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.

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".

                                   
                                 

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. 

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!