Now Starring Vivien Leigh Reid: Diva in Training by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout

After visiting, Annika Anderson, on the set of her movie Danny Boy, Leigh doesn't think she'll ever be like her overdramatic diva mother. As she enters Hollywood for the first time, she doesn't know what to expect. Her first acting class turns out to be a disaster and she makes friends with Karis, the strange girl in the class. But Leigh wants more than that, and soon she's offered a role on a popular soap, Diamond Heights. Acing isn't as easy as it looks, and as Leigh gets into the rythm of things on set, she also begins to develop diva like tendencies. Her behavior tends to be the downfall of her relationship with her boyfriend, her friendship with Karis, and her newfound acting career. And Leigh has to do something to fix everything before leaving Hollywood.

This book was a great continuation to Introducing Vivien Leigh Reid. It's not often that a sequel is as good or even better than the original. Vivien again offered enough laughs and adventures throughout the book. I love the way the story is written and it's really fun to read. It goes by so fast, and once you start it, you can't put it down. I know that I'm looking forward to reading the third book about Leigh when it comes out.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA

Plenty Porter by Brandon Noonan

As Plenty Porter enters her teenage years in Galesburg, Illinois, she realizes that her large family does not actually know one another. Being the youngest of eleven, no one expects much of her yet she is usually aware of everything that goes on around her. When she befriends the motherless Ed Prindergast, the young son of their wealthy neighbor, she does not realize that she needs his friendship as much as he needs hers. Although Plenty narrates, the story actually revolves around her older sister Marcie and her problems. Plenty knows there is something going on but doesn't know if she can find out what's going on with, Mr. Darcey, her estranged grandfather, Mr. Prindergast, her parents, and her sibligs who each have interwoven lives that seem to leave Plenty, who was plenty, out.

Brandon Noonan relates a novel in which the reader really does not see the end coming. Although the story is narrated by Plenty, the reader wants to know what is going on with Marcie, why her hair falls out. I enjoyed the structure of this novel, which is told in two parts, as well as many chapters. Because the ending was a complete surprise to me, I enjoyed it and it made the novel worth reading. I don't think Plenty Porter is bound to recieive high acclaim, but it is definitely a good read for history lovers and those interested in personal growth in a character or multiple characters.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Kansas City, MO USA

Riding Out The Storm by Claudia Jones

Thirteen year old Emily Clark loves books and horses. She rides her horse, Moonbeam every day to calm her down. For the fourth Quarter of P. E. at Garven Junior High school in Woodbridge, Missouri the class is going to swim, Yes! Untill Emily almost drowns on the first day. What is wrong with her? She loves swimming. She spent all last summer with her best friend Jane's house swimming in her pool. She goes to Mr. Turner the psychaitrist who says she is a reincarnated Micheal who drowned at 21. This sets her off to find her other family. She finds them, visits them and puts their guilt and sorrow to rest.

This is a very good book. The Author creates good empathy, the horse thing was a nice touch. Emily sounds like a little Daddy's (and Mommy's) girl. She spends a little too much time explaining every single person Emily meets in page long detail. That makes it a little stop-and-go but it's okay.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Raymond, Illinois USA

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

Breaking out of their summer routine, the Penderwick sisters, along with their dad, stay at Arundel Cottage for a few weeks. With beautiful gardens and new friends, the girls' excitement builds as the days progress. Until, of course, trouble arises - mainly in the form of Mrs. Tifton and her creep of a boyfriend, Dreadful Dopey Dexter Dupree. Each girl must experience some personal sorrow, in addition to collective worry over the fate of their new friend, Jeffrey. As the plot develops, so too does the girls' knowledge of themselves and what it means to be "family."

Nonetheless, it is not the plot which makes this book wonderful - although it is both exciting and suspenseful. Nor is it the characters themselves who made me love reading it - though they are colorful, unique, lovable, realistic. No, it is the amusing dialogue and swift, spirited interplay between the characters, especially the sisters, which made Birdsall's story well worth reading. Few authors can capture everyday language and make it into something enthralling. Birdsall can. She wrote an excellent book, which I highly recommend to readers of all ages.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 21
Reviewer City, State and Country: Logan, Utah USA

Secrets Of My Hollywood Life by Jen Calonita

Kaitlin Burke has everything many American teens dream about. A successful career as an actress, a hit TV show and on top of it all a jealous costar. After her daily routine of make-up, taping, interviews, and photo shoots Kailtiln is ready for a vacation unfortunately her parents publicist and manager don't believe in vacations. She does the next best thing; Kaitlin understands that if she wants to feel like a real teenager she needs to have the same responsibilities as one. She enrolls in a local High School and Goes undercover as an average teenager. What will Kaitlin learn from this experience? Will it be everything she expected it to be?

I have always loved an adventure. Jen Calonita has given a great view to the life of a teen star. I love the fact that teenager around the world will be able to relate to Kaitlin's character, a funny down to earth girl despite her great success. Although this book reminded me of Teen Idol I can honestly say it's nothing like it and you will be pleased with it. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good read.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 21
Reviewer City, State and Country: N. Hollywood, California USA

Nobody's Fault by Jonathan Pearce

What do you do when your mom's been dead for seven years, your dad has a new wife, it's summer and you have nothing to do? If you are twelve-year-old Tery, you allow yourself to be coerced into working for the summer school edition of the Korndogger with Sheba, the queen herself, as your editor. What you don't do is tell people that you still have visions of your mother who gives advice and encouragement. Tery, whose name comes from Teru, a Japanese name meaning sunshine, in honor of Obahchan, her Japanese grandmother, thinks she is alone in her vision-seeing abilities until she interviews 106 year old Julius Caesar Kuhl, Junior for the newspaper. What began as a forced task to please her father and Sheba turns into a heart felt exploration of life in San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake. Mr. Kuhl, the oldest man in town, just happens to be kin to Ritchie, vandal and prankster extraordinaire. Ritchie's appearances deftly coincide with disappearances of his grandfather's prized possessions. Is something more sinister going on? Readers will quickly turn pages to learn the conclusion.

The backdrop of earthquake and the unsettling transition from middle school to high school make this a book with historical focus and contemporary lessons. The author has created a history/mystery/coming of age stroy that works. I liked Tery's spunkiness and compassion. This would work well as background ofr San Francisco earthquake and lessons on preparedness.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 58
Reviewer City, State and Country: Timonium, MD US

The Wreath by Chris and Chloe Howard

There are creatures under the sea who are part fish, part human known in storybooks as mermaids and mermen. However, in reality, these creatures look almost exactly like normal people. The only differences are that they have a thin layer of skin between their fingers and toes and the fact that they can breath underwater. They are divided into royal houses, they have a king, and there are traitors, enemies, and an evil army. Kassandra is a Telkhines (never call them mermaids and mermen) who is a descendent of the king. Unfortunately, the king is out to get her. She wears the wreath, an object that is passed down from mother to daughter, or sister, or some distant female relation who can be trusted to use it properly. The wearer, once she reaches the age of thirteen begins to gain extraordinary powers, and the king knows Kassandra is not on his side. Kassandra just turned thirteen. She knows absolutely nothing about the Telkhines, or the wreath, because she was sent as an infant to central Nebraska, with the skin between her fingers and toes removed, by the king (who didn't know she had the wreath at the time) so that she would be out of the way and not cause any problems, or so he thought.

Surprises are unlimited, problems abundant, and new friends and enemies are constantly turning up. Chris and Chloe Howard have written an amazing fantasy about a girl with more problems than anyone can imagine. Readers will discover an undersea world very different from the Little Mermaid. Teen fantasy readers will excitedly follow Kassandra's every step as she discovers who she really is, and her important role in saving her newly discovered family.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA

British Born, Amrican Bred by Valorie Beardsley

British Born, American Bred is a fanfiction of Prince William's life from when we meet him at St.Andrews University right up until he dies as an old man or rather an old, and much loved, King. To say this book is about Prince William and the narrator, fictional Emily Harrison who was born in Britain but brought up in America (hence the title), falling in love would be an understatement. William and Emily fall in love and get engaged within a year of meeting each other and in the first 50 pages of book. This book is more about their life together, troubles with the press and royal relatives as well as the trials of married life, being King and Queen, dealing with illness and parenthood.

This book wasn't what I expected at all and was really a disappointment; instead of being a fun and easy read that was great for relaxing, I found myself having to force myself to read a book I didn't enjoy. The writing was poor to say the least and rather than feeling the relationship between Prince William and the fictional Emily Harrison as it happened, I felt I, as the reader, was told what was happening as if it were some kind of report. Instead of falling in love as Emily did and experiencing the events as they unfolded, I felt cut-off from the story, while the large time-scale it was set in seemed over-ambitious. I really wanted a story of love, not a whole life's journey that was hard to comprehend; as a 15 year-old I can't really relate to having children, grandchildren and dying at eighty. The way Prince William spoke was cringy, scary and odd all at the same time, and as a British teenager I can certainly say that I don't know many people who talk like that (and those who do are rather un-flatteringly called chavs). Can you really imagine Prince William calling the girl he loved "Luv" or Prince Charles "pops"? - Scary. However if you are planning on reading the book, and do get beyond the first couple of pages, I wouldn't reccomend it to anyone under 15 as the author attempts to write a rather explicit love scene early on.


Rating (0 - 10 scale): 3
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Bristol, England

Ball Don't Lie by Matt de la Pena

Sticky lives with his foster mom, foster brothers, and foster sisters. Sticky is a tough, beat around kid who has no life except for basketball. Sticky is very competitive and once he tried basketball, he got hooked on it and practiced nonstop. Sticky has no future in school or anything else except for basketball. Sticky practices at a local gym, with some regulars who act like his family that he never had. Sticky also plays for JV on his high school team. However during the Varsity playoffs Sticky gets asked to play for them. Sticky puts on a great show and he gets a notice to tryout for some of the best colleges. This might be Sticky's only way out of his hard life that he lives.

This was one of my favorite books. The book was written so well, and the flow was great. I read this whole book in one sitting. I could relate to what Sticky was feeling at certain times, like when he was in a sticky situation, or if things were turning out perfectly. I would feel joy and sadness when he felt it. I felt like I knew Sticky so well and that he was real, because the author went into depth to explain his life.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lutherville, MD United States

Stay With Me by Garret Freymann-Weyr

The Book I reviewed was Stay With Me. It's about a 16 year old girl named Leila. Leila's older sister commits suicide, and Leila goes on a mission to find out why her sister would do this horrible thing. While Leila is trying to figure out information about her sister. She ends up finding out information about herself. She also ends up finding a man that she likes, but he happens to be 31 years old. Leila doesn't care though. Age means nothing to her. Eamon clearly states that he doesn't want to date a teenager, but Leila is determind to find a way to change his mind.

I liked the general idea of the book. I just didn't like how Leila fell in love with a 31 year old man. I kinda found that disturbing. If the author hadn't made him so old it wouldn't have been bad, but a 31 year old dating a 17 year old that's kinda wacked and against the law.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Dundee, Oregon USA

The Skyborn by Paul Collins

Welkin Quinn was a fourteen year old ensign on the spaceship city 'Colony' until it crashed on planet Earth. There, Welkin, his sister, and some of his other friends were "specially" selected as a team to scout the land. Outside of 'Colony' Welkin and the others discover many things about Earth; the sparse vegetation, desolate landscape, and a devolved race of humans called the Earthborn. The most frightening discovery about Welkin's assignment is the realization that this is one task he isn't supposed to return from. Welkin and his fellow abandoned Skyborn trek the Earth in search of hospitality, which they find when they meet Sarah, an Earthborn approximatly Welkin's age, who leads her own "family". Together they combine their families' talent, knowledge, and technology into one for the sole purpose of survival. A chance encounter with a fellow abandoned Skyborn alerts Welkin to a plot hatched by the Elders of the Skyborn that is to rid the Earth of the Earthborn. Fuelled by his watch-dog instincts and a desire for revenge, Welkin steps in to defuse the threat. In spite of dangerous situations and the risk of certain death if caught, Welkin braves it all, honoring his sense of duty. Unfortunately he has no idea what fate may await him upon re-entering Colony!

The Skyborn, by Paul Collins is a futuristic thriller that keeps the reader involved with a suspense-filled plot that always leaves you guessing. The Skyborn is Collins' follow-up to The Earthborn, a book published in 2003. Because of the intense character drama and detailed backstory, I wouldn't recommend diving into The Skyborn without first reading The Earthborn, as I did. It takes too much time sorting through the character's personalities and figuring out who the characters are, that it distracts from the plot of The Skyborn. Collins does an excellent job making the individual characters in The Skyborn believable. You find yourself caught up in their journey and rooting for them to not only survive, but succeed. Unfortunately his details of the setting is less descriptive so it was hard to imagine clearly what Collins pictured as a post-disaster Earth. Despite the difficult level of reading, I really enjoyed The Skyborn. So much so I purchased The Earthborn (better late than never)and hope there is a The Hiveborn in the works.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania USA

Seeing Emily by Joyce Lee Wong

Emily Wu is Chinese-American, working with her immigrant parents in their Chinese restaurant in Richmond. Like her mother, she has a great love of art and is entranced while drawing. A new boy at school, Alex (also the son of family friends of the Wu's), moves to Richmond with his aunt and uncle while his parents continue working in Taiwan. He has a great love of art also, and he and Emily are both picked to paint a mural for the school's hallway. At first Emily is weary of the idea, but soon becomes friends with Alex. Emily tells us, while consumed in sketching and painting the mural, how sometimes her life is kind of like the various animals she paints. She feels insecure, wanting to fly and truly become herself, but not knowing how. Even after she gets her first boyfriend, she feels incomplete. Then her parents tell her they are going to send her to their native Taiwan, to become better at speaking Chinese. Only then do the pieces of her life and heritage finally start fitting together, and she can start seeing and becoming herself, Emily.

This book gave a very poetic, vivid picture of Emily's life. It felt like you were experiencing the same emotions she was when they were happening. Written in free verse, Seeing Emily is a wonderful, fast read for anyone on the journey to finding and truly becoming themselves. A great book for young adults ages 13-20.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Celestine,Indiana USA

Souls of the North Wind by Chrissy K. Mcvay

After Iksik angers a prehistoric demon wolf by killing his mate, two cousins have to go on the journey of a lifetime. Iksik and Kiviok, have to travel all the way to the sea to consult the wise shaman, Pukak, about the demon wolf who is stalking them. However, the journey will not be easy. With the demon wolf waiting at every turn for them to make a mistake and white men interfering. WIll they ever get to the sea and lift the curse?

I think that this book was relatively good. It had a lot of good word choices. For example: "A light breeze brought the overwhelming stench of its body. It was the smell of a beast that slept in its own filth. The long shaggy hair covering its massive chest was layered with the dried blood of old kills ....." The ending is kind of interesting because it is both what you expected to happen and you didn't expect to happen. A pretty good read and appropriate for all ages.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona USA

Maureen the Detective by Veda Boyd Jones

After Maureen and Mark take the job offer that Mrs. Hoag gave them for finding her purse and returning it to her, they start cataloging every item she has in each very large room in her mansion. In the western room Maureen just absolutely loves one piece of artwork called the Wicked Pony. She loves it so much that she asks if she can take a picture of it. When they get the film developed Maureen asks Mrs. Hoag if she can compare the picture to the statue, but when she goes to find the statue another statue is in its place instead. Mrs. Hoag said she didn’t move it, but if she didn’t move it, who did? So begins the mystery of the missing artwork, and who but Maureen and Mark to solve the case?

This book called Maureen the Detective was awesome. I loved the book because it was well written and was interesting to find out who was stealing Mrs. Hoag’s artwork. Maureen the Detective is mostly a mystery book. I thought it was cool how each character had a very different personality compared to the other. This book is for ages 8-12 and is one of many in the Sisters in Time series. I hope everyone who reads Maureen the Detective will enjoy it as much as I did.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upperstrasburg, PA US

The Telling Pool by David Clement-Davies

Rhodri Falcon has lived his 11 years in happiness with his mother and father, a master falconer. But as unrest in the lands sends his father, Owen, to fight in the wars, Rhodri has to take up the responsiblities of the man of the house, much to his disappointment. Over the next few years, Rhodri is haunted by a fourtune he heard at a fair and one day, he ventures into the forest against his parents wishes, where he comes upon a blind hermit named Tantallon. Tantallon guides him in the ways of magic and shows him the Telling Pool, a place where Rhodri sees what's happening to his father. When Rhodri discovers that his father has been enchanted by a witch namd Homeira, it's up to him to find the fabled sword Excalibur, the sword once held by King Arthur himself, to break the curse. On his journey, Rhodri discovers secrets about his family history. It's up to Rhodri to use his wits carefully before he gets enchanted too.

I really liked the Telling Pool. I took a while to get into the story; the beginning was a bit slow, but necessary to tie into the story. I'm fascinated with stories relating to King Arthur and Guenviere, so I enjoyed that aspect of the novel. The story was also cleverly set during the Third Crusade, and it's hard to find novels set at the time period. Being a fan of historical fiction, I really liked this new time. The magical element of the novel was fun as well. Clement-Davies did a good job of mixing history, old legends, magic, and even a bit of romance. I'd recommend this novel to anyone.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

ttfn by Lauren Myracle

TTFN is a sequel to TTYL. Both books are completely written in instant messages between three girls: Maddie, Zoe, and Angela. The story is progressed through the conversations of the 11th grade girls. One of the threesome is moving to California, will they be able to become long-distance friends?

You must have to be a young girl to like this book. All of the chatting seems insignificant even though the girls are tackling some hard issues of growing up. The book has a pretty straightforward plot but it becomes a novelty book because all the writing is done through instant messages. I would say that this is a good pick for pre-teen girls and no one else.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 5
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: cheverly, maryland USA

Bass Ackwards and Belly Up by Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain

Four best friends, Harper, Kate, Sophie and Becca are all looking forward to starting college. At least, 3 of them are. Harper has decided to follow her "dream" and stay behind to write the next famous American novel. As she convinces her 3 angry friends to see things from her point of view, they begin to realize that maybe they aren't ready for college yet either. Sophie decides to put her college career on hold to travel to Los Angeles in hopes of pursuing a career in acting. Harverd bound Kate, the one person who always does what's right, decides to take the year off and travel to Europe, which leaves Becca alone. Becca is the one person going to college, Middlebury, to ski for the best coach and find love. As the months go by, the four girls learn a lot about their families, life and love. They lose people who were important to them, but they also find new people who truely care.

When I first saw the title and cover of the book, I honestly didn't know what to expect. But I started the book and really got into the story. Being a college student, I could relate to what some of the girls were going through. It was great to read a story from the view of college students, as not many books out there feature main characters around that age. This book reminds me a lot of The Traveling Pants books by Ann Brashares. Yet it's a refreshing twist on not doing what everyone expects you to do and finding out your true personality. I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend this.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA

Thou Shalt Not Dump the Skater Dude by Rosemary Graham

Kelsey has just been forced to move all the way from Boston to California during the worst time in her life, the beginning of 8th grade. She completes her year at a prestigious private all-girls school and realizes that she doesn't want to deal with snotty girls anymore. She decides to go to the public school, where she instantly gets recognized by the school celebrity, skateboarder C.J. Logan. Not long after, she becomes his girlfriend and gets to experience the perks of being popular. When Kelsey realizes that C.J. isn't putting in enough effort to be a good boyfriend, she dumps him after a year. But there's only one problem, C.J. has never been dumped before. So he spreads rumors about Kelsey around school and makes her miserable. But Kelsey tries to ignore them and becomes interested in the famed school newspaper, the Bee, and puts all her effort into making it as a journalist. When the rumors still affect her life one year later, Kelsey has to do something to stand up for herself before it's too late.

I was surprised at how much I liked this book. While I feel that younger teens would enjoy this book more, it was still entertaining to read. It was refreshing to read about a character like Kelsey. The story was really interesting too, even though the concept of a high school romance is common in many young adult books these days. I'd recommend this book as a fun, easy read to take your mind off things. The ending of the story made me want to know more. I don't know if the author is planning to write a sequel, but I know that I will probably pick up any other book that she writes.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA

Forest of the Pygmies by Isabel Allende

The finale of the acclaimed trilogy, that began with Kingdom of the Golden Dragon, has had a lot to live up to. Alex, now 18, along with his grandmother and friend, Nadia, travel to Kenya on an elephant safari. Like the previous two books, things do not exactly happen simply, and the trio encounter a whole host of problems such as after a plane crash, they end up trying to help save primitive Pygmies from slavery. A mixture of magic, adventure, and a sensous surrounding gives this book an edge that many children's books do not have.

Having read a few of Isabel Allende's books I was certainly looking forward to this one, as I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first two. However, by the time I got around to reading this one, I realized something was missing; it may have been that I was older and a more experienced reader, for it has been a while since I have read the first two. The character's still amused me, and the magic they possesed created something far more interesting than the trilogy would have been had they not had it. However, I found myself bored with a long drawn out plotline that, although had twists, followed the same basic outline as the first two. Despite my problems with it, and my need for a change, I feel that many people will enjoy it, and I am certainly going to reread the first two books. The blend of magic and fantasy with realism, and an amazing setting, certainly gives this book a head start to many children's books.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Bristol, England

Falcondance by Amelia Atwater Rhodes,

While the first two of the trilogy focus on the story of Danica Shardae and Zane Corbrianna, and therefore the joining of two sworn communities of enemies. The third and final book in Amelia Atwater-Rhodes trilogy looks at the past. Nicias, a falcon, never felt at ease amongst the avians and serpiente, once sworn enemies but united in the first two books, although loyal to the heir of both thrones; Oliza Shardae Cobrianna. Bound by the strong magic he possesses, one that will destroy him if he cannot soon control it, he is forced to leave his position of personal guard to Oliza and learn from his Grandmother to bind it. Once gone from the only place Nicias has ever called home he uncovers deadly secrets of the past, ones that could, and will, haunt the newfound peace.

Although lacking the brilliant romance I loved in the first book, Rhodes does not cease to amaze. Her lush prose and gorgeous descriptions are again outstanding. And while the book takes a different turn to that of the first two, something that may not be wise in the finale, with different charcters introduced and those that we know and love barely touched on, Rhodes is clearly maturing as a writer, and this trilogy I do not think I will forget. I recommend this book to all teenagers, especially those looking for something different or a fan of the supernatural, mythological and other-worldly.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Bristol, - England

Maximum Ride by Jame Patterson

Maximum Ride is destined to save the world. Max is constantly worried about her flock of mutant bird-kids as Erasers, including Max’s younger brother, continually attack them. Erasers are kids that morph into wolves, and recently they’ve been given wings, so though they can’t fly nearly as well as Max and her flock. The six kids have just escaped the School where one experiment after another was conducted on them. They are on their way to Washington to find their families, but the Erasers show up and Fang, a member of the flock, is seriously injured. He is taken to a hospital, and of course, his wings are discovered. When Anne, a caring FBI agent, offers the flock a place to stay while Fang recovers, Max feels she has no choice but to accept. Fang’s life is on the line, and she is concerned about making the members of the flock, two who are only six-years old, flee from everything. Can the flock really trust Anne? Can they survive real school, something they’ve never had before? And ultimately, can Max figure out just how she’s supposed to save the world?

Maximum Ride School’s Out- Forever is a fast paced and thrilling novel. Readers never know who to trust as Max’s story is told. Which people are really Erasers? Which ones are scientists? The questions are constantly revolving around a reader’s head. James Patterson has written a book in which the pages are turned almost as fast as the eye can read as the reader tries to figure out what is coming next. An excellent novel for adventure and science fiction fans, Maximum Ride will capture readers everywhere.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA

Silver May Tarnish by Andre Norton & Lyn McConchie

Lorcan, a young child and youngest son to the Dale owner, has loved his land very much. However, one day Alizon invaders attacked his land. The Dale army was no match for the Alizon invaders, so they retreated into a cave/passage. After many onslaughts of the invaders, Lorcan's brothers and father dies in the fighting. Lorcan and the head-of-arms master are the only one who escape to another Dale. At the other Dale Lorcan hunts for money, and he gets trained by the head-of-arms there. At the appropiate age, he joins the fight, and they win the battle against the invaders. After the battle, Lorcan travels around the land searching for followers who want to be in his Dale, and with the money that his old Dale secretly left behind for him, he is confident that he can do so. On the way in his travels, he meets Meive, a magic woman, some women with various ages, and 5 blank shields. With these people will Lorcan ever rebuild his Dale?? Or will he have the scars of battle forever, and forever be a nomad?

This book was an amazing book. I loved the flow of the book, and it kept me reading, and wanting to read more. There is always some action about it, and it whisked me into an imaginary world, that could also seem real, since the characters did real things. The author gave just the right amount of detail for certain things, which made the book more interesting for me.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lutherville, Maryland

Falcondance by Amelia Atwater Rhodes,

When Nicias Silvermead’s falcon magic reveals itself in his blood, he flies to Ahnmik to get help from his grandmother. Even though he is a falcon, his parents have not told him much of his heritage. They themselves are exiles from Ahnmik. Nicias finds the city mesmerizing, yet he knows that his true home is the wyvern’s court. During his stay in the city he finds out many startling details of his past, including why his parents made the decision to leave Ahnmik. He becomes entangled in a web of lies and deception. As Nicias fights his way through these barriers, he uncovers deadly secrets that could destroy the existence of Wyvern’s court.

The newest sequel in The Kiesha’ra series, FalconDance, by Amelia Atwater Rhodes, is mainly Nicias’s story. For the most part, FalconDance explains the mysteries of the two previous novels in the series. Though the novel is well written and does have a charm of its own, it does not really compare to Hawksong, the first in the series. It just feels as though Rhodes left too much of the story out. It does not flow as smoothly as the previous two. The whole aura of the series changes, instead of blending the different aspects in the novel they stand apart. The connection that the different characters were linked by in the previous novels has been severed. The novel seems rushed or maybe a new twist in the plot that isn’t quite concrete yet. Nevertheless, Rhodes writing is just as good as ever. I still look forward to her next novel, especially in this series because of her ending that seems to suggest another sequel in the series.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Kansas City, MO U.S.A

The Queen of Second Place by Laura Peyton Roberts

Sophomore Cassie Howard is used to being second place. She has been her whole life. When Cassie meets Kevin Matthews, the new boy, in her sophomore Honors English class, she vows that she will come in first this time. But when her school nemesis, Sterling Carter, decides to move in on her crush first, Cassie decides to take action. Cheating on school assignments, taking her father’s car without permission, and betraying her friends all to try and win the attention of Kevin. Sterling, a.k.a. Fourteen-Karat, is of course one of those perfect girls that everyone wants to be best friend of and secretly despises. Through her desperate schemes, Cassie ends up making a mess of everything—including losing her best friends along the way. Will the queen of second place finally win what she wants most? As Cassie tries to solve the problems she created, she learns the meaning of real friends, her own capabilities, as well as self-confidence.

The Queen of Second Place by Laura Peyton Roberts is a great book to read on a rainy day. Although the plot is clichéd and Cassie’s antics are not surprising, Roberts makes the novel enjoyable through her creative writing. Even though the reader can predict exactly what will happen next, there’s still something in this novel that makes the reader want to read on. If you’re the person that enjoys a pointless novel just for the joy of reading, then this is the book for you.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Kansas City, MO U.S.A

Being Bindy by Alyssa Brugman

Belinda Grubb, called Bindy, doesn't want to face changes; she wants her life to stay as it is with her best frienf Jane Madden, her dad, and brother Kyle. 8th grade starts out to be the ultimate test for Bindy; should she accept Janey's new popular friends and conform to their "cool" habits or stay behind while everything changes around her? Every aspect of her adolescent life changes quickly: her mom seems to care more for her boyfriend than parenting; school becomes unbearable when Janey and Hannah, a rich girl who thinks abbreviations are SVC (so very chic), taunt her for being a baby; and her father and Janey's mother start going out. The stress grows until Being Bindy reaches a climax with Janey passing around Bindy's underwear during a school assembly by Bindy and her brother Kyle. Can the girls get over their differences and remain best friends? Only time will tell when one is in eighth grade.

Alyssa Brugman's Being Bindy is unique among novels highlighting early adolescent issues because of the author's Australian influence and references throughout the novel. This shows how teens around the world are so similar yet have different educational systems. The book is a quick read and enjoyable because of the author's simple style and approach. I doubt Being Bindy will be a best seller, however, because of its similarity to other books aimed at young adolescents such as the Alice books by Phyllis Naylor and because it doesn't seem as captivating as The Princess Diaries for instance. I really liked the Australian references; it was something new and a great exposure to other world societies.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Kansas City, MO USA

Shadowqueen by Debbie Federici and Susan Vaught

Brenden(Bren) and Jasimina(Jazz) have defeated the Shadowmaster, but have also lost Jazz to the cold grip of death in doing so. Bren misses Jazz. He has rebuilt the path with his brother and now all he wants is his girlfriend, Jazz, back. When Bren learns that there is a chance for him to get Jazz back, he sets his mind on taking that chance. But where Jazz is, few have dared enter, and even fewer have come back. Jazz is in Talamadden, and all she wants is to get back to Bren. And with the aid of a blue peacock, she intends on exiting Talamadden and going back home. Jazz needs to get back home. A spy has entered L.O.S.T., and it is Jazz's duty as queen of L.O.S.T., to make sure the spy doesn't harm her people. When, with the help of Bren, Jazz is free from Talamadden, she must hurry with Bren to stop the spy. When Jazz and Bren reach L.O.S.T., they find a battle raging. The battle leads Jazz back to Talamadden with Bren, where the new Shadowmaster lies in wait to kill them.

I liked this book. What I liked about it was the fact that the relationship of Bren and Jazz seemed to be all consuming to Bren and Jazz. When Jazz was in Talamadden, all she could think about was how much she wished she was with Bren, and all Bren could think about was how much he wished he was with Jazz. Jazz had more important matters on her mind while she was in Talamadden, like how was she going to get out or how would she get out in one piece? While Bren had to think about all of his people, and to make sure that his brother didn't do something stupid. When Bren and Jazz reunite, their relationship stays strong and grows stronger even though they act like jerks to each other, and that was the best thing - they could love each other and be complete jerks to each other at the same time. I also thought the book was good because Jazz and Bren continually had to overcome all the attacks on L.O.S.T. while they had to deal with the major problem on how to make their powers separate, or how to get Todd from being a complete jerk. It was interesting to see them trying to stop one thing while they had to fix another.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona U.S.A.

The Summer King by O.R. Melling

On the anniversary of her twin sister, Honor’s death, Laurel travels back to Ireland to finish something her sister never accomplished. After having strange dreams, Laurel is compelled to learn about the faerie world, though she does not believe in faeries. But when a strange, “roly-poly” man appears to her appealing for help to finish the mission Honor started, Laurel thinks it’s her duty to finish it and rescue Honor. What Laurel doesn’t know is that the journey is filled with danger, mystery, and excitement. She gets help from Ian, a boy she’s known since she was young. Together, Laurel and Ian face terrifying attacks from otherworldly creatures, including water faeries and raven-people. She is given guidance from the wise golden eagle and she manages to ally herself with one of the most powerful woman pirates, Grace O’Malley. Laurel’s goal is to return the Summer King back to the faeries so that he in turn will light the Ring of Fire. If she fails her mission, everything will be lost, both in the faerie world and the human world.

When I first started the book, I had to force myself to get through the first half of the book. I wasn’t getting interested in the story. But the story turned when the action began. O.R. Melling’s descriptions of Ireland really helped the story. I was interested in the faerie world, so I wanted to see how she depicted them. I also liked the history that she threw in, with Grace O’Malley. There were some twists thrown into the plot, which really livened up the story. I did not see the ending coming and I was really surprised. I’m glad that I finished reading the novel. I would recommend this to lovers of fantasy. As this is part of a quartet, I will look for the remaining stories and hopefully they will be entertaining as well.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

Sign of the Crescent by Debbie Federici

This book starts out with an introduction to Taryn. Taryn has just lost her grandmother, and is suffering heart break because of the lost. Mean while teenagers are getting snatched by some unknown source, and going out at night for teens is getting riskier. There are people from the world, Neworld, whose job is to protect the teens from earth, Oldworld. Erick is one of those people. One night, when Erick is out trying to stop the kidnappings, he comes across Taryn. Erick is dispatched far away from Taryn, and her rescue seems impossible. When the Zumarian warrior, working for the bad guy, comes to take Taryn he grabs her. Whenever a Zummarian warrior grabs a person of the Oldworld they immediatly freeze, but Tary doesn't freeze when grabbed, Taryn fights back. Erick, who witnesses this, knows there is something different with Taryn, and goes to meet her. Erick and Taryn build a relationship over time, but one night Taryn is taken, and Erick decides it is time to attack the bad guy. Taryn is confronted with the bad guy and learns that he is her father. Taryn is presented with a choice that will decide the future for everyone. Taryn is left with the choice to choose love or power, and whichever way she chooses she betrays someone.

This book is about choosing. Throughout the book the characters are met with choices. Taryn faces the choice between love and power, while Erick faces the choice between following the rules and following the heart. The choices the characters choose are pretty alike, but one does the right thing while the other does the thing that goes against what is considered right. I thought the book was interesting because it showed how heavily the choices weighed upon each character. It showed how the characters ended up at least trying to do the right thing, but how their choice always seemed to out weigh the other choice. The characters were interesting together because one character knew what was going on while the other was learning. The characters were also interesting because they were different. One of the characters was a warrior, in perfect health, while the other was more of a thinker, who had to fight hearing loss and was battling a disease. Their differences extended deeper than that since one of the characters was born into a good family while the other was born into an evil family.The story itself was pretty good. The author did a very good job in describing the scenes in detail, and the thought processes that the author wrote for the characters were also detailed, and because of that the reader could get more of an insight into who the characters were. This book was a good book that could hold the readers interest easily and had main characters that you could easily like and antagonists that you hated but pitied.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona U.S.A.

Foxmask by Juliet Marillier

Thorvald, at the age of 18 years, has just been told about his true parentage. He immediately sets on a mission to find his father, with the help of his friend, Sam, an experienced sailor. What Thorvald doesn't expect is that his other friend, Creidhe, stows away on the boat and isn't found until it's too late to turn back. So the three journey together where they come across the Long Knife People. After hearing their story, Thorvald and Sam decide to stay on and help. Thorvald also believes that Asgrim, the leader of the Long Knife People is his father, so he decides to become a great warrior to make him proud. What he doesn't realize until too late is that Asgrim had other plans for Creidhe and when those plans go awry, she is thought to be dead. Instead, Cheidhe is on the Isle of Clouds, the exact place where the Long Knife People fight year after year to find Foxmask, the seer of their enemy. Thorvald makes it his mission to train the men to become true warriors and return Foxmask to his rightful place. On his journey, Thorvald learns about power, hope, sorrow, love and the importance of family.

Not being an avid fan of fantasy, I was a bit apprehensive when I first got this book, it being over 500 pages. After getting through the beginning, I couldn't put the book down. Thorvald's journey is fascinating. Juliet Marillier has a way of describing characters and places. With all the twists and turns in the novel, it was hard to predict what would happen next. I went from loving a character to hating them. This was the first book I've read by Juliet Marillier, but now I can't wait to read the rest. I'd recommend Foxmask to fantasy readers and nonreaders alike. I thought that this book was amazing and I can't wait to read more by Marillier.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

Spain or Shine by Michelle Jellen

Overshadowed by her other siblings, Elena feels like she never stands out. So she takes a once in a lifetime opportunity to study for a semester in San Sebastian, Spain. In Spain, she quickly becomes friends with outgoing Jenna, which leads her to experience many new things in Spain, from visiting Tapas bars to relaxing on the beach everyday. But Elena also has her playwriting on her mind as she wants her play to be selected to be performed for the school. Adding to her stress is the cute boy Miguel she has her eyes on. But when Elena meets her namesake, her great aunt Elena, things seem to make sense and Elena learns that she shouldn't feel hidden by other people.

I thought that this book was cute. I love reading books that take place in other countries, so I loved the descriptions of San Sebastian and Madrid. I think that there was a good mix of everything in this book, romance, culture, suspense. I was a bit disappointed in the ending. But overall, I enjoyed reading this book. As this is only one of the books in the Students Across the Seven Seas series, I look forward to reading the others soon.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

The Misadventures of Maude March by Audrey Couloumbis

“Mad Maude March,” is supposedly a robber and a murderer who roams the wild west with her gang. Her younger sister Sallie knows better. She knows the ladylike Maude who was orphaned twice and misses their parents, their aunt, and the house that they lost when she died. Together, Sallie and Maude are forced to flee from their hometown to avoid Maude marrying a man that is old enough to be her grandfather. They commit some wrongs, many of which they either didn’t start and were blamed for or were accidents that were embellished. However, throughout their journey to Independence to find their Uncle Arlen (that could be dead, or somewhere else entirely) Maude and Sallie hold a sisterly love and determination that just might get them to their destination. This is Sallie’s story; a story of the Wild West.

The Misadventures of Maude March is a tale that is expertly woven to depict an eleven year old girl who, through her love of dime novels, believes she can conquer the West with her sister in tow. The words paint vivid pictures and the story leaves readers on the edges of their seats wondering what else could possibly go wrong. Any lover of Wild West adventures and stories told from a different perspective than anyone expects, will love Audrey Couloumbis’s novel. Maude March is a new hero of the Wild West, as real as Joe Harden and all of Sallie’s favorite dime-novel characters.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA

Counting On Grace by Elizabeth Winthrop

This fictional account of early 1900s New England cotton mills is based on the work photographer Lewis Hine’s documentation of mill life. A spinning mill may not seem like a playground, but for children whose parents worked in the mills, this unlikely recreation center was all the entertainment available. After school the children ran to the mill where they played in corners away from the growling machinery until their parents were able to take them home. As the children grew older, their time in the mill became permanent when they, too, became mill workers whose working lives were spent weaving and spinning. Ten-year old Grace and her friend Arthur read Red Badge of Courage in school before beginning their work in the mills until French Johnny, the mill supervisor, insists that Arthur work in the mill to help his widowed mother make a living. Although Miss Lesley, the teacher, is reluctant to have one of her best readers leave, she is powerless against the insistence of the mill bosses and gives Arthur the book as a gift. Arthur’s departure shows Grace that her time in school is quickly coming to a close. Like the older workers, the ten year olds face danger from whirling machines and exhaustion from unceasing motion as they work to make fabric. The children learn to hide in dark corners when inspectors pay unexpected visits. When Mr. Hines visits the mill, the children’s lives become topsy-turvy as they endeavor to have their stories told beyond the boundaries of mill town.

Elizabeth Winthrop describes her journey from seeing a photograph to writing this story. Her list of books for further reading urges exploration of child labor laws and American history. Counting on grace is a welcomed addition to a middle school library. Students, teachers, and parents will appreciate this well-told tale. Who knew that rading about life in the mills could be so entertaining and educational? well worth reading.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 58
Reviewer City, State and Country: Timonium, MD US

Beginner's Luck by Laura Pedersen

Hallie is a 16 year-old girl who despises the school that she goes to so much that she doesn't bother to show up to 90% of the classes. Most of the time you can find her down at the horse track betting on the ponies, aka earning money to buy a car. Since she lives in a house barely big enough to house the nine that it consists of now, not to mention the new baby on the way, she plans to head to Las Vegas. She is the second oldest and is overlooked up until now,when the attendence officer "Just Call Me Dick" begins to notice that she doesn't come to homeroom, or most of her other classes for that matter. He alerts the ultimate authorities; her parents. They simply retract their offer to help pay for the car and ground her until her grades pull up. Hallie thinks, "Well that's too bad because I'm gone, I'll gamble until I have the money to go to Vegas then, so long Ohio!" Hallie is a gifted card player that goes along with her innate sense of numbers. She doesn't have a gambling problem just does it for the money. An unfortunate loss at the track forces her to take a job as a lawn person in the eccentric household of the Stocktons. This quirky family includes Olivia, the head matron, The Judge her husband, Bernard their son, Gil Bernard's lover, and the ever persistent Rocky the chimp, who is between jobs. Not only are they paying her 12 dollars an hour they soon welcome her into their home with her own room. Her parents want her back but no such luck, she becomes a permanent fixture in the lives of the Stocktons. She is now learning things that she would not otherwise learn, like how to prepare exqusite dishes, little known facts about authors and figure heads. The sarcastic humor, intermixed with exquisite vocabulary, envelope her in Ms. Olivia's rabble rousing and protesting for a greater cause. Olivia soon becomes her tutor that way she will graduate and be able to go to college. Her boyfriend, Craig, even gets along with the Stocktons. This leads to a pinch or romance among all the gambling and clearing of her name. A household that will not be forgotten easily.

Slowly but surely, a quickwitted sarcastic humor takes you into this quirky world of Hallie Palmer. This hold is not relinquished throughout the entire novel. I laughed so hard I cried multiple times. The reader is faced with a gay couple that Hallie coexists with and not all romantic scenes are backstage. For those with improving vocabulary, I suggest a pocket dictionary nearby, just in case. Morals and prejudiced thoughts are faced and delt with making you think about your own beliefs.This book is for those willing to be open-minded to other's thoughts and ideas even though you may have originally rejected them as not part of your beliefs. Not everything is black and white as it might appear, and there are two sides to each argument. It helps to see both.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Belton, Missouri USA

Catch by Will Leitch

Tim Temples is a high-school graduate. He has survived the four long gruesome years of hanging out with his posse, drinking, and meeting nearly every girl in their small town of Matoon. Okay, so it wasn't that wretched. Not only that but the Temples family are legend, for playing baseball. Tim's father, Bryan, played in the minor leagues and would have made it to the majors except for injuries. Tim's older brother, Doug, was drafted by the Cardinals, but went to collage instead. Now when Doug comes back from that four year scholarship Tim fears that it has ruined him. Since Tim is the next to go to college, he fears that he will also not finish, become fat, always be angry at everybody, along with an assortment of other things that changed his brother to the pathetic state he is in now. Tim is facing his last summer with his posse called the Horsemen, and the normal routine. At his summer job of carring crates, Tim meets Helena. Helena is 23, gorgeous (with a full rack), and hates his guts. This soon changes, and they become girlfriend and boyfriend. They spend every night together, and the Horsemen are forgotten. Things will change with college soon approaching. Will his relationship with Helena change? Will he end up like Doug, fat and lazy? Who knows until the last page.

Quick witted dry humor, cussing, romance, and the average legend in a small town. The closest thing that I can compare this novel to is J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye". I won't lie, there is quite a bit of cussing, and sex. But it is not so much that this is all that there is. It's also a realistic fiction story of a teenager heading off to college in the year 2005. It was one of those books where you just kept reading, always telling yourself that you will stop at the next chapter. Ten Chapters later you are still in the same position that you started in, saying you'll stop at the next chapter. You look deeper still. It's a story of friendship and family. Things will change but with the support of those close to you.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Belton, Missouri USA

Flush by Carl Hiaasen

Noah’s family loves the environment around their home in the Florida Keys. Noah’s dad, Paine Underwood, a fishing guide, especially has always been passionate about caring for animals and the environment—but have you ever heard of somebody sinking a casino boat in the name of Mother Nature? Even Noah’s younger sister, Abbey, and their mother think that Paine has finally lost his marbles. Now dad is in the slammer. When Noah goes to visit his dad, Paine claims that the captain of the Coral Queen, Jasper “Dusty” Muleman, was dumping sewage from the boat’s holding tanks into the ocean. Noah and Abbey are determined to finish what their dad started. Noah goes to the trailer of Lice Peeking, an ex-mate of the Coral Queen, to get him to give his testimony to the Coast Guard. Lice is willing to do it—for a price. Noah painfully offers his dad’s fishing boat in exchange for Lice’s testimony. Lice agrees and tells Noah that he’ll come for the boat the next day, with a contract. The next day, however, Lice’s girlfriend, Shelly, comes over and informs Noah that Lice has been killed! Now how will Noah and Abbey prove that their dad is right and Captain Muleman—not their dad—should be locked up?

I enjoyed reading FLUSH by Carl Hiaasen. It was a wonderful book about family and the environment. It is a pleasingly humorous book, too. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes funny books and books about the ocean, as well as to readers who are interested in protecting the environment. I would also recommend this book to anyone who has read Holes, by Louis Sachar.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Saugerties, NY USA

Heart's Desire by Laura Pedersen

Hallie Palmer, now a college student, has had one crazy year. She has already begun to reform her former gambler ways by concentrating on other problems, as finding the tuition money she desperately needs, dealing with her legal guardian Bernard, and trying to figure out her own relationships. As the 2nd oldest in a family of 8 children, it’s up to her to find the money to go to college. Bernard employs her as the gardener and doing yard work. Hallie also has to come up with a plan to get Bernard reunited with his ex-boyfriend, Gil. But Hallie has romantic problems of her own and can’t seem to keep any guy interested. Hallie’s freshman year is surely full of surprises.

When I first started reading Heart’s Desire, I wasn’t sure if I would like it or not. The crazy characters, including a chimp named Rocky, were entertaining and the dialogue was funny. The story got better during the middle and once I got to that point, I couldn’t put the book down. As the character is a college student, older readers will relate to Hallie more. I didn’t read the prequel, Beginner’s Luck, but I think it would be more helpful in understanding the story and the characters. I think that if you stick with the book, you’ll be glad to read it. I’m looking forward to reading more about Hallie Palmer.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

The Borrible Go For Broke by Michael de Larrabeiti

Borribles are runaway children who don't want to grow up. They get their names from adventures. But the greatest adventure is The Great Rumble Hunt.After a note that gets passed to Charlotte about a horse that saved their life during the Great Rumble Hunt, Charlotte gets together with the rest of the Hunt members and tries to save the horse. When things go terribly wrong and they end up in Wendle territory, warrior borribles that would love to kill them, their only hope is to trust a borrible that was a Wendle. Will the borribles ever make it out alive??

This book was a very good book. It was really tense for me and there was always action so it kept me reading. There was a big plot that was unraveling and I tried to guess it but it was very hard because of dips and turns. The author wrote very well and it captured my imagination. I wish to see pictures of the borribles because it is hard to imagine them.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lutherville, Maryland U.S.A.

True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet by Lola Douglas

Morgan Carter is a teen Hollywood actress. She becomes addicted to drinking, and almost dies from it. Her mom, Bianca, finds out and wants Morgan to get back on track with her life. She sends Morgan to go live with her friend in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a year and go to an actual high school there. Morgan is devastated. What will she do in such a lousy place like Fort Wayne? She knows it's for the best, but Morgan still thinks her mom sent her away so she wouldn't have to deal with Morgan herself. But after Morgan gets there, she finds that Fort Wayne isn't as bad as she thought it would be. So no one will realize she is actually Morgan Carter, Hollywood starlet, she dyes her hair, wears fake glasses, and calls herself Claudia Miller. Yeah, school isn't that fun, but she kind of likes staying with her mom's friend, Trudy, who is the closest thing to a motherly figure that she's ever had in her life. She finds a friend after a couple of weeks of school, and also finds out that someone might even think she's cute. But then things start going downhill again. Her grades are slipping, she's been skipping school, and there have been more reporters than usual around town. Did someone actually know where she was? After all the secrets, will she be found out?

“True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet” by Lola Douglas, was a great read!! I could not put it down. Morgan told her story through journal entries, and she told it very well. I found myself laughing at her various experiences and firsts as she tried to play the part of an average American girl. I found myself overwrought with sadness and sympathy for “Claudia” with all the secrets she had to keep, and all of her thoughts she had that she didn't belong anywhere. All I can say is, I can't wait until the sequel comes out! Anyone looking for a good book, read "True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet!"

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Celestine, Indiana USA

Darrien's Rise by Paul McCusker

When Anna and Kyle’s uncle comes over for a visit he tells them about an abandoned haunted house in the woods. Kyle and Anna decide to go find it but they never thought about what would happen when they found it. When they enter the house, they decide to explore throughout the house. Kyle looks through the keyhole on a door upstairs and sees what he believes is a ghost. He tells Anna to look for herself and he backs away from the door. Anna looks but doesn’t see anything. All of a sudden, the floor cracks and Kyle falls through the floor. Anna runs into the only place she can, which is the door with the ghosts behind it. After running through the door and the bright white light she realizes she’s not in Odyssey anymore. Kyle also wakes up and realizes that he isn’t in Odyssey anymore either. How will they ever get back to Odyssey, or is it even possible to return? Find out in this awesome book called Darrien’s Rise.

I loved Darrien’s Rise, the first book in the Passages Series by Paul McCusker. It was one of the best books I have ever read and I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series. I didn’t want to put this book down because it was so good. It is a Christian-based book and very adventurous. The characters had many different personalities that made the story even more interesting. I recommend this book to all ages. I hope and think that whoever reads Darrien’s Rise will enjoy it as much as I did.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA US

The Dark Flight Down by Marcus Sedgwick

In the Dark Flight Down, Boy has survived while his old master Valerian, a powerful magician, is dead. He is saved by Kepler, Valerian’s enemy. In Kepler’s possession is The Book, the most powerful and dangerous thing in the world. And the Emperor Frederick wants it to become immortal. Boy is kidnaped by the imperial guards and taken to the palace, and it’s up to Kepler and his friend, Willow to save him. In the palace, he finds himself in danger from the Phantom, a creature housed in the palace. In time, Boy finds out the truth about his past and it’s up to him and Willow to find a way to escape.

I thought that this book was really interesting. I haven’t read a good horror book in a while, so it was a nice change. I actually didn’t know that there was a prequel to The Dark Flight Down, but I’m curious to check it out now. I loved the setting of the book and the characters were interesting too. Once I started reading, I wanted to find out about Boy’s past. This may seem like it’s for younger readers, but everyone should give this a try!

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA

The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McGulley

In old California with the missions, there is a new highway man abroad. His name is Senor Zorro. Rumor says that he punishes those who have done wrong. Though the Govenor and his captain and general track him down, Senor Zorro Always finds a way to escape and continue his mission to bring justice back. As the crimes for Senor Zorro reach an all-time high, the town is in turmoil, and there is more injustice than ever. Who is this Senor Zorro, and will justice ever be returned?????

I loved this book. This book had a lot of adventure, which is the biggest reason that I loved it. Every second there is a big, exciting event happening, and it didnt seem as though the book was dragging on. There was also aa mystery to who Senor Zorro was, and even though I figured it out early in the book, it was still enjoyable.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lutherville, Maryland U.S.A.

The Good, the Bat, and the Ugly by Paul Magrs

A story laced with the twists and turns of British humor, The Good, The Bat, and The Ugly is the latest book written by Paul Magrs. Jason’s father was a famous puppeteer in his day, but now he is a washed up old grouch. When he implies Jason to take up the family business of puppets, everything goes mad. Soon everything is in a mess when his father is dragged off to jail, and Jason’s older half-brother Barry gets involved. On top of that, Jason’s father’s old puppet is calling to him from the attic, and mysterious puppet murders start happening all over town. The web becomes even more tangled when the devil himself gets involved. It’s a story of insanity, betrayal, ‘fancying’, hell, and most of all, puppets.

The book was good, but somewhat weird. I didn’t find it to be as wildly hilarious as it was made out to be. I believe that the whole situation of the book is what is supposed to be funny. Although it is told in an enchanting first person, the book dips in and out of utter madness. I tend to be more attached to the protagonist when they tell the story. Therefore, it is harder to enjoy the calamity that Jason goes through. I also find the circumstances of him falling in love with a grown woman sort of weird, and maybe it’s supposed to be that way. Although, by far, my favorite sequence is the ‘mamazon.com’, epilogue which features different characters of the book making comments. Overall, the book is enjoyable and holds your attention from start to finish, but it is not the most mainstream. Those looking for an offbeat British read are sure to find what they are looking for in The Good, The Bat, and the Ugly.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Greencastle, PA USA

Invisible Threads by Annie and Marie Dalton

Invisible Threads, by Annie and Maria Dalton, is the story of a mother and daughter dealing with all the trials and tribulations that they went through when they were 16. Carrie-Anne is having trouble at home trying to get along with her adopted parents, and trying to find her place in the world. She thinks that if she has a chance to find her biological mother, she could get a better sense of who she is and where she's from. Meanwhile, Naomi, Carrie-Anne's biological mother, tells us the story of when she was 15. She lived with her unsteady mother, trying to keep a grasp on reality, trying to be a normal teenager, but always having to comfort her mother after her mother had a sort of mental breakdown. After Naomi's mother found an on again-off again boyfriend, Naomi decided that she shouldn't have to be her mother's babysitter. She chose to go have some fun at a party with some of her friends, and did something she knew she shouldn't have done. So Invisible Threads takes us on through their separate journeys, reminding not only Carrie-Anne and Naomi, but also the reader that even if we may not want to acknowledge it (as in Naomi's case), we are all connected by invisible threads that make up our family tree and our history.

This was a very good book. It really took you through all the controversy and all of the emotions that Carrie-Anne and Naomi went through at specific moments in the book. I thought that Invisible Threads very well written, and anyone who's ever been seeking answers to who they are and where they came from, should read it. I recommend, though, to be about 13 or 14 before reading this book.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Celestine, Indiana USA

I Am The Wallpaper by Mark Peter Hughes

When Floey Packer writes something in her diary, you know it's the truth. (In her diary, she writes about everything from her crush on her friend Wen to her plans for the future, supercool, noticeable Floey Packer.) That is, until her two gross cousins come over to her house to stay for a month! Within days, the contents of her diary are on the Internet for the world to read. Within hours, www.floeysprivatelife.com has gathered thousands of readers from all over the country. Floey must not only deal with the results of these disastrous web postings, but also decide whether or not the new and improved Floey is better than the old, wallpaper Floey. Along the way to enlightenment Zen-style, she finds humor in many situations, uses a jar of Deep Wild Violet hairdye, and even gets a bit of romance!

I enjoyed reading I Am the Wallpaper because it was a fun and lighthearted book that nevertheless had a solid storyline that kept me wondering how on earth Floey would overcome her latest batch of problems. I would recommend this book to almost anyone looking for a sweet story, though it may be a bit mature for the younger readers. I could not change anything about this book to make it better! Mark Peter Hughes has really mastered the "13-year-old-girl's-diary" style...I found myself drawn into the trials of Floey's life from page one.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Ellicott City, Maryland USA

Upstream by Melissa Lion

Melissa Lion tells a very real story about an Alaskan girl named Marty in her senior year of high school whose joie de vivre is somewhat diminished by a summertime tragedy that has made the rest of her town uneasy and awkward around her. Marty feels trapped in her current life and unable to escape the judgments of her fellow villagers until she meets Catherine, a new arrival from California. Catherine encourages Marty to apply to college, to gather up her life, to start living again. Now all that remains to be seen is...will Marty allow herself to move on?

I thought that Upstream was an interesting read because it gave me a look into the daily life in a place I've never been. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to try out a book that, while not challenging, moves past what one normally would read in a book. Melissa Lion gives readers the essential details that allow them to connect somewhat to the characters. Although the ending was the best possible for this book, I was still left "hanging" because all characters, save for one that the book closes on, were introduced in the final chapter of the book. Other than this, the ending fit the book very well.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Ellicott City, Maryland USA

The Power of One by Bryce Courtney

In this book we are introduced to a little boy, who is sent to boarding school when his mother has a mental breakdown. On the first night of boarding school, the little boy is woken up in the middle of the night and urinated on by the Judge and the jury(this is how the little boy refers to them) because he is a Rooinek and all of the other students are Boers and hate Rooineks. In the morning, he wakens to find that he urinated in his bed, and when he washes off the Judge and jury discover his hatless "snake", and from that moment on the little boy's name becomes "Pisskop." Pisskop eventually overcomes his bed wetting, but with news of Hitler's doings, the Judge and jury decide they want to become Nazis, and their first prisoner is Pisskop. Pisskop undergoes many torture sessions, and discovers ways to lesson them by helping the Judge with school. When the end of the year comes, all is not well, the chickens on his grandpa's field are disease ridden and his grandpa has to sell the farm and move to a town. On Pisskop's journey to the new town he is given a new name, Peekay, and discovers his dream of becoming the welterweight champion. But when he gets to town, he learns of a drastic change in lifestyle, and he must learn to adapt.

This book's setting took place in South Africa when Hilter was in power in Germany. The book was really good because it showed you how all the different races and cultures were being treated. It showed you that people would hate someone because they were a kaffir(a black tribesperson), and even at times just kill them because of it. The book also was really good because it showed how people would work together during tough times, and harsh conditions, and put away their differences for a common goal. I liked the book because it had someone winning boxing matches against a person twice their size, showing that small can triumph over big, and also the fact that not everyone would only befriend someone from their own culture, race, and religion, but because they liked the person inside. This book showed that to win you couldn't rely on strength alone, you needed to fight first with the head then with the heart.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona, United States of America

Becoming Chloe by Catherine Ryan Hyde

The world is an ugly place to Chloe, originally named Wanda Johnson. Chloe has seen and lived through painful events that she will not even tell Jordy, her best friend. Jordy can't decide what to make of Chloe. Jordy first meets Chloe when she was getting raped and he saved her from the rapist, and ever since he has taken care of her. Jordy has had a painful past, where he ended up abandoning his family, and trying to make it on his own. Money supply is bad for Jordy, for he can't work for fear Chloe may harm herself. When times get real tuff for Jordy and Chloe, Chloe brings up the idea of killing herself because there is no beauty in the world. Jordy, who doesn't want Chloe to kill herself, decides to try and convince her there is beaty in the world. So off they go to find the beautiful things in the world, but in the end will the beauty be enough to stop Chloe from killing herself?

The story is very heart moving when we learn of the bond of friendship, and how we will do anything to protect the things and people we love. In this book we learn that beauty isn't just the big things like Niagra Falls, but also the small things like rain and fire. But as Chloe points out there is beauty in the ugly things and ugliness in the beautiful things. I liked this book because of the way it not only showed the world as this beautiful place but because the book showed you the ugly things, like how people can beat you up for no reason at all. In this book we learn of how people will do nice things for no apparent, and also how the small things hurt us the most. This book was really awesome because it showed you how almost everyone is willing to do something to help each other, and because it was about never backing down from the things that happen to you, you just need to keep on trucking.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona United States(USA)

The Cure for Crushes by Karen Rivers

In the continuation of the greatest year of Haley Harmony’s life, she suffers through a series of traumatic events, the first of which is when she encounters her long lost mom who has since converted to a nun. Her jobless father now has to find a job, and along the way meets Melody, the much younger girlfriend (MYG). Her best friend, Jules, is dating the boy she’s had a crush on since 9th grade and is also a contestant on the tv show, Who’s the Prettiest of the All? while her other friend, Kiki, is mysteriously absent. Also, Haley has a boyfriend, but she cannot stop herself from crushing on every unavailable guy she meets. To top things off, hypochondriac Haley seems to have every disease possible and no way to cure them.

Haley learns a lot about herself throughout the second half of her senior year. I thought that this book, while slightly unrealistic, was a fun read. Haley is a character that we can all relate to. Once I started reading The Cure for Crushes, I couldn’t put it down. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who needs a laugh.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

Talisman of Zandria by Christine Norris

The very first time Ivy Peterson disobeys her parents by going into the woods alone to search for what she thinks is a fairy, her life turns upside down. She is chased by bullies into the unknown part of the forest and gets lost. When Ivy wakes up from tripping, rolling down a hill, and hitting her head (which causes her to faint), she doesn’t know where she is. Ivy was in a whole other world named Zandria. Then this boy named Connor comes along and says he will help her find her way home, but when he asks where she lives he finds out she lives in the Otherside. They go to Arden’s house to get him to help, but the gate leading back to Otherside doesn’t open. Ivy, Conner (an apprentice), and Arden (a wizard) set out in search of finding the Talisman that opens the five gates leading to and from Zandria.

I think Talisman of Zandria is an awesome book that is filled with lots of adventure. I like that as soon as the characters think they have one problem solved the author throws in another one. The characters were kind of different compared to the ones in other books I have read. I enjoyed reading this book and I hope everyone who reads this book will enjoy it as much as I did. I recommend Talisman of Zandria to kids 9-12 years of age who enjoy reading fantasies and fairy tales, and I hope to be able to read the sequel when it comes out.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA US

Exile by Grace Cavendish

The time is the Elizabethan age. The setting is the Queen’s Palace. The plot? A stolen ruby. Lady Grace Cavendish is one of Queen Elizabeth’s maids of honor. She is also, secretly, the Lady Pursuivant, or detective. The newcomer at the palace, Banoo Yasmine- a noble whose kingdom has been taken by a murderer, carries the Heart of Kings. This precious ruby marks the ruler of her kingdom, Sharakand, and the Banoo fled with it following her father’s death. When the Heart of Kings is stolen, it is recovered in a laundry maid’s basket and she is taken to the dungeon. However, the laundry maid is also Lady Grace’s best friend Ellie, and Grace is determined to prove her friend’s innocence. Can she find the true thief in time to save Ellie, or is Ellie not the innocent laundry-maid Grace thought her to be?

Exile is a marvelous blend of history and mystery. The reader is constantly trying to figure out who the true thief is, first one person, then another is considered and rejected. Lady Grace’s diary reveals clues throughout the novel, and the reader is always trying to piece them together. Page after page, Grace Cavendish’s spellbinding story allows the reader to enjoy a fictional, but slightly historical lesson as they try to unravel the mystery. Upper-elementary students will especially love Exile; the fifth book in the Lady Grace Mysteries.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA

Chloe Leiberman (Sometimes Wong): A Novel by Carrie Rosten

Chloe Says: DO: Read this book if you, like me, love any and all things related to clothing, shopping, designing, and accessorizing, and believe that everything should always go together but never be too matchy-matchy. DON'T: Spend all your money on clothes! Leave some for my book! Chloe Leiberman (Sometimes Wong), A Novel by Carrie Rosten, is full of fun and quirky do's and don'ts like the one above, and has an hilarious fashion-obsessed-enhanced air to it. Chloe (self-described as “Chinese-Jewish WASP with tons of style) is in the middle of her senior year with no post-grad plan. She lied to her parents about applying to academic colleges and taking the SATs, something that is a no-no in the Wong-Leiberman household. She has a dream of going to Central Saint Martin's, a designing school in London, but her dreams stop short because, not only is her self-esteem low, her parents do not agree at all with Chloe that fashion is a reasonable and respectable career. So when Chloe drops the bomb to her parents about not applying to any colleges and not taking the SATs and such, she decides that it's for the better right not to keep her fashion dreams to herself. So, on through the book, Chloe takes us along with her on her journey (her very, uh, let's say, unique journey) to finding herself and to fulfill her dream.

Although it was written in third-person narrative, it felt as if Chloe herself was talking, because the dialogue was so funny! I thought the beginning was kind of slow, because it takes you a little while to get used to Chloe's hyper fashion-obsessed behavior. If you are looking for a different type of book than the usual, this is for you! Don't read this, though, if you aren't into fashion, 'cause that's what the book's all about!

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Celestine, Indiana USA

Up And Running: The Inspiring True Story of a Boy's Struggle to Survive and Triumph by Mark Patinkin

There's nothing more refreshing than reading a true story told well.

That's exactly what you get when you read "Up and Running."
Andrew was only six years old when he came down with the disease - setting in within twelve hours, shutting down his vital organs, covering him with purple and black boils and sores, and eventually causing both of his legs to be amputated. The astounding part is not just that he survived, but that he never stopped fighting.

I never thought I could imagine a fraction of what it would be like to see someone you love suddenly fall ill with a life-threatening disease like bacterial meningitis, and fight to recover and begin a new life. But after reading Mark Patinkin's telling of that very story, I feel like I was there every step of the way: standing over young Andrew's hospital bed with the doctors, worrying and fretting next to his parents Rebecca and Scott, praying alongside his family members and friends.

The book is told simply and honestly. It doesn't heroify Andrew - more than he deserves - or his family: at times they do lose faith, get angry, and want to quit. And the book doesn't sugar-coat the seriousness of the illness. At times I was more than disgusted to be reading some of the descriptions of his condition, surguries, or painful physical therapy sessions. And many times I laughed out loud at the pure kid-ness of Andrew's personality and some of the things he said. This was the truth of the situation. This was real, and it feels like it happened not to a distant person in a far-off place, but to your neighbor, your playmate, your friend.

I would recommend this book even if you think you're not the biggest fan of non-fiction. "Up and Running" reads like a story; but it's even more powerful because it's a true one.

Reviewed by Beckie Sheffield for Flamingnet Book Reviews

Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe by James M. Ward

In Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe, the sixteen-year-old protagonist, Halcyon, is a tall, white-haired Arcanian midshipwizard on his marine tour of duty. Before he enters his touring sea dragon ship, the Sanguine, Halcyon Blithe places a good-weather spell on himself to ensure that good weather will smile upon him on his first tour. As expected, the weather is beautiful and the seas are calm. But Halcyon can’t hold the bad weather off forever. It seems that a storm has been building up behind Halcyon’s spell. When it finally breaks through the spell, the seas and the weather rage. Halcyon’s living sea dragon ship is tossed and thrown about on the rough waves. Captain Olden asks Halcyon to check the dragon’s heart chamber, to make sure no seawater has touched the heart. Just as Halcyon enters the heart chamber, he sees an officer run out of the other entrance. Halcyon studies the dragon’s heart and finds that blast-gel—a gel that is used as gunpowder—has been rubbed all over the dragon’s hot, beating heart. He knows that the heart could explode in seconds, killing the dragon that keeps the ship afloat! What should Halcyon do? Who is the saboteur of the ship? Will Halcyon be punished for his well-meaning fair-weather spell that has brought such woe and pain to the sea dragon and its crew? Read Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe to find out!

I really liked Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe. I think that it could have used less profane language, but then again, it is a story with sailors in it! The best part of the book was when Halcyon learned that he could talk to sea dragons, which helps him form a bond with his ship. Since this is a sea-adventure book, I would recommend it to anyone who liked Treasure Island or who enjoys stories of adventure and peril in general and at sea.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Saugerties, NY USA