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: Everblaze

* Book 3 in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series *

Sophie's tired of not knowing what's going on. She wants answers and she's not afraid to start looking for them.

She starts digging into clues and information that no one else seems to care about. When Sophie's ordered to perform a questionable task, it divides the elvish population. Everyone starts talking about her powers and her lack of both knowledge and control.

Then two disasters change everything - including Sophie's position in the elvish world and the way she sees her powers.

My Thoughts: I love this series - it's SO good. I love the action, the friendships, the loyalty, and learning more about Sophie's new world. 

Sophie's an amazingly strong character - she cares about people deeply, she cares about doing the right thing, and she cares about knowledge. She has amazing gifts that help her uncover the truths about her world, clues that other people aren't taking seriously. More than anything, she wants t take back control over her life and not let others use her.

Her band of friends are also smart, strong, loyal, curious, and not ready to back down from a fight. Together they ask questions that no one wants to answer or think about.

The truth isn't always pretty or clean or what you thought it was going to be. But Sophie and her friends don't back down. I loved the ending to this installment of the series, even though I wanted the next book in my hands immediately. 

Cover Thoughts: Love
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: If you haven't read this fantasy series yet - get yourself to the library or bookstore - it's SUPER good!

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

Tween Tuesday Review: Countdown

* Book 3 in the Unstoppable 39 Clues series* 

After her last major decision that almost got her killed - Dan, Jake, and Atticus are all upset with Amy. They're still trying to take down Pierce, but no one's happy.

While running from Pierce's goons, Dan becomes trapped. Amy can see no way out, except by doing something unthinkable - something that will put her life in danger. She's rather risk her life over her brother's. 

In making this choice, it now becomes more important than ever that the team collects all the ingredients for the antidote...

My Thoughts:  I love this series - there is so much action and danger that I must read the book in one sitting. I love the plot twists and turns and the cliff hanger endings. I love the family banter and the brains behind the operation. These kids/teens are super smart and they like it. I love books about smart teens who aren't afraid to show off their knowledge. Another great addition to the addictive series.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library

Tween Tuesday Review: Wolf Princess

Sophie dreams of a winter wonderland: a palace, warmth, and a snow covered world. Could her dreams be a remembrance?

She wonders so much that she breaks the rules to attend a field trip to Russia. Once in Russia, the trip takes a turn for the worse.  Sophie and her two roommates are stranded on a train and then turned out into the dark cold night. They find shelter in a cabin.  In the morning, they're rescued and brought to a palace.

There's they meet a Princess who talks of the past and the family history of beauty, diamonds, and wolves.

Something seems familiar about this tale, but Sophie can't quite put her finger on it...

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this one for the setting, the mystery, and the old fashioned feel of the story.  I could feel the cold of winter and I wanted to be there bundled up in furs in the sleigh. Even though it's a contemporary book, it felt like an historical fiction read.  The idea of the lost Princess of Russia made me think of Anastasia. I liked the tension in the book and uncovering the mystery. Wolf Princess felt like the start of a series, so I'm hoping for more books. 

Cover Thoughts: I love it!
Source: BEA ARC

Mysterious Saturday Review: The Haunted Lighthouse

 * Book 2 in the Code Busters series- read my review for Book 1 *

The club receives a mysterious message the night before a class field trip to Alcatraz.  The next morning, each of them finds a fourth of a note waiting for them outside their house. When they put the note together, it adds to the mystery.

Once on the island, they find the tour fascinating, especially when they're told the story about Diamond Dave - who supposedly drew a map to the location of diamonds he stole. The diamonds have never been recovered.

Once they hear that story, the club wonder if the diamonds are the mystery they're supposed to be solving. During their exploration time on the island, they visit the lighthouse looking for clues. Could they be on to something or is it a wild goose chase?

My Thoughts: I loved the setting of the book - the field trip to Alcatraz and hearing the stories of the island. I liked the treasure hunt through the city and how the club put together the clues. I loved the ending and Cody's father's involvement. I really like the different puzzles throughout the book - making it an interactive read.

Cover Thoughts: Love it.
Source: Sent for review

Tween Tuesday Review: Prince of Denial

Casey's parents split up. His mother couldn't handle taking care of his father anymore. She and his sister moved to Maine. Casey hasn't been the same since. He comes home straight from school to clean up the kitchen to make things as normal as possible.

He never know the mood his father will be in when he comes home from work- normal or angry.  Casey never knows if he will drink just one or two beers, or a whole six pack. They used to do things together, but now Casey spends most of his time in his room.

His Aunt knows a little of the situation and she wants to stage an intervention. Casey's not sure this is the right course of action, but he knows that things are only getting worse.  Will things ever get better?

My Thoughts: A hard book to read, but at the same time hard to put down. My heart broke for Casey having to deal with his father, while trying to the fact that he's an alcoholic. There were two horrific scenes in the book - both pulling at my heart strings. I liked how Casey eventually found himself able to trust people with this secret. I can't imagine how his mother left him, asking him over and over again to take care his father, how could you leave that up to a tween?  The book does't sugar coat the horrors of dealing with an alcoholic parent; it doesn't tie everything up in a pretty bow - but it is hopeful. It's an important story that needs to be shared and discusses. Be sure to get it when it comes out in October.

Source: ARC from the author
Cover Thoughts: Great
Due: October 7th

Tween Tuesday Review: Masquerade

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

* #16 in the Canterwood Crest Series*

Lauren can't wait to turn 13 on Halloween. Not only is it her favorite time of year, but she'll finally be a teen. Plus Khloe and their friends are planning a massively awesome party. Lauren and Khloe decide to make the party glam by creating a formal masquerade. 


Before the night of the big party, LT has to finish her first competitive horse showing with Whisper, continue working hard during lessons, keep up with her studies, start running with Drew, and have time for a little bit of fun.


She also has a secret wish for her birthday - a kiss from a certain boy. Will her birthday wish be granted?

My Thoughts: Holy Cliff Hanger Ending!  I'm addicted to this series for the drama, the friendship, the horses, and small doses of romance. I love how Khloe plans the party, with LT knowing some details, but also surprised her with others. I love the idea of the party. Mostly, I just love the characters, including the horses, and following their lives. I can't wait to read the next installment!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Up Next: Jealousy out Feb 19th

 

Tween Tuesday Review: Olivia Bean Trivia Queen

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

Olivia Bean loves Jeopardy.  She and her Dad used to watch the show together, before everything changed. Now it's her one time to relax during the day, even if she sometimes has to share the show with her mother's boyfriend Neil.

When they announce the kids' tournament, Olivia can't wait to sign up. It's the last year she'll be eligible to participate in the challenge. Through a series of fortune events, she finds herself as one of the chosen ones.

Olivia crams with trivia from across the board. Her mom helps her by creating flashcards. Charlie showers her with gross facts. Neil brings home trivia books from the library, where he works. Her neighbor Tucker helps her brush up on her worse subject, geography.

With all of the trivia swirling in her head, will Olivia achieve her dream?

My Thoughts: This book packs a punch and I wasn't expecting it. I wasn't expecting to become teary eyed during one of the final scenes. I adored this book (which the author wrote as a challenge during NaNoWriMo).  


On the surface, it's a great story about a girl who loves trivia and strives to achieve her dream. As you dig deeper, it's about a family that comes together. Olivia misses her Dad like crazy. As you uncover more about the reasons the family broke up, you realize that her father is a horrible parent. Olivia doesn't loose hope. She's still believes that her father will be there for her. When her mother loses her job, she hides away from the world. Neil steps in to take care of Olivia and Charlie, her adorable but annoying brother.  At first, Olivia doesn't like Neil. She doesn't want him living in their house, but eventually, she begins to recognize that he genuinely cares for her.  While Olivia sees Charlie as an annoying little brother, most of the time, she understands that he's trying to help her and be apart of her life. After her mother recovers, she works hard to make sure her daughter doesn't miss her chance.  They all pull together, forming an unconventional family.


The book is also about friendship. Olivia's best friend moved across the country and won't talk to her. Olivia can't imagine why her best friend is not longer interested in her. She refuses to talk to Olivia when she calls, until one day when she finally explains herself. Olivia's also thrown by Tucker's behavior. As neighbors, they used to be great friends growing up until he made fun of her. Now he's sometimes nice when they're alone, but occasionally he's mean. Olivia has a hard time figuring out if he wants to be friends or if he's just picking on her. 


Family and Friendship create layers within this book. The secondary characters add humor, sadness, and depth to the book. A wonderful read where I enjoyed the trivia bits, the fact that Neil was a librarian, and uncovering Olivia's past. 


Cover Thoughts: LOVE it!


Source: Random House 

Review: Allie Finkle

Allie has to make a choice: attend a glamorous birthday party for a girl at her old school that she doesn't like, but her mother already accepted the invitation or hang out with her best friends at a twirling competition. Allie wants to do both, but since she has to choose, she needs to make up a lie so she doesn't hurt her best friends' feelings when she chooses the party instead. Only once the day arrives, she sees her best friends piling into the van without her and she thinks she might have made the wrong choice. Then the limo comes to take her and the other party girls into the city. Allie loves the limo and all the candy inside, but her ex best friend is there, sucking up to the birthday girl who's just plain mean. Allie isn't sure she wants to be with girls who are not her friends, but she's still excited about the party. When the birthday girl becomes a mean girl, Allie looks for an excuse to escape. Will her friends forgive her for choosing the wrong party?

My Thoughts: This is the 5th Allie Finkle book -with a fun refreshing and creative main character, Allie shines bright with her quirks and rules. Plus, it's awesome that younger readers can also experience Meg Cabot

The Cover: Cute and expresses Allie's style

Source: My Library

Author Spotlight: Lisa Schroeder

Lisa has a new book out TOMORROW for tweens and she graciously answered a few questions for me:

What made you choose to write?

I have always loved to write, but to try and write for publication? I think about ten years ago, I just wanted to learn everything I could about the publishing industry for kids and teens and see if I could write something that might be publishable. Of course, like so many others, I thought it was much easier to get something published than it actually is.

Where do you write best?

In my office, with the heater on and the door closed. I have a dinosaur of a desktop in there and when I go in there, it says “work” to me.

What was the last book you’ve read that you’ve been recommending to everyone?

I really, really loved THE SMALL ADVENTURE OF POPEYE AND ELVIS by Barbara O’Connor. It’s a middle-grade novel, but there’s something so special about it, I can’t even describe it. I just loved the characters, and following them around in the woods to find out who was sending the little boats with messages down the river. Sometimes you don’t want a book with lots of turmoil and angst, you just want to spend an afternoon going on a small adventure with a couple of fun characters. That’s what you get with this book.

How do you get your ideas? Do you use real events in your novels and if so, can you describe one?

Oh wow, ideas are hard for me. Usually they come about because I sit there with a notebook and simply brainstorm words, phrases, places, situations. They don’t just randomly fall from the sky for me very often. Occasionally, but not often. The idea for IT’S RAINING CUPCAKES came about when I was trying to think of a subject to write about that would make people smile. Cupcakes came to mind and I thought, how fun to make the setting in or around a cupcake shop! Of course I then had to come up with characters and what they were doing there, but with this book, it all came really easily, which is so nice.

How smart. Cupcakes make me happy!

How do you come up with your titles?

Mostly I think about how I can capture the essence of the story in a few words. Sometimes they come easily, and sometimes I really struggle. IT’S RAINING CUPCAKES came pretty easily. When I knew the cupcake shop would be called that name, I thought, that would make the perfect title!!

It's very cute.

Can you tell us a little bit about It’s Raining Cupcakes??

It’s about a 12-year-old girl, Isabel, who dreams of traveling and seeing the world. She spends lots of time in the library, looking at the travel books, dreaming about where she’d like to go. When she hears of a baking contest hosted by a magazine where the finalists get to go to New York City to compete, Isabel decides to enter. Only problem is that her best friend, Sophie, is entering too, and things always seem to go Sophie’s way. And with Isabel’s mom getting ready to open a cupcake shop, she has certain ideas on what kind of recipe Isabel should enter.

*****************My Review ****************

Isabel's mom just decided to open up a cupcake shop in a small town of Oregon. They moved across town to live above the shop. Isabel must spend her summer helping getting the store ready and also testing the cupcakes to decide which ones will be offered first. Isabel doesn't mind helping out her family, although her mom isn't the most upbeat person and frequently isn't sure of her decision. Plus, Isabel longs for adventure but she'll settle for leaving Oregon and traveling somewhere. When her BFF shares a baking competition with her, Isabel can't wait to enter. She might get to go to New York City if her entry is chosen. She bakes up a series of cupcakes and other desserts, not knowing what recipe to send in. Her mom's pressuring her to create a cupcake they could sell in the store as well as generate publicity. Isabel's not sure she wants to bake cupcakes, in fact, she's sick of cupcakes entirely. Can she branch out on her own and still make her mother happy?

My Thoughts: A cute tale that deals with finding yourself and following your dreams while dealing with family drama, fashion emergencies, and jealousy. Plus it includes cupcake recipes. Reading about all the cupcakes, definitely made me crave one.

Cover: Very delicious

Source: Simon & Schuster (THANK YOU!)

************************************************************************

Will it also be in verse? If not, was it hard to switch writing styles?

It’s in regular old chapters, which was part of the reason I wrote it! I was ready to do a fun project where I could let my characters talk and talk and TALK, which you can’t really do in a verse novel. So it wasn’t hard at all – Isabel’s voice came easily and it was a really fun book to write, I loved it!

You write both ways so well!

What’s your favorite type of cupcake?

Mmmm, cupcakes...I love applesauce ones, actually. There is a recipe in the back of the book for applesauce cupcakes, too, along with one for S’mores cupcakes.

I can't wait to make the S'mores cupcakes. They sound delicious!! Plus I Love that you've included recipes.

Was it hard to switch from writing teen to tween?

No, not really. I read a lot of middle grade fiction, and I adore it. I actually wrote three novels (that became drawer novels) before I started to write novels for teens. Some of my fondest memories of reading are from those middle grade years. So writing for that age group feels kind of like going home.

What’s up next?

I have a couple of projects out on submission right now, so I can’t really say anything about them other than, I hope they sell!! I’m currently writing a new verse novel now as well, hoping it might be something my editor is interested in. We’ll see!

Can't wait to read them.

Do you have a favorite quote?

I have many, but I love this one today:

“Follow your bliss.” Joseph Campbell

Listing if your favorites:

Candy - Snickers

Pizza topping – Canadian Bacon, Pepperoni and Pineapple

Genre of books – The good ones!

Singer and/or Song – I’m currently obsessed with Glitter in the Air by Pink

Restaurant – The Cheesecake Factory

TV show /Movie – Friday Night Lights

Color - Fuschia

Shoe - Barefoot

Video Game – Rock band

Thanks for chatting with me Lisa!

Everyone grab this book to read and go have a cupcake! :)

Luv Ya Bunches

Katie Rose doesn't have any friend at school. She's really hoping that over the summer popular girl Milla will ditch her not so nice friends and want to hang out with Katie Rose. Mila's not too sure who she wants to be friends with, her friends aren't always nice, but she doesn't want to be a social nobody either. A new girl Violet enters and she's waiting to see which social group she should join. She's not afraid of resident mean girl Modessa. Soon Katie Rose befriends Yasaman who loves computers. She's made her own website where firends can chat with each other. When Milla's good luck charm disappears, the outcome changes everything. Will the four girls find their way navigating through social pressures?

The first book in a new tween series mention Myracles's characters from her other popular series TTYL. Luv Ya Bunches reads as a younger version of that series and will contain three more books. It's a very cute book - with IM chat and mini screenplays included. Tweens will love this one, I sure did!