Category Archives: By Genre

Review: Rebels by Jill Williamson

By | | , , , , ,
Comments Off on Review: Rebels by Jill Williamson

Rebels by Jill WilliamsonRebels (The Safe Lands #3)
Jill Williamson
Blink – Zondervan
Published January 1, 2014

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Mason and Omar’s friends helplessly watch from their hiding places as the brothers face liberation, a process which remains a mystery to all Safe Landers. Once the boys learn what it is to be liberated, they begin plotting to bring the truth to all the people of the Safe Lands. After all, the only way to bring freedom to the Safe Lands is to expose the horrible secrets that fuel the leadership’s power.

From his place in hiding, Levi continues to pursue his one goal: getting his people free of … Continue reading →

Review: Paper Towns by John Green

By | | , ,
Comments Off on Review: Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns by John GreenPaper Towns
John Green
Penguin Group
Published October 16, 2008

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Popular and notorious Margo Roth Spiegelman shocks Quinten out of his low-key, rule-abiding existence when she drags him along with her on a night of pranks and misadventures. When Margo disappears the following morning, Quinten believes she left clues to her whereabouts behind, hoping he will find her. As he searches for clues, he realizes there’s much more to Margo than the queen bee people perceive her to be. Through the Whitman poem she leaves behind and the abandoned hideaway Quinten discovers, he learns about seeing past the faux exterior to knowing someone as … Continue reading →

Review: Nest by Esther Ehrlich

By | | , , , ,
Comments Off on Review: Nest by Esther Ehrlich

Nest by Esther EhrlichNest
Esther Ehrlich
Random House Children’s
Published September 9, 2014

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Chirp begins fifth grade looking forward to another year of beloved family traditions: dancing with her mother, bird-watching hikes, and impromptu performances with her older sister Rachel. But something is different in the Orenstein house. Rachel hushes Chirp when she asks questions or wants to show her mother some new dance steps. Chirp can’t understand how these things could make her mother sad like Rachel says.

Then comes her mother’s devastating diagnosis. There will be no more dancing. As her mother’s health deteriorates, Chirp’s family unravels. Even her father’s ever-positive, talk-about-it outlook can make this … Continue reading →

Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

By | | , , ,
Comments Off on Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me (Shatter Me Series #1)
Tahereh Mafi
HarperCollins
Published November 15, 2011

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Shatter Me

For months seventeen year-old Juliette remains locked inside a cold brick cell alone. She counts the days. Hours. Cracks on the wall. And then. Without explanation, a young man joins her in her cell, seemingly against his will. She recognizes him as Adam, the boy from her former life, the only one who ever showed her kindness.

As he begins to chip away at her outer shell, she warns him again and again that he cannot touch her. No one can. Though it is the one thing she desperately wants.

Juliette … Continue reading →

Review: Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle by George Hagen

By | | , , ,
Comments Off on Review: Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle by George Hagen

Gabriel Finley and the Raven's Riddle by George HagenGabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle (Gabriel Finley #1)
George Hagen
Random House Children’s/Schwartz and Wade Publishing
Published August 26, 2014

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

In a world in which men have all but forgotten their friendship with ravens, one twelve year-old boy rediscovers an ancient tradition. Gabriel’s adventure begins the day he rescues a young raven and answers its riddle. With the help of Gabriel’s friends, he and his raven will embark on a dangerous journey. They must battle evil creatures to save Gabriel’s missing father.

There are some slightly dark elements in the story surrounding the evil valravens, … Continue reading →

Review: The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

By | | , , ,
Comments Off on Review: The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. HolmThe Fourteenth Goldfish
Jennifer Holm
Random House Children’s
Published August 26, 2014

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

For eleven year-old Ellie, sixth grade brings new and uncomfortable changes. Her best friend seems to have left her behind. Her goldfish has died. And her mother brings home a strange, fussy teenage boy who claims to be her grandfather.

Grandpa Melvin claims to have discovered the secrets of eternal youth. Now that he’s a teenager, though, no one will take him seriously. With the help of Ellie and another student, he hopes to complete his research and finally win that Nobel prize.

Her grandfather’s passion … Continue reading →