Book Review: Coda

Coda by Emma Trevayne

Review by Elena Nasto


Coda, written by Emma Trevayne is a unique book centered on music and dictatorship. The setting takes place in future New York, where years after some horrible war the city is known as the Web. Everything runs on a network, including the people themselves. Instead of money, people have credits, which automatically get used with a swipe of microchips implanted in their wrists. The Web is governed by a group of elite leaders that are part of the Corp and use the citizens to get what they want. They use addicting music to send messages to their brains to keep them in check. No one has heard “real” music, until a group of musicians comes out of hiding and show people how it is like. Once the Corp starts to come up with even more unique ways of brainwashing people, citizens are urged to start a revolution so that they can finally have their freedom back again.
When I first started reading this book, it was extremely confusing and hard to understand because all these new terms such as “choice” and the “Web” were just thrown around with no clear meaning. As the plot unraveled, the setting became much clearer and the idea that music was controlling citizens interested me and made me want to read more. However, as the storyline progressed, it seemed to me as if the book was going to be another Hunger Games, where a whole country revolts against the government. A lot of aspects were just so similar that I felt like the author was just copying Suzanne Collins entirely. For example, someone who commits a crime they get their hearing taken away, much like their tongue in The Hunger Games. Overall, the book was a cool spin on the vision of the future of America.

Book Review: Burn Mark

Burn Mark by Laura Powell
Review by Saranjeet

**This book will be released on June 19, 2012.**

I recently read Burn Mark by Laura Powell.  It gives a new perspective of witches and how they become the way that they do.  The beginning of the book starts off great, with Glory dreaming about the Burning Court and Lucas actually attending it.  These events really help out the reader because it gives details about what life is like for someone who worships the Fae and someone who doesn't.  Not only that, but it immediately grasps the reader.  Also, the gangs, the poice, and the mob really fit into the story nicely, and make it even better.  But, as the story progresses, certain parts become weak.  For example, Glory's father, Patrick, doesn't really play any important role and doesn't seem to affect any of Glory's actions.  Since Glory lives in a dangerous society, I would expect her father to be more strict or overprotective of her.  Also, Glory and Lucas's relationship seems to be astray, and at the end of the book the reader can't really make a decision whether it is a friendship or something more.  The ending of this book gave off the feeling of a second book, which I will excitedly hope for.

Book Review: Unbreak My Heart

Unbreak My Heart by Melissa Walker
Review by Arig

**This book will be released on May 22, 2012.**

Unbreak My Heart is about a girl that falls in love unintentionally. Clementine Williams had just had a fight with her best friend Amanda. It was over a boy and Amanda ends up forgiving the boy and hating her best friend, Clementine. The summer rolls around and Clementine’s parents decide to take her and Olive, her younger sister, on a trip away from technology. They’re going to sail the seas. Most of the trip Clementine is crying and angry because of the fight between her and Amanda. The problem is that she isn’t able to tell anyone and even so her little sister tries to comfort her blindly.

At one of the ports that the family stops at to refuel, Clementine meets James. She bumps into him and knocks over his shopping basket full of bananas. Little does she know that James and his father are sailing on the same route. James and Clementine begin to spend time with each other, getting to know each other and Olive tags along. When Clementine feels that her relationship with James is beginning to take a turn to the better, she confesses to him why her friend and she “broke up.” James goes silent for awhile and Clementine goes back to being depressed for awhile until she has a nervous breakdown and she tells her parents everything. The story goes on with James coming around and both Clementine and James have a relationship until the summer is over.

Overall, this story was really good. I did enjoy it and it was a semi-quick read. At times I was confused because the story kept switching from flashback to present but this story was good. I would recommend this book to people who like chick-flick kind of books. I have to say their sailing adventure sounds so cool and James sounds like a one-of-a kind guy. I applaud Ms. Walker and give this book 4 stars.

Book Review: I Hunt Killers

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
Review by Elena

This book was released in April 2012.  Request a copy through the library catalog!

Need a new book to read? Pick out the latest story from Barry Lyga, called I Hunt Killers! This is a very unique but fearsome story. The plot revolves around 16 year-old Jasper Dent, whose father recently went to jail for having committed 122 murderers in his lifetime. Worried about becoming a killer like his father, Jasper goes on a mission to track down a new serial killer who has popped up in his town. Jasper is the only person with the knowledge to hunt this killer, who is mimicking all of his father’s killings. He also believes that finding the killer would prove to himself that he is not a murderer like his father. Once the story comes to a close, a happy ending arrives, but an even bigger twist unfolds.

After reading this book, I would say it is great for those who enjoy horror, murder, or mystery stories. The story is mostly about the killings Jasper’s dad committed, so the details are very gruesome and startling. The book contains a good amount of imagery that is scary and disturbing for most people. For this reason, I would only recommend this book to that in high school and up who can handle reading scary stories. This is not a book for the younger readers, for it contains some inappropriate material as well. Overall, I thought the book was unlike one I had ever read, but even frightened me several times. For me, several parts were very terrifying, but the story in general was interesting.

Visit Barry's website!

Also, go back in time and read about Barry's 2006 visit to our library when his first book, The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl, was published!!

Book Review: Sean Griswold's Head

Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt

Review by Elena

Sean Griswold's Head is a story about an average girl named Payton Gritas.  Ond day, she accidentally sees her mom injecting a needle into her dad's veins.  After this sudden shock, her parents tell her it's not what she thinks.  Her father has multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.  She is outraged to find out that her brothers already know, and Payton desides not to speak with her family.  Payton's parents ask the school counselor to help her, and the counselor tells her to keep a focus notebook.  This might help her focus on something other than her father's disease.  She also chooses a focus object to redirect her attention.  Unfortunately, Payton chooses the head of Sean Griswold, a boy who sits in front of her in biology class. 

Writing in the notebook is helpful at times, but Payton constantly argues with her best friends, quits the basketball team, and starts to do poorly in school.  Payton also slowly becomes friends with Sean, and is slowly crushing on him.  She still will not speak with her family at all, even though she always sees her father in pain and not moving at all because of the disease.  Payton's anger grows, not just at her family, but at the disease.  As the months pass, Sean persuades Payton to practice for a bike marathon to raise money for multiple sclerosis.  

I think this book is a great story for anyone over the age of 12.  It tells a lot about multiple sclerosis and the real symptoms people have.  This story is unique and fun, but also deals with a serious subject.

Book Review: Another Whole Nother Story

Another Whole Nother Story by Dr. Cuthbert Soup
Review by Saranjeet
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Another Whole Nother Story is very well written, and the way the book opens its story immediatley captures the reader's interest.  I also think it was very well thought on, how the setting takes place in the year 1668 but the characters have the sense and education of the 21st century.

The obstacles that Ethan Cheeseman meets would probably make you jump on your feet.  The most detailed and vivid obstacle was when the Cheeseman family was on the ship.  It makes this part of the story very tense.  Also, the conflict in this story seemed very simple, but hard to accomplish.  If there was a bit more detail about how Ethan Cheeseman want to bring his wife back, I feel it would have made the story more comprehendable to me.  But, I did love how Ethan and his children change at the end.

The two characters Professor Boxley and Gateman were a great twist to this story.  I believe these two characters wer portrayed more as comedians than as villains.  Lastly, I loved the one of two pages of the "A Little Advice".  I think this tried to reach out to the readers and helped me understand the story much better.  This book is a sequel to A Whole Nother Story, so you should probably read that one first!

Book Review: In the Shadow of the Lamp

In the Shadow of the Lamp by Susanne Dunlap
Review by Arig
(This book will be published on April 12, 2011)

SUMMARY:  Molly Fraser is a young girl living in London in 1854. She had worked at a wealthy family’s house as a servant. One day her ‘friend’ does something inexplicably horrible and gets Molly fired. Now Molly is left without a job to help with the family income. While walking home she overhears that a certain Miss Nightingale needs 100 nurses to tend to soldiers in Turkey. After Molly gets denied to be a a part of the group, she makes a plan on how to get in. She turns to her best friend Will for some money and a temporary place to stay.

Molly goes to stay at Will’s sister’s house for a couple nights. She helps the pregnant lady go through labor and brings out the baby. At last Molly is allowed to go be a nurse with the rest of the nurses that have already had practice. Molly makes friends with Emma (who has a big secret) and thus begins her journey. The travel to Turkey was tiring and hectic. She sees lots of gore and injured people. One day Molly gets a letter from Will saying that he’s become a soldier so he could get closer to her.

Molly is excited and can’t wait but then she meets Dr. Maclean. He makes her heart flutter and sparks fly. Then one day he kisses her and then Will comes to see her. He drops the bomb on her and she doesn’t answer the way he wants her to answer. Problems arise and Molly travels with Emma on a secret mission. More problems occur and hearts are broken then mended again. Read the book to find out what happens. Travel the journeys with Molly and be swept away with a story that will bring you love, fear, sadness, sorrow, and adventure. It’s got everything!

OPINION:  Don’t judge a book by its cover. That’s the most thing I have to emphasize about this book. I (acknowledging that I was wrong) had pushed this book aside for awhile because I feared it would be boring. I am a type of person who hates boring books or books that make no sense. But this was totally the opposite.  Although I didn’t think I’d like the book I loved it! I mean it will blow your mind away. It’s got most of the things I was looking for. On a scale from one to ten I’d give it a 9.8. That’s how good I thought it was. My siblings stole it from me to read it too. I was very glad I came across this book and I was glad it ended the way it was. Kudos to author Susanne Dunlap in writing this book. It is freakishly awesome!

Book Review: Mad Love

Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors
Review by Nikki
(Click here to find a library copy.)

SUMMARY:  Mad Love is about a 16-year-old girl named Alice Amorous who has to deal with many problems caused by her mentally-ill mother.  Her mother just happens to be the Queen of Romance, and Alice is stuck replying to fan letters, forging her mom's signature, and telling lies to her publisher.  One day, Alice gets a letter from her mother's publisher saying that they need her next book or they will take away the money they advanced to her.  Unfortunately, if Alice doesn't think of a way to write the book, the world will know that the Queen of Romance has a mental illness.  During one of the interviews Alice is covering for her mother, she meets a boy named Errol.  Errol claims he is cupid, and that he is going to die soon.  Errol tries to get Alice to write his story by shooting her with love arrows and causing problems.  Is this the opportunity Alice needs, or is it more than she can handle?

OPINION:  The book didn't really have anything heavy, so it was a nice, light read.  The book had some humor in it and didn't drag a lot.  It also wasn't like a regular romance novel because it had a little bit of everything in it.  Overall, I think the book was pretty good and would be a good book to get for the library.

Book Review: Attack of the Vampire Weenies

Attack of the Vampire Weenies, and Other Warped and Creepy Tales by David Lubar

Review by Saranjeet
(This book will be released on May 24, 2011)

This new book by David Lubar is a truly humorous book.  The collection of stories all related to the title of the book in one way or another.  Each story seemed to be well thought-out.  There was definitely a plot twist in each one so the resolutions ended up somewhere unexpected.  The humor made it even the more interesting.  This book is definitely a winner on my list.  It is hilarious, surreal, creative, suspenseful, and very well-crafted.

NOTE:  Author David Lubar actually visited Sellers Library in 2008.  Check out the pictures here and here.

Book Review: Tiger's Curse

Tiger’s Curse by Colleen Houck
Review by Arig
(Click here to find a library copy.)

SUMMARY:  Kelsey Hayes 17, parents deceased, a lover of reading and drawing, is looking for a job. She gets a short job at a circus, where everyone is kind to her.  Little does she know that there is a secret to this circus. She gets to work with the dogs, see the other animals, give tickets, stand at the gift shop center and…feed Dhiren, the amazingly blue-eyed white tiger from India.

The relationship with Ren the tiger starts out cautiously. Kelsey tends to keep away a bit but she is drawn to him, as if a spell pulls her towards him. She gets lost in his beautiful eyes. She realizes that Ren isn’t like the other animals. It’s as if Ren understands her words and emotions. One day, Kelsey gathers up the courage and pets him. Their relationship begins to grow in a more comfortable and relaxing way. She reads to him and sketches him whenever she can. Suddenly, a strange Indian man named Mr. Kadam comes to visit the circus and talks to the owner. The news breaks that Ren has been sold and will return to his home country, India. Mr. Kadam offers Kelsey the opportunity to accompany him to India so she can care for the tiger while traveling. Kelsey, after building a strong bond with Ren, thinks about the offer and then takes it. And so their journey together begins.

Once in India, Kelsey makes a surprising discovery.  Kelsey and Ren are exploring a forest, but when she turns around and looks for Ren, she only finds a handsome young Indian standing in front of her. He tries assuring her and telling her that he’s Ren until finally she believes him.  Both sit as he tells Kelsey what happens. Ren has about a little time each day that he could turn from tiger to human form. He can’t pass that certain amount of time. Kelsey discovers that Ren is a centuries-year-old prince who was cursed and became a tiger with his brother. Kelsey and Ren begin to seek paths to break Ren’s curse. Kelsey gets to meet his brother Kishan while Ren takes her to a secret place he never showed anyone. Emotions erupt and the love between Ren and Kelsey grows until she has to leave for America.

OPINION:  AGH!!!! That’s the most I could say. I LOVE this book. It’s official. By far this tops almost every story I’ve red. It’s so much better than Twilight! I mean I love Twilight but I LOOOVE Tiger’s Curse. It’s amazing! It brings adventure and romance together. The romance just erupts. I was giddy the whole way through the book until I finished it.

Where do I start? Mr. Kadam is sooo cool and he’s just a great character. Kelsey is, well, the luckiest girl in the world to have Ren. I’m sooo jealous from her. But I have to agree, she has a point. Kishan is for anyone who loves the dark young, handsome men with green eyes. He’s cool and kind, but seriously wicked. Ren. Right now he’s my favorite character in the book and all other books that have romance in them. He’s every girl’s dream guy. He’s funny, handsome, smart, rich, sweet, romantic, and almost everything else you think of is him. He’s dreamy and so exciting. I think Ren brings the book to life. He just gives it this burst that leaves the reader wanting to come back for more.

If I were to rate this book from a scale of 1 to 5, I’d give it a 10. The great thing about this book is not that it’s so well written and makes the reader fall in love with Ren, but it’s the fact that not only girls will like this book. Sometimes a book is for one gender, but this book is clearly for both.  It’s wonderful! It’s terrific! I can’t explain it better than that. I recommend this book to everyone and anyone. I mean I really really really can’t wait until the next book comes out. The author did a wonderful job with this book.

ONLINE:  Visit http://www.tigerscursebook.com/, where you can join the author's Twitter feed, follow her blog, post in forums about the book, mail an e-card, and more!

Book Review: Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance

Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin

Review by Arig
(This book will be released on February 1, 2011.)

SUMMARY:  Charlie and Fielding are teen idols, an on-set celebrity couple.   On TV, they are portrayed as two next-door neighbors, Jenna and Jonah, who are in love.  They can't stand each other, but have to act like a couple when they are out together in real life.  What could go wrong?  They're actors, they could fake anything.  Right?  Wrong.  Conflicts arise when a rumor gets around that the whole "love" thing is fake and Fielding is gay.  Charlie and Fielding, on a quest to hide from the paparazzi, escape together to Fielding's estate house.  As the days pass, they learn new things about each other and start to realize that they might have some feelings for each other after all.  What will happen to these two actors?  Will they survive the heat of the hidden paparazzi?  Will they just end up hurting each other?  This book is written in alternating chapters by Charlie and Fielding, so you can travel this journey of emotions through both of them.

OPINION:  I couldn’t love this book more. It’s just great. I began reading it one night and then kept on secretly finishing it instead of devoting my time fully to my studies. I did study, but I couldn’t put the book down. It’s truly a great book that keeps you jumping up and down wanting to know what happens next. I kept laughing and reading and one time I got tears. It came to the point where my older sister (like 5 years difference) stole the book to read it. She loved it! I would totally recommend to all students that are mature enough to handle some of the topics in here. It’s still awesome though. I’m sure many teens will love it!

Book Review: Good Behavior

Good Behavior:  A Memoir by Nathan L. Henry

Review by Anas
(Click here to find a library copy.)

SUMMARY:  Nathan L. Henry brings his teenage self to life in the autobiography Good Behavior. Nate Henry was a 16-year-old kid who lived for drugs, sex, and violence, who was put on trial for armed robbery and sent to jail. All his life he acted like the cool kid in town, with the tough personality. Learning from his father's actions, Nate builds his characteristics the same way. However, even with those qualities, you can see it was a protective shell that he lived behind to gain the respect that he wanted. When looking beyond that cover and studying his character you can tell that he is not the bad kid that everyone sees him as. His time in jail brings out this civil quality and gives you a deeper look to whom he really is, making the reader understand him more. It changes him into the better man that he really is.

OPINION:  This book draws the reader into it, and gives you the thrill feeling that you are not only part of the book, but that you are the actual character. The best part about this is not the telling of what happened, but a reliving of the past to live in the future. The tendancies of this character toward drugs, violence, and sex make it more believable, to the point that as the reader I wish I can do something to help him out. I would rate this book a five out of five because this was a gripping book that I was not able to put down. Even though I was busy, I made time for it by reading it while going from class to class, lunch, and outside.

Book Review: My Unfair Godmother

My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison

Review by Saranjeet
(This book will be released on April 12, 2011)

My Unfair Godmother was a well-written sequel to My Fair Godmother, from my perspective.  It had humor, romance, and morals.  Many many morals.  The main character, Tansy, is a normal teenager who has strange ways of making things look better.  I think the way she faces her problems is very creative.  I like how her sidekick in this book was a boy.  The romance in this story made it more interesting and made me not want to put the book down.  My favorite character in the book was Chrissy, the teenage fairy godmother, because she added the humor and a bit of suspense to the story.  In the beginning, I loved how the story was set up as a term paper and that the conflict was how Chrissy would get into Fairy Godmother University.  I was concerned about the obstacles that Tansy faces in the book. I felt she solved the problem of Robin Hood and his Merry Men like anyone else would have, but I would have rather seen her overcome that obsacle in a different way.  Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I felt like it lived up to my expectations after reading the first one.

Book Review: How They Croaked

How They Croaked:  The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg

Review by Arig
(This book will be released on March 15, 2011.)

SUMMARY:  How did Cleopatra, a Queen of Ancient Egypt, die? Cleopatra allegedly died from a snake’s bite. Or did she? How They Croaked is a book that brings together famous historical figures and describes their deaths. It gives a brief background about the history of each person but then describes in gory detail the death of each one and their sicknesses. You’ll journey the life adventures and death beds of royals like King Tut and King Henry VIII and other famous people like Einstein or Dickinson. Details that you never hear of in school (that are true) are revealed and they keep you laughing, grossed out, and thanking God for the advanced technology we have today. For example, did you know that Columbus on one of his expeditions got diarrhea? Or that for the men to go to the bathroom on ship they had to hang their rear ends off of the plank of the ship and use a dangling piece of rope to wipe? Sometimes ‘the poop got on their hands and they ate and shook hands with others after’. Eww! Gross! Yet very very funny. There’s more between the book covers.

OPINION:  I’ve got to stay, don’t judge a book by its genre. Who would’ve ever thought that nonfiction would be sooo interesting and funny? It expanded my knowledge on all these famous yet ancient people. The book was hilarious, gross, and totally awesome. My siblings, friends, and classmates stole the book from me so they could get a piece of info on how Einstein died or how King Tut was robbed in his own grave. Not only did kids my age and younger enjoy it, but even most adults found it unavoidable. You will love it! You won’t be sorry you picked it up. I would recommend this book to all ages. Warning: Make sure your stomach won’t flip on some of the nasty facts discovered. Do NOT eat while reading this book.

Book Review: Low Red Moon

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin
Review by Elena
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Low Red Moon is a story about a 15-year-old girl, Avery Hood, who has lived her whole life in the woods.  One night, her life is changed as she sees her parents being murdered in that very woods, but she somehow does not remember any of it.  The only detail she can recall is seeing a bright silver color all around her for about a second before it was gone.  With no parents, she goes to live with her grandmother, whom she doesn't like very much.

At school, Avery finds herself sad all of the time.  She notices a new boy, named Ben, who she has a crush on at first sight.  She later finds out that Ben is a werewolf of the woods but can never remember what happens to him when he transforms.  Through some sort of special connection these two are able to hear each other's thoughts and find out their feelings toward each other are mutual.

One night, Avery sees the same silver color from the night of her parents' murder, but it is only Ben. Then, the next day a man is found dead in the woods, almost the same kind of murder as her parents'.  This leads Avery to believe that Ben killed the man and her parents, although he denies it.  Avery later finds out the truth about her parents' murder through painful and unfortunate events that occur.  Low Red Moon is a captivating and enjoyable story that I suggest everyone should read!

Book Review: The Fool's Girl

The Fool's Girl by Celia Rees
Review by Arig
(Click here to find a library copy.)

SUMMARY:  After her uncle sells her to an ugly man who is hires and works with Jesuits, Violetta escapes to freedom. She reunites with her youth friend Feste and together they set out to England where they meet the famous Shakespeare. Will, walking home one day from a watching his play go wrong, stops and watches the two ‘men’ performing and capturing the crowd’s attention. He is fascinated and waits afterward to talk with the two men but only finds one guy and Violetta. He quickly tells them he’d buy them a drink and thus begins the journey of Duchessa Violetta.

Violetta, the daughter of Viola (known for her beauty and high spirits) is supposed to be the bearer of the cup that is the symbol of Illyria. Things go wrong when her friends Gudio, Feste, and Stephano all hear soldiers in the country murdering everyone in and out of their way. Violetta, although young, feels the devastation of the death of her mother. But her father isn’t that helpful. Many would say he has gone crazy or mad. In England, Feste takes the job offer from Will and becomes an actor, the clown needed in his play. Stephano and Gudio both ‘adopted’ became knights. Of course before leaving they gather the things Feste’s ‘mother’ had put aside for them. Violetta got the famous shew stone that everyone is dying to get their hands on.

Danger comes across Violetta and tags along with her when both Malvolio and Sir Andrew try to re-take her into their own custody and force her to marry someone she does not have feelings for or know. Stephano, her lover, Gudio, Feste, and Will all set out to help protect her and bring back the name of their beloved country. Traveling from place to place and almost getting caught many times, Violetta must hide and keep away from danger. Violetta must find a way to retrieve the cup of Illyria, do something with the shew stone, find who killed or kidnapped her mother, and get together with he admirer and heart’s desire. What will she do? How will she do it? And what are the risks she is willing to take to retrieve the cup? Is it worth it, even if it means her fate may be near?

OPINION:  5 stars. Great book, I loved it! It had great detail and the inclusion of William Shakespeare made me love it more because I’m not a big obsessive fan that understand his work.  :)  I think it was a great read. The story kept me on edge the whole time and I honestly didn’t put it down. I read it in one sitting.

Book Review: I So Don't Do Mysteries

I So Don't Do Mysteries by Barrie Summy
Click on the cover to find a library copy.

SUMMARY: About to be shipped off to San Diego while her widower dad goes on his honeymoon, seventh-grader Sherry(short for Sherlock) Holmes Baldwin prepares to put up a fight when she is contacted by her mother's ghost. Killed in the line of duty, her cop mom is flunking out of an afterlife law-enforcement academy, and she needs Sherry's help to crack a case at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. So what if Sherry, a self-proclaimed screw-up, is nothing like Nancy Drew? (This is the summary from Publisher's Weekly taken from Amazon. com.)

OPINION: This was a good read, I really liked the fact that even if Sherry was always doubting herself, she wanted to help her mom and that allowed her to get over her inability to take on situations. Things are helped by the fact that there's a super cute guy in the picture. You'll find yourself very happy you took the time to read this story and I look forward to reading the other two books in the series.

Book Review: In a Heartbeat

In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth
Review by Genevieve N. <3

The book In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth opens your mind to a special theory about heart transplants. In this story, sixteen-year-old Eagan Lindeman who is a very talented figure skater, makes a slight mistake during one of her figure skating competitions. In a jump, she is off by a mere half inch, and it costs her her life. Meanwhile a 14-year-old girl named Amelia has a bad heart and is in need of a heart transplant. She ends up obtaining Eagan’s heart. The story, during each chapter, changes from Amelia to Eagan. Eagan is in her own version of heaven looking back on all her previous memories when she was alive. And Amelia is trying to adjust to a new heart. It feels very weird to her and she begins to act differently and like different things. Then, a little boy named Tomas, who also had a heart transplant, talks to her about his experiences. And how he started to like things his donor likes. Amelia then decides she wants to meet her donor’s family. Ever since the transplant she has been learning more about her donor, which is always kept very secretive. This book was a great book. It was sad, fun, and informative. I never even thought you would be able to acquire personality traits from a heart transplant. That theory is still being tested and seems like nothing like that would ever be able to happen, but there can always be that chance. What I loved about this book was that I learned something from it and it opened my mind, but it didn’t bore me. This book comes out in February of 2010, and is very worth reading. <3

Book Review: Lifting the Sky

Lifting the Sky by Mackie D'Arge

Review by Stephanie S.

Lifting the Sky tells the story of Blue and her dreams of finally finding a place to belong. Blue's mom is always on the move and Blue is tired of it. All she wants is a place that she and her mother can live in for more than six months, and maybe a chance to meet the father she can hardly remember. This story was always sweet, with a dash of heartbreat. All through the pages, you get a hint that Blue is more than she seems but it's not until she meets Shawn that we discover what her true power is. This is a good book to read if you've got a few hours to spare and if you like history.

Book Review: My Fair Godmother

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison
Review by Stephanie S.

(Click on the book cover to see which libraries own it.)

My Fair Godmother takes you into fairytales in a very unusual way. It takes the word literally and gives it a whole new, terrifying look. This book is about what happens when fairies have to go to school to get their wings and have trouble staying away from the mall. It also tells the story of Savannah and Tristan, two people more suited for each other than they think. The beginning starts off really well, but halfway through you get the feeling that the author is just going through the motions. I really wouldn't recommend this book, except maybe to people who like fairytale fantasy.