Laura LangstonCritiques

This was pretty cute, BMO is my favorite adventure time character! I think maybe one longer story would have been nicer than the little snippets though.

A story about the many parts of space and facts.

Located in Science Non-Fiction bin

Hannah finds out the hard way that she's allergic to bees but, after her ordeal, she finds out she's developed the gift of healing. That fact further complicates her messed up life and is one more thing to deal with besides her boyfriend's death.

This was a short, quick YA novel that kept me interested. I like how the authors ended the story, also. No need for another wrap up chapter which is often overkill.

A quick read about regrets, choices and living with our mistakes. With only 134 pages and centred around illegal street racing, this book will especially appeal to young, male teens.

I received an ARC through LibraryThings.
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I grew to enjoy this book quite a bit. Sloane is quite the character, along with Isaac. They are fascinating to read.

I very much enjoyed it when Sloane decided to let it all out and reveal her condition to everyone, even unintentionally while filming the flash mob scene. I loved how Kim was there every step of the way, even though it was given the impression that Kim was all about beauty and looks, and not inner beauty and what not. I admire Kim, she does her best to do what's best like helping those at the women shelters without wanting to take credit or disprove Barbara or Sloane's misplaced opinion of her. Kim is such a strong woman, just like Barbara, but in a different way. I am glad she was there to help Sloane along the way, while her condition worsened, even though Sloane doesn't necessarily see it that way at first.

This book is pretty about never judging a book by it's cover! Who would have thought Isaac would be the one to inadvertently guide Sloane through not only her film but her condition. He has shown growth, just like Sloane in a few short weeks.

Overall, definitely a worthwhile read!

Interesting little story that could result in some interesting book club type discussions for teens. Likeable, realistic characters and well paced story, but felt more like bringing exposure to a little known illness, instead of a fully fleshed out story. More for teen than adult readers in my opinion. Not bad at all but not really my thing. Would have actually enjoyed a story more about the character Jade, but again this is just my opinion. Also I know its a small thing but her biological mom really bothered me. You did get an understanding of how Sloane came to be the girl she was at the beginning and felt the mom did her daughter a great disservice and wasn't there when her daughter needed her. Some nice character development as well. Sorry this review is all over the place but just whipping them out today as I am a busy mommy.

Favorite quote

"Pity is just another form of judgement."

Although I'm not the intended demographic of this little novel, I was able to travel back in my life and understand the emotional dilemmas of the young protagonist. Well written, interesting, and actually gripping. I'd recommend it to my 13 year old granddaughter.

This book is directed at the young adult crowd and I am not in that demographic, but I really enjoyed the book. I especially liked the "hidden" message at the end of the book. If my daughter was younger, I would have her read it.

This was a good book. It wasn't totally accurate as to normal life, but has a small basis there. I read the thing in about 5 hours so it's a quick little read. It is geared for the younger teen demographic & that age group would enjoy reading it. I would not recommend it to everyone, that goes for all of the books I read, reading tastes vary form person to person. I would give this to several girls I know in the 11-15 age group.
This book(or Series Orca Limelights)is in the same category as Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries, or Ally Carter's Gallager Girls books. If you have read any of these books give this one a try.

To read my review:http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/hannahs-touch-by-laura-langston/

If you like to believe in miracles or in the healing touch then this book is for you. Hannah, a regular teen girl, comes to grips with her new found 'healing touch' after a near death experience. This Orca book like the others is low vocab/high interest and packs a lot into its 132 pages. Reluctant readers may like this - it does contain some references to drug and alcohol use.

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

It's been a year since the death of her boyfriend, Logan. Hannah is struggling to put her life back together. One thing that helps a little is her job at the local drugstore. She has gotten to know the regular customers, even grouchy old Maude O'Connell, who insists Hannah call her M.C. The woman's strange little dog named Kitty just adds to her eccentricity.

One day while on her break, Hannah is stung by a bee. Imagine her surprise when she learns she is deathly allergic and ends up having a near-death experience that lands her in the hospital. In the middle of her emergency, she remembers M.C. and Kitty lending a hand to comfort her, and when the excitement settles down, they are crediting her with healing them. M.C. still needs her walker, but she is noticeably more spry than before, and the ancient Kitty is suddenly full of doggy energy.

Hannah tries to avoid the crazy idea that she had anything to do with their improved health, but when something similar happens again during her cooking class, she realizes there may be something to it. The more she focuses on each individual event, the more she remembers. There was a tingling followed by a soft feeling and renewed energy. She also must admit that the voice of Logan spoke words of encouragement during each episode.

All this is difficult to talk about. Most people, except for M.C., don't take her seriously. Is what she's experiencing a miracle or some sort of strange curse?

Laura Langston's HANNAH'S TOUCH offers a quick glimpse into the world of miracles. It's an easy, fast read most teens will enjoy.

16 year old Hannah is finding it hard to forgive Tom for the role he played in getting her boyfriend, Logan, killed. When Hannah is stung by a bee for the first time, she suffers a severe anaphylactic shock, and has an out of body, near death experience. When she recovers, she discovers that she has the ability to heal anything she touches. She discovers this accidentally when a very old dog is lying on top of her, and afterwards, seems to have been given an elixar of youth since he suddenly starts acting like a puppy. No one except Hannah and the owner notices, but now Hannah doesn't know what to do with her newly acquired "gift", and she isn't clear why she has been given it. A fast read that would be perfect for a reluctant older reader. There is some reference to drinking and alcohol, but nothing too outrageous.

This book tells a progression of a good child-grandparent realtionship as Alzheimer's progresses. This book was written and illustrated for the young child. This verison is a lot less emotional than The Sunsets of Miss Olivia Wiggins even though it deals with the same subject. I can use it around holidays to reinforce the idea of making memories with your family, help deal with Alzheimer's, and to reinforce the idea of cherishing your family and talking about your family heritage and memories. The recipe for mile-high apple pie is in the back cover. Grades >3

The narrator, 16-year-old Logan Freemont, finds himself an observer at his own funeral after dying in a car crash that occurred while he was driving under the influence of alcohol. His spirit guides include his wise-cracking grandmother and Wade, the Snakeman. Logan is now given a choice. He must appear before a council who will make a judgment of his life or settle some unfinished business first.

Logan discovers that his uncle has been abusing his nine-year old sister. He must use his new-found awareness to intervene on her behalf and “make his life count” before he goes to face the council for an examination of the positive and negative actions of his life. If he can save his sister, perhaps his life will have had a purpose and he can redeem himself. As his father would say to him, “failure is not an option” and, although Logan has usually taken the easy way out, he decides to take the responsibility of saving his sister.

This book particuarly perfect for children who may have a grandparent or elderly family member, or friend that has memory problems as they age such as, Olse timers disease. Maraget is worried that her grandma may not remember her at all, but grandma does remember her when she thinks of apple pie, flowers, and piano which are all grandma's favorite things.

Logan has died in a car accident but he is stuck between heaven and earth with only one chance to make up for taking the “easy way out”. His little sister Amy is being sexually abused by Logan’s uncle and Logan tries everything that he can to make amends for coping out, and instead help his sister.p.10-16 Logan is at his own funeral (up to “future”)

From LETTERBOX LIBRARY:

My grandma lives with us now because she can't remember. She is not the wrinkled kind; she's the special kind instead'. A unique, moving but ultimately affirming story of the relationship between a memory-impaired grandparent and her grandchild. Outstanding! Age: 5-10 Hardback 28pp

Price: £5.99