Yellow Bird

 Title: Conversion
                                   # of Pages: 420

                                   Author: Katherine Howe
                                   Previous Work: 
                                                         The Penguin Book of Witches

                                                          The House of Velvet and Glass

                                                          The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

                                   Summary: "Are there any questions?" Father Molloy said,
                                   folding his arms over his chest and looking at us. I inclined 
                                   my head over to Emma, about to ask if she had any idea 
                                   what he meant, but she didn't seem to be listening. She was 
                                   staring at the front corner of the room, her cheeks flushed a 
                                   splotchy pink, and gripping her pen so hard, her knuckles
                                   were turning white. My gaze swiveled, following Emma's 
                                   stare over the heads of my classmates to the hallowed corner 
                                   where Clara Rutherford sat, her desk practically bearing a 
                                   little reserved card written in calligraphy. And that was the 
                                   first time that I saw Clara Rutherford twitch.

                                  After the Salem witch trials Ann Putman finally prepares to
                                  give her confession to the new reverend, as to her role in the
                                  events. In modern times an epidemic breaks out at Colleen's
                                  school with no apparent cause. As she investigates the events
                                  surrounding he strange illness Colleen discovers something
                                  startling. Her town is located where Salem used to be. Could
                                  the Salem witch trials be repeating themselves?

                                  Rating: This book is a 3.5.
                                  Awards: 

                                  2015 Young Adult Massachusetts Book Award

                                  Opinion: I really enjoyed the way the book effortlessly changed
                                  between present day and the past.  Anne's story was just as
                                  engaging as Colleen's. That being said, the stories seemed to
                                  reach a climax where they should have become intertwined, and
                                  instead, Anne's story and character arch seemed unresolved.
                                  Colleen's situation was left up to the reader to decide, but at
                                  least it felt finished. Overall, the story had a great presence with
                                  an eerie feeling, and enough history and suspense to keep the
                                  plot interesting.

Be Thankful Part 2

 Title: Six Months Later
                                         # of Pages: 326
                                         Author: Natalie D. Richards

                                         Previous Work: This was her first book, but since then
                                         she has written "Gone Too Far" and "My Secret to Tell".
                                     
                                         Summary: When Chloe falls asleep in study hall, she is an
                                         average student, with an amazing best friend named
                                         Maggie, and a huge crush on Blake, who is way out of her
                                         league. When she wakes up, six months have passed and
                                         she's on track to become valedictorian. Blake is her
                                         boyfriend, and Chloe is super popular. Chloe knows she
                                         should be thankful that her life is suddenly perfect, but
                                         some things just don't add up. Maggie is no longer her best
                                         friend and Blake fills her with dread. What happened in
                                         those six months that she can't remember?

                                         Rating: I'd give this book a 3,5,
                                         Awards: 2014 Yalsa Teens Top Ten Finalist

A Paige Turner

 Title: Page by Paige
                                        # of Pages: 192
                                       Author/Illustrator: Laura Lee Gulledge
                                       Previous Work: She was an artist, but this is her first
                                       graphic novel.

                                       Summary: When Paige Turner moves from Virginia to
                                       New York, she isn't sure of who she is, or how to fit in. With
                                       the help of her sketchbook, Paige is determined to make new
                                       friends and discover who she is.

                                       Plot Rating: 1.
                                       Art Rating: 5.
                                       Awards: 

                                       Eisner Award Nominee

                                       ALA Teen Top Ten Debut Graphic Novel Nominee

                                       Opinion: Okay, honestly, the plot was the most boring,
                                       overused thing I have ever read. There was nothing unique
                                       about it, and it had some rude humor. It boils down to a new
                                       move, first love, and teen angst. If you like those things,
                                       good for you. The only reason I'm even reviewing this is for
                                       the art. The art really shows all the things you've felt but
                                       didn't know how to express. The picture below is not my
                                       favorite picture in the book, but it was the best I could find
                                       online. What I like about the art is that most of the time it
                                       isn't literal, and it tells the story much more clearly than the
                                       words ever could. The graphic novel shows the author is
                                       more of an artist. I would read this book for the pictures, not
                                       the story.

From Bookworms to Butterflies

 Title: Smart Girls Get What They Want
                                     # of Pages: 348
                                     Author: Sarah Strohmeyer
                                     Previous Work: This was her first book for teens.

                                     Summary: 
                                     Because high school only comes around once, and I would 
                                     hate to look back and think I didn't make the most of every 
                                     moment because I was scared of what other people thought. 
                                     Other people never think that much about you anyway. 
                                     Eleanor Roosevelt said that.

                                     Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are the school overachievers. Their lives
                                     consist almost entirely of studying and hanging out with each
                                     other. When they realize Neerja's older sister Parad, the school
                                     valedictorian left no mark on the student body, they realize
                                     they need to make themselves known. With new
                                     accomplishments and relationships within their grasp, the
                                     girls are in for an amazing Sophomore year.

                                     Rating: It was a sweet read, and I wish it had a sequel, but
                                     there was nothing spectacular about it. This is a "cozy-in-
                                     your-pj's" read not a "best-book-I-ever-read" read. I have to
                                     give it a three for normal people and a 4 for nerds.
                                     Awards: None

                                     Opinion: As the title implies, this is about smart girls and
                                     for smart girls. I think to really appreciate this book, you have
                                     to identify with it. You have to be one of those people who love
                                     school, useless facts, and working hard. Sometimes, when
                                     reading the book I would totally go, "I know just what you
                                     mean," and feel vindicated. Other times I just enjoyed
                                     learning a little bit more about Eleanor Roosevelt, or The 
                                     Scarlet Letter. The book touched on all aspects of school life.
                                     It had student government trying to bridge the gap between
                                     arts, sports, and fairness within the school. It also had a
                                     couple of sweet romances. My only complaint is that the book
                                     is told entirely from Gigi's POV. While she was a great
                                     narrator, and I really did care what happened to her, I
                                     sometimes felt a bit cheated because the book was supposed
                                     to be about all three girls. It's very rare for me to close a book
                                     and feel entirely happy, but with this one I did. This is for
                                     when you don't want firecrackers, but a simple sparkler of a
                                     book.

Dream Dancing

  Title: Someday Dancer (In England it's called: Dreamer
                                      Ballerina; Germany: Ein Traum und zwei Füße- A Dream
                                      and Two Feet; The Dutch call it: Dansen tussen de sterren-
                                      Dancing Among the Stars)
                                      # of Pages: 256
                                      Author: Sarah Rubin
                                      Previous Work: None.

                                      Summary:  The year is 1959 and Casey Quinn knows she is
                                      meant to dance. Working hard to save up money, she goes to
                                      New York for an open ballet audition. New York is the city
                                      of dreams, so maybe even a farm girl like her can succeed.

                                      Rating: This is a 2.5.
                                      Awards: None

                                      Opinion: This book was an interesting fun read with well
                                      developed characters. However, now, months later, I
                                      remember little of the book. There were some interesting
                                      scenes and ideas explored, but the overall plot was lacking.

Food, Food, Glorious Food

 Title: Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous
                                      # of Pages: 234
                                      Author: Kathryn Williams

                                      Previous Work: (YA not done under her pen name)

                                     The Debutante

                                     The Lost Summer
                                       
                                     Summary: Sophie Nicolaides has worked in her family's
                                     Greek-Italian Restaurant all her life. She feels like she ready
                                     for a new challenge- becoming a "real" chef.  The reality
                                     show Teen Test Kitchen will give her the chance to prove her
                                     mettle as a chef. However once the show starts, distractions
                                     are everywhere. Can Sophie rise above it all to win the
                                     competition?

                                     Rating: This book is a 4. The recipes definitely made it.
                                     Awards: None

                                     Opinion: I chose to review this particular book because
                                     everyone knows Thanksgiving is all about food. So what
                                     better Thanksgiving book can you have, than one about a
                                     cooking competition? The book was kind of like a cross
                                     between Masterchef Junior and Food Network Star. I really
                                     liked the recipes in the book and it was a quick read. It was
                                     nice and thankfully not frustrating, like certain competition
                                     books. My one complaint is that it really wasn't about love
                                     like it was advertised.

                                                              ********Bonus********

                                                         Interview with Kathryn Williams:

                                    1. What would you say is your favorite book, short story, or 

                                    essay that you've written in your entire life?

                                    That's kind of like asking a mom which is her favorite kid,
                                    which is impossible:) Working on a book is hard because I
                                    love it, clearly, or I wouldn't be writing it, but then I also
                                    kind of hate it, especially by the time I'm on my tenth draft.
                                    But then when I'm done, I can't help but have some affection
                                    toward it.That said, I probably think most fondly of my
                                    second book, The Lost Summer. Maybe because it's set at a
                                    summer camp, which was a special place to me growing up
                                    (still is). But I had the most fun writing Pizza, Love, and 
                                    Other Stuff that Made Me Famous. My research essentially
                                    involved messing around in the kitchen, watching TV, and
                                    stuffing my face.

                                    2. What was your favorite childhood book?

                                   Another hard one. I loved Anne of Green Gables. I was just
                                   talking about that series with a friend because I'm going to
                                   Nova Scotia this fall and want to go to Prince Edward, where
                                   it's set.

                                   3. What is your favorite book as an adult?

                                   It changes often and as I read more books. There's a book by
                                   Donna Tartt called The Secret History that I think is amazing
                                   -- suspenseful, dark, and beautifully written.

                                  4. What was your inspiration for "Pizza, Love, and Other 
                                  Stuff That Made Me Famous"?

                                  I love to cook, and I also love watching cooking competition
                                  shows. In another life, I would have been a chef.

                                 5. Since this post is being published around Thanksgiving,
                                 what is your favorite part of the feast? If you don’t have 
                                 a feast for Thanksgiving, what traditions do you have?

                                 I'm from the South originally, so I have to say sweet potato
                                 casserole (no marshmallows) and green bean casserole (lots of
                                 fried onions).

                                6. What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving?

                                I am getting married (or will be married, when this comes out!)
                                in October, so I am thankful for my new hubby. He's pretty
                                awesome.

                               7. Is there anything else you’d like to say to readers of your 
                               books?

                               I'd like to say "thank you" about a million times over. I also 

                               encourage readers, if they enjoy a book, to reach out to the

                               author, like you did. For many of us, meeting readers through

                               email or in person (or snail mail -- I love getting written letters 

                               and pin them above my desk) is the best part of the job. 

Shark Girl

 Title: 
                                                 Shark Girl

                                                 Formerly Shark Girl

                                      Author: Kelly Bingham
                                      Previous Work: None

                                      Summary: Jane Arrowood has her life pretty much figured
                                      out. She has a huge crush on a guy named Max (which she
                                      knows won't ever lead to anything) and she's going to be an
                                      artist when she grows up. Then she is attacked by a shark,
                                      forcing the doctors to amputate half of her right arm. Jane
                                      starts to doubt her goals in life, and begins to wonder if it
                                      isn't time to be more realistic.

                                      Rating: 3.
                                      Awards: (For Shark Girl)
                                   
                                     Oprah's Book Club for Kids

                                     Best Books For Young Adults Nominee

                                     The Schneider Family Book Award Nominee

                                     Iowa Teen Choice Book Award Winner

                                     And many more!

                                     (For Formerly Shark Girl)

                                     Bank Street's Best Books For Children List

                                    Opinion: I normally don't like books that are written as
                                    poetry.At all. I usually find them incredibly depressing with
                                    plots that are hard to follow. The poems just don't lend enough
                                    substance. However, I make an exception for these particular
                                    books. The poems actually tell what is happening, not just
                                    Jane's feelings. I like the plot line, and Jane's struggles with
                                    herself and those around her. These were good books; they just
                                    lacked something to make them great.
                               

In a Well-Ordered Universe

 Title: Since You've Been Gone
                                    # of Pages: 449
                                    Author: Morgan Matson
                                    Previous Work: 

                                                      Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

                                                      Second Chance Summer

                                    Summary: Emily's best friend Sloane disappears just before
                                    the best summer of their lives. All she leaves behind as
                                    explanation, is one of her lists of crazy tasks, that she used to
                                    make when Emily went on a trip. Now Sloane is gone and
                                    Emily is convinced if she completes the list, she'll find her.
                                    With the help of honors student Frank Porter, Emily is
                                    determined to finish the list- even if it means facing some
                                    of her greatest fears.

                                    Rating: This is a five!
                                    Awards: None (at least not yet)

                                    Opinion: This book quickly became one of my all time
                                    favorites. It seemed like it would be aggravating, but it wasn't.
                                    The book  was funny and real. By the end, I felt my heart ache.
                                    This is the story of pride getting in the way of a great
                                    friendship. It is the tale of not giving up on someone, no
                                    matter the cost. In short? It was absolutely amazing.

Pandora's Box

 Title: Doomed
                                     # of Pages: 472
                                     Author: Tracy Deebs
                                     Previous Work: 
                                                    
                                                      Tempest Series

                                                      The International Kissing Club
                                                      (As Ivy Adams with Shellee Roberts and Emily
                                                      McKay)

                                     Summary: With a mom in Alaska and a dad who's been
                                     absent most of her life, Pandora is craving birthday wishes.
                                     So when she finds an attachment with pictures and birthday
                                     wishes from her dad, of course she opens it. This unleashes
                                     a computer virus on the world, which can only be solved by
                                     playing a virtual reality game made by Pandora's dad. Is he
                                     a genius or a maniac? Pandora needs to find out.

                                     Rating: This is a 3.
                                     Awards: 
                                     YALSA
                                     Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers Nominee, 2014

                                    Opinion: This book was nerve-racking, romantic, and
                                    really good.  I didn't like that Pandora
                                    didn't carry her own weight. She keeps telling Eli and Theo
                                    that she can take care of herself, but she really can't. I also
                                    disliked a heavy environmentalist message and way too
                                    many characters from Greek Mythology. The author really
                                    needs to get her own monsters. If it weren't for those facts,
                                    this would be an exceptional book.

Love And Loss Part 1

 Title: Just Like Fate
                                     # of Pages: 294
                                     Author: Cat Patrick
                                     Previous Work: 
                                     
                                     Forgotten
                                     
                                     Revived
    
                                     The Originals
              
                                     Author: Suzanne Young
                                     Previous Work:

                                     The Program Series

                                     A Need So Beautiful

                                     A Want So Wicked

                                     The Naughty List Series

                                     Summary: Caroline's Gram is about to die. Since her
                                     stroke, the family has been anxiously waiting to see if she
                                     will make it. Caroline's best friend Simone wants her to
                                     live a little, and go to a party, but Caroline isn't sure if she
                                     should. In this book you get to read what would have
                                     happened if she had stayed with her Gram- or if she had
                                     gone to the party. In both instances she  finds love in the
                                     midst of her grief. There is only one happy ending.

                                     Rating: 4.5.
                                     Awards: None.

                                     Opinion: This book was really good. My only problem with
                                      it is that no one would really leave their grandmother at
                                      their deathbed. Other than that it was a really good book
                                      about the consequences of your actions.

I Spy a Lie Part 1 (Part 2 Will be Released at a Much Later Date)

 Title: Gallagher Girls Series:                                            
                                           
                                             I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

                                             Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy

                                             Don't Judge a Girl By Her Cover

                                             Only the Good Spy Young

                                             Out of Sight, Out of Time

                                             United We Spy

                                        Author: Ally Carter
                                        Previous Work: This was her first series, But she also writes
                                        the Heist Society books.

                                        Summary: 
                                       "When you're a spy your life isn't defined by the lies you tell,
                                        but by the truths. A lie wouldn't change anything."
                                        This story is all about Cammie Morgan's life at the Gallagher
                                        Academy.What really happened to her father? Will she ever
                                        fall   in love? What will she do with her life when she
                                        graduates high school? And most importantly- Why is it so
                                        hard for a girl called "The Chameleon" to be normal?      

                                     
                                        Rating: I'd give this series a 4.5
                                        Awards: 
                                       (For I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You)

                                        Texas Lone Star Reading List

                                        Georgia Peach Book Award Runner-up

                                        Kansas Notable Book

                                        Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award

                                        Amelia Bloomer Book Award

                                        Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award

                                      (For Don't Judge a Girl By Her Cover)

                                        Romance Writers of America Rita Award Finalist, 2010

                                        Opinion: This series is very good. It is full of spying and
                                        romance, but most of all, friendship. Throughout the series,
                                        no matter what is going on Cammie's friends have her back.
                                        This series is amazing, but I can't tell you too much, or I'll
                                        give too much away.
                                     
                                                               

                                           

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.

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.

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".

                                   
                                 

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.

                                             
                                     
                                     
                                   

                                     

Gimme a Future

Title: Gimme a Call
                                   # of Pages: 320
                                   Author: Sarah Mlynowski
                                   Previous Work: (Divided as the author did)
                                                        Teen novels:
                                                        Bras & Broomsticks 

                                                        Frogs & French Kisses 
                                                       
                                                        Spells & Sleeping Bags,

                                                        Parties & Potions

                                                        How To Be Bad
                                        
                                                        Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't 
                                                        Have)
                                  
                                                        Non-Fiction: See Jane Write
                                  
                                                        Five adult novels
                                  
                                                        Nine short stories

                                     Summary: Devi's boyfriend Bryan was everything to her.
                                     When he breaks up before prom, she's devastated. Then to top
                                      it all off she drops her phone in the fountain at the mall.
                                      However, she realizes it still calls one number. Her number
                                      from three and a half years ago right before she meets her
                                      boyfriend. Devi realizes she has to stop younger Devi from
                                      dating Bryan to get her life back on track.

                                      Rating: I give this book a  3.5.
                                     Awards: A movie is "in development"!
                                      Coming Soon. net
                                 

                                     Opinion: I really like this book, but it's because of younger
                                     Devi (Frosh) not older Devi (Ivy). Older Devi seems controlling
                                     and only care about the feelings of herself, not the work she's
                                     making younger Devi do. Other than that I feel it's a great
                                     story.