This was an awesome story with an unexpected twist at the end! I absolutely loved all of the adventure and Sage's antics. This is the first book in The Ascendance Trilogy. I cannot wait until book two comes out! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure stories, particularly books like the Eragon Series, Faerie Wars Series, Looking Glass Wars Series, etc.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen is about Sage, an orphan boy who is great at making his own way in the world. Whether it's stealing, lying, hiding or simply making mischief, Sage is an expert! It's a good thing, too, because when he is sold by the head of the orphanage where he's been staying to a ruthless man named Connor, Sage has to use all of his street smarts to stay alive. Connor collected 4 orphans, all with characteristics similar to the long lost Prince Jaron - youngest son of Eckbert, the King of Carthya. His plan? To train them all and select the best "false prince" to take over the kingdom now that King Eckbert, his wife and eldest son have been murdered. Sage wants absolutely no part in this plan, but knows if he doesn't go along with Connor he'll be killed. Sage also knows no matter which orphan is chosen to become Prince Jaron, the other three will be killed. Sage has to use all of the skills he learned on the streets to not only beat the other boys for the title of prince, but to try to figure out Connor's plan and stop him from rising to power.
This was an awesome story with an unexpected twist at the end! I absolutely loved all of the adventure and Sage's antics. This is the first book in The Ascendance Trilogy. I cannot wait until book two comes out! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure stories, particularly books like the Eragon Series, Faerie Wars Series, Looking Glass Wars Series, etc.
This was an awesome story with an unexpected twist at the end! I absolutely loved all of the adventure and Sage's antics. This is the first book in The Ascendance Trilogy. I cannot wait until book two comes out! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure stories, particularly books like the Eragon Series, Faerie Wars Series, Looking Glass Wars Series, etc.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Brotherband Chronicles: The Outcasts (Book 1) by John Flanagan
Brotherband Chronicles: The Outcasts (Book 1) by John Flanagan is the first book in a new series by the author of the Ranger's Apprentice Series. While set in the same world as Ranger's Apprentice, the Brotherband Chronicles takes place in Skandia and follows a group of boys as they train for adulthood. Hal is a boy who is being raised by a single mother after his father died in battle. Hal's father was Skandian, but his mother is Araluen, which causes a lot of problems for Hal fitting in with the other boys his age. When the time comes for all the boys in their village to group together in their brotherbands and begin training, eight boys are left out of the choosing. These eight boys become their own "misfit" brotherband, electing Hal as their leader. Each boy has a special talent which adds to the success of a group that seems doomed to fail from the start. One boy is extremely strong, but so nearsighted he can't see clearly even a meter in front of his face, one boy is an expert at mimicking any sound, one boy has mastered the art of thievery (just for fun, not because he wants what he steals), and there are even twins who are so good at deceiving people with their appearance they even fool their own mother (they also fight with one another incessantly!). Hal is the glue that holds this group together. As an expert navigator and sailor, he is the obvious choice as leader and skirl (ship captain). Using their unique skills and special bond, this misfit band of boys works hard in their attempts to defeat the other two brotherbands in the tasks issued to them. The only problem is, the other two groups are much stronger and just as determined to win... at almost any cost.
I absolutely loved this book. It was full of action, adventure, mystery and suspense! There is a twist at the end I wasn't expecting that perfectly set the stage for book two. I can't wait to find out what happens to the Herons (Hal's brotherband) in Brotherband Chronicles: The Invaders (Book 2)!
I absolutely loved this book. It was full of action, adventure, mystery and suspense! There is a twist at the end I wasn't expecting that perfectly set the stage for book two. I can't wait to find out what happens to the Herons (Hal's brotherband) in Brotherband Chronicles: The Invaders (Book 2)!
Doodlebug: A Novel in Doodles by Karen Romano Young
Doodlebug: A Novel in Doodles by Karen Romano Young is about Dodo (Doreen), a middle schooler who has discovered how to curb her ADD with doodling. The problem is, the teachers at her new school are not willing to accept doodling as the solution to Dodo's behavior problems. When Dodo and her family moved from L.A. to San Francisco, she was not convinced things would work out. They were temporarily staying an her father's old friend's apartment and taking care of Sven, an ornery cat who seemed as unhappy with the living arrangement as Dodo. Momo (Maureen), Dodo's sister had a pretty good outlook on the situation until she was denied a position in the school choir. Determined to show the school what a talented singer she was, Momo took matters into her own hands and hijacked the morning announcements to sing "Oh, Beautiful" and even stowed away on the choir bus without telling anyone! Despite all of the trouble with her teachers, Dodo made some really good friends who support her doodling and her efforts to help Momo earn a position on the choir. In the end, a plan is hatched and everyone works together to change the minds of the teachers at school about Momo's singing and Dodo's doodling.
This was a very cute book! The story is entirely told through Dodo's doodles. The author cleverly used specific symbols for each character for parts with dialogue. I think middle school girls will find this book particularly relatable, although anyone who has ever been misunderstood will enjoy the doodles and the compelling story!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The Fairy Ring or Elsie and Frances Fool the World by Mary Losure
The Fairy Ring or Elsie and Frances Fool the World by Mary Losure is the true story of Frances and Elsie, the two girls who took photos of "fairies" to prove their existence. While Frances always claimed to see fairies, in order to show the disbelieving adults, the two girls created elaborate cutouts of fairies (and other mythical creatures) to put in their photos. It was an innocent idea which they never knew would get so blown out of proportion! See, there was a movement amongst some people in the early part of the 1900s to identify and classify fairies and other creatures, just as real animals are classified by genus and species. Some adults truly believed in the existence of fairies. When these adults got hold of the girls' photos, they were convinced this was all the proof they needed to show the world! So, the girls kept their secret...
This was an amazing story! I can see how the girls got so caught up in their story that it became difficult, even impossible, to tell the truth. The book is filled with the girls' photos, as well as pictures of the girls and people trying to prove the existence of fairies. It is a short and engaging book, perfect for any curious reader!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Bestest. Ramadan. Ever. by Medeia Sharif
Bestest. Ramadan. Ever. by Medeia Sharif is about Amira, a 16 year old Muslim who is trying to resist temptation and fast during her family's month-long Ramadan celebration. Unfortunately for Amira, food is not the only thing she's being tempted with! This book as friend drama, mean girl drama, boyfriend drama... even family drama! Any teen girl will identify with Amira as she struggles to make her way through high school, accomplish goals, deal with friends and boys, and please her family.
Friday, April 27, 2012
The Education of Bet by Lauran Baratz-Logsted
The Education of Bet by Lauran Baratz-Logsted takes place in Victorian England. Elizabeth (Bet) and Will are best friends with a sibling-type relationship. Will's parents were extremely wealthy, and Bet's mother was their maid. Following a deadly virus that swept through the house, Will was sent to live with his only remaining relative - an uncle. He took pity on Bet the moment her saw her, and invited her to live with them as well. Bet and Will weren't treated quite the same way as they grew up, but they remained extremely close despite Bet's status. When Will was kicked out of yet another school, Bet was furious that he'd waste such a valuable opportunity that she could not have, being a girl and from a poor, servant's family. So, she hatches a plan and drags Will along! Bet cuts her hair, changes her mannerisms, and takes Will's place at his new all-boy's school while Will heads off to the military, all unbeknownst to their guardian. Bet could never have imagined everything that takes place at a school that has nothing to do with education. From bullies to roommates to dances, Bet has a lot to learn, all while trying to keep her secret.
I loved this book! I read it at the recommendation of some of my high school book club members. There were some twists and turns and some unexpected outcomes. I enjoyed the relationships between all of the characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and romance.
I loved this book! I read it at the recommendation of some of my high school book club members. There were some twists and turns and some unexpected outcomes. I enjoyed the relationships between all of the characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and romance.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
Rose hated working with her tutor and snuck to New York to see her mother, a famous actress who had just married another man. After being rejected by her mother, Rose ventured to the museum in search of her brother, Walter, who eventually took her in.
To find out how the stories of Rose, Ben, and the wolves come together in this amazing tale, read Wonderstruck! This was a fabulous story. I love the way it is told through full page illustrations as well as text. I liked it so much, I finished it in only a few hours. I just couldn't put it down - I really wanted to find out what happened to Rose and Ben, and how their lives intersected.
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