Scarlett by Cathy Cassidy Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Scarlett’s on her last, last chance after she gets thrown out of Greenhall Academy (she starts what amounts to a riot in the cafeteria when she shares her radical vegetarian agenda with her fellow students). Her mom sends her to live with her father, whom Scarlett hasn’t seen or spoken to in several years (Scarlett has already been sent to live with her … Read more
The Line by Teri Hall Dystopian Juvenile Fiction Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) More, more, more!!! That’s what I wanted after finishing “The Line” by Teri Hall. In this dystopian tale, Rachel learns that the area known as “Away” used to be a part of her own country. This area was shut off completely from the rest of civilization as a protection against a nuclear attack. Everyone living there was left to live … Read more
Charmed and Dangerous Clique series by Lisi Harrison Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) Lisi Harrison goes back in time in Charmed and Dangerous to explain how the Pretty Committee was formed. Massie was in a different clique first called the Ahnnabees. She was fed up with them so she told them and her new charmes ended up scattered about Merri Lee’s New Year’s Eve Party. Kristn, Dylan, and Alicia each … Read more
A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban Realistic Fiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Zoe Elias is ten, going on eleven, and she’s planning to be the next child prodigy playing piano at Carnegie Hall. Unfortunately, her father sidetracks her big plans by getting her an organ (the Perfectone D60) instead of the baby grand piano she’s got her heart set on. No matter. Zoe decides to become proficient at the Perfectone … Read more
Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) I love how this book is sprinkled with Japanese words. And not just ones that you would hear anyway, but things like “kira-kira” – glittering – or “katsu” – triumph. This is the story of Katie’s family, how they move from a small Japanese community in Iowa to an even smaller Japanese community in Georgia. Katie, from the time she is born, is … Read more
Hamster and Cheese Guinea PIG #1 by Colleen AF Venable illustrated by Stephanie Yue Funny Mystery Graphic Novel * * * * Stars (Great!) Sasspants the guinea pig lives in a pet shop with a bunch of other animals. The owner of the shop, Mr. Venezi, has really bad eyesight, though, and doesn’t know much about the animals he’s selling. As a result, most of their cages are grossly mislabeled – the hamsters are “koalas,” … Read more
The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary by Jeff Kinney Juvenile Non-fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Jeff Kinney has written a behind-the-scenes look at the Wimpy Kid Movie that’s just as entertaining as his bestselling book series. Not only does it capture the same humor and charm of Greg Heffley’s diaries, but it also provides a lot of insider information about how movies get made (and, of course, how this movie in particular was made). … Read more
Fablehaven Fablehaven #1 by Brandon Mull Fantasy * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Kendra and Seth believe they are in for a long boring visit at their grandparents’ country home. The wooded property begs to be explored, but they are not allowed to enter the woods or go into the barn, and there are so many rules, they will never have any fun! Deciding to bend the rules, they venture out and discover … Read more
Angelica C. is our Featured Artist this month!
Alphas Alphas series #1 by Lisi Harrison Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty Good) Alphas is about an island where 100 talented girls go to learn and compete for the Alpha title. Shira Brazille, the most respected woman in the world, created this island and she has 5 sons. The most important rule is that the girls stay away from Shira’s sons, but this rule tends to be broken. The book focuses … Read more