Tru & Nelle

Title: Tru & Nelle

 

Author: G. Neri

 

Summary: 6-year-old Nelle and 7-year-old Truman are living next to each other in Monroeville, Alabama. Nelle lives with her 2 older sisters, her father, and she also has a mother, who has some mental problems and is away getting treatment. Truman is living with his aunts and uncle, along with occasional, infrequent visits from his real, unreliable parents.

The two enjoy playing together, along with Big Boy (Jennings Carter, I think), and the two, who enjoy writing and telling stories and solving mysteries, create their own detective agency, with Truman acting as Sherlock Holmes, Nelle as Dr. Watson, and Big Boy as the Inspector.

With the case of a drugstore break-in, the three get on the case and go out on an adventure they will never forget.

 

Comments: I really, really enjoyed this book! Nelle Harper Lee is my favorite author (I have read both of her books) and it was interesting to learn about Truman Capote, though I have not read any of his literature works yet. Now I want to, though! :)

The story felt very real, and I really did feel as though I was taken into their lives, even if some of the scenarios in the book and some of the storylines were fictional. It was very similar to Scout, Jem, and Dill, when the three main characters (Big Boy, Nelle, and Truman) got together in the book, which is what I really hoped for.

I think that the book could probably be suitable for all readers, and even for younger children who have not yet read the writings of these two authors, the book would be interesting and a clean, fun, small-town mystery. There are a few scenes with the KKK, which could be scary or inappropriate for very young readers, so maybe 8+ could be suitable too. In the scenes with the Klan, no one gets physically hurt, and nothing really happens, and it should not change anyone's opinion on the book either.

It was a wonderful story and I enjoyed reading it very, very much. 

 

Rating: 5 stars!!!!

The Children of the King

Title: The Children of the King

 

Author: Sonya Hartnett

 

Summary: Cecily and Jeremy are two young siblings growing up during WWII. As the war breaks out and becomes harsher, Cecily, Jeremy, and their mother are sent off to Uncle Peregrine's house in the English countryside. Along with an English refugee girl they adopt, May, the family travels there and begins to live in the mansion. Cecily and May do not get along well, but both girls make a haunting discovery in the woods behind the castle, and the story that Uncle Peregrine is telling them each night, may just be a clue as to what the discovery really is.

Comments: This was book was so beautiful. When I heard that it had won the Astrid Lindgren award, I could not pass up the chance to read it, because Pippi Longstocking is one of my favorite stories. The cover really drew me in as well. Covers have the ability to do that, don't they?
The book itself was nicely written, but I found it a bit hard to finish at the end, because I had guessed the little mystery of the discovered castle about halfway through the story, so there wasn't really anything left to spark my interest, except for the characters sorting out the mystery themselves.
It would be suitable for any readers really, I think. In fact, my sisters enjoyed it as a bedtime story. It is a great read-aloud, in my opinion.
Honestly, none of the characters are very likeable. Cecily is whiny and annoying and quite harsh with May and others around her. Jeremy tries to act older than he is, and instead of coming off as mature, he comes off as even more immature than at the beginning of the book. May does have an excuse to be upset, but I found her to be a little harsh and too quiet. However, May is hands-down the most likeable of the children, if you ask me.
The book is definitely worth a read, and there are even some interesting tales and history woven through the pages, which is always a bonus.

Rating: 4 stars

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Title: Pictures of Hollis Woods

 

Author: Patricia Reilly Giff

 

Summary: 12-year-old Hollis Woods is a troubled orphan who is staying with Josie, a nice woman, after Hollis ran away from a foster family that loved her so much that they planned to adopt her. Hollis is tough and she finds a good home with Josie, who is an artist. But as Josie's memory fails, Hollis is expected to be sent away to another foster family, because Josie is deemed unfit to care for Hollis anymore. So Hollis and Josie run off. But at their destination, they run into the people that Hollis may just need the most.

 

Comments: Ms. Giff is one of my favorite historical fiction authors, and this book, though more on the modern side, gave off such a classic air. It was short, as most of her books tend to be, yet it was just enough to get to know Hollis and travel alongside her on her unique journey. One for the Murphys remains my favorite "foster care" book, but this book comes in as a pretty close second.

It wrapped up a bit too nicely in the end, which I couldn't help but be a bit disappointed that it ended so perfectly. However, Hollis had a hard life, so I have no doubt that she really needed this happy ending and I am glad that she received it in the end.

I would recommend it for 8/10+ because nothing inappropriate really happens and there are some good role models in this book.

 

Rating: 5 stars

Belle Teal

Title: Belle Teal

 

Author: Ann M. Martin

 

Summary: Belle Teal, who lives with her grandmother and mother, is very excited to start 5th grade with her best friend, Clarice, and her sort-of friend, Little Boss. But the first day of school brings a lot of controversy with the recent integration of the schools. One of the black boys who comes to Belle Teal's school, Darryl, strikes up a friendship with Bell Teal, which gains her and Darryl a lot of bullying and attention. As Bell Teal gets through the first semester of the school year, she deals with her grandmother's fading memory, the new class bully, and all of the strange ideas that some of the children have about her being friends with Darryl.

 

Comments: I enjoyed this book. It was well written, as nearly ever Ann M. Martin book is (Any author whose name is behind the Babysitters Club, goodness, how could she ever write something I didn't enjoy? :P)

I would recommend it for 10+. It is great as introduction to the integration and civil rights era, and is suitable for younger children because while there are threats of things happening to Darryl and everyone, it is not like in other books of this era where people actually do get seriously hurt or killed.

All of the characters were likeable, even the bully, in the end, was somewhat okay, because of the tough time she had just recently been through.

 

Rating: 5 stars

Listening for Lions

Title: Listening for Lions

 

Author: Gloria Whelan

 

Summary: Young teen, Rachel Sheridan lives in Africa with her missionary parents, both doctors, who operate a hospital set up for the people in a poor area. When influenza breaks out, Rachel's parents die and she is put into the care of a scheming, evil couple. Forced to use a fake identity and be the subject of their biggest scheme, Rachel must go to England.

But Rachel is strong, and has a mind of her own, and with a lot of luck, she finds a new place that she can comfortably call home. 

 

Comments: I liked this book a lot. Rachel is likeable, and all of the antagonists are perfectly unlikeable. I feel like Rachel's parents died too suddenly, and that the book moved along a bit quick for my taste (I prefer long, drawn-out stories), but overall it was a good story and all of the information that was necessary was contained between the covers.

It was interesting to see Rachel go from this young 14 year old to this young lady really coming into her own and making Africa and the world a better place. I thought it was special to watch her grow up, even if not an excess amount of information was provided. 

I would say that the book is probably best for 12+, just because of the scheming, the death, etc. Also, Rachel really grows up in the book and is already a teen when the book starts, so it is most relatable for the 12+ age range, I think.

 

Rating: 4 stars 

Kepler's Dream

Title: Kepler's Dream

 

Author: Juliet Bell

 

Summary: 11-year-old Ella is spending the summer with her eccentric grandmother, whom she does not remember ever meeting, while Ella's mother undergoes serious treatment for her cancer. Ella is not looking forward to the summer; her grandmother is very strict, and the one person there Ella's age, does not even seem to be nice.

But her grandmother's favorite, most special book, goes missing, Kepler's Dream of the Moon, and Ella is determined to find it. Ella and the farmhand's daughter, Rosie, try to uncover just where the precious book is.

 

Comments: I enjoyed this book. The cover really drew me into the pages and the interesting, picturesque setting. I love the setting - it created the book and made it that much better for me. Ella is likeable, I suppose. I found her to be a little bratty about not having "wifi" and not being able to play on her phone or watch television. I could not relate, as I would love to spend just a day in a spot as interesting as where Ella spent her summer. However, her mother was undergoing a serious treatment and Ella's bratty behavior most likely came about from all the stress and worry she had built up inside of her.

The mystery was a good mystery, and well developed. I sort of guessed the result in the end, but that didn't really make a difference - the book was still good.

There wasn't really so much "iffy" content here, so I would probably rate this about a 10+.

 

Rating: 5 stars

Almost Home

Title: Almost Home

 

Author: Nora Raleigh Baskin

 

Summary: Leah Baer is a troubled young middle schooler. She has been moved around from household to household and parent to parent after her parents' divorce. At school, she meets a nice boy, and the two become friends. He encourages her to get involved with theater. Slowly, Leah makes her way through her problems.

Comments: I liked this book. Ruby on the Outside, one of Nora Raleigh Baskin's more recent works cannot be topped by any of her other books in my opinion, but her other available titles are still worth reading. (Though I suggest saving the best, Ruby on the Outside, for last :P)
This book is quick and short and there is one inappropriate word/scene in the book, so I would recommend the book for 10-12+.
There is not much for me to say about this book. It did not spark my interest or excitement as much as I had hoped that it would, and it did not leave me speechless and spellbound afterwards as some of my favorite books do. However, I do recommend it, because the book is by no means "bad" or "uninteresting", it just didn't spark my interest.

Rating 3 stars

What Every Girl (Except Me) Knows

Title: What Every Girl (Except Me) Knows

 

Author: Nora Raleigh Baskin

Summary: 12-year-old Gabby Weiss is just like any other middle school girl beginning to grow up. Gabby doesn't want to do that growing up without a mother, and she thinks that her father's girlfriend Cleo would make the perfect mother. Cleo thinks so too.
But then, one day, Cleo and her father break up. Gabby feels terribly alone, and feels as though Cleo, her once soon-to-be-stepmother has abandoned her. In her desperate search for a mother, Gabby goes about uncovering the mystery surrounding her real mother's death that is rarely talked about.

Comments: This book was okay. It was certainly a teen/tween book and probably most enjoyable and appropriate for a range between 10-13 years old.
Gabby is a good main character, but I didn't find her to be overly different or exciting. Her story was sad, and she was going through a lot of changes, and I would've liked her to just be a bit more vibrant.
 The mystery around her mother's death was interesting, but could be tragic or sad for young, less mature readers.
Overall, the book was, in my opinion, no where near as enjoyable as Ms. Baskin's Ruby on the Outside. However, for fans of that book, this book is similar in a very small sense, so I think that it is still worth reading. I definitely like Ms. Baskin's writing skills, but this book just doesn't have as much appeal as some of her other works.

Rating: 4 stars

Is It Night or Day?

Title: Is It Night or Day?

 

Author: Fern Schumer Chapman

 

Summary: In 1938, 12-year-old Edith, a Jewish girl, is sent away to America from her German village in the beginnings of the Holocaust. The only problem is that none of her family can come with her on the journey, however she does already have one sister awaiting her in America.

Life in America is hard, and each day, Edith struggles to raise money to buy the passes for her family to join her. The uncle and aunt she is staying with are rather unkind to her, though she develops an understanding with her cousin.

The book takes Edith over the course of about 4 years, and throughout those years, Edith grows and learns to adjust to life in her new country; America.

 

Comments: I loved this book. What I especially liked, is that this book is based off of the true story of Fern Schumer Chapman's own mother. How amazing is that?

Edith is likeable and her situation is saddening. Every step of the story, the reader will be cheering and rooting for her as she makes it through her extremely difficult journey.

This book has so much to offer. Edith grows so much over the 4 years. She travels from childhood to adulthood. Even in her different and tough situation, she has a lot of the same interests and insecurities as regular teens do, even in today's day. This makes Edith a very relevant and relatable main character.

This book would be best enjoyed by someone in the 10-12+ age range; a child who knows and understands the events of this time, can handle tragedy, and is able to handle a rather heavy yet hope filled book.

As much as I love this story, and as much as I would recommend it to everyone, I do wish that it had been longer in some parts and maybe a bit more detailed. It seemed to me like Edith's years in America passed by over the span of just a few chapters. I would've liked a longer book, or maybe even a trilogy series so that I could have more information rather than short snippets from her life over her years in America. Perhaps this was not a possibility in the publishing of the book, and either way, it does not matter because I am totally pleased with this story.

I felt a sort of connection to this book, though I can't exactly place my finger on why I did feel that way. I think it has a lot to do with this being a true story, and it also has a lot to do with the heartfelt writing of the author.

 

Rating: 5 stars!!!

 

 

A Year Without Autumn

Title: A Year Without Autumn

 

Author: Liz Kessler

 

Summary: Jenni Green and her best friend Autumn are on their annual vacation with their families. They are so excited to go swimming, horse riding, museum touring, and maybe a daring adventure or two. But one day, Jenni decides to use an abandoned elevator in the vacation building and she steps off the elevator to find herself a year forward in her life. As if it isn't scary enough to jump a year forward, Jenni sees the haunting events that will happen throughout the year. Jenni realizes that she must change the past to save the future.

 

Comments: This book was certainly captivating - it was a page turner. Sure, it was maybe a little predictable and it only took me about an hour and a half to read, but the book had the power to keep me reading from the beginning to the end in all one sitting.

The tragedies that happen over the course of the future that Jenni sees are rather drastic and tragic too. (Brother tragically injured, divorce, new sibling. etc. - I don't want to spoil the book) This book is a book that I could probably recommend for 8+, though the tragic health injuries can be scary at points for young readers.

 

Rating: 5 stars

The Red Umbrella

Title: The Red Umbrella

 

Author: Christina Diaz Gonzalez

 

Summary: 14-year-old Lucia Alvarez, growing up during the communist revolution, lives a carefree life with her parents and little brother. Her days consist of gossiping with her fashionable friend Ivette and dreaming of the dance and her 15th birthday party (a special celebration in her culture).

But it all changes once Ivette and other friends of Lucia begin to join the revolution clubs for children. Soon Lucia's friends are becoming more and more brainwashed into believing that the revolution is right. But Lucia's parents still disagree.

Then, the situation becomes even more dangerous and Lucia and her brother are shipped away to live in America until their parents can come retrieve them after the revolution or whenever they can get away.

The 2 of them move into a little Nebraska farming community and slowly make a life for themselves. Lucia starts high school and makes a true friend, and their foster parents are very nice and treat them like their own.

But then, something happens to Lucia's father and Lucia and her brother fear that they may never see their parents in America.

 

Comments: I liked this book and it was an enjoyable yet quick-paced read. For the readers who enjoyed I Lived on Butterfly Hill, this book will probably hit the spot. The book seems like it could be classified as almost more of a teen book, Lucia after all begins to drive in the book, grow to be a young lady, and there are also some more mature themes when Ivette's letters from her revolution experiences come into the story.
Lucia is a likeable girl and her character definitely grows throughout the story, in a rather pleasing way. I was quite impressed with the amount of time that Ms. Gonzalez could cover in this story, without making the story feel rushed in the least bit.
I would recommend this book for 12+, because there are some more mature themes, and there is also one time when while learning English, Lucia accidently says a cuss word instead of the word "beach" (I'll leave you to guess where that goes), but it is said by mistake of course.
I enjoyed this book, but for younger children just being introduced to this idea, I recommend I Lived on Butterfly Hill and then The Red Umbrella once the reader is a little older.

Rating: 5 stars

Willow Run

Title: Willow Run

 

Author: Patricia Reilly Giff

 

Summary: 11-year-old Margaret "Meggie" Dillon's life in the sleepy town of Rockaway in 1944, is turning upside down. Meggie's family, especially her grandfather, are being threatened by neighborhood boys who are suspicious of the Dillon family because of Grandfather's German accent. Then, Meggie's father accepts a job in Willow Run, and the whole family - except Grandfather - moves away. In Willow Run, the tiny homes are dirty and dark and the factory work is hard on both of her parents. On top of it all, Meggie misses her brother Eddie, who is overseas fighting.
Slowly Meggie makes a place for herself in Willow Run. She meets two friends, Harlan and Patches. They engage in many interesting adventures - including stealing ice cream from the ice cream truck (I am sure that Ms. Giff does not endorse this idea).

But one day, Eddie goes missing overseas. Her family mourns and also prays for him to be found safely.

During her stay in Willow Run, Meggie slowly begins to grow up and learn to keep her hope up for her family and most of all, her missing brother.

 

Comments: I really enjoyed this book. It pairs with Lily's Crossing quite nicely, yet it is a great stand-alone novel too. Readers do not need to know one book to enjoy the other in this case. I enjoyed this book even more than Lily's Crossing, I think, though the Rockaway landscape was a nice background in the Lily book.

Ms. Giff really does it again with this great work of historic fiction. Reading work by this author is always a treat, because I can always count on the story to be good - even if not each story is my favorite - the story is still always a worthwhile read.

Meggie is a likeable character, and I can just imagine her in this real situation in real life. Often times, Ms. Giff's books really have that power.

I recommend this book for 8+, or any children who know about WWII already and would not be confused by the reasons for Meggie moving or for Sam's missing notice.

I almost want a sequel (though this book was written a decade ago). I want more of Meggie Dillon's life!

 

Rating: 5 stars

Lily's Crossing

Title: Lily's Crossing

 

Author: Patricia Reilly Giff

 

Summary: Lily Mollahan, age 11, is excited to be staying in Rockaway vacation house for the summer of 1944. But things turn upside down as soon as she gets there. Her best friend, Margaret Dillon has to move because of the war, Lily's father joins up to fight in the war, and a refugee boy, her age, Albert, comes from Hungary to stay with neighbors.

Lily settles into life in Rockaway - though things are not easy living with her Gram. She slowly befriends Albert, but their friendship is challenged when Lily's notorious lying ways cause both children to possibly get hurt.

Comments: I love Patricia Reilly Giff so much. R My Name is Rachel is definitely on my list of all-time favorite historical fictions from the Depression Era.
This book was good too, but not my absolute favorite. Lily is a character with a lot of flaws and a lot of good intentions as well. She lies and makes up grand stories about aunts spying in Germany, her father being in the Secret Service, etc. However, Lily is also a kind girl and she doesn't lie to hurt people (Not that it makes the lies right, but it may make a slight difference). In the end, she does learn her lesson, and slowly grows up a bit.
I do wish that Gram and Lily would've grown a bit more in their relationship. Gram was never very unkind to Lily; Gram was just a bit sensible and stern, which flighty Lily did not like. However, in the end, Lily began to see past their differences and began to realize her love for Gram a bit more. I would've liked more of a relationship growth though.
I really like that this book partners with Willow Run, another book by Ms. Giff.
The book seems suitable for 8+, but would probably be most enjoyed by children who understand WWII and why Albert and his sister were refugees, etc.
The ending chapter where it skips to the next summer. Oh it was so well-written. Not too deep, but not light and anti-climatic either. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but I must admit that it nearly brought tears to my eyes.

Rating: 5 stars

Turtle in Paradise

Title: Turtle in Paradise

 

Author: Jennifer L. Holm

 

Summary: In 1935, 11 year old Turtle has been sent to live in Key West with her cousins and aunt and uncle. She has never met them before - she has never even been to the town before, but once she gets there, things start out rough. Her cousins and their friends - all boys - do not take very kindly to her at first, but after a few days, tension eases and they slowly begin to accept her into their babysitting club. Turtle is beginning to make a new life for herself - she meets her grandmother for the first time, and is the only one who can seem to reach her, and she begins to feel at home. But then, Turtle discovers a treasure map and ventures away with the boys to find the treasure, just as Turtle's mother and suspicious boyfriend Archie show up in town.

 

Comments: I tried to read this book several years ago and I could not make it through the first 3 chapters. I decided that I had not given it a fair chance, and with a clearer understanding of the time that it was set in, I decided to pick it up once more. I am so glad that I did! The story is great and Turtle has something special to offer. Turtle is spunky and a hardcore girl. But the theme in the book is that "turtles may have a hard shell, but they have a soft underside." This is rather true in Turtle's case.

I would recommend this book to anyone 8+, but I read it around age 9 or 10 and could not really get into the story, so perhaps 10+ would be best. Really there isn't anything so "iffy" in the book, so the age doesn't matter.

I am so glad I gave this wonderful book a second chance!

 

Rating: 5 stars 

Cold War on Maplewood Street

Title: Cold War on Maplewood Street

 

Author: Gayle Rosengren

 

Summary: Joanna is growing up in 1962, and she feels that a lot of things are not fair for her. Her brother Sam joined up with the military and is now out on a ship somewhere far away -  a ship heading to Cuba. Joanna fears for her cherished, only brother's safety, and feels guilty about not writing him as part of a "promise" that she made in the heat of anger when Sam left.

As well as her fears for her older brother's safety, Joanna also begins to worry about smaller things, like her strange neighbor, staying home alone, the boy-girl party coming up on Saturday night at the popular girl's house, and other middle school worries. As her world seems to turn upside down during the Cuban missile crisis, Joanna must stay strong, for her mother, and most of all, her brother Sam.

 

Comments: I really enjoyed this book. It is based off of the author, Ms. Rosengren's personal childhood experiences, which I find to be quite interesting.

Joanna is realistic and relatable on many levels - she is a character that can be put into any time period and still work. Her worries and insecurities are all very typical for a girl of her age, and that is part of what makes her likeable.  

The story is short and powerful, yet not the sort of powerful that makes the reader cry or anything. The book carries just the right amount of power for a reader, and I think that the book could be suitable for 8+, but most likely best understood by those 10+.

Joanna and Sam's relationship is very sweet, even if it does have its ups-and-downs, and I always enjoy seeing positive sibling relationships in literature.

 

Rating: 5 stars

 

The Girl in the Torch

Title: The Girl in the Torch

 

Author: Robert Sharenow

 

Summary: In the early 1900s, 12 year old Sarah and her mother immigrate to Ellis Island after the death of Sarah's father. On the trip to Ellis Island, Sarah's mother gets sick and then dies soon after. Sarah is set to be sent back to her home country, but jumps off the boat and swims to the Statue of Liberty Island.

She hides from everyone for a while, but is eventually found and is taken in by an island guard, Maryk. She finds her place, working for a nice Chinese woman who runs a boarding house. But when the boarding house owner and occupants are all arrested over suspicion of running a slave ring, and Sarah is left alone. When it is said that she must return to her country, Sarah and the friends that she has made help her find out how to stay in America.

 

Comments: This book is just so wonderful that I could hardly even sum it all up in the small summary I gave above. Sarah is just a character that is easily loveable - her determination to make a life for herself in America and her bravery. She grew so much throughout the book.

All the characters were well rounded and developed.

The history was my favorite part, I enjoy stories about Ellis Island and immigration - mostly because well-written books about those subjects are few and far between, it seems.

In the author's note, Mr. Sharenow writes that he did change a few things in history - he took an artistic license of sorts. I appreciate that he told the readers that, I feel like not every author would have been able to say that they did that.

The ending where the book skipped to years later...Oh that was just so great!

This book is in the running for one of my favorite books in 2016, I think.

 

Rating: 5 stars!

Yankee Girl

Title: Yankee Girl

 

Author: Mary Ann Rodman

 

Summary: In 1964, Alice Ann Moxley and her parents have moved to Jackson, Mississippi from Chicago, because of her father's FBI-agent job. Alice is called "Yankee Girl" and the group of girls in her grade are not exactly welcoming. Her only sort-of-friend is her next door neighbor who is also a boy and does not want to really be seen hanging out with a girl.
Alice is surprised to see that a negro girl, Valerie Taylor - whose father is the Reverend Taylor, is going to go to her school and be in her class. Her parents tell her to be nice to Valerie, but Alice is swept up in the other girls in her class, who do not like Valerie and are against integration; like most of those that Alice knows in the south.

But then something tragic happens to Valerie and at the last minute, Alice longs to set things right.

 

Comments: I had been wanting to read this book for such a long time, and I am so happy that I finally got to read it. My all time favorite book based in this era in history is The Lions of Little Rock. So of course, I had very high standards while reading this book. All of that aside, I really did enjoy reading it. Alice seemed realistic, and unfortunately the mean girls in her class were realistic too.

I felt bad that Alice did not stand up for Valerie, even when Alice knew deep inside that it was the right thing to do. I suppose this made the book more realistic, and then at the end, at the new school when she met Valerie's cousin, she was granted a new chance to do the right thing.

The one piece of information that sealed the deal was reading the author's note and hearing that this book was based off of the author's life. I love books like that - and hearing that put the whole book in a new light.

There are some rather tragic events in this book, yet I think that a mature 10 year old would be okay reading it - maybe 12+ because then the book would be better understood.

 

Rating: 5 stars 

Hold Fast

Title: Hold Fast

 

Author: Blue Balliett

 

Summary: Early and her family (Sum & Dash her parents, and her little brother Jubie) live in a small apartment, and while they are not rich in money, they are all very rich in love. The whole family enjoys quotes and words and reading, especially her father who even works at a library.
Then one day, Dash goes missing and is suspected of committing a crime.
With a link of their family missing, Early, Sum, and Jubie fall into even harder times. Overnight they lose their home and are thrust into the shelter system. Each of them struggles to survive, each wondering whether Dash will ever be found.

Comments: I enjoyed this book. I must admit that the cover and title did not quite appeal to me, but that does not matter - it is the content beneath that cover and title, and this content was quality for sure. The book did not peak my interest in the first few chapters, but at least 5 or 6 chapters in, I began to really enjoy the reading. I find some of the best books can end up like that.
Early was likeable, as was her little brother, and Early was truly remarkable in the way that she wanted to solve the mystery - to find Dash. The way she took matters into her own hands.
The mystery aspect of the story was great too - it was not so predictable. There were some scary parts, so I would recommend this for children 10+.

Rating: 5 stars  

The Great Good Summer

Title: The Great Good Summer

 

Author: Liz Garton Scanlon

 

Summary: It is summer vacation, and Ivy is home with her dad, worrying about her mother who has run away with a preacher, Hallelujah Dave, to the Florida Panhandle for the summer, to "grow more religious" but after not hearing from her for weeks, Ivy begins to wonder why she really left.

As Iris goes through her boring summer days, consisting of babysitting for a neighbor and going to the park to watch Paul Dobbs, a classmate, fly his model aircrafts.

But then the summer takes a turn for the better and less-boring. Ivy and Paul get together and begin hatching a plan to go and find Ivy's mother and to visit a space launch before the whole launching idea is put away for good. Together they escape to the Florida Panhandle and go on a wild adventure to find a missing mother and to fulfill a dream of seeing a spacecraft.

 

Comments: I liked this book a lot. I liked how the author was able to get across that Hallelujah Dave was a scam, without making it seem like all preachers are like that. I also like how Ivy was her own person and was not afraid to take an adventure, and I also liked Paul because he was not the totally stereotypical boy classmate. Another thing I liked was that Ivy and Paul never really got "romantic" with each other in that way - they were able to have a boy-and-girl friendship without any of that "love" stuff. :P That seems few and far between in a lot of books nowadays, so I was pleased.

The book would be great for 8+ probably, because other than the mother running away with the preacher (nothing inappropriate occurs, and Ivy's mother does indeed have every intention of coming home again), there is not really any "iffy" content to be had.

 

Rating: 5 stars

The Forget-Me-Not Summer

Title: The Forget-Me-Not Summer

 

Author: Leila Howland

 

Summary: 3 sisters, 12 year old Marigold, 11 year old Zinnia and Lily, age 5, are growing up in California, and living a very rich life. Marigold is a natural actress and a natural beauty too. She is noticed everywhere she goes - not only for her beauty, but also because she co-stars on a popular television show.

Zinnie is the middle sister with the kinky brown hair, stuck in her sister's shadow. She isn't a natural actress like Marigold and she doesn't really believe that she is good at much of anything. 

Zinnie and Marigold are not so very close - they are sisters and rivals after all. But when the girls are forced to spend the summer with their Aunt Sunny in a small beach town in Cape Cod, they slowly come together. Together the girls organize a talent show and the summer is full of surprises and lots of new excitement as the sisters go on their own journeys, leading them closer together.

 

Comments: I really enjoyed this book! Each sister is portrayed vividly, and even though each girl has her moments, they are all likeable. The beautiful shore and small town of Cape Cod were described so well that I felt like I was really there - no details were left out of any scene - it was like watching a movie as I read; I could envision everything clear as day.

The book is suitable for 8 or 10+. There are many lessons to be learned about a variety of subjects; first crushes, sister relationships, and learning to have a good time. There is a sister to appeal to every reader! While the book characters are slightly stereotyped (the pretty older actress sister, the overshadowed middle child, the angelic little sister), that doesn't make them less likeable in my opinion. Those stereotypes actually worked in this book.

Oh, and for fans of this amazing novel - a sequel to it is being published this year! Now that is something to look forward to!

 

Rating: 5 stars   

Sure Signs of Crazy

Title: Sure Sings of Crazy

 

Author: Karen Harrington

 

Summary: 12-year-old Sarah Nelson is a one-of-a-kind girl living with her father who struggles with alcohol related problems. As her summer project, she writes letters to her hero and ideal father, Atticus Finch, writes the definitions to unfamiliar words in her diary, and her closest friend is a plant.

But Sarah and her father are two people with a secret; Sarah's mother, is in a mental asylum/prison and has been since Sarah was only about 2. The case with Sarah's mother is so famous, that they are continuously moving once people find out who they are.

But this summer is different for Sarah. As she is growing up more and more, and beginning to get her first crush and maybe even friend-who-is-a-boy, Sarah longs for her mother more and more, and is saddened that she has no relationship with her. Sarah decides she wants to meet her. Sarah navigates towards her goal and tries to find answers, but with so much working against her, Sarah wonders if things will ever be the way she wishes they were.

 

Comments: This was a pretty good book. Sarah is likeable, though I feel she was in a hurry to grow up when in reality, she is only 12 - not even a teen yet.

Other than that, Sarah's story is heartfelt and is very realistic. From Sarah having to navigate the challenges of growing up, to having to wonder and wonder about her mother, who drowned her brother and attempted to drown her when Sarah was only years old.

I found it a little strange that Sarah was trying to pursue a relationship with a boy who was already much older than her.

But, I did like that her role model and her fictional hero is Atticus Finch. I am such a big fan of To Kill a Mockingbird and I am currently reading Go Set a Watchman, so I know how she feels about being close to a character from those wonderful classics. I enjoyed reading her letters and what she chose to write, and I feel like Sarah could've really been a real girl.

I would recommend this book to 11 or 12+, just because of the mental health themes, and some "girl" themes too.

 

Rating: 4 stars

The Question of Miracles

Title: The Question of Miracles

 

Author: Elana K. Arnold

 

Summary: 6th Grader Iris has just moved to Oregon, and positively hates it. There is always rain, she doesn't like her new school very much, but most of all, her best friend Sarah is not there with her. Sarah will never be with her; Sarah is dead.

As Iris continues to grieve the loss of her best friend, she slowly becomes friends with Boris, a rather socially awkward boy from her school. When Iris finds out that Boris is alive because of a miracle, she begins to wonder why her friend Sarah was not granted a miracle to help her live. Together, Boris and Iris search for answers.  

Iris slowly begins to settle in to her life in Oregon and learns to accept all that has happened.

 

Comments: This book was alright. Miracles are a touchy writing subject to begin with, because of all of the worldviews and different beliefs. I think that Ms. Arnold was able to write about this subject without showing way too much bias to one belief over the other.

Not too much happened in the book. I would've liked for there to be a little more excitement - maybe some more answers. Also, I would've liked for Boris to do even more than he did.

The book was good enough, and I would say that it should be appropriate for 10+, considering that there is some minor talk of death and health issues and stuff like that.

 

Rating: 4 stars

Camp of the Angel

Title: Camp of the Angel

 

Author: Aileen Arrington

 

Summary: 11 year old Jordan and her younger brother, Carson live with their Papa who enjoys drinking but is oftentimes quite abusive in a mental and physical way. Jordan tries desperately to hide the abuse from those around her at school and on the island, even though it is obvious that everyone around her is wondering. But when Jordan suspects her Papa of something very serious, will she have the courage to tell the authorities?

 

Comments: I enjoyed this book. While I could not directly relate to it, which I am grateful for, I still enjoyed reading it and Jordie and her brother are both likeable as are her Uncle Bob and Aunt Viv. The characters were not overly detailed but they were detailed enough to get the point of the book across and still make for a good story. Her Papa is the type that is very unlikeable, but at rare moments he shows a bit of kindness, which makes him more complex; thus making the book better.

This book is not overly descriptive of the abuse, and 8+ would probably be an okay age, but maybe 10+ depending on maturity. The book is a quick read and I finished it in 45 minutes.

The storyline with the white cat is a little weak and thrown-in and I think that storyline in general did not have enough time to go through the action and climax due to the shortness in length of this book.

While it is probably not going to make it on to my list of favorites, it was still worth reading.

 

Rating: 4 stars   

Moonpenny Island

Title: Moonpenny Island

 

Author: Tricia Springstubb

 

Summary: It's the start of 6th grade and things aren't going very well. Flor's best and only friend Sylvie has gone away to a fancy academy on the main land - off the tiny island that Sylvie and Flor have known forever. To make matters worse, Flor's parents are fighting more and more often and something strange is going on with her older sister Cecilia. When it seems like things are getting too much to bear, Flor meets a girl, Jasper, who is visiting the island with her scientist father to search for trilobites and other fossils. Jasper is very factual and a somewhat hard person; she is difficult to get to know. Jasper is more complex than what meets the eye, and slowly, the two girls become closer as situations on the island begin to slowly get solved.

 

Comments: This book was pretty good. The island reminded me of Rock Hall, MD, a place where I greatly enjoy spending my summers. It was a small island town and I could relate to it in a way. I liked the conflict in the book and I can't really complain about the story. It was pretty unique, I suppose. I just felt that the amazing setting deserved to have an exciting summertime mystery or something - rather than a school story about a dwindling friendship. I would've enjoyed learning more about the island, so maybe Ms. Springstubb will consider making this into a series of sorts - I'd love to see Jasper come back to the island while Sylvie is there. I wanted so badly to see one last face-to-face interaction with Sylvie before the book ended. While there was closure, I didn't feel like there was enough of it, but perhaps that will leave an opening for more books from Moonpenny Island.

Overall, it seems pretty appropriate for anyone ages 8+. Cecilia the older sister is suspected of doing something wrong and there are a few words in there that really could've been left out ("sexy" for example).

I would love to see a series called "Tales of Moonpenny" or something similar!

 

Rating: 5 stars