Tween Tuesday: Winning Team

 * Go-for-Gold Gymnasts Series #1*

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

Britt was an amazing gymnast in Ohio. Her parents moved to Texas so she could train at an elite team and continue her dream of becoming a gymnastic super star.

Britt walks into a gym where three girls already have a tight friendship. They're not sure they want another gymnast. Britt attempts a prank, which backfires. She attempts to be funny, which backfires. The last straw for Britt might be breaking someone's confidence. 

Britt's walking a fine line, trying to be the best gymnast while trying to fit in. In the Elite group, can you have both?

My Thoughts: I like the start of this new series, especially since one of the authors is an Olympic medalist.  I remember watching her as a young girl and being in amazed by her! To me, this read like a tween version of the ABC Family show Make It or Break It. I liked learning more about gymnastics. Some of Britt's actions were cringe-worthy  but I also felt bad for her. It's hard to break into an existing friendship. Although I did admire her courage for breaking the confidence of the only girl who  liked her. I'm curious to see where this series will go.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: my Library

Tween Tuesday Review: Madhattan Mystery

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

Lexi and her brother Kevin are spending time in Manhattan while their father and his new wife enjoy a honeymoon. Lexi's not happy about her new family life and she's not thrilled to be in New York City.

On the first night there, Lexi eavesdrops in the Whispering Gallery. She hears two men talking an abandoned train station, jewels, and a buried body. At first, she thinks little of it. Then she reads the morning's headline: CLEOPATRA'S JEWELS VANISH.

Lexi and Kevin meet Kim - who lives in her aunt's building. Together the three of them start talking about the jewels. Kim convinces Lexi to call the police with her information. After the police scoff at them, they decide to look for the jewels themselves following the clues that Lexi overheard.

My Thoughts: I really liked this one! I loved how Bonk wove unique parts of the city with tourist attractions. I liked reading about Central Park, the MET, and Grand Central Station. The underground abandoned tunnels were fascinating. 


I liked how homelessness was woven into the story and the moments between Lexi and Melrose. I really liked Kim - she was smart and snarky. I liked how they all came together to figure out what really happened to the jewels.

Cover Thoughts: Awesome!
Source: Inter-library Loan (although an email from the author tipped me off to it). And it's one I'm going to get for our collection.

Fun Fact: Lexi and Kevin are from Cold Spring, NY - which is the town my father grew up in! Pretty cool to see that in a book. It definitely made me smile.

Tween Tuesday Review: Cleared for Takeoff

*This is the 3rd book in the Liberty Porter, First Daughter series*


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


Liberty Porter will be getting her first stamp in her passport. She's not sure where's she's going yet as her parents are keeping the location a surprise. Liberty does know that she's required to take a manners class.

Luckily she convinces her whole class to brush up on their manners. Learning manners has never been more fun as Miss Crum has the students demonstrate what NOT to do.

Now that she knows how to behave, she can't wait until they're on the plane. That's when she learns they're going to Georgia. Soon she's worried if she's going to make a good impression and how to best represent American kids. What if she makes a huge mistake?

My Thoughts: I really like this series. I find Liberty to be refreshing and full of mischief. I love her antics, like the chocolate pudding competition. 


I like the illustrations. I really enjoy James who's a little polite, but can let himself relax around Liberty. I really like SAM, Liberty's Secret Service Agent and the way he interacts with her.


I like learning about Georgia and the country's customs. I also like how it connected with the author's personal life. 


Cover Thoughts: Super Cute!


Source: Inter-Library Loan


Fun Fact: I wonder if the Captain Tonya Stone on Air Force One is connected to the author?

Tween Tuesday Review: Book of Tormod

Tormod runs home to grab the box of tinder for lighting the Beltane fires. Never mind that he traded jobs with his brother. If the fire doesn’t light on time, he’s going to be in trouble.

Unfortunately, a Knight’s Templar needs a message delivered as soon as possible to the Abbot. Abandoning his task, Tormod runs to the Templar encampment. There he delivers the message, but there are already men with the Abbot.

He’s forced to deliver the message. The men swiftly leave intent on hunting down the Knight. Tormod has a vision of their encounter. He begs the Abbot to allow him to intercept the Knight and lead him across a different path.

Tormod never guesses that his journey to help the Knight will lead him far away from home and on an adventure he never imagined.

My Thoughts: BOOK OF TORMOD starts the beginning of an adventure that crosses several counties. Danger always follows the Knight Templar and his companions. Tormod has hidden talents creating a blend of religion and supernatural elements. He will need to understand in his talents order to remain alive.

Cover Thoughts: I like it - it draws me in.

Source: Reviewed for www.teensreadtoo.com

Similar Read: Youngest Templar: Keeper of the Grail

Tween Tuesday Review: Grand Plan to fix Everything

Dini and her BFF Maddie love watching Bollywood movies. They follow every more Dolly, the biggest actress in Bollywood makes.

Then Dini's mother breaks the news to them. Dini and her family are moving to India for two years. Her mother's just received a grant for her work.

At first the girls are heartbroken. What will they do without each other for two years. Then they form a plan. Dini must meet Dolly.

According to the latest gossip magazines, Dolly's heartbroken herself and has got into hiding. No one is sure where she might be living or when she might make another movie. It's up to Dini to uncover her location and uncover the truth.

My Thoughts: A very cute tween read. It fits into the summer reading program's theme this year. I loved the different perspectives - including all the mail room difficulties (which was so unique). I loved the relationship between Dini and Maddie and how they struggled when they were torn apart. I also loved the Bollywood feel of the book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute - I Love how it wraps around.

Source: Blue Slip Media

Tween Tuesday Review: Chosen

Lauren loves riding - again.

She's had a hard time adjusting after her massive fall. Her family's moved to Connecticut - the home town of Sasha Silver. Lauren starts riding at Sasha's old stable with Kim. Kim's helping her regain her confidence and love of riding.

With Kim's support, Lauren applies to Canterwood Crest. She has no idea if she's good enough to be accepted. She's not sure she wants to give up her two BFFs or her amazing boyfriend. While she waits for the answer, she's going to try to enjoy life as best as she can.

My Thoughts: The start of a new era with Lauren. While she made an appearance at the end of Unfriendly Competition, Chosen is a prequel to her days at Canterwood Crest. I liked hearing about her life before boarding school and the pressures of life versus riding. I can't wait to see how she adjusts to life at Canterwood.

Cover Thoughts: Love it - as usual

Source: My Library

Up Next: Initiation - out in December

Tween Tuesday Review: Vespers Rising

In the beginning of the Cahill family, there was one ring. It was very valuable. No one except for Gideon knew the power of the ring. The secret died with him, but throughout generations, the Cahill family's been extraordinarily protective of the ring.

In the beginning, there were the Cahills and Damien Vesper. At first Gideon Cahill and Damien were colleagues, almost friends. Then Gideon noticed Damien's desire for power. He began to pull away and their relationship changed.

Soon Damien became the Cahill's most powerful enemy. They've spent generations hiding from his descendants and the organization of hired goons.

Now, in present day, Amy and Dan must save the ring from the clutches of the Vespers once more.

My Thoughts: The book is divided into four parts - three ancestors of the Cahill family and then Amy and Dan. Each part is written by a different author. Each contains their own story. I wonder if this is going to be the trend of the new series, as I really like reading about the past Cahills. Plus many ended abruptly, but they still contain the secrets, action, danger, and double crossings of the previous books.

Cover Thoughts: I don't really understand the cover, but it's neat.

Source: My Library

Up Next: Medusa Plot - out in August -really loving this cover!

Tween Tuesday Review: Mysterious Matters of I.M. Fine

Franny's starting to notice strange behavior after everyone devours the latest Chillers book from I.M. Fine. At first there's the whole need for gummy worms. Next, everyone has headaches. Finally, everyone starts acting like a snake. Franny believes there's a connection between the books and the behaviors.

She tries to convince her best friend Beamer about the truth. It takes him a long time to listen to her, but even he can't deny there's something strange happening all over the country.

The two of them set out to uncover the identity of this famous author who keeps all private information out of print. Can they solve the mystery behind the strange happenings to their classmates?

My Thoughts: I've always been interested in reading this book because of the title and the cover. It's our current read for this month's 4th and 5th grade book club. I quite enjoyed the story - although I didn't entirely believe the conclusion. I loved the relationship between Beamer and Franny. I loved their sleuthing. Most of all, I loved how was a book about books and authors. A fun great mystery.

Cover Thoughts: Interesting - very fun.

Source: My Library

Teen Tuesday Review: Kat Incorrigible

Kat's tired of being the odd sister out. Her two older sisters, five and seven years older, talk about things that she wouldn't understand. Her brother Charles has gambled away all the family money and her Stepmama is determined Elissa will make a fortune match and save the family.

Kat vows she won't allow her sister to ruin her happiness by marrying a man rumored to have murdered his first wife. Instead, she comes up with a plan to change everything. Unfortunately, her sister Angeline catches her before she put the plan into action.

Instead, Kat, her sisters, and their Stepmama attend a house party to Grantham Abbey to meet Sir Neville. Kat and Angeline attempt to persuade Elissa not to accept his hand in marriage - if he should ask.

When Kat discovers she is her mother's magical heir, she wonders if she can use magic to help her sisters deal with their romantic attachments.

My Thoughts: I've been wait for this book for roughly a year as it was published in the UK first. It was so cute- almost a novel from Sense and Sensibility (from Margaret - the youngest sister's perspective) with a magical adventure, a dangerous highwayman episode, and a romance plot. All of these combined make it absolutely entertaining, engrossing, and simply delightful. I LOVED Kat: she's unladylike, stubborn, smart, brave, resourceful, annoying (as only a youngest sister can be), and charming. I can't wait to the next book: Renegade Magic

The Cover: I Love the cover - it's super cute and I love how it wraps around to the back.

Source: My Library GoodReads

Tween Tuesday: Artemis the Brave

While Artemis loves archery, she doesn't always feel brave. There's now way she can confide in her friends. She doesn't want them to know she feels insecure sometimes. She puts on a brave front.

However, she does ask their advice when it comes to boys. Before Artemis met Orion, she never admired a boy. Now she wants to gain his attention. Orion's used to having a fan club. He's asking Artemis for all kinds of help. Artemis is afraid he sees her only as one of the guys. What can she do to show him she likes him than just a friend?

My Thoughts: I really love this series. I love how the authors mix mythology with issues facing tweens. I love the friendship between the four girls and how each girl is unique. I like how the godboys are drawn out as well, I really had strong feelings against Orion. Mythology really comes to life in these books.

Cover Thoughts: Cute and fun

Source: Inter-Library Loan

Up Next:
Book Five: Athena the Wise: out in April

Book Six: Aphrodite the Diva: out in September

Tween Tuesday: Times Squared

Twins Emma and Payton can't believe their good luck. They're both going to New York City for a school field trip. Emma and her mathletes will be competing in an elite tournament, while Payton and the drama club will be attending an off-Broadway show.

They couldn't be more excited - until they arrive.

All Emma wants to do is study for the math event. The competition is fierce, especially right in her class. Jazmine James isn't going to go down without a fight. Emma is soon forced into joining the drama club and their activities. Can she keep her focus long enough to sweep her competition?

Payton can't believe the star of the off-Broadway show is none other than Ashlynn from summer camp. It's her worse nightmare come true. Now, everyone will know about her Summer Slave days, unless she becomes Ashlynn's stage slave.

Through drama, math, friendship, frenemies, and boy drama, the twins barely have time to enjoy their field trip. With so much going on, could they actually be thinking of switching places yet again?

My Thoughts: The third book in this series is full of fun, humor, drama, sisters, friendship, boys, and being comfortable in your own skin. I love these books, as they're wonderful reads for tweens. I can't wait to see what kind of trouble Emma and Payton will fall into next!

Cover Thoughts:

Source: My library -reviewed also for www.teensreadtoo.com where I gave it 5 stars

Tween Tuesday Review: First Light

Peter's excited that he'll be allowed to travel with his family to Greenland. He's father is going on research trip. For years, Peter's heard tales, but now he's finally able to go too.

When they arrive, it's different than he imagined. It's super cold. There's so much snow. Plus, it's sometimes boring. With his father working and his mother writing, there's not much for him to do. He's supposed to keep up with his school work, but one can only do so much homework.

Often, he goes out exploring. One such trip leads him to discover Thea. Thea lives in a different world, underneath the snow and ice. She's never seen the sun until the day she sees Peter. Although it's dangerous to talk to him, she needs his help. Before she knows it, their worlds collide.

Will they be able to survive the collision?

My Thoughts: I read this for our fourth and fifth grade book club. After a slow start, I enjoyed the read. I liked the different perspectives and uncovering information about Thea's unique world. I love the idea of a snow world - perhaps because I'm from Vermont and I spent countless hours digging tunnels in the snow.

Cover Thoughts: I like this paperback cover MUCH better. I like how it brings the two worlds together.

Source: My Library

Tween Tuesday Review: Aphrodite the Beauty

When Aphrodite walks into a room - all conversation from godboys stops. They all turn to look at her. While she loves the idea of love and matchmaking, she hates all the attention.

She decides to help Athena and give her a makeover. Aphrodite does such an amazing job that soon all the godboys flock to Athena instead. Aphrodite isn't sure she likes the change in behavior.

In fact, she might be a tad bit jealous of all the attention her friend's getting. How can she get things to change back to normal without causing a rift with one of her best friends?

My Thoughts: A cute tween tale that focuses on jealously and boy mixed with friendship. Aphrodite and Athena have plenty of misunderstandings and miscommunication- including eavesdropping between them. I love this series for the potential romance between the goddess girls and the godboys, for the strong friendship between the goddess girls, and for the fun twists on mythology.

Cover Thoughts: Really cute and fits in with the both the series covers and the story. I love the differences between the two boys and the pink ribbon weaving through Aphrodite's hair.

Source: Inter-Library Loan

Up Next: The fourth book Artemis the Brave

Tween Tuesday Review: Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings

Jade has the worst day ever. First she gets her period while shopping for bathing suits. Then because of a little white lie, she needs help from her Dad buying period supplies. He embarrasses her in front of a boy. She can't wait to just relax in the tub.

Unfortunately, her troubles don't stop there. After falling asleep in the tub, she wakes up to discover a mermaid's tail in place of her legs. Jade freaks out. Eventually, she changes back to human.

Soon, her Dad's forced to tell her that her mother used to be a mermaid. His answer raises all kinds of questions, but the most important one being "If Mom was a mermaid, how did she drown?"

Jade's father can't answer that question. Amidst friendship drama, boy troubles, and trying to understand the new side of her, Jade isn't going to rest until she uncovers the truth about her mother's mysterious death.

My Thoughts: A cute mermaid book with depth. It's a coming of age tale. It's a mystery. It's a friendship novel. It's a first crush novel. All of these combined make one fun read. There's danger, romance, family drama, funny moments, and sweet moments between a father and his daughter.

Cover Thoughts: Really cute! I love it.

Source: Publisher - Sourcebooks

Fun Fact: Stay tuned tomorrow for an interview with the author!

Tween Tuesday: This Totally Bites

*Tween Tuesday* is brought to you by the awesome GreenBeanTeenQueen

Emma-Rose Paley is the odd ball in the family. She hates pastels and loves black. She hates the sunshine and loves gloomy weather. When her mother invites her great-aunt Margo to help out with an exhibit at the Natural History Museum, Margo comes to town for the opening Gala.

Finally, Emma-Rose finds a kindred spirit or so she thinks. She wanders into the guest room late one night and discovers something that makes her skin crawl and makes her questions everything.

Could great-aunt Margo be a vampire? Emma-Rose researches the possibility and discovers that not only it might be possible, but Emma-Rose could be a fledgling herself.

My Thoughts: A spooky read filled with vampires, wild imaginations, best friends, boy drama, and a dance. I loved reading about Emma-Rose and her family. I loved the relationship between her and Henry. I loved how Emma-Rose took charge of the dance and made it something spectacular. And also how she inspired others to stand up too.

Cover Thoughts: I love how it captures the book. The outfit Emma-Rose wears to school one day - expressing her goth/punk style. I love the cityscape in the background along with the moon and the bats flying. It's mysterious, unique, and very cool.

Source: Inter-Library Loan

Fun Facts: Ruth Ames is actually YA author extraordinaire Aimee Friedman

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Tween Tuesday Review: Front Page Face-Off

Delilah loves reporting the news and dreams about winning the prestigious Junior Globe Journalist award. However, as seventh grade starts, Delilah faces competition for the school's top reporting gig.

Delilah will do almost anything to win back her spot as the school's top reporter. She might even team up with the Debutantes, a clique she wrote about for the paper last year. The Debs aren't too sure about Ava either and they might be able to help Delilah scoop her.

It's an all out war, not just for the paper, but also for the cute editor's attention. Will Delilah proof herself worthy of the front page?

My Thoughts: A face-off that gets out of control crazy with fun and mayhem. Delilah firmly believes in using any means necessary to uncover a good story - including things a little bit shady. Her amusing adventures to make the front page land her in more scrapes than ever. I enjoyed her best friend, the surfer who competes with the boys for more competition. All in all, a cute tween read.

Cover thoughts: Cute - I Like the newspaper torn in two, but I'm a little unclear why it has Paige's name on the cover

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