The Time Traveling Fashionista

The Time Traveling Fashionista By: Bianca Turetsky


Louisa is a normal seventh grade girl. She worries about what she looks like, who her friends are, and is embarrassed by her family.  One thing about her though is that she loves vintage clothing and is so happy when she finds awesome clothes at thrift stores.  Her family and best friend do not share this love with her so she sometimes feels alone.  She receives a very interesting invitation for a vintage sale and decides to try it out.  Little does she know that she will travel in time when trying on the clothing she finds.  She is sent back to the Titanic and has to find her way back before it is to late, and then in the second book she is sent back to Paris and meets Marie Antoinette.   She has fun adventures in history.

This is the perfect series for any girl who loves fashion and also has a flair for the exciting time travel.  With tons of colored fashion drawings and great story lines you can do no wrong.  This is the perfect book for any middle school and older reader!  Check them out!

I borrowed these from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-316-10542-2 and 978-0-316-10538-5

Cupcake

Cupcake By: Charise Mericle Harper

Cupcake is so happy to have been made and loves his nice white frosting. That is until he is left alone and the rest of his colorful and creative family has been chosen.  But he meets Candle and together they decide to find out what to put on top of Cupcake.  Candle has lots of crazy ideas and they cannot settle on any of them.

This is a cute and fun book!! I love the illustrations and the fun story line.  It is a great book about finding your perfect pair!!   Perfect for any age!

I borrowed this from the public library.
ISBN:  978-142311897-8

Shift

Shift By: Jennifer Bradbury

What would happen if you went off to college and found out your friend was missing?  What would you do if you knew that you left your best friend alone, not really knowing where he went?  What would you do if his parents think that you know where he is?  That is what happens to Christopher, his best friend and him had taken a cross country bike trip, but left on uncertain terms, and now his friend is missing.  He must prove to himself and his friend's family that he is not to blame, but how when he doesn't know where he is?

This was a great book.  It had an element of suspense and mystery that kept me reading.  I thought the idea for the book was great in that, it sounds like something teenage boys would love to do. Ride across the country together on a bike as an end of high school trip, living off the land and sleeping under the stars.   The mystery of how one disappears was great!  Perfect high school read!

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-1-4169-4732-5

The Reinvention of Besssica Lefter

 

The Reinvention of Bessica Lefter By: Kristen Tracy

Bessica is starting middle school. She always hoped she would be going with her friend Sylvie, but after forcing her to ditch their journal and convincing her to get her hair cut short, Sylvie's mom has other ideas. So Bessica is left to face middle school alone.  She does not get off to a  great start and must find a way to fit in and not feel lonely.  But Bessica finds that you can make friends, you just have to be yourself

This is a great book for anyone that is unsure of what to do when you go to middle school.  It has all the classic elements that tweens feel when they are getting ready to start a new school.  The relationship between Bessica and her best friend, Sylvie, shows that even when you think you are alone you really are not.  Perfect 5th or 6th grade read.

I borrowed this from the public library.
ISBN: 978-0-385-90634-0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel By: Jeff Kinney

This addition to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series finds Greg looking for a date the the Valentine's Day dance.  He takes advice from his Uncle Gary, who has moved into their home because he is out of work and money, and tries many things.  Turns out when Greg finally finds a date she seems more interested in Rowley!!  All the while Greg is afraid he is going to get the chicken pox that are going around, getting Rowley elected to Student Council, and bringing his own personal stash of good toilet paper to school and hiding it!

Another funny Diary of a Wimpy Kid book! I love these books and this one does not disappoint.  The beginning of this book had my hooked.  Greg talks about how he remembers being in his mom's stomach and hearing her music and her talking!  Funny pictures with that story.  So if you are like me and love the humor of a 5th and 6th grader get the book as soon as you can!! I know that many teachers think that they are not great literature, and maybe they are right, but I for one do not believe in choosing books for kids. I love whatever they choose to read. 

I purchased this from Scholastic
ISBN: 978-1-4197-0729-2

Changeling

Changeling: Order of Darkness 1 By: Philippa Gregory

Luca Vero has been accused of thinking to much in the monastery, because he is challenging the artifacts that they have there.  He is taken away from the monastery and given the job of being the inquirer!  He must travel the country being the judge of all things in the church.  Isolde has lost her father and her brother has informed her that on his death bed he changed his will and made her brother the sole heir and set her to be the Lady Abbess.  This is not what she thought was going to happen and she does not want to be there.  Luca is sent to her nunnery because as soon as she arrived the nuns began to go crazy and strange things began to happen.  The church believes she is to blame and Luca must determine the truth.  But he meets resistance and struggles to figure out what to believe.  What is the truth and what is the lie?

I liked this book for it's mystery and suspense.  You have a feeling you know what is going on but you cannot place exactly what the problem is.  I thought that the characters were great as they were both strong teens that wanted more of life and where not going to let anything stop them.  I also think that they both show great resilience to the problems that they face. Great high school and up read! I can't wait to hear more of the story in the books to come.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-1-4424-5344-9

Keeping the Castle

Keeping the Castle By: Patrice Kindl

Althea knows that she has to marry someone rich and has known this for a long time.  So she is wiling to put aside her love for any gentlemen as long as he has money.  The problem is that she is always says what she feels so she usually tells the gentlemen this and so they run off.  And she also has to deal with her not so kind step sisters that do have money, but will not share it, and so she tricks them into helping keep her family's home in good repair until she can find a husband.  Soon new neighbors arrive and one shows an interest in her, she is happy because she likes him and not just for his money.  But she does not like his friend Mr. Fredericks at all!!  But as the story unfolds her heart will be broken and someone else will have to come and rescue her and her family's home. 

I really loved this story.   A girl who knows that to support her family she has to set aside what she wants for them.  And she is willing to do so, but hopefully does not have to in the end.  I really enjoyed the characters and was sad when the book ended because I really wanted the story to continue on.  I think this would make a great high school read. 


I borrowed this from the public library.
ISBN: 978-0-670-01438-5

Confectionately Yours Taking the Cake

Confectionately Yours Taking the Cake By: Lisa Papademetriou

Hayley just does not understand why her ex best friend, Artie, is being so mean to her.  But at least she has her new friend, Meghan, to help her along the way.  Hayley also is trying to be nice and help Marco with his homework and makes a bad choice to let him copy her work, she thinks he would be more thankful than he is and is confused when things just are not going her way.  Not to mention that she is not happy about her father dating and now her mother too!  But at least she has cake to help her solve her problems!

This is another great addition to the Confectionately Yours series.  I love how these books help kids that are maybe going through some awkward tween years come to terms with how friendships can change, and how you should just be who you are no matter what.  I also love that they come with cupcake and cake recipes throughout the story.  Great for fourth grade through seventh grade readers.

I borrowed this from the public library.
ISBN: 978-0-545-22229-7

Wrapped

Wrapped By: Jennifer Bradbury

Agnes is headed into her debut season.  But her heart really is not in it, she would rather further her knowledge and read to learn about the world.  Lord Showalter has shown an interest in her and at her first party of the season he calls her out to be the first to help unwrap a mummy.  She finds a special piece of metal in the wrapping and decides to keep it. But she wants to know what it is so she heads to the museum and meets Caedmon.  Together they figure out that this is not just a piece of metal, but a secret message to someone who is trying to help bring Napolean down.  Can they solve the mystery together without getting hurt or caught?

I loved this book and did not want to put it down for a second.  I thought the writing was great and really kept your interest.  It had wonderful mysterious qualities along with the fun of a girl who is going against what society wants her to do.  This is a perfect middle school through high school read for anyone who loves a good mystery.  The end is sort of left open so I am hoping that there will be a sequel to the story.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-1-4169-9007-9

The Casual Vacancy

The Casual Vacancy  By: J.K. Rowling


This is the story of a small town who has just lost a prominent member of society.  With the death of Barry Fairbrother, many people's lives are changed.   Some people want his place on the town council, some people realize he was their best friend, and some just think it is a great loss.  This town is full of secrets and stories.  There are many people who feel the poorer side of the town should not be allowed in, some teens are out to get back at their parents, and some adults are in the middle of affairs that they should not be in.  One thing is for sure, everyone wants the seat on the town council and many will stop at nothing to get it.  

I cannot say that I loved this book.  It was a tough read. Very adult and full of things that reading about was hard.  What struck me as the hardest parts were the lives of the teens in the town.  Rowling really focused on the kids that were suffering and what they were doing with their lives. I know that that is what happens to teens, but it was hard to read.  I also thought that the adults in the town, while like many have many hidden secrets were just very self involved.  I was trying to not compare this book to Harry Potter, but those I loved, this book was just not for me. 

I borrowed this from a friend.
ISBN: 978-0-316-22853-4

Neon Tiki Tribe

Neon Tiki Tribe The Brightest Heros On Earth! By: joe Lorenzano & April Sopczak  Illustrated By: Jason Lester




The Neon Tiki Tribe is a band of Tikis that are out to help the Earth.  They along with thier friends Greg and Sniff Sniff help those around them to solve problems and fight the bad things that are happening.  The books were created so that children with dyslexia can easily read the words. They are filled with colorful, bright images that jump out of the pages.   The books each focus on a battle that the tikis help to win. 

These books were pretty good. They each had a great message that would help teach students a lesson about bullying, keeping the earth clean, and helping out friends that are in need. I think that any elementary school would love to have them in their library for students.

I borrowed these from the school library.