Princess Mia

Princess Mia
Meg Cabot;Harper Teen 2008

Summary: After her major break up with Michael, Mia is forced into  a major depression and barely gets out of bed. At school, Lilly still refuses to speak to Mia, J.P continually tries to cheer her up by being sweet, and now Lana wants to be best friends with her. And to make matters worse Mias parents are so worried about her that they send her to a cowboy psychologist, Dr. Knutz. Grandmere of all people, could care less about Mia and her situation and  only wants Mia to speak at a gala for Domina Rei, which is a society of powerful businesswomen. Just when things couldn't get any worse, Mia finds a diary of a teenage princess of Genovia, an old family secret long forgotten. Could this possibly be the answer to her prayers?

Personal Review: I have been reading the Princess Diaries series since I was twelve years old and they never get old to me. Mia is one of those characters that will always entertain you. She is always getting herself into some kind of problem. In this book watching her go through a depression is sad, but at the same time very funny. If you have read the other Princess Diaries books, you are sure to like this one.

Cautionary Notes: Occasionally crude remarks

Cherry Ames Dude Ranch Nurse

Cherry Ames: Dude Ranch Nurse

Julie Tatham; Grosset & Dunlap 1953

Summary:Cherry nurses asthmatics at a dude ranch in Tucson, Arizona alongside with the handsome Dr.Kirk and helps a teenage orphan named Patty with the mystery of the nest egg. 

Personal Review: Cherry Ames can do anything. She is a nurse, she solves mysteries, breaks the rules, and dates the best looking men. What more can someone ask for! When it comes to reading books from the fifties I just have to laugh at the cheesiness of it all. This is more of a tween book than a young adult book. I would recommend it to a younger generation. But Over all this book just made me laugh.

After the First Death

After the First Death

Robert Cormier;Laurel Leaf Books

Summary: A school bus full of children heading to summer camp is hijacked by a group of terrorists and is held hostage on a bridge. Will the demands be met? Will the children be saved?  Join Ben the generals son, Kate the bus driver, and Miro the sixteen year old terrorist as they take you through the night on the bridge.

My Review: This book is really intense, but so rewarding at the same time. You will become attached to the characters and journey with them on this epic tale. This is a gripping book that I couldn't put down. Its suspenseful and full of twists and turns. I highly recommend it!

Things to Watch Out for: Death, torture, murder, and mild language

Catching Fire

Catching Fire
Suzanne Collins;Scholastic Press

Summary: After winning the Hunger Games and publicly defying the Capitol Katniss tries to readjust to her old life. But once again nothing is the way Katniss wishes. Gale is still distant and Peeta has turn his back on her completely. And there are signs of a rebellion against the Capitol, a rebellion that she may have helped create. When the time draws near for Peeta and Katniss to visit the districts on the Victory tour, she learns she must convince everyone of thier undying love for each other or the consequences will be horrific.

Personal Review: Suzanne Collins has done it again! First Hunger Games now the second one in the series! She draws you into a world where the Capitol is cruel and taking out everyone who defies them. Katniss is a strong character who will not back down from a fight. I personally loved it and I can't wait for the last book of the Hunger Game series.

Cautionary Notes: Violence and Action

Split Image

Split Image

Mel Glenn;Harper Tempest

Summary: Laura Li is perfect in every way.She works in the school library, helps others, is always smiling, and it totally gorgeous. But in reality Laura Li isn't perfect. She smokes and sneaks out of the house and goes to wild parties and clubs to escape the pressures of her mother and absent father. Through poems teachers and other kids revel who they are and what they think about Laura Li.

Personal Review: Laura Li is a split image, she can be so perfect one minute and then not so perfect the next. Its sad to watch someone stuggle with an overload of pressures from parents, school, and others. By reading these poems you can learn and feel what she is going through.

Cautionary Notes:Smoking, racial comments, and suicide.

Impossible

Impossible

Nancy Werlin; Dial 2008

Summary: Lucy Scarborough is only 17, but she carries the burden of a curse that has already struck down several women in her family. Each of her afflicted ancestors failed at completing three seemingly impossible tasks, and each succumbed to madness at the birth of her first child. Facing this tragic fate, Lucy braces herself for a losing battle. Mercifully, she has allies in her struggle: intensely sympathetic foster parents and her loyal childhood friend Zach.

My Review: It is a compelling story about family, fantasy, and true love. Lucy pushes herself to the limit while carrying heavy burdens making her a strong character worth reading about.  It has that romantic tension that will keep you reading till your eyes grow tired. I underlined so many quotes that inspired me. This book is based on the song Scarborough Fair, which makes the story even more interesting because it’s based on a song. I loved it so much! I got several of my professors at college to read this book and now they are teaching it! It deals with some common issues, but the fantasy of it all makes it worth the read.

Things to Watch Out for: Mental illness, Rape, Teen Pregnancy, death, Elfin Knight, mentioning’s of erection, sexual references, and drinking. 

Book Trailer:

Stop Pretending

Stop Pretending: What happened when my big sister went crazy

Sonya Sones; Harpercollins Publishers Inc.

Summary: This brief book of poems is about a thirteen year old girl whose older sister and her reaction towards her sister who  had a nervous break down and had to be hospitalized. These poems describe her thoughts and feelings towards her sister.

Personal Review: Stop Pretending is a concise read, but compact with satisfying material that really drew me in to how the girl felt about her sister.

Cautionary Note: Mental illness outbursts

The Looking Glass Wars

The Looking Glass Wars
Frank Beddor; Dial Books

Summary: Alyss Heart, heir to Wonderland, is forced to leave her home after her murderous Aunt Redd takes over the throne. Traveling through the Pool of Tears, Alyss finds herself in London, where she befriends Charles Dodgson and tells her story about Wonderland. The author then publishes her story as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, where he got everything wrong. Including her name! With things going topsy turvy Alice finds herself stuck in London for years waiting for her Royal body guard to come find her, so she can return home to wonderland and take her rightful place, as Queen of Wonderland.

My Review: This was truly an incredible book. I loved this version of Aylss in Wonderland! Its action-packed with a fantasy twist. The cards, the looking glasses, the assassin Cat, and Hatters wicked fighting skills just blew my mind. I could not put this book down! It is a must read!

Cautionary Notes: Violence and Fighting

Speak

Speak

Laurie Halse Anderson;Puffin Publication

Summary: Milinda Sordino had something that happened to her this summer that she won't speak about, in fact she hardly speaks at all. After calling the cops and breaking up a party, Melinda finds herself being despised by others and ignored. She finds that being alone is the safest thing to do, but the thoughts and images still haunt her through out the year.

Personal Review: I really enjoyed this book. The Character Melinda was amazing. Her journey to self-discovery and justice put me to tears. While reading Speak I found that I couldn't speak through the whole thing. It was one of those books that no words can describe. It made me absolutely silent.

Cautionary Notes: Rape, partying, and mild cussing.