Drama Geek Heaven Part 2

     Title: D is for Drama
                                          # of Pages: 272
                                          Author: Jo Whittemore
                                          Previous Work: (In chronological order)
                                                                  Escape from Arylon
                                                                  
                                                                  Curse of Arstold

                                                                  Onaj's Horn
                                                                  
                                                                  Front Page Face-Off
                                                                  
                                                                  Odd Girl In

                                           Summary: Sunny Kim knows she's a great actress,
                                           but at her school she can't seem to get good roles.
                                           When she finds out her friend rejected her for the
                                           part of Mary Poppins because she's Asian, she's
                                           furious. To prove herself she applies for a one-man
                                           show. But as things always go wrong in Candy Apple
                                           or Mix books, she endsup with a full cast production
                                           of Wicked, having only the school's acting rejects and
                                           a budget of $1,000.
                                           Rating: I give this book a 3.
                                           Awards: None

                                           Opinion: I used to love a Candy Apple book with a
                                           similar plot line, but this one puts it to shame. This
                                           book is so true to real problems in the drama world.
                                           Plus you just love Sunny, even when she obviously
                                           makes the wrong choice. All together it is an
                                           interesting read for girls.  
                                                              

Drama Geek Heaven Part 1

For this section I'll be doing my first series review (so exciting!) and reviewing a stand alone book. This is for all the drama geeks like me out there.
Title: Théâtre Illuminata Trilogy-
                                                 Eyes Like Stars
                                                 Perchance to Dream
                                                 So Silver Bright
                                       Author: Lisa Mantchev
                                       Previous Work: These books are the only ones she's 
                                       written.  
                                       
                                       Summary: Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the 
                                       characters of every play ever written can be found behind 
                                       the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are 
                                       bound to the Théâtre by The Book--an ancient and magical
                                       tome of scripts. Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not one of 
                                       them, but they are her family--and she is about to lose them 
                                       all and the only home she has ever known.  

                                       In this series Bertie and her friends must save their Theatre,
                                       and in some cases their lives, with the help of Bertie and her 
                                       hidden magical power to write things into existence. She 
                                       herself has many challenges to overcome along the way. Does
                                       she love the pirate, Nate or the mysterious air spirit, Ariel? 
                                       Who are her parents? And where does she come from?
                                       Rating: I give this series a definite 5.
                                       Awards: (For Eyes Like Stars)
                                       Nominated for- 
                                       2009 Andre Norton Award for 
                                       Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy

                                       2010 Mythopoeic Award for 
                                       Children's Literature

                                       Has a Kirkus starred review

                                       Opinion: These books were amazing. I learned so much 
                                       about famous theatrical characters and was enthralled with 
                                       Bertie. The story is so in depth, you feel as though you know
                                       the characters by the series' end. I highly recommend this 
                                       trilogy, not only to drama geeks, but to any one who loves
                                       reading. 

Birthday Part 2

  Title: The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell
                                       # of Pages: 438
                                       Author: Chris Colfer
                                       Previous Work: He hasn't written any other books
                                       besides this one, but his bio says he was on Glee as
                                       Kurt Hummel.
                                     
                                       Summary:  Alex Bailey and her twin brother Connor
                                       are still dealing with the aftermath of their father's death
                                       when their twelfth birthday rolls around. They expect it
                                       to pass without much celebration, and so are shocked
                                       when their grandma shows up, presenting then with a
                                       family heirloom- a book of fairy tales. Soon after they
                                       receive the book they are sucked inside of it. Energetic
                                       teacher's pet Alex is overjoyed to meet her favorite
                                       characters. Jokester Connor, surprisingly, wants to get
                                       home right away. But getting home isn't that easy and
                                       their adventure changes them forever.
                                       Rating:  I give this book a 4.
                                       Awards:
                                       #1 on the New York Times best seller list for children
                                   
                                      #3 on the Indie best seller list for children

                                       Opinion: This was a REALLY  good book. The
                                       characters were so interwoven that without one story
                                       the others would fail. The villain wasn't really a villain,
                                       you find out a shocking fact towards the end, plus other
                                       bits and pieces make this book amazing. I recommend
                                       this book to anyone who love fairy tales or complex
                                       stories. I can't wait to see if it has a sequel!

Birthday Part 1

I had my birthday recently and decided to review two books with the theme of "birthdays" in them. Ironically they are both about twins. (I am not a twin, but find them interesting.) Now for the first book.
 Title: Jake and Lily
                                     # of Pages: 352
                                     Author: Jerry Spinelli
                                     Previous Work:
                                                     
                                                      Crash
                                                    
                                                      Maniac Magee
                                    
                                                      Milkweed
                                                      
                                                       Stargirl
   
                                                       Wringer
       
                                                       And many other books
              
                                      Summary: Jake and Lily are unusually close for twins. They
                                      just don't know how close until their sixth birthday. They find
                                      themselves on the train platform, which the train they born on
                                      passed. And this continues for many years. That was only the
                                      first of many strange occurences that include moving bruises,
                                      being able to hear each other from miles away, and most
                                      uniquely being able to read each other's minds. Lily knows
                                      their power needs a name and calls it Goombla. But as the
                                      years go on they grow farther apart and their Goombla starts
                                      dissapearing. Lily is on a mission to get it back.
                                      Rating: I give this book a 1.
                                      Awards: This book has no awards.
                                      Opinion: This book is really interesting. It is told from the
                                      point of view of both twins which is nice. Another thing I
                                      like is that the characters seem very real. But this book
                                      isn't one of the best Jerry Spinelli books. It is amusing but
                                      not a book you HAVE to read.

                                        
                                                    

Girl Power

 Title: The Trials of Kate Hope
                                      # of Pages: 336
                                      Author: Wick Downing
                                      Previous Work: 
                                                          Kid Curry's Last Ride

                                                          Leonardo's Hand
                                                         
                                                          And many books for adults.

                                      Summary: Kate was just a normal girl who lived in 1973.
                                      Normal, except for the fact that she had the credentials to
                                      be a lawyer. But, as if being a girl in a man's profession isn't
                                      hard enough, she's fourteen, and no one will give her any
                                      cases. When an old woman's dog, Herman is going to be
                                      put down, or "Destroyed" for, allegedly, hurting a baby,
                                      Kate steps in to help.
                                      Rating: I give this book a 2. (Remember on my scale that
                                      doesn't mean 'bad'.)
                                      Awards: None.
                                      Opinion: This is an awesome book, based on the themes of
                                       protecting the innocent and believing in yourself, no matter
                                       the obstacles. Despite those lofty ideas, this book is not boring
                                       as paste, or so sweet you need to put the book down from
                                       nausea. Plus all legal terms are explained.  Kate's so... normal
                                       that you can't help but love her. She's daring, and definitely
                                       the devil's advocate, which helps her in the courtroom. She's
                                       not afraid of dirty work. She has a crush on her friend, Mike,
                                       and struggles to get over the death of her father and brother.
                                       Basically, because of Kate Hope, this book is ruled in favor of
                                       Kate, by me! (Sorry, couldn't resist the pun!)
                                     

Music to Your Eyes

 Title: Take a Bow
                                     # of Pages: 278
                                     Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
                                     Previous Work:
                                                          The Lonely Hearts Club

                                                           Prom and Prejudice

                                     Summary: This book is told from the point of view of four
                                     teens who go to a performing arts school. Emme writes songs
                                     for her friend, Sophie, because she's too scared to sing them on
                                     her own. She believes that's the way it always has to be. Sophie
                                     wants fame, and will do anything to get it. She uses Emme, her
                                     BFF, and her boyfriend Carter. Carter is a former child actor.
                                     He just wants to be a normal guy, but his fame is seriously
                                     getting in the way. And then there's Ethan. Ethan is in Emme's
                                     band, and is a musical prodigy, but always thinks he isn't good
                                     enough. And so he sabotages himself. As high school continues
                                     these people are linked together for life.
                                     Rating: I give this book a 4.5. It leaves a lasting impression on
                                     you.
                                     Awards: 
                                                  None.
                                     Opinion: This was a must read book. It tells about a
                                     performing arts school, but it was focusing on the students. The
                                    whole book had a wonderful balance. My only complaint is you
                                    really don't find out where Ethan's self esteem issues come
                                    from. The ending was perfect. It was sweet, but realistic. This
                                    book is great to read any place or any time!