Review: Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls

Abigail knows something's going on at her new boarding school, so she sneaks to the head mistress's office where she overhears a meeting. Unfortunately, she's caught. After her punishment, she decides to leave boarding school and go back home.

It doesn't work. Instead she learns that the school is a front for a spy team - for the elite students. Abigail's brought into the spy ring because of her mother.

Her mother has information that causing everyone stress. By using Abigail as bait, Mrs Smith believes she can learn that information. But of course nothing goes to plan and Abigail has ideas of her own and lots of questions!

My Thoughts: I really liked this one. I liked how Abigail stumbled onto the spy ring and how she was chosen because of her mother. I liked how she trained, but she didn't have the best ideas when out in the field. I like how nothing worked out the way it was supposed to. I liked the relationship between Abigail and the other spy students - how they were not friends but grew to trust each other. I hope this is the start of a new series.

Cover Thoughts: Love
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your middle school and public libraries.

Picture Book Review: Little Elliot Fall Friends

Little Elliot and Mouse think the city is too busy! They want to escape to the country, so they take a bus. And find a perfect place for some fall fun! Of course they meet some new friends along the way.

My Thoughts: I love this book series and this book was super cute. I loved the country setting and the game of hide and seek. I love how Mouse and Little Elliot found each other again. The ending was so sweet with the new friends and the stars! Plus the illustrations were amazing. Another winner to this series.

Library Recommendation: Grab this series for both school and public libraries.

Top Ten Tuesday: Halloween Edition

This week's topic is a Halloween Freebie. Over the weekend, I saw some people tweeting about Vampire books and how they wanted them to come back. It made me start thinking of all the ones I loved. So I made you a list. Enjoy.

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish 

YA:

Adult:

 Kids

Review: Wonder Woman

Princess Diana feels like an outsider. She finally has a chance to prove herself, but she spies someone in trouble. Giving up her chance, she rescues the human. Bringing her onto the island causes her people pain. When she realizes what she's done, Diana learn what she must do to reverse her mistake.

Diana and Alia get off the island, but instead of ending up in Greece, the pair end up in New York. For Diana, who's never been outside of her island, the world is very different.

They have a limited time to get to Greece, but Alia isn't convinced of the plan. Until, more people start coming after her and attacking them.

Diana does everything in power to keep Alia safe, but if they don't get to Greece in time, the world could crumble with wars.

My Thoughts: I LOVED this one - for the action, the danger, the loyalty, the awesome female characters kicking butt and taking names. (Let's be honest -mostly for that last part.) I really liked the friendship between Diana and Alia - and the promise they made to each other. I liked the group of friends who traveled with them - and the banter between them.I really loved Nim - and her sense of fashion. I liked the bloodline idea - it reminded me a little bit of the Da Vinci Code. Beside Diana - the rest of the characters are not white. And of course my heart hurt at the one scene, but it eased by the ending. I desperately hope to see these characters again!

Cover Thoughts: Love
Source: My Library
Librarian Recommendation: A must have for school and public libraries! Don't miss this one.

Blog Tour: Renegades

About the Book: The first in a two book set.

Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice. The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone...except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both. 

About the Author: MARISSA MEYER is the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles series, as well as the graphic novel Wires and Nerve: Vol. 1, and The Lunar Chronicles Coloring Book. Her first stand alone novel, Heartless, was also a #1 New York Times bestseller. She lives in Tacoma, Washington, with her husband and their two daughters.

My Thoughts:
It took me a chapter or two to get into the book, but once I was in, I was hooked. I really like Nora - I can see where she's coming from. I like how her view point wavers as she gets to know more about the Renegades. I love her team. I really like Max and his world. I found Adrian charming and I want to know more about this mother. I love his power. And his relationships. I liked the banter between him and Nova. I like how Nova tried to be tough, but she starts caring just a bit. I love all the action and the danger and the secrets. And the double crossings. 

And that ending - I didn't see that one coming. At All.

And now I need the second book.

Team Renegades or Team Anarchists?

At the moment, I'm team Adrian. I'm not sure I trust all the Renegades. And I definitely don't trust the Anarchists. 

You won't want to miss this book when it comes out November 7th.

On Your Radar (10)

Title: Before I Let Go

Author:  Marieke Nijkamp

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Publication Date: January 23, 2018

Why it Should be on Your Radar:
Haunting Mystery
The Setting
Friendship
Sexual Orientation
Timeline of the Book
Stays with you long after you close the book
Art
Secrets
Small town drama


Cover Thoughts: Captures the book completely - well done
Source: Reviewed for SLJ
Final Thoughts: A must have for Public and School Libraries

Mini Review: Internet Famous

Madi's life starts spiraling out of control when her mother leaves for a job opportunity overseas. She's helping more around the house, juggling school work, blogging, and dealing with online harassment. 

The Good: She prefers her online personality
Fandoms
Pop Culture and movies
Her interactions at the school
Her blog
The romance
Her relationship with her sister
Sara.

 The Bad: 
 More like a nit picky thing - but if her blog hits were so large, how come she didn't realize the extent of her fan base?

Final Thoughts: Grab this one for both your public and your high school libraries - great read for fandom fans. Plus it's a drama filled read that teens will gobble up.