A Girl of the Limberlost

A Girl of the Limberlost

by: Gene Stratton-Porter

Genre: Historical Fiction/Inspirational/Romance/Young Adult

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:  (from goodreads)

Set amid Indiana's vast Limberlost Swamp, this treasured children's classic mixes astute observations on nature with the struggles of growing up in the early 20th century. Harassed by her mother and scorned by her peers, Elnora Comstock finds solace in natural beauty — along with friendship, independence, and romance.

Personal Review:

Someone gave this book to my sister while I was in high school, that was the first time I read it. It became one of my favorites and has remained so ever since. I would borrow it from my sister for years at a time until recently when I discovered that the ebook was free on the Kindle. Cool Fact: this book was published in 1909, something I didn't realize till recently. I always thought it was just a historical fiction but turns out it was contemporary during its time. Why do I love this book so much? Let’s see, it is well written, the characters are well developed, the setting really comes to life, you get to watch a girl turn into a remarkable young women, and spoiler alert she end ups with an amazing man.

-Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter

Icefall

Icefall
by Matthew J. Kirby



Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Young Readers

Rating: Clean

Content: Mild violence

Summary: Trapped in a hidden fortress tucked between towering mountains and a frozen sea, Solveig, along with her brother the crown prince, their older sister, and an army of restless warriors, anxiously awaits news of her father's victory at battle. But as winter stretches on, and the unending ice refuses to break, terrible acts of treachery soon make it clear that a traitor lurks in their midst. A malevolent air begins to seep through the fortress walls, and a smothering claustrophobia slowly turns these prisoners of winter against one another.

Those charged with protecting the king's children are all suspect, and the siblings must choose their allies wisely. But who can be trusted so far from their father's watchful eye? Can Solveig and her siblings survive the long winter months and expose the traitor before he succeeds in destroying a kingdom?\

Personal Review:

This book was very well written. I actually really enjoyed this read. There is great imagery in the setting, and I did not find the story predictable. It is a great book for young readers and those young at heart (like me.)

-Curry

The Thirteenth Princess

The Thirteenth Princess
by Diane Zahler



Genre: Fantasy, Fractured Fairytales

Rating: Clean

Summary:

Zita is not an ordinary servant girl—she's the thirteenth daughter of a king who wanted only sons. When she was born, Zita's father banished her to the servants' quarters to work in the kitchens, where she can only communicate with her royal sisters in secret.

A classic fairy tale with a bold twist, The Thirteenth Princess tells the unforgettable story of a magical castle, true love, spellbound princesses—and the young girl determined to save them all.

Personal Review:

I saw this book on sale in one of my favorite book stores and decided to give it a try. I was very pleasantly surprised. I had just had a super busy week and I wanted a quick and fun read. This book fully satisfied me. It was simple and sweet which is one reason why I love children's and young adult novels. Though this novel is targeted at young readers, it was well written which is a must for me! Good writing and a cute or interesting story makes a book appropriate for all ages to me (but sometimes I am a kid at heart.) I would recommend this book.

-Curry

If you liked this you may also like:

The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
The Wide Awake Princess by E.D. Baker

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25

Review by Curry

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25
by Richard Paul Evans



Genre: Sci-fi Fantasy, Young Adult

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey is an ordinary fourteen-year-old. In fact, the only thing that seems to set him apart is the fact that he has Tourette’s syndrome. But Michael is anything but ordinary. Michael has special powers. Electric powers.

Personal Review:

I first heard about this book in a literature class that I was in almost two years ago. I've been looking forward to reading it since then, and it did not let me down! The main character is likable and realistic, the storyline is intriguing keeping you interested, and yet not so overstuffed with action and drama. I really liked this book and I can't wait to read the next one (which I will probably do today.) There are currently four Michael Vey books out.

-Curry

If you liked this then you might enjoy:

Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan
The False Prince by Jenifer Nielson
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Book of a Thousand Days

Review by Felicity

Book of a Thousand Days

by: Shannon Hale

Genre: Fantasy/ Fractured Fairytales

Rating: Y

Content: 3 different references to nudity (however there is nothing crude or graphic about it just a statement, I still consider the book clean)  

Summary:  (back of book)

When Dashti, a maid, and Lady Saren, her mistress, are shut in a tower for seven years because of Saren’s refusal to marry a man she despises, the two prepare for a very long and dark imprisonment.

As food runs low and the days go from broiling hot to freezing cold, it is all Dashti can do to keep them fed and comfortable. With the arrival outside the tower of Saren’s two suitors—one welcome, the other decidedly less so—the girls are confronted with both hope and great danger, and Dashti must make the desperate choices of a girl whose life is worth more than she knows.

With Shannon Hale’s lyrical language, this little-known classic fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm is reimagined and reset in a land inspired by the Asian steppes; it is a completely unique retelling filled with adventure and romance, drama and disguise.

Personal Review:

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is well written. There is romance yet the book is about much more than any handsome prince. This is the kind of book I would encourage young girls to read because it is fun, fantasy, and thought provoking all at the same time. Plus the main character is strong and has many qualities to be admired.

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

The Lost Art

Review by Felicity

The Lost Art

by: Jennifer Griffith

Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction

Rating: Y

Content: clean

Summary:  (from goodreads)

Dowdy art exhibit coordinator Ava Young is happy with her man-suits and sensible clogs. She likes the way they clip-clop on the museum’s tile floor. But they don’t win her any lovelorn looks from her office crush. In fact, the handsome new guy calls her “sir” when they first meet. Oh, well. She’s always known the only way a guy would take a second look at her was if she was the only person in the room. And on fire.

But after her workplace crush devastates her by, frankly, calling her something super-duper mean, Ava is ready to make some drastic changes inside and out, even if it means giving up chocolate, or taking hilariously out-of-date but strangely wise-sounding advice on femininity from a 1959 book on “How to Snare a Modern Man.”

Either way, she’d better hurry because when a priceless art exhibit gets a theft threat on Ava’s watch, a billionaire bachelor and a handsome FBI agent will be taking a good, long look at the art and at Ava

Personal Review:

Fun, Flirty, and Clean are the three words that sum up this book. It has several good tips on flirting, and a great concept that was executed well.

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

Prejudice Meets Pride by Rachael Anderson

Just One Wish by Janette Rallison

Super Daisy! by Jennifer Griffith

Yearbook

Review by Curry

Yearbook
by Ally Condie



Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Christian: LDS Fiction, Young Readers

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

It was the first day of school at Lakeview High, and everyone was afraid of something. Michaela Choi was afraid that Ethan Back was never going to ask her out on a date. Andrea Beck was afraid that someone would find her weak spot, the chink in her armor. She was afraid of knowing what it was herself. Principal Downing was afraid she was going to die. Julie Reid was afraid that no one would notice her. She was also afraid that someone would. And there was a deeper, unnamed fear inside her that she couldn't escape - a fear that she was nothing and no one

Personal Review:

I actually found this book really interesting. It follows many different characters and story lines, each one of them unique and touching. My only complaint about this book is that it follows so many different characters (almost every chapter changes perspective) that I think that none of them are developed as well as they could be, as well as I wanted them to be. However, with that aside, I still really enjoyed the book. It wasn't predictable and it was very realistic. I recommend this book to everyone but it is especially great for teens. (There are also two sequels)

- Curry

If you liked this you might also like:

First Day (Yearbook trilogy #2) by Ally Condie
Deep Blue Eyes and Other Lies by Janette Rallison
Counting Stars by Michele Paige Holmes

My Fair Godmother

Review by heyes

My Fair Godmother

by Janette Rallison

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Romance, Fractured Fairy-tale

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

We have all heard it before. Jane is a nerd and no guys notice her, but wait actually she’s pretty and gets the guy she’s been in love with for forever. Fast forward… this story isn’t about Jane it is actually about Savannah; beautiful, popular, and couldn’t care less about school, Savannah. She’s just been dumped and humiliated. Enter Chrysanthemum Everstar. She’s Savannah’s Fair Godmother. Fair because she takes a page from Savannah’s book when it comes to school work. Now Savannah’s miserable life is Chrissy’s extra credit assignment. Savannah gets three wishes to turn her pathetic life into something more. The problem is when a broken-hearted teenager that has no idea what she actually wants makes wishes granted by a fairy who didn’t pay attention in school and a disgruntled leprechaun, Savannah doesn’t get Prince Charming. She gets an evil step mother, ugly step sisters, and the middle ages.

Personal Review:

My book club just read this book for book club and everyone loved it. This book is written so cute and cleverly and all the characters are great. The author is so talented when it comes to making you like characters that are likable and ones that you normally root for. The romance is cute and clean. The morals made in this story are good morals that I want my kids to learn. i.e. “Well if you wanted a guy that is smart why haven’t you been developing that attribute in yourself” (Very paraphrased) This is a book that will have you turning pages all night and wishing for more. Which is great since there is a second one out and a third currently being written. But honestly if you like this book you don’t need to wait for the third. You can’t go wrong with anything Janette Rallison writes.

-heyes

If you liked this you may also enjoy

-My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison

-Unenchanted by Chanda Hahn

-Erasing Time by C.J. Hill

The Lightning Thief

Review by Felicity

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)

by: Rick Riordan

Genre: Fantasy/Young Readers

Rating: Y

Content: Greek gods (children born out of wedlock)

Summary:  (from goodreads)

Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.

Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus' stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.

Personal Review:

I loved the Percy Jackson movies that have recently came out so I decided to check out the books. I had a rough time getting through this 1st book, I think mostly because I had already seen the movie and I knew what was coming. I think this book is great for preteens, and I plan on reading some of the books that haven’t been made into movies yet because it is a fun fantasy story. However this is a case where I prefer the movie to the book.

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2) by Rick Riordan

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling
Leven Thumps and The Gateway to Foo by Obert Skye

It's a Mall World After All

Review by Curry

It's a Mall World After All
by: Janette Rallison



Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Young Adult, Young Readers

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

It's too bad they don't give out diplomas for what you learn at the mall, because I could graduate with honors in that subject.  No really.  Since I've worked there, I've become an expert on all things shopping-related. For example, I can tell you right off who to distrust at the mall:
  
1) Skinny people who work at Cinnabon.  I mean, if they're not eating the stuff they sell, how good can it be?

2) The salesladies at department store makeup counters.  No matter what they tell you, buying all that lip gloss will not make you look like the pouty models in the store posters.

3) And most importantly--my best friend's boyfriend, Bryant, who showed up at the food court with a mysterious blonde draped on his arm.

Yeah, I saw it, and yeah, I told my best friend all about it.

You would think this would mean trouble for Bryant, but you would basically be wrong.  Somehow, the evil boyfriend turned everything around, and now I'm the one who has to prove myself!  But I will. Even if Bryant--and more importantly his best friend, Colton--keep trying to stop me.

Personal Review:

Do not judge this book by it's cover! (or by the title) Yes, it is true that the title is cheesy and this is a teen high school book, but this is such a fun read for any girl no matter the age. If you are a female and you can read, then I recommend this book. Janette Rallison's writing is clever and hilarious. She has such a good way of making fun of her characters and yet making the reader understand them and fall in love with them. I like how the main character, Charlotte, was able to grow in this book. Heyes is actually the one that introduced me to this author, when I was in high school, and I love her! If you are like me and love cute romantic comedies but sometimes have a hard time finding clean ones, then you will love this book. Actually, you will probably love any Janette Rallison book.

- Curry

If you liked this, you might also enjoy:

All's Fair in Love War and High School by Janette Rallison
When the Bough Breaks by Kay Lynn Mangum
Slayers by C.J Hill

An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Series

Review by heyes

An Unfortunate Fairy tales Series

Unenchanted

Fairest

Fable

by Chanda Hahn

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fractured Fairy Tales

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary: Mina has always tried to fit in. Being accident prone, fitting in just seemed like a good idea. But when she saves her long time crush’s life and weird stuff starts happening, Mina wonders if her life is becoming like a fairy tale or a nightmare. Her mom finally opens up to her and tells her that because she is a descendant of the Grimm Brothers she is cursed to live the fairy tales that they became famous for; a curse that has killed many Grimms, including Mina’s father. Can she finish the 200 tales before they finish her?

Personal Review: This series was a fun read and a great book for your sons or daughters. It is the first three of I assume four. The fourth does not come out until later this year I believe. The main character is really easy to like and although she has her faults, I admire her. There is literally nothing that I feel like my kids couldn’t handle in this book and I seriously doubt that any future books are going to have any bad content either. This is just a fun cute read and the books aren’t too long. Great books to give to kids or to read on a rainy day with a blanket.

-heyes


If you liked this you might also enjoy:

Beauty Sleep by Cameron Dokey
My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

The Wide-Awake Princess

Review by Curry

The Wide-Awake Princess

by: E.D. Baker

Genre: Fantasy, Fractured Fairy Tale, Young Readers

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

This book is about princess Anna, Who is the younger sister of Gwen (sleeping beauty.)  When princess Anna was born she was blessed that no magic could touch her. On her sixteenth birthday, Anna’s sister pricks her finger on a spinning wheel thus falling into eternal sleep along with the entire castle and court as well… except Anna. Knowing that she is the only one that can save her sister, Anna sets out on a journey to find a prince to wake up her sister. However Anna runs into many exciting and terrifying bumps along the way.

Personal Review:

This book was really cute. The story-line and ideas are very original especially for being based off of such a well known fairy tale.The writing is very simple and does not go as deep as some older readers would like but because of the sweetness of the story I think that most people will like it. Overall an enjoyable read especially for young readers.

- Curry

If you liked this you may also like:

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Beauty Sleep by Cameron Dokey

The Bronze Bow

Review by Curry

The Bronze Bow

by: Elizabeth George Speare

Rating: Y

Genre: Historical Fiction, Inspirational, Young Readers, Young Adult

Content: Mild Violence

Summary: (from goodreads)

This gripping, action-packed novel tells the story of eighteen-year-old Daniel bar Jamin—a fierce, hotheaded young man bent on revenging his father’s death by forcing the Romans from his land of Israel. Daniel’s palpable hatred for Romans wanes only when he starts to hear the gentle lessons of the traveling carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth. A fast-paced, suspenseful, vividly wrought tale of friendship, loyalty, the idea of home, community . . . and ultimately, as Jesus says to Daniel on page 224: “Can’t you see, Daniel, it is hate that is the enemy? Not men. Hate does not die with killing. It only springs up a hundredfold. The only thing stronger than hate is love.” A powerful, relevant read in turbulent times.

Personal Review:

This book won the Newbery award in 1962 and rightfully so. This is a great book for all ages. Elizabeth George Speare is great at writing realistic historical fiction books. I loved this book because it is both exciting and touching. This is also a great book for boys (cause we all know that it can difficult to find books for boys.)  Read it!

-Curry

If you liked this you might also like:

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis