false 23 27 27 true 6001692 read 0 true 5013578 currently-reading 0 true 5013577 to-read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/56875322 to: A Kiss in Time (Hardcover) by Alex Flinn
This book made me laugh! Sleeping Beauty aka Princess Talia is awakened from her 300 year sleep by a bored teenager from Miami Beach. Her father, the king, is furious with her for ruining his kingdom. Teenagers are supposed to listen, and he had told her everyday of her life not to touch a spinning wheel. When the Princess runs away to Miami Beach, she charmingly points out how teenagers today have lost the art of conversation and are totally absorbed with electronics. I loved the "voice" of the Princess. When she's mauled at a party, she's horrified when a boy tries to grope her "nether regions." Of course the Princess and her less than Charming Prince find true love and happily ever after, but in an hilarious and unique way. This book would make a fun beach read, and I think teens will enjoy it. I know that I did. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76705635 to: The Entertainer and the Dybbuk (Paperback) by Sid Fleischman
I enjoy reading authors who build a wonderful story with minimum words. Author Sid Fleischman has that uncanny ability to make every word count.

In this story, Avrom Amos was killed by the Nazis before his bar mitzvah. He becomes a Jewish ghost and decides to possess the body of a young ventriloquist named Freddie.

Sid Fleischman doesn't shy away from the horrors of the Holocaust, but he presents the facts in a unique and clever way...through the mouth of a ventiloquist's dummy.

THE ENTERTAINER AND THE DYBBUK is fast-paced, with a satisfying ending. Fans of historical fiction will love this book.

]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76703189 to: Into the Wild (Hardcover) by Sarah Beth Durst
The traditional fairytale characters have escaped from their stories and are living in Northboro Massachusetts. Their forest (aka "the wild") is being contained underneath Julie's bed.

The characters live in dread of being sucked back into their stories, of losing their free will, of living the same tale over and over. But when "the Wild" escapes and takes over the town, it's up to Julie to save the day.

INTO THE WILD has some clever plot devices. I enjoyed how the author blended fairytales with real life landmarks in Massachusetts. I was also intrigued by how she melded the fairytale characters into present day, (e.g. Rapunzel runnning a hair salon).

Though I prefer more romance in the fantasy books that I read, I still enjoyed this book. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76702052 to: Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
SHIVER is TWILIGHT with werewolves. At least that was my initial reaction from reading the first three chapters. The books have in common an intense longing between a sensitive boy and an ordinary girl. Both books are about finding your soulmate, and both made me remember the powerful feelings of being a teenager in love.

In my opinion, SHIVER is written in a more haunting and lyrical way than TWILIGHT. And while I enjoyed the Stephanie Meyer books, Bella started to wear on my nerves. Yet Grace, the heroine of SHIVER seems more practical and real.

I would definitely recommend this book for fans of TWILIGHT. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73026620 to: The Misadventures of Maude March (Paperback) by Audrey Couloumbis
Lots of historical fiction is serious business, but the MISADVENTURES OF MAUDE MARCH is laugh out loud funny! I loved the voice of the narrator, eleven-year-old Sallie March, and I loved her sister Maude just as much. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70582163 to: Wing Nut (Hardcover) by Mary Jane Auch
In my opinion, the best middle grade novels tell a great story, teach me something that I knew very little about, and have an underlying theme. WING NUT by Mary Jane Auch did all of those things.

Twelve-year-old Grady Flood and his mom, Lila are homeless. When their car breaks down in rural Pennsylvania, Lila accepts a job cooking for an elderly widower.

Old Charlie Fernwald is a skilled mechanic and has a passion for birds, called purple martins. Charlie's home is like a magnet for the birds and they nest there every year on their flight from Brazil.

While working with Charlie, Grady makes a serious mistake. One that puts Charlie's purple martin colony at risk. How can he make it up to Charlie? And will Grady and Lila ever find a home? ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/67966391 to: Flight (Hardcover) by Elizabeth Stow Ellison
Twelve-year-old Samantha discovers that her older brother can't read. She wonders why her parents won't get help for him. Hidden illiteracy is tearing the family apart, and it's up to Samantha to take a stand. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/67963886 to: When the Whistle Blows (Hardcover) by Fran Slayton
WHEN THE WHISTLE BLOWS tells the story of life in the 1940's in a West Virginia railroad town. Young Jimmy Cannon swims in the Cheat River, accidentally vandalizes a police car, and stars on his high school football team. Life is good, but change is coming, and there ain't a dagburned thing he can do to stop it.

Kirkus gave this book a starred review, and called it "An unassuming masterpiece." Lovers of historical fiction are in for a real treat. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/64362120 to: Dog Gone (Hardcover) by Cynthia Chapman Willis
On the cover, Newbery Honor Winner, Ann M. Martin, writes, "I couldn't put this down. More than a dog story, this is a many-layered tale of loss and grief. I completely agree Ms. Martin's assessment. This book will find a special place in the heart of pet lovers. ]]>