When You Reach Me & Schooled

When You Reach Me
By: Rebecca Stead
4 STARS
Great pick for any lover of time travel or the book A Wrinkle in Time.

As her mother prepares to be a contestant on the 1980s television game show, "The $20,000 Pyramid," a twelve-year-old New York City girl tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the laws of time and space.

While the setting of this book is 1979 and it appears to be written as realistic fiction with mystery undertones it turns out that it is a time traveling mystery. Who knew? I guess you do now! However, this does in no way spoil the book for a reader. In fact, it is likely that it makes it that much more appealing. Trying to solve the clues when you don't know what the clues are is a very intriguing plot. It could, at times, be a little confusing but I think that was more because of my nature to attempt to over analyze the plot and try to figure out the book before the reader is meant to figure it out. Those kinds of books frustrate me but they sure make for an interesting read.


Schooled
By: Gordon Korman
5 STARS

When his grandmother falls and hurts herself, Capricorn Anderson is forced to move leave his commune behind, move into a foster home, and attend the public school. At Claverage Middle School, Capricorn's name is put on the ballot for the election of class president.

Gordon Korman never fails to deliver. This book makes me want to be a tree hugging, environmental, corn husk shoe wearing, tie-dye making, peace and love for all hippy throw back. I also want to personally proclaim that it is now a life resolution of mine to be like Capricorn Anderson in mind and spirit as much as possible. Reading this book made me feel good and made me think about how I act, how I react, how I treat others, and what it is I can do to give back to the community and to the planet we all share. Great book with memorable characters and a wonderful moral.

A Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass & Splendor by Anna Godbersen

I just finished A Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass. This was a quick read and a great book. It is about Mia, who finds out the colors she sees is a real condition called Synesthesia.

Brief summary: "Afraid that she is crazy, thirteen-year-old Mia, who sees a special color with every letter, number, and sound, keeps this a secret until she becomes overwhelmed by school, changing relationships, and the death of her beloved cat, Mango. "


I am currently reading Splendor by Anna Godbersen. It is book 4 in the Luxe Series and I am addicted! I can not wait to crack open this book and bury my nose. I have refrained from reading the spoilers which is so unlike me because usually I can not wait. I just hope everything works out the way I want it to!

Brief summary: "In 1900 New York City, fashionable debutante Diana Holland and married soldier Henry Schoonmaker risk their place in society to be with one another."

The Luxe and Rumors by Anna Godbersen, Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan,

The Luxe
By: Anna Godbersen
In 1899 Manhattan, the drowning of beautiful Elizabeth Holland, daughter of New York society's ruling family, brings to the surface the scandalous behavior of several teenagers of varying social class.

First in a saga: The Luxe, Rumors, Envy, Splendor
5 STARS


Rumors
A Luxe Novel: Book 2
By: Anna Godbersen

After the death of Elizabeth Holland, all of New York speculates about her unfortunate demise and wonder what role her mischievous sister, Diana, and notorious cad Henry Schoonmaker played in the events leading up to her death.

5 STARS

I am in love with the Luxe novels. I am currently reading Envy and find myself wanting more and more. I can't wait to get to Splendor. This series has everything: high society, secret love affairs, back stabbing, gossip, and more! This series takes place in New York City, year 1899, in the midst of high society so both language and vocabulary are quite advanced giving the series high Lexile scores.


Boy Meets Boy
By: David Levithan

Paul's simple high-school life is confused by his desire for another boy who seems unattainable, until Paul's friends help him find the courage to pursue him.

3 STARS

This is a cute well written story with some memorable characters! (Long live Infinite Darlene!) Although I think the city/school setting is a bit unrealistic (it is basically a gay utopia and working in a school setting most of my adult life I know that isn't always the case) the premise of the book has good bones and the comic relief alone is worth the read!


Do You Know the Monkey Man?
By: Dori Hillestad Butler

While searching for the father who left her and her mother ten years ago, thirteen-year-old Samantha begins to believe that the twin sister who supposedly died when they were three years old is still alive.

Sequel: Yes I Know the Monkey Man

3 STARS


This is a good mystery easy read. Reminds of The Face on The Milk Carton. I am looking forward to reading the sequel.

Evernight by Claudia Gray

When her parents both take teaching jobs at Evernight Academy, Bianca is forced to attend school there. Bianca is focused on two things: finding out the secrets of Evernight Academy and finding a way to get out. That all changes when she meets Lucas and a series of secrets are exposed including the fact that there are vampires walking around Evernight Academy. As the secrets unravel Bianca and Lucas are forced to evaluate their feelings for one another.

This was a great book; 5 stars. It kept me turning the pages and wanting more. There were twists and turns that I didn't see coming more than once through the book. This is a must have and must read for anyone that enjoys vampire fiction. The sequel is STARGAZER.

Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt and Stolen Children by Peg Kehret

Keturah & Lord Death by Martine Leavitt

5 stars. I loved this book! A very well paced love story. This will appeal to girls but has enough suspense and intrigue for boys as well.

When Keturah gets lost in the woods and Lord Death comes to claim her life, she charms him with her gift of storytelling and is granted a reprieve from death to find her one true love.


Stolen Children by Peg Kehret

5 stars. This book was great! A faced past suspense mystery great for guys and gals!

Amy accepts a babysitting job that is sure to be easy money until a couple of criminals break into the house and kidnap both her and the little girl and hold them for ransom. Amy must use her quick wit and skills to save them both before it is too late.

Wake & Fade by Lisa McMann, Boys Are Dogs by Leslie Margolis, Welcome to Wahoo byDennis & Elise Carr,

Instead of reviewing EVERY book I read this summer I decided to do one posting with all the books I read this summer and give them a short and simple rating.

Wake by Lisa McMann

Fade by Lisa McMann

Both of the books are great, 4 stars. However, they are a little mature for middle school so they will be moving to their new home in a high school library.

Boys Are Dogs by Leslie Margolis

4 stars. Very cute, the main character cracked me up with her comparisons between training a dog and "training a boy"...which by the way is a theory I have had for YEARS...so I totally related to this book. Great chick lit.

Welcome to Wahoo by Dennis & Elise Carr

4 stars. I like the premise of a spoiled primadonna princess teen that gets pretty much anything she wants being thrown into a middle of nowhere Podunk town with no money to spend and nothing to rely on but her own good wits. She really learns her lesson in more ways than one. (Side note...Can I do this with my own teen daughter? Is that legal?) I will say that I predicted the ending a little before what I believe the author intended but it did not detract from the funny story. Great chick lit.

All We Know of Heaven by Jacquelyn Mitchard

All We Know of Heaven
By Jacquelyn Mitchard

Bridget and Maureen, the best of friends, are practically inseparable. When the two sixteen year old girls, who strangely resemble one another, are in a tragic car accident that leaves one of them dead and the other in a coma both families are left reeling. Maureen’s family mourns the loss of their daughter while Bridget’s family sits by her bedside waiting for her to come out of the coma. Weeks later after dental records confirm that it is, in fact, Maureen that is still alive leaves both families lives in upheaval. As Maureen makes a remarkable recovery she is forced to deal with the aftermath of being the one to survive.

This novel is deep and complex as it not only deals with the horrible tragedy and mistaken identity but the aftermath that follows. Maureen, the survivor, once a pretty, smart, and confident girl is now dealing with physical, mental, social, and academic battles. She desperately misses her best friend, can’t control her thoughts or speech, has to use a cane to help her get around, and is falling in love with her dead best friend’s boyfriend. While Maureen’s family works tirelessly to help rehabilitate Maureen, Bridget’s family is growing bitter and falling apart. The book earns the “YA” label for several reasons including the topic, a few instances of “bad” language, and the relationship between Maureen and Danny which becomes increasingly physical and although it isn’t graphic or explicit it is obvious that their relationship has become sexual. This book is good for mature strong readers 7th grade and up.