Audiobook Review: Chomp by Carl Hiaasen, Narrated by James Van Der Beek

Publisher: Random House Audio/Listening Library/Knopf Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: February 27th, 2012

Wahoo Cray lives in a zoo. His father is an animal wrangler, so he's grown up with all manner of gators, snakes, parrots, rats, monkeys, snappers, and more in his backyard. The critters he can handle.  His father is the unpredictable one. 

When his dad takes a job with a reality TV show called "Expedition Survival!", Wahoo figures he'll have to do a bit of wrangling himself—to keep his dad from killing Derek Badger, the show's boneheaded star, before the shoot is over. But the job keeps getting more complicated. Derek Badger seems to actually believe his PR and insists on using wild animals for his stunts. And Wahoo's acquired a shadow named Tuna—a girl who's sporting a shiner courtesy of her old man and needs a place to hide out. 

They've only been on location in the Everglades for a day before Derek gets bitten by a bat and goes missing in a storm. Search parties head out and promptly get lost themselves. And then Tuna's dad shows up with a gun . . .

It's anyone's guess who will actually survive "Expedition Survival". . . 

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

With grand plans of doing a joint guest review, my husband actually buddy-read this with our (then) ten year old daughter in late 2011.  When he started animatedly telling me about it, gushing about the humor and wit, I told him that he didn't have to do the review... He got me excited for it, and being the selfish girl that I am, I wanted to review it myself.  But, as it usually does, time slipped by and I got more and more backed up on my review reading.  Well, imagine my excitement when I found Chomp in Audible's library (AND that it was read by Mr. Dawson's Creek himself, James Van Der Beek!)!  I promptly downloaded it and gave it a listen.

I am a fan of Carl Hiaasen.  Back in the day when I read books written for adults, I read quite a few of his adult novels (Skinny Dip, Sick Puppy, Nature Girl, Skin Tight, Star Island, etc.).  I've also read all of his MG novels as well (Flush, Hoot, Scat).  Between the facts I am already a fan, and that they show up on just about every summer reading list known to man, reading them was really a no-brainer.  It just stands to reason that I would like Chomp, right?  Right.  I did like it.  It was typical Carl Hiaasen; great characters, enticing plot and pacing, funny, adventurous, well-researched and informational, with smatterings of intelligent sarcasm throughout.  Just like every other book I've read by him, it takes place in Florida, and is heavily laced with eco-speak.  It is obvious that Mr. Hiaasen cares tremendously about our natural world, particularly the piece of it that we call Florida (and he calls home).  As a avid bird-nerd and conservationist myself, I applaud him for lacing his books with thought-provoking dialogue related to the damage we do, as humans, to our environment.  If his books open the eyes of even a small percentage of the people who read them to these facts, he has done a great service to our planet, and has entertained the masses at the same time!  Bravo!

But enough about my general feelings toward Carl Hiaasen, and on to this particular book...  I liked Chomp.  It wasn't perfect, and it wasn't my favorite of his books, but I probably laughed most reading this one.  I think the characters, or rather (for the most part), the caricatures, were the best part of the book.  There were too many great ones to list here, but each one was done so well, even the most minor of them.  The characterizations were spot-on; from the ratings-obsessed Hollywood producer, to the over-indulged TV star, to the bubba Everglades airboat tour guide, to the trailer-trash drunk, each added an element of entertainment and enjoyment to the story.  I don't know if everyone will get the same vibe off the characters that I did because I'm a bit biased.  I'm sure part of my enjoyment came from having lived in Florida for four years, and the fact that I encountered some of the latter type regularly.  For me, they were what made this story great.   

Told mostly from the POV of Wahoo Cray (How's that for a name? And yes, that's his REAL name!), Chomp takes us on a crazy adventure that takes us deep into the Florida Everglades, with a cast of characters that doesn't get any more bizarre.  Wahoo is great, and probably the most level headed and "adult" of the entire bunch.  He's the son of a renowned animal wrangler, and although his dad, Mickey, is great with the animals, he's rather flaky about the other facts of life.  When Wahoo's dad is hired by the TV show, Expedition Survival, to do a show in the Everglades, the adventures kick off and just keep getting nuttier.  The star of the show, Derek Badger, is a real piece of work.  He is supposed to be a cross between Steve Irwin and Bear Grylls, but he is really anything but.  The world sees him is this hard-core survivalist, but he is actually a pampered, spoiled, Hollywood creation (and former Irish Folk Dancer), who couldn't survive the county park without help.  He is the source of a great number of the laughs, and for me, played a huge part in making this story as good as it was. Added to Derek and his drama, was Wahoo's friend, Tuna, who they accidentally rescued from her abusive father (and the trailer they lived in, in the local Walmart parking lot).   While her whole situation added a bit of austerity to the story, it also provided a bunch of laughs as well, taking the story in a rather unexpected direction.  Along with the laughs, I really enjoyed being a casual observer to both the way Wahoo matured throughout the book, and how his sweet, unexpected relationship with Tuna evolved.  Carl Hiaasen wrote these parts so well, in in such a way that they didn't get lost beneath the laughs and adventure, and I think that takes a lot of talent.

As for the audio experience, I thought James Van Der Beek did a great job with it.  I thought his voice added a nice touch, breathing life into Wahoo's character, in particular.  I think I liked this book better this way, than I would have if I had just read the text version.  If you are considering reading this book, and enjoy audiobooks, you should definitely give this one a shot.

Overall, I think this was a good story.  Like I mentioned before, it wasn't my favorite by Carl Hiaasen, but it was well worth the listen/read.  This would be a great addition to any upper elementary or middle school classroom/library.  This book has appeal for not only the MG readers it was written for, but teens and adults as well.  In fact, I think my husband loved it even more than my daughter did.  It would be a great choice as a read-aloud for parents who still read to their older kids because both would enjoy it.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  Carl Hiaasen's MG books are not squeaky clean.  There are usually a few swears and almost always a bit of violence, although none of it graphic or gratuitous.  This book was no different.  Considering this, I think Chomp is appropriate for the average 4th grader and up.  (Ages 9+)

ARC Review: Whisper by Alyson Noel

Publisher: Square Fish

Publication Date: April 24th, 2012

This time, Riley might really have bitten off more than she’s ready for. After practically begging the Council for a more challenging Soul Catch, she is assigned an actual Roman gladiator—Theocoles, the Pillar of Doom. How is Riley, a skinny twelve-year-old, supposed to get through to him? Then she meets the beautiful Messalina, who convinces her that her only chance is to become part of this world. To accomplish this, Messalina helps Riley through a dramatic, mystical makeover, transforming her into the beautiful and mature teen she’s always wanted to be. Finally, Riley can experience her first boyfriend and her first kiss. With a dream this enchanting, will she ever want to leave? 

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I really adore this series.  I stumbled upon it a couple of years ago because *surprise* I liked the cover of the first book, Radiance.  I didn't much care for Ever, the star of Alyson's companion series, The Immortals, but I sure do love her little sister Riley (the star of this series).  Riley is a spunky, stubborn, 12 year old dead girl whose job in the afterlife is to lead lost souls to the other side.  She doesn't really listen very well to authority, but she has matured a little in each book, and it's been great to be along for the ride.

Whisper is the fourth book in the series, and it is my favorite book yet. (You can read my reviews of Radiance and Shimmer HERE and my review of Dreamland HERE.)  In the first three books, her job as a Soul Catcher have been difficult.  The powers that be have assigned her some of the toughest, most stubborn souls out there, but Riley is really good at her job, and has been pretty successful.  This time around, her job is more than difficult, it's downright dangerous.  She has been assigned a Roman gladiator named Theocoles, who has not only refused to cross for every Soul Catcher sent his way, but has managed to suck them all into his world.  Countless Soul Catchers have been lost over the centuries, and now it's Riley's job to cross him- alone.  She has always had her mentor, Bodhi, and her trusty dog, Buttercup, by her side, but this time she has been assigned the job solo...  When Riley meets Messalina, a girl near her age who can give her everything she's ever thought she's wanted, she starts to get sucked in herself, which, previously, was something her ego could never imagine possible.

The story was pretty well paced, with only one or two places where I felt like it was repetitive.  That said, there was definitely a purpose in the repetition, I just felt like it could have been accomplished with less of it.  As I touched on briefly before, the characters and the character growth and development were great; the best I've seen yet, in any of Alyson's books.  The story itself was exciting and I felt satisfied at the end. 

This book (and series, as a whole) is great for both MG and YA readers.  Riley's got a great voice that most kids and teens will relate to in one way or another.  This series is also great for reluctant readers.  Each book is short enough and paced so that the reader will not lose interest, and although the covers are pretty, boys and girls alike will enjoy these books.

My Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ½  

Grade Level Recommendation:  Riley experiences her first kiss in this book, but it is still perfectly fine for grades 3 and up (ages 8+).

WWW (31) and Waiting On Wednesday (April 18th, 2012): The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver

W. W. W. Wednesday is hosted by Should Be Reading a great blog that I subscribe to. Here's how it works... Each Wednesday I will answer the following questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you'll read next?

I've had sick kids the past two weeks, and now I'm sick, so while I haven't gotten much else done, I have done a good amount to reading (silver lining, right?).  Let's see what we have here...

What are you currently reading?

Whisper by Alyson Noel~ I really enjoyed the first three books in the Riley Bloom series, and I am enjoying this one just as much.  If you want to read my reviews of the other three books, click HERE for Radiance and Shimmer, and HERE for Dreamland.

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder~ Plugging through this series with my seven year old daughter.  I think I love these books each time I read them, but this is my least favorite of the series.  Pa is such a dumbass...

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins~ I'm still buddy-reading this with my *almost* 11 year old daughter and I'm having a very difficult time keeping my promise to not read ahead.  Last week she went on a three night school trip and forbade me to read ahead.  Brutal!

The Sword Thief (The 39 Clues, Book #3) by Peter Lerangis~ I'm reading this series with my seven year old son.  We took a break to read Liesl & Po, but now we're back to The 39 Clues.  We just started this one last night, so I'm not really sure I have an opinion yet...

What did you recently finish reading?

The Selection by Kiera Cass~ This book was pretty good.  It had gotten such mixed reviews, so I wasn't sure what to expect.  I liked it and am looking forward to the 2nd book next year.  Read my full review HERE.

Dearly Departed by Lia Habel~ This book was really awesome, and not at all what I expected.  I was so pleasantly surprised with what I got.  I listened to the audio, and highly recommend it as it is done by an ensemble cast.  My full review will be up later this week.

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver~ This was a re-read, but this time I read it to my son, Benjamin.  He got so into it, and loved it SO much.  He has spent lots of time on the website, and although it's unrelated, he is VERY eagerly awaiting Lauren's next MG novel, The Spindlers.

The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman~ This is not your typical YA book at all.  It definitely reads more like an adult novel.  It is The Da Vinci Code meets A Great and Terrible Beauty.  I love it when YA authors show respect to their readers by assuming they are intelligent enough to handle a book like this.  Bravo to Robin Wasserman. Full review HERE.

What do you think you'll read next?

Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf~ This is my next book for review.  I've been excited to read it for awhile, and although it's gotten some mixed reviews, I still have pretty high expectations.  Stay tuned!

The Fire (Witch & Wizard, Book #3) by James Patterson~ Yes, I think I'm finally going to get to read this.  It's been on my shelf for FAR too long!  I loved the first two books, so I hope this one measures up! 

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa~ I've heard absolutely BRILLIANT things about this one.  I have a bunch of for-review book for next week, and this one is huge, but I think I need to fit it in, like, right now!  Stay tuned!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is another fun blog event. Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, this event gives us a chance to talk about the books we anxiously await the release of. Since there is ALWAYS a looooooong list of books I'm waiting on (I actually keep a spreadsheet), I figured this is one that I MUST do.

There are almost too many "Waiting On" books to choose from right now, but it must be done.  Since I mentioned this one above, and since my Benjamin is not the only one eagerly awaiting this book, I am going to highlight...

The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver

From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver comes a bewitching story about the reaches of loyalty, the meaning of love, and the enduring power of hope.

Looking across the breakfast table one morning, twelve-year-old Liza feels dread wash over her. Although her younger brother, Patrick, appears the same, Liza knows that he is actually quite different. She is certain that the spindlers-evil, spiderlike beings-came during the night and stole his soul. And Liza is also certain that she is the only one who can rescue him.

Armed with little more than her wits and a huge talking rat for a guide, Liza descends into the dark and ominous underground to save Patrick's soul. Her quest is far from easy, and the road to the spindlers' nests is riddled with danger. She must brave tree snakes, the Court of Stones, and shape-shifting serpents before facing her greatest challenge in the spindlers' lair, where more than just Patrick's soul is at stake.

Evocative of Alice in Wonderland as well as Neil Gaiman's modern classic, Coraline, this new middle-grade novel follows Liza as she embarks on a daring quest through the dark and fascinating world that exists beneath our own.

(Courtesy of HarperCollins)

I don't usually review Middle Grade fiction on this blog, but occasionally a book will come along that is so brilliantly done, that I have to mention it. I am a Lauren Oliver fangirl, and I loved her first foray into MG, Liesl & Po. Nothing brought me more joy than to share it with my son. Lauren gained a fan in him, and now we are on pins and needles together for her next book! :-)

Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books

Publication Date: October 2nd, 2012

My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

What are YOU Waiting On this week?

Review: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness; Inspired by Siobhan Dowd

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Publication Date: September 27th, 2011

This is an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss. The monster showed up just after midnight. As they do. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming. . . .

This monster, though, is something different. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor. 

It wants the truth.

Patrick Ness spins a tale from the final story idea of Siobhan Dowd, whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself. Darkly mischievous and painfully funny, A Monster Calls is an extraordinarily moving novel about coming to terms with loss from two of our finest writers for young adults.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I have to admit that  when I heard Patrick Ness had written a MG novel, I was dubious.  I've read his Chaos Walking series, and while he is a brilliant writer, he's not one that I would have ever considered recommending to a MG reader.  Then I read a synopsis of A Monster Calls and saw the cover, and thought, "This doesn't really seem very MG.  It seems too harsh...".  Then I read it.  And it took me a REALLY long time to read it.

I started this book in late November, and had to put it down for quite awhile.  It just wasn't a great time for me to be reading such a sad and very, very real book.  It sat on my nightstand until yesterday, when I decided it was time to finish it.  Well, finish it, I did.  I read almost the entire book in one sitting, and while it was extremely sad, it was satisfying too.  It was brilliantly written, with so much care, wisdom, and TRUTH.  It IS okay to be angry at the injustice of seeing bad things happen to good people, and it is okay to want the suffering to end.  As heart-wrenching as this book is, it is also beautiful, but it's not the writing and story alone that makes it so.  This book would not be what it is without illustrator Jim Kay's amazing artwork!  Entirely in black and white, and done with ink, he manages to create so many textures through the use of many unique tools.  The perspective he adds to this story with his artwork adds so much, and your average illustration would never have done the job.  He captures the story and emotion behind it in ways that are astounding and difficult to describe.  My favorite was, by far, the one where the monster is shown sitting on the roof of Conor's Grandma's office.  The feeling in that illustration brought tears to my eyes, and it wasn't the only one.  This book is a package deal like few I have ever read, and it is truly extraordinary.

Get your box of tissues, block an afternoon off to read, and dig in.  You will gain so much as a person by the experience.  This book is more than a story, more than mind-blowing illustrations, more than a book... This book is a work of art and a study in all that is right, all that is wrong, and everything that is unfair in our reality.  It is love, anger, triumph, defeat, rage, and understanding, all rolled into one.  A must-read for everyone.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★+++

Grade Level Recommendation:  This is considered a MG book, but I wouldn't classify it as so.  I wouldn't recommend this for kids younger than about 5th grade, unless they are going through the horrible experience of watching a loved one die of cancer.  I feel like the average younger MG student just wouldn't GET what this book has to offer.  That said, after about 5th grade, I think this is a book that anyone, and everyone should read; tween, teens, adults.  Anyone can gain wisdom and a small piece of humanity from reading this.

Review: Guys Read: Thriller edited by Jon Scieszka

Publisher: Walden Pond Press

Publication Date:  September 20th, 2011

A body on the tracks.

A teenage terrorist.

A mysterious wish-granting machine.

The world’s worst private detective.

The second volume in the Guys Read Library of Great Reading is chock-full of mystery, intrigue, and nefarious activity. Featuring some of the best writers around, and compiled by certified guy Jon Scieszka, Guys Read: Thriller is a pulse-pounding collection of brand-new short stories, each one guaranteed to keep you riveted until the final page.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I really enjoyed the first two Guys Read books, Guys Write for Guys Read and Guys Read: Funny Business.  I admire Jon Scieszka for his dedication to the Guys Read initiative; I think it's really important to find ways to get boys reading as much as girls do, and the only way to do this is to find ways to make more boys LIKE to read.  This series of books are awesome for introducing boys to some of the many awesome MG and YA authors that write novels that boys like; they are full of short stories by popular authors like James Patterson, Anthony Horowitz, M.T. Anderson, Tony DiTerlizzi, Jeff Kinney, David Lubar, Patrick Carman, Adam Rex, and Margaret Peterson Haddix.  All of this said, I wasn't terribly impressed with this latest installment.  There were a couple of stories I really liked, but most fell flat for me.  Granted, I'm not the audience this book was intended for, but I felt a little let down.  These stories weren't really scary, and when I think "thriller", that's what I expect... 

As you would expect, M.T. Anderson (The Old, Dead Nuisance) and Patrick Carman (Ghost Vision Glasses) wrote the two best stories for this genre.  Walter Dean Myers wrote the fabulous Pirates (which was probably the best written story in the collection), but it was not at all what I would call a "thriller".  I guess I didn't DISLIKE any of the stories, but these are the only three real standouts for me.

Do I think MG boys should give this book a shot?  Absolutely!  It is still a GREAT choice for a reluctant reader, I just had very high expectations after reading the other two Guys Read books.  If you want to know more about the Guys Read initiative, click HERE.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ½  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is a Middle Grade book and is appropriate for most children with the ability to read it.  That said, my daughter COULD have read this at age four, but a she would have been scared by it, and I would NOT have wanted her to read Pirates yet (even if the scariness weren't a factor with the other stories), so I am going to to say that content-wise this is for ages 8 and up (3rd grade+).

**Don't forget to enter my international GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a SIGNED hardcover copy of Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins!  Click HERE to enter!**

Before the Blog (5): The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull

Some of you already know this, but I've started a weekly meme called "Before the Blog". In short, it's a place to review books you read and loved before you began blogging about them. Basically, you choose a book each week, then answer the following three questions,and post your review.   Then you can add your post to the little Mr. Linky widget below, and voila!


Why did you choose this book? 
When did you read this book?
Who would you recommend this book to?

For more info, see my 1st BtB post by clicking this LINK.   The book I chose this week is technically a MG novel, but I loved it, as did some of the older kids I've recommended it to.  Brandon Mull is known for his Fablehaven series and his new Beyonders series.

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Publication Date: September 11th, 2007

Why did you choose this book?  I was previewing it for a possible book to highlight with our storyteller at my daughter's school book fair.  I was familiar with Brandon Mull from reading Fablehaven, and I really like him.  I though the synopsis sounded great.

When did you read this book?  April, 2009

Who would you recommend this book to?  3rd/4th grade through 9th/10th grade readers who like action, adventure, magic, and mystery.  Boys seemed to like it more than girls, although most girls did enjoy it.  Anyone who is familiar with, and likes Brandon Mull. Reluctant readers who need a fast pace to hold their interest.

Welcome to the Sweet Tooth Ice Cream and Candy Shoppe, where the confections are bit on the . . . unusual side. Rock candy that makes you weightless. Jawbreakers that make you unbreakable. Chocolate balls that make you a master of disguise. Four young friends—Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon—meet the grandmotherly Mrs. White, owner of the Sweet Tooth, and soon learn about the magical side effects of her candies. Then the ice cream truck driver, Mr. Stott, arrives with a few enchanted sweets of his own. The danger unfolds as the four youngsters discover that the magical strangers have all come to town in search of a legendary treasure—one that could be used for great evil if it fell into the wrong hands. The kids, now in over their heads, must try to retrieve the treasure first. And so, the war begins...

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

This book is one of my favorite MG books ever.  I read it a couple of years ago and thought it was brilliant.  I then read it to my children, and they were absolutely enthralled; begging for another chapter every night as they fought sleep to find out what was going to happen next. When I presented it to the 6th graders, they balked because of the cover; they quickly changed their minds when they read it (I had to challenge them by telling them that I would buy the book back from them if they didn't like it- not a single student requested their money back).   I gave it to my 15 year old babysitter and she loved it (she's usually a Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, Susane Colasanti fan), passing it about her circle of friends.

Initially, I thought this book was going to be very cutesy because of the cover.  It implies happy, smiling kids flying through the air over their town, surrounded by candy.  Well, you know what they say about judging a book by it's cover...  This book was not cutesy at all (which, in hindsight, I should have known, based on Mull's other books that it wouldn't be).  It was rather dark for a MG book.  It had dark magic, kidnappings, and mind-control, bringing a whole new meaning to the warning, "Never take candy from strangers.". 

The story was great and the world-building and character development phenomenal.  I could picture everything in my head, down to the last detail; I felt like I knew the characters and could empathize with their struggles.  The magical elements were creative and sinister.  The mystery was unpredictable right through to the very end and it never lags.

Readers of all ages will have a blast with this book.  It's a shame the cover is so deceiving because I know it gets passed up by the readers who it's targeted at because of it.  I actually think that this is Mull's best book to date.

My Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  I would say this is content-appropriate for just about any age, but as a whole, I would say advanced reading 2nd grade and up (ages 8+).  It can be scary at times (my twins were 5 when I read it to them and they were scared in a few places), but nothing over the top.  The reading level is pretty high (5.0 AR) and it comes in at a little over 400 pages, so younger readers will have to be pretty good readers.  It's targeted at kids age 10+ (5th grade and up).

Review: My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: January 6th, 2009

Finding your one true love can be a Grimm experience!
After her boyfriend dumps her for her older sister, sophomore Savannah Delano wishes she could find a true prince to take her to the prom. Enter Chrissy (Chrysanthemum) Everstar: Savannah’s gum-chewing, cell phone–carrying, high heel-wearing Fair Godmother. Showing why she’s only Fair—because she’s not a very good fairy student—Chrissy mistakenly sends Savannah back in time to the Middle Ages, first as Cinderella, then as Snow White. Finally she sends Tristan, a boy in Savannah’s class, back instead to turn him into her prom-worthy prince. When Savannah returns to the Middle Ages to save Tristan, they must team up to defeat a troll, a dragon, and the mysterious and undeniably sexy Black Knight. Laughs abound in this clever fairy tale twist from a master of romantic comedy.
(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Initially, like many of the books I read, I picked up this book as a read-at-bedtime for my (almost) 10 year old daughter (yes, she still likes Mommy to read to her at bedtime, despite the fact that she can read as well, if not better than I can). I expected a cheesy romance that would be loved by tweens and young teens, but not by me. I can very happily report that this book was so much more than I expected!

I really enjoy a good fairy tale re-telling, but I am VERY picky about them. Most original fairy tales are just a few pages long, and I think it takes a really talented storyteller and writer to stretch that into a full-length novel that is worth reading. That said, I was very skeptical at the beginning of this one. The cover screamed, "Disney Channel" at me. Well, Disney Channel it was not! It was clever, well written, full of life lessons (in a non-preachy way), and FUN! At times it had my daughter and I laughing until our sides hurt. I loved the premise of a "Fair Godmother"; basically a godmother that was nowhere near the top of her fairy godmother training school. Chrissy was a flaky, self-absorbed mess, and it was evident in the way that she interacted with her assigned charge (Savannah). Savannah was rather flaky and self-absorbed herself. When given her three wishes, she made some pretty shallow ones, and the adventures began...  This book was actually so well done, that I may re-read it to myself, and I definitely am recommending it to all of Emma's friends and their moms.  Emma and I had so many great conversations based on this book, which is great since she is entering a phase where most of out Mommy/Daughter conversations consist of her complaining and me yelling...  I'm sure the author's intentions didn't include facilitating parent/child interaction, but I have to thank her for it nonetheless!

I love it when a book so thoroughly surprises me, as this one did. I am now a big fan of Janette Rallison, and quite eager to read this book's recently released sequel, My Unfair Godmother. I will also probably read some of her other books in the very near future (It's a Mall World After All, Just One Wish). Keep your eye out for the reviews!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: Obviously, if I was reading this to my 10 year old (rising 5th grader), it is clean. It is squeaky clean, as a matter of fact. No sex, drinking, drug use, language, or mature themes. There is some innocent romance; a little kissing, and that's it. I would say that this book is appropriate for ages 8+ (3rd grade+).

Review: Trapped by Michael Northrop

Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: January 1st, 2011

The day the blizzard started, no one knew that it was going to keep snowing for a week. That for those in its path, it would become not just a matter of keeping warm, but of staying alive....

Scotty and his friends Pete and Jason are among the last seven kids at their high school waiting to get picked up that day, and they soon realize that no one is coming for them. Still, it doesn't seem so bad to spend the night at school, especially when distractingly hot Krista and Julie are sleeping just down the hall. But then the power goes out, then the heat. The pipes freeze, and the roof shudders. As the days add up, the snow piles higher, and the empty halls grow colder and darker, the mounting pressure forces a devastating decision....

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I grew up exactly between Buffalo and Rochester, NY and when I found out there was a YA book coming out about a bunch of kids stranded at school, with no adults, in an epic blizzard, I knew I HAD to read it. I mean, where else gets more snow? I have first-hand experience going to school in snowstorms that would shut other places down for days; not taking blizzards seriously because "it's just a little snow". I figured that I could easily see if this was a far-fetched thing of something that could happen, and I have to say... I could totally see this happening.

This book was so much better than I expected. I almost didn't read it because it's average rating on Goodreads was a little more than three stars, and I typically don't pick it up if GR has it at fewer than 3.5-4 stars. Well, I am not sure why the lower ratings because I thought this book was very good. It took me two days to get through the first five chapters, but then I had to read the rest in one sitting. I liked the characters (even though a couple weren't really very likable), and I thought they were well-developed enough. In this tale, I really didn't see a need for more character development. The plot was pretty well paced. There were a few places where it was a little slow, but even those were only a couple of pages long. Overall, the story was so good that putting this down was not an option. I just had to know what was going to happen next, which brings me to my only gripe about this book (and the reason it's getting four stars instead of five)... The ending sucked. I'm not going to spoil it, but I will tell you that there were way too many unanswered questions for my liking. Of the seven kids that were trapped in the school, we only find out out the fates of two. The other five? A total mystery.

Overall, I really liked this book. It kept me turning pages, and I think it was just realistic enough. I will definitely read another book by this author.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: This book is clean as far as elements such as sex, language, adult situations, drinking/drug use, and violence are concerned. There is a death of at least one major character and the assumed death of several minor characters. There are some realistic, scary situations but nothing I think a 3rd or 4th grader wouldn't be able to handle. Maybe younger students in the Northeast should wait a little longer. :) Final opinion: 3rd grade+ (ages 8+).

Look for the following reviews later this week.  Happy Reading!

      

Review: Radiance AND Shimmer by Alyson Noel

Publisher: Square Fish
Publication Date: August 31st, 2010 (Radiance), March 15th, 2011 (Shimmer)

When I picked up Radiance last fall, I did so for two reasons. One, the cover is so pretty. My eye was drawn right to it. Two, it was short. I wanted to find something for the reluctant middle-school aged reader, and that meant it had to be under 200 pages. I was very pleasantly surprised when I enjoyed reading it so much! You see, I just do not like Alyson Noel's The Immortals series. I know the books are wildly popular and I think she is a great writer, but I just could not connect with Ever, making it impossible for me to get into the books. I'm so glad I gave her little sister, Riley, a chance! She's a great character, and after reading Radiance, I found myself looking forward to reading about her future adventures. I hope Alyson Noel keeps the Riley Bloom Books coming...

This is my review of Radiance, from back in October (from the blog I used to run at my daughter's school):

"Most people think that death is the end.

The end of life- of good times- the end of, well, pretty much everything.

But those people are wrong.

Dead wrong.

And I should know.

I died almost a year ago.”

Twelve year old Riley Bloom and her dog, Buttercup, are in the Here & Now. They have crossed the bridge to the afterlife, to a place called Here, where the time is always Now. Riley has been reunited with her parents after spending the period of time between her death and her crossing in Summerland, the in-between place. Now, as she settles into her afterlife, she realizes that it isn’t really THAT much different from living. She still has parents, still lives in a house and sleeps in a bed, and still has to go to school, where she will learn her vocation…

When Riley goes to school on her first day, she meets with the Council, who assign her the job of “Soul Catcher” and a mentor named Bodhi, an awkward, mysterious, and almost hostile boy. Riley’s job is to go back to the living world, where she must convince spirits away from their haunts, and across the bridge to Here & Now. Her first assignment? Radiant Boy. Over the span of centuries, many have tried to coax him away from his English Castle haunt, and ALL have failed. Will Riley, with Bodhi’s help, succeed?

Radiance is the first book in a new series by Alyson Noel, bestselling author of the paranormal romance series, The Immortals. It is a fantastic story about Riley and Bodhi’s adventures as Soul Catchers, as well as Riley’s adjustment to the afterlife. Riley is a strong-willed girl, who is both extremely intelligent and stubbornly foolish. Bodhi is not the boy you initially expect him to be, and who he is comes as a great, and pleasant, surprise. Boys and girls alike will love this book, so boys, please do not be thrown off by it’s girly, pretty cover (you know what they say about judging a book…), it is full of action and scary ghosts. It is also a fairly short book, coming in at only 183 pages, so it is a very quick read- great for those who don’t necessarily love reading. A definite MUST read for the student who likes ghost stories.

Now I've finished Shimmer, and I think I liked it even better. We get to know Bodhi a little bit better, and Riley "grows up" a little bit (as much as a girl who is stuck forever at 12 years old can). We also meet a new, and seriously sinister ghost; one that puts Radiant Boy to shame. Rebecca was the daughter of a plantation owner on the island of St. John. Rebecca is murdered, along with her father, during a slave revolt in1733, and she is PISSED! She continues to haunt the location of the plantation, trapping and tormenting the souls of the slaves who took part in the revolt. Riley, Bodhi, and Buttercup find themselves trapped by Rebecca in her world and their own worst nightmares...

Having solved the matter of the Radiant Boy, Riley, Buttercup, and Bodhi are enjoying a well-deserved vacation. When Riley comes across a vicious black dog, against Bodhi’s advice, she decides to cross him over. While following the dog, she runs into a young ghost named Rebecca. Despite Rebecca’s sweet appearance, Riley soon learns she’s not at all what she seems. As the daughter of a former plantation owner, she is furious about being murdered during a slave revolt in 1733. Mired in her own anger, Rebecca is lashing out by keeping the ghosts who died along with her trapped in their worst memories. Can Riley help Rebecca forgive and forget without losing herself to her own nightmarish memories?

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I really enjoyed reading this one. It was a quick (194 pages) and easy read, and the story flowed very well. I like that Noel continued to develop the characters, and I was most impressed with the subtle message the book put forth about how all-consuming anger can destroy your soul.  

I can't wait for the 3rd installment, Dreamland, to release on September 13th of this year.  I'll be sure to get it right away!  I can't wait to see what kind of trouble Bodhi has to bail Riley out of next time.  It's sure to be an adventure!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ (Radiance); ★ ★ ★ ★ (Shimmer)

Grade Level Recommendation: Both books can be scary at times, and there are some graphic, historically-accurate accounts of violent slave treatment in the 1700's in Shimmer.  I would say they are appropriate for advanced reading 3rd graders+ (ages 8 and up).