Here at the GUYA I use the highly scientific, well researched, and tested method of reviewing called WHIWB… or Whatever the Heck I Want it to Be. Here’s the grading system I will use for reviews:
The Skinny: What’s the hap yo? Gimme the 411. Call this section whatever new colloquialism you want, but essentially this is what it’s all about. No spoilers, of course! Nothing ruins a book quite like learning 3 chapters in that Harry Potter dies in the end.
BFF?: Some of my best friends are book characters – I find no shame in this and neither should you. So of course whenever I read a new book I go in there with the thought “Could we be friends or is he/she getting on my last nerve?” Characters can make or break a book, despite how awesome/lame it may be.
Readability: I find that the best books are those that I can become a part of, whether I become the main character and live his or her adventures/life or am so drawn into the world that I forget I’m actually not a character in the book. This factor will also examine the language of the book, whether it’s trying a little too hard or actually captures the voice of a young adult.
Crush Level: 1 (OMG worst guy ever!) – 10 (Yowzer!). There’s no doubt about it: YA literature is chock full of hotties who, no matter how old we get, still do it for us. Whether they remind you of your first love or that wild school-girl crush you had way back when, these love interests can make us sigh with more happiness than is natural. The built-up tension, the flirtatious looks or brushing of hands… oh to be young and in love again!
Bonus Points: Anything that makes this book extra special to me. Band geeks. Mythology. Accents. The list goes on… and on… and on…
Commencement Speech*: My final thoughts and review of the book. Hopefully there won’t be too many cliche “the road less taken” lines like so many commencement speeches are subject to.
*Some reviews might not have this – don’t be alarmed. I loved them just the same!
Yearbook Quote: I love quotes. This is where I get to leave you with any great lines or takeaways from this book. Don’t worry; no spoiler quotes! I also do not put quotes from ARCs, unless a) the book is already published by the time I’ve written the review or b) a quote is just way too good not to put.
Superlatives: Just like your high school year book. Only funner. Most likely to… Make my heart flutter? Be successful without really trying? Capture the hearts of cougars everywhere?
The Grown-Up YA 