A Novel Reflection

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".