Review: Dog Driven

McKenna Barney is trying to hide her worsening eyesight and has been isolating herself for the last year. But at the request of her little sister, she signs up for a commemorative mail run race in the Canadian wilderness—a race she doesn’t know if she can even see to run. 


Winning would mean getting her disease—and her sister's—national media coverage, but it would also pit McKenna and her team of eight sled dogs against racers from across the globe for three days of shifting lake ice, sudden owl attacks, snow squalls, and bitterly cold nights.

A page-turning adventure about living with disability and surviving the wilderness, Dog Driven is the story of one girl’s self-determination and the courage it takes to trust in others. - Summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. I loved learning more about sled dog racing. I loved reading about the dogs and their different personalities. I felt terrible for McKenna as she struggled alone, but was happy when she finally found her voice. I liked learning more about Stargardt disease, I can't imagine not being able to see clearly. I enjoyed the action, the danger, and sweet moments between the racers (including the pranks.) 

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendations: A great book for the action, the survival, and how one girl's determination will not let her be defined by her disability.  

Middle Grade Review: Armstrong and Charlie

Neither Charlie nor Armstrong are looking forward to sixth grade. Charlie's friends are all going to different schools while Armstrong's part of a new experiment, being bused to an all white school. At first, they hate each other, making each other miserable and getting in trouble with the teachers. But the more they're thrown together, the more they begin to understand each other.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. It tugged at the heart strings as I felt for each boy. I loved their families - and how they made these two boys come together. I like how the boys pranked each other but also how they saw how the other lives. It helped cement their friendship. I loved Mr. Khalil; he was tough but fair. A great historical novel about being different yet the same and perfect for discussions.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library
Read for: Cybils Award
Library Recommendation: Get this for both school and public libraries!

An end to a trilogy Mortal Heart

* 3rd companion book in the Gave Mercy Trilogy *

Annith watched her two friends and sisters go off on missions while she patiently awaits her turn. Annith's now tired of waiting and wondering when her turn will arrive. When another sister leaves the covenant, who isn't trained as much as herself, Annith's had enough.

She's not an obedient person - someone who can be molded into the perfect person. Her determination won't let this matter lie. Upon learning her fate in the covenant, she strikes out on her own hoping to expose the truth her home and to finally learn some answers.  Does Annith find what she's been seeking all these years?

My Thoughts: I loved this trilogy. It's the perfect blend of historical fiction with romance, friendship, politics, and religion. I can't praise these books enough. For the past three years, they have been in my top picks for the year. Given I read more than 300 books a year, that's huge. Plus all three books are fantastic and each build upon the previous book. I hand these book out whenever I can at the library. I'm sorry to see this trilogy end!

Cover Thoughts Perfect
Source: BEA 2014

Tween Tuesday Review: Eddie Red Undercover

After Eddie and his dad witness a fight in an alley, he draws the perp's face perfectly, gaining the admiration of the police department. The next day, they offer him a job.

They don't tell him any details of the case, but they set him up in various art museums around the city. He's posing as an art student, but his main job is to use his photographic memory to remember faces. Once he gets home, he draws those faces.

As time goes on, Eddie becomes Frustrated with the lack of progress made on the case. Soon they might abandon it all together. Eddie can't let that happen, so he sneaks a look at the file in the detective's desk.  He works with his friend to figure out the case. Could he be on to something?

My Thoughts: The start of a new mysteries series with a young main protagonist who is smart, curious and impulsive (which often gets him into trouble.) I like that Eddie's illustrations are included in the book. I like him and his hyper but really smart friend Jonah. I like how Jonah took matters into his own hands to come up with an answer. I loved the art /photographic memory angle. A fun book with puzzles, drawings, danger, and action.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: The library

Tween Tuesday Review: Greetings from the Graveyard

* Book 6 in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series *

Ignatius B. Grumply receives a litter from an ex-girlfriend who wants to reconnect. Now that he's writing again, she's interested in getting back together.

This worries Simon. He worries about the recent escape convicts, about getting IB the perfect Father's Day gift, and about Olive's idea for a new side business of Greeting Cards. Will all this worrying cause Simon to overlook something important, something that could break up his family?

My Thoughts: I love this series - it's cute,charming, and full of action.  I love the format with letters, newspaper articles, and drawings. I love the town - and how everyone knows each other. I loved the Butler and IB's reaction to him. I enjoyed the plots, the double crosses, and the heist plans.  I'm so happy there's another more book coming soon.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library 

Review: Palace of Spies

When Peggy rejects a suitor, her uncle throws her out of his house with only the clothes on her back. Peggy isn't sure where to go, but a mysterious man who recently mentioned her dead mother might be a place to start.

Without options, she's forced into a plot posing as a lady-in-waiting for the Princess of Wales as Francesa. Peggy's asked to write detailed letters back to her "friends". While life at the palace is fun, it's also dangerous.

Another made has it in for Peggy. In looking into her predecessor's live, it's possible Francesca was murdered instead of dying from an illness as she was told. With England uneasy about the throne in the Jacobite/Hanoverian conflicts, each step Peggy takes could be her last.

My Thoughts: It took me a bit to get into this one - until the days at the Palace. I loved learning more about this time period. I like the tension in the castle and the spies behind everyone turn. I enjoyed Peggy for outspokeness, her curiousness, and her determination. I liked watching her observe court and find her place while trying to pretend to be someone else. I'm eager to learn what happens next.

Cover Thoughts: Cute, but I liked the original cover better
Source: My Library

Tween Tuesday Review: Gone Fishing

Sam can't wait to go fishing with his Dad - just the two of them.  But when his sister joins them, he thinks the day is ruined. After she gathers all her stuff and they finally arrive at the lake, Sam believes she is scaring the fish away. Will his perfect fishing day be ruined?

My Thoughts: A fun book with a cute story that explores various forms of poetry. I love the relationship between the siblings and that the book took place during the day. I like the poetry explanation at the end of the book; it's a helpful learning tool for poetry types.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: ARC sent for review

Tween Tuesday Review: Hollywood Dead Ahead

* 5th book in the 43 Old Cemetery Road *

Hollywood wants to make a movie out of the story from 43 Old Cemetery Road. As usual the three put the decision to a vote. Seymour wants to go to Hollywood. Olive decides to go. Ignatius isn't sold on the idea, but as two's the majority, he goes along it with it and signs the contract.

When they arrive in Hollywood, Olive's stunned that no one's interested in her. Worse, they don't believe she exists. Seymour's not allowed to play himself until he tricks the director. Ignatius undergoes hair and teeth remodeling. Soon, he's absorbed in the culture.

The movie company's coerced a retired actress to make her final appearance in the film - too bad she didn't read the contract before signing it. Neither did Ignatius. They both missed out on key elements on their contracts. Can Olive talk sense into everyone and get everything straightened out before everything they've worked to achieve is ruined?

My Thoughts: I LOVE this series - it's quirky, funny, and clever. I love the epistolary style, the funny names, and the great illustrations. I started reading this series for our 4th and 5th grade book clubs. Every time we read the first one with a group of kids, they love it. I really loved Olive in this book. She imagines she was going to live out her dreams, but then got even instead.I loved her interactions in Ivana, the legendary actress. A very fun addition to this charming series!

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: my Library

Review: Dark Triumph

 * companion novel to Grave Mercy *

Sybella's on a mission for the covenant  -she's forced to remain a part of her father's household. Her father's a monster. She's only there to gain information and hopefully use her skills to kill him when the time's right.

Unfortunately, he doesn't bear death's mark. Sybella wonders how that can be when he's done so many terrible deeds. Sybella must walk on eggshells so no one understands her true purpose. It means lying, sneaking around, and trying not to let her real emotions shine through.

When Sybella receives a mission to rescue a man in the dungeons, she comes up with a plan. She struggles to get the Beast from the dungeon to the waiting cart. She's dumbfounded when the man makes it impossible for her to return to the house.

Now she's stuck nursing him back to health as they make their way towards the Duchess. Sybella has news from her father's household. As soon as they arrive at the Duchess's fortress, they have work to do. Sybella's father isn't giving up until he achieves his goal. He has more plans in the works. Can Sybella and the Beast help save the Duchess's kingdom from falling into the wrong hands?

My Thoughts; Grace Mercy was one of favorite books from last year.  I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. Plus I had very high expectations for this book and it didn't disappoint me! I ADORED it!! Sybella's story is darker and slowly comes out during the story. While her story's heartbreaking, it's also uplifting. She has hope even though she's a fierce warrior, and seeks vengeance. I love the slow-building but intense romance. I enjoyed the political intrigue, the scheming, and the evil plots (which were icky, but ingenious.) I loved seeing Ismae, Duval, and the Duchess again. I liked how each book focuses on a different main character but updates you on the previous characters. A fantastic book full of danger, death, and romance that I couldn't put down!

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library
Up Next: Moral Heart comes out in 2014 

Review of First Ladies: Michelle Obama and Abigail Adams

Recently, I read two biographies about First Ladies. One because I find Michelle Obama fascinating and the other because I like the series and wanted to learn more about Abigail Adams. I am the daughter of a high school History teacher after all. I have always loved the Revolutionary period.

I wanted to know about the current First Lady's time in the White House, but this book is a prequel to those days. I should have looked at the publication date. So that was my fault for being disappointed in the book. What both of these books had in common was plenty of mentions of their famous husbands. While I liked hearing about their husbands, the books were about the women, not the men. Too often the focus shifted to the men, while giving few details of what these remarkable women were doing during that time. I love the DK photographic series; it's format is great, easy to read, and contains lots of pictures or drawings. In Michelle Obama: an American Story, the pictures were bundled together in two sections. I hate that format. I like seeing the photographs, artwork, or maps on or near the same page as the discussion. Overall, I enjoyed learning about these two women, but I wanted more.

Cover Spotted: Dark Triumph

Grave Mercy is one of my favorite books this year, I've been telling EVERYONE to read it. The cover for Dark Triumph was unveiled today.

I really like the cover - I love the glint of the knife. I like the hood over her face. I like the arch/tunnel in the background, but not entirely fleshed out. I'm super excited for this book....are you?

review: Radiate

During her junior year, Hayley decides to change her extracurricular activities. She gives up band and starts practicing like crazy. Cheerleading tryouts are help right before summer for the fall.

Hayley's so happy when she makes the team. She can't wait for cheer camp and that first football game. During the course of training, she notices leg pain and lump.

After going to the doctor, she's dumbfounded to discover it's cancer. Right away, she goes into the hospital for an operation.to remove the cancer.

Her recovery takes longer than she would like, but she's determined to make it to the football games. Her determination helps when the doctors aren't sure of her progress, when she's back at school and no one knows what to say, and when her hair falls out.

Can Hayley's senior year be everything she dreamt it could be?

My Thoughts: I wasn't sure I wanted to read this book. I don't like reading about sickness or disease. Plus cancer has hit close to me recently.


But I'm a big fan of Marley's so I read it and I'm glad I did. I was expecting the book to be sad and depressing. While there were moments of sadness, it was mostly uplifting. I expected to cry buckets, but instead, I think I teared up once or twice.


I admired Hayley for her strength, her determination, her courage, and her hope. She came through with humor and honesty. 


Her parents were great, doing everything they could to make their daughter better. They struggled financially due to family drama they tried to hide. Hayley struggled with her friends and their reaction to cancer. Some of them were amazing and some were cruel.


An excellent look at how cancer tried to impact Hayley's life and left scars, but didn't change her.


Cover Thoughts: Cute


Source: My Library

Tween Tuesday Review: The Phantom of the Post Office

 * 4th book in the series*

** Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun!  **

Seymour and his family mail their work to fans all over the world. In return, they get fan letters. They love getting letters. However, one letter worries Seymour . He finds it creepy. While he doesn't mind writing letters, he would really like a phone.

Olive is never getting a phone. She hates technology.
Unfortunately, their local post office will be closing and testing a brand new product. Not everyone's on board with this new product.  

Seymour learns that the person sending them the creepy fan mail lives in Ghastly. As he tries to uncover the identity of this person, strange things start happening to him. Could he be in danger from the letter writer?

My Thoughts: I really like this series! It's so funny, charming, smart, and unique. I love the letters, the newspaper articles, and the drawings.

I started reading this series because we used Dying to Meet You for our 4th and 5th grade book club. I've been hooked on the book series ever since. We've used it with other groups and all three times, everyone raves about it! I'm so happy to learn there's at least one more in the works where they go to Hollywood.


I like how they talk about letters and if writing letters is too old fashioned for the times of texting. Seymour meets a girl who bets her uncle she won't text for a whole month. Instead, she and Seymour exchange letters in order to communicate. 


A really fun fast read with lots of danger and with a fun side story about The Phantom of the Opera. 


Cover Thoughts: Great!  I love M. Sarah Klise's work!
Source: My Library

Mysterious Saturday Review: A Girl Named Digit

Farrah's spent the past four years trying desperately to fit in. She blends into the crowd, loving what they love and denying her true self. She's aced the math portion of the SATs and will be heading to MIT in the fall. None of her classmates know that she's a genius.

Farrah's brilliance with numbers left her the nickname Digit - which she's been trying to hide during high school.

One night, while watching a popular TV show with her best friends, she sees a series of numbers. She keeps track of these numbers for three weeks. Almost unconsciously, her mind starts putting them together.

She discovers a reverse code for 9/11 ---11/9. The next day, there's a bombing at JFK airport. The guilt and sadness Digit feels makes her sick.  She wants to come forward with her information. Against her parents' best judgement, she goes to the FBI. They're not convinced she knows anything.

So she starts digging into the situation herself and finds she's asked the wrong person a question. Now that person wants to track her down. Digit's forced to fake her own kidnapping and go into hiding until the group of terrorists can be taken down. The FBI sends one of the agents to protect her, but it's not too long before Digit realizes that she also might need to protect her heart.

My Thoughts: 
I liked that Digit was a genius (there needs to be more books about smart girls), but also at times she wasn't street smart or people smart. i liked watching her emerge from her shell, from her sheep high school days to a smart girl who's relaxed enough to show the world her intelligence.


I loved the action and the danger. I liked watching the layers of the terrorist plot unfold. I liked Digit and John working on the intelligence to uncover and foil the plot.  They make a great team. I loved the slow romance that burned brightly. 



I really liked this debut novel; it was a fast and enjoyable read. I'm drawn to books with codes and terrorist plots. Many of these book are for adult audiences and it's nice to see some written for teens. I love that the protagonist is an older high school student, nearing graduation and college. It would be great seeing this book developed into a series with Digit in college and helping out the FBI on occasion.


Cover Thoughts: I like the numbers in the background but I'm not crazy about the girl with her hair and a finger to her lips


Source: The publisher


Similar Read: Going too Far (for the romance element)

Review: Grave Mercy

Ismae was born with a scar on her body and a father who couldn't stand her. He attempts to marry her away to the highest bidder. Just when Ismae believes her life to be over, help comes creating a new path for her.

Her scar is a mark that the god of Death claims her. She's brought to a covenant where she learns that she's an instrument of Death.They will train her to become an assassin.

Her training begins as soon as she's recovered from her ordeal. She learns she has a way with poisons. She takes classes and works to help create poisons and antidotes. Years pass.

Finally she's given her first assignment and then her second. The same man turns up at both places. Just as the Reverend Mother orders her to watch him, Duval bursts into the covenant looking for answers.

It's decided that Ismae will pose as this man's cousin in an attempt to uncover the issues at court. Someone wants the young ruler dead. Duval only wants to protect his half sister and he can't obtain information of trason if Ismae's killing the men responsible without interrogating them first.

Ismae's reluctant to go to court, but as a handmaiden of death, she has no choice. It's not long before she's away of double crossings, traitors, and evil happening right before her eyes. It's harder to uncover the mastermind behind the evil. She begins to hope it's not Duval as the Reverend Mother suspects. She doesn't want to have to kill the man she's grown to finally admire.

My Thoughts: This book blew me away! I couldn't put it down and I didn't want to do anything except read it until it was finished. I love the whole idea of this book. I loved Ismae's time at the covenant. I loved her first assignment and her second. I loved her time at court where she couldn't trust anyone. I loved her verbal wars with Duval.  I loved her moments with the Duchess and her sister. A magnificent YA debut!


Cover Thoughts: Brilliant.


Source: The Publisher - THANK YOU!


Similar Read: Poison Study


Up Next: Spring 2013 His Fair Assassin, Dark Triumph


Challenge: YA Historical 2012

Review: Jane Austen a life revealed

I'm a huge fan of Jane Austen. I even have a notebook full of research which I was going to use to write a book after college and before grad school. That never happened. I wish I wrote this one!

It's the first YA biography for Jane Austen.

This was a fun, but quick read for me. There wasn't too much that I didn't already know about her. However, if I read this as a teen, I would have adored it and it would have been eye opening for me.

I discovered Jane Austen in high school when someone wrote up a review of Clueless and mentioned that it was a modernized version of Emma.

I read Emma and then Pride and Prejudice. The I read her other works and fell completely in love.

I think this book is a great introduction to both her life and her novels.


Cover Thoughts: Cute!

Source: Inter-Library Loan

Tween Tuesday Review: Dying to Meet You

Ignatius B. Grumply is a best selling author with a serious case of writer's block. He hasn't written anything in 20 years. He has a book due in 2 months - part of his Ghost Tamer series. Number 13 to be exact.

He rents a creepy Victorian house for the summer, hoping that it will inspire him to finally finish his book.

He doesn't count of 11 year old Simon or Olive - the ghost of a aspiring author.

I.B. Grumply can't write with all the noise. He's constantly writing letters to Simon asking him to stop making so much noise.

It's not Simon making the noise. I.B. Grumply refuses to believe in ghosts, which makes Olive mischievous. Can the three of them make peace long enough for I.B. Grumply to finish his book?

My Thoughts: I read this for our 4th and 5th grade book club. It's adorable! It's written as an epistolary novel. It's full of humor, pictures, and mostly friendly pranks. A great read for October. So looking forward to the next chapter...

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: my Library.

Review: Ghost Huntress - The Counseling

After Kendall's brush with death during her last ghost hunting mission, she's taking a break. She's not sure she wants to continue using her gifts. Kendall just might be done with ghosts.

Her parents send her to a retreat in California for teens just like her. Kendall isn't sure about the retreat, but she's happy to have time to think about herself and what she wants from the future. S

he soon meets other teens who have similar abilities, all in a place where they can talk about their experiences. Kendall feels drawn to one boy in particular.

At first, Patrick seems snarky, but there's more to him than meets the eye. Soon, he and Kendall have a connection between them, but he's traumatized from a past experience.

Can he trust her enough to open up to her? Will Kendall find peace with her past and be able to move forward?

My Thoughts: The fourth book in the GHOST HUNTRESS series creates a cast of new characters to enjoy while delving into Kendall's feelings. However, dealing with ghosts doesn't take a back seat. While learning how to focus her energies and move past recent traumas, Kendall still connects with a spirit. While this spirit isn't dangerous, the circumstances surrounding her death are shrouded in mystery. After dealing with a little heartbreak in the last installment, a new love interest appears. THE COUNSELING is a great chapter in this fresh and unique series.

Cover Thoughts: Unique. I love the colors.

Source: My Library - also reviewed for www.teensreadtoo.com

Up Next: The Discovery due out in May

Review: Ghost Huntress: The Reason

Kendall isn't sure about her life's direction anymore. Two months ago, she had a dream of her death. She isn't sure what to do or who to confide in. She doesn't want to worry her friends or her family, but its hard getting this secret locked inside.

Is she over-obsessing?

Luckily, she has a new ghost hunting case. The mayor of Radisson is having body aches. As Kendall passes the house one day, she notices a ghost peering down from the window.

Kendall and her team check it out and discover this spirit isn't friendly. She's actually quite dangerous. Is Kendall in over her head? Will her dreams become a reality?



My Thoughts: A unique series about taking power into your own hands. I love the ghost hunting aspect of this series. This is the third book in the series filled with danger, ghosts, forging friendships, romance, and family drama. Kendall discovers more about herself in this book that turns the series upside down. The hint of danger kept me turning the pages, loving the excitement.

Cover Thoughts: These are very unique covers. One aspect I love is the dreamy feel and seeing how the objects tie into the story.

Source: From the publishers: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Review: Brave Escape of Edith Wharton

Edith Wharton lived a privileged life. She was born into the Jones family - a wealthy family who were prominent members of New York society. From an early age, her mother knew Edith was different.

Edith was shy, she admired the truth, she liked to make up stories, and she loved reading. She spent her formative years touring Europe, which left a deep impression.

Upon her return, she made her debut. In one summer she met two men. She developed a deep relationship with one, but he left at the end of the summer. The other man she befriended and then married. She fell out of favor with society, but that didn't stop her.

Edith wrote in the mornings. In the beginning, she had three poems printed in respected publications. One of the publishers was interested in more of her writing. After her short story appeared, she began work on several others that would be published into one volume. However, the idea of her stories in print threw her into a panic, and she began to work on non-fiction projects.

She traveled throughout Europe and met many bachelors who would become her dearest friends. Several of these men were writers. She would share her ideas and her writings with them. After publishing her first novel, one of these men, Henry James, wrote with advice for her next book.

Edith took his advice to heart and wrote a serialized tale published in a magazine that would later become THE HOUSE OF MIRTH. Her success was huge. She kept writing, which paid for her house to be built, her trips to Europe, and her lifestyle. Until she died, Edith wrote and behaved in the fashion she desired.

My Thoughts: I read Edith Wharton in college and loved The House of Mirth. I devoured some of her other novels. I jumped at the chance to review this book as I wanted to know more about this author. Connie Nordhielm Wooldridge writes a fascinating and engaging non-fiction book describing an amazing woman who dared to step outside the bounds of society and live life on her own terms.

Cover: I like it - I love the detail of the stairs.

Source: reviewed for www.teensreadtoo.com where I gave it a
Fun Facts: A few years ago, I dragged my husband to visit The Mount (the house she built)

She also co-wrote a book The Decoration of Houses which she used the ideas in her own home. However, the Whartons sold the house and because of that, no one quite knows how the house might have looked inside apart of the ideas in this book.

One of her tricks was to place a mirror on the walls opposite the windows for two purposes. One, the light bounces off the mirror and creates more light in the room. Two, the mirror creates an effect of making the room larger than it appears.

These stairs, as other rooms in the house, were decorated by local interior designers of what might have been in the house.

Here's her library. She wrote mostly in bed, but maybe she did some writing at this desk. They did purchase most of the original books from her personal collection.
The outside grounds are also gorgeous