance squad. But she needs to practice, practice, practice. It's why she'd rather be in class than at best friend's birthday party in the Haunted Museum. One room has a special display of music boxes, one with a ballerina and partner that spin and spin to the haunting music. Emma touches the box when she goes home, the box shows up at her home. It's like it followed her home. What is

BOOK REVIEW: DR. FRANKENSTEIN'S DAUGHTERS

 

DR. FRANKENSTEIN'S DAUGHTERS

Suzanne Weyn

Scholastic

2013

Available: paperback, hardcover, Kindle

Giselle and Ingrid are seventeen-year-old twins. They have come to live in the Frankenstein castle in the Orkney island chain of Scotland that they inherited from their father, Dr. Victor Frankenstein. The two girls are excited embarking on a new life. Although they are identical twins, they are very different.

BOOK REVIEW: THE BAR CODE TATTOO

The Bar Code Tattoo Review

THE BAR CODE TATTOO

Suzanne Weyn

Scholastic

2004

Available:  Paperback, Kindle

   This is the first book in the Bar Code series.

    Kayla is turning seventeen soon and will be eligible to get her barcode tattoo like everyone else who wants to be "in." It's 2025 and the new barcode replaces everything ^__ credit cards, driver's licenses and even your medical information. Who wouldn't want one? Kayla, that's who. Of course her best friend can't understand this and Kayla finds herself spending time with members of a teen resistance movement fighting against the tattoo and Kayla becomes torn between her old best friend and her new friends. At first the barcode tattoo is voluntary, but then the government makes the tattoo mandatory. This changes everything for Kayla. On top of this she learns frightening information about the information stored in the tattoos and how that information is used. Before she knows it, she's on the other side of the law and running for her life.

     The premise behind this book is compelling. Total government control of individuals from their medical treatments, to their education and to their future opportunities. The story moves quickly with a lot of action, suspense and danger. What is most disturbing, and therefore fascinating, is that this could happen to America in the near future. This book is sure to entertain the teen reader and raises some important societal ethical questions. At the same time, the latter part of the book is rushed and could have easily been developed into a more satisfying ending. Still I enjoyed reading it, because it tweaked my imagination. I think teens will like it, too.

Target audience:  grades 8-10

Mystery /Suspense: Intense

Kid Appeal: For older readers