A Novel Reflection: 2013

Saturday, December 7, 2013

A Spark in the Dark

Yet another set of books I won from ThisisTeen.

Title:
   The Dark Unwinding

A Spark Unseen

   Author: Sharon Cameron
Previous Work: These were her first books.

Summary: When sent to commit her uncle to a lunatic
asylum, Katharine discovers a misunderstood inventor, living
in a fantastical world his mother (Katharine's late
Grandmother) had made for him. She must decide whether
she will betray his trust- or risk the rest of her life protecting
him.
Rating: 4.5
Awards:
(For The Dark Unwinding)
  ABC Best Books for Children

  ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection

Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books

SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for the Mid-South Division

Sue Alexander Most Promising New Work Award


Opinion: These books were great! I loved the historical aspect,
combined with just enough steam-punk to make it interesting.
My one quibble is that you sometimes can't tell what is going on.
However, since that is purposeful, I think this is a great series.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Shakespeare Shake-Up Part 2

Title: Still Star-Crossed
# of Pages: 352
Author: Melinda Taub
Previous Work: None.

Summary: Still Star-Crossed picks up where Romeo and
Juliet leaves off. The Montagues and Capulets have sworn to
uphold peace, but riots still ring out in the streets. Prince
Escalus decides to marry Benvolio (Romeo's best friend) to
Rosaline (Juliet's cousin) to try to keep the peace. The two set
off on a quest to avoid marrying each other and along the way
realize the murders seem almost... planned. Can they finally
bring about peace in fair Verona?
Rating: 5
Awards: Kirkus Starred Review

Opinion: This book is not told in poetry, although the
characters' dialogue was told in a Shakespearean style (thee,
thou, anon, etc.). This is a great book for those who enjoy
Shakespearean plots, but not the flowery poetry. As for my
personal opinion? This book was amazing. The characters were
multi-layered, and you felt like you were solving the murders
with the protagonists. Once I picked up this book up, I couldn't
put it down.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Shakespeare Shake-Up Part 1

Title: William Shakespeare's Star Wars® - Verily, a New
Hope
# of Pages: 174
Author: Ian Doescher
Previous Work: None, but there will be sequels.

Summary: I believe the book trailer for this work best
describes the book, showing both the prose and a glimpse of
what Star Wars® is about.
Rating: I give this a 4.5.
Awards: None

Opinion: This book is only for those that like Star Wars®
and love Shakespeare. It is told entirely in prose as shown in
the trailer. I like the insight into the characters that the
movies can't necessarily show. R2-D2, especially, talks to the
audience about his plans. He, of course, still talks in blips and
bloops around other characters. The one bad thing is that if
you don't play close attention, the action scenes are
confusing.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

In Your Own Little World

Title: Bubble World
# of Pages: 352
Author: Carol Snow
Previous Work:

Switch

Snap

Summary: Freesia's life is perfect. She has her friendlies and
her enemies and de-vicious clothes. However, when a power
outage lands her in a dark room with people who know her,
that she doesn't know, her life changes forever.

Rating: I give this book a 2.5.
Awards: None

Opinion: This book was very slow at first. It was just Freesia
wanting new clothes and hanging out with her friends Ricky
and Jelissa. However, as the book goes on, the author really
starts delving more into characters. You just have to hold on
for the first 50 pages.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Gallagher Girls

I've been reading Gallagher Girls for a long time, and the last book is finally coming out! It's an awesome series about girls who go to a school for spies. Here's the countdown until United We Spy!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

1,000

This blog has now had over 1,000 page views over the course of the year it's been open. I'd like to again thank those who have been following my blog!

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Anniversary

In celebration of my blog being up and running for a year, I will do a review on a book about new beginnings. Thank you to all my viewers who have stuck by me this past year. I really appreciate it. Just a reminder, you can suggest books for me to read and review at any time!

Title: The Fire Horse Girl
   # of Pages: 336
   Author: Kay Honeyman
   Previous Work: This is her first novel.

Summary: Thought to be cursed, Jade Moon faces a lifetime
of boredom in China. The only man who will marry her is
the bricklayer- who only talks about bricks. Then Sterling
Promise, an adopted cousin comes along and convinces
Jade Moon's father to take them all to America. Excited, she
goes with them to Ellis Island- only to be betrayed.

Rating: A 5! I wish I could keep this book... But I can't.
  Awards:

Booklist Starred Review

Parent's Choice Gold Award

  Opinion: This book is so multi-layered! If I were to call it a
romance I would be right- and wrong. The same goes for
calling it a new twist on a classic story or a historical
fiction. I guess if I had to define this book as one thing,
it would be becoming more than what people say you
are or even what you should be. People treated Jade Moon
differently because of when she was born and she became
what they expected her to be.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

A Good Detective...

Title: The Nancy Drew Sleuth Book: Clues to Good Sleuthing
# of Pages: 152
Author: Carolyn Keene
Previous Work:

The rest of the Nancy Drew series
(This is a companion novel)

Summary: Nancy Drew starts a mystery club, to teach her
friends how to solve mysteries, like her. As they bring in
different mysteries they've found around town, Nancy teaches
them (and us) different techniques to use to crack the case.

Rating: I'd give this book a 3.5.
Awards: None

Opinion: This book is really cool. There's a chapter on code
cracking and they gave a tip that allowed me, by the end of the
book, to crack a code. However, some of the tips were outdated.
The handwriting analysis was entirely in cursive. And most
houses no longer have false floors. But altogether this was a
very fun, enjoyable book.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Summer Reading Program

Friday, May 31, 2013

Raised by Feral Librarians

Title: In the House of the Seven Librarians
# of Pages: 80
Author: Ellen Klages
Previous Work:

Green Glass Sea

White Sands, Red Menace

Portable Childhoods

Summary: When the old library is supposed to be shut
down, its librarians move in and live peacefully there. Until
the baby comes. Then their lives are turned upside down.

Rating: 5. I've already read this story twice having just
discovered it about three months ago!
Awards: None

Opinion: This book is for any true reader. It has a timeless
feel. You fall in love with Dinsy, the librarians, and even the
library itself. This story is good for people of all ages. I can't
possibly rave about it enough, so I'll just stop trying!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Maggie Bean

Title: Maggie Bean Series:

The Melting of Maggie Bean

Maggie Bean Stays Afloat

Maggie Bean in Love

Author: Tricia Rayburn
Previous Work:

Merits of Mischief series

Ruby's Slippers

Siren novels

Summary: Whenever Maggie gets upset or overwhelmed she
eats candy. LOTS of candy. So her aunt drags her off to Pound
Patrollers- an experience she's mortified by. What she doesn't
know is that it will change her life for forever.

Rating: I give this book a 4.
Awards: (For the Melting of Maggie Bean)

Teens Read Too Gold Award

Opinion: Maggie annoyed me sometimes at how easily she got
depressed. But she does grow on you. Her friend Aimee is the
best, most supportive friend you could hope for. Her other
friend (and more, but no spoiler alert!) Arnie understands her
struggle with her weight. Overall a very good series.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Ungifted

Title: Ungifted
# of Pages: 288
Author: Gordon Korman
Previous Work:

Dive Trilogy

Island Trilogy

No More Dead Dogs

On the Run Series

Swindle Series

And many many more!

Summary: Donovan Curtis had always been a
troublemaker. But he might have gone a little too far when
he rolled a statue's giant ball into his school's gym. And
did he get punished? No, he got admitted into the district's
prestigious gifted school. Things were about to get
interesting.

Rating: 2.75
Awards:

Nominated for 2013 CLA Children's Award

Nominated for 2013 Snow Willow Award
(results not yet returned)

Opinion: Donovan is very likable and for some reason I find
his pregnant sister hilarious. I also like that it is told from
different points of view. It keeps monotony away and tells
you things you wouldn't know otherwise. Altogether a very
enjoyable book.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Lightning Girl

Title: 1-800/ Vanished:

When Lightning Strikes OR Vanished
Volume 1
Code Name Cassandra
Vanished
Safe House Volume 2

Sanctuary

Missing You

Author: Meg Cabot

Previous Work:

All-American Girl Series

Allie Finkle Series

Avalon High Series

Princess Diaries Series

And many, many more!

Summary: What would you do if you got struck by
lightning and woke up the next day able to locate missing
people just by seeing their picture? What if the FBI wanted
to use you for your powers? And a totally cute guy broke
you out of their facility? Welcome to Jessica Mastriani's life.
How does she want to use her new abilities? Does she even
have a choice?

Rating: I'd give it a 4.5 because there was a little too much
swearing for my taste.

Awards:
Basis for television show Missing

Opinion: This book series is laugh out loud hilarious! The
characters seem realistic, even if the effect the lightning had
on Jess was not. I love the tension between Jess and Rob,
the fact that the "bad guys" weren't who you'd think they'd
be. The rivalry at the school was kind of like a warped
Montague vs Capulet kind of situation. I loved this series
sooo much- especially the ending. Yes that's right! A
conclusion that actually makes sense. I'd recommend these
books to almost anyone.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Freedom isn't Free

Title: For Freedom: The Story of a French Spy
# of Pages: 181
Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Previous Work:

Halfway to the Sky

Leap of Faith

One-of-a-kind Mallie

Ruthie's Gift

The President's Daughter

Weaver's Daughter

Summary: Based on a true story, this book tells the
harrowing tale of Suzanne David. She was a teenage Opera
singer- and a French spy during WWII. She risked her life
and saw horrible things, but stayed strong the entire war,
ferrying messages back and forth.

Rating: This book is a 5! I want to read it over and over again.
Awards:

Booklist Starred Review

IRA Teacher's Choice Award

Kirkus Starred Review

NYPL Book of the Year

VOYA Top Shelf Fiction Award

Opinion: This book is amazing! There is one scene in
the beginning of the book that is a little graphic, but there
aren't any more scenes like that once you get past it. I
would say Suzanne is a very real character, but she is real,
so I guess that's to be expected. It's fantastic what she did
for her country, and really the world! Would I, given the
chance, do what she did? Probably not. She's braver than I'll
ever be.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Secrets? The Truth? Or a Dream?

Title: Safe-Keeper Series:

The Safe-Keeper's Secret

The Truth-Teller's Tale

Wintermoon Wish- found in Firebirds Rising

The Dream-Maker's Magic

  Author: Sharon Shinn
  Previous Work:

  General Winston's Daughter

Gateway

  Adult books

  Summary: There is a world where you can completely trust
a safe-keeper to never ever tell your secret. A truth teller can
never speak a lie. And the dream-maker can make your
fondest wishes come true. But life isn't all sunshine and roses
there. No life ever is.

  Rating: 5. This is on the required reading list!
  Awards: (For The Safe-Keeper's Secret)
ALA list of Best books for Young Adults

(For the Truth-Teller's Tale)
NYPL Book for the Teen Age

2006 Bank Street Children's Book List

  Opinion: These books were awesome. The characters were
real, not like they had special powers. They didn't all have
perfect lives. Kellen's life was almost sad. But they pulled
through and did their best, with or with out special roles.
These books are romantic and sweet. They definitely aren't
a waste of your time!

Monday, February 18, 2013

Leap Day

I know it isn't Leap Year this year, but I read an awesome book about a girl who was born on Leap Day. It has a very unique point of view as I will tell you.

Title: Leap Day
# of Pages: 212
Author: Wendy Mass
Previous Work:

A Mango Shaped Space

Every Soul a Star

Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

The Candymakers

Summary: Josie Taylor has lived sixteen years of life, and yet
when her birthday approaches, she's preparing to turn four.
That's right, she's a leaper! Getting her driver's license and
trying out for Romeo and Juliet won't be the only unusual parts
of her day... Because this day sets her apart from everyone else.

Rating: 3.5
Awards: None

Opinion: This book was told from the point of view of Josie
then everyone around her, chapter by chapter. However it
does have some heavy issues in it including germaphobia, teen
pregnancy and more. However the chance to read the other
characters' points of view and even seeing what will happen in
their future made this book a "must read".

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Peak Precision

Title: Peak
                                     # of Pages: 246
                                     Author: Roland Smith
                                     Previous Work:

                                                      Cryptid Hunters series

                                                      Elephant Run

                                                      I.Q. series

                                                      Jack's Run

                                                      Storm Runners series

                                                      And many more books!

                                     Summary: Peak is a just normal 14 year old guy who lives in
                                     New York. Unless most boys don't get caught tagging
                                     skyscrapers. And if the "punishment" for most isn't climbing
                                     Mt. Everest. Maybe Peak isn't so ordinary, after all...

                                     Rating: This book is a 3 to me.
                                     Awards:

                                     2007 Booklist Editor's Choice

                                     2007 Miami Herald's Best Kids Books

                                     2008 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age List

                                     2008 ALA Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults

                                     2008 ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

                                     2008/2009 Texas Lone Star Reading List

                                     2009 Nevada Young Reader's Award

                                     National Outdoor Book Award

                                    25 nominations

                                     Opinion: Peak is a very relatable character. He cares about
                                      his twin sisters. He also has his flaws. (Unlike Sun-jo who
                                      I thought was too perfect). I personally didn't like the
                                      Bhuddist influence in the story, but I realize it is a crucial
                                      part of the beliefs of Everest climbers, and needed to be in
                                      the story. Altogether it was an interesting read; different
                                      than what I'm used to reading.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Length

I have decided that I will put the number of pages of a book on all previous and future posts, except if it is a series post. Knowing the number of pages in a book can help in choosing what to read. Hope you don't mind the change!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Goodnight Moon

Title: Last Survivors Series:

Life as We Knew it

The Dead & the Gone

This World we Live in

The Shade of the Moon (Released September 2013;
Obviously I won't be reviewing this one ;-))

  Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer
Previous Work:

Blood Wounds

Portraits of Little Women Series

Starring Peter and Leigh

The Sebastian Sisters Series

Twice Taken

  And many more books!

Summary: "They said asteroids hit the moon pretty often,
which is how the moon gets its craters, but this
one is going to be the biggest asteroid ever to hit
it and on a clear night you should be able to see
the impact when it happens, maybe even with the
naked eye but certainly with binoculars. They
made it sound pretty dramatic, but I still don't
think it's worth three homework assignments."

Two days later the asteroid hits and causes tsunamis,
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and food shortages.
Miranda, in Pennsylvania and Alex, in New York are
forced to fight for their very lives.

  Rating: 3.5
Awards: (For Life as We Knew it)
2006 Booklist Editor's Choice Award for Books for Youth
(Older Reader's Category)

2007 ALA Best Book for Young Adults

2007 YALSA Best Books for Young Adults/
Teen's Top Ten List

2007  Andre Norton Award for Outstanding Science
Fiction or Fantasy Book

2008-2009 Truman Reader's Award

2009 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award

Many other awards

Opinion: I love the characters! The book is also well written.
However it is a young adult book* so you need to think if the
series is right for you. It is brutally realistic and totally
awesome! I can't wait for the next book!

* The young adult rating is probably for mention of adult
content and bad language.
Plus SPOILER ALERT! People do die in the series.