Tween Tuesday is a meme that highlights great reads for tweens. So join the fun and add your link below to discover a new middle grade read.
Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Historical/Humor
Release Date: 9/13/2011
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About the Book: "That Gantos Boy" just can't seem to keep out of trouble. After Jack gets grounded all summer, his only respite is to help Miss Volker write up obituaries for the local paper. But summer gets even more exciting when a visit from some Hells Angels, airplane rides, and a mysterious plague all add up into one crazy adventure.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I finally read Dead End In Norvelt as part of my goal to read all the Award Winners. (The books won the Newbery medal in 2012). And honestly, a few weeks later, I'm still a bit unsure what exactly I thought of it.
While the book does have an overall narrative, it struck me more as vingettes throughout Jack's summer. The vingettes tied together but there were times I felt some storylines got dropped a bit because of this style. I wanted to know more about Bunny, more about the Hells Angels, and even more about the plague and mystery.
There is a bit of mystery to the story, but I wouldn't sell it that way. Mostly, it's a historical day-in-the-life sort of fiction with humor (and lots of nose bleeds) added in. And there were a lot of nose bleeds! Some readers I've talked to have had a problem with this part of the story, so I thought it would gross me out a bit, but I was actually OK. (I think if I would have listened to it on audio, it would have been to much, but reading it was OK). But I will say it did get a bit annoying at times though. Tweens that love a bit of gross-out will love it though! The book does have a lot of humor-the picture of old man Mr. Spizz chasing after a group of Hells Angels on his grown up sized tricycle had me laughing out loud!
I'm not sure if this will be a book that has tweens engaged. I kept wondering what tweens would really think of this one. I think there's enough humor to keep them engaged, but the story seems to wander a bit at times that I don't think I would hand it readers who aren't avid readers already. I also think it might work well as a read aloud in class where the students could also learn about Eleanor Roosevelt and the towns like Norvelt that were started to give Americans a start at the "American Dream." The book would tie in very nicely with a lot of history units for elementary and middle school students. I also have to admit that I felt the ending was rushed a bit and didn't wrap up enough for my liking and I wonder if tweens would feel the same way. If you work with that age group, you know how they like things wrapped up nicely!
Overall I enjoyed Dead End In Norvelt and I think it would be a great book to add to a collection-and I highly recommend it for teachers looking for a good historical fiction read. As for tweens, I think some will like it and those tweens that get caught up in the story are sure to enjoy Jack's adventures.
Book Pairings: Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko, Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt
Full Disclosure: Reviwed from an e-book copy I purchased
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By: alethea aka frootjoos,
on 6/11/2012
Blog: Read Now Sleep Later (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: realistic but fantastic too, fishgirl182, Thuy, TeraLynnChilds, SweetVenom, MedusaGirls, YA, family, Siblings, young adult, book review, fantasy, mythology, 4 stars, Add a tag
Sweet Venom (Medusa Girls, Book 1) by Tera Lynn Childs
Publication date: 6 September 2011 by Katherine Tegen Books
ISBN 10/13: 0062001817 | 9780062001818
Category: Young Adult Fantasy
Keywords: Siblings, family, mythology
Format: Hardcover, eBook
Source: Library
Jacket copy:
Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.
Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.
Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they're triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.
These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.
Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.
Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.
Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they're triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.
These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.
Thuy's Review:
I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I picked up Sweet Venom. It had a great cover and I couldn’t resist picking it up. I’ve always been a fan of Greek mythology though my memory for the myths and the many gods is rusty at best. But the idea of monster fighting triplets descended from Medusa sounded too fun to pass up.
And fun it was! With a good mix of Greek mythology, action, romance, and humor, Sweet Venom is an entertaining and fast read. The book is told from the three POVs of Grace, Gretchen, and Greer. I am often wary of books told in multiple POVs. In this
2 Comments on Sweet Venom - Review, last added: 6/13/2012
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By: alethea aka frootjoos,
on 6/2/2012
Blog: Read Now Sleep Later (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: family, friendship, young adult, book review, vampires, horror, fantasy, unicorns, 4 stars, 2012, yabc, alethea, young adult book club, frootjoos, SarahBethDurst, MargaretKMcElderry, Add a tag
Publication date: 13 September 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
ISBN 10/13: 1442423730 | 9781442423732
Category: Young Adult Fiction
Keywords: Young adult, fantasy, horror, family, friendship, vampires, unicorns
Format: Hardcover, eBook
Source: Purchased
From Goodreads.com:
Pearl is a sixteen-year-old vampire... fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil... until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops.
Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don't exist), and they're shocked she survived. They're even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl's family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King's feast -- as the entrees.
The only problem? Pearl's starting to feel the twi6 Comments on Drink Slay Love - Review, last added: 6/3/2012Display Comments Add a Comment
By: GreenBeanTeenQueen,
on 4/17/2012
Blog: GreenBeanTeenQueen (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: 4 stars, Tween Tuesday, Add a tag
Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here at GreenBeanTeenQueen. Post about tween reads, share the link and discover some new reads!
Rating: 4/5 StarsGenre: Contemporary
Release Date: 10/12/2010
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About the Book: A group of students are having mixed feelings about starting fifth grade with a new teacher Mr. Terupt. Seven of the students share their stories-the bully, the shy student, the outcast, the smart kid, the one who hates school, the troublemaker, and the new girl. Never did they think they would care about their teacher-or each other. But when a tragedy strikes Mr. Terupt's classroom, the students join together and learn more about each other than Mr. Terupt could ever teach them.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I picked this book up because it's on our state book award list for grades 4-6 (The Mark Twain Award). Sometimes these books can be hit or miss, so I never go into reading the nominated titles with high expectations. Yet sometimes a book comes along that finds the perfect balance of sappy and sweet without being too much of one or the other. And when that happens, that book hits just the right notes and I know it deserves a spot on the list and the tweens that will be reading it that year will love-as will the adult readers.
Because of Mr. Terupt takes on a challenging premise-telling the story of a school year in seven different voices. Author Rob Buyea manages to make each story work and each voice is distinct. I never felt as though there was one character I didn't get to know as well as the others-each one is well developed and they all felt like real students to me.
The chapters are short which helps in making this book a fast paced read. I read it in one sitting and finished it quickly and I'm sure many tween readers will find themselves unable to put it down as well. It's not that it's action packed for full of adventure. I felt like I knew these kids, that I was part of their schoolyear and I wanted to find out what happened to them. I cared about each of their stories and I had to keep reading. I'm pleased to find a companion novel coming out later this year-I won't mind another trip back to the classroom with these kids!
Perfect for readers that enjoy quieter, character driven stories that have moments that will make you laugh and cry.
Book Pairings: Love Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur, Hound Dog True by Linda Urban
Full Disclosure: Checked out from my local library
4 Comments on Tween Tuesday: Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea, last added: 4/17/2012
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By: GreenBeanTeenQueen,
on 4/10/2012
Blog: GreenBeanTeenQueen (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: 4 stars, Tween Tuesday, Add a tag
Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens! Join the fun, add your post below, and help us discover great reads for tweens!
Rating: 4/5 StarsGenre: Graphic Novel/Comic/Fantasy
Release Date: 4/10/2012
About the Book: Claudette dreams of being a giant slayer. But her village has no threats from giants since a giant slayer years ago. Claudette doesn't believe the stories though and she believes it's her duty to find and slay the giant that lives beyond her city. Along with her best friend Marie (an aspiring princess) and her brother Gaston (a pastry chef in the making), Claudette sets out on a fantastical journey to slay the giant and become a hero-so giants beware!!
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: If your library tweens are anything like mine, they are always asking for the graphic novel series Bone. Giants Beware is the perfect graphic novel to hand over to those readers who like humor mixed into their adventure fantasy. It reminded me of Bone crossed with The Princess Bride with a touch of the adventure from Amulet.
The full color illustrations make this graphic novel fun to read. There is a lot of detail in the artwork, which I always enjoy and I felt as though I really got to know the characters. Claudette is strong and very spunky-she will get her way no matter what! She's a bit selfish and thinks of herself first, but she learns the importance of her friendship with Marie and Gaston along the way. And how could you not love Gaston and Marie? They both have dreams that might seem silly to anyone else, but they fully believe they can make them come true and you can't help but cheer them on. The three together make a delightful group that you would want to tag along with you on any adventure.
The supporting characters all felt fleshed out-from the townsfolk to Claudette and Gaston's father-each character was fully realized, even if they only appeared briefly. In many ways this graphic novel read like an animated film-the illustrations, the jokes, the characters-all could transition easily to the big screen which could make a nice selling point to readers.
Add this one to your graphic novel collection and I'm sure it will fly off your library shelf. While the story wraps up, there are some loose ends that leave a possibility of a sequel (or several) featuring Claudette, Marie and Gaston and I'm really hoping this isn't the last we've seen of them!
Book Pairings: How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell Bone by Jeff Smith, Amulet by Kazu Kabui
3 Comments on Tween Tuesday: Giants Beware! by Jorge Aguiree and Rafael Rosado, last added: 4/10/2012
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By: alethea aka frootjoos,
on 4/3/2012
Blog: Read Now Sleep Later (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: GeneYang, DarkHorse, TheLastAirbender, Gurihiru, bending, LegendofKorra, graphic novel, comics, Avatar, 4 stars, 2012, Add a tag
Art by Gurihiru
Publication date: 25 January 2012 by Dark Horse Comics
ISBN 10/13: 1595828117 | 9781595828118
| The wait is over! Ever since the conclusion of Avatar: The Last Airbender, its millions of fans have been hungry for more--and it's finally here!
This series of digests rejoins Aang and friends for exciting new adventures, beginning with a faceoff against the Fire Nation that th
1 Comments on Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise Part 1 - Review, last added: 4/3/2012
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By: alethea aka frootjoos,
on 2/15/2012
Blog: Read Now Sleep Later (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: family, Realistic, fiction, cats, middle grade, mystery, 4 stars, pie, 2011, fishgirl182, Thuy, SarahWeeks, Add a tag
Pie by Sarah Weeks
Publication date: 01 October 2011 by Scholastic Inc.
ISBN 10/13: 0545270111 | 9780545270113
| Category: Middle Grade Realistic Fiction
Keyword: Middle grade, fiction, realistic, mystery, pie, family
Format: Hardcover, eBook
Thuy's Summary:
PIE starts with the unexpected death of The Pie Queen of Ipswitch, Polly Portman. A pie phenom, Polly has graced the town of Ipswitch with her delicious pies for years. She opens up her own pie shop, Pie, in order to share her creations with the world. Polly doesn't accept money for her pies. Instead, customers "pay" for their pies by leaving fresh and delicious ingredients at Polly doorstep. The town mourns her untimely passing but no one misses her more than her niece Alice.
Polly was her best friend and Alice misses the hours she would spend in Polly's company at the shop. When Polly's will is read and word gets out that her famous pie crust recipe was left to her cat, the whole town is in an uproar. Soon, everyone is up to their ears in pies as people in town try to be the next award winning pie baker. Then Aunt Polly's cat disappears and the pie shop is ransacked and Alice knows that there's more to the story than just teenagers getting their kicks. She and her friend Charlie start their own investigation to figure out what's going on and find the recipe to happiness along the way.
Thuy's Review:
Who can resist a slice of homemade pie? Not me, that's for sure. I picked up Pie on a whim from the library last week. The cute cover caught my eye and I just couldn't resist the title. A charming book with a lot of hear, Pie is a delicious reminder that happiness is more than just money or fame and that love, friendship and being true to yourself are the key to true happiness.
I had such a fun time reading this book! It's funny and smart without too much dr
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By: GreenBeanTeenQueen,
on 1/31/2012
Blog: GreenBeanTeenQueen (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Tween Tuesday, 4 stars, Add a tag
Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun and add your link below.
Rating: 4/5 StarsGenre: Historical
Release Date: 1/10/2012
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About the Book: May has been sent to a neighbor's homestead to help out. It's only for a few months and it's a way her family can earn some extra money. Plus, it's not like she's doing much in school anyway-she's having trouble reading, so why does she need school? The neighbor's new bride isn't liking life on the Kansas prairie and she needs help cooking and cleaning. But when a tragedy leaves May alone as winter approaches, May must rely on her wits to survive.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: May B is a book that appeals to my tween self. If I had read this as a tween, I would have devoured and loved. I was obsessed with Laura Ingalls Wilder and living on the frontier (of course it was much more glamorous in my mind!) so this book was right up my ally.
May's story is told in verse which packs a powerful punch to May's journey. It works well because for most of the novel, May is alone, trapped in a snowstorm and trying to survive. I tend to not like books with little dialogue and with May on her own for most of the story, there's not a lot of dialogue happening in this book. But the verse format worked well for the story. It shows the seriousness of May's situation-she is alone and trying her best to survive.
I felt May's emotions and related to her more with the verse poetry. Each poem was like a glimpse into her thoughts instead of reading one long passage of her internal narration. I'm probably not describing it very well, but it worked wonderfully to help tell this story!
There's also a storyline that deals with May's dyslexia. May dreams of growing up and becoming a teacher, but she can't read. She's always had trouble in school and she had one teacher who has encouraged her dreams and one who has not. May has a difficult time trying to figure out who to believe and if she should hang onto her dreams of teaching. The nice thing is that her struggle with dyslexia isn't laid out all at once and told to us. We're shown slowly throughout the novel that May is struggling
9 Comments on Tween Tuesday: May B. by Caroline Starr Rose, last added: 1/31/2012
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By: alethea aka frootjoos,
on 1/29/2012
Blog: Read Now Sleep Later (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: 4 stars, 2012, rehab, guilt, addiction, kimberlybuggie, Spin, CatherineMcKenzie, HarperCollins, celebrities, music, Realistic, young adult, writing, alcohol, Add a tag
Spin by Catherine McKenzie
Publication date: 07 February 2012 by HarperCollins
ISBN 10/13: 0062115359 | 9780062115355
| Category: Young Adult Realistic Fiction
Keyword: Music, Writing, Celebrities, Guilt, Addiction, Rehab
Format: ebook, paperback
Kimberly's synopsis:
Katie Sandford has a little problem. She's thirty years old and finally gets her dream job interview: to work for The Line, a music magazine. But the morning of the interview comes and she bombs! Why? Could be the serious drinking she did the night before. But redemption is here! In the form of... Rehab?
Katie must go undercover at a rehab clinic to get close to a celebrity known as TGND "The Girl Next Door". If she can get the scoop and write an expose on this "IT" Girl, then she'll get a chance at the position at The Line. Katie accepts, but doesn't know what it will cost her.
Kimberly's review:
I really enjoyed this book. Katie's voice is strong and hilarious. The writing reminds me of Bridget Jones's Diary. Funny, personal and blatantly honest, Katie struggles through her time at rehab. At first, I thought she just had a bit of bad luck. But after reading further, Katie's character morphs into something more. She doesn't realize that this was probably the best place she could be--not for the story, but for herself. Katie's own self destruction is uncomfortable and frustrating to watch, another reason you can't put it down. Through the entire book, I was rooting for Katie, and you will too!
I wasn't sure what to make of her target, Amber T.G.N.D. Spoiled, damaged and suffering, her character's depth becomes more apparent as you read on. And Henry is... blush-worthy.
I'm surprised that this is considered YA. The protagonist is thirty years old, and all of her friends are older as well. The writ
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By: GreenBeanTeenQueen,
on 12/7/2011
Blog: GreenBeanTeenQueen (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: picture books, 4 stars, Add a tag
Rating: 4/5 StarsGenre: Short Stories
Release Date: 9/27/2011
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About the Book: Seven lost stories from the masterful Dr. Seuss compiled and published together for the first time in a new collection. From cautionary, lesson tales, to humor and fantastical new creatures, this is a must have for Dr. Seuss fans young and old!
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I think this book is best enjoyed on audio with wonderful narrators!! I'm always a bit nervous about "lost" stories, but I enjoyed this collection for the most part, especially after hearing about how they were short works originally published in magazines and newspapers. I thought I'd share a breakdown of what I liked or disliked about each story:
The Bippolo Seed narrated by Neil Patrick Harris-I loved this story and I really thought it was the strongest of the book. It had the classic Seuss feel to it of silliness and a lesson in the end. I also liked the rhymes and felt they all worked well in this story. Plus, add in Neil Patrick Harris's fabulous narration and you've got a great read/listen. (Really, he needs to narrate more audiobooks! Please-more NPH on audio!)
The Rabbit, The Bear, and the Zinniga-Zanniga-narrated by Angelica Houston-This one was just OK. I think part of it was the narration-it was good, but not great. I also felt the story was a bit weak. It's still fun, but wasn't a stand out for me.
Gustav the Goldfish-narrated by Jason Lee-Jason Lee, I like you, I really do! But I disliked your narration of this story! Just because you're reading for kids doesn't mean you have to be overly excited all the time! I wasn't a fan of this story, mostly because I felt the ending fell flat and the narration was annoying. When I got the book, I liked the illustrations for this story, so maybe I would have liked it better if I had read it with the pictures instead of listening to it.
Tadd and Todd narrated by Joan Cusack-I liked this story and the narration is good. I did feel a bit sad in the end though. I felt like Tadd and Todd wanted to be unique and instead resigned to the fact that they were twins and had to be like each other. I would have liked to see them be able to embrace their originality instead of accepting they are the same. Maybe this was me projecting my adult-self onto the story. I think kids will find it fun and maybe find comfort in the fact that siblings are there with you as "peas in a pod".
Steak for Supper narrated by Edward Hermann-This story made me laugh and it was another strong classic Dr. Seuss. Filled with a menagerie of Seuss creatures, this one has lots of humor and silliness. It also has a nice twist to add to the humor. The narration helped make this one of the stand out stories of the book for me.
The Strange Shirt Spot narrated by William H. Macy-A great story with great narration! This is somewhat of an adventure story as a young boy can't get a dirty spot off anything! The trials of cleaning make for some laugh out loud fun and the end is sure to have parents and kids giggling with it's "oh so true" statement. This was another favorite story.
The Great Henry McBride narrated by Peter Dinklage-I enjoyed this story of a dreamer. The narration is fantastic and makes it a l
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By: Read Now Sleep Later,
on 12/2/2011
Blog: Read Now Sleep Later (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: LittleBrown, ShipBreaker, PaoloBacigalupi, BrillianceAudio, pirates, science fiction, family, fantasy, genetics, audiobook, 4 stars, dystopian, Add a tag
Ship Breaker (Ship Breaker #1) by Paolo Bacigalupi
Audiobook read by Joshua Swanson
Publication Date: 1 May 2010 by Brilliance Audio
ISBN 10/13: 1441883495 | 9781441883490
Hardcover Date: 1 May 2010 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN 10/13: 0316056219 | 9780316056212
Keywords: Fantasy, dystopian, ships, pirates, genetic engineering, family
Format: Hardcover, ebook, audiobook
I was a little apprehensive about picking this one up. While I thought Bacigalupi's last book, The Windup Girl, was interesting, it wasn't a favorite. But a long road trip prompted me to pick up Ship Breaker in audio book at the library. Luckily, my fears were unfounded, and I am really glad I took a chance on it.
The book takes place in a grim future where where global warming has caused a major shift in the ecological landscape. Rising water levels and "city killer" storms have left large metropolitan areas covered in water and refuse. Nailer, a young teenage boy, works a dangerous job on the light crew, stripping old tanker ships that have washed ashore for copper wire and other salvageable parts. Living a hand to mouth existence, with an abusive father at home, Nailer knows that any day might be his last. A lucky encounter with a downed clipper ship brings Nailer and his friend Pima to Nita, a "swank" rich girl and the only survivor of the ship. Nailer decides to risk it all to save Nita with the hope that she'll help him leave the ship yards for good.
Ship Breaker is a tense roller coaster ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Well plotted and well paced, there's never a dull moment. With a male protagonist and an emphasis on peril and adventure, I can see this book appealing to boys. There's a bit of romance thrown in, though it's minor compared to everything else that happens in the book.
Bacigalupi does a great job of creating a unique and believable dystopian future, one both familiar but also very different than our own. He tackles some heavy themes, including environmental responsibility, class disparity, and notions of family and loyalty. Though a bit heavy handed at times, Bacigalupi manages not to sound too preachy. Though their world is often cruel and heartless, there still exists kindness, friendship and love, as demonstrated by Nailer and others in the story.
While the world is vast and rich, what impressed me the most about the book were the characters in it. They are diverse in breeding and background and are a complex lot, damaged and imperfect. No character is all good or all ba
2 Comments on Ship Breaker - Review, last added: 12/2/2011
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By: fishgirl182,
on 11/28/2011
Blog: Read Now Sleep Later (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: mystery, blog tour, survival, wilderness, thriller, 4 stars, missing persons, SRJohannes, Thuy, untraceable, ColemanandStott, Add a tag
Hi, everyone! Welcome to one of the official stops on the Untraceable blog tour. We're very happy to be a part of this tour and hope you enjoy our review. Untraceable hits shelves on November 29 and should be available at most retail and eBook outlets. Our review is below followed by an interview with author Shelli Johannes-Wells. Enjoy!
Untraceable (The State of Grace #1) by S.R. Johannes
Publication date: 29 November 2011 by Coleman & Stott
Category: Young Adult Mystery Thriller
Keywords: Mystery, thriller, wilderness, survival, missing persons
Format: Paperback, ebook, Kindle (e-ARC received from the author for review)
Thuy's review:
I admit that I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into when I started reading what had been dubbed a “wilderness novel.” However, a few pages in I understood what that meant. The woods and land that Grace explores is a big part of this novel, almost becoming a character of its own. All of the sounds, textures and creatures of the woods come alive on the page and I could almost imagine myself there. Grace knows how to survive in these woods and I was very impressed by her knowledge of tracking, fishing, hiking and other survival skills.
A fast paced thriller, Untraceable grabbed me from the get go. Grace’s investigation had unexpected twists and turns and kept me guessing. Grace is a pretty kick-ass heroine. I admire her determination in finding out what happened to her father. She’s smart and capable and reminded me a bit of Nancy Drew, if Nancy could scale a steep rock face, ride a motorcycle, face down grown wild bears, and actually
3 Comments on Blog Tour: Untraceable Review + Author Interview, last added: 11/30/2011
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By: GreenBeanTeenQueen,
on 11/8/2011
Blog: GreenBeanTeenQueen (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Tween Tuesday, 4 stars, Add a tag
Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens! Join the fun and add your link below.
Genre: Mystery
Release Date: 2/8/2011
About the Book: Need some advice or help? Need protection from a bully? Visit the fourth stall, where Mac and Vince can offer their advice and assistance-for a fee, of course. Mac can solve problems and Vince is a whiz with money. Both boys are huge Chicago Cubs fans and they're saving up to see the Cubs in the World Series. When an older kid threatens the middle schoolers to pay up on their sports gambling debts, Mac and Vince are in for their biggest assignment yet.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: The Fourth Stall is a funny noir-style tale of good guys and bad guys set in middle school. There is a memorable cast of characters, especially the various bullies that Mac and Vince use for favors in their buisness. While some of the storyline is over the top, the book is a lot of fun. The boys friendship and middle school politics ring true.
The mystery is great and offers a few twists in the story to keep readers guessing. There is lots of humor and the book should appeal to readers of the Wimpy Kid books. I listened to the audiobook version which was very entertaining and I would recommend the book on audio as well. If you have mystery fans at your library, be sure to introduce them to this one. There's a sequel coming next year as well, so Mac and Vince's adventures aren't over just yet!
Cover Comments: I really love the cover, but I wonder if tweens will get the reference to The Godfather. Even if they don't, I think the cover is funny and I think tweens will like it.
Full Disclosure: Reviewed from audiobook purchased from Audible and finished copy sent from publisher
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By: Shelbie and Amanda,
on 10/10/2011
Blog: The Mortal's Library (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: review, 4 stars, Add a tag
Blog: The Mortal's Library (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: review, 4 stars, Add a tag
Release date: August 9, 2011
Publisher: Fiction Studio
Age group: Older teens/Adults
Pages: 275
Flirt Factor: Playful
Source: Review copy from publisher - blog tour
Overall: 4/5 stars
This review is part of a blog tour from Pump Up Your Book. Visit www.pumpupyourbook.com for more tour dates and information.
Summary from Amazon: The women of ancient Egypt were the freest of any civilization on earth, until the modern era. In several dynasties of ancient Egypt the God’s Wives of Amun stood tall, priestesses of wealth and power, who represented the pinnacle of female power in the Egyptian state. Many called The God’s Wife of Amun second only to the Pharaoh in dominance. THE GOD’S WIFE follows the adventures of a 16-year-old girl, Neferet, who is thrust into the role of The Gods Wife of Amun without proper training. Surrounded by political intrigue and ensnared by sexual stalking, Neferet navigates the temple, doing her duties, while keeping her family name pristine and not ending up like her predecessor—dead. Meanwhile, a modern-day Chicago dancer, Rebecca, is rehearsing for a role in an ancient Egyptian production and finds herself blacking out and experiencing realistic dreams about life in Egypt. It’s as if she’s coming in contact with Neferet’s world. Are the two parallel worlds on a collision course? They seem to be, for Neferet has just used an old spell to bring protection to her world, and Rebecca meets a mysterious Egyptian man who says he’ll whisk her away to Alexandria. Magic and realism mix for a powerful ending in THE GOD’S WIFE.
If you've read several posts on our blog, you probably know I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction, yet I seemed strangely drawn to this one. The setting switching between ancient Egypt and modern day Chicago was an interesting way to write a historical fiction novel, and I found I enjoyed the book a lot more than other historical fiction that I've read before.
The God's Wife centers around two strong female protagonists. First there is Neferet, a 16 year old Egyptian princess who has just been given the prestigious title of God's Wife. Her job is to perform the sacred rituals that keep the god Amun happy. The other protagonist is Rebecca, a talented dancer in Chicago who has just won the lead role in her dance company's performance of 'Anubia'. As Neferet's position is threatened and strange things happen to Rebecca, causing her world to fall apart around her, Neferet and Rebecca's worlds begin to intertwine. It was very interesting seeing how Rebecca and Neferet 'interact' and affect each other, an aspect I have never seen in a historical fiction novel. The Egyptian details in the book were obviously well researched, and the reader finds themselves immersed in the political ins and outs of Egyptian society. I will admit, it wasn't quite as interesting to read Rebecca's parts, just because she wasn't as strong of a female character and the events surrounding Neferet w
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By: fishgirl182,
on 10/3/2011
Blog: Read Now Sleep Later (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: HarperCollins, Neil Gaiman, Halloween, horror, fantasy, middle grade, suspense, 4 stars, Spooktacular, kimberlybuggie, Add a tag
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Publication date: 29 August 2006 by Harper Perennial
ISBN 10/13: 0061139378 | 9780061139376
Category: Middle Grade Fantasy Fiction
Keywords: Alternate Realities, Suspense
Keywords: Alternate Realities, Suspense
Format: ebook, Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook
From goodreads:
Coraline has often wondered what's behind the locked door in the drawing room. It reveals only a brick wall when she finally opens it, but when she tries again later, a passageway mysteriously appears.
Coraline is surprised to find a flat decorated exactly like her own, but strangely different. And when she finds her "other" parents in this alternate world, they are much more interesting despite their creepy black button eyes. When they make it clear, however, that they want to make her theirs forever, Coraline begins a nightmarish game to rescue her real parents and three children imprisoned in a mirror. With only a bored-through stone and an aloof cat to help, Coraline confronts this harrowing task of escaping these monstrous creatures.
Gaiman has delivered a wonderfully chilling novel, subtle yet intense on many levels. The line between pleasant and horrible is often blurred until what's what becomes suddenly clear, and like Coraline, we resist leaving this strange world until we're hooked. Unnerving drawings also cast a dark shadow over the book's eerie atmosphere, which is only heightened by simple, hair-raising text. Coraline is otherworldly storytelling at its best.
Kimberly's review:
Coraline Jones has just moved into a large old house, with eccentric neighbors such as the "Crazy Old Man Upstairs" and Miss Spink and Miss Forcible. While exploring her new house, Coraline finds a small door which throws her into a creepy and scary adventure.
She comes out on the other side to a replica of her house, an Other Mother and Father who have buttons for eyes and who are way more fun and attentive than her real parents and a black cat that can talk! But even though Coraline likes this new world, something seems off. And of course, it is.
I'm a fan of Gaiman, but this may be my favorite book. While I was reading Coraline, I was surprised by how creepy the story became. I figured it can't be that scary! Well, I was wrong. Goosebumps ran down my arms, especially when Coraline realizes what her Other parents want from her...
Coraline's search for her kidnapped real parents and her adventure to close the door to seperate the worlds is a wonderful journey. She is brave, smart and resourceful. The book is filled with fun filled characters, humans and animals alike. The setting is beautifully crafted. I could feel the house, the rain, the Other parents and their world.
Most of all, kudos to Mr. Gaiman. The overall tone and feeling of the book is eerie, like going down a long staircase when you can't see the bottom. The story moves so fast, feeling at times like an action film. (And oh, it was. If you haven't seen the film, read the book first. I did, and it made the film that much more magical.)
And I won't
She comes out on the other side to a replica of her house, an Other Mother and Father who have buttons for eyes and who are way more fun and attentive than her real parents and a black cat that can talk! But even though Coraline likes this new world, something seems off. And of course, it is.
I'm a fan of Gaiman, but this may be my favorite book. While I was reading Coraline, I was surprised by how creepy the story became. I figured it can't be that scary! Well, I was wrong. Goosebumps ran down my arms, especially when Coraline realizes what her Other parents want from her...
Coraline's search for her kidnapped real parents and her adventure to close the door to seperate the worlds is a wonderful journey. She is brave, smart and resourceful. The book is filled with fun filled characters, humans and animals alike. The setting is beautifully crafted. I could feel the house, the rain, the Other parents and their world.
Most of all, kudos to Mr. Gaiman. The overall tone and feeling of the book is eerie, like going down a long staircase when you can't see the bottom. The story moves so fast, feeling at times like an action film. (And oh, it was. If you haven't seen the film, read the book first. I did, and it made the film that much more magical.)
And I won't
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By: GreenBeanTeenQueen,
on 10/3/2011
Blog: GreenBeanTeenQueen (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: 4 stars, Add a tag
Rating: 4/5 StarsGenre: Contemporary/Romance
Release Date: 10/4/2011
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About the Book: All Chelsea wants this summer is to have a normal job like a normal teen and have a normal summer. Instead, she's working yet again at Essex Colonial Village as a historical reenactor. Chelsea's parents both work at Essex and Chelsea has spent her life growing up around colonial times.
When her ex-boyfriend Ezra shows up to work at Essex as well, Chelsea isn't sure she can deal with Ezra being there. She's trying to get over him, but she's having a hard time letting go. Chelsea finds herself with a new crush, only he just happens to be from the wrong time period-he works at Civil War Reenactmentland, the arch-rivals of Essex. Can Chelsea let go of her ex and find love again? Or is Chelsea doomed to repeat the past and fall for the wrong guy?
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I was sold on this book when I heard it was about a girl who worked as a historical reeanctor. I can say that's one premise I don't think I've encountered in a book I've read before! Plus, there's a part of me that thinks that job would be really fun!
Past Perfect is a great contemporary romance with a bit of a twist. The setting of taking place at reenactment villages adds for a unique storyline.While we may have read a forbidden romance story before, the setting gives in a fresh new feel. There is a lot of humor in this book which makes it even more fun to read. It takes a lot for a book to make me laugh out loud, but this book had me giggling quite a bit. Chelsea has just the right amount of snark to her to make me really like her.
I loved the battle between the colonial village and the civil war village. I thought this added a very funny plotline to the story and really helped the book stand out-again, it gave it something different to help it from feeling like the same old romance. I also really liked that while it's a romance, and a sweet and charming romance at that, Chelsea also has some struggles and it's not an easy romance. Her crush Dan is part of the enemy and she shouldn't be crushing on Dan to begin with. She's very loyal to Essex and can't imagine herself with someone who likes the civil war which adds a layer of conflict to their developing romance.
Chelsea also is dealing with getting over her ex. They've been broken up for a few months, but Chelsea is in that stage where she only remembers the good and perfect things about Ezra. She's glossing over their relationship and thinking that she'd like to take him back and can't understand why he doesn't want her anymore. I've been in that situation before and I wish teen me could have read this book and witnessed Chelsea's development so maybe I wouldn't have made such a fool of myself many years ago. In some ways this part of the story reminded me of a teen version of 500 Days of Summer meets Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. This aspect of the story combined with the unique setting is what I enjoyed most. I liked getting to be with Chelsea as she examined her past relationship and learned to let go.
The romance was sweet and fun, but I felt like I wanted to get to know Dan more. We get to know him a little bit, but I wanted more development between the two of them. I think at times I wasn't sure I really bought their romance, especially in t
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By: GreenBeanTeenQueen,
on 9/28/2011
Blog: GreenBeanTeenQueen (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: 4 stars, Add a tag
Rating: 4/5 StarsGenre: Contemporary/Romance
Release Date: 9/29/2011
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About the Book: Lola loves dressing in unique costumes. The more elaborate, the better. She has an awesome wardrobe, a rocker boyfriend, and awesome dads who are loving. Her life is pretty perfect-until Cricket Bell moves in next door. Cricket Bell, who broke Lola's heart a few years before. Lola is over Cricket, isn't she? But with Cricket so close, Lola has to decide where her heart truly lies and what she really feels for the boy next door.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: OK, here's the thing, I loved Anna and the French Kiss. Adored Anna. So when I heard about Lola, a companion novel to Anna, I was nervous. How would it live up to the first book? How could I not compare the two? And would Cricket be as crushworthy as St. Clair?
The answers were yes and no. In some ways I really enjoyed Lola and in others it didn't quite live up to my expectations. It's still a great novel, don't get me wrong, and I love Stephanie Perkins-she knows how to write a great romance!
I liked Lola-for the most part. She could be a bit whiny and fickle at times, but I liked her random outfits and I felt she grew less fickle as the book went on. And Cricket is pretty crush-worthy! He's a little too perfect, but he's also super sweet and a nice guy and you really can't help but like him.
I think what bothered me the most was that Lola had a boyfriend Max, who while at times was a huge jerk, he also had moments (at least to start) that made me a bit sad that Lola was going to break up with him. Sure, he turns into more a jerk as the book goes in, so you don't like as much, but I liked him to start because he was nice enough to have brunch with Lola and her dads every week. So I had to give him credit there. But what I didn't like about Max was that it made Lola have to choose. Cricket or Max? It's a love triangle that's not a love triangle. I guess without Max, there's not much conflict. Otherwise, Lola can be with Cricket right away. But I felt that with Lola having Max, it felt like a gender-swap of Anna at times.
I did like that Lola didn't immediately jump into Cricket's arms. She takes her time and realizes that she needs to figure herself out first. When so many books seem to have a "lust at first sight" story, I really appreciated that Lola and Cricket spent time getting to know each other again and that the relationship takes time to develop. I think that's what I like most about Stephanie Perkins' novels. Her characters actually take time in their relationships. And of course, I loved the glimpses we get of Anna and St Clair! How could you not?
Despite my annoyance of a maybe love triangle, I still really enjoyed Lola and Cricket. I think Stephanie Perkins is one of the best contemporary romance writers in YA. If you want a good contemporary romance, add Lola to your reading pile. Teens will be eager to get their hands on this one and I can't wait to share it with the teens at my library.
Book Pairings: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han, Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
Full Disclosure: Reviewed from ARC sent by publisher
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By: GreenBeanTeenQueen,
on 8/24/2011
Blog: GreenBeanTeenQueen (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: contests, Blog Tour, 4 stars, Add a tag
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Contemporary
Release Date: 8/16/2011
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About the Book: Luis Fuentes has always been the brother who is expected to be good and not get into trouble. He has ambitions to become an astronaut and his life has been about sheltering him from the gang violence his brothers grew up so he can achieve his dreams. But Luis has a side that makes him want to take risks, and there's no greater risk than Nikki Cruz.
Nikki Cruz has been hurt by guys in the past and she's not about to trust a guy like Luis-a guy she knows will only end up breaking her heart. Nikki has secrets that make her keep her guard up, but will Luis be able to break them down?
When Luis discovers secrets about his family, he has a choice to make. Will Nikki be enough to save him from a dangerous life?
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Oh, those Fuentes brothers-they are so hot, how can you not love them all??:) Chain Reaction is another exciting entry into the Perfect Chemistry series, this time telling the story of the youngest brother, Luis. Chain Reaction is a great conclusion to the Perfect Chemistry series and has everything readers will be looking for. Steamy romance-check. Cute crushworthy boy-check. Some drama and surprises to keep readers guessing-check. Couple you want to see make it-check.
Where Alex and Carlos has bad boy streaks, Luis is more cocky and confident, but more of a good guy. He's trying hard not to get involved with the Latino Blood and is trying to stay out of trouble. Nikki isn't so much a bad girl, but instead a girl with secrets that provide her a reason to guard herself from guys. She doesn't want to fall again and get hurt. She's more independent than bad girl, but both Luis and Nikki have their "bad" streaks which makes their romance pretty steamy!
I wish we would have gotten to see their relationship develop more. I felt like in the previous two books, we really got to see the characters fall for each other and spend time getting to know each other. Luis and Nikki have that too, but we don't get to witness it as much-instead we're told about all the time they're spending together and witness they're very hot and heavy make out sessions. I felt like they spent a lot of time making out and that there connection was more physical than in the other books. The times that we do get to see them getting to know each other are sweet and I can see how they would fall for each other. I just would have liked to spend more time with them as that happened.
A treat for fans of the first two books is that we get to see Alex and Brittnay, Carlos and Kiara. I loved revisiting these characters and catching up with them and I'm sure any reader who enjoyed the first two will love these scenes.
There are some surprises in this book which added to the drama. I understood Luis and Nikki's motives, but most of the time I wanted them to stop being so dumb and tell them to just talk to each other already! They really liked making each other miserable and pushing each other away and then pulling back in. They have a lot of give and take which can be a bit frustrating. Serious, why wouldn't they just talk to each already??
While this is the conclusion to the series, the epilogues in each book I think leave it open for us to revisit the Fuentes family again in the future. Maybe we'll get lucky and we'll hear the kids stories next? I also felt th
6 Comments on Blog Tour: Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles PLUS Giveaway, last added: 8/26/2011
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By: Shelbie and Amanda,
on 8/16/2011
Blog: The Mortal's Library (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: review, 4 stars, Add a tag
Blog: The Mortal's Library (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Release date: August 2, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 304
Overall: 4/5 stars
Summary from Amazon:I bought Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik on an impulse because I had heard wonderful things about it and because it's a modern day retelling of Pride and Prejudice. So of course, I had high expectations for this book.
Will Elise’s love life be an epic win or an epic fail?
At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you. Case in point:
As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school—not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects.
As the daughter of the new principal, Elise Benton isn’t exactly on everyone’s must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list.
When Elise’s beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince’s best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl on campus. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long.
Epic Fail starts off with Elise and Juliana Benton moving to a new prep school in LA where their mother is the principal. As soon as Juliana starts hanging out with the popular crowd which includes Chase and Derek, our new Mr. Darcy, there is instant tension/attraction between Elise and Derek. Derek has a guarded and some what jerkish view of the world thanks to his celebrity upbringing, and Elise has her parents' conservative values, leading to some conflicts of interest. But when your sister, whom you adore, loves the jerk's best friend, what are you going to do? Ignore him? So of course, much like in the real Pride and Prejudice, Elise is forced to endure the (incredibly attractive) presence of Derek Edwards.
I thought Claire LaZebnik did an excellent job of creating a cute contemporary romance novel. The plot was wonderful. Full of moments where Elise and Derek couldn't decide if they hated or adored each other, there was plenty of romance. And of course, there were plenty of interesting family members and characters who brought little quirks to the story. LaZebnik did a great job of including all of the chaotic members of the Benton family and the pretentious ones from Derek and Chase's families. LaZebnik artfully showed the themes of pride and prejudice in a new way, still managing to show how vicious our prejudices can make us. She also did a good job of incorporating Webster Grant, E
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By: Read Now Sleep Later,
on 8/15/2011
Blog: Read Now Sleep Later (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Realistic, religion, Ramadan, Islam, 4 stars, Muslim, cultures, kimberlybuggie, FluxBooks, DiversityinYA, MedeiaSharif, Add a tag
Bestest. Ramadan. Ever. by Medeia Sharif
Publication Date: 8 July 2011 by Flux Books
ISBN 10/13: 0738723231 | 9780738723235
Keywords: Ramadan, Muslim, blending cultures, religion
Format: Paperback
Kimberly's Review:
Almira Abdul is trying her best to honor Ramadan, an entire month where she is not allowed to eat from sunrise to sunset. While her family is not overly religious, and she has only been to a mosque twice, she feels that it's a good challenge for her... She thinks she can stand to lose a couple pounds.
What happens though is more than just food temptation! Her crush, Peter, starts noticing her at the same time her best friend starts noticing him! And while her traditional grandfather is teaching her to drive, he's also showing her how things would be if they weren't living in America.
Almira is a hilarious character. Her voice is unique and her inner dialogue charming. A few times I laughed out loud to the reference to her love of chocolate or her great infatuation of Rob Pattinson (and therefore her hatred of Kristen Stewart.)
Pop references aside, this is no light book. Almira is suffering from what many minority teenagers have difficulty with--how to blend in with the American culture while still holding onto her family's beliefs. It's not just about Ramadan. Her grandfather is a strong and aggressive character, representing the old ways. Her mother and father are somewhere in between.
Almira's friends are a diverse bunch of characters. Each has their own distinct personality and culture too. The conversations between Almira and her friends over AIM are hilarious. And let's not even get started on the new bomb shell of a girl that just started their school...
Sharif does a fantastic job navigating these touchy waters. Almira's voice is touching, desperate and loving. She is torn, observant and just doing the best she can. When there's drama at the end of the novel, Almira's sadness and panic came through brilliantly. This really feels like a high school teenager's account of her one month during Ramadan.
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't know what to expect from the back synopsis, but it's an adventure I'm glad I didn't miss. Kudos to Sharif whose story made me sit down in a quiet corner, with no distractions, and quietly ate up Almira's journey. To be honest, I wouldn't have normally picked this book up, let alone read it! (Or seek it out for that matter. I went to three Borders and two Barnes and Nobles with no luck. I had to buy it on amazon.) But it's well worth it!
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By: Shelbie and Amanda,
on 8/12/2011
Blog: The Mortal's Library (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: review, 4 stars, Add a tag
Blog: The Mortal's Library (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: review, 4 stars, Add a tag
Release
Date: July 5, 2011
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 256
Overall: 4/5 stars
Summary from Amazon: Paisley Tillery is the drummer for a country rock band. If they can make it to the stage at the Texapalooza music fest, then Paisley will be closer to her dream of a career in music and a ticket out of her small Texas town. Drumming and music are what Paisley has always wanted. Until the band gets a new lead singer, the boy from Paradise, Texas. With Paradise in her life, what Paisley wants, and what she needs, complicate her dreams coming true.
Jill Alexander completely blew me out of the water with Paradise. Was expecting your typical quick, fun summer read. Something I could read in a day, be satisfied with, and not dwell over for long. However, that is not something that happened. Yes, Paradise started out as a cute summer romance with the mysterious and insanely attractive newcomer and the girl with a secret dream, but then it changed into something more. Paradise centers around Paisley, a girl who secretly wants to be a musician. However, she has to play in a secret band with some of the people her Mom disapproves most of, because her mother has very specific plans for her future. That is where she meets Paradise, the insanely sexy accordion player and singer who has Paisley and the rest of the band questioning the way they do things.
I thought Paradise was only going to be important to Paisley, but instead he serves as sort of a driving force and a trigger to everyone else making changes for the better. Not only does he bring sexy vocals and a new twist to the band with his accordion, but he slowly pushes everyone else to be more confident and go for what they believe in. Over the course of the novel Jill Alexander uses Paradise to push Paisley and her sister to stand up to her parents, Waylon, the band leader, to grow more confident in his music, and several other big changes throughout the novel.
Alexander does a great job of using all of the characters different problems to weave a storyline about dreams, perseverance, and independence. She also adds several different little spins on the story to make it even better than it was already. She adds spunky characters like Paisley's uncle who provides an interesting adult POV, and incorporates lyrics from one of the band members, Cal, into the story giving you a view from the outside.
Overall, I really liked this book. It told a great story about going for your dreams and keeping your goals in mind. However, there is a reason I only gave it 4 stars. Jill Alexander completely throws you through a loop at the end of the novel. I still can't decide whether or not the plot twist at the end added to the story or just didn't make sense. I don't want to spoil anything, but at the end of the story Alexander pulls the story in a U turn, changes the plot entirely, and leaves you wondering why the heck she just did that.
So... the story was fantastic. Heartwarming, enlightening, and extremely romantic, but I will give you fair warning that you
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By: Read Now Sleep Later,
on 8/5/2011
Blog: Read Now Sleep Later (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: HarperCollins, fantasy, romance, ghosts, contemporary, Supernatural, Hereafter, kimberlybuggie, TaraHudson, 4 stars, Add a tag
Hereafter by Tara Hudson
Publication date: 7 June 2011 by HarperCollins
ISBN 10/13: 0062026771 | 9780062026774
Category: Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy
Keywords: Ghost story, Supernatural, Romance
Format: eBook, hardcover
Kimberly's review:
Amelia floats, aimlessly, lost with the knowledge that she is dead. Her death, her life, her memories have all been erased and she longs for freedom and to be seen. This seems like an unfulfilled wish until she meets Joshua, a high school student whose car accident brings them closer together than she ever thought possible.
Hudson's debut novel is well written, the language flowing over each page like Amelia's ghost. I had to force myself to put the book down every once in a while, to enjoy the slow creep of the story and the blooming romance between the characters. We see her as a full character, frustrated and sad, but with a glimmer of hope that pushes her forward. She's a strong character, and she needs to be with what she's up against.
Amelia floats, aimlessly, lost with the knowledge that she is dead. Her death, her life, her memories have all been erased and she longs for freedom and to be seen. This seems like an unfulfilled wish until she meets Joshua, a high school student whose car accident brings them closer together than she ever thought possible.
Hudson's debut novel is well written, the language flowing over each page like Amelia's ghost. I had to force myself to put the book down every once in a while, to enjoy the slow creep of the story and the blooming romance between the characters. We see her as a full character, frustrated and sad, but with a glimmer of hope that pushes her forward. She's a strong character, and she needs to be with what she's up against.
The enemy, Eli, is certainly creepy, both in a I'm-a-ghost and I-want-to-be-a-possessive-boyfriend way. Joshua is swoon-worthy. Patient, caring and sweet, he doesn't treat Amelia badly or have crazy mood swings back and forth. And really isn't that what any ghost, er, girl really wants? Hereafter is a beautiful tale that weaves love, identity and the choices we make all into one. An awesome start to an exciting series!
© 2009-2011 Alethea Allarey / Read Now Sleep Later
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By: GreenBeanTeenQueen,
on 8/1/2011
Blog: GreenBeanTeenQueen (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: 4 stars, Add a tag
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Graphic Novel/Contemporary
Release Date: 6/7/2011
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About the Book: After falling down a well, Anya discovers bones and a ghost to go along with them. Emily was murdered ninety years ago. When Anya is freed from the well, she discovers an unexpected souvenir. Emily says she wants to join Anya and have a second chance. Sounds good until Anya finds herself with a very pushy ghost with her own agenda.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: This is a wonderful graphic novel! Anya is dealing with a lot in high school which makes this a great layered story. She immigrated to America from Russia when she was young and has worked hard to blend in and become American. She's embarrassed by her family. She is often a loner and has one friend at school, and her mother is always telling her to befriend another boy from Russia at school, only he's the nerdy kid. She has a crush on popular basketball player Sean. So when a ghost shows up and offers to help Anya out, she discovers that a ghostly friend might not be such a bad idea. She can overhear conversations, have Emily float around the room to look for test answers-it seems like a great deal.
It's through her experiences with Emily that Anya is able to learn who she really is. She discovers her own identity. This a great coming of age graphic novel that I think will appeal to readers of contemporary stories as well as ghost stories.
The artwork is subtle and light on coloring-it has a two-tone color effect that works very well with the story. The art adds emotion and tension to the story and I liked watching how Emily's look changed as we got to know her true personality more.
My only complaint is the ending-it wrapped up a bit too quickly for me and I wanted just a bit more. But it's still a wonderful graphic novel and I highly recommend it!
Book Pairings: Clubbing by Andi Watsonn, Good As Lily by Derek Kirk Kim
Full Disclosure: Reviewed from final copy sent by publisher
3 Comments on Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol, last added: 8/4/2011
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By: Read Now Sleep Later,
on 7/27/2011
Blog: Read Now Sleep Later (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Fairytales, 4 stars, Vertigo, revenge, Thuy, BillWillingham, folktales, Siblings, Fables, Add a tag
Peter & Max by Bill Willingham
with illustrations by Steve Leialoha
Publication date: 13 October 2009 by Vertigo
ISBN 10/13: 1401215734 | 9781401215736
Category: Young Adult Fantasy
Format: Hardcover (also available in eBook, Kindle and audiobook)
Keywords: Revenge, Siblings, Fairytales, Folktales, Fables
Thuy's review:
Peter & Max is the story of Peter and Max Piper of Pied Piper fame. Their entire family is part of a traveling minstrel show. One dark night, soldiers invade their lands the family is torn apart. Alone and scared, Peter becomes a thief to survive. Max, having gone down a dark path, works to perfect his dark magic. He vows that one day, he will find and kill Peter, taking the flute which he believes should have rightfully been passed down to him. Hundreds of years pass and Peter is living a quiet life in a new world with his wife, Bo Peep, when he learns that Max has been spotted. Knowing the death and darkness that Max brings, Peter leaves on a quest to find his long lost brother and end their feud once and for all.
I didn't know much about the legend of the Pied Piper before reading this book. Most of what I remember is from an old Tom & Jerry cartoon. However, I was quickly pulled into the story of Peter Piper and his brother Max. The story shifts perspective between Peter and Max and we see through each of their eyes the events that end up shaping them and eventually pulling them apart. Max's descent into darkness is fascinating to watch and he definitely creeped me out.
Willingham does a fine job of translating the Fables world into a full length book. He blends what we already know about a story with his own ideas so that it is one seamless world. Like many traditional fairy tales, Peter and Max is at times dark and violent. It's a world where wondrous and terrible things happen and where not every ending is a happy one. Lovely black and white illustrations by Steve Leialoha add to its storybook quality. For Fables fans it's a nice addition to the universe. For fans of dark fairy tales or modern retellings of classic tales, it's a quick and fun read.
2 Comments on Peter and Max - Review, last added: 7/28/2011
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By: Read Now Sleep Later,
on 7/10/2011
Blog: Read Now Sleep Later (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap) JacketFlap tags: young adult, romance, recovery, sisters, alcohol, 4 stars, realistic but fantastic too, WendyLambBooks, Beth Ann Bauman, Add a tag
Rosie and Skate by Beth Ann Bauman
Publication date: 11 August 2009 by Wendy Lamb Books
ISBN 10/13: 0385737351 | 9780385737357
Category: Young Adult Realistic Fiction Format: Hardcover (also available in eBook and Kindle formats) Keywords: Children of alcoholics, sisters, recovery, romance Kimberly's review: Realistic YA fiction just got another stellar book on its list with Rosie and Skate. Rosie and Skate's alcoholic dad is in prison again and things are tough. Rosie's holding out hope for Dad to get better. Skate is trying to deal with her boyfriend going to Rutgers and starting a long distance relationship. Skate lives with her boyfriend's mom and Rosie is in their worn home, being looked after by her cousin. As life moves on, the girls' grow up. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. If I had seen it at a bookstore, I may not have picked it up. (So special thanks to Alethea, book guru, who recommended it to me!) But I'm here to tell you that the front flap blurb doesn't do the book justice. Short, sweet and well written, each girl's journey is sometimes difficult to experience, but I did--and that's good writing. There were moments when I was cringing, or I felt like my heart was breaking, or I would keep shifting on my couch to find a better position only to realize it wasn't my beat up couch making me squirm. It was the dialogue, the feeling, the love in this book. This novel may be not suitable for younger readers, as there are references to sex and drugs; but all of these taboo topics are dealt with in a delicate and tasteful way. The characters are full and complicated. Bauman doesn't shy away from uneasy themes. Hope, love, disappointment--it's all there in a bittersweet story that made me wish there was more. You can find Alethea's review here. © 2009-2011 Alethea Allarey / Read Now Sleep Later
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Sounds like it might be a good pick for our 4th and 5th grade book club.
I actually listened to this one in audio format and thought it was fantastic. The humor came across really well, so the gross-factor was somewhat mitigated. My review: http://bcplreviews.blogspot.com/2012/03/review-dead-end-in-norvelt-by-jack.html
If you like vignettes (even though they may not appeal to all tweens)try Cynthia Rylant's "A Blue-Eyed Daisy." :-)
I need to read this one!!