Young Adult Challenge - completed

I officially completed the Young Adult Challenge 2010 being hosted by J. Kay. I'm happy to be able to cross off another challenge finished for this year.  I didn't read all the books I wanted to read or had planned to read for this challenge, but I did read 12 which is the required amount (at least for me since I signed up for the mini version of this challenge).

Here's the list of books I read.  To read reviews for all of them, click HERE.

Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
Looking for Alaska by John Green
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Trickster's Choice by Tamara Price
Ninth Grade Slays by Heather Brewer
Black Horses for the King by Anne McCaffrey
Defenders of the Scroll by Shiraz
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer
A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker
The Golden Spiral by Lisa Magnum

Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

#1 House of Night series
Copyright: 2007
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: audio
Challenges: Young Adult Challenge, TBR challenge
Series website
My rating: 4.5/5

Simple Description: 
Zoey Redbird is a normal 16 year old, until she is marked.  Marked to be a vampire that is.  The tracker finds her at school, luckily it's towards the end of the day and she can go home without too many people seeing it.   Her Mom and step-dad don't like it and believe she needs to talk to a therapist and they call the prayer group together.  Zoey tries to get them to see that it's not something she asked for, but something that was done to her.   Luckily she is able to escape and go to her Grandma's house. She knows her Grandma will understand.

Before she can see her Grandma though, she falls and has a vision.  She wakes up in The House of Night, the place where all new vampires go.  Here she will go to school and learn about being a vampire.  Luckily her roommate is pretty cool.  Zoey hopes she can fit in here and make friends, but that's a bit hard.  Her mark is already colored in, something that doesn't happen for several years after being marked.  Soon Zoey finds there are other things different about her than the other fledglings. Before the story ends Zoey is going to find out just how different she is.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts: 
I loved loved loved this book.  What a great start to a new YA series for me.  Sure, this is another vampire book, but I like that it's a different take on it.  You don't get bitten and become a vampire. Instead, well, they don't really know how one becomes a vampire or what causes one to become a vampire.  They just know that you are and somehow it's known and a tracker finds you and marks you.  

I think Zoey is a refreshing character.  She isn't totally ok with being a vampire, but thinks it's better than death which is her only other option.  She becomes more comfortable with the idea but still doesn't like everything about it.   I liked the character of Zoey, you can't help but feel sorry for what she deals with before she's marked and after she's marked you can't help but root for her.

I liked those who Zoey becomes friends with too.  They are a fun mix of characters, don't totally love them all, but I do like them.  Of course there is going to be one character that we aren't supposed to like, but even she isn't too bad.

This is definitely a series I'll continue with.

I do own this book, and while I did read part of it, I listened to the audio book for the majority of the story.  The narrator is Edwina Wren.  I had heard great things about this audio book, which is why I chose to listen to it instead of reading the whole book even though I already owned it.   The audio version didn't disappoint. Wren changes her voice and her tone and really makes it work for the listener.  If you like audio and these types of books, definitely think you should try and get your hands on a copy of this audio book.    In fact, I've already reserved a copy of the 2nd book in this series on audio from my library.



This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me. This audio book was rented from my local library.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Copyright: 2008
Publisher: Knopf
Genre: YA
Pages: 221
Challenges: What's in a Name, Young Adult
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5 stars

Simple Description: 
Miles Halter isn't the most popular guy, in fact, he doesn't even have any friends.  He has decided to make some changes with his life and that involves finishing highschool at a boarding school in Alabama.  His roommate, Chip, becomes his best friend.  Chip is incredibly smart and also dirt poor.  Chip introduces Miles to Alaska.  Alaska is also appears to be poor and very smart.  Both of these individuals become Mile's best friends.  Alaska and Chip are also into pranks and drinking and smoking.  Miles is being introduced to a lot at this boarding school and he loves it.   He is also falling in love with Alaska, even though she already has a boyfriend.

This book takes us through a school year for Miles.  Miles really grows this year, he is forced to in a way.

I really don't want to say more though, because I don't want to give anything away.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts: 
I thought this book was really really good.  I thought the writing was excellent.  The storyline flowed very well and kept my interest.  You couldn't help but really like Miles.  In fact, while Alaska's mood swings were a bit annoying (but oh so true for a teenage girl!), you loved all the main characters.  It actually made me wish that I had been sent to boarding school so I could experience this too.  Of course, living in dorms in college is probably the same thing.

I read this with a couple other ladies, one of which doesn't really read YA's, and we all loved this book.  Definitely one that I recommend.


This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.

The Golden Spiral by Lisa Mangum

#2 in the Hourglass Door trilogy
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 365
Challenges: Young Adult
Author's Website
My rating: 2.75/5

Simple Description:
This book picks up almost exactly where the first one left off. Dante has gone through the door after Zo and Abby is left in the current time.  She is making plans to build a door to help Dante come back.    Before she can get too far into her summer plans things start to change.  Things are being made in the past, which are obviously effecting the current time.  Suddenly she isn't going to the school she wants and she is valedictorian. Then her parents are divorced and she doesn't have a sister.

Abby is lucky that Leo has come back and he is willing to help her with these changes.  She has also been able to contact Dante by going into a dream state to the river.  Abby knows she needs to rescue Dante, he never made it out the other door.  With Leo and V's help, Abby tries to rebuild the door and also stop Zo.


Now what you really want to know....my thoughts: 
Unfortunately, this one kinda of fell flat for me.  I loved The Hourglass Door, book 1 in the trilogy.  I was supper excited to get this one as a surprise in the mail.  I'm left feeling a bit disappointed though.  I thought the book was decent, it just didn't keep my interest the way the first one did..nor do I think it's as fast paced.  This one definitely read like an in-between book, something that is giving a bit of background story and setting  us up for the 3rd in the trilogy.  In fact, this one did pick up for me towards the end.  While it wasn't horrible, I mean I did still like it, I was just left feeling a bit disappointed.  I wonder if I just had my hopes up since I liked the first so much?  Who knows. 

Will I read book 3 in the trilogy?  Oh yeah...you can count on it.  I want to know what happens. I'm still interested in the story and the characters.


I was sent this book from the publisher in hopes for a review, unfortunately I can't thank them by name because I left that paper at home.  ooops.

A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

Copyright: 2009
Publisher: RazorBill/Penguin
Genre: young adult
Pages: 278
Challenges: young adult, buy 1 book and read it
Author's Website 
My rating: 4.5/5

Simple Description: 
Fiona is starting her senior year in highschool.  She might not be popular, but she has her best-friend Marcy and that's all that matters.  On the first day of school she finds out that the highschool is requiring all seniors to complete a course called Trying the Knot.  The kids are paired up as couples and must work with their spouse to earn money and participate in activities together.   Fiona considers herself incredibly unlucky and can prove this because she is paired with Todd Harding.  Todd is popular and dating Amber, Fiona's enemy.
Marcie is grouped with Johnny Mercer, a bigger kid, although he seems nice.  Fiona's crush, Gabe, is paired with her enemy Amber.

This book takes you through Fiona's senior year of highschool.  There are pranks between her and Todd, there are fights and verbal insults between her and, well, several kids.  There is trouble between her and Marcie.

In her senior year, Fiona learns how others view her and how maybe she could change and maybe she is a bit too harsh on others.  Fiona grows up and learns that people aren't always who they appear to be.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts: 
I loved this book!  The writing was good..the barbs going back and forth between Fiona and Todd are very funny.  I found myself chuckling to myself most of the time and sometimes I was so into the story that I giggled out load before I could stop myself.     I liked the concept of this book, the idea that in having to pretend she is married to somebody she dislikes, she actually learns more about that person and other people.  She learns that things aren't always what they seem to be.  In the reverse, those she starts to see differently also see her in a different light too.  

I can't believe this is the author's first published book, hopefully there are many to come because I would love to read more by Kristin Walker.

I definitely think this is a book that teenagers would get a kick out of.  I think they will like the story and all the funny comments.   Of course, I think a lot of us adults would like it too.

Now, I will say that a lot of the comments going back and forth between Fiona and Todd are sexual in nature.  I personally think that any high schooler reading these books is hearing the same things or possibly worse and therefore it's not a problem.  I believe the same about kids in junior high.   I don't have kids, but I don't think I would have a problem letting a teenager read this one.  I just wanted to say something to you, just as an FYI - not so you don't let kids read this but so that you know to talk to them if you so choose.

I read this book for Girls Gone Reading Blog Book Club.

This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.

Ninth Grade Slays by Heather Brewer

#2 The Chronicles of Vladimir Todd
Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Speak
Genre: young adult
Pages: 288
Challenges: young adult challenge
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5

Simple Description:
School is getting ready to start for Vlad.  He will be a freshman in highschool this year, but assumes things will be the same as before.  He still has his best friend Harry and there are still two bullies that want to beat him up every chance they get.  He still likes Meredith but can't bring himself to even talk to her.  Oh..the only difference is that Henry's cousin, Joss, will be staying in town and going to school with them.

Vlad's Uncle Otis still thinks Vlad needs to be careful and soon finds that a hired vampire killer has been sent to kill Vlad.  At the Halloween party one of the other kids see's Vlad's eyes turn purple and he knows that Vlad isn't human but he doesn't know exactly what he is.  Then he see's Vlad levitate and gets a picture, good thing it's not a very clear picture.  

Over winter break Vlad gets to go to Siberia with Otis and meet a very old vampire who is going to help train him in the different abilities of vampires.  Vlad is excited about this but also worried because he doesn't want to learn to take over people's minds and force them to do things and that's one thing he has to work on.

Once back in his home town, Vlad learns who the hired killer is and who hired the killer.  He also learns why other vampires are after him.


Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:
I thought this was another fun book in the series.  It doesn't seem look like too much is really going on, but it flows well and keeps my interest.  There's still stuff going on..we still know somebody is out to get Vlad and he is learning more about his powers and vampires.  It's fun to grow with Vlad as he tries to figure out how to talk to the girl he likes and deal with his best friend being popular.   I think this is a fun YA series, I can't helping loving Vlad and wishing I could beat up the bullies for him.  I'm very interested to see what happens in the next book when he's in 10th grade.


This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: an Eclipse Novella by Stephanie Meyer

***Don't forget that you can read this novella online for FREE until July 5th***

Copyright: 2010

Publisher: Little, Brown books for young readers

Genre: YA

Pages: 192

Challenges: young adult

Author's Website 

My rating: 3.5/5

Simple Description: 

This novella is about Bree Tanner after she is made into a vampire.  She is one of the vampires who is made so that a small army of vampires can attack the Cullins.  Bree is the one who didn't want to fight and surrenders.  I couldn't remember who she was, so I wanted to say that first so you know who she is.  I don't think it ruins the story at all..because really most people remembered who she was. 

I'm not sure how much I really want to tell you about here. It's such a short book that I don't want to give a review and then...well..what would be the point of reading the book right?

So basically it's about how Bree realizes that what she has been told in the 3 months since becoming a vampire isn't true.  Along with another new vampire, they try to figure out why they have been lied to and what the purpose for this small army really is. 

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts: 

I liked this novella a lot more than I thought I would.  I especially loved the end of it.   I think I enjoyed it so much because we already knew what was happening..because it happens in Eclipse, only this time we get it from Bree and not the Cullins.  If you are a Twilight fan, then I highly recommend this book. I think you'll find it fun and enjoyable.  I read it in about 3 hours, so it's a quick read (maybe you can even sneak read it online at work..but don't tell your boss I suggested that). 

 

Thanks to my friend Gloria for letting me borrow her copy of this book. 

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

#1 Mortal Instruments series
Copyright: 2007
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: young adult
Pages: audio
Challenges: 101 fantasy, young adult, audio
Author's Website 
My rating: 2.75/5

Simple Description: 
Clary Fray's life changes forever when she goes to a night club called Pandemonium one night.  While there she witnesses a murder.  As if this wasn't bad enough, she soon realizes that nobody else can see the parties involved.  Within 24 hours her world is torn apart.  Her Mom is kidnapped, she realizes that vampires and demons do exist.   Oh, and demons are after her.   It appears her mom was a shadow hunter, a person who hunted down demons and other nasties in order to protect weak humans.  Something that happened that made her Mom run away from all that though.  Clary wasn't brought up in that world, although she has it in her blood.

Clary is determined to find and save her Mom.  With the help of Jace, Isabel, and Alec, three other teenagers, she embarks on an adventure of a lifetime.  She has run ins with vampires, worlocks, and werewolves.  She learns more about herself and her Mom, things she would have never guessed.

Don't think everything will be answered in this book though.  This is the first of 4, so while it does wrap up a bit in the end, the story is still left open in order to entice readers to continue the series.


Now what you really want to know....my thoughts: 
I enjoyed the book but not as much as I had hoped I would.  However, I'm not so sure that wasn't because I listened to it via audio.   I thought the story itself was interesting, there was enough going on that it would probably be a page turner (if I had read the book version).

I really do think part of my issue with the book is the audio part of it though.  There were times when the tone of voice and the infliction ( I think that's the right word) just wasn't right for me.  The narrator would say a sentence or two and I would think "I wouldn't read the line like that".  I also wonder if part of this is why I could Clary annoying at times, because she seemed to whine a lot.   At times it was hard for me to get past how it was being read and just enjoy the story for what it was.

I did read the last 15-20 pages and I enjoyed that a lot more than listening to it.  So I think I would have enjoyed this one a lot more if I had read it.    I'm definitely going to plan on reading the 2nd in the series to see if I enjoy it.  I do have my hopes up that I will.   This is one that I do think others will enjoy and like, but I caution you to stay away from the audio version.

This audio book was rented from my local library.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexia

Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 288
Challenges: Young Adult, TBR Challenge
New-to-me Author: Yes


Simple Description: 
Junior, or Arnold Spirit, is a 14 year old boy who lives on an Indian reservation.  He gets picked on by everyone but his best friend.  He is smart but that doesn't really mean anything.  Nobody on the reservation goes to college, they spend their time getting drunk.  They don't have the means or the money to go to college, even if they wanted to.
Then things change.  It'st he first day of school and Arnold is excited because he gets to start math class and he likes math.  When he opens up his new math book he finds his Mom's name on the inside.  The book is so old, his Mom used it in school.  He gets frustrated and throws the book, hitting the teacher in the head.  Later when the teacher comes to Arnold's house to talk to him about it, he tells Arnold that he is smart and suggests he go to a school off the reservation.

Arnold decides to do this even though he knows it means the other Indians will treat him even worse than they already do.   He has some problems becoming adjusted to life at the white school.  There are several deaths that Arnold deals with as well.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts: 
I thought this was a wonderful YA book.  It touches on several subjects regarding Indian life. It also touches on one kid being very un-popular and not standing out, to slowly making friends and getting people to believe in him and like him for who he is.    One thing to note is that Arnold likes to draw comics about things going on in his life.  The fun thing with this book is that there are some illustrations, they are the comics that Arnold draws.  I feel this enhances the book and fits in well with the story.

I definitely recommend this one to those who enjoy young adult books.  I give this one 4 out of 5 stars.


This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.

Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen

Copyright: 1999
Publisher: Speak (division of Penguin)
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 228
Challenges: New Author, Young Adult
New-to-me Author: yes
Author's Website

Simple Description: 
Colie and her Mom used to each be over-weight.   Then her Mom found her calling..in fitness of all things.  Now they are both skinny, athletic, eat right, and her Mom makes enough money for them to be very comfortable.  This doesn't mean that the fat years (as they call them) don't effect Colie's life now.  

They do live in the same town they have since her Mom found fitness.  This is the longest they have been in one place but it doesn't matter, nobody likes Colie.  The really  mean girl at school calls her a slut and tells everyone how easy she is.    Colie has no friends yet that doesn't mean she's excited to be sent to live with her Aunt Mira in the small town of Colby, North Carolina for the summer.

The first day there Colie realizes that Mira is the eccentric in the small town.  She is overweight, she wears loud clothes, and rides a beat up bicycle everywhere.  She also tends to buy objects for the house that don't work 100%.

Colie gets a job waitressing at a local Bar and Grill and there she becomes friends with Morgan.  The other waitress, Morgan's best friend, Isabel, doesn't like Colie and doesn't hide it.  That's ok though, Colie is used to that.  Then one day the evil girl from school shows up and Isabel see's how Colie is treated and her opinion of Colie changes.  She ends up giving Colie a make-over and starts trying to convince Colie that she is special and she is pretty and she is deserving.

Here's a quote from the book (pg 171) that I just adore.  It's Mira's response to Colie when Colie confronts her about how the towns folk talk about her and treat her (Mira) poorly.

"I've always known who I am.  I might not work perfectly, or be like them, but that's okay.  I know I work in my own way."

Here's another quote from earlier in the book that I also liked, although not as much as the one above (this one from page 119).

"For Mira, there were no lost causes.  Everything, and everyone, had its purpose.  The rest of the world, too often, might have missed that.



Now what you really want to know....my thoughts: 
Loved this book. I thought it was great, not just for a 30 something enjoying a YA book but for teenage girls (and boys).   We all know that teenagers (especially girls!) can be very mean.  There are always the mean and popular kids and then there are the outsiders.  This book deals with that issue.  This book is about Colie finding herself and realizing that she is special and she doesn't deserve to be treated as poorly as she is.  I just love books like that, don't you?   Of course, with a wacky Aunt Mira thrown in, how could you not like this one?  I think Mira was a great character.  The book didn't focus on her, but it showed a grown woman who was very different and ok with that.

This is definitely a book that I recommend to others and I think it would be great for teenagers.

Since I'm planning to go to a star (of sorts) rating (still being lazy about finding the pictures I want to use), I would rate this one 4/5.



This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.

Defenders of the Scroll by Shiraz

Copyright: 2008

Publisher: iUniverse
Genre: YA
Pages: 248
Challenges: New Author
New-to-me Author: Yes
Author's Website



Simple Description:
Alex has to face the toughest decision so far in his young (16 years) life, does he go to school and take his last final tomorrow or go to the audition his band member got with a music executive?  As you can guess, the dream of being a rock star won.

Thins soon change and Alex realizes that the decision he made wasn't that tough, not life or death tough.  Because, you see, during the audition he trips and falls and walks up in another world.  Or maybe it's the same world but a time in the past.  It's never clear.   His mission is to protect a young wizard princess named Dara.  Her father is the King and one of the most powerful Wizards in the kingdom. He has been captured and put all his wizardry power into a scroll that Dara has.  She uses the magic to bring Alex to her.  She was really trying to get the leader of the warriors that protect her kingdom, the Axeman, but did something wrong to get Alex instead.

Early on Alex realizes he can summon warriors from one of the books that went with him to the current world/time that he is in.  Together these warriors help Alex keep Dara save from pirates and evil shadow warriors.  At least, we assume they do, the story doesn't end with this book.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:
hmm what to say about this one.  Overall, a very enjoyable book that kept my interest.  Why am I uncertain about it then?  Well, the writing was a bit off to me.  Sure, I know Alex is a teenager from present day, but sometimes he annoyed me.  I think they tried to write in some of the things that kids do and say but it was so incredibly obvious and didn't flow with the story that it was annoying.  Then there was my major pet peeve, the story doesn't end.  Sure..the book ends, but he story doesn't.  They don't even find the King, which is what they set out to do.  Nope.  They survive the latest attack and them boom..end of book.  I hate that!  I realize it's done so that people will buy the next book but it tends to piss me off and make me refuse to buy the next book.   You guys know me, I love a good series, but I like the story to end and the next book to feature the same people and have another adventure.  Don't keep me hanging.   Of course, I do sometimes buy the next book because I liked it enough, but it still annoys me.

So yeah, the story was decent, kept moving, kept me guessing on what was going to happen next, but there were still things that bothered me and keep me from raving about this one.

I recommend, if you are interested, checking out the blog.  The prologue and I think the first 3 chapters are available online.  That should give you and idea on if you want to read the entire book or if it's not your cup of tea.


Thanks to the author(s) for providing this book for review.
I am an amazon associate.

Black Horses for the King by Anne McCaffrey

Copyright: 1996
Publisher: Del Rey
Genre: YA
Pages: 217
Challenges: Arthurian Challenge, Year of the Historical, Young Adult
New-to-me Author: yes
Author's Website



Simple Description:
This is a different twist on the Arthurian novels. This is a book before King Arthur is King Arthur. He does live at Camelot but he isn't with Guinevere yet. Oh yeah, and forget Merlin because he isn't in this story either. In fact, this is more a story of a young boy who works for Arthur.

Galwyn Varianus works for his mean Uncle aboard his ship. His father has passed away and all feel he should be greatful that his Uncle lets him work for him. His Uncle is mean and so are the other sailors. Galwyn's life changes for the better when Lord Artos (King Arthur) uses his Uncle's ship to go to the Continent. Lord Artos is in search of horses. Big horses. Horses that will help him and his men defeat the Saxon invaders. Galwyn helps Lord Artos in the port city because he can speak the language. Galwyn then runs away from his Uncle, buys a horse, and goes after Lord Artos in hopes of working for him and helping him with the horses.

Lord Artos gladly takes him in. Soon he buys the horses, gets the horses to his farm, and Galwyn is left at the farm to help tend the horses and learn about taking care of them. There Galwyn finally feels happy and is excited to be working with the horses. He also helps in the process of making horse sandals to fit the horses hooves.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:
I thought this was a great YA book. It was a fun take an an Arthurian legend book too. You can't help but love Galwyn and hope he gets away from his Uncle and finds a place working for Arthur.

I didn't realize this book was published in the late 1990's and wondered why I didn't read it as a kid. Well, I was already in highschool when it was published. haha! I'm so glad I found it and read it now though, it's definitely one that I recommend to others.

This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.

Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce

Copyright: 2004
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Young Adult
Challenges: Audio Book, Young Adult, TBR, 101 Fantasy, New Author

(wow...I can't believe one book can help me in 5 challenges. haha!)
New-to-me Author: yes
Author's Website



Simple Description:
Ali isn't sure what she wants to do in life, well, kinda. Her mom is The Lioness, the best female fighter in her country. Her Dad is a spy. Ali wants to be a spy, a field agent, but her parents forbid it. If she can't be a spy, what else can she do? When her Mother comes home for a rest and makes Ali her project, Ali decides to take an unexpected trip to a city close by. She leaves a note for her parents and leaves early in the morning before anybody is awake to stop her.

Unfortunatly things don't go as planned. Ali is captured by pirates to be sold as a slave. Luckily she made herself seem like a "fighter" and when nobody wants her she is given to a family for free. Luck is with her because this is a very nice family who treats her well. They are royalty and forced into exile by the current king.

Ali has plans to escape but before she can the Trickster god comes to her with a deal. If she agrees to stay with this family through the summer and keep their daughters safe, the god

will deliver her safely to her home and make sure her parents let her become a spy. Ali takes the deal.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:
I thought this was a great young adult book. One thing I love is that Ali is such a strong female character. Not to bash the Twilight books (heck..I did love them) but Bella is so weak. I've read several blogs where that's a concern or a complaint rather. But Ali, she is so freaking strong! She's a great role model for young girls, in my opinion anyway. Ali is super smart and courageous.

The story itself kept my interest. I wanted to know what was going to happen to each of the characters and how the book was going to end.

This is definitely a book I recommend to others who like young adult and a bit of the paranormal. Well, do I call it paranormal? I suppose. Maybe Urban fantasy would be a better genre to put it in. Ali has some "gifts" that are passed down from parents to their children. One of the characters, Nowat, is a crow who becomes a Man so he can help Ali in her attempt to keep the royal family safe.

I did listen to this book. I thought the reader did a very good job. I admit to be confused at times but think that I probably would have been even if I read it, there were a lot of people mentioned in this book. Also, my mind kept drifting while I was driving. I don't think this had anything to do with the book though, rather just with things going on in my life right now.

This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me. (I did read the very end of the book last night at home. I knew I was close to the end and couldn't possible wait till the next day to finish the story. haha!)

This audio book was rented from my local library.

Young Adult Reading Challenge 2010

I love this challenge - while I love YA I don't always read as much as I want (or buy!) so this is a great challenge for me.

J. Kaye is holding this challenge again, the challenge post can be found HERE.

There are several levels of the challenge to choose from, and I'm going to pick the lowest, which is to read 12 books. No need to list books in advance.

Tunnels by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams

Copyright: ?
Publisher: Scholastic
Genre: YA
Pages: (audio)
Challenges: TBR challenge, 1st in a series
New-to-me Author: Yes
Author's Website


Simple Description:
Will Burrows is a 15 year-old-boy who enjoys a good dig. He likes to dig out tunnels and find artifacts. This is something that sometimes his father helps him with, and sometimes he does alone. He makes a friend at school, Chester, and Chester starts to help him with the tunnels. Then one day Will's father disappears. Later Chester and Will find a tunnel in the cellar of Will's house. They go through the Tunnel and find that somebody tried to fill it up, so of course they dig it out. When they reach the end of the tunnel, they find another village. With real people and animals. Chester and Will are taken into custody and questioned. Will learns that he is originally form this town and was taken top-side.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:

Well - honestly - I couldn't get into this book! I did listen to it, and not sure if that had anything to do it with or not. All I know is that I wasn't very interested in what was happened or what would happen. I finally got to the point where I was skipping ahead tracks just to get through it. I don't know, I don't really have anything to say on it, I just didn't enjoy it.

Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer (#1 in The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod)

Copyright: 2007
Publisher: Speak (Penguin)
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 182
Challenges: Young Adult Challenge
New-to-me author? Yes
Author's website

Simple Description
Vlad is a vampire. However vampires are still a secret to the rest of the world so he has to act like a normal boy. Vlad isn't your super handsome, super popular vampire. Instead, he is the kid that the bullies pick on. He doesn't know how to talk to girls and other than his best friend, Henry, he doesn't have any other friends. He also lives with Nelly, his Mom's best friend. His parents died in a fire about 3 years ago. Vlad is able is go out in sunlight, as long as he wears lots of sunscreen. He does attend school like normal boys. But he isn't normal. He can hover and he needs blood to survive.

One day one of the schools teachers disappears and they get a substitute teacher. This teacher is rather odd and seems to know what Vlad is. Vlad soon thinks that this new teacher, Mister Otis, killed his parents. At the same time, Vlad has found a diary that his dad, Tomas, kept. He begins to learn more about vampires. It also appears that somebody is after Vlad and if not Mr. Otis, then who is?

Now what you really want to know…my thoughts:
I thought this was a great ya book! I loved that the vampire isn't loved by everyone and is somebody that is picked on my bullies. I like it because it's just different from the other books I've read about vampires. I liked Henry too, Vlad's friend. The jokes between the two are very funny. I also loved Nelly. She is a normal human who finds interesting ways for Vlad to get blood without having to kill anybody and to make it look like he is eating normal human food. Of course, Vlad is able to eat normal human food and even enjoys the taste of some of it.

Overall this was a very quick and enjoyable read. It's one I think a lot of kids would enjoy as well as adults, like myself. I can't wait to read more in the series! There will be 5 total, right now only 3 are published.

I also had the joy of going to a book signing for this author. She was great! She gave us some background on herself, about how she was bullied growing up. That's one reason that is a major theme in this story. What I loved is that the author really connects with kids. During the question and answer section several boys asked her how to treat bullies, since they themselves were being bulled. I loved that they felt comfortable enough to ask her this and that they wanted her advice. What a great role model for kids. Oh, and her answers were awesome too. If she is doing a book signing in your area, I recommend going, It was a great time and it was fun to see the kids so excited about meeting an author.

Oh, and the town that Vlad lives in is called Bathory. I haven't had a chance to play around on the authors website to confirm my thoughts but..I think that's named after Elizabeth Bathory. How cool is that! Oh, not sure who Elizabeth Bathory, click here.

Have you reviewed this book on your blog? Leave me a comment to let me know and I'll link it below.

Sorry, no linked reviews yet.

Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by……Kris

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Copyright: 2006
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Genre: YA
Pages: 216
Challenges: War Through the Generations, Young Adult Challenge
New-to-me author? yes
Author's website

Simple Description
This story is told from the point of view of a 9 year old boy named Bruno. Bruno comes home from school one day to find his maid packing all his clothes and other belongings. When he asks his Mom about it, he is told that his Dad received a promotion at work and therefore they have to move. They are to move away from Berlin, the only home Bruno has known. His father has been given the title of Commandant. Before Bruno knows it, they have moved to a place that his sister tells him is called Out-With. They live in a small house, small by Bruno's standards anyway however close to their house is another compound. From his window Bruno can see that there are a lot of other huts/buildings even smaller than his new house and lots of people. There is a fence surrounding this compound too. Bruno doesn't see any women, but he can see a lot of men and boys. He does find it interesting that they wear their pajamas all day, they are grey striped pajamas. Sometimes Bruno wishes he could wear his pajamas all day.

One day when Bruno is bored he decides to go exploring. He walks down the road, alongside the fence. After about an hour he sees a boy sitting by the fence. The boy is wearing the stripped pajamas and is on the other side of the fence. Bruno learns that he isn't in Germany, the Fatherland, anymore. He is in Poland. The boy is Polish and he was taken from his home against his will too. During the year that Bruno lives at Out-With, he visits the boy almost every day –weather permitting. The boy in the striped pajamas and Bruno forge a friendship.

There's more but I don't want to spoil it or give anything away, so I'm just going to stop there.

Now what you really want to know…my thoughts:
So hopefully from the clues you have realized that Bruno's father is in the German army during WWII. He is made Commandant of Auschwitz. The reason I didn't come out and say that in my description is because the way I did it, is the way you get it from Bruno. Bruno at times seems naïve. But you have to remember that he was young, his parents didn't explain what was going on in the world and what exactly his Dad did for a living. Plus it was a different time then, it was the media age that it is now. All Bruno knows is that he is taken from a home he loves and brought to a home where there are no other boys to play with and city to explore. He doesn't realize exactly what it is his father is doing and what is going in the concentration camp that is right by his house. However that is what makes this story so powerful! The story is told from a totally different point of view than what we normally get. It's told from a kids point of view, the way a kid experiences what is going on and understands what is going on.

I thought this was a very good book and recommend it to others. If you like reading books about WWII, then pick this one up. It's different from any other WWII book I have read. It is sad at the end, but it's worth the read. Now I was expecting something like what happened in the end, but that was due to reading other reviews and people talking about it. So I wasn't shocked but I know others who were.


This book has also been reviewed by:
Confessions of a Book Addict

Bermudaonion's Weblog

Bibliophile by the Sea
All About {n}

Thoughts of Joy

Reading Through the Night


Have you reviewed this book on your blog? Leave me a comment to let me know and I'll link it below.




Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by……Kris

Love, Lies, and Texas Dips by Susan McBride

Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Genre: young adult
Pages: 293
Challenges: Young Adult Challenge
New-to-me author? no
Author's website

Simple Description
Love, Lies, and Texas Dips picks up where the first in the series, The Debs, left off. There are four main charactors, three are friends and the fourth is pretty much their enemy. All 4 girls have been invited to The Glass Slipper Club, something all most girls aspire to be a part of in their area of Texas.

Mac is the only one of the 4 who doesn't really want to be a part of it. She isn't about dressing up and pretty much thinks it's shallow. She is doing it though, because her mother would have wanted her to. She has more important things to deal with – such as a step-mom she doesn't like, a father who isn't around much, and the realization that she wants to me more than just friends with her best friend, Alex.

Ginger is excited to be part of The Glass Slipper Club, especially since her two best friends are also in it. She is at her Grandmother's for tea one afternoon, when she finds out that her Grandmother has commissioned a portrait of Ginger in her gown. The same gown her Grandmother wore when she had her debute. It all sounds good until she learns that the person doing the portrait is an old comrade from grade school who put down her artwork.

Laura is the third person who makes up the friends group. She is bigger than the other girls, not exactly skinny. This is a major cause of concern for her mother and the bimbo's – the other girls who make fun of her for her weight. Laura is happy with who she is, but still has to deal with the weight issue. In this one it looks like Laura has a secret admirer, somebody is sending her yummy treats. The problem is that these are causing her to gain weight. When she confronts the guy she likes, he tells her the treats are not from him. Could the treats be a joke? Plus an evil rumor is spread around about her, once that could get her kicked out of the Glass Slipper Club. She isn't sure what to do.

Jo Lynn is the fourth main character and enemy to Laura and her friends. She is beautiful, skinny, and things seem to be wonderful. However she is evil. Jo Lynn is the type of character you love to hate. She hates Laura and will do whatever she can to ruin her life and her chance to be in The Glass Slipper Club. Things come to an boiling point when Jo Lynn believes her current boyfriend is cheating on her with Laura.

Now what you really want to know…my thoughts:
I enjoyed this one as much as I enjoyed the first one. Each of the girls is different and it's fun to see them interact with each other. Of course, as I said, Jo Lynn is the type of person you just love to hate. Oh man is she evil! I just wanted to slap her! Laura, Mac, and Ginger have a great friendship. What I love is that they have their issues to, they fight, they get mad at each other, it's not 100% awesome all the time. I also think it's fun to see what life is like for a Deb. Being from St. Louis, it's all kinda foreign to me. Of course, they could have those in STL but since I'm not incredibly wealthy, I don't see it. I also really like Laura. To me, Laura is more of a "normal" person. She has to constantly battler her weight and Jo Lynn. She's the type of person you want to root for and home they come out finishing first.

My only complaint is that the book ends with a cliff hanger. Nothing is really resolved in this one and it's totally left as is. Ack! No no no! I wanted to know what would happen to the rumors regarding Laura. I wanted to know what Jo Lynn's next step would be! So I guess it's not really something to complain about, I just don't want to have to wait till next year to see what happens! Haha! I will definitely be reading the next one, which has a release date of March 2010. And yes..I do recommend this one to others. I think teenage girls will really like this series.

and..I have a copy of this book to give away to one lucky winner! That will bein a seperate blog post!

Have you reviewed this book on your blog? Leave me a comment to let me know and I'll link it below.
Sorry, no linked reviews yet.


Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by……Kris

Playing with Fire by Derek Landy

Copyright: 2008
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Young Adult (#2 Skulduggery Pleasant)
Pages: 389
Challenges: TBR Challenge, Paranormal Challenge, Young Adult Challenge
New-to-me author? No
Author's website

Simple Description
In the 2^nd book in the series, the first is called Skulduggery Pleasant, Valkyrie has learned more fighting skills and how to use her magic. She still has a lot to learn, but she's training. She's going to use all the training she has received so far too. Together Valkyrie and Skulduggery attempt to kill the Grotesquery. The Grotesquery is made of several different body parts from different things. If the evil Baron gives the Grotesquery the last ingredient it needs to come alive, then on the full moon it can open up a portal to bring back the faceless ones. The faceless ones are evil and Skulduggery and Valkyrie need to stop the Grotesquery from coming alive. However..that doesn't happen. Once it is alive, they need the help of several others to try and stop the Grotesquery and the Baron – along with other evil villains. Especially those evil villains who seem intent on destroying Valkyrie.

While batteling evil villains, Valkyrie is also dealing with being a teenage and possibly missing out on an important part of her life. Her reflection is mostly going to school for her and interacting with her parents, but she wonders if maybe that isn't good. She misses her parents. Yet, she knows she needs to train and help save the world.

Now what you really want to know…my thoughts:
I liked the book, but admit that I didn't like it as much as I liked the first one. I'm not really sure why either. There was a lot going on and it kept the book moving and there were always twists and turns. I liked seeing Valkyrie being able to use magic and defend herself, although it was good to see her still make mistakes and not be excellent at it. She is still pretty young and new with it. Do I recommend this series? Heck yeah. I think kids will really enjoy this series. Will I continue to read it, yeah. Even though I didn't like this one as much as the first, I still really enjoyed it.



Have you reviewed this book on your blog? Leave me a comment to let me know and I'll link it below.

Sorry, no linked reviews yet.

Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by……Kris

Lily Dale: Awakening by Wendy Corsi Staub

Copyright: 2007
Publisher: Walker & Company
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 228
Challenges: Read-your-own books, Young Adult
New-to-me author? yes
Author's website

Simple Description
Calli's life was recently turned upside down. Her boyfriend of a couple of years dumped her, via a text message. At that point she thought her life couldn't get any worse, but then she comes home one day and finds that her Mom has passed away. How is she supposed to get over that? Her father is taking a sabbatical in California and is unable to take Calli with him. Her Grandmother, who lives in New York, suggests that Calli come stay with her. Calli doesn't remember her Grandmother much. Her Mom and Grandma had an argument when she was little and the result was that her Grandma wasn't allowed to visit again. So..Calli goes to New York to live with her Grandma for several weeks. Her Grandma lives in a small community called Lily Dale. What Calli doesn't know is that the community is for spiritualists. Her Grandmother is a medium.

At first Calli thinks her Grandma is making it all up and is a fraud but then strange things happen. Calli sees a woman, who isn't there. Then a lady comes to get some help from her Grandma and her daughter is trailing her. However, this women's daughter is missing. Calli must face up to the fact that she might be a medium as well.

Why did I read this book?
I had heard from others that they like this author and when I saw she had a paranormal YA book, I thought I would try it out.

What I liked most:
I liked the paranormal aspect of it.

Was there something I didn't like?
I didn't feel like much happened in this book. I realize it is a series but it seems like this was just an intro to the series and not really worthy of it's own book. I wanted the character to admit that she had an ability and get help from her Grandma. The way it ended..just seemed abrupt. There could have been more

Do I recommend the book?
I'm torn. I can't say I really recommend it when I'm on the fence about the book itself. Yet..I do feel like the series has potential, just not sure if it has enough potential for me to read the next one. So here's where my lovely readers come in. Have you read this book? Others in the series? Does the series get better? Is it worth reading the next one?

Have you reviewed this book on your blog? Leave me a comment to let me know and I'll link it below.
Sorry, no linked reviews yet.

Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by……Kris