Tween Tuesday: Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur

5 fresh from the oven, warm and melty cookies dipped in cold milk.

Cover Love:  It's intriguing, but I don't think it's particularly eye-catching.


Why I Wanted to Read This:  I loved LaFleur's book Love, Aubrey and liked the synopsis for this one.  Here it is from GoodReads:

Elise and Franklin have always been best friends. Elise has always lived in the big house with her loving Uncle and Aunt, because Elise's parents died when she was too young to remember them.  There's always been a barn behind the house with eight locked doors on the second floor.
When Elise and Franklin start middle school, things feel all wrong. Bullying. Not fitting in. Franklin suddenly seems babyish.  Then, soon after her 12th birthday, Elise receives a mysterious key left for her by her father. A key that unlocks one of the eight doors upstairs in the barn.

I Kept Reading Because: I couldn't put it down. AT ALL.

Romance?: No.

What I Liked (& Didn't):

This book was so emotional!  I think I needed a good cry, and I was a bit PMSed, but I spent a few chapters silently crying as I read.  Once Elise got to start opening the doors to the rooms her dad left her I couldn't stop.  I kept thinking about being her dad knowing that he was dying and that he wouldn't be able to help Elise grow up (I am tearing up now!).   I mean, what would you do it that was you?!

This book also talks to readers on so many levels: grown up readers as parents, and young readers who will identify with Elise and her problems at school.

Again we have the issue of best friends who are a boy and a girl who separate in middle school.  In this case it was Elise's fault.  Watching her realize this and seeing her grow from it was gratifying.

Elise was so conflicted.  So unsure of how she should be acting at school, unsure of her place in her house, you just wanted to reach in and hug her!  And her aunt and uncle were so cool and so loving.  When I read the letter her dad wrote her about her uncle I sobbed, ugh.  I sobbed.

But it was all so well written that even though I cried, I didn't want to stop reading.  It was good crying!  And it made me hug my boys and tell each of them how special they are to me.


To Sum Up: This is a book parents should read and young girls should read.  It is a true coming of age, finding out how special you are type of book!

Book bought for my library.

Tween Tuesday is hosted by Sarah of GreenBeanTeenQueen.  Thanks Sarah!!

Review: Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby

4 ice cream sandwiches (trying to think of a cold cookie...)

Cover Love:  It is eye catching but the whole book I felt it was misleading.  This makes it look magical and really adventurous.  By the end, though I felt it was just fine!  Plus that can be any character and the cover screams boy book even though the main character is a girl.  Bonus!

Why I Wanted to Read This:

After seeing everyone get copies at BEA last year it was on my radar.  Then it was nominated for an Edgar award, so I knew I had to read it.  Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Trapped in a hidden fortress tucked between towering mountains and a frozen sea, Solveig, along with her brother the crown prince, their older sister, and an army of restless warriors, anxiously awaits news of her father's victory at battle. But as winter stretches on, and the unending ice refuses to break, terrible acts of treachery soon make it clear that a traitor lurks in their midst. A malevolent air begins to seep through the fortress walls, and a smothering claustrophobia slowly turns these prisoners of winter against one another.
Those charged with protecting the king's children are all suspect, and the siblings must choose their allies wisely. But who can be trusted so far from their father's watchful eye? Can Solveig and her siblings survive the long winter months and expose the traitor before he succeeds in destroying a kingdom?

I Kept Reading Because: I was caught up in the story!


Romance?:  A little, but not for Solveig.

What I Liked (& Didn't):

First of I didn't think I would like this near as much because it is set on foreign soil, not always my favorite setting.  However, this one is set in the past which helped.  I also didn't think I would like the "bottle" aspect, a small group of characters in an isolated, trapped setting.  But I found I really liked this!  I didn't want anyone else intruding.


If I was reviewing like Forever Young Adult, I would give them two bonuses:  Game of Thrones and Thor.  As I was reading I kept thinking if Game of Thrones, with the weather, the isolation, the traitor and the myths/religion.  The religion and myths were all about Thor and Odin which is a selling point I know I will be able to use to get many readers interested in picking it up!


There was plenty of action, but more intrigue and tension.  The author does a great job of amping that up.  When the traitor starts causing problems, everyone is suspect.  And things just go from bad to worse.  This is when Solveig begins to realize the power of words and that she too has a gift.


There are twists!  I love a book that takes you a new direction.  I kind of suspected the main traitor, but there was more to that story that I didn't see coming.


The first part loved along okay.  But it was really setting up for the last third, which I could not put down!  I read really late to finish and was very satisfied.


To Sum Up:  A great middle grade read with lots of tension and mystery and mythology.  Will be an easy book to get many of my students interested in reading!


Book bought for my school library.
 

Review: Shelter by Harlan Coben

5 hard to stop eating oatmeal butterscotch chip cookies.

Cover Love:  It's ok.  Definitely holds a hint of mystery.

Why I Wanted to Read This:

I read the first chapter online and I like the idea of an adult mystery writer writing for YA.  Some of them turn out really good.  Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools.

A new school comes with new friends and new enemies, and lucky for Mickey, it also comes with a great new girlfriend, Ashley. For a while, it seems like Mickey's train-wreck of a life is finally improving - until Ashley vanishes without a trace. Unwilling to let another person walk out of his life, Mickey follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that this seemingly sweet, shy girl isn't who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Soon, Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it makes high school drama seem like a luxury - and leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.

I Kept Reading Because: I actually couldn't stop reading!

Romance?:  No, but some potential for one.

What I Liked (& Didn't):

First off, I loved Mickey.  Great teenage, male character.  Slightly super hero-ish, very good-hearted and smart.  He is just plain made of awesome.  If I was in high school I would want him to be my boyfriend for sure.

I loved how he collected himself some misfits for his crew--Ema was great, can't wait until she finally opens up to Mickey (in fact, maybe a future book will have to do with all her secrets); and Spoon was so smart and earnest.  Rachel even came into her own, love a pretty girl who is tough and willing to step outside her world to help others.

The best thing about reading a book written by a well known adult mystery author is that he knows how to pace a mystery.  There were nuggets and string to follow in each chapter, enough to keep me interested in reading and wanting to see how all this was going to come together!

I haven't read any of Harlan Coben adult books, but I really want to start some to read about Myron, Mickey's uncle.  Many layers to that man I believe.

I wish that there would have been a showdown between Mickey and Myron, because I know there has got to be more to that story. Mickey has only ever heard his parents' side of the falling out, I want him (and me) to hear Myron's side.

And there was a mention of an incident years before involving Myron and Mickey's parents, I want to know more about that!

To Sum Up:  Fast paced, well written, great mystery and characters.  Plenty of loose ends for a few more books.  Great series for middle schoolers through high school!

Book bought for my school library.

Books into Movies: Stardust

Normally when I hear about a movie that was a book I make sure that I read the book first.  However, I didn't realize that Stardust was a book before I saw the movie.  I LOVED the movie.  It seriously is one of my favorite of all times.

So, after I saw and loved the movie I decided to read the book and see how it compared.  It was great as well.  I actually listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Neil Gaiman, who is fantastic, of course.

This was one time where I am glad I saw the movie first because I think I wouldn't have liked it quite as much as I do.  But, because I saw them backwards, I was able to like them both a bunch.  I wonder what other movie/book combos this would have worked with.

I think that if I had seen Twilight first, I would have wanted to read the book to see how much better is actually was than the movie.  Any other ones you can think of?

If you have never seen Stardust, take a look or read the book, both are great!

Tween Tuesday: Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

3 peanut butter cookies.

Cover Love:  I like the composition and the colors, but I don't like the illustration of Theodore.

Why I Wanted to Read This:

I am always on the lookout for middle grade mysteries for my library, plus it's John Grisham.  Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

A perfect murder
A faceless witness
A lone courtroom champion knows the whole truth . . . and he's only thirteen years old
Meet Theodore Boone
In the small city of Strattenburg, there are many lawyers, and though he's only thirteen years old, Theo Boone thinks he's one of them. Theo knows every judge, policeman, court clerk—and a lot about the law. He dreams of being a great trial lawyer, of a life in the courtroom.
But Theo finds himself in court much sooner than expected. Because he knows so much—maybe too much—he is suddenly dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial. A cold-blooded killer is about to go free, and only Theo knows the truth.
The stakes are high, but Theo won't stop until justice is served.
Brimming with the intrigue and suspense that made John Grisham a #1 international bestseller and the undisputed master of the legal thriller, Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer will keep readers guessing and pages turning.

I Kept Reading Because: I wanted to see how it all worked out.

Romance?: No

What I Liked (& Didn't): 
I liked Theodore. He wasn't a super popular kid but he was well liked and sought out by his classmates.  It was great to read about a middle grade boy who knows exactly what he wants to do and is taking active steps towards accomplishing that goal.  In this way, he is a good role model for young readers.

I liked how much law was talked about.  For a reader interested in mysteries and one who might watch some of the law shows on TV this book would be a great read.  It was not outlandish, all of the story took place within the law.

I wish there was more action like an adult John Grisham novel, but since this was really rooted in reality, that was probably a wise choice by the author.  However, maybe as the series ramps up that will come.  This did end with a few loose ends and things can come back to haunt Theodore later.

To Sum Up:  I already bought this for my library and have had several kids read it already.  This is a book I feel comfortable recommending to all ages.

Book bought for my personal library.

Review: Tighter by Adele Griffin

3.5 snickerdoodles.

Cover Love:

Yes, this is a cool cover.  IT fits the tone of the book too.

Why I Wanted to Read This:  I read a few blogs that had this as one of their best of 2011.  It made me want to read it!  Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

When 17-year-old Jamie arrives on the idyllic New England island of Little Bly to work as a summer au pair, she is stunned to learn of the horror that precedes her. Seeking the truth surrounding a young couple's tragic deaths, Jamie discovers that she herself looks shockingly like the dead girl—and that she has a disturbing ability to sense the two ghosts. Why is Jamie's connection to the couple so intense? What really happened last summer at Little Bly? As the secrets of the house wrap tighter and tighter around her, Jamie must navigate the increasingly blurred divide between the worlds of the living and the dead.

I Kept Reading Because: I was as caught up in the mystery as Jamie was.

Romance?: The start of one.

What I Liked (& Didn't):

I didn't love Jamie when I met her, but I appreciated that she was trying to get her life back in shape.

There was so much weird with Jamie's job that I don't even know where to start.  But Jamie did a good job stepping in and working with Isa, who was as weird as everything else.

I had heard there was similarities to Choker, which had me kind of expecting what was going to happen.  But there were a few other things that I didn't expect, which made it much more interesting to me.

Sebastian was such a good guy.  I was glad Jamie met someone who treated her right.

The setting of Little Bly was interesting.  There seemed to be a mix of summer and town folk, instead of the usual us-against-them vibe that most resort island have.  It would have been really interesting to have this book set there in the winter, with it's ghosts.

Jamie didn't grow and change a lot during the book, but I did like her the more I got to know her.  She did have an epiphany though and I felt she had a lot of hope for her future at the end.

To Sum Up:  Spooky and interesting read.  I will but a copy for my library because I know several girls who would be interested in this story.

Sent to me by Random House.  Thanks!

I Am a Reader

There is another HUGE debate brewing between authors and agents and bloggers.  If I am understanding everything correctly it started with this review of Tempest by Julie Cross on GoodReads.  The whole skerfuffle has snowballed and I guess a lot of it went to twitter.  I haven't read enough of it to know what it's all about but I read some comments on this site.  I guess what dismays me the most is someone comments (maybe an agent or maybe an author) was that bloggers who review books are bitter unpublished writers.

What happened to people just being readers.  Everyone has an opinion, good or bad.  I don't think you should be mean spirited, but I also don't think you should hide your opinions!  I am not a writer, nor do I aspire to be.  But I LOVE books.  I LOVE them!!  And I have my opinions.  And as a librarian I am constantly, evey day, asked to share them.

I am also aware that just because I don't like a book doesn't mean someone else won't.  There have been several books in recent years I haven't liked nearly as much as other bloggers, but that's ok.  For most of the books I read and purchase I am not the target audience.  One of the most popular series in my library is the Vampire Kisses series.  I read the first one and didn't love it.  However, if a young reader wants more vampires, I always recommend them.

I know everyone is overreacting.  When authors criticize a reviewer/blogger for being too personal and then turn around and make personal attacks at the reviewer/blogger it doesn't help the cause any. 

There does need to be respect, but people can also state their opinions!  And not every blogger is a bitter, unpublished writer!  Some just want to truly share their love of reading and books!

Just my little voice chiming in...

Tween Tuesday: The Flint Heart by Katherine & John Paterson

3 yummy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Cover Love:

Yes!  The illustrations in this book are wonderful.  The cover is very eye catching.

Why I Wanted to Read This:

Because Katherine Paterson is the author of course!  Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

An ambitious Stone Age man demands a talisman that will harden his heart, allowing him to take control of his tribe. Against his better judgment, the tribe's magic man creates the Flint Heart, but the cruelty of it causes the destruction of the tribe. Thousands of years later, the talisman reemerges to corrupt a kindly farmer, an innocent fairy creature, and a familial badger. Can Charles and his sister Unity, who have consulted with fairies such as the mysterious Zagabog, wisest creature in the universe, find a way to rescue humans, fairies, and animals alike from the dark influence of the Flint Heart? This humorous, hearty, utterly delightful fairy tale is the sort for an entire family to savor together or an adventurous youngster to devour.

I Kept Reading Because: It was a quick, easy read with great illustrations!

Romance?:  Nope.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
As I stated above, I loved the illustrations! They were colorful and beautiful and fit the tones of the book.

I also liked that this was printed like a picture book, on heavier, glossy paper.  It made the whole reading experience seem more special somehow.

I bought a copy for my library though, because the reading level is low and the story is easy to follow. I loved how every time Charles got the flint heart and threw it away, we knew to expect from whomever (or whatever) found it.

I loved the world of Fairy that Charles visited.  It was not a nasty, evil fairy world, but a caring and interested one.  So different from the fairies we find in YA books!  The characters also were wacky and humorous and fun.

I just really liked how the character interacted with one another  They were all from different worlds, but they worked together to get rid of the flint heart.

To Sum Up:

A great, long "picture" book that many a young middle grade reader will enjoy.  Good stuff!

Book from my library.

Review: Swim the Fly by Don Calame

4 great peanut butter cookies.

Cover Love:

Yes.  It is simple, there is a girl in a bikini and the font is kind of wonky.  It would be a book a middle school/YA or reader would not mind carrying around.

Why I Wanted to Read This:

I had heard this was a super funny book and it is a YA book with a teenage boy as the main character.  I knew I had to read it!  Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:

Fifteen-year-old Matt Gratton and his two best friends, Coop and Sean, always set themselves a summertime goal. This year's? To see a real-live naked girl for the first time — quite a challenge, given that none of the guys has the nerve to even ask a girl out on a date. But catching a girl in the buff starts to look easy compared to Matt's other summertime aspiration: to swim the 100-yard butterfly (the hardest stroke known to God or man) as a way to impress Kelly West, the sizzling new star of the swim team. In the spirit of Hollywood’s blockbuster comedies, screenwriter-turned-YA-novelist Don Calame unleashes a true ode to the adolescent male: characters who are side-splittingly funny, sometimes crude, yet always full of heart.

I Kept Reading Because:

I was happy to be part of Matt's life for awhile and wanted to see how his summer turned out.

Romance?: Yes.

What I Liked (& Didn't):

I Liked Matt and his friends.  The author did a great job getting into the heads of these awkward teenage boys.

There wasn't this big shift for Matt, like he worked so hard and got muscles and turned out super good looking.  He did work hard to "swim the fly" but there was never one big coming of age moment.  This was just like a slice of life book.  I liked that.  He did learn to accept himself and learned things about himself, but it was more like he just became more himself, not someone new.

The lengths these three go to to see a naked girl are hysterical.  So funny and every time they come up with a new plan the reader just shakes their head because you know it's not going to work out for them!

And the little traditions and games Matt and his friends played together were so typical of boys.  I had an older brother who did the same kind of things with his friends.  This author really knows his stuff when it comes to teenage boys!

I was glad with who Matt started his relationship with.  I pretty much expected that to happen.

To Sum Up:  A well written book about REAL teenage boys.  A great, funny read!

Book checked out from my public library. 

There is a sequel called Beat The Band that I am going to have to read soon!

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

4 fudgy brownies.

Cover Love:
I like this cover a lot because it matches Unearthly. I don't know that it matches the book very well though.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I really liked Unearthly (the first book in this series). It is probably my favorite of the current crop of angel books. So, I was really looking forward to this sequel! Here is the synopsis from GoodReads:

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

I Kept Reading Because:
I was hooked!

Romance?: Of course!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
There was so much to enjoy! This sequel added a lot to the angel mythology that I loved. And it gave us a lot of questions to hopefully will be answered in the next book in the series.

I loved the twist with Clara's dad, LOVED that.

I liked the Angel Club and how all of them (Clara, Christian, Jeffrey and Angela) worked on their powers.

I thought the storyline with Clara's mom was just right and tied up the secrets she was keeping from Clara really well.

I got a little tired of Clara second guessing everything, but probably no more tired than Clara herself. I also felt the book moved through the year too fast. There were were some big jumps in time and you'd think with all that was going on there wouldn't be such jumps where nothing happened.

But here's my one complaint about this book (this loose end got tied up a bit at the end, but I think it will come back in the next book):

Like most current YA books this one has a love triangle. And like most of them both of the boys are very likeable--good, good, guys. Unlike most of them, I cannot get a clear read on who Clara is going to end up with. I have the one I am rooting for (Christian) and that makes me kind of not like Tucker. Actually, it's not Tucker I don't like, it's Clara spending most of the book talking herself into loving him. It's to the point that if she does ever end up with Christian, I don't think she will be able to be happy because she will be so clouded by how much she thinks she should be with Tucker. And Tucker is a really good guy-you don't want to see him so hurt!

I also don't like how nobody seems to be doing anything to save Jeffery! The are just leaving him out there doing whatever bad things he is doing. Clara needs to speak up about the things she's discovered about him! I think it's setting up whatever will happen to him in the next book, but it is frustrating to me!

To Sum Up: This was a great sequel and middle (?) book. It set up a lot of things for the next one and answered a lot of big questions for us. Great read!

eGalley received from NetGalley and HarperCollins. Thanks!

Well, That's Interesting

I don't know lots about blogger templates.

Sometimes I get a wild hair and decide to upgrade mine a bit, then I will hunt down tutorials and make changes.

One change a while ago was to add "blockquotes" around my book synopsis-es. It was surprisingly easy to do.

Today I logged on and noticed that the same blockquotes are around all my comments. It looks pretty cool, I just wasn't the one to do it.

Wonder who did!

I would love to spring for a custom template, and maybe soon will. I want to just be able to use different fonts!

What do you like about your template?

Food From Fiction: Comfort Food

Over break I read Tighter by Adele Griffin, which was a great read and I will be reviewing on Friday. There was one part where Jamie makes a "comfort food" meal for her young charge, Isa. It got me thinking about my favorite comfort food meal.

While there are quick comfort foods that I enjoy (cinnamon toast) my ultimate comfort food meal is cornbread and chili.

The problem is that it takes awhile to make this comfort food meal, it is rarely readily available when I need comfort. But, oh, oh, oh, when I make it I am immediately comforted by eating it.

It is also my oldest son's comfort meal (that and a gross concoction we make called Chinese sundae that is not remotely Chinese).

Here's what I do to make this meal the ultimate in comfort food:
*crumble up a piece of cornbread (mostly marie callendar's because that's the mix Costco always sells)
*pour chili over the top of that
*sprinkle cheese on the chili and a big dollop of sour cream
*mix around and savor!
YUM!

What is your ultimate comfort food/meal?

Tween Tuesday: The Humming Room by Ellen Potter

4 excellent oatmeal butterscotch chip cookies.

Cover Love: Yes. This cover works really well. The people, the colors, the fonts. All of it! Love the cover!

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I love Ellen Potter. There isn't a book of hers that I haven't enjoyed so I was super excited to read this one! Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Hiding is Roo Fanshaw's special skill. Living in a frighteningly unstable family, she often needs to disappear at a moment's notice. When her parents are murdered, it's her special hiding place under the trailer that saves her life.

As it turns out, Roo, much to her surprise, has a wealthy if eccentric uncle, who has agreed to take her into his home on Cough Rock Island. Once a tuberculosis sanitarium for children of the rich, the strange house is teeming with ghost stories and secrets. Roo doesn't believe in ghosts or fairy stories, but what are those eerie noises she keeps hearing? And who is that strange wild boy who lives on the river? People are lying to her, and Roo becomes determined to find the truth.

Despite the best efforts of her uncle's assistants, Roo discovers the house's hidden room--a garden with a tragic secret.

Inspired by The Secret Garden, this tale full of unusual characters and mysterious secrets is a story that only Ellen Potter could write.

I Kept Reading Because:
It was a great read!

Romance?: No

What I Liked (& Didn't):
The thing about re-workings of previous novels is that you know what to expect. All the elements are there and you just keep reading until they come out.

I loved Roo and the setting was fantastic. An old children's hospital on an island could lend itself to very creepy situations, but Ms. Potter stayed away from cliques. She stuck true to the story of The Secret Garden.

While Roo was the character we got to know the most, her observation skills let us learn a lot about the other characters. Phillip in particular.

I don't get why Ms. Valentine disliked Roo so much. She wasn't unruly or out of control--she really just kept to herself. But maybe if you can't get to know someone in some way, you distrust them.

Great ending! I like a story that ends with hope and no cliffhanger!

To Sum Up: A well written adaption of The Secret Garden. Ellen Potter is an excellent writing! Check this one out. I will be buying it for my library.

Books sent from Feiwel & Friends. Thanks!

Review: Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

4 chewy oatmeal creme filled sandwiches.

Cover Love:
Yes. At first I wasn't sure, but now that I have read the book I really "get" the cover.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I saw a review comparing it to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and that sealed the deal for me! Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Every other day, Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She's human.

And then every day in between . . .She's something else entirely.

Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.

When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she'll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive. . .and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process.

I Kept Reading Because: It was super good! This was the book I was in the middle of when I dropped my Nook into the water. I had to wait two weeks to find out how it ended!

Romance?: Yes. Kind of.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I adored all three of the main female characters. The mean girl who is still a bitch but wants to help out in her own bitchy way, Bethany, and the misfit who knows way more than people want to believe, Skyler. Both excellent members of this gang. In fact, I liked them a kit more than Kali, but not much. I also loved Kali.

And yes, there were some Buffy elements. But I loved that in this book world, people know about the supernatural creatures. They are considered endangered species, though, so Kali has to hide her fighting abilities. But when she gets to fight, she is amazing!

I was a bit confused by then ending. I get that Kali is a supernatural creature and liked whatever she had going on with Zev, but I wasn't sure whether this was an alternative world to ours or another dimension or if there were aliens or what. That part got kind of confusing to me. I should probably go back to read it again and maybe it would be clearer the second time.

I am hoping this continues on because I could really get back into this world. There were a lot of unanswered questions!

To Sum Up: Great female characters and the start of a romance, plus a lot of fighting and supernatural creatures make this one a must read! And, it's clean enough so I am buying it for my library.

eGalley from Egmont USA and NetGalley--Thanks!!

My 2012 Challenge & Most Anticipated Books of 2012

Many of you know I am a middle school librarian. The BEST thing about that is that I basically have a whole library at my disposal. And, to pat myself on the back, we have an awesome collection. And my TBR pile is huge! So, my goal for 2012 is to not request any ARCs. This includes NetGalley (but probably not Galley Grab, if that ever shows up again). Even if I get an email from someone offering to send me an ARC! This is hard because it is so cool to get ARCs.

If I get offered a spot on a blog tour of a book I really want to read I will accept that, though.

I just want to feel a little more caught up and don't like to feel I am letting my wonderful publishing contacts down when I don't get a book read for them! And I will still send links to my reviews, even for older books.

I can buy books and if an ARC gets sent to me, of course I will keep it, but I am not going to seek out ARCs. However, I have a few books on my MOST ANTICIPATED list. I might have to fudge on these ones:

Quick Fix by Jack D. Ferraiolo: This is the sequel to The Big Splash, one of my favorite middle grade books ever. Before I made my no ARC rule I did request this one and have been told that one with my name on it is going to be set aside when they are ready! Cannot wait.

Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake: I adored Anna Dressed in Blood and cannot wait to read more about Cas and Anna!

Spellbound by Rachel Hawkins: The third book in the Hex Hall series, one of my favorite series in recent years!

Flesh & Bone by Jonathan Maberry: It should come as no surprise that this is my most anticipated book of 2012. Dust & Decay ended with so many directions this story could take! I am so excited to read more about Benny & Nix & Lilah & Chong (Although there is one character I will miss desperately!). (There wasn't a cover for this one yet!).

What are your most anticipated reads of 2012?

Review: Unraveling Isobel by Eileen

4 chocolate whoopie pies!

Cover Love: It's okay. I like how the colors work together however, it is a little busy for my tastes and doesn't really convey the feeling of the story.

I Wanted to Read This Because: I was sent this book from Simon & Schuster and had seen good buzz online. Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbelievably good-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother.

But on her first night in her new home, Isobel starts to fear that it isn’t only her life that’s unraveling—her sanity might be giving way too. Because either Isobel is losing her mind, just like her artist father did before her, or she’s seeing ghosts. Either way, Isobel’s fast on her way to being the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.

I Kept Reading Because: I wanted it known that Isobel was not crazy!

Romance?: Yes! Oolala!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I liked Isobel and Nathaniel. I did not like Isobel's mom (she was so dense) nor Nathaniel's father. Actually, I really liked Nathaniel-super hot!

It was pretty clear early on who the villain was and what probably happened to Nathaniel's mom and sister. I was glad the author didn't give us a huge twist. It was just intriguing to see how the killer was exposed.

I liked the chemistry between Isobel and Nathaniel. It was good chemistry.

I wish we had gotten to meet Isobel's dad. That was an element I felt was missing from the story.

There were a lot of different elements at work here--ghosts, romance, gothic mansion, mystery--it all added up to a quick, scary, fun read!

To Sum Up: I will be adding this to my library collection because I know I will be able to talk a lot of readers into this one! Especially those that like a mystery with romance.

Book received from Simon & Schuster.

Middle Grade Mysteries

I love mystery series! And so do the readers in my library. It can be hard to find good mystery series for younger readers but here are some good ones I have read over the last few years:

Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison: These are fun books with a great main character. When I was in an elementary library I had this whole series, but haven't bought them yet for my middle school library. Gilda is a great character!

Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer: I have enjoyed all of the Enola Holmes books. Nancy Springer does a great job creating Victorian London and Enola, the much younger sister of Sherlock is a great main character. These have been popular since the new Sherlock Holmes movie!

The Brixton Brothers by Mac Barnett: I love, love, love these books! Students enjoy them as well, but the humor of these books and the winks towards The Hardy Boys might be lost on some kids. I just think they are so clever though!

The Echo Falls mysteries by Peter Abrahams: Mr. Abrahams is one of my favorite adult authors. The first one in this series is called Down the Rabbit Hole and I just love his main character, Ingrid. (If you like these, read The Tutor which was and adult book he wrote but the main character is very similar to Ingrid).

Dead Is... by Marlene Perez: This series is just perfect for readers who want something a little older than middle grade mysteries. There is romance and a lot of supernatural creatures for girls to enjoy!

These are just a few of the mystery series I know that students have enjoyed over the last few years. There are also tons of stand alone mysteries that are also awesome.

I know that I have missed quite a few so what are some of your favorite middle grade mystery series?

Also, here is another great mystery list for middle grade readers!

Tween Tuesday: Pie by Sarah Weeks

4 slices of warm apple pie with ice cream.

Cover Love:
Yes! I love how clean it is and the fonts. Very appealing.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
Mostly the cover attracted me and I read some positive reviews when it first came out. Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

When Alice's Aunt Polly passes away, she takes with her the secret to her world-famous pie-crust recipe. Or does she? In her will, Polly leaves the recipe to her extraordinarily surly cat Lardo . . . and then leaves Lardo in the care of Alice.

Suddenly Alice is thrust into the center of a piestorm, with everyone in town trying to be the next pie-contest winner ... including Alice's mother and some of Alice's friends. The whole community is going pie-crazy . . . and it's up to Alice to discover the ingredients that really matter. Like family. And friendship. And enjoying what you do.

I Kept Reading Because: It was such a sweet story with a good mystery.

Romance?: Not really.

What I Liked (& Didn't):
I adored Alice. She was such a great main character. And the author wrote her heartbreak over losing her beloved aunt so true and raw. I teared up along with Alice.

I didn't like Alice's mom at all! What an odious woman. You just hoped for an epiphany for her so that she would change how she was acting! It made Alice's pain at losing her aunt that much stronger!

I liked how the author introduced Charlie and had him jump into the mystery with Alice.

I loved the epilogue! I adore when an author gives us a glimpse of the future and Ms. Weeks outdid herself by giving us a forty year jump into Alice's future! It was a great ending to the story.

The descriptions of the pies were mouth watering! And I loved the addition of the recipes and the handwritten reminders from Aunt Polly on each recipe.

To Sum Up: A great cozy read for those middle grade readers who are not at all ready for young adult books!

Book from my library.

Tween Tuesday was created and is hosted by Sarah, the GreenBeanTeenQueen. Thanks Sarah!

Review: My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody

4 yummy snickerdoodles.

Cover Love: Yes! It is clean and appealing.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
I loved Jessica's book The Karma Club and the synopsis for this one sounded so intriguing! Here it is from GoodReads:

PLEASE READ THIS! MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!

Okay, maybe that was a bit melodramatic, but I’m sorry, I’m feeling a bit melodramatic at the moment.

Here’s the deal. My name is Brooklyn Pierce, I’m fifteen years old, and I am decisionally challenged. Seriously, I can’t remember the last good decision I made. I can remember plenty of crappy ones though. Including that party I threw when my parents were out of town that accidentally burned down a model home. Yeah, not my finest moment, for sure.

But see, that’s why I started a blog. To enlist readers to make my decisions for me. That’s right. I gave up. Threw in the towel. I let someone else be the one to decide which book I read for English. Or whether or not I accepted an invitation to join the debate team from that cute-in-a-dorky-sort-of-way guy who gave me the Heimlich Maneuver in the cafeteria. (Note to self: Chew the melon before swallowing it.) I even let them decide who I dated!

Well, it turns out there are some things in life you simply can’t choose or have chosen for you—like who you fall in love with. And now everything’s more screwed up than ever.

But don’t take my word for it, read the book and decide for yourself. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll scream in frustration. Or maybe that’s just me. After all, it’s my life.

I Kept Reading Because: I wanted some redemption for Brooklyn. She was so bratty in the beginning and middle that I wanted to see her become a better person!

Romance?: Yes!

What I Liked (& Didn't):
Like I said, Brooklyn was so bratty I almost stopped reading it. I couldn't stand her for a good chunk of the story. However, I do know a few 15 year olds that are that bratty and that I do feel like slapping sometimes, so I had to commend that author for writing such a true to life teenage girl!

You really wanted to see Brooklyn have some growth and the path she was on was pretty clear. It was a bit of a standard coming of age story, but having her create a blog to help her make decisions added a new twist!

I liked both of the boys that Brooklyn was involved with, but really found myself rooting for "Heimlich" (Brian). He really was the only choice for Brook if she was going to grow by the end.

The idea for this book was so intriguing! To post a choice and have people vote on it--what an idea. But then again, you could always blame your readers if a decision blew up in your face. However, Brooklyn's readers seemed pretty saavy and made some smart decisions for her, which was what she wanted int he first place.

Jessica Brody's writing is easy to read and the story flowed along at a good pace. I didn't find any lags in the story!

To Sum Up: Good, standard coming of age story. I bought it for my library and will recommend it for several of my students!

Book from my library collection.