CHECK IT OUT

If you think local teens aren’t tuned into reading, think again. In

response to the library’s request for reviews of favorite books, a

spectrum of seventh- through 12-graders testified to the value of reading

for fun, with articulate assessments of leisure reading picks.

The exercise was part of the celebration of Teen Read Week (Oct. 15 to

21), a week aimed at encouraging young adults to read for pleasure, as

well as learning.

For her review of “Matilda,” library staff awarded first place to

Jessica Pakzad. “This book is witty, creative and entertaining,” the St.

Margaret’s Episcopal School student writes. “Whether you read it once or

ten times, like I have, there’s no doubt you’ll put it on your top-ten

list.”

Named second in the competition was Nick Sacco for his “Silent Spring”

entry. “Spring isn’t silent,” the Newport Harbor High sophomore observes.

“It’s filled with the sounds of birds. The purpose of this book was to

make sure birds exist when spring comes, and to educate the world about

the dangers of harmful chemicals.”

For Ensign’s Bryndis Klein, suspense was the draw of “The Westing

Game,” a book about “how an old man dies and leaves a will challenging 16

heirs to find out who took his life.”

Equally compelling for Newport Harbor High’s Stephen Sharma was

“Ender’s Game.” He calls his sci-fi pick “an amazing read.”

For life inspiration, Corona del Mar High’s Jennifer Scott, Kim Singer

and Alexandra Head favored autobiographies.

“This personal account tells about James McBride’s unusual

upbringing,” writes Jennifer of “The Color of Water.”

Of “Angela’s Ashes,” Kim notes, “While most immigrants to America pass

the Statue of Liberty on their way into the country, Francis McCourt saw

it again on his way back to Ireland.”

About Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” Alexandra

comments, “the fact that the book was about a real person made the story

really interesting.”

For fictional grit, Elizabeth Kim favored “A Day No Pigs Would Die,”

because it “demonstrates the pride of Shaker life” through hardships of a

boy who loses his father and his best friend, a pig.

The life lessons of “The House on Mango Street” inspired Corona del

Mar High’s John Moftakhar: “It helps us realize we are lucky for where we

live, and that we should be content with ourselves no matter what we look

like.”

Both Corona del High junior Marcello Pantuliano and Mater Dei senior

Amanda Rigas named “Catch 22” their favorite of the year. “Its zany

descriptions and lack of a concrete plot only increase its hilarity,”

comments Marcello.

“It brilliantly brings out such issues as the army’s inverted chain of

command and the brutal effects of war on the human psyche,” Amanda notes.

A story about love, not war, appealed to Newport Harbor High freshman

Jennifer Pulford, who lauds “Jane Eyre” for “really taking over my

emotions.”

Another about friendship was the pick of Maria Bartolic, who sees “A

Separate Peace” as an all-time favorite. “I really enjoy this opportunity

to read and then express my opinions,” the Mater Dei sophomore writes,

underscoring the motivation for “Teen Read Week” -- to spread the word

about books as a source of entertainment, as well as enlightenment.

Read the reviews of all contest participants on the Teen Center

bulletin board at the Newport Beach Central Library.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by

accessing the catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org.