Review: Exposed

Title:  Exposed

Author:  Kimberly Marcus

Review Copy Provided by:  publisher, Random House

About the Book:  In the dim light of the darkroom, I'm alone, but not for long.
As white turns to gray, Kate is with me.
The background of the dance studio blurred, so the focus is all on her
legs extended in a perfect soaring split.
The straight line to my squiggle,
my forever-best friend.

Sixteen-year-old Liz Grayson is photogirl—sharp, focused and ready to take the world by storm with her camera. But Liz's entire life is called into question when her brother is accused of a crime—and the accuser is Liz's own best friend. As the aftershocks from that accusation rip through Liz's world, everything she thought she knew about photography, family, friendship and herself, shifts out of focus. And for the first time in her life, Liz finds herself unable to trust her own point of view.  

My Thoughts:  I'm not a 5 star giving kind of girl.  That kind of a rating is reserved for books that "knock me off my feet," so to speak.  Well, this one did just that, so I didn't hesitate when I posted my completion on EXPOSED's Goodreads page.

This is the first book I've read that was written in free verse, but I'm ready to read more.  More free verse and more about Liz...what happens to her?  She goes through a lot in just one book, that I'd like to read more of her story.  The use of free verse makes this a quick read, but it doesn't take away from the depth of the story.

I'm so impressed with Kimberly Marcus as an author.  This is her debut YA, and it is going to be a hit!  There haven't been many YA novels written in free verse.  I think it is a great way to write and maybe there will be more like it in the future.  Marcus scores big with this one.

The characters in the story are well written, strong, deep characters.  Liz comes to find out things about her brother and her best friend that she may not have wanted to know, but they also help her to learn more about herself as a person.  What does she want to do with her life?  Is she willing to hang on to her dreams, take the risks that she tries to get others to take, listen to those around her who are trying to help her?  She comes to find out that dreams are what keep you going, and risks are meant to be taken.  Things may not turn out the way you think they should, but they turn out, none the less.

This novel delves into a very heavy subject, but it doesn't tiptoe around it.  Marcus meets the challenge head on and makes her characters face the truth, no matter how painful it is or will be, no matter what it may do to their relationships.  The content dealt with in this novel is not an easy subject to broach, but Marcus does it so well!

I will be recommending this one to teens and adults as it will be enjoyed by both.

Blog Tour - A Vampire is Coming to Dinner

I apologize for missing my original post date last week, but I was sick and just didn't get anything blog related done.  This week is much better, and I appreciate Trish and TLC Book Tours for allowing me to reschedule this review.  Here is one for Halloween that is sure to please even the little ones!

Title:  A Vampire is Coming to Dinner!

Author:  Pamela Jane

Illustrator:  Pedro Rodriguez

Review Copy Provided by:  Price Stern Sloan

About the Book:  Read along as the narrator of this story comes up with some very practical rules for dealing with a vampire. But rules are meant to be broken, aren’t they? From feeding the vampire garlic to filling the house with mirrors, the narrator is doing just that! With ten full-page gatefolds and a pop at the end of the book, kids will love seeing which rules are being followed and which aren’t!

My Review:  This is just the cutest book!  Why am I saying that about a Halloween book that is about vampires?  Well, because it's for children, even young ones, and they won't be scared by it.

This book is filled with the 10 rules for what to do when you have a vampire over for dinner.  Who does that?  Well, children with imaginations, that's who!  The illustrator makes this book come to life with fun pictures that go along with each rule.  Every page is a different rule and folds out to reveal what to do and not to do.  At the end, children will be surprised with a "pop-up."  Children and adults love pop-ups in books and I'm glad to see one used in this one.

Right now is the perfect time to share this book with the young children in your life.  Happy Halloween and have fun learning about what to do and not to do when a vampire comes to dinner!

If you'd like to read some other reviews, here are the previous stops on the tour:

Monday, October 4th: Jenn’s Bookshelves
Tuesday, October 5th: Write for a Reader
Wednesday, October 6th: Savvy Verse & Wit
Thursday, October 7th: There’s a Book
Monday, October 11th: The Book Faery Reviews

Waiting On Wednesday - Enchanted Ivy

I haven't done a Waiting On Wednesday in a while, but I'm trying to get back into it because it is a great way to discover new books. 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 
Enchanted Ivy
By Sarah Beth Durst
Publication Date: October 12th 2010 by Margaret K. McElderry
  
A story about getting into college. You know, taking the campus tour, talking to the gargoyles, flirting with the were-tigers, riding the dragons...

While visiting the campus of Princeton University, 16-year-old Lily discovers a secret gate to a magical realm and must race against time to save herself, her world, and any hope she has of college admission.

To me, this sounds like a teenage version of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, so I was immediately intrigued.  Can't wait to see what it truly turns out to be!

Review - Infinite Days

Title:  Infinite Days
Author:  Rebecca Maizel
Review Copy Provided by:  St. Martin's Griffin


About the Book:  "Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you...no one."

Those were some of Rhode's last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.

It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.

Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.
I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn't Rhode.
But Justin was...daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.
I never expected to be sixteen again...then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me... 

My Review:  When I finished this book, I tweeted something like this; "Just finished Infinite Days.  All I can say is WOW!!"   And now, a week later, as I write this review, I am still in awe and wish the 2nd book were coming out next month.  But, it's not.  This book releases then, and, if you're a fan of books about vampires, then rush out and get it; you won't regret it!

There are not many debut books that grab me and won't let me go, but this was one of them!  I picked it up on the afternoon of one day, and finished it the afternoon of the next.  As soon as I did, I handed it to my favorite teenage reader and said, "I just finished this...you have to read it."  So, she started it that night. 

Rebecca Maizel does such a great job with this one!  What author has taken a new spin on vampires lately?  Make the vampire human?  That's one we've never heard of, but she does it so wonderfully because I was intrigued by the idea the minute I started reading. 

Lenah has the chance that vampires don't usually get, being human again, and she falls in love with it.  Not only does she fall in love with being human, she falls in love which is something she thought she'd never do.  My favorite part of Lenah being human is her pure innocence about everything.   She'd never known what things felt like, tasted like, didn't know about 21st century things like Lacrosse, but it didn't take her long to learn.  It is so refreshing to read her naivety and innocence about every little thing.  It adds humor to the story.

Everyone thinks there's something different about her, Lenah, the new girl on campus, but she just wants to fit in.  She's befriended and is soon learning about her new world, finding love, and "feeling" a kiss for the first time.  That is until the bad news...the coven will hunt for their queen.  Will Lenah be able to save all that she has come to know and love, or will she lose it all again?

Ms. Maizel has crafted a dark, romantic story that will stay with you long after you close the cover and put the book down.  It's unlike any other vampire story you've read in this genre!  I fell in love with Lenah, was sad, but applauded Rhode, felt indifference towards Vicken, and was scared for Justin.  Very touching, very emotional, very good!!!

Review - Turtle in Paradise

Title:  Turtle in Paradise
Author:  Jennifer Holm
Review Copy Provided by:  Random House Books for Young Readers


About the Book:  Life isn't like the movies, and eleven-year-old Turtle is no Shirley Temple. She's smart and tough and has seen enough of the world not to expect a Hollywood ending. After all, it's 1935, and jobs and money and sometimes even dreams are scarce. So when Turtle's mama gets a job housekeeping for a lady who doesn't like kids, Turtle says goodbye without a tear and heads off to Key West, Florida, to stay with relatives she's never met.

Florida's like nothing Turtle has ever seen. It's hot and strange, full of wild green peeping out between houses, ragtag boy cousins, and secret treasure. Before she knows what's happened, Turtle finds herself coming out of the shell she has spent her life building, and as she does, her world opens up in the most unexpected ways. 

My Review:   What a good little book!  It took me about 2 hours to read it all because I wanted to know what happened.  I love that it is based on real people, places, and events.  Jennifer Holm does a great job with this story for 9-12 year olds.

I have to say, that I love Turtle!  She is just so tough and sweet at the same time!  How horrible, to be sent to live with your aunt because your mom's boss doesn't like kids.  Probably didn't make her feel good, but she made the best of what could have been a real bad situation.  Her aunt didn't know she was coming, her cousins don't want to share the house with a girl, and she misses her mom!  But, she grows to love Key West and you will too after reading this.

Holm's descriptions of Key West are so vivid that you can almost see it, and feel as if you are there right alongside Turtle as she walks the streets with her cousins and the "Diaper Gang."   What's great is that at the end of the story, Holm gives us actual photos of some of the people and places that are mentioned in the book, or the people or places that they were based on.  I love having that to compare with my "mental movie" of the book!  It really brings the book to life.

What was once her most prized possession, a pair of shoes, becomes something that's no longer needed at her new home.  I felt like the shoes were a pivotal part of the book.  Turtle holds on to those as if that will keep her from forgetting her past, or the future that she and her mom have planned with Archie.  But, when Turtle loses one shoe, she seems to lose part of her hope that mom will come back.  She is growing to like it in Key West and proceeds to become one of the barefoot neighborhood traipsing children.  As a matter of fact, she realizes that Key West just might be the future she wasn't looking for.

Turtle learns a lot about herself in this book, and the author does a great job of letting the reader figure it out slowly.  It is really fun to see how the story unfolds and everyone fits together.  If you have children who love a good story and want to learn a little about the past in a place they may not know about, then pick this up for them.  You might enjoy it as well!

Review and Giveaway: Dear Teacher

Title:  Dear Teacher
Author/Illustrator:  Amy Husband
Review Copy Provided by:  Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

About the Book: This hilarious collection of letters from Michael to his new teacher comes packed with alligators, pirates and rocket-ships, and much, much more.  Can Michael's imagination save him from the first day of school?


My Review:  This is such a cute book for the start of the school year!  It was released this month, so if you're a teacher, librarian, or otherwise involved with school age kids, you may want to check this one out.

I was hooked at the cover, which is made to look like a large envelope, with postage and all!  It even opens like one...what kid wouldn't love that?!  Once inside, it reminded me a lot of The Jolly Postman, which I used to enjoy sharing with my kindergartners.  The difference with this one is that the letters/post cards are the story, don't come out of the book, and are all written by the same person, until the end.

Michael writes to his teacher before school starts, in response to her "Welcome" letter, that many teachers today write to their students.  He uses different correspondence forms:  letters, a telegram, and a post card.  The book even shows Michael mailing the letters in different mail boxes. Most of the book is made up of letters from Michael, so it would be a good book to use when teaching letter writing as well.  Michael always includes a P.S., which is something that a lot of kids don't know about.

Michael's whole intent, is to let his teacher know why he will not be at school on the 1st day, and what an imagination he has!  He talks about travels to other cities, countries, climates, etc.  Amy Husband does a wonderful job of not only telling about the places Michael travels, through his letters, but also illustrating the highlights of that place.  The illustrations are child like, so it really looks like Michael has added drawings to his letters to help his teacher understand where he is and what he's doing. Very eye-catching, bright, vivid illustrations that children are sure to love!

I'm sure there are many children who feel like Michael, not wanting to go to school on the first day, the end to summer vacation, and having to let go of all they have been doing.  What a great way to express those feelings, through letter writing!  Wouldn't that be a good lesson/activity for the first day/week of school?  Write a response to your teacher's welcome letter.  You could use any correspondence format: post card, letter, etc.  I can see a whole slew of ideas coming from teachers with this book!  May be I'll challenge my teachers to see what they can come up with?  There's so much: letter writing, geography, story telling, etc.

I'm always on the look out for books to start the school year with, and will definitely be sharing this one with the teachers on my campus!

---

Thanks to Sourcebooks, I have 2 copies of Dear Teacher to giveaway to 2 lucky readers. Just fill out this form and you are entered...it's that easy!  Giveaway ends Thursday, July 15th at midnight and the winner will be announced on the blog on Friday, July 16th.

Review: Hailey Twitch is Not a Snitch

Title:  Hailey Twitch is Not a Snitch

Author:  Lauren Barnholdt

Illustrator:  Suzanne Beaky

Review Copy Provided by:  Sourcebooks Jabberwocky



About the Book:
Meet Hailey Twitch...

She's just like you. Well, sort of.

She loves pink sparkly pencils and ice cream. But Hailey also has a secret: she's friends with Maybelle, a sprite that only she can see.

Hailey and Maybelle are having fun, fun, fun. But they're also getting into lots of trouble!

Can Hailey keep her friend a secret or will she have to tell?

My Review:   I had such fun reading this book!  When I taught kindergarten, I always read Junie B. Jones to them.  If I was still in the classroom, with Kinder or 1st or 2nd grade students, this would be my new chapter book series of choice, to introduce them to.  It is funny, realistic, and teaches a lesson.

Lauren Barnholdt does a great job of depicting Hailey as your typical 2nd grader.  I love that the story is told from Hailey's point of view, talking the way kids talk, thinking what kids think, and doing things that kids do.  I'm sure that young girls will fall in love with Hailey, her fairy friend, and this new series.  Yes, this is the first in a series and I'm anxiously awaiting the 2nd installment so I can see what happens to this precocious young girl.  Her actions are instigated by her new found fairy friend Maybelle, who has been trapped in Hailey's dollhouse for years.  Maybelle gets Hailey to do some things that are not always the best choice, because Maybelle wants to be known as "fun."  Doing what's fun, Hailey learns, is not always right.

The illustrations add to the fun of this book.  Suzanne Beaky does a great job of providing pictures to illustrate what is happening in the story.  Children need to learn to create pictures in their minds, but chapter books like this that put pictures in just the right places, ease children into that.   I enjoyed the short break in reading and the addition to the story that Suzanne's illustrations provided.

I actually read this book during the Read-A-Thon, but I saved the review for this week because I felt it was a perfect book to share during Children's Book Week.  Hailey Twitch is Not a Snitch was just released on May 1st.  I hope that you will check it out for yourself and/or someone you love!

Review - Perchance to Dream

Title:  Perchance to Dream

Author:  Lisa Mantchev

Review Copy Provided by:  Feiwel and Friends

About the Book:  From the critically acclaimed author of Eyes Like Stars

We are such stuff as dreams are made on.

Act Two, Scene One

Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world. 

Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY


But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—

 Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.

 Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear.

When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair?

My Review:  Perchance to Dream is a delectable read!  I first fell in love with Bertie and the fairies in Eyes Like Stars, and after reading this one, I'm even more in love with them!  They are characters like no others I've read; so funny, so charming, so full of life!

Bertie is such a strong-willed, bull-headed character, and I can relate.  What's so fascinating about her is she's this way as a teenager.  She sure seems to know her way around the stage, of which the world is her stage.  Bertie left the theatre to rescue Nate.  She's never been outside the theatre, so she's not quite sure how to go about things, but she knows she can write.  She is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and her writing helps her create the stage she wants and needs to get to where she's going.  Her writing doesn't always work out the way she plans though, and that tends to get her into trouble.  But the trouble is the fun part!  Will she ever make her way to Sedna's lair and Nate?  Will she realize her true feelings for Ariel?  Perchance, but only time will tell.

Did I mention that the fairies were my favorites?  They add so much comedy to the story.  I love how they are so food driven.  You can get them to do anything for pie!  Bertie relies on the faeries and they look out for her, but will she be able to make it own her own, without them there to be her conscience?

Lisa Mantchev is such a phenomenal writer!  From the very first page, I was drawn back into the story, right where Eyes Like Stars had left off.  Her writing is so different from other writers, so unusually compelling.  She mixes words like the fairies would mix a pie...a little of this, a little of that, and when you put it all together, it is a tasty treat!  There are so many words in this book that I want to go back and explore.  When you read them, you want to say them out loud and hear the way they roll off your tongue.  Many of them are delicious sounding to the ear!  It's amazing how words can do that!

I can't say enough about this book; it is just an awesome read!  Lisa, like Bertie, is a Teller of Tales, and this one is a Broadway hit!  Bravo Lisa, Bravo!

Perchance to Dream has a release date of June 2010, but Amazon says it will be available May 25, 2010.  So, if you haven't read Eyes Like Stars, get busy so you're ready.  If you have read Eyes, then pre-order Perchance and be one of the first to read this delightful tale of comedy, tragedy, and magic!