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).

Happy New Year Julie

Title: Happy New Year Julie

Author: Megan McDonald

Summary: The Christmas season starts out bumpy as she realizes that things are so different this year, it is so different without her whole family together on Christmas. Things get even worse when she realizes that she isn't going to Grandma and Grandpa's house and she isn't even going to see mom on Christmas. Things get worse when older sister Tracy doesn't want to spend Christmas with dad, and dad doesn't even get a real or big tree for the occasion. Julie begins to feel that nothing will ever be the same, but preparing for Chinese New Year with the Lings makes her forget her thoughts. Until, she realizes that everyone in her family is invited to the Happy Panda, - Ivy's grandparents Chinese restaurant - and Tracy and Dad haven't been getting along at all. Things aren't looking up for Julie, until the night of Chinese New Year, when things turn magical.

Rating: 5 stars

Complaints: None.

Comments: Amazing Book! I've read it 9 times! It is pretty short though.

Julie Tells Her Story

Title: Julie Tells Her Story

Author: Megan McDonald

Summary: Julie finds out that she has to do a project called, "The Story of My Life" and she is really excited, until she realizes that she might have to include her parents' recent divorce in her project. Julie suddenly becomes worried, but all thoughts about that are put aside when she gets injured during a basketball game. Her parents and sister start to rally around her, and Julie realizes that her family is still happy, and sometimes, things are better how they are now.

Rating: 5 stars!

Complaints: None.

Comments: Such a good book, I liked the part where Julie got injured, because I thought it was interesting. The way Julie deals with the unfortunate situation in the book (her parents' divorce) is quite inspirational, I think, and relatable too, for girls who are going through similar situations.

Meet Julie

Title: Meet Julie

Author: Megan McDonald

Summary: Julie Albright is so upset when she finds out that her parents are getting a divorce, and she is going to move into a cramped apartment over her mother's shop Gladrags. Moving means spending only weekends with Dad, and hardly getting to see her best friend forever, Ivy Ling. But, things begin to get better when Julie finds out her school has a basketball team - something that her old school didn't. She also meets a new friend T.J. that loves to shoot hoops. But things go downhill again when Julie finds out that the basketball team has a no girls allowed rule. Julie tries to do everything to get Coach Manly to change his mind. Will Julie be able to fight for her rights? Will she ever even feel at home?

Rating: 5 stars

Complaints: None.

Comments: What a good book. I love the 1974 setting and I have the Julie doll, so it is really fun to read! This book will certainly appeal to any girl who loves American Girl or/and historic fiction.

Freckle Juice

Title: Freckle Juice

Author: Judy Blume

Summary: Andrew wants freckles SO bad. Everyone he knows has them, and he wants them so bad. A girl in his class named Sharon offers to sell him the secret "freckle juice" recipe, so that he can get freckles right away. Andrew buys the recipe and follows it, but he ends up very sick, and his mom has to call the doctor. Andrew gets mad at Sharon, but he draws freckles on himself, though his teacher, in the end, gives him a "removal for freckles" wipe.

Rating: 4 stars

Complaints: Too short and too easy.

Comments: Pretty easy and really short (I read in half an hour) but still really good! Judy Blume is an amazing writer - I have read nearly all of her books and I love them all. Freckle Juice is one classic that will not disappoint.