Sweetly

Sweetly By: Jackson Pearce

Gretchen and her brother Ansel and looking for peace in their lives. Ever since Gretchen's twin disappeared into the woods, attacked by a witch, they have been lost.  Their step mom has kicked them out of the house, so they are off to find their own way.  Ansel's Jeep dies near Live Oak, and they have to make money to fix it.  They meet Sophia Kelly, the candy maker, but things just don't seem quite right.

This was another great book by Jackson Pearce.  I love the way this story played out, so similar to the fairy tale, but with a really great twist.  I thought that the addition of Samuel, who is hunting for the dangerous things that are in the forest, made for an interesting plot twist.  Great read

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-316-06866-6

Fairest

Fairest By: Marissa Meyer

This is the story of the evil queen Levana, and tells how she became who she is.  Levana did not have an easy life, her parents were killed, she had a sister that was not kind to her, she suffered a terrible accident that left her disfigured, and she fell in love with a palace guard that did not love her back. She spent so much time in this book trying to make the guard, Evret, love her and accept her. She tricks him in to marrying him, while she uses her glamour to be his dead wife, and tries to raise his daughter.  Then when her sister dies, and leaves baby Selene, Levana tries to come up with a plan to rid of her.

This book was depressing. Levana is such a sad person,she tries so hard to make others love her, but goes about that in all the wrong ways. It makes complete sense why she is the evil person she is, but the lengths she goes to better herself are awful.  I enjoyed learning about her, and her past, and think that it makes a great addition to the series.

I purchased this book on Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-1-250-06055-6

All Our Yesterdays

All Our Yesterdays  By: Cristin Terrill

Em and Finn are locked in a horrible place, where Em spends her time trying to figure a way out.  Marina is in love with her best friend James, and is trying to find a way to tell him.  She is going to tell him when his older brother is shot, and then Marina, James, and his friend Finn try to find out who is responsible.  Em and Finn have figured out a way to escape, and now must travel back in time to stop the events that lead to all of their destruction.

This book was great!  I loved the time travel aspect, and the suspense of trying to figure it all out. It was interesting to know Marina and Finn in the past and Em and Finn in the future, and how different they are.  I recommend this to any ya fan.

I borrowed this book from the public library
ISBN: 9781423176374 

Pinkerton, Behave!

Pinkerton, Behave! By: Steven Kellogg

This book is about Pinkerton, who is a dog that does not listen to his owners. They try everything they can, and finally take Pinkerton to school.  Even the school cannot help Pinkerton listen.  But one night he saves his family from a robber, and they know just what to do.  I picked this book up because we have a puppy that does not listen. My kids and I laughed an laughed while reading this silly book.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-8037-4130-0

The New Sweater

The New Sweater By: Oliver Jeffers

The Hueys are all the same. Everyone does the same things, dresses the same, and acts the same. Rupert wanted to be different, so he knits a sweater. At first all the Hueys think he is strange, but then one by one they all want the new sweater, until they all look the same again.  I liked this book for young readers because it teaches them how it is good to be different.  I can't wait to share it with my fourth and fifth graders and have a discussion about how boring it is when everyone is the same.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-399-25767-4

Sisters Red

Sisters Red By: Jackson Pearce

Scarlet has one goal in life, to hunt Fenris.  As a young girl Scarlet and her sister, Rosie, were at home when the wolf attacked their grandmother, and then attacked them.  Scarlet was left with many scars and with a passion to hunt the Fenris that did this to her.  Her partner in hunting Silas left for a while but has returned just in time to help her in the hunt she has been waiting for. But for Rosie and Silas, hunting is not everything, and Scarlet has a hard time dealing with the news that hunting is not for everyone all the time.

This was a great twist on Little Red Riding Hood. I love retold fairy tales and this one does not disappoint.  Scarlet had some hard lessons to learn in this book, and with each one she came out stronger.  I also loved the cover, what a great illustration.
 Great read.

I borrowed this from the public library.
ISBN: 978-0-316-06868-0

All These Things I've Done

All These Things I've Done By: Gabrielle Zevin

Anya is just trying to get by. She has a lot on her plate, taking care of her dying grandmother, going to school, and making sure her older brother and younger sister are ok.  And, she is the daughter of one of the most notorious crime lords, even though he is dead, his past is still a part of her life. Anya meets Win at school when she is in the office for throwing lasagna on her ex boyfriend, and she really kinda likes him, even though his father is the new DA.  But Anya is framed for a crime that she didn't commit, and her grandmother dies, so Anya has to figure out how to manage everything that comes after.

I liked this book a lot. I really enjoyed Anya's strong character in the face of so many challenges in her life. She truly did what was best for everyone in her life, even if it meant that her happiness was set aside.

I borrowed this from the public library.
ISBN: 978-0-374-30210-8

Let's Get Lost

Let's Get Lost By: Adi Alsaid

It's tough to be a teen, and four of them across the country are going through different things. One thing they have in common is Leila. Leila is on a trip to see the Northern Lights, and she meets each one of these teens at a time when they really need her most.  As she helps them, they also help her, but there is one person she really just wants to see more then the rest, and she has her own past to find.

I really liked this book. It was an interesting story about helping those around you, even if you don't know them. I am sure that some people are going through really hard times, and could use someone to come along and help them out.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-373-21124-1

The Ice Dragon

The Ice Dragon By: George R. R. Martin  Illustrated By: Luis Royo

Adara was born during the worst freeze that anyone had ever experienced, and was a winter child.  She was not like other children, and stayed out to play in the snow for as long as she wanted building great castles of snow.  It was in the winter time that she saw the Ice Dragon, and was able to touch it, and fly on it.  Unrest was coming to her small land, and fire dragons and their riders were coming to attack and take over.  Adara used her ice dragon to rescue her family, and he paid the ultimate price.

This book was beautiful.  I loved the story, and the illustrations were ones that would make me stop and stare. I thought that this beautiful girl who was so alone in a way, had a friend in the ice dragon. This book would be great for any reader upper elementary and up to adult.

I borrowed this book from the public library.
ISBN: 978-0-7653-7877-4

Rump

Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin By: Liesl Shurtliff

Rump hates his name very much, and we all know why. The kids are always teasing him about it.  Rump has had a hard life, living day to day in the mines so that his grandmother and him can eat. But when he finds a spinning wheel, and is able to make gold his luck begins to change.

I loved this retelling of the story of Rumpelstiltskin.  It was very clever, and will take young readers into the fairy tale quickly.  I liked how Rumpelstiltskin was not told as an evil character, like he is in some of the fairy tales, that he was just a normal boy with a talent that he thought could help him.

I purchased this book from Scholastic.
ISBN: 978-0-545-76586-2

The Iron Trial

The Iron Trial By: Holly Black and Cassandra Clare Illustrated By: Scott Fischer

Call does not fit in anywhere he goes, he has trouble at school, and does not have any friends. His father is taking him to the Iron Trial, and tells Call that he needs to fail the test so that he is not taken to the school for magic.  Call does everything he can, but is still chosen by Master Rufus.  Call is now living at the Magisterium.  Call does his best, but always feels like his is failing. He finally is able to befriend his two partners Tamara and Aaron, and they begin to work together. That is until Call finds out who he truly is.

This is a great read for upper elementary and middle school readers.  I really enjoyed Call's character, he is the misfit kid, who just needs to find his place in the world.  I also enjoyed the relationship between Call and his father, it showed true caring.  I highly recommend this book!  I hope the next book in the series comes out soon.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-545-52225-0

Girl On A Wire

Girl on a Wire By: Gwenda Bond

Jules is a really great tight rope walker.  She wants her family to have the best in life, so she tricks her family into joining The Cirque American.  She has no idea what is in store for her!  The other members of the Cirque are not thrilled that her family is there, because of the past of her grandmother and the story that she hurt people.  But she meets Remy, and even though their families do not get along, they find themselves falling for each other. With many mysterious things happening, Jules tries to figure them out, while making a name for herself. She has to look out thought because someone is out for revenge.

I really liked this book.  I loved the storyline, the mystery, and the cool circus things.  I highly recommend this one.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-1477847916

Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Long Haul

Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Long Haul By: Jeff Kinney

It is no secret that I really love the Wimpy Kid books. This one was just as funny as ever.  I loved the idea of the long road trip, because when I was little we took them every summer.  The pig addition to the family made me laugh and laugh.  Keep writing Jeff Kinney, you are hysterical.

I purchased this book from Scholastic Book Clubs
ISBN: 978-1-4197-1499-3

Atlantia

Atlantia By: Ally Condie

Rio has always known that she wants to go Above. But she stays with her twin sister Bay in Atlantia so that she is not alone after their mother dies.  Rio is shocked one day when her sister decides to go Above and leaves her alone. Rio has always had to hide her true self, because she is s siren, and now it will be even harder. Rio meets True, who helps her make money so that she can buy her way to the top. Things do not go as planned though and what Rio thought she wanted may not be so anymore.

This was a great young adult book.  I was interested in it immediately because of Rio, she would do anything for her sister and when her sister leaves her she is left uncertain of things.  I also liked that Rio was able to find a way to do what she needed to do in order to survive and figured out quickly who she could trust.

I borrowed this book from the public library.
ISBN: 978-0-525-42644-8

Back To Blogging!

I don't really think anyone checks out this blog, but for any who might I am back!

Here are a few things I read while I was gone.


Divergent Series By: Veronica Roth
    
     This is the story of Beatrice Prior, in a post apocalyptic Chicago area. I was instantly hooked on this series again (I read the first one a while ago).  I finished all four of the books in two days.  Although I hated the end. 

The Pledge By: Kimberly Derting

     I loved this book about Charlania who has to hide her ability to understand all languages. She meets the prince, who is in disguise, and they end up finding friendship.  Charlania is the key though to overthrowing the evil reign of the kingdom.  I can't wait to read the next two books in the series!











Mortal Instruments Series By: Cassandra Claire. 

    I finished this series and was thrilled with the ending  I am glad I was able to find out what happened with Clary and Jace, and how they work tougher with their friends to overthrow Sebastian, Clary's brother.

The Jewel

The Jewel By: Amy Ewing

Violet has always known what her job will be in life. She understands that she will be sold, and then forced to carry the children of someone with power.  It doesn't matter what she has been told, after being sold to the Lady of the Lake, reality is much worse than she feared.  The powerful people are able to do things to the weaker ones that are terrible, and Violet finds that she has a lot more to learn.  But with the promise of someone that claims they want to help her, and meeting Ash, Violet has a little hope for her future.

This was a great book.  I enjoyed Violet's character, she was determined to help her friend, even though life was hard for her too.  I thought the balance of power over the people who were buying girls, and the way they treated the people without the ability to fight for themselves was terrible.  Honestly the plot was really strange, but I didn't want to stop reading, because I wanted to make sure that Violet was able to get out.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-06-223579-4

Heir Of Fire

Heir Of Fire By: Sarah J. Maas

Celina has been sent away by the King of Adarlan.   She is not expecting to be caught by Rowan, the prince of her Aunt Maeve.  Maeve wants something from Celina, because she is the rightful Queen Aelin.  Maeve sends Celina to train with Rowan, and they spend countless hours every day, with Rowan forcing Celina to be who she is meant to be.  Chaol is fighting a battle of his own as he works with Aedion, who is trying to overthrow the evil of the King of Adarlan.  Manon is an evil witch who is preparing for the battle against anyone who stands to fight the King of Adarlan.  The fate of everyone is in the hands of Celina, and we will see just how strong she is.

It is very hard to explain the depth and character of this book.  There were so many things going on in the book and so much action to follow.  I loved this book just as much as the rest of the Throne of Glass series. Celina is absolutely one of my favorite characters,  I love her strength, and her fight for what is right. The only problem I have with this book is that it ended, and I wanted more.

I borrowed this book from a friend.
ISBN: 978-1-61963-065-9

My Crocodile Does Not Bite

My Crocodile Does Not Bite By: Joe Kulka

It is bring your pet to school day and Ernest has decided to take his gigantic crocodile with him.  Cindy Lou, the very mean girl, says that he can't have him because he will bite the other kids. Ernest insures everyone that he does not in fact bite, and shows off all his tricks to the class. But, Cindy Lou just gets more and more upset because no one in the class cares about her dog, so she does something mean.  Ernest is correct, his crocodile does not bite, but he sure can swallow.  This book was really funny, my boys loved it, and think they need a crocodile for a pet.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-7613-8937-8

The Nuts: Bedtime At The Nut House

The Nuts: Bedtime at the Nuthouse By: Eric Litwin  Illustrated by: Scott Magoon

This is a hilarious book about a family of nuts.  The little Nuts do not wish to go to bed and are trying to find anyway to get out of it.  Mama Nut is not happy with Wally and Hazel and uses her big voice to make sure they will listen.  The story has a free download of the song and lullaby of the book. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and perfect for the story.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-316-32244-7

Night Knight

Night Knight By: Owen Davey

This is a cute story about a knight who goes on many adventures on his way to bed. He rides his horse down the hall, swims through the ocean in his bath, and finds treasure on his way into his room.  The illustrations in this book are really great.  My five year old son couldn't get enough of this book.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5838-0