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dragon slippers by Jessica Day George
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Release date: March 2007

Overview: During a time of terrible poverty, Creel, a peasant and orphan, is persuaded to sacrifice herself to a dragon in hope that a prince would rescue her, marry her and deliver her extended family in to a life of riches. Creel’s meeting with the dragon does not go as planned – instead of finding herself a princess bride, she somehow makes a deal with the dragon for a piece of his treasure – a pair of shoes. Her newfound shoes were more valuable than she could have ever imagined, for the owner of the shoes gained power over the dragons and thereby the power to control peace and war in the kingdom.

This was a fun book. Creel is looking only to make a life for herself and manages to become involved in the lives of dragons and royalty. Adventure-ridden Creel is a wonderful character who is loyal, intelligent and talented. This is definitely a “What happened next?!” story.© Elizabeth Burns of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

Primavera by Mary Jane Beaufrand
Publisher: Little, Brown
Release date: March 2008
REVIEW FROM ARC

Overview: Flora Pazzi was as close to royalty as you could get in Renaissance Italy. Born to a family that rivaled the Medicis, Flora was the “forgotten” sister – the youngest and the plainest. She loved her garden and her grandmother. Through Flora’s meanderings, the reader is exposed to the intrigues of her time – her father’s attempts to first join with the Medicis, and then overthrow them – and the downfall of her family as a result of the plotting. Flora survives her family’s decimation and lives to tell her story.

Love, history, intrigue, action, disaster and triumph run through this narration. Flora is a likable girl with a spark. Definite read-alike for Karen Cushman fans.
© Elizabeth Burns of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

Returnable girl by Pamela Lowell
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books
Release date: October 2006
REVIEW FROM ARC

Overview: At thirteen-years-old, Ronnie Hartman has had a lot of hard knocks in her life. From the time she was five, she took care of her younger brothers and to an extent, her mother, as well. When Ronnie was eleven, her mother moved to Alaska and left Ronnie behind with a promise that she would send for her when her finances allowed. Two years and nine foster homes later, Ronnie is still waiting for her mom to keep her promise. When we meet Ronnie, she is living with Alison, a therapist. Ronnie has “anger issues” and is also a kleptomaniac. She has one true friend, Cat, a girl who is overweight, unpopular and, though living with her biological mom, in her own private hell.

I can not imagine having Ronnie’s life – she was abandoned, bounced around in the foster care system and lied to by most of the people she trusted. I wanted to like Ronnie; I wanted to root for her, but something was missing. The more I learned about her, the less I liked. Her story, though traumatic, didn’t engage me – I didn’t really care about what happened next. I neither hated nor loved this book.
© Elizabeth Burns of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

Safe by Susan Shaw
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile Books
Release date: October 2007

Overview: Tracy is a “normal” thirteen-year-old girl. She enjoys basketball, hanging out with her best friend Caroline and dreads piano lessons. She has a great relationship with her dad and has a special way to remember her mom who died when she was three. She has grown up feeling and being safe. Her life is drastically changed, though after she is raped, beaten and left for dead by a classmate’s older brother. She no longer feels safe anywhere or with anyone.

Tracy’s story is heartbreaking and on more than one occasion, I just wanted to give her a hug and keep her safe myself. Shaw aptly illustrates Tracy’s denial of the crime against her and the many methods Tracy employs to find a “safe” place (getting lost in her music, isolating herself from friends, staying at her own home, etc.). The one thing I had trouble believing was that Tracy and her friends were thirteen – they behaved as more mature teens would.© Elizabeth Burns of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy