Mood Board: Mirror Mirror

It's the last book in the series for Abby and her brother Jonah.

I don't want to say too much about it because SPOILERS.

However, I love how it ended.

 

Review: Liar Liar

 

* Book 16 in the Whatever After series * 

Jonah and Abby are dropped into the tale of Pinocchio. They're supposed to help the Blue Fairy make sure that Pinocchio goes to school. But he isn't interested in school, even though he says he will. Abby can tell because his nose grows. Now she has to figure out how to make things right.

My Thoughts: I adore this series. I really enjoyed this story, which is impressive because I'm not a huge fan of Pinocchio. But I did love the friendship moments. I actually liked Penny in this book. I did enjoy the fact that Abby's nose grew too when she lied. It did help her use her communication skills. I can't wait for more adventures. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendations: This is a must have series for your school and public library

Review: Spill the Beans

* Book 13 in the Whatever After Series *

After a terrible soccer game, Abby attempts to cheer her brother up with a trip to a fairy tale. Jonah isn't interested, but when they finally land in his favorite fairy tale, he begins to perk up.

Of course things go terribly wrong and they make a horrible deal with a trader. They do run into the giants who seem nice and not at all mean. Abby doesn't know what to do, but she knows that she must outsmart the trader and help Jack.

My Thoughts: I really enjoy this series - for so many reasons. I love Abby and Jonah and their relationship. I love how they fall into fairy tales and mess them up trying to help. I love that Jonah finally found himself in Jack in the Beanstalk. I enjoyed how he worshiped Jack and how that made Abby feel. I seriously disliked the trader. Looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: If you don't have this series in your library, you're missing out!

Picture Book Review: Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep

Eduardo is finally getting his chance - he's graduating from the FBI (Fairytale Bureau of Investigations). He knows everything - except how to ask for help.

I really enjoyed this book - it's funny, entertaining, and has a great message. I love the fairy tale jokes and seeing classic fairy tale characters. The illustrations are great too! A great book to share together and perfect for school and public libraries.

Review: Seeing Red

* Book 12 in the Whatever After Series *

Abby's excited that her grandmother is coming to stay with them for the weekend. But when her friends are having a sleepover, she's jealous and upset that her Nana won't let her go. She comes up with the brilliant idea to take the magic mirror to her friend's house - but winds up in the story of Little Red Riding Hood.

When Abby's Nana falls into the story, Abby figures she has some explaining to do. But she's surprised to uncover a family secret. Now if she could only make sure the wolves aren't going to eat anyone...

My Thoughts: Another fun installment of this series. I loved reading about Nana and the family secret. I liked the wolf family and the tree houses. I enjoyed Lali and her grandmother's relationship and how that worked out. I can't wait to read all about Jonah's favorite fairy tale next.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: If you don't have this series in your school and public libraries, you're missing out!

Reviews: Two Peas in a Pod

* Book 11 in the Whatever After series *

After a rough day at school, Abby has no choice but to follow her puppy and her brother into the magic mirror. They fall into the Princess and the Pea story. Abby accidentally takes the place of the princess. But Abby knows she's not the person for the job.

She also doesn't like the way they view Princesses. She believes Princesses shouldn't be passive. Abby helps create a test for the next Princess - which involves kindness, strength, and intelligence. She hopes they can crown a princess before she has to return home.

My Thoughts: I really love this series. I adored this book - for all the usual things: the friendships, the sibling relationship, and the fairy tales. But I loved this book more because of the feminist twist. I love how Abby and other females in the book decided to test any girl in the kingdom. I love how they designed the test and how they decided which attributes a princess should have. I loved the contest and seeing how everything turned out. I will forever read this series.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable. I really love these covers
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public library.

Picure Book Review: Cooked Up Fairy Tale

William doesn't fit into the fairy tale world. He keeps cooking the characters food and changing the story.

I really liked this mixed up fairy tale. I loved the characters from fairy tales and how his cooking changed things in the stories. Of course things turn out just fine for William and he finds his place in the fairy tale world. I loved the illustrations. This is just a fantastic book. 

Middle Grade Review: Switched

* Book 4 in the Fairy Tale Reform School series *

Gilly's still not thrilled with her schooling situation, she loves the new school idea. But she's not happy with one of her new teachers. Plus her sister is still missing.  She's finding it hard to concentrate when all she wants to do is save the day - again.

Even though the royal court swears they will take care of it, there is no news. Should Gilly strike out on her own and figure things out?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved the addition of the new royal family - the librarian and her husband. I loved learning about the library, it sounded amazing. I really liked A.G. and how Gilly helped her realize her true potential but also fit into the school. I felt terrible for Gilly for most of the book. I can't wait to see where the new spin-off series goes, because there are questions I need answered!

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this series for your school and public libraries.

Middle Grade Review: Tricked

* Book 3 in the Fairy Tale Reform School series *

Gilly's graduated Fairy Tale Reform School, but nothing feels the same now that she's home. She hates cobbler school. She misses her friends. Something must change.

When she hears that Rumplestiltskin has taken over the school and made it worse, she's concerned. When Anna, her younger sister, gets taken to the school, Gilly wants to help her. But Anna seems content with her two new friends Hansel and Gretel.

Gilly decides she must act and save her sister. She gets herself thrown back into FTRS along with a few good friends. But this time, things are very different. Can she save the school once again?

My Thoughts: I really liked this book - I liked how Gilly felt responsible for Anna and attempted to help her. I was happy seeing all my old favorite characters. The news ones, especially the magical animal pets, added some humor to the story. I enjoyed the Stiltskin Squad and their trickster habits. I loved the quest and how that worked out. I enjoyed meeting Little Red Riding Hood. The ending was lovely, luckily I had the next book in the series to read immediately afterwards.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A great series for school and public libraries, especially where mixed up fairy tales are popular. This series is an easy hand sell.

Review: Sugar and Spice

 * Book 10 in the Whatever After series *

Abby and Jonah find themselves in a real mess this time. They fall into Hansel and Gretel where they meet their doppelgangers outside of the witch's house. All four of them take a nibble of the house. But Hansel and Gretel use the portal to escape, leaving Abby and Jonah in their place.

Now Abby needs to outwit the witch, so she and Jonah can escape. But the witch isn't easily fooled and Abby finds herself locked in the cage with Jonah. How will they escape this time or is this the fairy tale that will change them?

My Thoughts: I really adore this series and this book was a fantastic addition. I loved that Jonah and Abby were caught in the witch's cage. I love that Prince tried to help out. I loved the smoothies. I love how Jonah and Abby tired to outwit the witch. I love the idea of a candy house. I really like how this book made them think about their situation in life, sometimes that's hard to remember. I really do hope Jonah makes it to Jack and the Beanstalk story, but I have a feeling that might be the last one in the series. I'm excited to see what happens in Wonderland!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: This series is perfect for both school and public libraries, and find happy readers in both places. 

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: Flunked

* First in a new series *

Gilly steals to make things easier for her siblings. Five brothers and sisters often don't have enough to eat. The shoe making business has taken a hit.

When Gilly's caught, for the third time, she's forced to enroll in Fairy Tale Reform School.

The school believes that with a little training, everyone can change. But Gilly doesn't want to change. She only wants to escape the school as quickly as possible. Then she notices something strange is going on - can she help figure it out?

My Thoughts: I Loved this book and can't wait for more in this series.

 I really love Gilly. She's smart, she has a big heart, and she doesn't take grief from anyone. My heart broke for Gilly and her siblings and I hope she finds a way to make life better for everyone. I want to learn more about the shoes that her father makes. I love that she was able to make friends, especially with Jax.

A few favorite moments:
I loved it when Gilly flew on Pegasus. 
I loved reading the Happily Ever After Scrolls
I loved figuring out the identity of the villains.  
I quite enjoyed Miri.
 I loved the gargoyles coming to life (even if they're not nice). 
I liked the prediction from Madame Cleo and watching it come true. 
I love that Gilly made her choice and stuck with it after learning the truth. It shows her courage and her sense of doing what's right. 

Cover Thoughts:
Source: Purchased
Fun Fact: I FINALLY got to meet Jen Calonita after loving her books for years.

Final Thoughts: A superb start to a new series that's entertaining, fun, and smart. I can't wait to find out what happens next. If you like fairy tales, be sure to snatch this one up.

Tween Tuesday Review: Beauty Queen

 * Book 7 in the Whatever After series *

Abby has a jealousy problem over her aunt work. After she accidentally-on-purpose ruins Penny's painting, she thinks she's a monster.

When Abby and Jonah get sucked into Beauty and the Beast's story, she's not surprised. She and her brother enter the garden, accidentally taking the place of Belle's father in the story. Trying to save her brother, Abby goes into town to locate Belle.

Belle, the town do-gooder, immediately agrees to help out. She returns with Abby to the castle. Abby must find a way to get the story back on track but Belle and the Beast are just not cooperating. You think they'd recognize true love when they see it.

My Thoughts: I really love this series - and I needed it after the cliff-hanger from the last book! I love how that part of the series was resolved and even more curious about the outcome.

To me this one is all about the characters and their interactions.
I really loved Jonah and the Beast hanging out and playing games. I loved the moments with the Beast cooking and talking about food. I even like how Beast feels like a monster and how Abby understands what he's feeling. I love Belle trying to find the right book for Jonah and hooking him on reading. I really like the cheese shop and Freckles. I loved the moments between Freckles and the Beast. 

Cover Thoughts: Super cute!
Source: Sent

Final Thoughts: If you're a fairy tale lover who hasn't read this series, what are you waiting for? Get yourself a copy of these books! You won't regret it!

Christmas Review Week: Cold as Ice

 

 * Book 6 in the Whatever After series *

Abby and her brother have a habit of messing up Fairy Tales and they've promised their parents they won't go into the basement (where the magic mirror is) again at night.  When their puppy Prince escapes Jonah's room and goes through the mirror, the siblings have no choice but to rescue him.

They land in snow and before long, Abby realizes they've been transported to the Snow Queen's story.  Soon they discover that Prince has been captured and frozen. They need to find a way to save both the story and rescue their dog.

My Thoughts: Technically, this one isn't a Christmas story, but it's set in a frozen winterland, plus it centers on the feelings of friendship.  You can feel the cold seeping in through your bones while reading this one - so it's perfect for curling up in front of the fire.  I felt bad for the characters who were lonely or who were forced into doing things they didn't want to do. Friendships were broken and made. I love how Abby realized the importance of true friendship and how people might drift in and out of our lives, but they will always be friends. I like the ending between the two girls in the fairy tale and how they used their power in a different way. Plus that ending with Abby and Johan left me wanting the next book immediately!

Cover Thoughts: Cute! I love the trees in the background.
Source: My Library

Tween Tuesday Review: Bad Hair Day

* Book 5 in the Whatever After series *

After a bad day at school, Abby's feeling miserable. Her brother tries his best to cheer her up with a trip into a fairy tale. At first, she's reluctant, but Abby's not about to let her brother wander off alone. The two of them enter the mirror and tumble out into a forest.

They hear someone singing about hair and realize they're in Rapunzel's story. They convince her to let down her hair and climb up into the tower. Of course, that's when things start going wrong.

One hair cut later and the story's about to change - again. Will Rapunzel find a happy ending?

My Thoughts: I really love this series of fractured fairy tales. I love the siblings- they've clever, funny, and loyal to each other. I love how they get themselves into trouble - but also how they find ways to get out of trouble and to make things right. I loved the hair cut scene and how that completely changed the story. I love how Abby realizes that one failure doesn't mean it's the end of everything - a great reminder for all of us as sometimes it's impossible not to focus on the negative. We just need to keep our triumphs and successes in mind; I know that I have a hard time with that. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfection
Source: my Library

Tween Tuesday Review: Hero's Guide to Saving the Kingdom

Prince Charming isn't just one person - actually there are five Princes, all given the nickname of Charming and none of them is happy about it or with their part in the fairy tale stories.  Each of them leave their kingdom and set out to seek an adventure and improve their name. They stumble upon each other and begin to become friendly when they uncover an evil plot.

Determined to change their fate, they team up and used their strengths to save the kingdom.

My Thoughts: I was recommended this series by a girl who doesn't love reading, but adores these books. And she was right. They're funny and fresh with quirky characters who steal your heart. I love the mixed up fairy tales and uncover the "truth" behind what really happened. I love the action, the danger, the quick wits, and the humor. I really loved the feisty heroines. The illustrations are great, helping to add detail to this charmingly entertaining read and a fun start to a series.

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: My Library