Nancy Drew Diaries: Secret at Mystic Lake

Series: Nancy Drew Diaries

Title: Secret at Mystic Lake

Author: Carolyn Keene

Summary: Nancy and her two friends, Bess & George are all embarking on a biking/hiking trip for George's birthday. Things start out alright, but quickly go downhill when things begin to go missing; including the hike leader!

There is nothing else to think except that someone in the group (the three girls are going with a group of different strangers) is to blame. With a few suspicious seeming characters in the group, everyone is quick to point fingers at who is doing it. However, it takes a while for even Nancy to figure just what is going on.

Comments: I stumbled upon this book in the "Mysteries" section. I realized it was by the actual Nancy Drew author and it seemed to be shorted and different and, on the cover, it seemed that Nancy Drew herself was dressed in very modern clothes! Could it be?

Yes! The Nancy Drew Diaries showcases a modern-day Nancy Drew.

It is a little strange, especially if you go from reading the 40/50s', Nancy Drew books, to reading about modern Nancy who is surviving the wilderness without *gasp* her smartphone.

I personally like the old, original Nancy Drew books and while these books were great and close replicas to the old ones, I can't help but feel that Nancy here felt a little forced. The books just seemed a little forced to me, even though I liked them, which sounds strange, but it is truly how I felt.

While the new approach is not necessarily my favorite, I do enjoy a good mystery and this one truly surprised me, so it was all good. I also think that it is good to recreate them for modern times because kids who prefer to read about modern kids like themselves can do so and still enjoy a classic Nancy Drew mystery. These are also suitable for younger children because they are much shorter than a formal classic.

The themes in the book were a tiny bit scary, like any mystery, but it was all very minor, so it would be suitable for early readers and up.

Complaints: None!

Rating: 5 stars

I Lived on Butterfly Hill

Title: I Lived on Butterfly Hill

Author: Marjorie Agosin

Summary: Celeste is living in Chile on Butterfly Hill in a very nice neighborhood. She has fun with her friends and enjoys helping her nanas around the house and going out to help the poor receive medical care with her parents, who are doctors. Life seems like it is pretty easy at first, but things take a turn for the worst when a war and disagreement breaks out in Chile, sending some of Celeste's friends and her parents fleeing to remote parts of Chile or other countries to go into hiding to save their lives.

Celeste is not in danger at first, but things grow more and more dangerous, so Celeste is sent away to Maine to live with her Tia (aunt) and finds things hard at first; she has to learn English, go to a new school, and winter and snow are foreign to her in such months. After about a year, she gets used to it and continues to live there for the next few years (she is there for about a total of 3 years). She ends up making friends, finding herself, and realizing her talent for cooking just about everything. Eventually, the chaos in Chile dies down, and Celeste is allowed to go home. Back at home, things are far from how they were. She meets up with some of her old friends but others are either still against her or missing. Her parents are missing as well and Celeste, with help, goes out to find them.

 

Comments: This book is so powerful. The story is deep, emotional, sad, and wonderful at the same time. Celeste's unfaltering bravery really touched me and her trust in faith really was a brave thing to see. She is a great role model because she wanted to help the poor, truly cared about her country and sought ways that she could make a difference for the better, she gave her family love, and it was very interesting to watch her grow from a 10 year old girl to a 14 year old girl and I felt like I grew up right along with her throughout the book (even though it only took me 3 hours to read XD).

The book has a few scary parts about the war and people "disappearing", and there are some violent sequences, but it is still an amazing book and I think that it would be very appropriate for kids 10+ (maybe younger if they are mature).

There are illustrations in this book, but it is in no means a "lower reading level" book and the illustrations are done tastefully and put in just the right places without bringing down the length or the hard words in the book. The illustrations are fun, good, and have a child-like whimsy to them, which I enjoy. (I am 13)

 In fact, the book is more like a "Spanglish" book (Spanish English mixture) and anyone could easily pick up on the wonderful cultures).  

This is a wonderful book and should be enjoyed by all.

Complaints: I felt like "Part #2" about her living in Maine was a bit rushed through and I felt like the 3 years there passed rather quickly for such a long time when a month could pass over a few chapters in other places. The book was already a little over 400 pages though, so I cannot complain about the length - it was perfect!

Rating: 5 stars!

 

I, Emma Freke

Title: I, Emma Freke

Author: Elizabeth Atkinson

Summary: Emma Freke is living with her mother and grandfather and grandfather's dog in an apartment above their bead shop. Her father walked out before she was even born and Emma's mother isn't attentive and is continuing to date men on and off and is usually out every night. Emma feels alone with her only friend being much younger and Emma already feels awkward because of her six foot height and her bright red hair.

For summer break, Emma is invited to a family reunion just for the "Frekes" (pronounced "Freak" though the family refuses to accept this and pronounces it "Freck"). Emma makes friends with some of her cousins that she has never met before and she begins to feel at home.

Towards the end of the book, there is closure for Emma as she meets her real father (a nice man) and realizes that she is happy to be a "Freke".

 

Comments: This is a short book really (It took me an hour to finish) and is a nice story about a girl struggling to fit in at home who goes on an adventure that boosts her confidence and she turns into a different girl (for the better). There really isn't anything in this book that could be seen as inappropriate except for the word "sex" that is written in the book once and it isn't brought into detail and doesn't allude to anything and there aren't innuendos. Some may not agree with the mother dating so many men and nearly forgetting about her daughter and using her as a servant. It could be seen, in some ways, as a controversial book, but I enjoyed it and did not let anything minor get in the way of reading. I would recommend it to kids 9-10+.

Rating: 5 stars!!!

The Mighty Miss Malone

Title: The Mighty Miss Malone

Author: Christopher Paul Curtis

Summary: Deza Malone is growing up in the 30s, right in the Depression. She is having a great life, with her brother Jimmy, her mother, and her father who she absolutely adores. She loves her teacher and her friend Clarice, and enjoys writing greatly.

One day, after her father is lost in a boating accident, things take a turn for the worst. Shortly after, he is found, alive, but things aren't the same. He is beaten down badly and the finances and money for the house is failing. He leaves to go find work, against the family's wishes, and Deza and her brother and mother are left alone to fend for themselves. They are eventually evicted and forced to travel around with no permanent home. Then, Jimmy is recognized for his amazing singing voice and is whisked off, leaving just Deza and her mother.

Things are turned upside down for about two years (the book covers these years) of Deza's life until finally, things seem like they may be able to get back to normal.

Comments: I liked this book. Deza is a great girl with a knack for writing essays for school and for figuring things out. She is very, very smart and I couldn't help but love her and her family. The book was sad continuously as any book about such a sad thing could be. There were a few graphic sequences describing the boating accident with her father, and a few horrors of what Deza is going through.

It isn't enough to scare anyone away from the book though, and honestly, with some of the crazy gruesome books out there (Hunger Games, etc.), this is really nothing when it comes to scary. It is a bit sad, but still an amazing book and I'd recommend it for 10+.

While the book was sad, it wouldn't have been as amazing or worked out any other way.

Complaints: None!
Rating: 5 stars

Rebel McKenzie

Title: Rebel McKenzie

Author: Candice Ransom

Summary: Rebel McKenzie started out excited for summer break, but her plans ended in disaster when she didn't have enough money to go to her Ice Age Kids Safari Dig summer camp. After a failed attempt at running away, her mom thinks that it would do her good to go help out her sister and nephew at their home (a trailer) for the summer.

So, Rebel is whisked off to be with her sister who is consumed with her cosmetology school tests and lessons, so Rebel and her nephew Rudy are left alone for most of the day. The park and surrounding areas are full of interesting people; Bambi, the beauty pageant queen (a young girl), Lacey Jane, the bully, and many other interesting people. When Rudy and Rebel come into a confrontation with Lacey Jane, the two girls slowly become friends of sorts.

The girls find out about a beauty pageant with cash prizes and Rebel wants to enter, and Lacey Jane agrees too. With a little help, they prepare for the pageant, practicing how to walk, the answers to pageant questions, and their impressive talent that will stun the judges.

Things aren't always easy for Rebel, and the summer started out bad, but things begin to look up.

 

 

 

Comments: I enjoyed this book very much. I think that Rebel is a great character and is extremely relatable in her thoughts and actions. She is a funny, regular 12 year old girl and nothing is hidden from you - it is pure Rebel McKenzie on every page. I would really love to meet her and I found myself sad when the book ended. This book is great for kids (girls) around 9-13 just because they may be the target age group to relate to everything more, but as far as I could tell, there really isn't anything "iffy" about the book. On an unimportant side note, I must say that Rebel's name is very interesting and nowhere was it indicated as a nickname. She is a cool girl that anyone would love to read about! It would be fun if they did a sequel or maybe made a trilogy! Rebel is a great character and I'd love to see her in a school setting and maybe even a summer camp setting like she wanted.

Complaints: None!

Rating: 5 stars!

(Remember, while this book is suitable for all ages, it will be best enjoyed by those 9-13 around Rebel's age.

  



Absolutely Truly: A Pumpkin Falls Mystery

Title: Absolutely Truly: A Pumpkin Falls Mystery

Author: Heather Vogel Frederick

Summary: Truly Lovejoy has just moved to Pumpkin Falls with her family of 7. Her father has just been in a military accident in which his arm has to be amputated and he is still trying to get back on his feet; along with his family, after the disaster. Truly isn't exactly having the best time, but she meets some nice people and is settling in as her father and aunt run the family book shop while her grandparents are away. 

When the signed Charlotte's Web book that the shop has held so close, goes missing, Truly and her friends go on an expedition, following a strange slew of clues to find out just what is going on and even more. 

Comments: I LOVED this book. Truly is just such a real character and this story was phenomenal. It is a bit long, but it was so good it would've been even better if it were to be even longer!

I think that the book could be enjoyed by readers of all ages; however it would probably be most relatable for those around the age of 9-12, and some kids may be scared of all of the talk about war and the tragedies that come with it.

Complaints: Absolutely, truly none. (:P)

Rating: 5 stars!

The Swallow: A Ghost Story

Title: The Swallow: A Ghost Story 

Author: Charis Cotter 

Summary: Rose and Polly live next to each other and are both leading very different lives. When they meet, they aren't necessarily fast friends, considering that Polly dreams of seeing a ghost and begins to think that Rose is one, and Rose has been seeing ghosts her whole life and just wishes they would go away. 

Then some strange events happen and Rose and Polly go on an adventure to find out if Rose really is a ghost. Then, along the way, they find out some very surprising and mysterious facts that change their lives forever. 

Comments: I LOVED this book and it is definitely in my top #3 favorite list! It is so surprising, and I had tears in my eyes at the ending. It wasn't just a "scary" book or something to try and freak you out, this book actually made you think as you read and explored all sorts of situations and emotions. It is the best ghost/supernatural book ever written - at least that I have ever read. It is also a very "English"   book and they use words like "Mum", which I totally love!!!

There are some pretty spooky parts, and in order to be relatable to the ages of the characters, I would recommend this for 10+.

Complaints: Complaints? How could I come up with a complaint about the best book ever known to man?! 

Ratings: 5 stars!