Review: 11 Birthdays

11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amanda and Leo live in Willow Falls where they were both born on the same day. Sharing a birthday party together has been fun and they have a joint party together every year except up until their 10th birthday when Amanda overhears something Leo says to hurt her feelings. This began a year of not talking to one another. When Amanda gets ready to celebrate her birthday she's not looking forward to it. She knows Leo's party will be taking place at the same time and friends had to choose which party they would go to. Amanda's party isn't as exciting or fun as she would like, and her mom looses her job! What could be worse? Amanda soon finds out when she wakes up again to Friday - her birthday! Poor Amanda is stuck reliving her birthday daily until she figures out what went wrong. Fortunately she learns she's not alone. Leo is having the same problem - thank goodness she has someone to go through this with. Will Leo and Amanda forever be stuck in their 11th birthday?

A fun read for grades 3-6 and a Bluestem Nominee!

View all my reviews

Review: A Week of Mondays

A Week of Mondays by Jessica Brody
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was so much fun! If you like the movie Groundhog's Day, you'll enjoy this book! Can you imagine living a Monday over again each day to figure out what went wrong? Ellison Sparks has to do just that. Being dumped by boyfriend Tristan is bad enough, but for it to keep happening over and over again is pretty terrible. Ellie needs to figure out what in her day needs to change to determine her happiness. Her best friend Owen is sweet and kind and fortunately is with her every step of the way.

I wasn't sure how I would feel about a book that constantly repeats itself, but author Jessica Brody does a great job offering humor and sarcasm to a day that just won't end! What looks like a "big" book reads effortlessly!

This book will be available in the fall at LV IMC! Happy reading!

View all my reviews

Review: The Running Dream

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Jessica is a star track athlete whose world instantly changes on the way home from a track meet. The bus got into an accident killing one teammate and leaving Jessica with an amputated leg. This fast paced book takes a real look at what it must be like for a junior high school to learn how to do everything again. She constantly questions her worth, what life will be like not running and just trying to walk again and appear to be the same as everyone else.

With a strong support system of friends and family, nobody will let Jessica give up. I have been wanting to read this book for a long time as I recommend it to many at my library due to how many girls enjoy reading the book. I'm so glad I did and will continue to recommend it for year's to come.

The book is sad, hopeful and encouraging. Jessica discovers who she really is as well as seeing others for who they are as well - not just their disabilities.


View all my reviews

Review: Design Destiny

Design Destiny by Margaret Gurevich
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Chloe enters the final rounds of the reality show competition. Mean girl Nina is at it again. Will Chloe fold under the pressure? This is book #4 in the series. I was ultimately confused when I got to the end of this one because it "wrapped things up." I had to do some research to find out what books 5-8 would be about. I don't want to say because it would ruin it for you.

Again - super cute books if you are into fashion. Appropriate for grades 6-8 as well. I just wish they were condensed into one book.

View all my reviews

Review: Glow: Animals with Their Own Night-Lights

Glow: Animals with Their Own Night-Lights by W.H. Beck
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maybe a new favorite for me on the Monarch list! Both of the kids thought this book was so cool! A book entirely about animals that glow and have their own night lights! What I liked the most about the books is that there is larger print at the top that my son could mostly read on his own and small print at the bottom that gave the facts about each animal. A great book for parents and children to read together. At the end of the book there are additional facts about each animal as well. These pages answered many of the questions the kids had while reading the book.

Don't pass this one up!

View all my reviews

Review: Crossing Niagara: The Death-Defying Tightrope Adventures of the Great Blondin

Crossing Niagara: The Death-Defying Tightrope Adventures of the Great Blondin by Matt Tavares
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a great book! Both of my kids loved the suspense of the real life tight rope walker "The Great Blondin." The book explains how Blondin had a mission to not just tight rope walk across Niagra Falls, but do many different stunts as well! Great illustrations and a great story!

View all my reviews

Review: The First Cut

The First Cut by Margaret Gurevich
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I said I would continue with this series. It is fun and a quick read. Book 2 puts Chloe in the next audition round against her frienemy Nina. These books are cute and the illustrations that go with them really set them apart from other books. The only thing I wish was that 2 of the books were combined because they are such quick reads - only about 90 pages and not with a lot of depth so I was able to read one book yesterday while my kids played at the park.

View all my reviews

Review: Backlash

Backlash by Sarah Darer Littman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I decided to pick this books up after it came up as a, "if you liked, then..." list after I re-read 13 Reasons Why. I was interested in reading more books like 13 reasons because of its popularity and to see what else I could add to my junior high library. This book will definitely be added.

Told from 4 different perspectives. Lara who attempted suicide. Bree, Lara's former best friend and next door neighbor. Sydney - Lara's sister. Liam - Bree's little brother who is the same age as Sydney.

Be careful of reviews of this book because it may sound a bit cheesy because nobody wants to give anything away.

Lara meets a boy on Facebook who she believes likes her and may even ask her to the dance at his local high school until he tells her off publicly on her wall. This sends Lara into a downward spiral and ultimately attempts to take her life.

Trust me - there is much more to this story that will suck you in and show you exactly how one bad decision can destroy the lives of many.

A very quick read with great discussion opportunities with kids and parents.


View all my reviews