Mysterious Benedict Society & the Perilous Journey
Book 2 of the Mysterious Benedict Society series
By Trenton Lee Stewart
4.9 Stars
The members of the Mysterious Benedict Society were looking forward to reuniting again for a mysterious surprise Mr. Benedict is planning, until Mr. Benedict & Number Two are kidnapped by none other than Mr. Curtain. Now it’s up to the children to find them, all by themselves,
Another fantastic addition to Mysterious Benedict Society series. As usual, the plot is great, the characters are so real, you expect them to jump off the page,and the mysteries are so intricate you can’t help but try to solve them yourself.
0Little Women
By Louisa May Alcott
4.5 Stars
Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy are four ambitious women with not quite enough money to satisfy them. Their father is in the war and their mother is struggling to keep them happy, to help those less fortunate around her, and to prevent her worrying about her dear husband. The girls fight boldly with their jealously of richer girls and with their silly wishes, determined to follow their strong mother’s lead in the world. Jo meets a kind boy next door with a great family, and the girls & Laurie and many others have many glorious adventures you can’t stop reading about.
One of the sweetest classics, Jo’s adventures and her family’s love is always pleasing and fun to read and reread. With amazingly real-like characters and hard situations they admirably defeat, this classic is always a must-read for everyone.
0The Perks of Being a Wallflower
By Stephen Chbosky
4 1/2 Stars
Charlie isn’t special. He blends in with the scenery, watches and thinks. Until one day he steps out of his comfort zone and up to Sam and Patrick. And just like that, Charlie has friends, and he is being challenged in ways he didn’t think possible. Inside, he is fighting a mental battle started when a family member hurt him beyond repair. This story is told with letters to an unknown person, and the story is the story of high school. Of the battle we face, alone, and together.
Now a movie, this New York Times Bestseller is a heart wrenching, addicting story I read with passion and curiosity. The characters were full and developed, and walked right off the page. When I was reading, I couldn’t help but feel their emotions and wonder at their questions. I highly recommend it to mature audiences.
2The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Book 1 of the Sisterhood Series
By Ann Brasheres
4 1/2 Stars
Four girls-four best friends, are parting for the first time in summer. They are in their sophomore year. They met when their mother’s met, at a pregnancy aerobics class. Even before their birth, they were best friends. Carmen found The Pants at a thrift store, and is about to throw them away on the night of her friends’ separation, until Tibby spots them. Lena determines that everyone, including “curvy” Carmen should try them on. The pants fit everyone perfectly, and the girls agree on the rules of The Pants. Then they are off for the summer. Reliable but sometimes hot tempered Carmen is visiting her (divorced) father and is dismayed to find out he has been dating another woman..and expects her to be in his wedding. This summer. Beautiful and kind, but quiet Lena is off to Greece to visit relatives, and finds her first feelings of love. Outgoing, athletic Bridget is heading to a soccer camp, and with her great yellow hair flying behind her, she’s prepared to steal the off-limits soccer coach as easily as a soccer ball. And poor, rebellious Tibby is stuck at home, working at a lowly grocery store, when she finds an unlikely friend and a sharp wake-up call. Nobody could ever predict where the Traveling Pants would lead them..but The Pants know where they are going and exactly what to do.
This is a truly amazing book for all women over the age of 13 or so. The girls are real and true, and by no means perfect. I highly recommend this well crafted book to any women.
1Dreamsleeves
By Coleen Murtagh Paratore
4 99/100 Stars
Aislinn, “A”, is a girl with a lot of dreams. But due to family issues caused mainly by her alcoholic dad, there is a lot blocking those dreams. Since it’s summer, A should be out hanging out with her friends, but instead she is practically held hostage at home, watching her many young siblings. One night, A comes up with any idea. Why, she thinks, do people hide their dreams away from the world? Someone might be able to help their dreams come true. She decides people should show their dreams, display them right on their sleeves. What starts as a cry for help turns into a massive production of hope, love, and human kindness. You will never know what could happen with your dreams until you post them right on your sleeve.
Dreamsleeves was surprisingly powerful, heart wrenching, and very inspiring. I highly recommend it to everyone out there who has dreams, hopes, and passions.
1Flipped
By Wendelin Van Draanen
4 1/2 Stars
Julianna, Juli, Baker falls fast and falls hard for Bryce, the new kid on the block when they were seven years old. Those shimmering blue eyes and nice smile! Juli was sure they would be the best of friends. Bryce immediately disliked the dirty girl who bounded into their moving van, messing things up and getting mud everywhere. When he had tried to escape, his hand was held in hers in a death grip. Ever since, “weird” Juli has been freaking him out. Now it’s eighth grade, and Juli’s world starts to change. With eggs in the trash can and a tree that was chopped down, Juli is lost. Then Bryce’s grandfather goes over and helps her. Talking to her. And suddenly the world flips, and Bryce discovers that the girl next door is the most beautiful one of all.
This was a great book with real life issues. Bryce and Juli were both very believable characters, and the book had an excellent storyline. I loved the author’s descriptive words. I highly recommend it to middle schoolers, and those entering high school.
3Sweethearts
By Sara Zarr
4 Stars
Jennifer is a nobody. Actually she is worse than a nobody. She is the ugly, fat, smelly kid in her grade school with no friends. The one who always gets left out and picked on horribly. Her only friend is her fellow outcast, Cameron. Mysterious Cameron. After a horrible meeting with his abusing father and a narrow escape from something horrible, Jennifer and Cameron have a more awkward relationship. Then Cameron disappears, and Jennifer believes him dead. After many months of mourning, Jennifer decided she needed a new person. She has the perfect opportunity. Her mom married a sweet stepfather, and they are moving. Now Jennifer is Jenna Vaughn, popular, funny, and dating. She sometimes has trouble pushing back Jennifer, especially on birthdays. Then Cameron comes back. Everything in her “perfect” life falls apart.
This was a great book with well crafted characters, a good message, and a adorable cover. The ending was a bit disappointing, but overall I enjoyed the book. I highly recommend it to adults, high schoolers, and young adults.
2The Truth About Stacey: BSC Book Three
Babysitter’s Club series book 3
By Ann M. Martin
3 9/10 Stars
What is really going on with Stacey? The BSC don’t know if she is avoiding them, or what. The truth is, Stacey has diabetes. And it is harder than anyone will ever know.
This was a great book about real life issues and diabetes. Stacey is a believable character and the BSC has once again a great, fresh book. I highly recommend it to fans of the BSC series, babysitters, and people with diabetes.
0Brand New Emily
By Ginger Rue
4 Stars
Emily has some powerful enemies. It started with a coke can. Now the Daisies are out to make her life miserable. So when Emily stumbles across a piece of juicy celebrity gossip, she uses it to get a break with a publicist. Soon she becomes Brand Em. She has the hottest clothes, the coolest friends, and an ultra adorable, mysterious, celebrity “boyfriend.” But can she deal with her new popularity without loosing herself? And a cute new boy?
Another amazing girl book, Emily is a likable character that you can easily sympathize with. She has a great sense of humor in the perspective, and I felt like I was trying to win over the guy, beat the girls, and find myself alongside her. I highly recommend this book to all girls.
0Allegra Biscotti
Book 1 of the Allegra Biscotti Collection
By Olivia Bennett
4 Stars
Emma is all about fashion. She has distinct beliefs on styles, color combinations, and so called trends. Her best friend, Holly, has recently became friends with Ivana and her “friends”, the popular girls. Holly is trying hard to stay friends with Ivana and Emma, but Emma never wants to hang out with snooty, not stylish girls. Especially after the shopping incident. When a fashion editor from a huge fashion magazine discovers one of Emma’s designs on accident, Emma blurts out a name. And soon her alternate identity, Allegra Biscotti, is off and running. Unfortunately, Emma didn’t realize how much work Allegra Biscotti would become. Between a cute boy, a far away friend, an alternate identity, and school centered parents, Emma doesn’t know how she will get out of this mess with the sense of style that Allegra has produced.
This was a really cute book with fun sketches and unusual perspectives. Emma has an excellent and unique view on fashion and the world, and I found myself having a lot of fun along with her crazy journey. I highly recommend it for girls who love fashion!
1Logan’s Story: A BSC Extra Book
By Ann M. Martin
4 Stars
Logan Bruno is a football player, and a babysitter. Yes, he is a guy. In Logan’s point of view, he relates how hard it is to be a boy babysitter. Through teasing, joking around, and jibes from his football team and his own father, Logan doesn’t know what to do. Will Logan quit the BSC?
This was an extremely excellent book. Logan was a well crafted character, and the author told the story magnificently. I highly recommend it to girls and boys.
0January: Conspiracy 365
Book 1 of the Conspiracy 365 series
3 99/100 Stars
By Gabrielle Lord
On the night of the new year, Cal found out he has to survive the next year. They are coming. But who are they? What do they want with him? How will Cal survive when he doesn’t know who to trust?
This was an action packed book with a creative plot and lots of mystery. I enjoyed it, and I’m looking for the next! I highly recommend to female and male teenagers.
0Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls: BSC Book 2
Book 2 of the Babysitters Club series
3 9/10 Stars
Ann M. Martin
Claudia Kishi loves the babysitter’s club. Then she hears about the Phantom Phone Caller, a scary thief, and is determined to keep the kids safe. When the babysitters start to get phantom calls, everyone is scared out of their mind. Claudia decides to make sure the phone caller is THE caller..by investigating the case.
A great sequel to Kristy’s Great Idea and I loved how it helped you get to know Claudia a lot more. The books are fabulous on how they describe life in junior high/middle school, and the girls are wonderful. I highly recommend it to girls of all ages.
0Boys Are Dogs
Book 1 of the Boys Are Dogs Series
3 1/4 Stars
Leslie Margolis
Annabelle just moved. It isn’t far, she can still drive and see her best friends from her old all girl school, but it takes a whole hour or so! Her mom and her mom’s boyfriend got her an adorable puppy. It takes forever to train, but it isn’t the least of her problems. In her first day of school, Annabelle was humiliated by the strange creatures called boys. Her puppy may be trouble, but boys are even more so! Annabelle just wishes boys came with a training manual.
This is definitely a cute book, perfect for girls in junior high/middle school or girls going into 6-8 grade. It isn’t amazingly written, but it is hilarious and portrays Annabelle’s feelings well. I recommend it to girls grades 6-8.
0Thirteen Reasons Why
By Jay Asher
4 1/2 Stars
Ages 11+
For this review, I couldn’t write my own description of the book. This is quoted from the Google Books description. “Clay Jenkins returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out how he made the list.”
This is a powerful book. The words strike nerves from high school and kids, and touch on subjects people hate to discuss. I think the reason people are able to read this book is because a boy is narrating. I highly recommend this to people at least over age 11. After reading, you won’t ever be a bystander in bullying again.
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