Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter is the second Gallagher Girls novel. It is second semester of sophomore year of spy school for Cameron, Liz, Macey and Bex. The girls overhear Cammie's mom, the headmistress of Gallagher Academy, talking about "Blackthorne" and instantly go into covert operations mode, trying to figure out what Blackthorne is and why no one is allowed in the East Wing of the mansion. It turns out that Gallagher Academy has opened its doors to a secret spy school for BOYS! Fifteen boys from Blackthorne Institute begin taking classes with the girls. Cammie and her suitemates believe something must be wrong, and spend most of the semester spying on their new classmates, trying to uncover some evil plot against Gallagher Academy.

I actually began reading this book before realizing it was the second in the series. I had read to chapter 5 when I figured out that I should have read I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You first. So, I read that one and returned to this one later! It was just as fun as the first. I liked that the story took place immediately after the first book ended - the same semester in high school. It didn't take any time to get right back into the story.

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter is about Cameron Morgan, a sophomore at the Gallagher Academy - a school for spies. Cameron meets her very first boyfriend while on a mission for one of her classes at the local carnival. Just to rule out Josh being a spy himself, Cameron and her suitemates decide to spy on him. This leads to some dumpster diving at his house and some recon missions where one of the girls ends up hanging from his roof! It also leads to Cameron dating Josh. She has to do this secretly, as it is against the rules to leave the school grounds and Cameron's mother just happens to be the headmistress of Gallagher. Everything comes to a crashing halt, however, when it comes time for the girls' final exam in their covert operations class. Unfortunately, Josh doesn't realize the truth and believes he needs to rescue Cameron!

I liked this book a lot. It was a really fun read. The author uses a lot of cute "side notes" to explain some of the spy lingo. I think this is a book all teenage girls will like. It's nice to see girls in a tough and smart role! This is one of the 2009-2010 Maud Hart Lovelace Nominees.

Green Angel by Alice Hoffman

Green Angel by Alice Hoffman is about Green, a 15 year old girl whose family was killed by a terrible fire that raged through the nearby town where they had gone to sell their vegetables. Green finds herself living alone, trying to survive her guilt over being the only survivor in her family, trying to fend off looters, and dealing with her grief at the loss of her sister.

I really liked this book. It was short and a quick read, but one that was extraordinarily through provoking. It reminded me a little bit of The Road by Cormac McCarthy. It was easy to understand the changes Green went through during her experiences after losing her family.

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen is about Ruby, a seventeen year old girl who lives alone with her mother. Ruby is left to fend for herself when her mother unexpectedly leaves and doesn't return. After months of living with no heat, water, and little money, child services places Ruby with her older sister, who Ruby and her mother hadn't heard from since she went off to college ten years prior. Cora is now married and lives in an enormous house. She and her husband take Ruby out of the huge public school she'd been attending and put her in a small private school. Everything changes for Ruby.

I really liked this book. Ruby changes so much from the beginning of the story where she is angry and isolated to the end of the story where she is starting to allow people in to her world. This is the third book I've read by Sarah Dessen, and I've liked them all!

A Sound Like Someone Trying Not to Make a Sound by John Irving

A Sound Like Someone Trying Not to Make a Sound by John Irving is a horror story about Tom and Tim, brothers who are awakened in the middle of the night by a strange sound. Their father assures them that it is just a mouse crawling around inside the walls. Tim, who is only two, doesn't know what a mouse is and continues to believe there is a monster in the walls long after Tom goes back to sleep.

I have read several of John Irving's novels written for adults, and really enjoyed them. This book was given to us as a gift, and our whole family enjoys it. The idea that poor Tim is lying in bed terrified of something he doesn't understand makes this book one of the scariest stories I've ever read!

Jungle Gym Jitters by Chuck Richards

Jungle Gym Jitters by Chuck Richards is about a boy named Jerry whose father creates a jungle gym in their backyard. George, Jerry's father, keeps building and adding until it is enormous, complete with roller coasters and zoo animals! Jerry is terrified of this monstrosity until he overcomes his fear in order to save his sister when the structure catches fire during their backyard celebration.

This was written and illustrated by my parents' neighbor in Ames, Iowa. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to see the illustrations before the book was ever published! The story is clever and the pictures are phenomenal. I find something new in every one each time I read the book!

The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman

The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman is about Lucy, the only one in her family that actually believes that there are wolves in the walls of her family's home. But, one night, the wolves come out of the walls, forcing her mother, father, brother and Lucy to sleep outside the house. The wolves eat the family's food, watch their tv and play their video games! Eventually, the family decides to move back into their house - in the walls! When they've had enough of living in the walls, they hatch a plan to drive the wolves out. It works, but soon Lucy realizes that something else (and much larger) is inhabiting their walls.

I bought this book for my son and husband to read together. My husband is a big fan of Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean (the illustrator), having read their graphic novels. We all enjoy this book. The illustrations are very cool, and the story is totally engaging, for all ages!