In My Mailbox (4)

In my Mailbox is a meme hosted by the story siren. Let's go!

Recieved
The Reckoning By Kelley Armstrong
The Owl Keeper by Christine-Brodien Jones
Stargirl By Jerry Spinelli
The Willoughbys By Louis Lowry

Hope your looking forward to seeing these books as book reviews!

Princess for hire By Lindsey Leavitt Book review

Publisher:Hyperion Books, an imprint of Disney Book Group

Published:2010

Age Category:9-13

Number of Pages:239

Summary

 When a well-dressed woman steps out of a bubble and wants to know if you'd like to

become a substitute princess, do you


A) run


B) faint


C) say yes?


For Desi Bascomb, who's been longing for some glamour in her Idaho life, the choice is a

definite C). Desi has a rare ability: with the help of "Royal Rouge," she can temporarily

transform into the exact look-alike of any princess who needs her subbing services. Dream

come true, right?


Well, Desi soon discovers that subbing involves a lot more than wearing a tiara and waving at

cameras.... In this winning debut, one girl's dream of glamour transforms into the desire to

make a positive impact. And an impact Desi makes, one royal fiasco at a time.
 
Review
I thought this book was an amazing and riveted story with a girly punch straight in the

middle. This book was great-making the dream of every young girl come true. The

characters were completely heartfelt, the cover symbolizing what the story was about. I

loved how the plot took one twist, another turn, and continues to give you as much

excitement and suspense as possible. I loved how this was a book of glamour, love, family,

and hysterical laughter at the same time. I think the only possible flaw in this book that I

saw is possibly description and setting. If we could have a little more details that would be

great. Otherwise, this book is amazing!

Rating
Plot-cat

Characters-cat

Suspense-cat

Ending- hamster (I think it was a little more than incomplete.)

Cover-dog

Setting/Description-hamster

TOTAL
25 STARS=GOOD

Luv,
<3 Bethany

The Karma Club By Jessica Brody Book Review

Publisher:D&M Publishers Inc.

Published:March 2010

Age group:11-14

Number of pages:258

Summary

"Personally, I’m tired of waiting for the universe to get off its butt and start fixing stuff. I

don’t want to wait around for Mason to get what’s coming to him. Or Heather Campbell, for

that matter . . . I want to be there to see it happen."



Madison Kasparkova always thought she understood how Karma works. It’s that

mysterious, powerful force that brings harmony to the universe. You know—do good things

and you will be rewarded, do something bad and Karma will make sure you get what’s

coming to you. A sort of cosmic balancing act.

But when Mason Brooks, Maddy’s boyfriend of two years, gets caught tongue-wrestling with

Miss Perfect Body Heather Campbell, and absolutely nothing happens to either of them—

except that they wind up the hot new couple of Colonial High School, it seems like Karma has

officially left Maddy in the lurch. That’s why Maddy and her best friends, Angie and Jade,

decide to start the Karma Club—a secret, members-only organization whose sole purpose is

to clean up the messes that the universe has been leaving behind. Whether they’re modifying

Heather Campbell’s acne cream as part of “Operation Butterface,” or righting a few wrongs

when it comes to Angie and Jade’s own slimy exes, they know they’re just doing what Karma

should have done in the first place. They’re taking care of one another.

Sometimes, though, it isn’t wise to meddle with the universe. Because it turns out, when you

mess with Karma, Karma messes back. Now Maddy must find a way to balance her life for

good, even as everything around her seems to be toppling to the ground.

Review

This book was amazing-like the other books that have been recently published this year. I

loved how the element of "Karma" was mixed into the whole book and made into the main

part. I loved how it was sort of a normal teenagers revenge attack/plan, except that Jessica

Brody changed it and made it different from the normal teenage drama stories. The

characters were all distinct and had their own little quirks, and the the plot was amazingly

complex and exciting. There are surprises in this book that make people wonder how the

author even came up with it. The ending was perfectly satisfying, and Jessica Brody gave the

perfect settings and gave just enough details-but not too much. This book is a thriller about a

teenage girl who's about to strike her revenge....

Rating

Plot-cat (5 stars)

Characters-cat ( 5 stars)

Suspense-cat (5 stars)

Ending-cat (5 stars)

Cover-dog (4 stars)

Setting/Description-dog (4 stars)

TOTAL

28 STARS

Luv,

Beth <3

SwordQuest By Nancy Yi Fan Book review

Publisher:Harper Collins

Published:2008

Age Group:9-14

Number of Pages: 262

Summary

Wind-voice the half-dove, formerly enslaved, is now free, and Maldeor, the one-winged

archaeopteryx, hungers for supreme power.



Can Wind-voice and Wind-voice the half-dove, formerly enslaved, is now free, and Maldeor,

the one-winged archaeopteryx, hungers for supreme power.


Can Wind-voice and his valiant companions—Ewingerale, the wood-pecker scribe; Stormac,

the myna warrior; and Fleydur, the musician eagle—save the future of their world?


An exciting prequel to the New York Times bestseller Swordbird.

Review

At the time that Nancy Yi Fan published this, she was 12 years old-isn't that amazing?  I love

that every element needed to make this story as great as it can be is in there. The suspense,

feeling and emotion are amazing, and the cover stands out on any bookshelf. The story itself

is unique-there are hardly any fiction books on animals like birds or related to dinosaurs like

this one. I thought the characters were unique-completely different from each other-and you

could clearly tell who was evil, sho was defenseless, and who was just a servant. I loved the

plot of this book-I had a problem putting it down, and I raced through it as fast as possible.

The description and setting were crystal clear and easy to visualize and see. You could really

relate to what happened to the story, and you could feel every emotion portrayed in this

book like you actually were in it.

Rating

Plot-cat (5 stars)

Characters-cat (5 stars)

Suspense-cat (5 stars)

Ending-cat (5 stars)

Cover-cat (5 stars)

Setting/Description-cat (5 stars)

TOTAL
30 STARS=PERFECT!

Luv,
<3 Beth

In My Mailbox (7)

This is a update on my mailbox. This is a meme hosted by the story siren.


Checked out from the library
Wish by Alexandra Bullen
Forget-her-nots by Amy Brecount White
Claire De Lune by Christine Johnson
Before I fall by Lauren Oliver
Sea By Heidi R. Kling
Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn
Princess for hire by lindsey Leavitt

Hope yu guys are looking forward to seeing reviews from this book!
Luv,
<3 Beth

Wish By Alexandra Bullen book review

Publisher:Point imprint of Scholastic Inc

 

Published:2010

Age Group:10-16

Number of Pages:323

Summary

For broken-hearted Olivia Larsen, nothing can change the fact that her twin sister, Violet, is

gone... until a mysterious, beautiful gown arrives on her doorstep. The dress doesn't just look


magical; it is magical. It has the power to grant her one wish, and the only thing Olivia


wants is her sister back.


With Violet again by her side, both girls get a second chance at life. And as the sisters soon


discover, they have two more dresses-and two more wishes left. But magic can't solve


everything, and Olivia is forced to confront her ghosts to learn how to laugh, love, and live


again.


In a breathtaking debut from Alexandra Bullen, Wish asks the question: If you could have


anything, what would you wish for?


Review


At first, I thought it was a little confusing Just a little. It got better when everything was


explained. I liked how this was a story about family, love, life, and friendships and it was


compassionate. I thought the characters were awesomely formed-and had their own unique


personality. I thought the cover was beautiful-a girl I beleive is Olivia wearing a dazzling


dress made out of stars, and I lovedhow her lower body disappeared into the sky. The


description and setting of thsi book was well formed, but the details could bebetter-I didn't


receive much. I thought the ending was great-satisfying, but still making you want more.


The suspense was awesome-I loved how Alexandra Bullen makes you grab hold of the book


and wish you could just inject it in your head and find out what was going to happen already.


The plot was really good, just some parts of the book don't exactly make sense that much.


But otherwise,it was actually really good, so if you like stories that are compassionate, this is


for you!


Rating
Plot-cat (5 stars)


Characters-cat (5 stars)


Suspense-dog (4 stars)


Ending-cat (5 stars)


Cover-cat (5 stars)


Setting/Description-`fish (2 stars)


TOTAL
26 STARS=GOOD


Luv,
<3 Beth

Forget-Her-Not's Every Flower has a secret by Amy Brecount White Book Review

Publisher:Harperteen, imprint of harpercollins/Greenwillow books

Published:2010

Age group:10-16

Number of Pages:374

Summary

When someone leaves three mystery flowers outside her dorm door, Laurel thinks that

maybe the Avondale School isn't so awful after all — until her own body starts to freak out.

In the middle of her English presentation on the Victorian Language of Flowers, strange

words pop into her head, and her body seems to tingle and hum. Impulsively, Laurel gives

the love bouquet she made to demonstrate the language to her spinster English teacher.

When that teacher unexpectedly and immediately finds romance, Laurel suspects that

something — something magical — is up. With her new friend, Kate, she sets out to discover

the origins and breadth of her powers by experimenting on herself and others. But she can’t

seem to find any living experts in the field of flower powers to guide her. And her bouquets

don't always do her bidding, especially when it comes to her own crush, Justin. Rumors

about Laurel and her flowers fly across campus, and she's soon besieged by requests from

girls — both friends and enemies — who want their lives magically transformed — just in

time for prom

Review
Again, I thought this book was AMAZING. This year was probably the best out of all of the

years that had the best selection of new books. I thought it was amazing that Amy Brecount

white had incorporated flowers with the whole entire story altogether. I was always

fascinated with herbs and flowers (as I'm Chinese and I used to dream about being a

herbalist) but this gave me new inspiration, and I really really want to read more of her

work! Congrats to Amy Brecount White, her book ahs made the top books of 2010!

Rating
Plot-cat 5 stars)

Characters-cat(5 stars)

Suspense- cat (5 stars)

Ending-cat (5 stars)
Cover-cat (5 stars)

Setting/Description-cat (5 stars)

TOTAL
30 STARS=PERFECT!

Luv,
Bethany <3

Once Upon A Marigold By Jean Ferris

Once Upon a Marigold

By Jean Ferris

Publisher:Harcourt Books

Published: 2002

Age group: Ages 8-12

Number of pages:266

Summary
Happily-ever-after turned upside down, inside out, and completely over the top! Christian is

gaga for Princess Marigold. He's just a commoner, though, and no match for royalty. Heck, he

lives in a cave with a troll! And now he's discovered another reason to put his love-soggy

heart on ice: Queen Olympia is scheming to take over the kingdom--and she ll bump off

Marigold to do it! Can Chris foil her diabolical plans?


Review
At first, this book was a little bit boring, and I have to say, as it went along, it got better.

Maybe at first it wasn't exactly very interesting, but towards teh middle of teh book you

start getting to the point. I thought the cover of 'Once Upon A Marigold' symbolized the

whole entire story;a pigeon (symbolizing the main character and how he p-mailed)

shimmering rock crystals (from the main characters cave-castle) and a Marigold,

symbolizing another character. The plot was basically a retelling of a 'happily ever after'

story, except with a brand new twist in it. Iliked the characters;I could understand how they

felt, their unique qualities and traits. The description was wonderful, and just about

everything else was perfect.

Rating

Plot-dog (4 stars)

Characters:-cat (5 stars)

Suspense-hamster (3 stars)

Ending-cat (5 stars)

Cover-cat (5 stars)

Setting/Description-cat (5 stars)

TOTAL
27 STARS=PERFECT!

Luv,
<3 Beth

In My Mailbox (10)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The story siren and I have decided to do one like it to let you guys know what book reviews you should be lookign forward to.

Goodies
Bookmarks, postcards, removable tattoos, and pins of Forget-her-nots by Amy Brecount White (Thanks Amy!)


Bought
The Fire Within By Chris D'Lacey

Checked out at the Library
Dolphin Song By Lauren St.John
Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott
The Invention of Hugo Cabret By Brain Selznick
Tangled Threads A Hmong Girl's story by Legi Deitz Shea
Mistwood By Leah Cypess
Once upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris
So B. It by Sarah Weeks
Swordquest by Nancy Yi Fan

Hope you guys look forward to seeing reviews on these books!

Luv,
Beth <3

Sleepaway camp

Unfourtanately, I'm going to be away at Sleepaway camp, and this week is going to be very busy for me, so if you don't find any new reviews, don't be surprised. I'm going to be leaving at probably this Saturday-No Sunday, so wish me all the luck you can, and I might review a few books, it depends. Anyway, Have a great summer and keep on reading!

Luv,
<3 Beth

Interview With Leah Cypess, Author Of Mistwood

Hi and welcome to bookablog! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Thanks for having me! I'm someone who has wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember, and even though I took a lot of detours along the way - like going to law school, which was a pretty big one! - it has always been my dream to be a published author. And now I am one! I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and now live in Boston with my family.






Where did you come up with the idea of the shifter?


I honestly don't know. The idea for MISTWOOD started with that first scene – a supernatural creature in a misty woods, being hunted by men on horseback. But I didn't know what type of creature she was until I actually wrote it out.






What influenced you to write this book?


I don't think there was any one influence. I'm a fantasy lover, so a lot of elements of fantasy were major contributors to the book - including the tropes of royalty and bodyguards and supernatural creatures, and of course the question of destiny and free choice.






If you could choose any character that you would could be in your book, who would it be?


Good question! I put them all in pretty tough situations, so to be honest, I don't know that I would really want to be any of them.






Did you feel any connections with any of your own characters?

I feel a connection with every single one of them.






Do you have any advice for young writers today?


My main piece of advice, based on my own experience, would be to never pin all your hopes on a single manuscript. MISTWOOD was the fifth book I wrote and submitted for publication, and I was always writing the next book while going through the submissions process with the one before. If I hadn't done it that way, I never would have been published.






Did you just write off the top of your head, or did you formulate everything in your mind, write it down, then decide what to actually write?


I write off the top of my head; when I start a book, I have literally no idea how it's going to end (or, at times, what's going to happen next). This isn't a particularly efficient way to write - it requires a lot of editing afterward! - but it's the way that works for me.






Thank you for joining us at bookablog!


Thanks for having me!


Best,


Leah

Mistwood By Leah Cypess Book Review

Mistwood

By Leah Cypess

Publisher:by Greenwillow Books/HarperColins

Published:April 27th 2010 

Age Group:Young Adult

Number of pages:304 pages

Characters:


Summary
 The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of

Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwod.


But when she is needed she always comes.


Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to

the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have.


Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to

wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her

loyalty--because without it, she may be his greatest threat.


Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from

the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between

them.

Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she

thought she knew.

Review
Of course as I first decided to read this book for the 2010 Debut's author challenge, I thought

this book would be pretty good-just by looking at the cover and reading the description.

When I finally got a chance to go to the library, I was so excited! The moment I got my hands

on the book, iI read and read and read. And about three hours later, I finished the whole

entire book-and I was so surprised! Leah Cypess added in the perfect amount of suspense,

romance, magic, dialogue, and detail. I was so stunned that the book was already over, and

I'd love it if Leah Cypess wrote a sequel-not all stories have to end. This book was better

then just good-it was amazing! The cover was beautiful and mystical, The description

perfect, the characters well developed. Everything about this book intrigued me. I just

couldn't beleive it had ended already! I loved the idea of the shifter, and it just made

Mistwood become one of the TOP BOOKS OF 2010! Congrats, Leah Cypess! I definetely

reccomend this book to girls who love fantasy and romance, as well as science-fiction! This

book was ultimately wonderful!

Rating
Plot-cat (5 stars)

Characters-cat (5 stars)


Suspense- cat (5 stars)

Ending-cat (5 stars)

Cover- cat (5 stars)

Setting/description-cat (5 stars)

(Remember, if you don't understand why I use animals for rating, please visit my oldest post, Blue Fingers by Cheryl Aylward Whitesel.)
 I didn't see any point just writing the same thing over and over. Here's the rating!

TOTAL
 30 STARS=  5 STARS (PERFECTION)

Luv,
-Beth <3

Weekly theme (Newbery Medal, Honor, and author week ending)

This is officially the end of this weeks theme. I hope you enjoyed my reviews!
Luv,
Beth

A Wrinkle In Time By Madeleine L'engle Book review

A Wrinkle In Time
By Madeleine L'engle

Publisher:Crosswicks, Ltd

Published: 1962

Age Group:8-12

Number of Pages:245

Characters:Meg Murry, Charles Wallace Murry, Calvin O'Keefe, Ms.

Murry, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which

Summary
Meg's father mysteriously disappears after experimenting with the fifth dimension of time

travel. Determined to rescue him, Meg and her friends must outwit the forces of evil on a

heart-stopping journey through space and time. A commemorative edition with an

Introduction by the author. A Newbery Medal winner.

Review
When I was about 7 years old, I remember that there was this barnes and nobles promotion

thing:that if you read 10 books, you could get a free one of your choice. I happened to finish

three pages of te promotion coupon, so I chose How to survive Middle school and my mom

chose A Wrinkle in Time and The sign of the beaver for me. Of course I didn't read either A

Wrinkle In Time or The Sign Of The Beaver until last year. And, surprisingly, I found out

that they were really good books. But what I comprehend from when I was younger, I

always read a book by it's cover. A wrinkle in Time's cover was sort of odd and told me that it

wasn't a good book. The sign of te beaver had a bear on the cover-not the type of cute cuddly

bear-a large big blck bear with it's jaws open. Thats what what I beleive kept me away from

these books. A Wrinkle in Time is actually wonderful, and I've been dying for a very long

time to read it's sequel that I never checked out. The Plot was great, the characters were

okay, (I didn't find any favorite characters like I normally do), the description was uh...okay

too, I guess, and overall, it was a really really good book.

Rating
Plot-cat (5 stars)

Characters-hamster (3 stars)

Suspense- cat (5 stars)

Ending-cat (5 stars)

Cover- rat (1 star)

Setting/Description-cat (5 stars)

TOTAL
24 STARS

Happy reading!!!
Luv,
-<3 Beth

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

I decided to join this contest quite a little while ago. These are the books that I have decided to read for the contest, and I have decided to participate in this particular category:obsessed-20 books.

A Corner of The Universe by Ann M. Martin
Spring Pearl The Last Flower By Laurence Yep
Blue Fingers A Ninja's Tale By Cheryl Aylward Whitesel
Pride and Prejudice By Jane Austen
Little Woman By Louisa May Alcott
The Watchmakers Daughter By Corrie Ten Boom


and more to come!
Luv, Beth <3

Royals Fantasy Reading Challenge

I've decided to sign up for yet another challenge, so the books I'm going to read for the Royals fantasy Reading challenge (located at http://alainereading.blogspot.com/2009/12/2010-fantasy-reading-challenge_05.html) are located below. You can sign up for this challenge too-you don't have to be a blogger! I've decided to particapate in this category of the contest: Obsessed-20 books.

Firelight By Sophie Jordan
Glimmerglass By Jenna Black

and more to come!
Luv,Beth <3

Fairest By Gail Carson Levine Book Review

Fairest
By Gail Carson Levine

Publisher:Harper trophy, registered trademark of Harpercollins

Age Group:10-13

Number of Pages:326 pages

Characters:Areida, Aza, Prince Ijori, Areida, Queen Ivi

Summary

I was born singing. Most babies cry. I sang an aria. Or so I believe. I have no one to tell me

the truth of it. I was abandoned when I was a month old, left at the Featherbed Inn in the

Ayorthaian villiage of Amonta. It was January 12th of the year of Thunder Songs.



The Fairy Lucinda has once again given a dreadful gift. This time it's a mysterious magical

mirror. The gift is disastrous when it falls into the hands of Aza, who never looks in a mirror

if she can help it. In the Kingdom of Ayortha, Aza is most definitely not the fairest of them

all. Many spurn her. Many scoff at her. She keeps out of sight.

But in the land or singers, Aza has her own gift, one she's come by without fairy intervention:

a voice that can do almost anything, a voice that captivates all who hear it. In Ontio Castle,

merry Prince Ijori is drawn to it, and vain Queen Ivi wants to use it for her own ends. Queen

Ivi would do anything to remain the fairest in the land.

In this spellbinding tale filled with humor, adventure, romance, and song, Newbery Honor

author Gail Carson Levine invites you to join Aza as she discovers how exquisite she truly is.

Review
Gail Carson Levine is VERY well known for her retelling fairy tales gift. In Fairest, I loved

Gail Carson Levine's Plot, and it was almost like one of those Disney princess tales that you

read in those humongous story books, except for a much older age, and more intriguing. In

this book, you can view very clearly what the characters feel, and how they view themselves

(etcetera.). The cover of Fairest fits the book but does not exactly make sense:a girl is holding

a mirror in front of the lower part of her face and is wearing a black and red damask gown

and standing in front of a tapestry of a castle. The suspense of this story was pretty good, but

Gail Carson Levine made her get out so quickly that there was hardly any time to be so

attached to the book that you'd whine to your parents that you would want to read instead of

doing homework. The plot of this story is wonderful, as well as Gail Carson Levine's setting

and description.

Rating
Plot-cat (5 stars)

Characters-cat (5 stars)

Suspense-hamster (3 stars)

Ending-cat (5 stars)

Cover-dog (4 stars)

Setting/Description-cat (5 stars)

TOTAL
27 STARS

Happy reading!
Luv,
-<3 Beth

Ginger Pye By Eleanor Estes Book Giveaway

I have decided that in honor of Newberry Honor and Newbery medal week, I will give away a book called Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes, which has been awarded the Newbery Medal in 1952. Click on the link below to find out how to enter for this free book giveaway. Enjoy and Have a great summer!


http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEp6UlRPQW1Kemk3OV9wQV9UNVhBcGc6MQ


Luv,
-<3 Beth

Number The Stars By Lois Lowry Book Review

Number The Stars
By Lois Lowry

Publisher:Houghton Mifflin Company

Age group:11-14 years old and higher

Number of Pages: 132 pages

Characters:Ellen, Annemarie

Summary
Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before

the war. It's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and

the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated". Ellen

moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked

to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life. An ALA Notable Book. A "School Library

Journal" Best Book of the Year. Teacher's Guide. BDD Online-Teacher's Resource Center.

Review
This book is another historical fiction book that I again eat my words for. I always thought

that historical fiction wouldn't be as good as they really are- and I didn't know that most

people love reading those types of genres. I love Lowry's complex plot, how it's like a

complicatedly weaven web that never breaks. Her characters are very well formed, and I

enjoyed it alot. I thought the cover was special: unique, with apicture of a girl that I beleive is

Annemarie and Ellen's Jewish star necklace. This book is different from others, and many

might disagree and say "this book is better!" "No, This book is better!" but I think this is

definetely one of the best of 2010. So enjoy!

Please note that I will not be able to do the first week of August's theme, so HAGS! (HAVE A

GREAT SUMMER!)

Rating

Plot-cat (5 stars)

Characters-cat (5 stars)

Suspense-cat (5 stars)

Ending-cat (5 stars)

Cover-cat (5 stars)

Setting/Description-dog (4 stars)

TOTAL
29 STARS

Enjoy!
Luv,
-<3 Beth