YA
a young Adult book
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DEAD (A LOT) – Howard Odentz
Don’t judge a book by its cover. We know that, right? Well, whether you think the cover, as presented above, is awesome, or totally stupid, you should know that it doesn’t have anything to do with the story. Not that I can tell, anyway. We’ll come back to that. Dead (a lot), by Howard Odentz is… Continue reading
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FUZZY MUD – Louis Sachar
There are very few authors who write for middle grade readers as well or better than Louis Sachar. He understands what this age is going through with a wide variety of family life styles, and school and peer pressure. Sachar is able to write characters that are instantly relatable to readers but manage to not… Continue reading
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UFILES #2: ALEXANDER’S ARMY – Chris d’Lacey
Back in May I reviewed the first book in the UFiles series by Chris d’Lacey, and was quite spellbound with the book. I was fortunate enough to see that book two was now available for review and eagerly began to read. There is still a fair amount of science fiction, mystery, paranormal activity, action/adventure, and… Continue reading
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ASSASSIN – Joe Craig
Throwback Thursday: Reviewing a Reissue I wasn’t aware that this was a reissue when I requested it, not that it matters — it looked interesting. And it IS interesting and exciting. The book has had other titles: Jimmy Coates: Assassin?; Killer; Jimmy Coates: Killer; and now, simply Assassin. All are listed as “Jimmy Coates #1.”… Continue reading
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ALL OUR YESTERDAYS – Cristin Terrill
Lots of stars on Goodreads, and so many praise-raving reviews, I really expected to sink my teeth into this one, but sadly it was just another YA moan-fest with an interesting twist. (Uh oh…I think I just earned some angry feedback!) The story: Em and Finn are in prison. Despite being spunky teenagers, they out-smart the… Continue reading
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GIRL ON A WIRE – Gwenda Bond
I’m a sucker for the circus and there have been some very good books that use the circus as a location or character. Gwenda Bond’s Girl on a Wire is one of the latest circus books. Jules Maroni is the sixteen year old tightrope walking member of the Amazing Maronis…a familiar name in the circus. The Maronis have… Continue reading
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FROSTBITE HOTEL – Karin Adams
It’s been awhile since I’ve read a good book aimed at that older elementary school reader. Karin Adams delivers with a winter-themed Frostbite Hotel. In this story, Kirby Katz dreams of being as successful as business entrepreneur William T. Williamson. Kirby faithfully follows Williamson’s advice from his “how-to” book. Kirby decides to start on his path to… Continue reading
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DENSLOW’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS – Clement Clarke Moore & W.W. Denslow
THROWBACK THURSDAY: REVIEWING A REISSUE There’s something I find wonderfully appealing about Victorian Era children’s book art (though, yes, technically speaking, this would be in the Edwardian period as it was published in 1902 … but Denslow was certainly famous for his work during the Victorian period). There’s a great deal of whimsical fantasy, the… Continue reading
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ODDKINS – Dean R. Koontz
Initially I was going to refer to this as a dark version of Toy Story. But Toy Story is actually pretty dark. Instead, I would call this Toy Story with an edge. Isaac Bodkins is an old toy maker who specializes in toys for special children who face extremely difficult lives and need an extra… Continue reading
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THE ANGEL TREE – Daphne Benedis-Grab
In the cozy town of Pine River there is a holiday tradition in which a special Christmas tree is decorated in the town and no one seems to know who is responsible for it. But what is more amazing is the gift that the tree brings each season. Over the course of decades it has… Continue reading
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THE WHISPERING SKULL – Jonathan Stroud
Jonathan Stroud has done it again … he has written a spell-binding, terrifying novel in a world where ghosts are real and quite threatening. In The Whispering Skull, book two of Lockwood & Company, our intrepid ghost hunters Lucy, Lockwood, and George investigate the hauntings of a Victorian doctor who raided graveyards and built a… Continue reading
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A CHRISTMAS TREASURY – collection
THROWBACK THURSDAY: REVIEWING A REISSUE Ah, sweet nostalgia! This book is a throwback to a simpler and often more elegant time. Dover Publications has put together a collection (or ‘treasury’) of stories, poems, and illustrations from the turn of the century. Clement Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas” is a perennial classic and would be obvious… Continue reading
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