Christmas Miracle

 Title: The Legend of Holly Claus
                                     # of Pages: 544
                                     Author: Brittney Ryan
                                     Illustrator: Laurel Long
                                     Previous Work: 
                                     The author has been involved in many theatrical works.
                                     The illustrator has illustrated 7 other books, most of them
                                     under 40 pages.

                                     Summary: This story begins with a little boy asking Santa
                                     what has never before been asked. "What do you wish
                                     for Christmas, Santa?" Then Holly Claus is born.
                                     Unfortunately she has the purest heart ever existing and an
                                     evil Warlock hatches a plan to steal it for his own personal
                                     gain. A magical life and adventure follows.
                                     Rating: Definitely a 5.
                                     Awards: 
                                     Part of  "The Julie Andrews Collection"
                                     Opinion: This book may sound cheesy, but it is very
                                     eloquently written. The plot is unpredictable, the characters
                                     endearing. Plus the illustrations are so gorgeous and detailed
                                     you could stare at them for a half an hour and still not be
                                     satisfied. However I must warn fans of "Quicky books" this
                                     story is 522 pages (Not including "The Characters and Places
                                     of Forever") long. It is totally worth it, though; I've read this
                                     book 3 times, only one of those times being at Christmas. And
                                     it is still amazing! (The picture shown below is on the back of
                                     the book, with the bottom cut off.)

The Land of Immortals

                                   

                                     
                                     

Contest Book

I wasn't sure about reading this book, but I entered the contest for a free advanced copy, anyway. I figured if it wasn't good I could sell it. (It didn't come and I ended up getting a signed copy instead, but that's another story!- Thanks ThisIsTeen!) However, I only review "good" books on my blog so you know it worked out!

 Title: Endangered
                                      # of Pages: 272

                                     Author: Eliot Schrefer 

                                     Previous Work: 

                                                          2 novels for adults

                                                          

                                                          The Deadly Sister

                                                          

                                                          The School for Dangerous Girls

                                     Summary: Sophie has never quite understood her mother's

                                     passion for the Bonobo apes. However when she finds one

                                     (whom she names Otto) she decides to care for him.

                                     But when the Bonobo sanctuary is attacked Sophie and Otto

                                     must survive in a war torn country. 

                                     Rating: 4.5, because this book sometimes contradicts my

                                     beliefs, claiming speculation as a fact.

                                     Awards: 

                                     2012 National Book Award Finalist 

                                     for Young People's Literature

                                     2012 Cybils Nomination

                                     Opinion: This book was amazing. My favorite part is the 

                                     question Sophie grapples with most of the book. Is it really

                                     okay to save an animal when so many people are suffering?

                                      I thought this book would be "run, run, save the monkey!" 

                                      (When really Bonobos aren't even monkeys!) But I was 

                                      pleasantly surprised at the depth of the story. It was really
                                      good Don't be like me and write it off before you start it.
                                      You'll be missing out on a great story!

For International Readers Part 1

Recently, I figured out how to find out exactly where the people who read my blog come from. To my surprise, I saw five views from Russia, four from the UK, and one each from Germany, South Korea, Turkey, and South Africa. Now I don't know if they read my blog by mistake, or if they're even kids around my age. But in honor of whomever they might be, I'll be reviewing two International books, with the country they were written in listed beside them. I will still put out the reader's choice book sometime next week.


 Title: Flyaway
                                      # of Pages: 260
                                      Author: Lucy Christopher
                                      Country: United Kingdom
                                      Previous Work:
                                                                Stolen
                                      Summary: (For this summary I think an excerpt from the
                                                         book will best explain it. Isla the main character
                                                         is speaking.)
                                                        One cold winter morning, Dad gets sick – and 
                                                        goes into hospital. It’s there I meet Harry, with 
                                                        his scruffy hair and firefly eyes. From his window
                                                        we watch a wild swan on the frozen lake outside. 
                                                        There’s something different about her, truly 
                                                        different. Almost magical. Perhaps, if we can help
                                                        her, everything else will begin to make sense.
                                      Rating: I give this book a 2, which is excellent. It was very in
                                      depth at the beginning, and towards the end it was very sweet,
                                      but slightly unbelievable. The rest of the book makes up for
                                      that, though.
                                      Awards:
                                                    Short list for the Costa Awards
                                      Opinion: Flyaway was a great book about believing in the
                                      impossible. Isla thinks if she can just save a swan, her father
                                      and Harry will be all right. As things change in her life, the
                                      swan helps her fly.