Tween Tuesday Review: Lost in Hollywood

Ginger feels like the only normal person in her family. She's happy to have a BFF with her same goals - become a doctor and move to a big city to open a practice together. They're even getting started with this year's  Science Olympics.

But when her great aunt is having trouble, the whole family plus Payton flies to Hollywood to help out. Aunt Betty used to be a Hollywood actress, but now she sits at home waiting for the phone to ring.

Something happened to all her money and her Oscar statue. She asks Ginger to help her recover the missing money, giving her a map (of sorts) to help her out. Betty swears she hid the money from the bank. If Ginger can't find it, the bank will foreclose on her house.

My Thoughts: A really cute book. I love how the author explores cities in her novels. I loved trekking all over Hollywood with Ginger and Payton and Margot. I enjoyed the stunts the trio pulled trying to get a behind the scenes look at some of the places where they thought the money might be hidden. (I guessed the location very early on, but I realize I'm not the target audience for this book). Plus I loved the journey the girls took to get to their realization of the true potential location.  I loved Leo and his crazy burrito taxi. I loved Ginger's brother and how he thought he was an alien. He added some humor to the story. I loved the walkie talkies, I loved ABJ. Another fun novel from Cindy Callaghan. Can't wait to see where we get lost next!

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Recommended purchase for public and school libraries

Tween Tuesday Review: Lodestar

 * Book 5 in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series *

Sophie and her friends might have saved the battle from being fought, but the war isn't over yet. Plus now the elves have split down the middle and the ones Sophie loves are in danger. Once again, it's time for action.

The Good:
The plot twists
The action and the danger
The friendships
The possible romance
The betrayals
Learning more about this world.

The Bad:
That ending! (It was a good ending but a huge cliffhanger)
And waiting until the next book.

Final Thoughts: Rush to the library if you haven't read this series yet, it's amazing!
Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: This series is a Must Have for public and school libraries.

Tween Tuesday Review: Loki's Wolves

* Book 1 in a Trilogy *

The Vikings predicted the end of the world, but they had a plan to combat evil. Now generations later, descendants of the gods find themselves at the start of the battle.

It doesn't matter that Matt's only thirteen, as Thor's descendant, he's responsible for saving the world. With the help of two once enemies, now friends, Matt must come up with a plan and execute it.

Unfortunately for the trio, nothing ever goes according to plan. One wrong move might bring the world closer to the end. 

My Thoughts:I adored the start of this trilogy! I enjoyed the Norse Mythology - which I don't know too much about. I enjoyed Matt and Fen becoming closer - not quite friends, but they seems to trust each other just enough. I like the moments between them. I like Laurie and how she's determined to help and not sit on the sidelines just because she's a girl and the boys feel they have to protect her. I feel bad for Fen and his life, but I love how he tries to protect his cousin. Lots of action, lots of danger, and lots of fighting. I'm eager to see where this trilogy turns next. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: Gifted

Tween Tuesday Review: Charmed

 * Book 2 in the Fairy Tale Reform School series *

Gilly's struggling with her new found fame after saving the school (with the help of her friends) - but the danger isn't over.

The Wicked One has a plan of her own. She wants to take over the kingdom, starting with the school. She's offering students the choice of joining her.

Gilly knows that she needs to keep her eye on things; something's not right. There's a mole inside the school. When she's asked to join the Royal Ladies in Waiting, Gilly has no interest, but maybe joining will give her some answers. Can Gilly and her friends save the kingdom again?

My Thoughts: Another fantastic story! I love Gilly and her friends, even though they fought for much of the book. I like how Gilly's head swelled a bit, but how she finally came back down to earth. I like the idea of the reluctant hero and how Gilly doesn't want to be a hero, but she's not about to sit on the side lines either. I love how she wants to take action against evil. I like the improvement in Gilly's family's life - how they had enough money for food and clothes.  I Loved Blackbeard. He was entertaining and a nice addiction to the already fun cast of characters.  A charming story; so looking forward to the next book in this series! 


Cover Thoughts: Really Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for all Children's Libraries - especially for patrons who can't get enough fairy tales!

Tween Tuesday Review: The Last Great Adventure of the PB& J Society

Annie and Jason are best friends - they do everything together. Until they learn that Jason's family has financial troubles and might be moving. Luckily Annie has lots of ideas on how to raise money to save Jason's house.

Except none of them work out the way she planned. But she's not about to give up. She can't lose her best friend. Can she find a way to save them? Maybe an ancient pirate treasure? Or maybe win the lottery. Or maybe...

My Thoughts: Oh man, this book was excellent and it seriously tugged at my heartstrings. I felt terrible for Annie and for the thought of her best friend leaving her. I like that she had a lot of ideas to help. She has a really big heart, even if none of the ideas turned out well. I felt terrible for Jason, for what his family was going through and for how his parents acted. I love how Annie and Jason befriended Mrs. Schuster. I loved the realistic ending.

Cover Thoughts: Really Cute
Source: From the Library
Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for Middle School/Tween collections

Tween Tuesday Review: Once Upon a Frog

 * Whatever After Series Book 8 *

Abby and Jonah want to talk to Maryrose about the memories she left in Jonah's head, but instead they get sod aucked into another fairy tale - this time Frog Princess.

Of course, the story become messed up when Prince snatches the golden ball and it doesn't fall into the well. Plus the Princess isn't nice. Abby and Jonah attempt to find alternate methods to turn the frog back into a prince and save the day.

My Thoughts: I love Abby and Jonah and all their adventures. I love how they mess up the story, but then attempt to fix it. Everything never seems to work out fully, which is the best part. I liked learning more about Maryrose from Jonah's memory, especially the memories that had nothing to do with the story. There's quite a bit of talk against bullies. I like how things in the fairy tales often reflect upon Abby's life in the real world. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommend this series for all children's departments.

Tween Tuesday Review: Sealed with a Secret

 * Companion Book to My Secret Life in Paris * 

While she was in Paris, Phoebe found a vintage compact. Inside, she discovers a letter to a sister. With relations at an all time low with her sister, Phoebe's intrigued. When the letter mentions a secret spell to bring people closer together, Phoebe knows that she has to complete the spell - even if it takes a few lies.

She convinces her good friend Ned to help her. After all Alice is leaving for college soon, if they don't solve their problems, Phoebe's afraid she'll lose her sister.

My Thoughts: I love the at Phoebe wants to become closer to her sister and I love the fact that she traipses all over London to do it. I enjoyed reading about the past sisters and how Phoebe discovered clues to the spell. I enjoyed the tie in with Nora. I really liked the moments between Alice and Phoebe - both the fighting and the good times. Of course it made me want to travel to London. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Recommended for all tween sections

Tween Tuesday Review: Booked

More than anything, Nick loves soccer. But when his parents decide to get a divorce and his mom moves out - nothing seems right anymore. 

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book.
I loved Mr. Mac - the librarian who was a former rapper
I loved April and her bookish ways
I loved the moments between Nick and his mother
I thought Nick being made to read his father's word dictionary was entertaining and interesting. 
I liked the blackout poetry and exploring expression. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for tween collections in all libraries.

And it's just perfect for this year's summer reading program theme.

Tween Tuesday Review: Paris Pan Takes the Dare

Paris just moved to a new town - again. She's tired of making new friends and then having to leave them. Right now she's not sure about her options for new friends.

She hears a rumor about spending the night in the woods, something that apparently every seventh grade girl completes. Paris isn't sure she wants to participate, especially after she hears about the murdered girl in backyard.

When she starts finding creepy dolls around the property and hearing strange noises, she's convinced the murdered girl has come back as a ghost. Now more than ever her friend wants to spend the night in the wood. How far will Paris go for her new friend?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I liked watching Paris make new friends and figure out her new place in town. I liked her interactions with her family and how they helped her solve her problems. I loved the dare angle. I really enjoyed the ending of the book. It's a great read for someone who wants something a little frightening but isn't ready for Wait Til Helen Comes.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Recommended for the children's section

Tween Tuesday Review: Sleepover

Meghan's never spent the night away from home, but this time she's excited to have an adventure with her two best friends and Anne Marie's almost step-sister.

Meghan's friends want it to be an EPIC adventure.

And it is.

When Meghan wakes up the next morning, the basement is is destroyed. But Meghan and her friends don't remember anything about the night before. Worse, the birthday girl Anne Marie is missing.

Can they retrace their steps from the night before to recover their memories and find their friend?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. The tagline: tween version of the Hangover comes across flawlessly. It's funny, sweet, entertaining, and hits all the right notes. I love how Anne Marie and Veronica come together. I love the small romance plot. I love how Meghan  comes out of her shell. I even enjoyed the little brother's antics - as a younger sibling myself, I can understand them to a degree. I love how this book tackles important issues while surrounded by a super fun premise.

Cover Thoughts: Love the idea, not crazy about it though
Source: Book won from Twitter
Library Recommendation': highly recommended for Children's or Tween collection

Final Thoughts: Entertaining and a whole lot of fun. Just perfect for reading during the summer.

Tween Tuesday Review: Where You'll Find Me

Right before eighth grade, Anna's life changed. Her best friend dumped her to hang out with the more popular girls and her mom attempted suicide. Anna's the one that found her.

Now she's living with her father, his new wife, and their baby. Anna's not sure who to talk to about her life.

She starts eating lunch with other outsiders. The more time she spends with the misfits, the more she realizes she's one of them.

After hanging out with them, maybe she'll be able to find herself again.

My Thoughts: I would never ever go back to middle school. Anna's at the age, where everything she does is uncool. My heart went out to her as she struggled hard with the problems in her life without having a support system. I loved how she spent time with the misfits and eventually came to accept them as friends. I love how they owned their differences and how they had fun together. I liked how Anna's relationship evolved with her family.

I devoured this book and didn't want it to end. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: Purchased
Fun Fact: I got my copy of the book signed at an author event. Read about it here.

Final Thoughts: This one should be in every library - grab it up and read it first though. 

Upcoming Tween Tuesday Review: Royal Wedding

* Book 2 in the Middle School Princess series * 

Olivia can't wait for her sister Mia's wedding, but there's so much to do before the big day. She loves living in the palace with her new family, but what she doesn't love it all the drama surrounding the wedding.

Everyone seems to be arguing about the wedding details, Mia desires something, but Grandmere insists on something completely different. Will the wedding be a disaster? Not it Olivia can help it.

My Thoughts: I loved the second book in this series, it was perfection. Lots of drama from all sides of the family. Olivia's still trying to work out her place in her new world, but she has ideas and opinions of her own. Old friends and new friends to make. More fun drawings. A new school. Some not so nice people. Best intentions. Funny moments. I didn't want to put this one down!

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic
Source: ARC sent for Review
Release Date: May 10th

Final Thoughts: Another winner from Meg Cabot, this book has it all!

Tween Tuesday Review: Lost in Rome

Lucy and her sister can't wait to return to Rome during the summer. Lucy's excited to help out her grandmother is the family pizza joint. But when she arrives, she learns that business is down - way down. Lucy has some creative ideas that just might help bring business back to normal.

Unfortunately, some of the ideas go against her grandmother's wishes. She wants to play matchmaker to customers based on their favorite pizza toppings. When she first tries it, everything works out.

Soon a reporter comes by and wants to do a story. Lucy concocts a scheme to get her grandmother to leave the restaurant. When the article comes out, business picks up again. Could it be enough to save the business?

My Thoughts: I love Cindy Callaghan's Lost in books (Ireland, London, and Paris) and this book is no different. Super cute, super fun read. I loved the moments in the pizza shop, my mouth watered when reading about all the great pizza and sandwiches that were being made. I really liked Lucy's ideas on how to update and market the pizza joint. I loved learning about the matchmaking through pizza slices. I loved how she created stories and exaggerated history. I liked Lucy's sister Gianna and her fashion and DIY ideas. The secondary characters were fun. There's a small romance plot line.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: A wicked fun read filled with family, friends, great food, and matchmaking.

Tween Tuesday Review: Pilfer Academy

George likes to create trouble and he's good at it. So good that he's kidnapped and taken to Pilfer Academy where he will learn how to become a thief.

At first, everything's fantastic. The food is great. He's scoring top marks in his class. He's found a new friend. The only downside to the school is his roommate.

Will George become the Academy's best student?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book.I loved learning about the school - from the classes to the food to the secret rooms. I liked Georges friendship with Tabitha. The book didn't go at all the way I thought it would and I really enjoyed the surprise. 

Cover Thoughts; Cool
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: Pure fun, entertainment, and full of hi-jinks. 

Tween Tuesday Review: Eden's Wish

 * First in a series * 

Eden's desperately unhappy in her life as a genie. She's not thrilled about granting wishes. Each time she travels to life outside the bottle, she wishes to remain. Humans fascinate her. She longs for freedom, so when the opportunity presents itself, she escapes the lamp.

Life outside the lamp is different and she's making mistakes left and right. But she meets a brother and sister (Tyler and Sasha) who help her along the way.

Eden's quickly caught in the middle of a turf war over the lamp the future of the genies. While she's not interested in staying a genie, neither is she willing to let go of the lamp. Can she save her friends and her future?

My Thoughts: Fantastic tween book. I can't wait to read more. I loved Eden. I felt bad for her, how she longed for freedom and a little bit of adventure. I really liked Tyler and Sasha and how they helped Eden.

I liked watching Eden struggle with her choices. I liked how she held onto her own choices and how she didn't let anyone bully her. She's smart, quick witted, and always getting into trouble. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: Grab this one for the fish out of water story, friendships, and the battle between good and evil! 

Tween Tuesday Review: Pie

In the summer of 1955, Alice's Aunt Polly dies leaving a huge hole in everyone's heart. Polly made the best pies anyone has ever tasted. Her unique pie shop brought in tourists from all over.

Then she was gone. Alice's world crumbled. She felt like Polly was the only person who loved and understood her.

Her mother wants the secret to Polly's pie. In her will, Polly leaves the secret to Lardo. She leaves her cat, Lardo, to Alice.

Now the whole town's missing her pies and wanting to know how the cat could possibility know the secret recipe. Everyone starts making pies, thinking they could be the next best pie maker.

Alice knows something is going on. She enlists the help of a boy to uncover the plot behind the strange happenings following her aunt's death. Could someone be trying to steal her cat in order to gain access to the secret recipe?

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this historical fiction book.I loved Aunt Polly and her pie making abilities. Her shop sounds very special.

I liked Alice's friendship with Charles. I liked how they worked together to solve the mystery.

I liked Alice making up song lyrics. 

I liked the ending and how things turned out - especially in the epilogue. 

I confess reading about all these pies made my mouth water and I might be trying out a recipe or two.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: my Library

Final Thoughts: A mouth-watering read with a little mystery, lots of friendship, and growing up.

Upcoming Tween Tuesday Review: Girl in the Tower

Violet has never known life outside the tower -except for a few stolen moments in the garden. She's always hungry and cold, but she never lets her misfortunes shape her.

When the queen learns about her stolen moments in the garden with the hummingbirds flocking around her, everything changes for Violet. She's offered a place in the palace and a chance to become a Princess.

For the first time, she's warm enough, she has a cozy bed to sleep in, and she has a enough food to fill her stomach. What she doesn't have is her mother. And she doesn't know the queen's secretly plotting against her.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book! I'm such a fan of the authors that it was a must read for me. I liked the dreamy aspect of it, it reminded me of The Little Princess. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives from Violet, the birds, Violet's parents, and even the queen.

I loved Violet's character and how nothing (not even the luxuries) changed her thoughts on the world. She's still sweet and kind.

I loved the two servants of the queen who attempted to make Violet and her mother's life better - even though it went against the queen. 

I love how her father kept looking for her even though he was under a spell and how her mother tried to make the best life for her daughter out of a bad situation. 

Spells, secret identities, true friendship, love, and good hearted characters make for a winning combination!

Cover Thoughts: Sweet and enchanting
Source: ARC sent for review
Release Date: March 29th 2016
Illustrations appear throughout this book.

Final Thoughts: Readers of fairy tales will take delight in this enchanting charming read. Add this one to your reading list!

Tween Tuesday Review: VIP: I'm with the Band

Mac and her friends Love the band Perfect Storm. Thanks to her mother, not only do they score tickets to see the band, but backstage passes to meet them. Mac can't believe her good luck when she finally gets to talk with her crush Zander. He's everything she hoped he would be.

Then her mother tells her even more good news. Because of her mother's job, she and Mac will be touring with the band. Mac doesn't want to leave her friends behind, but she can't imagine anything cooler.

As she gets to know the guys, she witnesses their off camera behavior. Could her crush not be the boy she thought he was?

My Thoughts: I Loved this book; I couldn't put it down. I really loved Mac's love for art and the comic book pages of her alter-ego Mac Attack. I loved Mac hanging out with the band and becoming one of the guys: from the whipped cream fights to the touring cities together to showing off their art. I loved Mac's relationship with her friends and her new friendship with Jilly. Mac messed up at times, but I love how she pulled it together and tried to do the right thing. I can't wait for more books about Mac and Perfect Storm.

Cover Thoughts: Cool
Source: ARC from the Little Brown Book Preview

Stay tuned tomorrow for a chance to win a signed copy of the book and an interview with the author!

Final Thoughts: Perfect for music loving tweens and for nolastigc adult readers

Tween Tuesday Review: Moving Target

Cassie is in Rome with her father. One day, he pulls her out of school with no explanation. Then they are attacked and her father is severely injured. He's holding on to a deadly secret.

He tells her the name of one person she can trust.

Instead, she goes to her best friend. They find her there, so she turns towards her father's friend where she finally uncovers answers.

Ancient blood runs through her veins that allows her to wield the Spear of Destiny. This weapon has the power to change the future. The spear has been lost - until Cassie uncovers it. Now two secret organizations want both the power and Cassie.

Cassie doesn't trust either of them - but can she survive on her own with help from her friends?

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book. It grabbed me from the very beginning. I loved the action and the danger. I loved Cassie turning to her friend and a new friend Asher. I love how together they searched for the clues. I found the two societies a little confusing and I didn't understand how they were different and what they stood for. I hope to get more of a sense in the next book. I loved the two twists at the end.

Cover Thoughts: Cool
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: Christina Diaz Gonzalez created a Da Vinci Code for Tweens with lots of action and danger keeping your turning the pages quickly. I'm eager to read more of Cassie's story.

Tween Tuesday Review: Shadows of Sherwood

After sneaking out one night to scavenge for mechanical parts, Robyn Loxley's returns home one night to find her parents missing and the house torn apart. Robyn's afraid they've been murdered.  She escapes into the woods, where's she's caught by the police.
After escaping jail, Robyn teams up with two unlikely friends. She learns the Governor staged a coup, getting rid of his opponents, including Robyn's parents.

Robyn soon realizes that her parents have prepared her for this event, with a list of clues. Desperately she tries to interpret the clues while staying hidden. She learns of the injustices of Sherwood and works to help out those less fortunate.

That only gets her into further trouble with the Governor and his crew. Can she stay one step ahead of him and work towards her goals?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it as much as I wanted to. It took me a while to get into the book. I liked the action and the danger and the social justice. I liked Robyn understanding more about Sherwood and the people in the city. I really liked Laurel and how she brought out a softer side to Robyn.  I really liked Scarlet too - she had serious skills.

I liked that Robyn was a biracial female - that changed up the retelling a bit.

I wasn't crazy about the Moon Lore - maybe that's because I didn't fully grasp how it tied into the book. It felt a little out of place for me. 

I wasn't crazy about Robyn not sharing all her information with her friends either. 

Still, I'm eager see what happens next...

Cover Thoughts: Love the action
Source: My Library