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          <updates type="array">
      <update type="review">
    <action_text><![CDATA[gave 5 stars to: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6364650-bug-boy">Bug Boy (Hardcover)</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/641402.Eric_Luper">Eric Luper</a>]]></action_text>
    <link>http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74318474</link>
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  <name>Marjorie Light</name>
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  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2551499-marjorie-light</link>
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    <updated_at>Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:57:55 -0700</updated_at>
        
      
          <body><![CDATA[A Writing Trifecta!<br/>BUG BOY by Eric Luper<br/><br/>If you want a sure-fire winner this fall, bet on Eric Luper’s new novel BUG BOY across the board – to win, place, and show. A period piece featuring the Saratoga Race Track, this novel transports you back to 1930’s and into the life of ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/A%20Writing%20Trifecta!%0D%0ABUG%20BOY%20by%20Eric%20Luper%0D%0A%0D%0AIf%20you%20want%20a%20sure-fire%20winner%20this%20fall,%20bet%20on%20Eric%20Luper%E2%80%99s%20new%20novel%20BUG%20BOY%20across%20the%20board%20%E2%80%93%20to%20win,%20place,%20and%20show.%20A%20period%20piece%20featuring%20the%20Saratoga%20Race%20Track,%20this%20novel%20transports%20you%20back%20to%201930%E2%80%99s%20and%20into%20the%20life%20of%20an%20up-and-coming%20jockey.%20We%20are%20along%20for%20the%20ride%20as%20Jack%20Walsh%20goes%20from%20small%20time%20exerciser%20to%20big%20time%20bug%20boy%20%E2%80%93%20watching%20him%20navigate%20the%20perils%20of%20the%20track%E2%80%A6from%20the%20paddock%20to%20the%20gate%20and%20the%20stalls%20to%20the%20finish%20line.%20His%20past%20creeps%20up%20behind%20him%20while%20he%20is%20flashing%20his%20winnings%20all%20over%20town%20and%20we%20try%20to%20figure%20out%20the%20secrets%20Jack%20carries%20and%20predict%20the%20choice%20he%20will%20make.%0D%0A%0D%0AWin%20=%20This%20story%20is%20ready%20to%20go%20the%20distance%20and%20you%20can%20put%20money%20on%20BUG%20BOY%20for%20an%20exciting,%20escaping%20read.%20Luper%20contrasts%20the%20poverty%20of%20the%20stable%20boys%E2%80%99%20lives%20to%20the%20extravagances%20of%20the%20well-heeled%20socialites%20populating%20Saratoga%20during%20the%20Season.%20The%20action%20is%20fast-paced%20and%20has%20enough%20tangles%20to%20keep%20the%20reader%20interested%20until%20the%20end.%0D%0A%0D%0APlace%20=%20Luper%20does%20a%20great%20job%20with%20setting%20%E2%80%93%20his%20sense%20of%20place%20is%20superb.%20The%20reader%20is%20transported%20to%20the%20time%20of%20the%20Great%20Depression:%20the%20language,%20terminology,%20and%20setting%20of%20the%20track%20all%20contribute%20to%20the%20feeling%20of%20being%20dropped%20into%20another%20place%20and%20time.%20Since%20the%20author%20is%20so%20skillful%20at%20weaving%20in%20terminology%20of%20the%20track%20and%20slang%20of%20the%20era,%20the%20grittiness%20feels%20authentic.%20Since%20it%20is%20so%20authentic,%20be%20aware%20there%20are%20a%20few%20%E2%80%9Csalty%E2%80%9D%20words%20and%20a%20%E2%80%9Cwell-developed%E2%80%9D%20romantic%20encounter.%20They%20are%20genuine,%20though,%20not%20gratuitous,%20and%20suiting%20to%20the%20story.%0D%0A%0D%0AShow%20=%20A%20writer%E2%80%99s%20mantra%20is%20%E2%80%9CShow,%20don%E2%80%99t%20tell%E2%80%9D%20and%20Luper%20does%20this%20perfectly.%20We%20are%20thrust%20into%20the%20action%20and%20experience%20the%20races%20along%20with%20Jack.%20The%20glory%20of%20Saratoga%20and%20the%20hardships%20of%20the%20Depression%20play%20out%20for%20us,%20in%20scene%20after%20scene.%20(As%20a%20matter%20of%20fact,%20this%20novel%20would%20make%20a%20great%20movie!)%20The%20author%20did%20his%20research,%20and%20it%20shows%20in%20his%20writing.%20It%20is%20skillfully%20woven%20together,%20has%20great%20voice,%20and%20the%20details%20of%20the%20time%20period%20pop%20-%20a%20writing%20Trifecta.%0D%0A%0D%0AThis%20YA%20novel%20is%20a%20sure%20thing%20for%20racing%20fans,%20history%20buffs,%20and%20those%20liking%20a%20well-written%20coming%20of%20age%20story.%20It%20is%20grabbing%20the%20attention%20of%20adult%20readers,%20too,%20judging%20by%20the%20buzz%20online.%20(I%20know%20two%20men%20will%20be%20getting%20BUG%20BOY%20from%20me%20for%20a%20gift%20this%20year!)%0D%0A">more...</a>]]></body>
        
    
  </update>  
      <update type="review">
    <action_text><![CDATA[gave 5 stars to: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6202108.Crazy_Beautiful">Crazy Beautiful (Hardcover)</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/27212.Lauren_Baratz_Logsted">Lauren Baratz-Logsted</a>]]></action_text>
    <link>http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73400578</link>
    <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1233774135s/6202108.jpg</image_url>
    <actor>
  <id type="integer">2551499</id>
  <name>Marjorie Light</name>
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  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2551499-marjorie-light</link>
</actor>

    <updated_at>Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:38:50 -0700</updated_at>
        
      
          <body><![CDATA[Spare, beautiful prose, full of truths and ironies, fleshes out a modern-day version of Beauty and the Beast. Author Lauren Baratz-Logsted works her magic, weaving a tale of a high school reject-of-his-own-making and the lovely, pure girl who sees beyond his hideousness.<br/><br/>Lucius and Aurora...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/Spare,%20beautiful%20prose,%20full%20of%20truths%20and%20ironies,%20fleshes%20out%20a%20modern-day%20version%20of%20Beauty%20and%20the%20Beast.%20Author%20Lauren%20Baratz-Logsted%20works%20her%20magic,%20weaving%20a%20tale%20of%20a%20high%20school%20reject-of-his-own-making%20and%20the%20lovely,%20pure%20girl%20who%20sees%20beyond%20his%20hideousness.%0D%0A%0D%0ALucius%20and%20Aurora%20begin%20telling%20their%20story%20on%20their%20first%20day%20of%20school,%20where%20both%20are%20new%20students,%20and%20the%20viewpoint%20alters%20chapter%20to%20chapter.%20Particularly%20interesting%20is%20how%20the%20same%20incident%20is%20told%20first%20from%20one%20character%E2%80%99s%20perspective%20and%20then%20from%20another%E2%80%99s.%20The%20tension%20is%20increased%20with%20the%20unfolding,%20as%20we%20yearn%20for%20the%20characters%20to%20see%20the%20light%20of%20truth%20beyond%20their%20misconceptions.%20As%20the%20legend%20becomes%20life,%20Lucius%20withdraws%20further%20into%20himself%20and%20sees%20the%20glimmer%20of%20her%20goodness%20from%20the%20bottom%20of%20his%20despair.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe%20minor%20characters%20serve%20their%20purpose%20well%20%E2%80%93%20Jessup,%20the%20nemesis%20of%20Lucius;%20and%20Celia%20and%20Deanie,%20foils%20for%20Aurora.%20Even%20Misty,%20Lucius%E2%80%99%20little%20sister,%20who%20begins%20the%20novel%20as%20the%20perfect%20tormentor,%20has%20an%20interesting%20role%20in%20the%20drama.%20As%20in%20most%20fairy%20tales,%20the%20parents%20take%20a%20secondary%20role,%20but%20are%20important%20to%20illustrate%20how%20the%20main%20characters%20became%20the%20people%20they%20are.%20The%20contrasts%20of%20their%20families%20heightens%20the%20comparison%20between%20Lucius%20and%20Aurora.%0D%0A%0D%0ACRAZY%20BEAUTIFUL%20flows%20smoothly%20and%20pulls%20us%20toward%20the%20inevitable%20ending.%20Like%20any%20fable,%20some%20portions%20of%20her%20novel%20are%20painted%20with%20large,%20bold%20brushstrokes,%20but%20Baratz-Logsted%20is%20deft%20at%20intricacies,%20as%20well.%20Her%20precise%20word%20choices%20spring%20from%20the%20page%20and%20paint%20a%20portrait%20of%20two%20teens%20fated%20to%20be%20together,%20while%20having%20many%20obstacles%20thrown%20in%20their%20converging%20paths.%20She%20softens%20the%20blow%20of%20their%20tragedy%20with%20humor,%20woven%20throughout.%0D%0A%0D%0AThis%20novel%20is%20appropriate%20for%20middle%20school%20students%20to%20high%20school,%20even%20though%20the%20main%20characters%20are%20of%20high%20school%20age.%20As%20both%20the%20male%20and%20the%20female%20protagonists%20share%20the%20narrator%E2%80%99s%20role,%20either%20boys%20or%20girls%20will%20appreciate%20it.%20As%20a%20retelling%20of%20a%20fairy%20tale%20familiar%20to%20most,%20it%20is%20sure%20to%20attract%20reluctant%20readers,%20too.%20Lauren%20Baratz-Logsted%20has%20spun%20a%20romance%20worthy%20of%20the%20ages%20between%20a%20guy%20with%20hooks%20for%20hands%20and%20the%20beautiful%20girl,%20whom%20he%20longs%20will%20notice%20him.%20Due%20out%20September%202009%20from%20Houghton%20Mifflin%20Harcourt.">more...</a>]]></body>
        
    
  </update>  
      <update type="review">
    <action_text><![CDATA[gave 5 stars to: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6631202-the-total-tragedy-of-a-girl-named-hamlet">The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet (Hardcover)</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1686343.Erin_Dionne">Erin Dionne</a>]]></action_text>
    <link>http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73400259</link>
    <image_url>http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ydNRVKDxL._SL75_.jpg</image_url>
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  <name>Marjorie Light</name>
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  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2551499-marjorie-light</link>
</actor>

    <updated_at>Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:34:21 -0700</updated_at>
        
      
          <body><![CDATA[Erin Dionne’s done it again! Her first novel, MODELS DON’T EAT CHOCOLATE COOKIES, won praise and garnered some excellent reviews. The latest, THE TOTAL TRAGEDY OF A GIRL NAMED HAMLET, another mid-grade novel, is sure to have students talking (and reading!). Dionne’s sense of humor is woven thr...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/Erin%20Dionne%E2%80%99s%20done%20it%20again!%20Her%20first%20novel,%20MODELS%20DON%E2%80%99T%20EAT%20CHOCOLATE%20COOKIES,%20won%20praise%20and%20garnered%20some%20excellent%20reviews.%20The%20latest,%20THE%20TOTAL%20TRAGEDY%20OF%20A%20GIRL%20NAMED%20HAMLET,%20another%20mid-grade%20novel,%20is%20sure%20to%20have%20students%20talking%20(and%20reading!).%20Dionne%E2%80%99s%20sense%20of%20humor%20is%20woven%20throughout%20her%20tightly%20written%20plot,%20filled%20with%20funny%20situations%20that%20would%20give%20any%20student%20angst.%20In%20honor%20of%20the%20main%20character,%20appropriate%20quotes%20from%20Shakespeare%E2%80%99s%20play%20are%20sprinkled%20throughout%20the%20review.%0D%0A%0D%0A%22Something%20is%20rotten%20in%20the%20state%20of%20Denmark.%22%0D%0A-%20%20%20%20William%20Shakespeare,%20%E2%80%9CHamlet%E2%80%9D%0D%0A%0D%0AJust%20how%20embarrassing%20can%20your%20parents%20be%3F%20In%20Hamlet%E2%80%99s%20case:%20very.%20Imagine%20your%20parents%20walking%20around%20dressed%20like%20they%20just%20teleported%20from%20Shakespeare%E2%80%99s%20England%20and%20saying%20things%20like,%20%E2%80%9CGoodwill%20to%20you%E2%80%9D%20and%20%E2%80%9CHuzzah%E2%80%9D%20in%20the%20halls%20at%20your%20school.%20More%20humiliating,%20imagine%20they%20named%20you,%20their%20little%20girl,%20after%20a%20guy%20in%20a%20Shakespearean%20tragedy.%20Hamlet%E2%80%99s%20life%20seems%20pretty%20rotten,%20right%3F%20But%20wait,%20there%E2%80%99s%20more%E2%80%A6and%20it%20gets%20worse.%0D%0A%0D%0A%E2%80%9CTo%20be,%20or%20not%20to%20be:%20that%20is%20the%20question%E2%80%9D%0D%0A-%20%20%20%20William%20Shakespeare,%20%E2%80%9CHamlet%E2%80%9D%0D%0A%0D%0AIf%20you%E2%80%99ve%20ever%20had%20to%20follow%20in%20the%20shadow%20of%20high-achieving%20older%20siblings,%20then%20you%20will%20surely%20commiserate%20with%20Hamlet.%20She%20has%20a%20little%20sister,%20Dezzie,%20who%E2%80%99s%20a%20genius%20and%20is%20going%20to%20attend%20Hamlet%E2%80%99s%20middle%20school.%20Oh,%20the%20embarrassment.%20Although%20Hamlet%20reluctantly%20shines%20in%20drama,%20she%20is%20struggling%20in%20math.%20In%20the%20meantime,%20guess%20who%20becomes%20one%20of%20the%20math%20tutors%3F%0D%0A%0D%0ADionne%20does%20a%20fabulous%20job%20illustrating%20the%20perils%20of%20middle%20school,%20as%20Hamlet%20tries%20to%20juggle%20not%20wanting%20to%20stand%20out%20against%20the%20attention%20she%E2%80%99s%20receiving.%20The%20author%20also%20adeptly%20shows%20Dezzie%E2%80%99s%20forays%20into%20the%20tangled%20world%20of%20cliques.%20We%20are%20torn%20between%20rooting%20for%20normalcy%20for%20Hamlet%20and%20wondering%20why%20she%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20embrace%20her%20own%20gifts.%20It%20really%20is%20tough%20to%20be%20in%20eighth%20grade!%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%22This%20above%20all:%20to%20thine%20own%20self%20be%20true%E2%80%9D%0D%0A-%20%20%20%20William%20Shakespeare,%20%E2%80%9CHamlet%E2%80%9D%0D%0A%0D%0AAs%20the%20novel%20progresses,%20Dionne%20manages%20to%20keep%20the%20pace%20and%20the%20humor%20moving%20forward.%20The%20mystery%20of%20the%20Globe,%20wondering%20whether%20or%20not%20she%20will%20see%20her%20talents,%20and%20hoping%20the%20family%20can%20learn%20to%20speak%20one%20another%E2%80%99s%20language%20keeps%20us%20turning%20the%20pages.%20In%20the%20end,%20we%20await%20discovery%20if%20Hamlet%20will%20be%20true%20to%20herself.%0D%0A%0D%0A%22A%20rhapsody%20of%20words.%22%0D%0A-%20%20%20%20William%20Shakespeare,%20%E2%80%9CHamlet%E2%80%9D%0D%0A%0D%0AThe%20Total%20Tragedy%20of%20a%20Girl%20Named%20Hamlet%20is%20well%20crafted%20and%20an%20enjoyable%20read.%20Erin%20Dionne%20is%20a%20skillful%20writer%20who%20has%20captured%20the%20life%20in%20a%20typical%20(but%20funny)%20middle%20school.%20Her%20use%20of%20voice%20and%20interspersed%20dramatic%20vignettes%20shows%20how%20carefully%20she%20crafts%20her%20work.%20This%20novel%20is%20perfect%20for%20a%20class%20set%20for%20reading%20together%20or%20literature%20circles,%20as%20it%20is%20a%20wholesome%20book%20that%20has%20themes%20of%20family,%20friendship,%20and%20discovering%20oneself.%20It%20would%20make%20a%20great%20gift%20for%20a%20mid-grade%20level%20reader.%20I%20highly%20recommend%20it!%20Coming%20in%20January%202010%20from%20Dell%20Books%20for%20Young%20Readers,%20an%20imprint%20of%20Penguin%20Group,%20Inc.%20Preorder%20from%20a%20bookstore%20near%20you!%20Support%20independent%20booksellers%20%E2%80%93%20keep%20our%20neighborhood%20bookstores%20alive!">more...</a>]]></body>
        
    
  </update>  
      <update type="review">
    <action_text><![CDATA[gave 5 stars to: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6287072.Once_Was_Lost">Once Was Lost (Audiobook)</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19093.Sara_Zarr">Sara Zarr</a>]]></action_text>
    <link>http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73400022</link>
    <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1239668081s/6287072.jpg</image_url>
    <actor>
  <id type="integer">2551499</id>
  <name>Marjorie Light</name>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2551499-marjorie-light</link>
</actor>

    <updated_at>Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:32:10 -0700</updated_at>
        
      
          <body><![CDATA[Glad I found ONCE WAS LOST By Sara Zarr<br/><br/>Oh, Sara Zarr! I have been waiting all of my life for this book. This is the book I longed for when I searched the shelves of my local library; the one I could only dream of while perusing the big bookstore when we went to the city. You did it, alth...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/Glad%20I%20found%20ONCE%20WAS%20LOST%20By%20Sara%20Zarr%0D%0A%0D%0AOh,%20Sara%20Zarr!%20I%20have%20been%20waiting%20all%20of%20my%20life%20for%20this%20book.%20This%20is%20the%20book%20I%20longed%20for%20when%20I%20searched%20the%20shelves%20of%20my%20local%20library;%20the%20one%20I%20could%20only%20dream%20of%20while%20perusing%20the%20big%20bookstore%20when%20we%20went%20to%20the%20city.%20You%20did%20it,%20although%20too%20late%20for%20the%20girl%20I%20used%20to%20be,%20the%20teens%20of%20today%20will%20find%20it.%20And%20love%20it.%0D%0A%0D%0AIn%20her%20latest%20novel,%20ONCE%20WAS%20LOST,%20Zarr%20shows%20the%20truth%20of%20growing%20up%20as%20a%20child%20of%20faith%20%E2%80%93%20one%20immersed%20in%20the%20church.%20Although%20my%20father%20wasn%E2%80%99t%20a%20pastor%20like%20the%20father%20in%20the%20novel,%20other%20relatives%20of%20mine%20were%20and%20our%20lives%20revolved%20around%20our%20religion.%20What%20Zarr%20does%20%E2%80%93%20through%20the%20eyes%20of%20the%20main%20character,%20Samara%20Taylor%20%E2%80%93%20is%20deftly%20illustrate%20the%20way%20a%20church%20family%20can%20simultaneously%20feel%20like%20a%20cozy%20comforter%20and%20a%20smothering%20blanket.%20Samara%20has%20to%20pretend%20all%20is%20right%20in%20her%20world,%20even%20with%20her%20mother%20secretly%20stashed%20away%20in%20rehab%20and%20her%20father%20keeping%20other%20secrets.%20When%20a%20tragedy%20strikes%20at%20the%20heart%20of%20the%20youth%20group,%20Samara%20finds%20the%20fabric%20of%20their%20lives%20ripped%20open%20and%20exposed.%0D%0A%0D%0AIt%20is%20appropriate%20that%20this%20book%20debuts%20during%20the%20Banned%20Books%20Week%20because%20there%20will%20surely%20be%20some%20short-sighted%20people%20who%20won%E2%80%99t%20see%20this%20book%20for%20what%20it%20truly%20is.%20It%20is%20not%20an%20attack%20against%20religion.%20ONCE%20WAS%20LOST%20is%20a%20beautifully%20written%20novel%20that%20accurately%20portrays%20the%20way%20a%20youth%20group%20is%20an%20extended%20family,%20the%20way%20the%20congregation%20treats%20their%20pastor,%20and%20the%20unconditional%20love%20that%20you%20can%20find.%20Although%20Samara,%20like%20most%20teens,%20has%20questions,%20the%20answers%20that%20she%20finds%20by%20novel%E2%80%99s%20end%20will%20lift%20your%20heart.%0D%0A%0D%0AMore%20than%20once%20this%20novel%20brought%20me%20to%20tears%20with%20its%20revelations%20into%20Samara%E2%80%99s%20life%20and%20I%20wanted%20it%20to%20go%20on%20and%20on.%20ONCE%20WAS%20LOST%20shows%20struggle%20and%20redemption,%20forgiveness%20and%20transformation.%20Sara%20Zarr%20is%20a%20decidedly%20skilled%20writer%20who%20weaves%20themes%20of%20family,%20love,%20and%20faith%20throughout%20a%20novel%20that%20families%20should%20embrace%20and%20discuss.%20Thank%20you,%20Sara%20Zarr%20for%20writing%20this%20novel.%20This%20is%20life.%20This%20is%20truth.%20This%20is%20what%20faith%20looks%20like.%0D%0A%0D%0AONCE%20WAS%20LOST%20on%20sale%20through%20Little,%20Brown%20and%20Company.%20Get%20a%20copy%20from%20an%20indie%20bookseller%20today!%0D%0A%0D%0A">more...</a>]]></body>
        
    
  </update>  
      <update type="comment">
    <action_text><![CDATA[new comment from Marjorie]]></action_text>
    <link>http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/66686736</link>
    <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1208195217s/41684.jpg</image_url>
    <actor>
  <id type="integer">2551499</id>
  <name>Marjorie Light</name>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2551499-marjorie-light</link>
</actor>

    <updated_at>Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:06:14 -0700</updated_at>
        
      
          <body><![CDATA[After that, you must read The Graveyard Book! (He used the Jungle Book as an inspiration....). I am posting a review of it soon. Marjorie]]></body>
        
    
  </update>  
      <update type="review">
    <action_text><![CDATA[gave 5 stars to: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6260348.Somebody">Somebody (Hardcover)</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22547.Nancy_Springer">Nancy Springer</a>]]></action_text>
    <link>http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/65656375</link>
    <image_url>http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514aouOorHL._SL75_.jpg</image_url>
    <actor>
  <id type="integer">2551499</id>
  <name>Marjorie Light</name>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2551499-marjorie-light</link>
</actor>

    <updated_at>Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:18:41 -0700</updated_at>
        
      
          <body><![CDATA[When a proven, talented, award-winning writer like Nancy Springer has a new book out, it is wise to take notice. In her recent offering, SOMEBODY, we meet a girl who needs to be noticed, as well.<br/><br/>As the novel opens, we do not know the name of the main character (MC) telling her story thro...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/When%20a%20proven,%20talented,%20award-winning%20writer%20like%20Nancy%20Springer%20has%20a%20new%20book%20out,%20it%20is%20wise%20to%20take%20notice.%20In%20her%20recent%20offering,%20SOMEBODY,%20we%20meet%20a%20girl%20who%20needs%20to%20be%20noticed,%20as%20well.%0D%0A%0D%0AAs%20the%20novel%20opens,%20we%20do%20not%20know%20the%20name%20of%20the%20main%20character%20(MC)%20telling%20her%20story%20through%20first%20person%20narration,%20and%20we%20soon%20discover%20why.%20There%20is%20a%20mystery%20swirling%20around%20her%20and%20her%20family%E2%80%99s%20need%20to%20move%20from%20two-bit%20town%20to%20another;%20and%20it%20takes%20a%20library%20nerd%20to%20help%20her%20get%20to%20the%20heart%20of%20the%20matter.%20(Don%E2%80%99t%20worry,%20no%20spoilers%20in%20this%20review!)%0D%0A%0D%0AOne%20of%20the%20main%20questions%20in%20this%20YA%20is,%20%E2%80%9CWho%20am%20I%20really%3F%E2%80%9D%20This%20is%20a%20question%20many%20teens%20ask%20themselves,%20and%20the%20main%20character%20is%20dealing%20with%20self-discovery%20on%20a%20variety%20of%20levels.%20Without%20giving%20any%20of%20the%20novel%20away,%20I%20can%20safely%20say%20her%20search%20for%20identity%20also%20incorporates%20her%20search%20for%20a%20name%E2%80%A6one%20that%20suits%20her,%20that%20feels%20right.%0D%0A%0D%0AThis%20novel%20is%20perfect%20for%20younger%20YA%20readers,%20and%20its%20accessibility%20and%20high-interest%20would%20make%20it%20suitable%20for%20older%20struggling%20readers.%20Springer%20takes%20this%20quest%20for%20identity%20with%20a%20well-developed%20MC%20and%20an%20interesting%20cast%20of%20supporting%20characters.%20She%20weaves%20imagery%20throughout,%20but%20not%20so%20subtly%20that%20it%E2%80%99s%20missed%20by%20inexperienced%20readers.%20Although%20the%20book%20is%20not%20weighty%20in%20length%20and%20number%20of%20pages,%20its%20themes%20of%20friendship,%20belonging,%20family,%20self-worth%20and%20identity%20give%20it%20substance.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe%20end%20of%20the%20book%20had%20me%20crying%20as%20I%20watched%20the%20MC%20grow%20and%20make%20choices%20leading%20to%20a%20satisfying%20end.%20Springer%20has%20some%20surprises%20in%20store%20for%20her%20readers%20and%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20tip%20her%20hand%20too%20soon.%20I%20can%E2%80%99t%20wait%20to%20share%20this%20with%20my%20middle%20school%20students%20(no%20language,%20sex,%20or%20violence%20here)%20and%20highly%20recommend%20this%20for%20older,%20reluctant%20readers,%20too.%0D%0A%0D%0AThis%20book%20is%20available%20now%20through%20an%20indie%20bookstore%20near%20you%20or%20online.%20Published%20by%20Holiday%20House,%20Inc.,%20Nancy%20Springer's%20SOMEBODY%20is%20a%20book%20that%20my%20students%20will%20pass%20around,%20recommend,%20and%20talk%20about%20in%20literature%20circles.%20(More%20reviews%20on%20my%20blog:%20bit.ly%2Fsn2Rj%0D%0A">more...</a>]]></body>
        
    
  </update>  
      <update type="review">
    <action_text><![CDATA[gave 5 stars to: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6249550.Wish_You_Were_Dead">Wish You Were Dead (Hardcover)</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/31468.Todd_Strasser">Todd Strasser</a>]]></action_text>
    <link>http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/65526860</link>
    <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255974944s/6249550.jpg</image_url>
    <actor>
  <id type="integer">2551499</id>
  <name>Marjorie Light</name>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2551499-marjorie-light</link>
</actor>

    <updated_at>Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:53:44 -0700</updated_at>
        
      
          <body><![CDATA[Review:<br/>WISH YOU WERE DEAD by Todd Strasser<br/><br/>Since the day I read Give a Boy a Gun, I’ve been a Todd Strasser fan. His writing is authentic and scary, sort of like that feeling you get when you are all alone and you think someone is watching you. You feel your hair standing up on yo...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/Review:%0D%0AWISH%20YOU%20WERE%20DEAD%20by%20Todd%20Strasser%0D%0A%0D%0ASince%20the%20day%20I%20read%20Give%20a%20Boy%20a%20Gun,%20I%E2%80%99ve%20been%20a%20Todd%20Strasser%20fan.%20His%20writing%20is%20authentic%20and%20scary,%20sort%20of%20like%20that%20feeling%20you%20get%20when%20you%20are%20all%20alone%20and%20you%20think%20someone%20is%20watching%20you.%20You%20feel%20your%20hair%20standing%20up%20on%20your%20arms%20and%20little%20beads%20of%20sweat%20break%20out%20over%20your%20upper%20lip.%20%E2%80%9CIs%20someone%20there%3F%20Hello%3F%E2%80%9D%20His%20new%20novel,%20WISH%20YOU%20WERE%20DEAD%20keeps%20the%20chills%20coming.%0D%0A%0D%0AFrom%20the%20first%20chapter,%20Strasser%E2%80%99s%20YA%20thriller%20sets%20us%20up%20for%20more%20scares%20than%20a%20Halloween%20haunted%20house.%20We%20cautiously%20turn%20the%20page%20ahead%20to%20the%20next%20chapter,%20readying%20ourselves%20for%20another%20shock.%20He%20makes%20sure%20the%20evil%20keep%20popping%20out%20at%20us,%20giving%20us%20fright%20after%20fright.%20%0D%0A%0D%0AWISH%20YOU%20WERE%20DEAD%20features%20a%20blend%20of%20four%20narrations:%20an%20anonymous%20teen%E2%80%99s%20blog%20listing%20the%20kids%20she%20hates,%20a%20first%20person%20narrative%20by%20a%20nice%20girl%20named%20Madison%20from%20a%20wealthy%20community,%20a%20bit%20of%20omniscient%20narration,%20and%20strange%20ramblings%20from%20a%20possible%20psychopathic%20kidnapper.%20Strasser%20is%20able%20to%20pull%20off%20having%20this%20many%20different%20narrators%20through%20his%20talent%20as%20a%20writer%20and%20the%20use%20of%20font%20styles%20to%20indicate%20a%20change%20in%20narration.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe%20main%20character,%20Madison,%20is%20losing%20her%20close%20friends,%20one%20by%20one,%20and%20is%20receiving%20strange%20emails%20and%20notes%20warning%20her%20of%20each%20impending%20disaster.%20To%20compound%20matters,%20she%20is%20attracted%20to%20the%20new%20guy%20in%20school,%20but%20is%20unsure%20whether%20he%20is%20involved%20in%20the%20disappearances%20or%20not.%20When%20Madison%20decides%20to%20take%20matters%20into%20her%20own%20hands,%20we%20cringe,%20knowing%20no%20good%20can%20come%20out%20of%20a%20choice%20like%20that.%20The%20pace%20is%20fast%20and%20the%20end%20is%20shocking.%20As%20I%20sat%20curled%20up%20in%20my%20chair%20at%201:00%20am,%20wanting%20to%20finish%20it,%20I%20was%20wishing%20I%20had%20started%20it%20earlier%20in%20the%20day%E2%80%A6it%20was%20so%20dark%20outside%20and%20only%20a%20thin%20screen%20separated%20me%20from%20the%20noise%20on%20the%20porch%E2%80%A6%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AStrasser%E2%80%99s%20WISH%20YOU%20WERE%20DEAD%20is%20published%20by%20Egmont%20USA%20and%20is%20due%20out%20late%20September%202008.%20Some%20language%20and%20violence,%20but%20nothing%20over%20the%20top%20for%20most%20teen%20readers.%20The%20themes%20of%20bullying,%20tolerance,%20and%20friendship%20are%20all%20ones%20to%20which%20students%20can%20relate.%20A%20perfect%20read%20for%20chill%20seekers%E2%80%A6make%20plans%20to%20spend%20the%20wee%20hours%20of%20the%20night%20with%20this%20one.%0D%0A%0D%0A">more...</a>]]></body>
        
    
  </update>  
      <update type="review">
    <action_text><![CDATA[gave 5 stars to: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5310515.When_You_Reach_Me">When You Reach Me (Hardcover)</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/175329.Rebecca_Stead">Rebecca Stead</a>]]></action_text>
    <link>http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/65125247</link>
    <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255666130s/5310515.jpg</image_url>
    <actor>
  <id type="integer">2551499</id>
  <name>Marjorie Light</name>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2551499-marjorie-light</link>
</actor>

    <updated_at>Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:54:23 -0700</updated_at>
        
      
          <body><![CDATA[BOOK REVIEW: WHEN YOU REACH ME<br/><br/>I’ll never forget the day I learned the wonders of the Mobiüs strip…mathematics wasn’t my thing – I am a word nerd. So I was caught off guard when I was handed a thin blue strip of paper. “Now put a small twist in it like this,” he explained. ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/BOOK%20REVIEW:%20WHEN%20YOU%20REACH%20ME%0D%0A%0D%0AI%E2%80%99ll%20never%20forget%20the%20day%20I%20learned%20the%20wonders%20of%20the%20Mobi%C3%BCs%20strip%E2%80%A6mathematics%20wasn%E2%80%99t%20my%20thing%20%E2%80%93%20I%20am%20a%20word%20nerd.%20So%20I%20was%20caught%20off%20guard%20when%20I%20was%20handed%20a%20thin%20blue%20strip%20of%20paper.%20%E2%80%9CNow%20put%20a%20small%20twist%20in%20it%20like%20this,%E2%80%9D%20he%20explained.%20%E2%80%9CNext,%20bring%20the%20ends%20together%20and%20tape%20them,%20like%20so.%E2%80%9D%20Then,%20I%20took%20my%20pencil,%20as%20instructed,%20and%20drew%20a%20thin%20carbon%20line,%20starting%20on%20the%20outside.%20I%20was%20stunned%20when%20I%20eventually%20connected%20it%20back%20and%20had%20one%20continuous%20strand,%20looping%20around%20on%20itself.%20I%20hung%20up%20that%20paper%20in%20my%20room%20and%20would%20stare%20at%20it,%20trying%20to%20figure%20out%20how%20it%20all%20worked.%20Not%20really%20understanding%20the%20physics%20behind%20it%20all,%20but%20loving%20the%20impossible%20rightness%20of%20it%20all.%0D%0A%0D%0AThat%E2%80%99s%20the%20way%20I%20felt%20about%20WHEN%20YOU%20REACH%20ME%20by%20Rebecca%20Stead.%20It%20is%20just%20SO%20perfect,%20so%20impossible,%20so%20right%E2%80%A6so%20perfectly%20impossibly%20right.%20I%20was%20stunned%20when%20I%20finished%20it,%20too.%20I%20propped%20it%20on%20the%20arm%20of%20the%20chair%20and%20just%20stared%20at%20the%20cover.%20%E2%80%9CWhat%20in%20the%20world%20are%20you%20doing%3F%E2%80%9D%20my%20husband%20asked.%20I%20was%20taking%20it%20in%E2%80%A6turning%20the%20story%20over%20in%20my%20mind%E2%80%A6reflecting%20on%20the%20perfect%20circle%20I%20had%20traveled.%20I%20could%20only%20say,%20%E2%80%9CWow.%E2%80%9D%20This%20book%20is%20an%20original,%20showing%20me%20logical%20ideas%20that%20seemed%20almost%20enchanted.%20Oh.%20My.%0D%0A%0D%0AHere%E2%80%99s%20the%20official%20summary:%20%E2%80%9CAs%20her%20mother%20prepares%20to%20be%20a%20contestant%20on%20the%201970%E2%80%99s%20television%20game%20show,%20%E2%80%9CThe%20$20,000%20Pyramid,%E2%80%9D%20a%20twelve-year-old%20New%20York%20City%20girl%20tries%20to%20make%20sense%20of%20mysterious%20notes%20received%20from%20an%20anonymous%20source%20that%20seems%20to%20defy%20the%20laws%20of%20time%20and%20space.%E2%80%9D%0D%0A%0D%0AWhat%20the%20official%20summary%20for%20WHEN%20YOU%20REACH%20ME%20does%20not%20tell%20you%20is%20that%20this%20mid-grade%20novel%20will%20make%20you%20laugh%E2%80%A6and%20then%20cry.%20It%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20say%20this%20book%20is%20like%20a%20birthday%20present%20scavenger%20hunt,%20where%20you%20relish%20the%20chase%20of%20the%20clues%20to%20discover%20your%20gift.%20It%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20warn%20you%20that%20you%20may%20never%20look%20at%20others%20the%20same%20again.%20Or%20explain%20that%20maybe%20what%20passes%20for%20commonsense%20is%20just%20you%20not%20opening%20your%20mind.%20That%20anything%20is%20possible.%0D%0A%0D%0AStead%20brings%20us%20back%20to%20the%201970%E2%80%99s%20with%20ease%20%E2%80%93%20the%20fads,%20fashions,%20and%20life%E2%80%99s%20everyday%20imagery%20is%20woven%20in%20seamlessly.%20I%20recognized%20it%20all,%20but%20never%20felt%20she%20was%20waving%20nostalgia%20in%20my%20face,%20shouting,%20%E2%80%9CLook%20here,%20I%20did%20my%20research!%E2%80%9D%20It%20was%20comfortable%20and%20right,%20just%20like%20it%20was%20penned%20in%20the%20year%20of%20the%20setting.%20%0D%0A%0D%0AHer%20characters%20are%20just%20the%20right%20amount%20of%20flawed,%20not%20too%20perfect%20and%20not%20too%20odd%20%E2%80%93%20normal%20sixth%20graders,%20who%20are%20beginning%20to%20experience%20that%20innocent%20teenage%20angst.%20And%20then%20there%20is%20that%20mystery!%20We%20see%20it%20in%20the%20first%20chapter%20and%20spend%20the%20rest%20of%20the%20novel%20puzzling%20over%20it.%20I%20am%20not%20going%20to%20give%20you%20any%20hints%20or%20spoilers,%20because%20that%20would%20ruin%20the%20fun%20of%20discovery.%20Let%E2%80%99s%20just%20say%20the%20students%20in%20my%20classroom%20are%20going%20to%20love%20the%20premise%20of%20those%20freaky%20letters%20mentioned%20in%20the%20official%20summary%20and%20they%20are%20going%20to%20sit%20with%20their%20mouths%20hanging%20open%20when%20they%20figure%20out%20who%20wrote%20them.%20Oh.%20My.%0D%0A%0D%0AWHEN%20YOU%20REACH%20ME,%20Stead%E2%80%99s%20second%20novel%20(after%20FIRST%20LIGHT)%20is%20amazing.%20I%E2%80%99m%20actually%20going%20to%20read%20it%20again%20right%20now.%20I%20want%20to%20watch%20closely%20how%20she%20did%20it%E2%80%A6the%20way%20I%20want%20to%20catch%20the%20magician%20conjuring%20a%20rabbit%E2%80%A6the%20way%20I%20used%20to%20trace%20that%20thin%20line%20around%20the%20Mobi%C3%BCs%20strip.%20It%20seems%20like%20it%20just%20isn%E2%80%99t%20possible,%20but%20she%20did%20it:%20The%20circle%20that%20flips%20and%20turns%20in%20on%20itself,%20forever%20spiraling.%20%0D%0A%0D%0AWHEN%20YOU%20REACH%20ME%20by%20Rebecca%20Stead%20was%20released%20July%202009%20by%20Wendy%20Lamb%20Books%2FRandom%20House%20and%20is%20perfect%20for%20mid-grade%20readers,%20girls%20or%20boys%20(and%20the%20adults%20in%20the%20house,%20too).%0D%0A">more...</a>]]></body>
        
    
  </update>  
      <update type="review">
    <action_text><![CDATA[gave 5 stars to: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6378239-jumping-off-swings">Jumping Off Swings (Hardcover)</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/253326.Jo_Knowles">Jo Knowles</a>]]></action_text>
    <link>http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/64592420</link>
    <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1256006829s/6378239.jpg</image_url>
    <actor>
  <id type="integer">2551499</id>
  <name>Marjorie Light</name>
  <image_url>http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg</image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2551499-marjorie-light</link>
</actor>

    <updated_at>Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:55:50 -0700</updated_at>
        
      
          <body><![CDATA[Once I had the pleasure of hearing Jo Knowles present at the NESCBWI agent/author panel and she was simply lovely – intelligent, gentle, and giving. Then I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of her latest novel JUMPING OFF SWINGS and that forever imprinted her in my mind. Her talent is evident her...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/Once%20I%20had%20the%20pleasure%20of%20hearing%20Jo%20Knowles%20present%20at%20the%20NESCBWI%20agent%2Fauthor%20panel%20and%20she%20was%20simply%20lovely%20%E2%80%93%20intelligent,%20gentle,%20and%20giving.%20Then%20I%20had%20the%20pleasure%20of%20reading%20an%20ARC%20of%20her%20latest%20novel%20JUMPING%20OFF%20SWINGS%20and%20that%20forever%20imprinted%20her%20in%20my%20mind.%20Her%20talent%20is%20evident%20here%20%E2%80%93%20the%20prose%20straightforward,%20but%20powerful,%20while%20the%20dialogue%20is%20natural%20and%20emotionally%20charged.%20I%20stayed%20up%20until%20I%20finished%20it,%20because%20I%20couldn%E2%80%99t%20wait%20for%20morning%20to%20discover%20the%20ending.%0D%0A%0D%0AThis%20YA%20novel%20examines%20the%20tragedy%20of%20teen%20pregnancy%20from%20four%20points%20of%20view%20%E2%80%93%20Ellie,%20the%20girl%20who%20becomes%20pregnant;%20Josh,%20the%20teen%20father,%20and%20Corinne%20and%20Caleb,%20their%20two%20best%20friends.%20That%20choice%20of%20having%20four%20first-person%20narratives%20is%20perfect,%20as%20we%20see%20how%20the%20pregnancy%20impacts%20each%20one.%20The%20chapters%20alternate%20between%20them,%20each%20labeled.%20Knowles%E2%80%99%20writing%20is%20so%20clear%20and%20her%20voices%20so%20distinct,%20however,%20that%20I%20found%20myself%20actually%20ignoring%20the%20titles%20as%20I%20rushed%20to%20see%20what%20would%20happen%20next%E2%80%A6and%20I%20always%20knew%20whose%20voice%20I%20was%20hearing.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe%20imagery%20in%20JUMPING%20OFF%20SWINGS%20is%20well%20done,%20too.%20I%20especially%20loved%20the%20scenes%20in%20the%20playground,%20tender,%20laced%20with%20regret.%20Knowles%20makes%20each%20setting%20distinct%20and%20provides%20the%20reader%20with%20enough%20variety%20to%20keep%20it%20interesting,%20but%20not%20so%20much%20that%20it%20confuses.%20The%20structure%20of%20the%20novel%20is%20even,%20with%20a%20nice%20flow%20from%20beginning%20to%20end.%20The%20plot%20arc%20pulls%20us%20through%20each%20scene,%20tugging%20us%20toward%20the%20ending,%20as%20we%20yearn%20for%20answers%20to%20Ellie%E2%80%99s%20situation.%0D%0A%0D%0AAs%20an%20educator%20and%20writer,%20I%20always%20love%20a%20book%20for%20teens%20that%20has%20a%20vital%20message%20and%20strong%20themes.%20Often%20times,%20unfortunately,%20authors%20feel%20they%20need%20to%20beat%20the%20reader%20over%20the%20head%20with%20both%20to%20get%20them%20to%20understand.%20Jo%20Knowles%20knows%20better.%20She%20understands%20her%20readers.%20She%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20say,%20%E2%80%9CHey,%20kids,%20let%E2%80%99s%20all%20remember:%20don%E2%80%99t%20have%20a%20baby%20when%20you%E2%80%99re%20still%20a%20kid%20yourself!%E2%80%9D%20Instead,%20she%20shows%20us%20the%20pain%20it%20causes,%20the%20chasms%20it%20creates,%20and%20the%20scars%20it%20leaves.%20She%20gently%20takes%20us%20by%20the%20hand%20and%20leads%20us%20along%20the%20darkened%20path,%20illuminating%20the%20characters%E2%80%99%20souls,%20exposing%20their%20needs%20and%20wants%20to%20all.%20We%20are%20left%20to%20make%20our%20own%20decisions,%20but%20her%20writing%20is%20so%20poignant%20and%20lyrical%20%E2%80%93%20and%20true%20%E2%80%93%20that%20there%20is%20really%20only%20one%20path%20we%20can%20follow%20after%20the%20last%20word%20is%20read.%20%0D%0A%0D%0ASadly,%20I%20had%20a%20friend%20who%20experienced%20a%20similar%20situation%20to%20Ellie%E2%80%99s%20when%20she%20was%20young.%20Her%20gut-wrenching%20sobs%20came%20back%20to%20me%20as%20I%20read%20this%20novel.%20Knowles%20captures%20that%20angst%20perfectly.%20Her%20characters%20wrestle%20with%20the%20same%20torments,%20made%20all%20the%20worse%20when%20Ellie%E2%80%99s%20pregnancy%20becomes%20known.%20At%20one%20point,%20I%20actually%20clutched%20the%20book%20to%20me%20and%20cried,%20as%20if%20I%20was%20consoling%20my%20friend%20all%20those%20years%20ago.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe%20dialogue%20throughout%20is%20thoughtful%20and%20natural,%20and%20even%20though%20there%20are%20surprises%20with%20the%20plot,%20it%20is%20all%20so%20realistic.%20Teens%20will%20love%20this%20novel%20for%20the%20straightforward%20way%20it%20deals%20with%20a%20sensitive%20topic%20and%20the%20path%20Knowles%20takes%20in%20capturing%20the%20anguish.%20Although%20the%20subject%20matter%20is%20weighty,%20the%20reader%20is%20shown%20patches%20of%20light%20through%20use%20of%20humor%20and%20the%20strong%20theme%20of%20friendship.%20%0D%0A%0D%0AThis%20YA%20novel%20has%20both%20adult%20situations%20and%20language,%20but%20is%20not%20too%20graphic.%20Both%20male%20and%20female%20teens%20will%20appreciate%20the%20style%20and%20alternating%20points%20of%20view%20and%20JUMPING%20OFF%20SWINGS%20would%20make%20for%20great%20discussions%20with%20literature%20circles%20and%20book%20clubs.%20Adult%20readers,%20especially%20women,%20will%20find%20this%20novel%20of%20interest,%20as%20well.%20If%20you%20are%20searching%20for%20a%20novel%20that%20will%20touch%20your%20heart%20and%20leave%20you%20contemplating%20it%20long%20after%20you%20are%20finished,%20read%20JUMPING%20OFF%20SWINGS%20by%20Jo%20Knowles.%20%0D%0A%0D%0AAvailable%20August%2011,%202009%20by%20Candlewick%20Press%20from%20both%20indie%20bookstores%20near%20you%20and%20major%20booksellers!%20To%20see%20the%20author%E2%80%99s%20website,%20go%20to:%20http:%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3TAwXl%0D%0A">more...</a>]]></body>
        
    
  </update>  
  </updates>
      
</user>

</GoodreadsResponse>