Read, Write, Repeat.

In an era of vampire fiction, it’s nice to see the supernatural world expand to include other creatures that look like humans but are, in fact, something else.

And if they’re teens who fall in love, so much the better. Enter Forgive My Fins (Katherine Tegen Books, 2010). It tells the … um … tail of Lily. She’s half human, half mermaid but has been raised in the sea.

She goes inland to experience life as a human and experiences things many teens do – a misguided crush, an annoying boy and possibly … true love.

Throw in an accidental kiss that could lead to an ocean of problems, and you’ve got quite a story.

Our reviewer: Gwen

 Age: 13

 Things I like to do: Listen to music and text my friends.

This book was about: A girl named Lily who left her home in the sea to find out more about her mother who was a human. She falls in love with a boy at her school named Brody. After several events, she has to go to her home in Thalassinia to find her father, the king of Thalassinia, to undo a love connection she has for a boy named Quince that she despises.

Lily keeps telling herself that she is supposed to be with Brody and she could never love Quince, but as time goes on, she realizes Quince might be a better match for her then Brody.

 The best part was when: I really loved the part when Lily and Quince have to do three tests to prove to Lily’s father that they aren’t a good match so he can do the separation. Lily and Quince have to stay on a deserted island together while doing the tests.

I laughed when: Quince did something that made Lily really mad because she’s just really funny when she’s annoyed.

I was worried when: Lily chose to stay in Thalassinia and when her father did the separation.

I was surprised when: Quince admitted he liked Lily since she started living next door to him.

This book taught me: If you stick to one thing for a long time, you might miss out on even better things.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Humorous.” “Imaginative.” “Addicting.”

 My favorite line or phrase in this book is: My favorite lines are when she says “carp” instead of “crap.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: How it relates to your own life – making hard choices, boy crushes and family.

You should read this book because: It’s good. Period.

Here’s what some other book reviewers had to say:

• 21 Pages
• The Story Siren
• For What It’s Worth
• Just Read

If you read the book and like it, you’ll want to watch for the sequel Fins are Forever that comes out in 2011.

If you’d like to learn more about author Tera Lynn Childs, visit her blog or follow her on Twitter (@teralynnchilds).

Bronwen Oliver doesn’t feel like she fits in with her family.

Her mother doesn’t seem to appreciate Bronwen’s sense of humor — or her natural hair color. She does like Bronwen’s boyfriend, Chad, but Bronwen is having second thoughts about a future with him. Especially after their prom disaster.

Then there’s her stepfather. Bronwen likes him and hopes he’ll adopt her so she’ll officially be his, but after one hopeful conversation, he never mentions the topic again.

If that weren’t enough, her family has a strange fixation with ketchup and can’t get through a holiday meal without arguing about unusal topics (“Of course, lightning can freeze!”) And the argument isn’t over until somebody cries.

Then Bronwen meets Jared. He’s a senior in college, and she’s a senior in high school, but they instantly click. On her 18th birthday, he proposes, and Bronwen is sure this will give her the love and acceptance she’s always wanted. But is she right?

Now, let’s turn it over to Gwen. Even though she has no intention of getting married before she’s 30, she’s sporting something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue in the photo.

Our reviewer: Gwen

The book: I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan (Arthur A. Levine, 2010)

Age: 13

Things I like to do: Play sports, splurge at the mall, listen to music and text with my friends.

This book was about: A girl named Bronwen Oliver who feels like she doesn’t fit in with her family and was switched at birth. She sometimes pretends to be Phoebe Lilywhite who belongs in a perfect family.

In real life, she meets a guy named Jared after she had broken up with her other boyfriend. Jared and Bronwen hit it off immediately and then at midnight of Bronwen’s 18^th birthday, Jared asked her to marry him. Bronwen now is so happy that she can be a part of a normal family that really knows her, but she becomes overwhelmed by all the decisions that she needs to make for herself.

The best part was when: Jared asked Bronwen to marry him. It was so cute and romantic!

I laughed when: Bronwen told her mother off about Chad, Bronwen’s old boyfriend who was a big jerk. I laughed because I don’t like Bronwen’s mother.

I was worried when: Bronwen started to question the things that Jared was doing without her input. It made me think they were going to break up.

I was surprised when: Bronwen met Jared at the Java Bean in the last chapter.

This book taught me: You need to take time and figure out what you really want before you pursue the things that your heart wants at one moment.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Funny.” “Romantic.” “Page-turner.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “The other way I know I’m not truly a member of this family is ketchup. I’m kind of disturbed by pickle relish too.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: How the Oliver family interacts with one another in the beginning and how that changes toward the end.

You should read this book because: It has lots of scenarios that people could relate to like family members not getting along, the death of a loved one and falling in love.

Thanks, Gwen!

If you’d like to learn more about this book, check out these blog posts.

• Another teen review by Amber Skye on her blog Reading Addict.
• An interview with author Erin McCahan by the book’s editor, Cheryl Klein.
• A review on Reviews by Lola.

If you’d like to learn more about the author, visit her website.

About two years ago, Laura Schaefer’s first novel, The Teashop Girls (Paula Wiseman, 2008) came out. Even though I live near Madison, Wisconsin, where the book is set, I somehow missed its release.

So when I discovered it a few weeks ago, I made up for lost time. I read it and soaked in the Wisconsin references. Then, I shared it with my daughter, who is today’s guest reviewer.

As you’ll see below, Gwen likes Starbucks coffee. But she also likes chai and green tea and said that if Madison really had a teashop called The Steeping Leaf, she’d be a regular customer.

So take it away, Gwen!

Reviewer: Gwen

Age: 13

I like: Playing basketball and volleyball. Listening to all types of music. Playing piano, singing and fixing my hair. I like to go on YouTube and watch funny videos. I love to hang out with my friends and go shopping. Starbucks rules!

This book was about: The Teashop Girls is about a girl named Annie Green who tries to help save her grandmother’s teashop that has been in the family for a long time. Annie absolutely loves tea, so she and her two best friends, Genna and Zoe, became the Teashop Girls when they were young and have stuck to their handbook of club rules ever since. As the best friends work to keep the teashop going, the girls deal with boys, growing up, and finding their Zen.

The best part was when: The best parts in the book were the different recipes, side stories or old tea advertisements. Whether they are about Zoe’s Power-Up Tea Smoothie, Lipton’s Teas, or All About Japanese Tea Ceremonies, they are definitely entertaining and fun to read and maybe try. I also liked how in the beginning of each chapter, there was a quote about tea by many different writers or famous people.

I laughed when: I laughed when the girls were dissing a mean boy named Zach who goes to their school. He and his major rich parents were going to buy the teashop and maybe get rid of it (plus he was just rude and obnoxious) so they didn’t really like him.

I was worried when: The grandmother was feeling sick for the day because I thought something bad was going to happen to her.

I was surprised when:  Zach’s parents decided to buy the teashop and stabilize the rent.

This book taught me: If you put your mind to something, you can make big things happen.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Fun.” “Real.” “Yummy.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “I understood, at that moment, why Genna loved boys so much. I gulped.”

Other teens reading this book should watch for: Other teens should watch for the other characters and their personalities. For example, there is a man who comes to the teashop, and he likes to read big, old books. He gives Annie a book, but that’s pretty much the only main time you hear about him. It’s interesting, because I can just picture this old man, pocket-watch type of person with antique glasses, always hidden behind a giant book that’s falling apart at the binding.

You should read this book because: It’s lighthearted, and there is a good message behind the story.

Thanks, Gwen!

If you’d like to learn more about author Laura Schaefer, visit her website. Or check out her profile at Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.

One cool thing about this book are the dessert illustrations sprinkled throughout. They’re courtesy of Sujean Rim. You can learn more about her on this website.

Gwen found this young adult novel when she was strolling through a store, took it home and read it. She liked it so much she was happy to review it for Read, Write, Repeat. So take it away, Gwen …

Reviewer name: Gwen, age 12

Book reviewed: Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon (Greenwillow Books, 2009)

This book was about: A girl named Ai Ling who journeys to a palace to save her father from the evil Zhong Ye. Zhong Ye had known Ai Ling in another life as Silver Phoenix. Ai Ling faces many dangerous creatures and meets some new friends on the way.

The best part was when: Ai Ling was traveling with Chen Yong and they meet Chen’s younger brother, Li Rong. Li Rong is my favorite character because he is so funny and is always making jokes.

I laughed when: The two brothers would always try to impress Ai Ling – jokingly that is.

I was worried: At the end of the book because you never know what could happen, especially in this book. It makes you keep guessing.

I was surprised: With the ending because … well … you’ll just have to read the book and find out. If I tell you, it would give it away.

This book taught me: That some people have a different side to them, and maybe there’s something deeper down in them that you have to figure out.

Other people reading this book should: Thank whoever recommended it for them, because it truly is a great book!

Three words that best describe this book are: Incredible, imaginative and magical.

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Black circles burst across her blurred vision. She stumbled away and slumped to the floor, not caring that the corpse of the monster was but a few arms’ lengths away.”

You should read this book because: It really lets your mind wander, and I feel like people can relate to the character’s personalities.

Thanks, Gwen!

Now, I’m back. Silver Phoenix, which, I have to say, has the coolest cover I’ve seen in quite a while, has been nominated for a Cybil Award, and Cindy has a sequel coming out in fall of 2010.

If you’d like to learn more about Silver Phoenix, check out Cindy Pon’s Web site. She’s got information about the book, a blog and other kinds of fun stuff.