Sweethearts (book review)

Sweethearts, by Sara Zarr, is the story of two childhood friends, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick. When they were younger, Jennifer and Cameron were both outcasts, and all they had was each other. Then one day, Cameron disappeared without a word, and Jennifer was led to believe that he was dead. She had no choice but to move on.

Now, in high school, Jennifer--now known as Jenna Vaughn--is popular, dating, and completely happy--that is, until Cameron returns. His decision to come back causes Jenna to think about a part of her life she always tried to ignore--something that happened, long ago, on her ninth birthday. Something horrible that only she, Cameron, and his father were a part of. The return of her once-best friend means something much, much more to Jenna--and it forces her to bring back a part of the past that was better left forgotten.

I loved this book. It was quick, suspenseful, and bittersweet. It kept me reading down to the very last page. It's a good thing I have another book by Sara Zarr to read!

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.

Breaking Dawn (book review)

*The following review contains SPOILERS.*

Breaking Dawn, the final book in the famous Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer, chronicles the story of Bella, and of her werewolf friend, Jacob. Bella and her husband Edward, a vampire, sail away to a remote island to spend their honeymoon, but their time there is cut short when it is revealed that Bella is pregnant. Neither Edward nor anyone in his family has seen anything like the creature growing in Bella's stomach--half-human, half-vampire. Its heart beats, but it thirsts for blood.

Jacob is alarmed and disgusted by Bella's unborn child--and so is his pack. The alpha wolf, Sam, plans a surprise attack on Edward's family, bent on destroying the baby--as well as Bella. Jacob, along with two loyal companions, rushes to warn the vampires, thwarting the werewolves' ambush and forcing him to break his bond with the pack--for good. But it becomes clearer and clearer that if the baby survives, Bella will die. This forces Edward to make the ultimate decision--a decision that will change the lives of everyone, vampire and werewolf alike, forever, and a decision that will awaken the wrath of the Volturi, the most powerful vampire family in the world.

I thought this was a great end to the series. I know some people thought it was disappointing, but I enjoyed it right down to the very last word. I'm very sad that this series is over, and I'm sure I'll be rereading these books in the future!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

This book is for the What's In A Name 2 Challenge.

New Challenge

I am joining the Support Your Local Library Challenge. It sounds so fun! All you have to do is read at least 12 books from your local library! I just picked up my first three to read!

Quick Update

I am going to read a different book than Scholastic Book of World Records 2009 for the Dewey Decimal Challenge, because it was just too boring to read straight through.

Manga Challenge Wrap-up Post

I had so much fun doing the Manga Challenge! I read a lot of great books. Thank you, Rhinoa, and I hope you host it again next year!

I read six manga books for this challenge:

Tokyo Mew Mew books 1 and 2
Fruits Basket 2
Dream Saga 3
Vampire Kisses 1
Avalon High 1

Again, I enjoyed this so much! My favorite read was the first Tokyo Mew Mew book, and my least favorite was Dream Saga 3.

Tokyo Mew Mew Books 1 and 2 (book review)

Tokyo Mew Mew, by Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida, is a manga series about five young female superheroes. In the first book, we are introduced to the main character, Ichigo. While she is on a date with the guy of her dreams, she (and four other girls) are involved in a freak accident that merges their DNA with the DNA of five endangered species. These five girls have become the Mew Mews, and their job is to fight evil aliens that are trying to take over the world by infecting Earth's animals with deadly parasites, turning them into rampaging monsters called kirema animas.

Ichigo has been fused with the genes of an iriomote cat. Now, she can turn into an alien-fighting superhero with cat ears and a cat tail whenever she wants! But it's Ichigo's job to find the other four Mew Mews. One is a super-rich snob, named Mint, who wants nothing to do with Ichigo. She has fused with an ultramarine lorakeet. The other is a lonely girl who will take her anger out on Mint and Ichigo when in her Mew Mew form (she merged with a finless porpoise). Could these three ever join together as a team?

In book two, the other characters' identities are revealed. One is Pudding, an acrobatic, friendly girl who loves to make money and whose genes were fused with a golden lion tamarin's. The other is a beautiful model, Zakuro, who is fused with a gray wolf. The problem is, Zakuro wants nothing to do with the rest of the Mew Mews. Can the four girls convince their final partner to join them in time to save the world?

I really enjoyed these books. They went very fast, and they were exciting and engaging. I think I liked the first one better than the second, however. I give the first book 4 out of 5 stars, and the second 3.5 out of 5 stars.

These books were both for the Manga Challenge and for the Sci-Fi Experience.

Dream Saga #3 (book review)

Dream Saga #3, by Megumi Tachikawa, is the story of fifth-grader Yuuki, and five of her friends, who are destined to save the dream world (known as Takamagahara) from destruction. Yuuki and four of the others have "magic stones", which allow them to remember their time in Takamagahara even while they are in our world. The fifth boy, Takaomi, although he does not have a magic stone and therefore doesn't remember his time in the dream world (and in the same way his dream-self doesn't remember the time spent in the normal world), has been told of the events that are transpiring, and knows the secrets of the magic stones.

In this book, Yuuki and her friends are at the palace of Shinoukyu, trying to convince intrepid Miss Kaya (who happens to be their teacher in the real world) to join their quest. She has something that they need, and would be a useful addition to the group. But when Kaya is kidnapped by giant, angry insects, Takaomi finds himself bribed by her wicked father into going to rescue her alone. Because Kaya's father happens to have a sixth magic stone, and according to him, Takaomi can have it if he rescues Kaya. Takaomi, who longs to fit in, accepts. But can he save Kaya all alone? And even if he can, will her father pay up?

I enjoyed the plot of this book. It was suspenseful, interesting, and unique. But the drawings were confusing, and they often blended into one another. Sometimes I had to read a section over once or twice to understand what was going on. That is why I only give this book 2.5 out of 5 stars.

This book is for the Manga Challenge.

Fruits Basket Book Two (book review)

Fruits Basket Book Two, by Natsuki Takaya, is the story of orphan Tohru Honda, and the enigmatic Sohma family. Three of the Sohmas-- Shigure, Kyo, and Yuki--have taken Tohru in, and they have let her know their terrible secret. Several of the members of the family are possessed with the vengeful spirits of the animals of the Zodiac, and whenever one of those people is weak or is hugged by a member of the opposite sex, they transform. Tohru has promised to keep their power a secret, but will she be able to when her best friends come over to spend the night? Especially when one of them is a psychic?

I enjoyed this book a great deal, but not as much as the first one. It was a bit more confusing, but other than that it was a wonderful story!

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

This book is for the Manga Challenge.

Gods and Generals (book review)

Gods and Generals, by Jeff Shaara, is a prequel of sorts to The Killer Angels. Although it is a fiction book, the historical information is factual. It delves into the lives of famous Civil War leaders such as Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Winfield Scott Hancock, and Joshua Chamberlain. Although there are many Civil War books that describe these characters in detail, none are like Gods and Generals...within the pages of this book, these men come alive.

In this book, Jeff Shaara studies the lives of the men in a time range beginning in 1858 and ending in June of 1863. The Killer Angels, his father's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, picks up right where Gods and Generals left off (though they were written in reverse). The battles in these pages--Williamsburg, Second Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville--seem vividly real. The reader is present, breathing in the smoke and hearing the sounds of dying men on the battlefield. This was overall a great book, and it made me eager to reread The Killer Angels .

I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.

This book was for the What's In A Name 2 Challenge.

The United States Constitution (book review)

The United States Constitution, by Jonathan Hennessey and Aaron McConnell, is the story of our US Constitution, from the Preamble right down to the twenty-seventh amendment. With fantastic illustrations and wonderful prose, this book gives the reader an in-depth look at the powers and responsibilities of the government. In great detail it describes the three branches of federal government, and their duties. The power of the state government is outlined as well. This is a wonderful guide to the Constitution and the United States government, and anybody can read it. It is quick, easy to understand, and packed full of useful information!

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

This book is for the Graphic Novel Challenge '09.

Young Adult Challenge 2009

I am joining the Young Adult Challenge 2009! I know this one will be fun! Here is a list of possibilities:

Leonardo's Shadow by Christopher Grey

Hunted by N.M. Browne

Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Mariller

Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah

The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Gothic Lolita by Dakota Lane

Tanglewreck by Jeanette Winterson

Part of Me by Kimberly Willis Holt

Science Fair by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

The Loud Silence of Francine Green by Karen Cushman

Avalon High Coronation: The Merlin Prophecy (book review)

Avalon High Coronation: The Merlin Prophecy, by Meg Cabot, is the story of high school student Ellie and her boyfriend Will. Will just happens to be the reincarnation of King Arthur. Ellie herself might in fact be the reincarnation of the famous Lady of the Lake from Arthurian legend. And one of her teachers, Mr. Morton (or Merlin), is a long-lost member of the Order of the Bear, a group of scientists and historians dedicated to finding King Arthur's reincarnation. But now that they finally have, a new problem has come up...Will doesn't believe that he is King Arthur reincarnated. And in order for him to save the world from a horrible fate, he has to accept his destiny once and for all. What can Ellie do to convince him that the power in his hands is real?

I greatly enjoyed this book and would like to read the original novel someday soon. I would recommend this book to fans of Arthurian legend and fantasy manga.

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

This book is for the Manga Challenge.

Drugs Explained (book review)

Drugs Explained, by Pierre Mezinski, is a nonfiction book written especially for preteens and teens about the harmful effects of drugs. Mezinski has written a very kid-friendly yet informative book on the dangers of drugs, both ones we see every day like tobacco and alcohol, and illegal drugs such as marijuana, heroin, and ecstacy. I thought it was a very useful, interesting book--easy to read, engaging, and filled with facts. It also had a little fictional story in it, called Emily's journal, about a girl and her encounters with peer pressure and drugs. I can imagine how many kids could relate to Emily, and this makes the book even more inviting.

I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

This book is for the Dewey Decimal Challenge. (362.29)

Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives (book review)

Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, is a manga story written by Ellen Schreiber and illustrated by Rem. It is the story of goth-girl Raven and her vampire boyfriend, Alexander. Just when seems as if their relationship is finally going smoothly, Alexander's cousin, Claude, and his gang of half-vampires shows up. And now they're trying to blackmail Raven into betraying Alexander. Will she become a traitor to her boyfriend, or will her friend Becky end up as a snack for Claude and his friends?

I realize this is a short review, but it was a very short book. I enjoyed it, and I would like to read the original novel, Vampire Kisses. I also hope to continue reading the Manga series.

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

(This book is for the Manga Challenge.)

Patriots, Pirates, Heroes, and Spies (book review)

Patriots, Pirates, Heroes, and Spies, edited by Sandra Mackenzie Lloyd, is a collection of true stories about the city of Philadelphia. This book is filled with stories of runaway slaves, war heroes, fancy parties...and even a cow! My favorite two stories were about Lydia Darrugh, a spy for the Patriots during the American Revolution, and about Oney Judge, an escaped slave. There was also a story about how Girl Scout Cookies got their start which I found interesting.

I enjoyed this book fairly well, although it was a little bit below my level. It was interesting, and I learned quite a bit from it. I think younger kids interested in history would get a lot out of it.

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Another Challenge

I am also joining the Dewey Decimal Challenge. I can't wait to start this one, too! It sounds so fun! You just have to read one book from each category:

000 - Generalities
100 - Philosophy and Psychology
200 - Religion
300 - Social Sciences
400 - Language
500 - Natural Sciences + Math
600 - Technology
700 - The Arts
800 - Literature and Rhetoric
900 - Geography and History

The World War II Challenge

I am excited to join the World War II Challenge as well! I don't have a definite list yet, but I know I'll be reading a lot of good books for this challenge. I'm committing to at least 7 books.

Joining the Manga Challenge

I'm excited to join the Manga Challenge, hosted by Rhinoa. Here is my list:

Fruits Basket #2 by Natsuki Takaya

Avalon High Coronation: The Merlin Prophecy by Meg Cabot

Tokyo Mew Mew #1 by Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida

Tokyo Mew Mew #2 by Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida

Dream Saga #3 by Megumi Tachikawa

Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives by Ellen Schreiber and Rem

Another Excerpt from "Catseye"

“Come on! We don’t have much time!” hissed Zabora. Confused, the dogs turned in the direction Sakura had gone and followed her. They stopped to linger a moment, just in case it was a trick, but Zabora, Will, and Kylie stayed hidden with the Catseye’s magic. Once the guards were gone, Zabora hurriedly led them back behind the remaining two guards, far enough so that they weren’t noticed, but close enough so that they were still on the right path.

Finally, to Kylie’s astonishment, she set foot on solid ground. She was in a peaceful field, filled with tiny gold and purple flowers. “Welcome to the Gods’ Realm,” Zabora said proudly. “It is pretty, isn’t it?”

Kylie nodded and looked at Will, but he wasn’t there. He was picking the flowers and sniffing them. Kylie laughed. He looked so ridiculous. But he looked even more ridiculous when…he turned into a purple monkey!

“Aaah!” Kylie shouted, jumping back. Will looked at himself in astonishment. Behind them, Zabora was doubled over with laughter.

“What happened to him?” Kylie demanded.

“Those are shape-shifting flowers,” Zabora explained, still laughing. “When you sniff them, you change shape. It is impossible to know what you will turn into.”

“Well, how does he turn back?” Kylie asked firmly. She didn’t think it was very funny…okay, it was, but they didn’t have time for distractions.

Zabora shrugged. “I think he is stuck that way until they wear off.” Behind them, Will made a groaning sound.

“How long is it until they wear off?” Kylie asked, fearing the answer.

“I do not know, but he might find a more reasonable shape with which to approach Anubis and Bastet.”

Snorting, Will picked another flower with his monkey paws and sniffed it. It turned him into a rabbit. Zabora shook her head, so he sniffed another one. This time he appeared as a fox.

She nodded. “The foxes are his people, too. He will be satisfied.” By "him" Kylie assumed Zabora meant Anubis.

Will-fox trotted beside Kylie, who was careful not to sniff any flowers. Zabora was still laughing and floating lazily across the ground.

“Are there any other dangers we have to watch out for?” Kylie asked, irritated.
Zabora nodded. “There are many, but hopefully we will not run into any of them.”

That didn’t sound very reassuring, but Kylie didn’t say anything.

After they left the field, Zabora led them through a forest. It was thick and dark, and Kylie felt uncomfortable. Will-fox, however, was right at home. He chased after every noise, soon returning to the task at hand before running off again.

“I just remembered something else about the shape-shifting flowers,” Zabora said. “As more and more time passes, the person under the spell becomes more and more like what they’ve become. If it takes more than one hour for them to turn back, they’re stuck as an animal forever…and nothing can turn them back, not even the power of the gods.”

And so Will-fox was added to Kylie’s growing list of concerns.

Though the forest was very disconcerting, they soon passed out of it, and entered another field. This one wasn’t filled with flowers, instead tall stalks of wheat waved lazily in the breeze. “How big is the Gods’ Realm?” Kylie asked in exasperation.

“Very big,” Zabora said. “No one, not even the gods themselves, have reached every corner of it. But I know where they are, and we do not have far left to go, so do not worry.”

Tagged for Another Meme

Thank you, Valentina, for tagging me! And thank you, Eva, for coming up with such a fun meme!

The book that’s been on your shelves the longest:
The Children's Hour set of books, which my mother passed along to me when I was very small. They're a little tattered, because she owned them when she was a kid, but they're very special to me.

A book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time, etc.):
Classic Poems to Read Aloud, which reminds me of my grandfather. It was the last thing he gave me before he died. This book is also extremely special.

A book you acquired in some interesting way (gift, serendipity in a used bookstore, prize, etc.):

Jean, who happens to be my "cousin", went to the National Book Festival and got to meet Neil Gaiman. Instead of getting a signed book for herself, she bought Coraline and had him sign it for me! Wasn't that sooooooo nice?

The most recent addition to your shelves:

Gothic Lolita by Dakota Lane. I've been wanting that book for quite some time now, and I was excited when I finally had enough money to buy it.

A book that’s been with you to the most places:
I can't really answer that one. I don't bring my favorite books on vacation, I just bring several that I want to read.

A bonus book that you want to talk about but doesn’t fit into the other questions:

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. It is my all-time favorite book! It's about a girl, Lyra Belacqua, who lives in an alternate universe similar to ours, but here everyone is accompanied by a magical creature called a daemon, who is like your soul. When she hears about a wicked experiment station in the north, called Bolvangar, where mysterious and unpleasant things are happening to children and their daemons, Lyra goes on a quest to save them. I recently got the movie, and I can't wait to watch it again! It's also time for a re-read!

Now, as for tagging people:

Nymeth

Chris

Dad

Jean

Excerpt from "Catseye"

Several people have been asking me to post excerpts from my NaNo story, and even though I haven't completely finished my rough draft yet, here is the first excerpt:

Kylie felt queasy in her stomach. Something felt bad about that place, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. And the path to the west was a dead end. It seemed to Kylie that the abandoned city was much bigger than it had been before the Time Freeze. Like Naire had said, the true nature of the place was surfacing. The old city wasn’t nearly as safe as it used to be.
Naire gave Kylie an impudent look and started to make her way down the alley to the south. Kylie sighed and followed her. Gull, Anemone, and Will trotted behind them uneasily.
There was a putrid smell about the place, a mix of blood and old, rotting wood. Rats slithered in the shadows, and a slimy fungus grew on the walls. Kylie covered her nose so that she wouldn’t have to smell such filth. She wasn’t the kind of girl who was squeamish, but this place was enough to make anyone gag.
Naire suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes were wide with fear. There was a new smell in the air, something Kylie and Will had never encountered before…but the animals had.


Tune back soon for another excerpt!!!

Nod's Limbs (book review)

Nod's Limbs, by Charles Ogden is one of several books about two mischievous twins named Edgar and Ellen. They wear old, ratty footie pajamas and live in a gothic tower on the edge of the forest. And they're always pranking the innocent citizens of their town. When the will of Augustus Nod, founder of the town, is discovered behind a painting, it gives the townspeople six difficult riddles to solve. Whoever solves the riddles will discover the location of Nod's golden limbs (his golden statue's limbs, that is, not his REAL limbs). Suddenly the normally peaceful townspeople have gone mad with gold fever! Edgar and Ellen are determined to have the limbs for themselves, but in their quest to get rich, they end up unearthing something MUCH more important.

I enjoyed this book fairly well. It was cute, and it provided plenty of laughs. Although at times I felt as if it was just a little bit too outlandish, over all it was pretty good. It was a very quick read, which is nice sometimes. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars, as you'll see if you check my "Books I've Read In 2009" list.

This book is for my What's In A Name Challenge as well as for the 999 Challenge, in my "Books Borrowed from Gray" category.

Joining the Graphic Novels Challenge

I am excited to say I am joining YET ANOTHER challenge today, the Graphic Novel Challenge hosted by Laza. I don't have the exact list yet, but I know I will be doing the Minor level with 6 books. I can't wait to start!

Joining the Sci-Fi Experience

Last year's Sci-Fi Experience hosted by Carl was so much fun, and I can't wait to get started this year. For this one, I'm going to try to read AT LEAST three books. I'm not sure exactly which ones, yet.

Joining a New Challenge

I am joining the 999 Challenge. Basically, these are the rules--come up with nine categories and read nine books for each of them. You have until September 9. You can overlap books from other challenges. You can also overlap nine books within the challenge (in other words, you can choose nine books to use for more than one category). Here are my categories:

Re-reads:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7

8.

9.

Borrowed from Gray:

1. Nod's Limbs by Charles Ogden

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Borrowed from Mom:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Fantasy featuring animals:

1. Long Shadows by Erin Hunter

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Historical fiction:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Nonfiction:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Realistic fiction:
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Authors that are new to me:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Novellas:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.