by Shelley Hrdlitschka
Summary:
Celeste has only known life on the compound. She's always known that once the prophet decided who she was to marry she would have to, even if it was to an older man with many wives. But Celeste wants more out of life, but to do so would mean turning her back on everyone she's known forever.
Review:
A well timed novel, due to the high interest in polygamist sects these days, this book is about a young woman struggling to reconcile her desires with everything she's been taught. Celeste ultimately does seek freedom, but it takes her losing almost every part of herself first. It's a good read for anyone curious into the lifestyle, believable even though it makes you want to just grab some of the characters and make them see reason.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Showing posts with label Sisters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sisters. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
The Originals
by Cat Patrick
Summary:
Lizzie, Ella, and Betsy thought they were identical triplets. But when they discover that they are actually clones of another girl, more of their life starts to make sense. Like the fact that they divide the day into thirds, and all share one life in public as "Elizabeth." They've never questioned it, trusting their mother and her plan to keep them safe. But then the girls start to fall for boys, and not the same ones, and the careful divided life they've lived starts to break apart around them.
Review:
This is not a book that debates the merits or demerits of cloning, but instead looks at the process only as far as if affects the three girls. They are three individuals who are not different than anyone else, but they share the same genetic makeup. It is an interesting commentary on how even in someone with the same makeup different traits become more noticeable. The book is interesting and definitely believable. It has a little romance, thrill, and science fiction wrapped into a quick summer read.
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Level: 7th Grade
Summary:
Lizzie, Ella, and Betsy thought they were identical triplets. But when they discover that they are actually clones of another girl, more of their life starts to make sense. Like the fact that they divide the day into thirds, and all share one life in public as "Elizabeth." They've never questioned it, trusting their mother and her plan to keep them safe. But then the girls start to fall for boys, and not the same ones, and the careful divided life they've lived starts to break apart around them.
Review:
This is not a book that debates the merits or demerits of cloning, but instead looks at the process only as far as if affects the three girls. They are three individuals who are not different than anyone else, but they share the same genetic makeup. It is an interesting commentary on how even in someone with the same makeup different traits become more noticeable. The book is interesting and definitely believable. It has a little romance, thrill, and science fiction wrapped into a quick summer read.
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Level: 7th Grade
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
If You Find Me
by Emily Murdoch
Summary:
Casey can only remember her life in the woods. She takes care of her younger sister, makes them meals out of what little food their mother has left behind each time she leaves, and keeps them clean and out of trouble. Until the day that a man and a woman come in search of them. A man who claims to be Casey's father. Suddenly both girls find themselves living not in a broken down trailer but in a house with a father, stepmother and a stepsister. As their mother's past comes to light Casey is left to struggle with her own secrets, secrets that might destroy the little happiness she and her sister have ever had.
Review:
Murdoch has created an extremely powerful and impressive book. Casey is a strong, resilient character. Both mother to her sister yet fiercely independent, she struggles to rely on someone else to provide for them. It's a haunting story of how mental illness can destroy a family, and an impressive look at how one girl emerges from such pain. A very well written story with a lot of facets to it. Definitely a good read for teens into realistic fiction.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10th Grade
Summary:
Casey can only remember her life in the woods. She takes care of her younger sister, makes them meals out of what little food their mother has left behind each time she leaves, and keeps them clean and out of trouble. Until the day that a man and a woman come in search of them. A man who claims to be Casey's father. Suddenly both girls find themselves living not in a broken down trailer but in a house with a father, stepmother and a stepsister. As their mother's past comes to light Casey is left to struggle with her own secrets, secrets that might destroy the little happiness she and her sister have ever had.
Review:
Murdoch has created an extremely powerful and impressive book. Casey is a strong, resilient character. Both mother to her sister yet fiercely independent, she struggles to rely on someone else to provide for them. It's a haunting story of how mental illness can destroy a family, and an impressive look at how one girl emerges from such pain. A very well written story with a lot of facets to it. Definitely a good read for teens into realistic fiction.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10th Grade
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Shadowlands
by Kate Brian
Summary:
Rory was the first girl who escaped serial killer Steven Nell. Now, hidden by the FBI with her family as they try and track him down, she has to pretend that everything is ok. That she's not terrified every time she steps outside. That she's not plagued with visions of what could happened. But their new community might not be as safe as they had hoped. When Rory starts to hear Nell saying her name in crowded rooms, and finding his things outside their new house, she realizes that maybe no where at all is safe enough to protect her.
Review:
The first of a planned trilogy, Shadowlands is excellently written. The engaging plot grabs the reader from the get go. Rory and her family have already dealt with heartbreak (her mother died of cancer a few years before) and this new incident seems to highlight everything that is wrong with her family now. Rory and Darcy are great characters, very realistically portrayed sisters who get along but also don't. I saw the the twist at the end coming, but it was a little different than I expected. Overall a great read for teens that like suspense stories.
Genre: Suspense
Age Level: 10th Grade
Summary:
Rory was the first girl who escaped serial killer Steven Nell. Now, hidden by the FBI with her family as they try and track him down, she has to pretend that everything is ok. That she's not terrified every time she steps outside. That she's not plagued with visions of what could happened. But their new community might not be as safe as they had hoped. When Rory starts to hear Nell saying her name in crowded rooms, and finding his things outside their new house, she realizes that maybe no where at all is safe enough to protect her.
Review:
The first of a planned trilogy, Shadowlands is excellently written. The engaging plot grabs the reader from the get go. Rory and her family have already dealt with heartbreak (her mother died of cancer a few years before) and this new incident seems to highlight everything that is wrong with her family now. Rory and Darcy are great characters, very realistically portrayed sisters who get along but also don't. I saw the the twist at the end coming, but it was a little different than I expected. Overall a great read for teens that like suspense stories.
Genre: Suspense
Age Level: 10th Grade
Monday, March 11, 2013
Three Black Swans
by Caroline B Cooney
Summary:
It all started because Missy's science teacher gave them the assignment to create a hoax. Because Missy thought it would be a great idea to convince everyone that her cousin Claire was actually her identical twin. They'd been told forever how much they looked alike, so they'd be able to convince people easily. But when they do, and when even their closest friends can't tell them apart, they realize that maybe they've stumbled onto more than just a coincidence. Maybe they've stumbled onto a secret that their family has been trying to conceal for years.
Review:
As a big fan of Cooney's other works, I was excited to try one of her newer books. Unfortunately this did not live up to my expectations. The story itself is good, if a bit predictable, but the writing itself seemed like it was trying to hard. The characters were not well developed, or not well developed as modern teens. The book read too much like something that was written years ago but someone tried to modernize but didn't know what was really happening at the time. Probably best for younger teens, since older ones will find the sanitized characters too bland.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 6th Grade
Summary:
It all started because Missy's science teacher gave them the assignment to create a hoax. Because Missy thought it would be a great idea to convince everyone that her cousin Claire was actually her identical twin. They'd been told forever how much they looked alike, so they'd be able to convince people easily. But when they do, and when even their closest friends can't tell them apart, they realize that maybe they've stumbled onto more than just a coincidence. Maybe they've stumbled onto a secret that their family has been trying to conceal for years.
Review:
As a big fan of Cooney's other works, I was excited to try one of her newer books. Unfortunately this did not live up to my expectations. The story itself is good, if a bit predictable, but the writing itself seemed like it was trying to hard. The characters were not well developed, or not well developed as modern teens. The book read too much like something that was written years ago but someone tried to modernize but didn't know what was really happening at the time. Probably best for younger teens, since older ones will find the sanitized characters too bland.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 6th Grade
Saturday, January 26, 2013
The Opposite of Hallelujah
by Anna Jarzab
Summary:
Carolina has been essentially an only child since she was 8 years old, when her older sister Hannah decided to enter the convent. Now, 8 years later, Hannah decided to leave the convent and come home. It's not that Carolina doesn't want her there, but having a virtual stranger move into her house her junior year is not ideal. Besides the fact that none of her friends even know she has a sister (because you try explaining that your sister is a nun and you barely remember her because it's been so long since you've seen her). Yet as Hannah moves back in, it becomes apparent to everyone that everything isn't quite right with her. Carolina is about to find out that old secrets have a way of coming to light, and that it's always better to face things head on rather than try and bury them in the past.
Review:
I really enjoyed Jarzab's book. Carolina is both bratty and compassionate, dealing with the stress of being an overachieving high school student and having her home life completely thrown upside down. It's easy to think that she's in the wrong most of the time, but as you get to know her you really feel for her situation, it would be really hard to live most of your life with no sister then have one thrown at you and be expected to be best friends with her immediately. I thought that Hannah's situation could have been talked about more, the end was a bit 'here's all the problems ok now we move forward' but overall it was good. Definitely a good read for teens who are a bit more spiritual. It's a good balance of religion and fiction, making it appealing to a broad audience. I really liked that it questioned a lot of beliefs and had Carolina really looking at her life.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Summary:
Carolina has been essentially an only child since she was 8 years old, when her older sister Hannah decided to enter the convent. Now, 8 years later, Hannah decided to leave the convent and come home. It's not that Carolina doesn't want her there, but having a virtual stranger move into her house her junior year is not ideal. Besides the fact that none of her friends even know she has a sister (because you try explaining that your sister is a nun and you barely remember her because it's been so long since you've seen her). Yet as Hannah moves back in, it becomes apparent to everyone that everything isn't quite right with her. Carolina is about to find out that old secrets have a way of coming to light, and that it's always better to face things head on rather than try and bury them in the past.
Review:
I really enjoyed Jarzab's book. Carolina is both bratty and compassionate, dealing with the stress of being an overachieving high school student and having her home life completely thrown upside down. It's easy to think that she's in the wrong most of the time, but as you get to know her you really feel for her situation, it would be really hard to live most of your life with no sister then have one thrown at you and be expected to be best friends with her immediately. I thought that Hannah's situation could have been talked about more, the end was a bit 'here's all the problems ok now we move forward' but overall it was good. Definitely a good read for teens who are a bit more spiritual. It's a good balance of religion and fiction, making it appealing to a broad audience. I really liked that it questioned a lot of beliefs and had Carolina really looking at her life.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Breathe My Name
by R. A. Nelson
Summary:
Frances has worked hard to forget her past. Her parents, her friends, her life now are what matters. But when she receives a letter telling her her birth mother has been released from jail, she is forced to remember the past. The past where she had 3 little sisters. The past where her mother murdered them, and tried to murder her too. It was only luck that someone heard her yelling, luck that she survived where her sisters didn't. But when her mother writes to her, telling Frances she needs to finish what was started, Frances realizes the only way she is going to be able to move on from her past is to confront it face to face.
Review:
A fast paced psychological thriller, Breathe My Name is a hard hitting book about one girls struggle to move on from a horrific event. The book does an excellent job of discussing mental illness in relation to the mother and the crimes she commits. The reader is left guessing her motives for contacting Frances until the very end, where a plot twist upends most of the readers assumptions. It's a great book for teens who like thrillers, but best for slightly more mature teens since the subject is pretty dark.
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Age Level: 9th Grade
Summary:
Frances has worked hard to forget her past. Her parents, her friends, her life now are what matters. But when she receives a letter telling her her birth mother has been released from jail, she is forced to remember the past. The past where she had 3 little sisters. The past where her mother murdered them, and tried to murder her too. It was only luck that someone heard her yelling, luck that she survived where her sisters didn't. But when her mother writes to her, telling Frances she needs to finish what was started, Frances realizes the only way she is going to be able to move on from her past is to confront it face to face.
Review:
A fast paced psychological thriller, Breathe My Name is a hard hitting book about one girls struggle to move on from a horrific event. The book does an excellent job of discussing mental illness in relation to the mother and the crimes she commits. The reader is left guessing her motives for contacting Frances until the very end, where a plot twist upends most of the readers assumptions. It's a great book for teens who like thrillers, but best for slightly more mature teens since the subject is pretty dark.
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Age Level: 9th Grade
Friday, July 13, 2012
Tell Me a Secret
by Holly Cupala
Summary:
Rand never thought she would be one of those girls who ended up pregnant. She had been so focused on not being her sister Xanda, never mentioning her, never being like her, never saying that she was dead, that it wasn't even on her radar. She was going to go to art school, have a career, do great things. But now, living with her parents disappointment and lies, being ostracized in school by rumors that she was trying to trap the father into marriage, it's the memory of her sister that gets her through each day. A sister that she is finding out, wasn't what she had appeared to be in life. Who, in death, becomes what can bring them all together once the truth comes out.
Review:
Tell me a secret is a book about a truly dysfunctional family. With a mother only involved in her church, a father who buries himself in work, and a rebellious sister whose actions lead to her death, Rand is left virtually alone in a house where no one tells the truth if it's deemed too painful. The book is about the choices we make and the consequences that they have, the dangers of believing rumor and the need we have to cling to things we believe to be true. It's a good read for older tweens and teens, but it does talk about drinking and sex so is better for the slightly older crowd.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Summary:
Rand never thought she would be one of those girls who ended up pregnant. She had been so focused on not being her sister Xanda, never mentioning her, never being like her, never saying that she was dead, that it wasn't even on her radar. She was going to go to art school, have a career, do great things. But now, living with her parents disappointment and lies, being ostracized in school by rumors that she was trying to trap the father into marriage, it's the memory of her sister that gets her through each day. A sister that she is finding out, wasn't what she had appeared to be in life. Who, in death, becomes what can bring them all together once the truth comes out.
Review:
Tell me a secret is a book about a truly dysfunctional family. With a mother only involved in her church, a father who buries himself in work, and a rebellious sister whose actions lead to her death, Rand is left virtually alone in a house where no one tells the truth if it's deemed too painful. The book is about the choices we make and the consequences that they have, the dangers of believing rumor and the need we have to cling to things we believe to be true. It's a good read for older tweens and teens, but it does talk about drinking and sex so is better for the slightly older crowd.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9th Grade
Friday, June 15, 2012
Lost
by Jacqueline Davies
Summary:
Essie has always had a hard life. She's taken care of her younger sister since Zelda was born, and now works all day at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company to support both of them and her mother. But when Essie meets Harriet, the new girl at work, she is immediately intrigued. After all, why on earth would a well dressed, educated girl be working for $6 a day? Despite the secrets both keep they find friendship together, but tragedy works in mysterious ways. Neither is really who they appears, and neither have made it through life unscathed.
Review:
Set in the early 1900's, Lost seamlessly blends fiction and reality. Many aspects of the book are real, like the Triangle Shirtwaist Company and the terrible fire that happened there which changed fire code standards throughout the US. Essie is like thousands of workers at the time, struggling to remain a step beyond complete poverty and desperation but finding ways to live there. One of the most interesting twists of the book involves Essie and her sister Zelda, though Harriet and her heiress story is also quite intriguing. A good book for tweens who like historical fiction.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 7th Grade
Summary:
Essie has always had a hard life. She's taken care of her younger sister since Zelda was born, and now works all day at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company to support both of them and her mother. But when Essie meets Harriet, the new girl at work, she is immediately intrigued. After all, why on earth would a well dressed, educated girl be working for $6 a day? Despite the secrets both keep they find friendship together, but tragedy works in mysterious ways. Neither is really who they appears, and neither have made it through life unscathed.
Review:
Set in the early 1900's, Lost seamlessly blends fiction and reality. Many aspects of the book are real, like the Triangle Shirtwaist Company and the terrible fire that happened there which changed fire code standards throughout the US. Essie is like thousands of workers at the time, struggling to remain a step beyond complete poverty and desperation but finding ways to live there. One of the most interesting twists of the book involves Essie and her sister Zelda, though Harriet and her heiress story is also quite intriguing. A good book for tweens who like historical fiction.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 7th Grade
Friday, May 18, 2012
The Other Half of My Heart
by Sundee T. Frazier
Summary:
Keira and Minna aren't just best friends, they are twin sisters. They aren't completely alike, Keira is outgoing while Minna is shy, Minna loves to read but Keira isn't as gung ho about school. And well, Minna is white like her father, while Keira takes after their African American mother. But that never really bothered them until their grandmother enters them in the Miss Black Pearl beauty contest. As Minna learns what it's like to stand out as the only light skinned girl in the contest, she realizes that life hasn't always been that easy for her sister.
Review:
Frazier's novel addresses questions of prejudice and justice. Of what it is like to fit in and what it's like to be the only one like you. Both girls must learn to understand what it's like to be different, and of the importance of standing up for each other no matter what. The book is genuinely interesting and a good read for younger tweens.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 4-5th Grade
Summary:
Keira and Minna aren't just best friends, they are twin sisters. They aren't completely alike, Keira is outgoing while Minna is shy, Minna loves to read but Keira isn't as gung ho about school. And well, Minna is white like her father, while Keira takes after their African American mother. But that never really bothered them until their grandmother enters them in the Miss Black Pearl beauty contest. As Minna learns what it's like to stand out as the only light skinned girl in the contest, she realizes that life hasn't always been that easy for her sister.
Review:
Frazier's novel addresses questions of prejudice and justice. Of what it is like to fit in and what it's like to be the only one like you. Both girls must learn to understand what it's like to be different, and of the importance of standing up for each other no matter what. The book is genuinely interesting and a good read for younger tweens.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 4-5th Grade
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Want to go Private?
by Sarah Darer Littman
Summary:
Abby knew high school was going to be different than middle school, she just didn't expect everything to be so hard. Her best friend Faith is making new friends left and right, joining clubs and having fun, but Abby can't seem to find her place. Combined with parents who just ignore her and the most annoying little sister, it's no wonder she prefers to spend all her time online with her new friend Luke. She's never met him, in fact they met in a chat room on her favorite website, but he understands her more than anyone else. When she's fed up with everything he suggests they have a fun weekend together. He loves her after all, so Abby decides to meet him. But what happens when online fantasy changes to reality, what's actually real and what's not. For Abby it might be too late...
Review:
Want to go Private? is a story about the dangers of the internet, about the dangers that anyone who goes online is exposed to. Abby has been taught all about how to be safe on the internet, that she shouldn't give out personal information to people she doesn't know, but Luke slowly gains her trust and she is convinced she's doing the right thing by telling him her name, about her life, giving him her address. The book is a chilling reminder that even when someone knows the facts about something, all it takes is someone pushing the right buttons to get them to forget themselves. A really good read for older tweens and younger teens about the dangers of falling for a fantasy.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 7-8th Grade
Summary:
Abby knew high school was going to be different than middle school, she just didn't expect everything to be so hard. Her best friend Faith is making new friends left and right, joining clubs and having fun, but Abby can't seem to find her place. Combined with parents who just ignore her and the most annoying little sister, it's no wonder she prefers to spend all her time online with her new friend Luke. She's never met him, in fact they met in a chat room on her favorite website, but he understands her more than anyone else. When she's fed up with everything he suggests they have a fun weekend together. He loves her after all, so Abby decides to meet him. But what happens when online fantasy changes to reality, what's actually real and what's not. For Abby it might be too late...
Review:
Want to go Private? is a story about the dangers of the internet, about the dangers that anyone who goes online is exposed to. Abby has been taught all about how to be safe on the internet, that she shouldn't give out personal information to people she doesn't know, but Luke slowly gains her trust and she is convinced she's doing the right thing by telling him her name, about her life, giving him her address. The book is a chilling reminder that even when someone knows the facts about something, all it takes is someone pushing the right buttons to get them to forget themselves. A really good read for older tweens and younger teens about the dangers of falling for a fantasy.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 7-8th Grade
Thursday, February 23, 2012
The Two Princesses of Bamarre
by Gail Carson Levine
Summary:
Meryl has always been the more adventurous sister. The one who is anxious for adventures, loves sword fighting, and above all is always there to protect her sister Addie from trouble of any sort. But when Meryl falls sick with the plague, it is up to Addie to find the cure that could save her sister. But can Addie, who has never even had to get rid of a spider, face ogres or dragons or worse? Will she succeed in saving her sister, or will she end up dead too?
Review:
Gail Carson Levine is well known for her entertaining and feel good princess stories, and The Two Princesses of Bamarre does not disappoint. The story is well written, though predictable, with characters which will draw in girl tweens with their determination to be better than they are. The book even has a love story in it, making it a great choice for any princess tale loving girl.
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Age: 6-7th Grade
Summary:
Meryl has always been the more adventurous sister. The one who is anxious for adventures, loves sword fighting, and above all is always there to protect her sister Addie from trouble of any sort. But when Meryl falls sick with the plague, it is up to Addie to find the cure that could save her sister. But can Addie, who has never even had to get rid of a spider, face ogres or dragons or worse? Will she succeed in saving her sister, or will she end up dead too?
Review:
Gail Carson Levine is well known for her entertaining and feel good princess stories, and The Two Princesses of Bamarre does not disappoint. The story is well written, though predictable, with characters which will draw in girl tweens with their determination to be better than they are. The book even has a love story in it, making it a great choice for any princess tale loving girl.
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Age: 6-7th Grade
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Luxe
by Anna Godberson
Summary:
In the year 1899, the rules determining the behavior and conduct of New York's high society are strict and final. They have the power to make or break a young socialites standing. In a world where old money rules and new money has to make it's standing known, Luxe follows the lives of several of New York's finest bachelors and debutantes as they learn to decide which rules are worth following, and which are worth breaking.
Review:
Luxe is a historical fiction version of many popular tween books, like Pretty Little Liars. It is filled with intrigue, secret affairs, loves torn apart, and even a murder. The book is well written, drawing the reader in and painting extremely intriguing characters. It stays fairly true to realism in it's depictions of life at the dawn of the last century. The book is a great read for older tweens due to some of the more mature content about the characters love lives.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 9th-10th grade
Series: Book 1 of 4 (Luxe, Envy, Rumors, Splendor)
Summary:
In the year 1899, the rules determining the behavior and conduct of New York's high society are strict and final. They have the power to make or break a young socialites standing. In a world where old money rules and new money has to make it's standing known, Luxe follows the lives of several of New York's finest bachelors and debutantes as they learn to decide which rules are worth following, and which are worth breaking.
Review:
Luxe is a historical fiction version of many popular tween books, like Pretty Little Liars. It is filled with intrigue, secret affairs, loves torn apart, and even a murder. The book is well written, drawing the reader in and painting extremely intriguing characters. It stays fairly true to realism in it's depictions of life at the dawn of the last century. The book is a great read for older tweens due to some of the more mature content about the characters love lives.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 9th-10th grade
Series: Book 1 of 4 (Luxe, Envy, Rumors, Splendor)
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Princess of the Midnight Ball
by Jessica Day George
Summary:
There is a mystery in the palace in Westfalin. A mystery that no one has been able to solve. Though the twelve princesses are locked in their room every night, they manage to wear out their dancing slippers every third night without fail. Galen has served his country during it's long war, but now he has returned and is working in the palace gardens. As he meets and falls in love with the eldest princess, he realizes that he is the only one who might be able to discover the secret that the princesses keep. But will he be able to discover it before the princesses are ruined by the whispers of witchcraft and murder which surround them?
Review:
The Princess of the Midnight Ball is an entertaining retelling of the Grimm Brothers Twelve Princesses fairy tale. It is a quick read, but manages to be entertaining without being too silly, combines a love story with heroism, and pits good against evil. The book will be appealing to tweens of all ages who like a romantic but adventurous tale.
Genre: Fairy Tale
Age Level: 7th-8th Grade
Summary:
There is a mystery in the palace in Westfalin. A mystery that no one has been able to solve. Though the twelve princesses are locked in their room every night, they manage to wear out their dancing slippers every third night without fail. Galen has served his country during it's long war, but now he has returned and is working in the palace gardens. As he meets and falls in love with the eldest princess, he realizes that he is the only one who might be able to discover the secret that the princesses keep. But will he be able to discover it before the princesses are ruined by the whispers of witchcraft and murder which surround them?
Review:
The Princess of the Midnight Ball is an entertaining retelling of the Grimm Brothers Twelve Princesses fairy tale. It is a quick read, but manages to be entertaining without being too silly, combines a love story with heroism, and pits good against evil. The book will be appealing to tweens of all ages who like a romantic but adventurous tale.
Genre: Fairy Tale
Age Level: 7th-8th Grade
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Ballet Shoes
Ballet Shoes
A Granada production for the BBC
Publisher: Port Washington, NY : Distributed by Koch Entertainment, [2008]
Plot Description:
When her explorere uncle adopts three girls, Pauline, Petrova, and Posy, Syliva and her Nana struggle to bring them up and educate them with little funds. But these three girls are more talented than anyone could hope, and after they all are accepted at the Academy of Dance and Stage Training, they find that their dreams may one day be within reach. But as they struggle with their ambitions and disappointments, they each learn that with enough perseverance they can become more than they ever dreamed of.
Review:
A cute tale of three sisters coming into their own. Each girl has her own talent which she struggles to separate from the others. The movie is well acted with actresses that will be well liked by a tween audience, including Emma Watson. The movie highlights the importance of supporting your family and their dreams and hope in the face of adversity.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Viewing level: 4th-5th Grade
Similar Movies: The Company, Harry Potter
Reader’s Advisory:
Personal thoughts- cute for a younger audience
Subjects/themes- Ballet, Sisters, Acting, Family
Character names/descriptions-
Pauline- becomes an actress
Petrova- wants to fly planes
Posy- wants to become a classical ballerina
Annotation: If the only possessions your mother left you were a pair of ballet shoes, are you destined to become a ballerina?
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Penderwicks
The Penderwicks
Author: Jeanne Birdsall
Publisher: New York : Knopf : Distributed by Random House, c2005.
Plot Description:
The 4 Penderwick sisters, their father, and their dog Hound have decided to go somewhere new for vacation this year. But instead of the small cottage they expected to find, they find themselves on a beautiful property called Arundel. Here they get to explore the beautiful gardens and have wonderful adventures, and make a few new friends. But the owner of the estate, Mrs. Tifton, is nowhere near as lovely a person as her gardens. As the Penderwick sisters befriend her son Jeffrey, maybe they will learn to stay out of trouble, or maybe they will cause even more.
Review:
A really cute story about 4 very different sisters. The adventures they have together are both sweet and fun, and each sister brings a different perspective to the book, from responsible Rosalind to silly younger sister Batty. They have a strong sense of loyalty to their family and friends and help to change the lives of everyone they meet. I especially liked the meetings of the MOOPS and MOPS. A great story for mid-range tweens.
Genre: Fiction
Reading level: 4th-5th Grade
Similar Books: Aquamarine, Esperanza Rising
Reader’s Advisory:
Personal thoughts- Really cute story about sisters
Subjects/themes- Sisters, Family, Adventure, Fiction
Series information- Part of a series
Character names/descriptions-
Rosalind- the practical eldest Penderwick
Skye- known for he blue eyes, the feistiest of the sisters
Jane- a great writer who is constantly looking for new plots for her character, Sabrina Starr
Batty- the youngest sister, who never takes off her butterfly wings and loves
Hound
Jeremy- Mrs. Tifton’s son, who the Penderwick’s show how to have adventures
Cagney- the groundskeeper who Rosalind has a crush on
Annotation: Summertime brings all sorts of adventures to those who look for them.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Wish
Wish
Author: Alexandra Bullen
Publisher: New York : Point, 2010.
Plot Description:
Olivia didn’t always feel so alone. But after her twin sister dies, and her parents move her across the country, she can’t seem to find her footing again. Until she goes to get one of her sister’s dresses fixed. And the seamstress gives her back not the dress she dropped off, but a new one entirely. A dress that gives her one wish. What she unwittingly ends up wishing for helps her realize not only what she’s been missing in her life, but helps her reshape what her family has become.
Review:
While definitely written for an older audience, Wish has a fairy tale aspect which appeals to older tweens. The book centers on a tragic loss, one which, as Olivia says, makes everyone feel both bad for her and happy that they have never had something so horrible happen to them. It’s a book which, while it talks about underage drinking and has several parties where this happens, really is focused on how one girl and her family survive a terrible tragedy. It’s about remembering to appreciate what you have, and how to adjust when things change.
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Reading level: 9th Grade
Similar Books: Unearthly, Twilight
Reader’s Advisory:
Personal thoughts- Touching
Subjects/themes- High School, Loss, Sisters, Family, Wishing, Magic
Character names/descriptions-
Olivia- shy girl who is still coping with the loss of her sister
Violet- Olivia’s twin who died, was the more outgoing of the two
Calla- the most popular girl at Olivia’s new school who befriends her
Soren- Calla’s ex-boyfriend, and Olivia’s new love interest
Mariposa- Seamstress who gives Olivia a magical dress
Annotation: What would you wish for if you could have anything?
The Illustrated Mum
The Illustrated Mum
Author: Jacqueline Wilson
Publisher: London : Corgi Yearling, 2000.
Plot Description:
Dolphin’s mum Marigold isn’t like anyone else. She tends to forget to buy groceries, and spends their money on things they don’t need while forgetting to pay the telephone bill, but Dolphin loves her anyway. And she has her older sister Star to look after her when her mother forgets. But when Marigold reuinites with Star’s father, who isn’t Dolphin’s, their lives being to unravel. When Marigold ends up in the hospital, Dolphin finds herself alone and has to discover what’s really important in a family.
Review:
This book very examines mental illness from the perspective of a child who doesn’t really understand it. It shows a young girl who is both protected by an older sister from the harsh realities of the disease, and one who is forced to cope with it head on when her sister leaves for a chance at something better. It is well written and engaging, especially for girls.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading level: 5th-6th Grade
Reader’s Advisory:
Personal thoughts- an interesting and well written book about being different
Subjects/themes- Family, Mental Illness, Coping
Character names/descriptions-
Dolphin- dyslexic young girl who struggles with feeling alone
Star- Dolphin’s protective older sister
Marigold- Star and Dolphin’s manic depressive mother
Micky- Star’s father who reappears in her life to offer her a chance at a better one
Annotation: Sometimes being different is great, but sometimes it can just be miserable.
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