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Revelations. Melissa de la Cruz. 2008. Hyperion. 272 pages.

On an early and bitterly cold morning in late March, Schuyler Van Alen let herself inside the glass doors of the Duchesne School, feeling relieved as she walked into the soaring barrel-ceiling entryway dominated by an imposing John Singer Sargent portrait of the school's founders.

The third in Melissa de la Cruz's Blue Bloods series. The first two are Blue Bloods and Masquerade. It continues the story of Schuyler Van Alen, Mimi Force, and Bliss Llewellyn. These three are very different from one another--in some ways--but they do have some things in common. They're from wealthy families. They live in New York and attend a top school. They're vampires. And they have troubled--very tangled--love lives. (Mimi and Schuyler both are in love with the same vampire guy--Jack Force.) The Blue Bloods are still struggling to accept the current dangers and threats posed by the Silver Bloods, the Dark Angels. There has been a recent change in leadership. And they are preparing to take action. But is it too late? Have they waited too long?

Revelations is a blend of action, mystery, and romance. (Much is revealed in this one!) If you enjoy YA paranormal romances, then I would definitely recommend the series.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

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Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late. Mo Willems. 2006. Hyperion. 40 pages.

Oh, good, it's you. Listen, it's getting late and I need to brush my teeth. Can you do me a favor? Don't let the pigeon stay up late! Thanks.

This is the fourth Pigeon book I've read. The others include The Pigeon Wants A Puppy, The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog, and Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. While I don't love Willems' Pigeon books as much as his Elephant and Piggie series, it still has something great to offer--humor!

The Pigeon is great at making excuses. And arguing. He's clever like that. As you probably guessed, in this book, Pigeon has dozens of reasons why he is not going to bed just yet. He's NOT TIRED, not even a little bit. And it's just not fair that he can't stay up longer! My favorite part? When Pigeon says:

Hey, hey! Ho, ho! This here Pigeon just won't go!

I would definitely recommend this series!

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

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Elephant Run. Roland Smith. 2007. Hyperion. 336 pages.

When Nick Freestone was young, he and his mother lived on a farm in Kansas.

Historical fiction. Set in Burma during World War II. When Nick Freestone's mother becomes concerned about her son's safety--the bombing of London by the Nazis--she sends her son to Burma, to his father. Nick hasn't seen in his father in years, hasn't been on his father's plantations, in years.

Nick's arrival comes just days before Japan invades Burma. He's barely had time to settle in, barely had time to tour the plantation, before the danger becomes all too real. His father hurriedly makes plans to send his son to India--in an attempt once again to get him out of danger--but these plans fail. His father is captured. And Nick becomes a servant, a prisoner to the Colonel who has taken his father's plantation. But he's not alone.

I really enjoyed this one. I found it a compelling read. It was fascinating to read about World War II from this perspective. The novel has a diverse cast of characters--British, Burmese, Japanese, etc. It was easy for me to love Nick, Mya, and Hilltop. I also thought Smith did a great job with Sergeant Sonji and Colonel Nagayoshi.

Not everyone likes reading about war, but I thought Smith did a great job in making this a very human story.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

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Only The Good Spy Young. Ally Carter. 2010. Hyperion. 272 pages.

"Targets acquired, ten o'clock."

Only The Good Spy Young is the fourth Gallagher Girl novel by Ally Carter. The first three are I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You, Cross My Heart and Hope To Spy, and Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover.

In Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover, Cammie learned that she is the target. That she is the one the bad guys are after. Why do they want her? She still doesn't know exactly. Though it seems it could have something to do with her father. So much about him remains a mystery to her.

Only the Good Spy Young begins with a London vacation over Christmas break. This time she's visiting another friend, "Bex" (Rebecca Baxter). And once again, Cammie's vacation doesn't go quite like planned. It seems the bad guys don't want Cammie to relax. In London, she gets a surprise...

What she learns in London changes things back at Gallagher Academy. Can Cammie solve the mystery? Can she stay safe?

I do like the series. I like the writing. I like the characters. I like how there is action and mystery, but there is also humor and romance.

It only took three weeks.
I know that sounds like a lot of time--and it is. But also it isn't. Because...well...in the clandestine services, nothing ever happens quickly (except when it does). Nothing is ever, ever easy (except when it is). And, most of all, nothing ever goes perfectly according to plan (except in the movies).
It's dirty work that is almost universally slow, tedious, repetitious, mundane, morose, and just in general boring (except for the parts when people might die).
We could have done it sooner and it still wouldn't have felt soon enough. We could have planned for years and we still wouldn't have felt ready. So, yeah. It took three weeks. (161)

Other reviews: Book Crumbs, Sassy Monkey Reads, Sarah's Random Musings.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

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Peter and the Sword of Mercy. Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. 2009. Hyperion. 528 pages.

From the prologue: Charlemagne, Conqueror of Europe, knelt before the stone altar. He was seventy, but with his reddish beard and full head of hair, he looked much younger.
From the second prologue: Queen Victoria lay dying.
From chapter one: James Smith, surrounded by a throng of home-bound commuters, climbed the steep stairs leading out of the South Kensington Underground station.

This is the fourth novel in the series. The first three are: Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, and Peter and the Secret of Rundoon. This fourth book is set twenty years after Peter and the Secret of Rundoon. This one bridges the gap between these newer books and the original book Peter Pan. Wendy, Molly's daughter, is one of the main characters.

So what is it about? Lord Ombra is back. Again. This time he is possessing the body of one of the Prince's advisors, Baron von Schatten. And he's working with some cruel people. And he has a plan. A BIG plan that is very bad news for the few remaining Starcatchers (and their allies, like the four "lost boys" who returned to England). Of course, if he succeeds it's bad news for everyone. Once Molly has been kidnapped, it is up to Wendy to find her way to Peter and find a way to save the world.

I liked this one. I didn't love it. I think I am just tired of this villain. It had action and adventure. It was a good fantasy, with fairies and mermaids. But it didn't thrill me. Perhaps if I'd read it closer to the others, then I'd be more enthusiastic. But. Every book doesn't have to be thrilling.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

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Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover. Ally Carter. 2009. Hyperion. 272 pages.

"We're moving." The man beside me spoke into the microphone in his sleeve, and I knew the words weren't for me.

Cammie Morgan is a Gallagher girl. She attends the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women. If you've read I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You or Cross My Heart and Hope To Spy, then you know just what that means: Cammie and the other girls are training to be spies. (Of course, it's all hush, hush. No outsider is supposed to know the true purpose of the school.)

This third novel opens with Cammie visiting her friend (and roommate), Macey, over summer vacation. Macey is the daughter of a senator who has just accepted the nomination for vice president. But that political convention doesn't go quite as planned. For Macey, Cammie, and Preston (the son of a presidential candidate) are stranded on the rooftop of the hotel. And Macey's and Cammie's skills are about to be put to the test--as a helicopter of hostile 'bad guys' are approaching. And the fight is not an easy one. Was this was a kidnapping attempt? Just who was their target? The girls survive--they are Gallagher girls after all--but this is disturbing to say the least. (Preston also survives, by the way.)

But soon it is time for school to start. Cammie is starting her junior year. And she's so happy to be back with her friends (Bex and Liz and Macey); happy to be back learning. But the semester isn't off to the best start. Because the mystery isn't quite over. They are used to training, to being tested. But can they handle it when the danger, the threat, is real? Can Ally and her friends help solve the mystery? Can they keep Macey safe?

I like Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover. I like the style, the narration. Cammie is a great heroine, with a great narrative voice. I like the blend of action and humor. I like how Ally can't help being interested in guys. How she just can't forget Zach. She's not sure she can trust him. She's not sure if he likes her likes her. But still...she can't help getting all fluttery when she bumps into him on one of her missions.

Time it took me to tell the whole story: twenty-two minutes and forty-seven seconds. Time it would have taken me to tell the story had I not been constantly interrupted: two minutes and forty-six seconds. Number of times Liz said, "No way!": thirty-three. Number of times Bex gave me her "You could have brought me with you" look: nine. (111)

Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover is different from the first two books. As the danger and threats become real. Spying--fighting--isn't so much a game, a test, as it is a matter of life and death.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

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The Pigeon Wants A Puppy. Mo Willems. 2008. Hyperion. 40 pages.

Oh, hello.
How are you?
I'm fine. Thanks for asking.
By the way, do you know what I want?
What I've wanted forever...?
At least since last Tuesday...?

Of the three Pigeon books I've read, The Pigeon Wants A Puppy! is my favorite. In this Pigeon adventure, Pigeon really, really,really wants a puppy. He NEEDS a puppy. He just has to have a puppy. Will this Pigeon get the puppy? Or does Mo Willems have a surprise in store for his readers?!

I enjoyed this one the most. I thought it was cute and funny. I really like Pigeon's personality! While I didn't love this series at first sight, I'm really starting to appreciate it. I'll definitely keep looking for the other books in the series.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

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Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Mo Willems. 2003. Hyperion. 40 pages.

Hi! I'm the bus driver. Listen, I've got to leave for a little while, so can you watch things for me until I get back? Thanks. Oh, and remember: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Pigeon is the star of this one. Pigeon is one stubborn bird. Opinionated too. He is willing to beg, plead, whine, and more....all in one valiant attempt to do something he has no business doing. Will his reasoning make you and your little one giggle? Maybe!

I thought this one was fun. I liked it well enough. But I don't love it the same way as I love Mo Willems' other books--especially his Knuffle Bunny ones and the Elephant and Piggie ones.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

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The Red Pyramid. (Kane Chronicles #1) Rick Riordan. 2010. May 2010. Hyperion. 528 pages.

We only have a few hours, so listen carefully.
If you're hearing this story, you're already in danger. Sadie and I might be your only chance.
Go to the school. Find the locker. I won't tell you which school or which locker, because if you're the right person, you'll find it. The combination is 13/32/33. By the time you finish listening, you'll know what those numbers mean. Just remember the story we're about to tell you isn't complete yet. How it ends will depend on you.
The most important thing: when you open the package and find what's inside, don't keep it longer than a week. Sure it'll be tempting. I mean, it will grant you almost unlimited power. But if you possess it too long, it will consume you. Learn its secrets quickly and pass it on. Hide it for the next person, the way Sadie and I did for you. Then be prepared for your life to get very interesting.

The Red Pyramid is narrated by Carter and Sadie, a brother-sister team who hold the fate of the world in their hands. Carter has spent most of his life traveling the world with his father, Dr. Julius Kane, an archaeologist who specializes in Ancient Egypt. Sadie, his sister, has spent most of her life living in England with her grandparents--the Fausts. She only sees her dad and her brother a couple of times a year. (It's been like that since their mother's tragic death). But one Christmas Eve, everything changes. Because that is when Dr. Kane accidentally-on-purpose explodes the Rosetta Stone in the British Museum. And life is never the same for these two after that.

Carter and Sadie discover many things in The Red Pyramid. For starters that Egyptian gods and goddesses are very real. And that they can be unleashed in the modern world with great big consequences. Sometimes for good, sometimes for evil. One god, Set, is out to destroy the world. And it falls to these two kids to stop him. Of course, they aren't working all on their own. But just who is helping, well, I'll let you discover that on your own! Then there are the family secrets--details about just who these two children really are...and their connection with the House of Life, a secret order of magicians.

If you're a fan of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, chances are you'll pick this one up no matter what I say, no matter what any reviewer says. How do I think these two compared? Well, that's tough.

I think The Red Pyramid is a bit longer than The Lightning Thief. I felt it to be a bit weightier as well. So much time is spent setting everything up. The little details here and there that give a richness, a depth, to this fantasy world, but at the same time slow it down just a bit. (Not enough that I would ever stop reading, stop caring. Just that I wasn't able to speed through this one.)

I think it's an interesting choice to have two narrators with different strengths and weaknesses. Interesting to have biracial narrators facing their own challenges--you know in addition to facing the powers of evil. (Carter is darker than his sister, and sometimes people don't realize that these two are brother-and-sister. Especially since their mom's death. And he has faced some discrimination in his life. And Sadie, well, Sadie has some issues with her dad's lack of involvement in her life.)

I can't say I feel as connected with either Sadie or Carter as I did with Percy Jackson upon first reading it. That's not to say that these two may not grow on me with further reading. (Bast just isn't

3 Comments on The Red Pyramid (MG), last added: 5/15/2010

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Julie P said, on 5/15/2010 10:42:00 AM

I just stole The Lightning Thief off of my son's bookshelf. If I enjoy that series (which I probably will looking at all of the reviews out there), then maybe I will give this one a try. Thanks!

JAG Book Reviews said, on 5/15/2010 2:51:00 PM

This sounds like a good book. If you are interested I just started doing what you do (write reviews about books) and I don't have many readers yet so go check it out http://jagteenbookreview.blogspot.com/

Christina T said, on 5/15/2010 7:35:00 PM

I am looking forward to reading this one. I like Egyptian mythology so I'm sure it will hold my interest. I did wonder if maybe this one would skew a little younger than the Percy Jackson series but I've read so many positive reviews (including your own) that I think I should enjoy it. Great review!

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I Am Going! (An Elephant & Piggie Book). Mo Willems. 2010. Hyperion. 64 pages.

This is a good day.

I love Gerald and Piggie. I do. I find Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie series to be one of the best, one of the funniest series ever. In I Am Going, Gerald, the Elephant, becomes distraught when he learns that Piggie, his best friend, is going. Where is she going? He doesn't know. He doesn't really care where. He just knows that she absolutely, positively can't leave him. Why if she left him, who would he "skip and play ping-pong in a silly hat with?!?!" Can Gerald convince Piggie to stay?

Read and see for yourself!

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

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The Year of Goodbyes. Debbie Levy. 2010. Hyperion. 144 pages.

Don't Make A Mess
January 1938

Behold my album's cleanliness,
and when you write don't make a mess.

I write these words on the very first page of my brand-new book,
my wordless,
untouched,
blank-new book
with sturdy brown covers,
like heels of bread
spread with smooth butter pages inside--
my favorite sandwich.
It's what we all write
(in German)
at the front of our books,
our empty, inviting
poesie books,
before we ask friends
to fill up the pages
with poems and promises,
wishes and warnings,
names and dates.

It is January 1938
I am Jutta Salzberg,
a Jewish girl
in the city of Hamburg,
between the Elbe and Alster rivers,
in the north of Germany.

The Year of Goodbyes is a verse novel based on a true story. The book contains actual entries from Jutta Salzberg's autograph book, her poesiealbum. (I believe a few journal entries are included as well.) In between entries, the narrative is in verse. Debbie Levy is sharing her mother's story. These 'poems' give the reader background into what life was like--for a Jewish family--in Germany in 1938. These poems deal with worries and fears about Hitler. But they also deal with a girl's ordinary life: school, friends, etc.

I definitely recommend this one for those that like historical fiction set during this time period.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

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Clementine, Friend of the Week. Sara Pennypacker. Illustrations by Marla Frazee. 2010. July 2010. Hyperion. 176 pages.

I couldn't wait for Margaret to get on the bus Monday afternoon.

This is the fourth Clementine book. Others in the series include Clementine (2006), The Talented Clementine (2007), and Clementine's Letter (2008).

There is so much to love about Clementine. I hardly know where to begin. Well, that's not exactly true. If you are not familiar with Clementine, you should definitely begin at the beginning. And you should go ahead and check out the whole series while you're at it! She's fun. She's spirited. (But not particularly in a bratty kind of way.) And she's unforgettable.

What is this Clementine book about? Well, it is Clementine's turn to be "friend of the week." Her classmates will be creating a booklet about Clementine. What will her classmates say? What kinds of compliments will she receive? How do her classmates see her? Do they like her? Or not? As Clementine worries about what kind of friend she really is, what kind of person she really is, readers get treated to a heartfelt adventure. It's a thoughtful book that delighted me. This may just be my favorite Clementine yet.

What I liked about this one was that it showed Clementine could do more than get into trouble and be cute while doing so.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

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Watch Me Throw the Ball. (An Elephant and Piggie Book). Mo Willems. 2009. Hyperion. 64 pages.

La, la, la! A ball!
You found my ball!
This is your ball?
Yes. I threw it from way over there!

When Piggie finds a ball, she just wants to have a little fun. Little does she know that she's just one throw away from being Super-Pig. Did Piggie really throw the ball all around the world? What do you think? Can Gerald let down his friend nice and easy? Read and see in this Elephant and Piggie adventure!

I liked this one. It's fun to see the message that you don't have to be the best in order to have fun--lots of fun!

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

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My Friend is Sad. (An Elephant & Piggie Book) Mo Willems. 2007. Hyperion. 64 pages.

Ohhh...
My friend is sad.
I will make him happy!

One day Gerald, the elephant, is sad. It is up to his good friend, his best friend, Piggie, to cheer him up again. (Or is it?!) As Piggie tries...and tries...and tries...to make her friend happy, Gerald seems to get even sadder. What's wrong? Why aren't cowboys, clowns, and robots enough to make her friend happy again? Can Piggie find a solution that works? Can Gerald and Piggie be happy together again?

This Elephant and Piggie book explores emotions and friendship. I really liked this one. As I've come to like all the Elephant and Piggie books I've read so far. I definitely recommend this series by Mo Willems.


© Becky Laney of Young Readers

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Today I Will Fly (An Elephant & Piggie Book). Mo Willems. 2007. Hyperion. 64 pages.

Today I will fly!
No. You will not fly today.
You will not fly tomorrow.
You will not fly next week.
YOU WILL NEVER FLY!

One day Piggie announces to her friend Gerald (the Elephant) that she is going to fly. She is going to fly today. Gerald is just as sure that Piggie will NOT be able to fly--today or any other day--as Piggie is that she will. Which friend will be proven right? Can Piggie fly? Read and see for yourself in this fun Elephant & Piggie book.

I just love Mo Willems! I do! He's introduced some great characters and Elephant and Piggie are no exceptions! Definitely recommended!


© Becky Laney of Young Readers

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There Is A Bird On Your Head! (An Elephant & Piggie Book) By Mo Willems. 2007. Hyperion. 64 pages.

Piggie! Is something on my head?
Yes.
There is a bird on your head.
There is a bird on my head?

Gerald is not a happy elephant when he feels something land on his head. What could it be? What could it possibly be? Luckily, Gerald isn't alone as this drama unfolds. He has a friend, a good friend, Piggie. There is much silliness involved in this ongoing drama. It's fun. It's cute. I liked it!

Fortunately, this is just one of many books in the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems.


© Becky Laney of Young Readers

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Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity. Mo Willems. 2007. Hyperion. 48 pages.

One morning not so long ago, Trixie took a walk with her daddy. By now Trixie really knew how to talk.

Do you know Mo Willems? Have you met Trixie? If you don't know Trixie and her unforgettable Knuffle Bunny, then you should really pick up a copy of Knuffle Bunny. The book is very cute, very funny, and practically perfect in every way. This book, Knuffle Bunny Too, is a sequel. It takes place when Trixie has grown up a bit. (Yet she is still clinging to her first true friend, her Knuffle Bunny.) When Trixie takes Knuffle Bunny to school with her for show and tell, an unexpected adventure is set in motion. You see, Knuffle Bunny isn't as one-and-only as Trixie thought. Another girl named, Sonja, has one just like him. Oh no! (I would not have wanted to be that teacher.)

What's a girl to do when she loses her one-and-only Knuffle Bunny? Find out in Mo Willem's hilarious Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

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Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford. Hyperion Books. 2009. Audiobook (CD). Read by Nick Podehl. Brilliance Audio. Review copy supplied by Brilliance.

The Plot: Will Carter is starting high school. It's going to be great! He'll get a girlfriend. He'll have sex. Stuttering around pretty girls (especially ones who wear shirts that show their belly buttons) may be a problem. As is his ADD, which leads him to sort of zone out. But with his older sister Lynn making sure he doesn't embarrass her and ruin her high school years he just may survive high school. Or not.

The Good: I listened to this on audio.... I have never laughed so hard. Laughed out loud. A cop followed me for five miles, convinced, I'm sure, that something was wrong with me from the laughing.

Carter, Carter, Carter. I'll admit it; I didn't like the punk at first. I almost took the CD out during the first ten minutes. He was so annoying! Talking like a kid who has watched one too many bad music videos and believed they were real, about his boys, talking about girls like they were objects and not people.

But then... something happened. I laughed at something he did (the dumbass). I cringed as he walked into a situation that I knew would not end well. And I found myself falling in love with Carter. It's a good thing I have a 45 minute commute and kept listening, or I'd have lost out on the funniest book of the year and my Favorite Books of 2009 would be one book less. The narrator, Nick Podehl, is awe-some. His reading is energetic, totally capturing every emotion -- shock, lust, disappointment, excitement, with a reading that is off the wall.

You know Carter. He's like many freshmen boys -- insecure and overconfident, searching, a kid trying to grow up. And so does he do and say stupid things? Like telling one girl he loves her and then moments later asking someone else to a dance? Yes, yes he does. Does he talk as if he truly believed life is like a porno? Well... sometimes. But isn't that what a book is supposed to be about -- growing up? Realizing the truths about people and yourself? What fun would there be if Carter was perfect?

Carter's freshman year is a little bit of everything. He's a jock, on the freshman football team and JV swimming. His ADD makes it hard to concentrate, at times. He has his friends, and he cares what they think, so sometimes just goes along. But one moment he can be obnoxious as hell, and the next so sweet, like when he doesn't make a big deal out of a date throwing up. He's the tough guy who also still cries.

It's funny -- what I kept picturing as I read this book? Dazed & Confused

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Editors Panel: "Success Stories: Four Editors Distill the Secrets of a Successful Book:

Focus on: ARI LEWIN, Senior Editor of Disney/Hyperion

Ari Lewin discussed the popular and award-winning stand alone fantasy series, "THE HEIR CHRONICLES" by author Cinda Williams Chima. The first book was a contemporary fantasy set in real world Ohio called THE WARRIOR HEIR. Ari discussed how the book did not have a huge marketing campaign - there was no big book tour. It was "just your basic big publishing house campaign" in which they gave out bookmarks and galleys at various conferences and bookstores. 

But she said the book began winning many awards, such as the Kirkus BBYA in 2008 and the Voyas Perfect Teens 2007 list and positive reviews. Unlike other fantasy novels, Cinda's series were a collection of stand alone novels. The second book was not a sequel but a stand alone book featuring a different character. She called it a "companion piece." 

Ari stressed that a series of stand alone books often have an advantage over actual series because new readers are more willing to read the latest book because there's no pressure to have read the previous books. In addition, awards committees are reluctant sometimes to give awards to books that readers need to have read the previous books in order to understand and enjoy the latest one.

Air said Cinda's real world fantasy setting was real and familiar to kids - it featured "a familiar world of a teenager with a huge secret" and that made it accessible to kids who normally did not read fantasy.

She also showed some sketches of the original cover of the first book versus the final version, and explained how the original cover was a sketch and looked too "manga" and did not fit the tone of the book (it skewed too young). She said book covers are very important when it comes to books succeeding and finding an audience.

BUT ultimately, Ari concluded that "at the end of the day, I know how hard Cinda has worked to perfect her craft and promote her work. The biggest secret to a book's success sometimes is that the book is good and the book is worthy."

Posted by Paula Yoo

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by Brent Crawford Hyperion 2009 It depends on what the meaning of the words 'it' is. Tomorrow, part two: A more in-depth look.

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by Bob SheaHyperion 2009Roar! I am a dinosaur! ROAR! Nothing can stop me!A pile of leaves, a playground slide, a bowl of spaghetti, all met with the little dinosaur's fearlessness and a mighty trio of roars as this simple picture book progresses toward the ultimate showdown against bedtime. Following each battle "Dinosaur wins!" sets up the reader for the turn when baby dinosaur meets his

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Riordan, Rick. 2009. The Last Olympian. (Percy Jackson & The Olympians #5) Disney/Hyperion. 381 pages.

The end of the world started when a pegasus landed on the hood of my car. Up until then, I was having a great afternoon.

Percy Jackson's sixteenth birthday is approaching--and fast--soon the Great Prophecy will be fulfilled. Not understanding just what his destiny holds, Percy and his friends are fighting with all their might to save the world as they know it. To save Olympus--a.k.a. Manhattan--from the Titans--led by Kronus--who would destroy it. Percy, in case you're just getting caught up, is a demi-god. He's got an all-too-mortal mother and a god of a father--Poseidon. He's not alone. There are plenty of other demi-gods (on both sides of the war I might add) with various gods (and goddesses) as parents. All with different strengths and weaknesses. Different temptations. Percy and his closest friends--Annabeth especially--face some difficult choices in this final book of the series.

For those that need a refresher course, the first four books are The Lightning Thief, Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, and The Battle of the Labyrinth.

Why I love this series:

They're funny.
They're clever.
They're action-and-adventure packed.
They're also packed with mythology. In a fun way. An inviting way.
They're addictive.
They're unputdownable.
They're just as fun to reread as they are the first time around. (How many books can you really and truly say that about?!)


© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
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Riordan, Rick. 2009. The Demigod Files. Disney/Hyperion. 151 pages.

Part of me feels like a complete traitor for saying this, but, I am so very thankful I checked this one out of the library and didn't spend my money on it. Does that make me evil? Maybe. Slightly. But I think it makes me honest as well. And honesty is key. I think the readers who enjoy The Demigod Files are the readers who are so head-over-heels enthralled with Percy Jackson that they just can't wait until the next installment is released in May. These are the readers who probably have a countdown of days going. (May 5th according to Amazon.)

Don't get me wrong. I'm a BIG BIG BIG fan of Percy Jackson. But I can also recognize fluff when I see it. What this book does offer is three short stories about Percy. The rest comes up a bit short in my humble opinion.

What Riordan succeeds at in his writing is the ever-important first line. Most authors, I believe, aim to have that one magical first line to draw the reader in from the start. What Riordan does is offer that one magical first line in each and every chapter. And for the most part, he's a master. I wouldn't have trouble crowning him king or champion when it comes to that. He knows the importance of keeping them hooked, keeping them reading.

"I was in fifth-period science class when I heard these noises outside. Scrawk! Ow! Screech! Hiya!"

"One dragon can ruin your whole day. Trust me, as a demigod I've had my share of bad experiences."

"Christmas in the Underworld was NOT my idea."

The book also offers a sneak peak at the fifth and final installment: The Last Olympian. We get the first chapter I believe. Here is the first line of that one:

"The end of the world started when a pegasus landed on the hood of my car."

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
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Yoo, David. 2008. Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before. Hyperion. 374 pages.

The first time I met Mia we ended up in a hotel room by ourselves.

Albert Kim is many things, but popular isn't one of them. He's more likely to be friends with the sixth graders down the street than his own classmates of either sex. More at home playing video games than interacting with real people. But the summer he gets his first job--as a janitor at a nearby inn--he begins to mature--slightly at least. One of his coworkers is Mia, a classmate who is popular and beautiful and utterly out-of-this-world amazing to poor Albert. The two have to work together every day. But that doesn't mean Albert acts like a rational human being when he's with her. Quite the opposite in fact. He's awkward. He's obnoxious. He's odd. Yet, as the summer continues on, they move past this extremely awkward phase and become comfortable with one another. True, he still has the maturity of a thirteen year old--despite the fact that he's several years older than that. (I want to say sixteen or seventeen, but I could be wrong.) But despite of it all, in spite of it all, Mia comes to like him...really like him. If only the summer would never end. But, of course, it does. And when it does, life becomes a lot more complicated for everybody. Albert has a choice: does he remain invisible and sullen and weird...or does he try to act like a 'normal' guy and actually interact with his classmates and try his best to make a friend (or two or three)? He tries...oh how he tries...but Mia and Albert are so very different. Can their summer-love make it through the year? Or will Mia's ties to the popular crowd (and her ex boyfriend) tear this young couple apart?

The novel is humorous but heartfelt. With hundreds of embarrassing scenes...Albert is flawed but lovable...in many ways. Not all ways. I still see him as being immature and a bit dumb...but he's believable all the same. And it's always nice to get a guy's perspective in a romance.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

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The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Review by Jena Lohrbach ( Muse Book Reviews)

"Mild geek" Frankie Landau-Banks is a delightful main character who attends boarding school, is part of the debate team, and plays Ultimate Frisbee. At school, if she's recognized by anyone other than the Geek Club Conglomerate, it's as Zada's little sister. Over the summer, though, she fills out and becomes something of a knockout—which is (partly) why the campus's most eligible bachelor notices her.

Of course she's happy being Matthew Livingston's girlfriend. Well, kind of. Frankie, besides being a charming and adorable girlfriend, is also an observant, thoughtful young woman. She notices that no one (except fellow Geek Clubbers) talks to her as Frankie; she's always Livingston's girlfriend, on the fringe, not a real part of her boyfriend's group. She's "arm candy," a position with far less recognition than she wants.

And that's just a fraction of why she decides to anonymously infiltrate the campus's all-male secret society, The Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds, and orchestrate outrageous pranks.

This book earned its place on the shortlist for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. Though adults may wonder what she sees in the boys in the Order (especially Livingston), it worked for me and my inner fifteen-year-old. It's all about Frankie, who's complex enough to make up for the staticity of most of the other characters; to make the others more complex would mean adding another hundred or more pages to the book.

Girls who enjoyed John Green's Looking for Alaska will want to read this book, too.

I'm rather hoping there's a sequel to this History.


What Other Bloggers Are Saying:
[Reviews are all over the blogosphere. Here's a small sampling of recent reviews.]

Maw Books Blog: "It was good to see a girl in a role where she’s capable, intelligent, and smart enough to pull off the pranks. She was sassy and fun. But, I did have a couple of problems with the characters. I just couldn’t relate to Frankie in any way. " (read more...)

Bookshelves of Doom: "...I've been thinking about this one ever since I read it two weekends ago. This is definitely one to put on the YA Books to Hand to Adults list. " (read more...)

The Virtual Loft: "Witty, irreverent, and insightful about gender relationships and how one smart girl rewrites the old boys’ code, this is a terrific story, and my favorite one so far by the talented E. Lockhart. " (read more...)

Pinot and Prose: "I loved this book. It was funny, sarcastic, foreboding, serious, political, smart." (read more...)


More Info:

• A Cybils Finalist in the Young Adult Fiction category.
• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (March 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786838183
• ISBN-13: 978-0786838189
• Source: Review copy from publisher
  

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