The Year of the Book!

Title: The Year of the Book

Author: Andrea Cheng

Summary: Anna Wang, a fourth grader, loses her only friend, Laura, to two girls named Allison and Lucy. Anna is lonely, and life is sort of hard. Her mother is still learning to speak English, she is struggling in Chinese school, has to go along with her mother to her job as a maid, and she misses Laura. Anna reads lots of books, and is one of the biggest readers ever, she also likes to sew drawstring bags and hats. Finally, Laura, who's parents are going through a really tough divorce comes to stay with the Wangs', Laura and Anna start to become friends again, and Allison and Lucy turn on Laura. Anna is happy by the end of the book and she finally gets her friend back, but still loves reading more than anything.

Comments: This was a really good book, but my only complaint is that it was too short - it took me 25 minutes to read, but it is a great quick, easy, fun, and interesting read. on the back of the book, it shows how to make a drawstring bag - I am definitely going to try it! :)

Rating: 5 stars!

Glitter Girls and the Great Fake Out!

Title: Allie Finkle Book #5: Glitter Girls and the Great Fake Out

Author: Meg Cabot

Summary: Allie is excited to find out that Uncle Jay is going to watch her brothers and her for the weekend, but is later disappointed when she finds out she has to go to Brittany Hauser's birthday party. At Brittany's party, they are going to sleep in a suite in New York City, go to Glitterati, and go out to Cheesecake Factory to eat. Allie doesn't get excited though, even after hearing of the extravagant limo that they will ride around in. Allie gets to the party and automatically doesn't like it. Finally, after a while, and a lot of trouble, Allie calls and desperately tries to get Uncle Jay to come pick her up.

Comments: This is one of my favorite Allie Finkle books. Allie Finkle is the type of girl who makes a very appealing series character. All of Ms. Cabot's writing about Allie and a girl of Allie's age - well, it is spot-on. Allie Finkle has for a long time been one of my series favorites.  

Ratings: 5 stars

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate!

Title: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

Author: Jacqueline Kelly

Summary: Calpurnia Tate (or Callie Vee as some people call her) is an 11 year old girl right at the turn of the century (1899). She is expected to learn proper cleaning, cooking, and other household chores that are proper for her to do, but instead, she enjoys spending time with her mysterious grandfather, who also love science. They become very close, and Calpurnia makes exciting new discoveries in science and experience growing up at the turn of a century.

Comments: This has remained one of my favorite books for a long time, and I still think it is. I love Callie Vee and her world is so interesting. From the silhouette of her on the cover, to the amazing story inside, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is, in my opinion, one of the greatest books ever.
There is a lot of science related stuff, which is appealing to lots of girls. Some of the science is a little Darwinism based, just to be warned. There are a few kind of "iffy" parts, so I'm going to rate this 10+.
 

Rating: 5 STARS!!!! MUST READ!

Smile!

Title: Smile

Author: Raina Telgemeier

Summary: Smile is a book about a girl named Raina (it is actually based off the author's real life story). Raina falls and knocks out her two front teeth (they are permanent teeth). She has to go through a lot of dental stuff, like fake front teeth, headgear, and a lot of other stuff. It also takes us through her life, and you are really taken inside her world and stay with her from sixth grade until she graduates from high school. She learns that some of her friends aren't so nice, and she also learns to be herself.

Rating: 5 stars

Comments: I didn't even realize that it was based of Raina Telgemeier's life, until about a month after I actually read the book! It all made sense when I realized that! I thought the book was also interesting in the fact that it took us through many years of Raina's life, not just a few years, or even a few weeks or months like some books. Also, the book is in a comic strip/cartoonish form, which I found very interesting.

 

Mia's Boiling Point

Title: Mia's Boiling Point

Author: Coco Simon

Summary: There is a new student in middle school, Olivia Allen. Mia knows what its like to be the new girl at a school, and Mia takes Olivia Allen under her wing. It is also a big plus when she finds out that Olivia cares as much about style as Mia does! Mia is so glad to have found a new friend, and has small tiffs with the Cupcake Club because they aren't fond of her. Mia soon realizes that they are right, when Olivia takes over Mia's locker, doesn't apologize for anything, starts hanging out with the BFC, and in a more serious incident where she doesn't return Mia's money that she spent on the decorations for Olivia's new locker.

Rating: 4 and a half stars

Complaints: I loved the book, and the conflict that was chosen was great, but I think that the part about Olivia never returning the money could give some kids "ideas".

Comments: It was a great book! I loved how a new character came onto the scene! It definitely made it super interesting and I didn't put it down!

 

Katie's New Recipe

                        

Title: Katie's New Recipe

Author: Coco Simon

Summary: Katie's life seems to be turned upside down when her mom gets a boyfriend, but then, things get even stranger when her dad emails her saying that he'd like to meet her. Katie isn't sure if she wants to meet him and most of the book is spent about her deciding on whether to go or not. The Cupcake Club helps her out with this tough decision, and Katie sees something that finally forces her to make a decision.

Rating: 5 stars

Complaints: None!

Comments: I think this was a great book. All the Cupcake Diaries books have been very interesting, but this one really opened up a whole new chapter of events. It was also interesting to learn Katie's thoughts on her father, and to learn about her father's background since he is mentioned so rarely in the other books.

Mia a Matter of Taste

Title: Mia a Matter of Taste

Author: Coco Simon

Summary: Mia thinks things are bad when she finds out she has to get braces, but when she finds out that she has to get glasses too, Mia feels as though she is falling apart. Thankfully, she persuades her parents to get her clear braces, which makes her feel better, but Mia is still worried about what people will think of her glasses. During her first days at school sporting her new look, Mia acts very self conscious, despite her Cupcake Club friends reassuring her that she looks great. Finally, by the end of the book, Mia realizes that she has a new look that she can  be proud of.

Rating: 5 stars.

Complaints: None.

Comments: I think this would make a great book for anyone who is about to get braces or glasses, and also anyone who has recently gotten them and has started having lower self confidents. This is a great edition to the Cupcake series (possibly my favorite series).