Florence – Ciye Cho

Publisher:  Studio Amazepop

Pages:  336

Source:  review copy from author

Genre:  YA Frantasy Romance

  

Blurb:

"Seventeen-year-old Florence Waverley is out of her depth. Literally. Kidnapped and brought down to Niemela--the hidden world of mermaids and mermen--Florence is the ultimate gift for Prince Kiren: a human familiar tied to his side. But nothing is what it seems amid the beauty and danger of the dark ocean.

Every Niemelan has a role to play, from the mermaids who weave towers out of kelp to the warriors who fight sea monsters. But in trying to survive, Florence will end up in the middle of a war between the mer and the Darkness. A conflict that will push her between two brothers: Kiren, the charmer inexplicably drawn to both her and the monsters; and Rolan, the loner who has been pushing her away since the day they met. But in order to take a stand--and find out where she belongs--Florence will have to risk it all: her life, her heart... and her very soul."



My Thoughts:

This was one fabulous book.  From the minute I started it I couldn’t put it down.  The world that Cho has created is one I would love to be in.  I could envision all of it.  It was beautifully describe.  Cho obviously knows a lot, or has done a lot of research on the ocean.  The merfolks were very believable as characters.  I felt like I could swim to the bottom of the ocean to find Niemela and spend time with the people there.  Kieran was so charming and disarming in his looks and attitude that you couldn’t help liking him from the very first.  However, you get the feeling that you haven’t learned everything about him.  Rolan seemed like a strong force to deal with.  When Florence is first brought to Niemela she can feel contempt from Rolan.  She isn’t sure why.  As Florence is taken in by the princes’ sister Yolee, Florence finds a true friend.  She had not had a true friend since her father’s death. It was her ability to hang back and observe those around her when she lived on land that helped her while she was in Niemela.   I felt the tension she felt.  It seemed like every time she took a step forward in getting the Niemela to at least be nice and friendly to her that something happened to push them away.  She felt like she didn’t belong anywhere.  That is why I loved this book.  I figured she was  either going to go back to the surface and be changed and make those around her see her or she was going to find a way to stay in Niemela and be excepted.

The end was not as tightly tied up as I’d like.  I hope there is a sequel.  I NEED to know what happens next.  I look forward to reading more by this author.  I was given an electronic version for review.  I look forward to purchasing a physical copy to put on my shelves for my students.  This is definitely a book I will recommend to them.

Student Saturday: Martin Luther King - Amy Pastan

Publisher:  DK Publisher
Pages:  128
Genre:  Biography
Student Reviewer:  Sophonie

The book I'm reading is Martin Luther King.  It is mostly about how Martin Luther King lived and what happened throughout his life.  This book talks about when King was young and he was an amazing reader and was the best baseball player in his neighborhood.  When Kind grew up he wanted to be a preacher just like his father, but instead he became the leader of African American rights.  When he grew up he went to Morehouse college.  He worked on Intercollegiate Council.  That means he works with a group to achieve racial justice.  He used to hate whites but his anger went away when he saw how well he worked with them.  This book goes on to when Rosa Park went ot jail and when King gave his speech.

I would probably recommend this book so the people who believe in peace also to people who has big dreams in life.  This book reminds me of when I was watching a video about a man that thinks he is useless but later on he became the richest man alive.  My opinion of this book is that this book is filled with loveand war at the same time.

Hearts Restored – Prue Phillipson

Publisher:  Knox Publishing

Pages: 428 pages

Source:  Review copy from publisher

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

From Goodreads:

What can a young man of fifteen do when he is told by his mother that the three cousins he is about to meet all want to marry him?

Daniel Wilson Horden has arrived in London with his parents from their home in Northumberland on the very day of King Charles II’s triumphant return to his capital. Receiving his own personal wave from the king, Daniel longs only to serve him, but first he must keep at bay the threat of marriage.

His two French cousins are adamant in their pursuit of him, but Daniel is intrigued by his English cousin, Eunice, whose Puritan father snatches her away from the reunion celebrations. Unaware that his gallant attempt to save her has endeared him to her, Daniel only just escapes the marriage trap which his younger French cousin lays for him and is sent off to study at Cambridge University.

Once she returns to her father’s home, Eunice is condemned to a life of austerity. Heart-sick, she is assured by her grandmother that Daniel will come for her when he graduates from university.

But, unaware of his cousin’s feelings for him, Daniel goes off to join the navy only to find that fighting in the king’s service is not as glorious as he had imagined.

While the navy suffers at sea, London passes through plague and fire.

Will Eunice survive the hardship? And will Daniel return to fulfil the promise in his eyes on that fateful day in London?

My Thoughts:

Every so often a book comes along that just stays with you.  This was one of those books.  I was up and down all through this book.  I felt for both Daniel and Eunice.  I detested the French sisters.  They wanted Daniel for his title.  They thought that they would be able to change him.  He hated everything they stood for.    I found it funny that he seemed to take great pleasure in letting them know he had a title but no money to go with it.  His family was not all about the money like the aunt and grandmother were.  I did enjoy seeing the transformation, however small, of the grandmother near the end of the book.  I understood Eunice’s father to a certain extent.  I think he was too harsh on Eunice when it came to men.  He wanted to protect her from heartache. However, all of the moral values he taught her prepared her for later on.  It made her stronger. All of Daniel’s relatives that kept trying to arrange a marriage for him irritated me to no end.  I wanted to slap them all.  I loved Daniel’s parents.  It was obvious that their love was genuine.  They wanted what was best for their son and they didn’t feel an arranged marriage was best for him.  I could identify with Daniel’s mother as he joined the Navy.  I read this book knowing that in just a few days my son will be deployed. The fear and heartache stay with you. There were so many obstacles thrown in Daniel and Eunice’s way.  I loved Eunice’s integrity.  I dare say if she had not had the upbringing her father gave her then she would not have been able to endure the hardships she had to go through.  The thread of faith that flowed through the story was refreshing.  I didn’t feel like I was being preached at.  This has been a wonderful book to read and review and will make a great gift for several of my friends.  I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Chantel's Quest Series - Oliver Neubert

Publisher:  Simply Read Books
Pages:  224
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Chantel's Quest: The Golden Sword
From Goodreads:
Unleashed by a vengeful spirit, a force of evil is slowly destroying nature and corrupting minds. Chantel, the Princess of Freedom, is the only one who can save the world from darkness — but only if she can retrieve four ancient relics, each hidden in a far-flung corner of the world. With the help of a warrior mouse and a fox bat, Chantel begins her search in the Land of the North, where she must find the powerful Golden Sword. Unfortunately, someone else is determined to locate the sword first: the Snow Walker, the brutal Warlord of the North. As she struggles though icy, unfamiliar territory to unearth the magical relic, Chantel makes an amazing discovery that holds the key to the planet’s future. But is it too late? With an exciting plot and a simple writing style, Chantel's Quest: The Golden Sword is perfect for reluctant readers, while Chantel’s journey away from the security of her guardian and into the unknown resonates with all young readers.I started this book this morning and finished it this afternoon.

My Thoughts: (Posted March 2009 on Goodreads)
The character Chantel is very well developed as were the others. I was on the edge of my seat at the end of each chapter. The author did an excellent job with worldbuilding. I felt like I was in that very world. I felt sorry for the characters who were touched by the darkness and doubted themselves and anger at the Evil one. I love when a book can make me feel such strong emotions. I loved the the short chapters. My students were amazed that it had 34 chapters. I have a list of them lined up to read it. I am going to have a hard time waiting for the next three.

Chantel's Quest for the Enchanted Medallion
From Goodreads:
From an imaginative author comes the second installment of an up-and-coming series about Chantel, who must brave evil-doers and muster her courage to retrieve four ancient relics — the only way to defeat an evil power that's killing nature and corrupting minds. On the way, Chantel encounters different parts of her fantastical world, faces nail-biting challenges, and meets new friends — and enemies. Once she's gathered the four relics, she'll finally have enough power to defeat the sinister spirit, but in the meantime fans will be treated to an engaging read that's sure to captivate young minds. Chantel's Quest for the Enchanted Medallion is a thrilling continuation of Chantel's journey, and a riveting story of one girl's ultimate adventure.


My Thoughts:
In the second book of the series Chantel must travel across the desert where an evil lives under the sand.  Aquila Bellum has decided to continue hunting her since he was unsuccessful.  But Aquila is changing and he is not sure of himself anymore.  Can Chantel survive the dangers in the desert, retrieve the second relic, find her soul mate and return to her castle before it is too late?  Read the book to find out for yourself.  Each book has the tension ratcheted up a notch.  I enjoyed meeting some of the characters that are on the dark side that Chantel has influenced in one way or another.  I loved seeing how even she is tempted by the dark side.  The characters are more realistic this way.  I read the book in just a couple of hours and had to immediately start the third one.

Chantel's Quest for the Silver Leaf
From Goodreads:
The Forest People are the key to finding the Silver Leaf, but they vanished many moon crossings ago without a trace. The Forest in the East seems impenetrable and Pizzaro, the wicked leader of the Shadow Walkers, is determined to prevent the powerful relic of the East from falling into the hands of Chantel, the Princess of Freedom. As Chantel’s companions are faced with family problems from their pasts, Chantel struggles to navigate the shadowy realm below the forest canopy in search of the Forest People and the mysterious Silver Leaf.


My Thoughts:
I didn't think the tension could get any tighter.  I was wrong.  Many characters face betraying the ones they love.  Some pay for their life, and some find redemption.  I love the setting of this story.  Most of it took place in the forest and the tree canopy.  I felt actual fear as the wooden plank rope bridges were described. This author does such a fabulous job  of setting up Chantel's world that I felt like I was transported to it as I read.  The only down side right now is that this book came out in February and there is another one to go.  Chantel's Quest for the Crystal Star has not been given a date yet.  I can't wait to read it and I can't wait to put these on my shelves for my new sixth graders to read.


His Website:   http://www.oliverneubert.com/index.php

Student Saturday: The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Publisher:  Scholastic
Pages:  544
Genre:  Middle Grade, Fantasy
Student Reviewer:  Tate

This book takes place behind the walls of a train station in Paris, France.  The main characters are Hugo, his father, a girl, and an old man.  Hugo is a boy and runs the clocks in the train station.  He is twelve years old.  Hugo only has his father, but he ends up disappearing or dead.  There is also a mechanical man who can draw pictures of the future.

The girl Isabelle is the daughter of the grumpy old man who runs a toy booth in the station.  Hugo becomes friends with girl.  Hugo draws in a notebook and Hugo finds a mechanical man.

The father works in a museum and finds a mechanical man.  Hugo wants to find out how to make the mechanical man work.  His father left him a notebook that tells the way the mechanical man works.  The mechanical man draws pictures to give Hugo clues.  Isabelle thinks the mechanical man is her father's and that Hugo stole it because her key fit and the man writes her father's name.

This book reminds me of Percy Jackson because both main characters are boys and they both lost their family and feel lack in direction.

I would recommend this book to people  who like a good journey because it brings you out of this world. It is balanced between how a drawing tells a story and words tell a story.

The Baby Experiment – Anne Dublin

Publisher:  Dundurn

Pages:  160

Source:  Won an advanced reading copy form LibraryThing

Genre:  Young Adult, Historical Fiction

Jews have long been blamed for everything from plague to anything bad that happened.  They have been persecuted for centuries.  We know from our recent history how Hitler made a point of trying to wipe them out.  But, did you know that in the early 1700’s they were just as persecuted and looked down on?  I didn’t.  Anne Dublin has crafted a story set during this time, in Hamburg, Germany.  It is here we meet a young girl by the name of Johanna Eisen.  She had seen a sign advertising for girls to work in an orphanage.  She lies about her name to get a job to help her mother. She lied about her name because she was sure that with a Jewish name she would not be hired.  Although her mother is against it, she lets Johanna go.  It is immediately clear that there is something wrong in this orphanage.  They are not allowed to speak to the babies and they are not allowed to hold them beyond changing their diaper or tending to their physical needs.  Soon the babies begin to die.

Johanna overhears a conversation between the concerned doctor and one of those in charge.  It is shortly thereafter she decides she must rescue one of the babies she has fallen in love with.  She makes the arrangements to escape and is caught by one of the other girls who wants to go with her.  From this point on the tension is taken up a notch.  Will she succeed in escaping?  What about her mother?  What about her friend Cecile?  What will happen when Cecile finds out Johanna is a Jew? 

Read the book to find out answers to all of these questions and more.  I would gladly recommend this book to my students and anyone who loves historical fiction.  I look forward to reading more by this author.

About the Author: 

Anne Dublin is an award winning author of historical fiction and biographies for young people.  Her books include Bobbie Rosenfeld: The Olympian Who Could Do Everything, winner of the IODE Violet Downey Book Award and the Canadian Jewish Book Award and The Orphan Rescue, finalist for the U.S. National Jewish Book Award.  She lives in Toronto.

Visit her website to see her other books:   http://www.annedublin.ca/

Implosion – Joel Rosenberg

Publisher:  Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Pages:  400

Source: I received a free copy of this book for review from Tyndale House Publishers.

Genre:  Christian Living

From Goodreads:

Bestselling author and international political expert Joel C. Rosenberg tackles the question: Is America an empire in decline or a nation poised for a historic Renaissance?America teeters on a precipice. In the midst of financial turmoil, political uncertainty, declining morality, the constant threat of natural disasters, and myriad other daunting challenges, many wonder what the future holds for this once-great nation. Will history's greatest democracy stage a miraculous comeback, returning to the forefront of the world's economic and spiritual stage? Can America's religious past be repeated today with a third Great Awakening? Or will the rise of China, Russia, and other nations, coupled with the US's internal struggles, send her into a decline from which there can be no return? "Implosion" helps readers understand the economic, social, and spiritual challenges facing the United States in the 21st century, through the lens of biblical prophecy

audience, I tend to think that he's right.

My thoughts:

Joel Rosenberg takes a look at current events with a Biblical eye.  He shows us that no matter how dismal the outlook, there is always reason for hope.  He has taken current events and put them into perspective through a prophetic end-times view.  He has four chapters in his book just devoted to what way we may implode as a nation; war/terror, financial ruin, natural disasters, and finally the rapture.  He showed that spirituality is on a roller-coaster.  When things are bad people turn to God and pray and then when things start to get better we kind of shove God to the side.  An example he gave of this in the book was the way the nation turned to God after the events of 9/11.  Just a couple of months later it was like, okay back to the norm.  We read and know the end-time prophecies but seem to sit back and take the attitude that we can’t do anything about it.  I believe God will continue to use us until HE is done with us.  We need to turn back to Christ and cling to him with all we have.  It is just my opinion that everyone should read this book.  It gives us a great look at where we are headed if we don’t wake up.

Coffee at Little Angels – Nadine Rose Larter

Publisher:  The Katalina Playroom

Pages:  171

Source:  free Kindle copy form author for review

Genre: Adult Contemporary

From Goodreads:

What do you do when you lose a childhood friend? What do you do when you know everyone is expecting you to come home? What do you do if you don't want to?

Phillip, Sarah, Kaitlyn, Caleb, Maxine, Grant, Melanie and Josh grew up in a small town where they spent their high school years together as an inseparable clique. But high school has ended, and they are all living their own “grown up” lives, each under the impression that their group has basically come to an end. When Phillip dies in a hit and run accident, Kaitlyn summons the others to all come back home, forcing a reunion that no one is particularly interested in partaking in.

Coffee at Little Angels follows how each character deals with the death of a childhood friend while at the same time dealing with their own ignored demons after years of separation. Events unfold as the group tries to rekindle the friendship they once shared to honor the memory of a friend they will never see again.”

 My Thoughts:

This was an interesting book. I first thought about the movie “Sweet Home Alabama”  where the main character has to go back to her home town to get her divorce papers signed so she can get remarried.  At the beginning we see her behaving like she doesn’t belong there at all.  As the movie progresses we see her becoming comfortable with who she is inside.  In the book we hear from each character, beginning with the deceased.  We learn what has happened to each of them as they have moved on with their lives, leaving their small town behind.  For most of them, reuniting is painful.  We learn that many of them feel duty bound to attend the funeral even though they don’t like each other very much.  The author truly has a gift of creating characters that are flawed.

In the beginning I really disliked Maxine.  She seemed so cold.  When she returned and we learned the reason for her hard shell, we got to see the real Maxine inside.  We realized she was soft and loving inside.  You could see the growth and change that came forth through deep painful, snips at each other to get to the person that had existed when they were young. 

I loved the way the book ended.  I didn’t expect it and that twist made it all come together.  Phil was the one constant throughout the entire book.  The one who thought he was never enough but we find out was more than enough.  Don’t know what I’m talking about?  Then you must read this book.

Broken Wings - Alexandrea Weis

Publisher: World Castle Publishing

Pages: 270

Source:  Review copy from author

Genre: Adult, Romance

From Goodreads:

As a wildlife rehabilitator in Southeast Louisiana, Pamela Wells has dealt with her fair share of wild animals, but her reclusive life is forever changed when she meets an elusive former soldier named Daniel Phillips. Sent to Pamela’s wildlife sanctuary as part of his parole requirements, Daniel and Pamela quickly clash until Daniel’s troubled past unexpectedly comes to light. After serving in Iraq, Daniel suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Pamela tries to help ease his condition by introducing him to the healing power of animals. Daniel begins to find peace, and an unexpected kindred spirit in Pamela. Fearing one day she will be forced to give up her beloved sanctuary, Pamela confides in Daniel about her debilitating health. United by their misfortunes, the relationship turns romantic.

My Thoughts:

This is one of those books where you see how broken both of the main characters.  The author has helped the reader understand how the main characters got that way.  Shoved together  the animals and their relationship help them both begin to heal.  When Daniel leaves, Pamela is forced to once again seek help from her ex-husband.  Can you say controlling?  He is the type of character you love to hate.  You can’t read this book without hoping that he will get his.  Want to know if he does?  Read the book.

About the Author:

Alexandrea Weis’s popular first novel, To My Senses, received rave reviews and garnered awards for both commercial fiction and romance writing.  Her second novel, Recovery, won the Gold Medal for best romantic suspense from The Reader’s Favorite Book Awards and was named best Romantic Suspense by the NABE Pinnacle Book Awards in 2011.  Her third novel, Sacrifice, was released in late 2011.  A permitted wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured wildlife.  She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans.

You can find her:

Twitter:  http://Twitter.com/alexandreaweis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/To-My-Senses/113609858681394

Blog: Ravings of a Frustrated Writer

Student Saturday: Perfect Girl - Barb Huff

Publisher:  Barbour Publishing
Pages:  160
Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction
Student Reviewer: Courtney

I read the Perfect Girl written by Barb Huff.  The main characters name is Jenna Rose Brinly who has a huge crush on skateboarder prodigy, Parker Blevins.  Along with band members, friends and acquaintances, they stand up to creepy stalker, Jamie Valetin.  When Jenna Rose doesn't do what Jamie wants, bad things happen.  I can connect with the book because, sometimes I feel like I've hurt somebody, but feel so bad that I couldn't face them for a while.  My opinion on the book is that I think it was great.  This book was just the kind of book that I enjoy.  Most of the story that I enjoy.  Most of the story happens in a high school, Mr.s and Mrs. Angelino's Pizzeria, and Jenna Rose's house.

I recommend you read this book.  It teaches that wanting everything to be perfect just pushes things away.  For example, Jenna Rose wanted everything when she finally got it, everything went wrong.  Her friends turned on her and she attracted the attention of people she didn't want.