Lucky Breaks Review

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(More customer reviews)At age 10 Lucky Trimble survived running away from home, finding her Higher Power and all the craziness the town of Hard Pan, California --- population 43 --- has to offer. All of this, though, is nothing compared to what awaits her at 11 years old. After all, eleven is much more intrepid than only ten. The more Lucky looks for intrepidness, the more things seem the same --- or do they?
Lucky's best friend, Lincoln, is gaining recognition with his world-class knots. His latest obsession is safely hidden away for the upcoming International Guild of Knot Tyers contest that promises fame and the possibility of leaving Hard Pan --- and Lucky. Brigitte, Lucky's legal guardian, has created her own niche in Hard Pan with a delightful French cuisine restaurant open for lunch on the weekends. Everyone has a piece of advice for Brigitte as she continues to adapt to the American way of life while staying true to herself. Miles --- newly certifiable genius --- is excited to share his sixth birthday celebration with Lucky, and he wants the whole town invited.
Lucky has come to the conclusion, however, that only a girl best friend will truly make her 11th year unforgettable. Enter Paloma Wellborne, niece of a geologist who happens to stop at Brigitte's cafe for lunch on the way to surveying rock layers in the desert. Paloma and Lucky hit it off right away --- laughing hysterically at gifts for chickens, swimming lessons in a bucket, and other all-important girl conversations. When Paloma's parents agree to let Paloma spend the weekend, Lucky makes plans to impress her with all the wonders Hard Pan has to offer. Lucky plots to uncover the mystery surrounding the rather large box sitting in Short Sammy's yard, stay far away from Lincoln and Miles, bake over 50 cupcakes for the birthday celebration, and perhaps search for a long-lost broach hidden outside of Hard Pan.
While Lucky promised both Brigitte and Paloma's parents that she would make good decisions, Lucky also promised herself that she would be intrepid from now on. Lucky doesn't live up to her namesake, however, when things go unplanned and she puts both Paloma and herself in danger. Her fearlessness starts to break, and she is forced to make some tough decisions that impact others more than she had imagined.
Susan Patron created magic in her Newbery Award-winning THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY, and fans will not be disappointed with this rewarding sequel. Matt Phelan once again sprinkles elegant drawings throughout that bring an added depth to the story. I appreciate that as this series grows so do all of the characters. They have learned from their mistakes, but they still continue to make new ones. I also enjoyed the ease in reading the book. You feel as though you're tagging along with Lucky and are in the center of the action. It's a fast read, but a very rewarding one. LUCKY BREAKS is the second book in the Lucky trilogy, and readers can expect a satisfying conclusion in the future.
--- Reviewed by Benjamin Boche (bennyboche@hotmail.com)

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In the Path of Falling Objects Review

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(More customer reviews)Brothers Jonah and Simon head out across the desert to find their father who is about to be released from prison in Arizona. Their mother has been gone for days, weeks even, perhaps, and their older brother is fighting in the jungles of Vietnam. It is 1970.
Enter Mitch and Lilly, a man and a girl, who pick the two hitchhikers up in a stylish and out-of-place convertible. Jonah is immediately drawn to the beautiful and flirtatious Lilly but feels wary of the unpredictable Mitch. Simon, on the other hand, is quick to please Mitch, enjoying his rakish intensity.
As Jonah struggles to put family first, he finds himself pitted against a man more dangerous than he could have ever imagined. The two boys soon find themselves hostage to the psychotic Mitch and they risk their lives to save Lilly and each other.
And then, of course, there is the gun.
Andrew Smith's In the Path of Falling Objects is an intense and nerve-wracking novel that intersperses Jonah's account of his and Simon's journey with letters from their older brother in Vietnam. The book begins with a shocking murder and the feeling of being trapped, of impending doom, of fear only increases the deeper you wade into this book. The tension is almost too much--I wish Andrew Smith had allowed for some space in the novel to breathe a sigh of relief and relax--but it all builds to a heart-stopping climax that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.
Be warned: there is much violence and death; Mitch is one of the most incredibly disturbing characters I have come across in YA fiction. Readers who like gritty, intense novels will want to give this a try. Everyone else should read this knowing it just might give you nightmares.


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Just One Wish Review

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(More customer reviews)There is nothing Annika wouldn't do for her six-year-old brother Jeremy. She adores him to no end and she wants to give him anything he wants. More than anything, she wants to give him hope. Jeremy has cancer and he's about to have surgery. He's been very nervous about it so Annika is sure that all he needs is positive thinking to get him through it. Annika knows she has to be creative and make him believe that things will go well, so she tells him she has a magic genie that can grant wishes. What can go wrong? She knows what he wants, or at least she thinks she does. When her good intentions backfire and Jeremy wishes for Steve Raleigh, his favorite actor, to visit him, Annika decides to do whatever it takes to make his wish come true. She figures it shouldn't be too hard. She'll just show him Jeremy's picure and he will have to agree. Easy.
Not. So not easy. Stalking an actor is way harder than she thought. First of all, she has to find him, then she has to get close enough to talk to him without getting arrested or making a fool of herself. But Annika is no quitter. Even if it means wrangling snakes, becoming a nun and doing her own stunts, she will bring Steve to her brother. But once she captures him, will she be able to resist his charms? After all, he is rich, gorgeous and famous. They don't live in the same world but they may have more in common than they think.
Just One Wish is a bit of a tear-jerker, but it is also sweet, romantic and hilarious. The situatuions Annika gets herself into (and somehow manages to get out of) will make you laugh out loud and her devotion and love for her brother will melt your heart. I adore Janette Rallison's wit and humor. I love how she creates such amazing and relatable characters and truly brings them to life. This is another fantastic book she has written and I highly recommend it to anyone with a beating heart.


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Life Goes On Review

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(More customer reviews)John and Becky had a wonderful life until one day disaster struck. John was laid off at the factory and they all had to move into a rundown apartment building in a very bad neighborhood. Unknown to their children, John and Becky have received an eviction notice to vacate the apartment in ten days.
Their two oldest children were caught up in the neighborhoods activities. Bobby was learning the tricks of the trade of running drugs with the gang he considered his family. The oldest daughter, teenaged Donna, was caught up in the wrong type of crowd constantly partying, doing drugs and drinking. The youngest child, Stacy, was still a good kid but was beginning to following in her older sibling's footsteps.
It looks like all hope is gone for the family. Ah, but John has a plan. He secretly contacts a relative for help. The relative is more than helpful and offers John more than he could ever hope for.
Neither John nor Becky wanted runaway kids on their hands. They love their children too much and knew the life their kids would be running too. But John and his relative have a plan already in motion to prevent that.
I have to admit that at first I didn't like Life Goes On since there's so much attitude and disrespect from the kids. Although this is very realistic, it doesn't make a relaxing read for me. So, I started it over and was pleasantly surprised after I read on just why Linda Nance started the book the way she did. Soon, I couldn't put Life Goes On down.

I highly recommend action packed story for both adults and young adults. Life Goes On is a story about what real families can do in the toughest times. Even if the families are separated by states!
You can learn more about Linda Nance by visiting her blog at: . You can also find out about Linda at her Amazon Page at:


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LIFE GOES ON The Family of five found themselves in crisis as they were evicted from their apartment after the father lost his job. With great trepidation they accepted help from a relative that offered them a place to live and new start in life. They had no choices except seeing their family homeless in a rough part of the city. It was not an easy adjustment for any of them as they experienced moments that would test their sense of humor and times that would test their strength of character. There were some difficult issues they would have to face and how they responded could have life altering consequences. Learning what family can mean was a lesson each person learned in their own way. This is a story of people and a place they would work to make their home. It is struggle, heart, moments of triumph and times of despair. It is a story that speaks to many of us in different ways as the characters struggle with life. They had weathered the difficult transition of the relocation and would face new challenges as life goes on for them all. Life Goes On is a dramatic story worth reading and remembering.

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The Chosen One Review

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(More customer reviews)I have had a mini-facination with pologymst cults and I thought it was very interesting that there was a young adult novel written about it. I read these stories and am amazed time and time again by how strong these women have to be to leave their families, their religion, their entire lives, to start out with nothing. This story was very similar to the autobiographical stories that I have read, and if possible, it was every bit as heartwrenching. Kyra, is an almost 13 year old, living with her father and her mother (father's third wife) and an large assortment of brothers and sisters. She has recently begun a 'secret' flirtation with a boy on the compound who has told Kyra that he wants to 'chose' her to be his wife, his only wife. The two have heard stories, and seen what happens to those who don't follow 'God's' rules...really the so called Prophet's rules. Kyra's other 'sin'? She secretly meets Patrick, the mobile library driver each week to sneak a book to read. Then one day the prophet comes to vist, something he hasn't ever done before, and announces to the family that he has had a vision from God. God's revelation has told him that Kyra is to be married to Brother Hyram. Brother Hyram happens to be Kyra's sixty year old uncle. Kyra is to be Hyram's seventh wife. Aghast, Kyra vows not to let this happen. Unfortunately the Chosen Ones will stop at nothing to make sure the marriage goes through. In the past, they haven't been above murder to make sure things go their way. What happens to Kyra and those who love her is heartbreaking. Carol Lynch Williams does a standout job of making Kyra's family empathetic...it is clear Kyra's father and all three of his wives care deeply for her. They take some risks for her, but they never quite go far enough. This also rang painfully realistic to me. The story is sad, I am a bleeding heart and I did tear up several times. I read this book in a short couple of hours. I am passing this book on to my 13 year old stepdaughter in hopes that she will take to heart Kyra's strength. A must read for both adults and teens.

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It Happened to Nancy: By an Anonymous Teenager, A True Story from Her Diary Review

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(More customer reviews)I read this book twice in a row at fourteen and cried at the end both times, after having earlier scoffed at the book because of how stupid and naïve Nancy acted. It's really upsetting to find it may be largely or entirely a fraud, that this sweet courageous young person may have been made up or had her life made into something that was largely the creation of Dr. Sparks. A lot of girls are like Nancy and don't see anything fishy about an older man wanting to date them or letting an older boyfriend spend the night when their parents are away. During the stampede (or whatever the chaos was) at the Garth Brooks concert she attends with her friends, Nancy has an asthma attack and finds herself being taken care of by a strange older boy named Collin. She never tells him to get away from her because she doesn't know him, or tell him he's too old for her at her age. (Four years of age difference in a relationship isn't that big of a deal, but if you're 14 and 18, it's not the same as, say, an 18 year old and a 22 year old.) She never even tells her mother about this relationship, or any of her friends. It turns out his real name is Gary and that he's 32 years old.
In hindsight some of it does seem too fishy to be true. How was Nancy's doctor able to give her an HIV test without her knowledge or permission, why does her disease get so serious so fast (unless Collin had a full-blown case when he gave it to her, or because of her strained immune system due to her serious asthma), why doesn't she go down to the Catholic rape crisis centre she called the morning after her attack, after telling the sympathetic nun on the phone she'd come over, why doesn't her mother take her to get tested for AIDS, STDs, or pregnancy as soon as she tells her about the rape? She takes her out of town on a beach vacation instead? And it's suspicious how all of Sparks's young diarists have the same exact moral preachiness, similar writing styles, never say anything against their parents (or if they do they quickly take it back), never get involved in these problems by their own accord but instead are pulled in by friends who drug them, rape them, or talk them into Satanic beliefs. Nancy may be a sweet religious old-fashioned Southern girl, but surely she couldn't have been that naïve. I was a few years younger than Nancy at the time these events are going on in the early Nineties, and well remember what the climate was like at that time, people deathly afraid of getting AIDS from toilet seats or mosquito bites, people desperate for more funding for research because so many people were dying and getting sick. None of that was felt in her small South Carolina town?
It's a moving book with a powerful and important message, but I no longer view it the same way I did when I first read it and thought it was a 100% true story.

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The editor of the classic GO ASK ALICE has compiled the poignant journals of a 14-year-old date-rape victim who contracted AIDS and died.

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Best Friends for Never (The Clique, No. 2) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Clique (Massie Block, Dylan Marvil, Kristen Gregory, Alicia Rivera, and, of course, the wannabe, Claire Lyons), are back for another shot at ruling the school. Seventh grade Massie is still the most popular girl at OCD (Octavian Day School), and to prove that, she plans on throwing OCD's first ever boy/girl Halloween party. However, Massie is unsure which is worse, being forced to throw the party with Claire (the un-popular girl who wants to be in), or having to invite the entire grade, even the geeks! Dylan, on the other hand, has finally lost the extra weight she was carrying around, and is now determined to use her new body to catch a new, super-cute guy. Kristen knows one thing, while clothes are for sharing, guys aren't, which is why she plans on catching the guy who Dylan likes, as she likes him as well, and keep him to herself. And she'll do anything it takes. Alicia sees that The Clique is at each others throats, and she plans on taking it over, and being the new hipster her rules OCD. Then there's Claire. Poor, sweet Claire. She doesn't know what she's in for. The Clique is back and more spiteful than ever.
While I have not read the first CLIQUE novel, I was able to understand what was going on with the characters, and keep up with the commentary in BEST FRIENDS FOR NEVER, thanks to Lisi Harrison's fantastic way of re-capping what happened in the previous novel. However, after reading BEST FRIENDS FOR NEVER, I find myself craving more of THE CLIQUE. Each girl is unique in her own way, while at the same time making sure not to be too unique, as being unique can easily make you an outcast. I found THE CLIQUE to be a juicy new series that will appeal to girls who are too young for Cecily von Ziegesar's popular teen series GOSSIP GIRL, but interested in reading about the goings on in a popular girls clique. Fans of the movie MEAN GIRLS, starring Lindsay Lohan, will find this new pre-teen/teen fiction to be scandalous, but not racy, and find themselves unable to put this book down until the very last word is read. A must-have!
Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

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The Clique is back ...Massie Block - Still gorgeous. Still trendsetting. Still ruling the social scene at school...she hopes. To keep her spot at the top, Massie decides to throw the school's first boy/girl Halloween party. But her parents are making her invite the entire grade AND share the party with Claire.She's not sure which is scarier...Dylan Marvil - Lost the weight. Kept the attitude. Plans to use her new look to snag a cute guy.Kristen Gregory - Clothes are for sharing. Guys aren't. Likes the same guy Dylan does. Will do whatever it takes to get him.Alicia Rivera - With the Clique unravelling faster than last season's Burberry sweater, is it time for Alicia to stage her takeover? Claire Lyons: Still out. Wants in. Seriously needs to lose those Keds.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Lost Summer Review

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(More customer reviews)Divorcee Kathryn informs her sixteen years old daughter Caitlin that they will spend the summer on Danbroke Island on the North Carolina Outer Banks because she feels her two children are out of control. Caitlin is outraged as she planned to sing backup with her boyfriend's band while her eleven years old brother Luke accepts a four wheel bribe from his wealthy mother.
After traveling from La Jolla, California the three Rosses reach their destination, the Pirates Lodge, owned by Bill Collins, Kathryn's high school boyfriend. Her two children realize they are across the country because their prescription crazed mother was hoping to renew an old fling. The teen makes friends with an out of place Goth Danielle, but as a hurricane approaches she fears Bill, who always leers at her when he is not "accidentally" touching her. She has no one to turn to as her mom hides behind her drug stupor, her brother continues to be the same lunatic he was on the west coast, and her dad abandoned the family last year.
LOST SUMMER is an interesting family drama starring a beleaguered female teen with no place to turn to except to a degree another isolated peer as Bill increasingly tries to take unwanted liberties with her while her mom pretends all is well. Kathryn and Luke are purposely made extreme out of control stereotypes so that their hedonistic destructive behavior negatively impacts Caitlin especially during the isolated LOST SUMMER.
Harriet Klausner


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The Straits Review

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(More customer reviews)After a hurricane took the life of both his sister and his mother, Jim Beauregard now resides in a FEMA trailer with his aunt Mel. When Jim is fired after his arch-enemy sets him up and with FEMA placing The Straits under eviction, Jim's only hope is cards. Though participating in an illegal underground poker ring may be risky, Jim has no choice. Can one simple hand of Hold 'Em Texas get Jim enough money to survive eviction and even get Hollis Mulwray off his back for good? Or is there something more important at risk here?
.........
The Straits was an Ace read, not to mention there was a Full House of spectacular characters. Not only was it an edgy story of a guy living in a hurricane-depressed neighborhood who also constantly gets a bad reputation; but the story of letting go of self-blame. (Oh, yeah and I always wondered what really happened to all those people who lost their homes and were supposedly helped by FEMA.)
The book's settings leaped right out of the pages and into your mind. Jim and other important character's backgrounds were easily told in just a few short chapters leaving plenty of room for the emotional side of the story. Even though Jim's situations were not always pleasant, the storyline was absorbing: the characters, the poker games, the local teen hangout, the mysterious trailer, and the best ending you could ever hope for. I knew Hollis would get what was coming to him sooner or later, but what did happen was the best play yet.
You know what I truly liked about this book? The Straits was written so smoothly, it was like watching an actual movie in your head-even down to the last little camera shot detail. Since the author is a graduate student in a film program at Colombia University, welp, maybe someday The Straits will really come to life.... on the big screen.
Overall The Straits was a brilliant emotional journey of letting go, and one heck of a poker game.Genre: Realistic/Contemporary, Tragedy, Drama
Age Group: YA, ages 14+ Content: Some language, drinking
Personally Enjoyed It: 4/5 Rating (based on content): 3/5

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He could have saved them.

When a hurricane ripped through Florida last year, it leveled high school student Jim Beauregard's house—while his mom and sister were trapped inside.

Now "home" is a FEMA trailer, shared with his overweight and disabled aunt. Facing eviction, Jim's got to earn enough money for a new place, fast. But when he loses his construction job after being duped by his nemesis, Hollis Mulwray, Jim's got nothing left. Only by joining an underground poker gambling ring does he see a glimmer of hope—in a roomful of dangerous (and possibly crazy) older men.

But more could be at stake than he realizes.

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Sidewayz Glory (Driftx) Review

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(More customer reviews)My son is in 7th grade and read these books as part of the reading program at his school. He's not real big on reading but is big on video games and this seems to be the sweet spot for him. He said that the first book was good, the second better and the third the best.

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Sleight: Book One of the AVRA-K (Volume 1) Review

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(More customer reviews)I fell in love with this book and got teary eyed in the first chapter. Actually, I was teary eyed through a lot of this book. It opens up at a funeral where Gemma is burying her mom. She didn't know her mom all that well, besides the fact that she was crazy, and she doesn't know who her dad is. So, Gemma got to full fill so many kid's dreams and grew up in the circus! That's not even the most interesting thing about her; the most interesting thing is, she can see shades (ghost).
The traveling circus that she is living with stays in one place for the first time for months and she has to start regular school for the very first time. She has never stayed in a place long enough to make close friends or fall in love. Her closed friends are two elephants and two acrobats. That all changes when she meets Henry Dmitri and it was love at first sight.
Everything is going great until one day she sees a letter comes for her with her Mother's writing on it and the people that she is closest to hides it from her. She suddenly realizes that almost everyone around her is keeping secrets from her and she stops at nothing to uncover the truth but is it something she really wants to know? Once the secrets are brought to life the action doesn't stop.
When you first look at this book you may think to yourself, "Wow, this is a long story." But once you start reading it and the more you get involved with it you realize it's not long enough especially at the end.
Jennifer knows how to suck the readers in and make them feel part of the story every step of the way. I can't wait for the second one to come out; I am dying to know what happens next. I recommend this to everyone.
5 out of 5

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Got Fangs? Review

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(More customer reviews)Fran is in Europe with her mother. But unlike what most mother-daughter teams would be doing, Fran is tagging along with her mother who is a witch in a traveling psychic faire. Fran does not feel that this is good or normal. To make it worse, Fran can read people if she touches them. Something her mother thinks she should use at the faire but which Fran is uncomfortable with. Then a sexy motorcycle rider shows up. He is the younger brother of one of Fran's few friends. He is also a very old vampire. While longevity goes with either sex, only the males can be true vampire. And if that wasn't enough, the vampire tells fran that she is his beloved and only she can lift his curse.
Now Fran has a vampire follower who almost worships her, a talent she hates, a mystery of who is robbing the faire, and everything is just confused. So Fran tries to hold off the vampire, agrees to use her talent to try and find the thief, and befriends a very special horse. Sounds simple enough until she finds herself fighting for her life against demons.
The relationship between Fran and Benedikt (the vampire) develops but it is obvious there will be more stories involving these two. The mystery was good and the action was acceptable. Katie Maxwell has created a very interesting world where demons, vampires, psychics and magic all exist. Her take on the vampire is new and fresh. This is not just a vampire teen romance. Check it out.

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FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY.--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

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The Mumbo Jumbo Circus (Volume 1) Review

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(More customer reviews)The author does a great job of creating a realistic world with sympathetic and unique characters. The protagonist has been through the worst aspects of foster care, but is still a sweet person. The circus world is portrayed so convincingly that whenever I stopped reading to do something else, I felt like I had been someplace completely different. Some of that comes from the magical elements in the story, but most is just from good writing and description. The pace is quick, with plenty of action, and there is a nice teen romance. The print version says, "Volume 1," so I have hopes that it's the start of a series.
Highly recommended!
Esri Allbritten
(author, Chihuahua of the Baskervilles)


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When the enigmatic Ringmaster asks 15-year-old Evanja (Evan) Leane to run away and join the circus, she says yes.Anywhere's got to be better than foster home Number Eight. Evan learns that this ragtag circus, a haven for throwaway teens, relies on more than spectacle and illusion. This circus is built on magic. Each of the teens possesses a donvrai, a true gift, that manifests only in the presence of the Ringmaster's mysterious Ju-Ju. Unlike many of the other teens who must wait for their donvrai to emerge, Evan's gift surfaces on her first night: she can read horses' minds. This would be totally awesome except she has been deathly afraid of horses since foster home Number Three. But circus is a dying art. If Evan wants to save her beloved new-found home, she must concoct a brilliant horse act that will bring in the crowds. And she'd better get over herself and get on with it fast; there's a traitor close to the Ringmaster who will stop at nothing to make sure she doesn't succeed.With B&W illustrations.Contains: some swearing. Recommended for age 14 and up.

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Riser Review

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(More customer reviews)As a high school teacher, I'm always looking for new fiction to get my students excited about reading. While I was not a big fan of the Twilight series, I was just happy my students were reading books. A friend of mine gave me a copy of this to read because she thought I might like to share it with my students. I was a little skeptical, but once I started reading this, I had a hard time putting it down. Ms. Smith shows a great deal of maturity in her first work, spinning a compelling tale that combines elements of science fiction and fantasy seamlessly. Chelsen's gift is unique in fiction. Trust me, you have not read this story before. It is so rare to find something so original handled so well. I was surprised to find myself caught up in the story so quickly and, to be honest, I did not put it down until the final page was turned. I was only upset that it ended!
I shared this with a couple of my students and now they are both on Team Chelsen! We all cannot wait for the next book in this series.

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Moonstone Review

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(More customer reviews)I can really go either way with this novel. I had read some great reviews and the story just did not live up to them, in my opinion. I hate to be the one to say that I disliked this book, a lot.
Allie was a good main character, but it took me awhile to really like her. In fact, in the end I'm still not sure if I did like her as a character.
Her mother, on the hand, I despised. This is what I wanted to say to her: Get off your *&$@ing @#$ and get a job (use your imagination). Needless to say, her mom Faye landed on my list of characters I want to punch in the face (and I don't even have a list...).
The story was kind of blah for me, it didn't seem too original, and in the end I saw it all coming. None of the "shocking" moments shocked me.
As a whole, I was really disappointed with the story. Usually I love magic, and whatnot in stories, but this one just made me think about how much I loved all those other stories.
Highlights: Um...it was amusing at points. I liked how Allie didn't just say "Oh sweet, I have magical powers". She was more realistic about the whole scenario, and she was giving.
Lowlights: I think I've said enough. However, do not let my review keep you from reading this story, because everyone has different tastes and sometimes certain stories don't mesh well with certain readers. This story + me = not good.
Despite that, I've seen some amazing reviews about this novel on Amazon, so I would definitely recommend anyone to check out their thoughts to see if it's something you'd like to read.

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MOONSTONEA Fictionwise Fantasy bestsellerYoung AdultA sickly mom. A tiny house trailer. High school bullies and snarky drama queens. Bad-guy dudes with charming smiles. Allie has problems. And then there's that whole thing about fulfilling a magical prophecy and saving the world from evil. Geez. Welcome to the sad, funny, sometimes-scary world of fifteen-year-old Allie Emerson, who's struggling to keep her and her mom's act together in the small-town world of Peacock Flats, Washington. An electrical zap from a TV antenna sets off Allie's weird psychic powers. The next thing she knows she's being visited by a hippy-dippy guardian angel, and then her mysterious neighbor, the town "witch," gives her an incredible moonstone pendant that has powers only a good-hearted "Star Seeker" is meant to command. "Who, me?" is Allie's first reaction. But as sinister events begin to unfold, Allie realizes she's got a destiny to live up to. If she can just survive everyday life, in the meantime. Marilee Brothers is a former high school teacher turned full-time author. She's married to her college sweetheart, and they have three sons. Marilee lives in Washington State, where she's hard at work on more books in the Moonstone series. You can visit her website at www.marileebrothers.com.Reviews:Cross Twilight with a Stephanie Plum book, and you'll get Moonstone. It's supernatural and smart, funny and affecting. I didn't want to put the book down. I cannot wait to read the next part of Allie's story.- unmainstreammomreads.blogspot.com'A gem of a book. An author to watch." -YoungAdultBooksCentral.com I can't wait to see what happens next for Allie.I encourage you to pick up a copy today. - Great Reads Review.comFull of magic, twists, and pure fun, Moonstone is the first in a new young adult paranormal series. The characters come to life in this shining debut. I look forward to reading more about Allie and the Star Seekers. What a wonderful book!Wendy's Minding Spot 'Filled with emotion, made more so for the reader as we watch this well-balanced young woman cope with a very unbalanced life. You can't help but respect Allie for stepping up and taking charge of her future, and the surprising hero is sure to worm his way into your heart. I'll be looking forward to seeing how Allie's changed world grows in the next installment." Kimberly Swan, Darque ReviewsMoonstone nicely establishes a solid back story and cast of characters to launch the next volume in the series. Recommended. SciFiGuy.caet Must captures you and she knows how to write a great story. The pace of the book was just rig This is another [see her review for Bite Me] good choice for public library teen/fantasy collections - I look forward to the next title in this series. - Simone Sidwell, Teen Librarian, Grinnell Stewart Public LibraryGreenBeanTeenQueen Says: With so many paranormal young adult books out right now it's hard for each one to be different or stand out. Marilee Brothers succeeds in creating a fun original heroine in Allie. Sarah Bean, The Library Center, Springfield, Missouri A great start to a new series filled romance, paranormal, finding yourself, and family drama which just equals fun. I love how Allie discovers something new about herself, that changes her outlook on life. I'm already looking forward to the next book.http://yabooknerd.blogspot.com/Jennifer RummelHead of YA departmentOtis Library, Norwich, Connecticut

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So Over My Head (The Charmed Life) Review

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(More customer reviews)Review by Jill Williamson
Just when we all thought that Bella's life was roses, things start to smell bad. While she's on assignment, covering the circus that's come to town, Bella discovers a dead body. The police make an arrest, but Bella is sure they've got the wrong guy. Then Bella catches her boyfriend kissing his ex! So she focuses on finding the real killer. Only problem, the real killer might be focusing on her!
Sigh. I love me a good Jenny B. Jones book. Yes I do. Here's another wild tale of Miss Bella Kirkwood and her charmed life. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and I may have had to lock the door just in case there were any deranged circus performers in my neck of the woods. All in all, a completely satisfying end to this series. Nothing left to do but make everyone else read these books while we wait for Jenny B. Jones' next installment of hysterical teen novels. Hope the wait isn't too long.


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The Clique #10: P.S. I Loathe You (Clique Series) Review

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(More customer reviews)okay so in this book they kind of seperate right? well i fiind the books are better when they are like togther hving fun. dont get me wrong i love the series and stuff but i dont want to hear the brand of every item of clothing you are wearing. i wish that the books would switch between al the girls so we could see all perspectives in one. in every clique book i have read there has always been at least one part where oneofthegirlstalklikethis i dont know if the author thinks that it is fun or what but yea i get it they are talking fast. lastly some of those glossip girl flavors stink in fact lisi is asking fans to e mail ideas for flavors not only is that unprofessional in my opinion but it just kind of makes it official in my mind that she is an airhead (yea i know what those tacky super fans are saying ehmygod. oh boy.) well kind of hard to believe that i enjoy those books but i do there is just some things that bother me. gossip girl flavors that i came up with in a few seconds:
black forest cake
chocolate chip cookie
apple pie
pina coloda
strawberry daquari
chocolate mousse
coffee cake
mint chocolate chip
vanilla bean icecream
she might have used one or two of those but really it doesnt take much imagination to think of different kind of food they can smother on there lips.

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Massie Block: When the Pretty Committee deems its boy-fast null and void, boy fever sweeps through BOCD. What better way to backhandspring into new crush Dempsey's heart-and make old crush Derrington jealous-than cheer for him on the soccer field? And just like that, Massie forms BOCD's first-ever cheerleading squad. But will Massie still have something to cheer about when Dempsey starts spending ah lot of time with LBR Layne Abeley? Give me an "E" for Ehmagawd!Kristen Gregory: With Massie and her SBFF (secret best friend forever) Layne vying for the same boy, Kristen has to make a choice: A) the Pretty Committee, or B) the Witty Committee. And if she doesn't choose fast, she'll end up C) Committeeless.Dylan Marvil: Is hiding something, and it's not just those peanut butter Luna bars stashed under her mattress. She's got a secret crush on Derrington-and it's no secret that he likes burpilicious redheads. . . .Alicia Rivera: Prefers pliés to pom-poms, especially when Massie orders her to the bottom of the cheer-pyramid. Can Alicia accept her beta status, or is it time to become alpha of her own squad?Claire Lyons: Now that she's back with Cam, Claire finally has her love life in order. But her friends are trading crushes like styling tips. Will the Pretty Committee survive the boy-swap intact, or is the Clique about to come apart at the seams?

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