Student Saturday: Chrissa -Mary Casanova

Publisher:  American Girl Publishing
Pages:  130
Genre:  Middle Grade Realistic Fiction
Student Reviewer:  Maddy

Have you ever had to move in the middle of the school year?  How about bullying, has that ever been a problem for you?  If so, then you will be able to relate with Chrissa, an American Girl.  Chrissa is the main character int he book Chrissa by Mary Casanova.  American Girls are popular dolls that are designed for girls 8 and up.  These dolls represent a time period or teach a lesson.  Books are written for each doll and received with each doll.  However, you can also get these books at the American Girl Doll store, book store, or at a library.  Chrissa is a book that teaches the reader about bullying.

The setting of the story takes place in Minnesota.  Chrissa had to move from Iowa to Minnesota at the age of 10 in the middle of the 4th grade.  She goes to live with her Nan in her big beautiful old Victorian house with a big wrap around porch.  There are llamas and the place where they live is big enough for Chrissa's dad to have his pottery business int he back in one of the barns.  Chrissa also moved there with her Mom who is a doctor at a nearby hospital and her brother Tyler who is in 5th grade and only eleven months older than Chrissa.  Chrissa knew she was really going to miss her best friends in Iowa, but never knew she would have so much trouble adjusting to her new life in Minnesota.  It all started in room 103 at Edgewater Elementary.

Chrissa starts school on Friday, but not any Friday, Friday the 13th in February.  The next day was Valentine's Day and Chrissa wanted to start this Friday because she wanted to give her new classmates Valentienes, thanks to a list her new teacher, Mr. Beck gave her before she started her new school.  The very first day she meant the mean Bee's.  they are the mean girls who bully Chrissa.  They re Tara, Sonali, and Jayden.  Chrissa tries to be friends with a girl name Gwen, but Gwen refuses for reasons Chirssa will finds out about.  At first, Chrissa tries to deal with the bullying herself, but soon finds out she will need some family, and teachers to help her through the ordeal.

I found the book that is mostly written mixed with a few pictures throughout the 122 pages to be a great read.  I made a connection because I have a brother who is eleven months older than me and I had a problem in third grade and in preschool, yes preschool, with bullying.  I would recommend this book for girls 8-16.  Also, I think teachers and parents would like it to help kids understand how to handle bullying. What is really great is in the back after the story is a section on how to deal with bullying.  There are real letters sent in from girls that are having trouble and there are answers on how they can deal with bullying in a positive way.  So the story itself is fiction, but the information in the back is non-fiction.  Also, there are discussion questions in the back about the story.

If the reader likes the story they should check out the movie.  It is based on the book.  Overall, I liked the story.  I didn't want to put it down because I couldn't wait to see how Chrissa was going to deal with the mean bees and i wanted to know why Gwen was so quiet and mysterious.  You will just have to read it to find out.

Double Header by Joel M. Andre

Kill 4 Me – Joel M. Andre

Publisher:  Darkcountry Publications

Pages:

Source:  review copy for tour

Genre:  Adult, Horror, thriller, Mystery, Suspense

Synopsis:

Casey Dwyer is haunted.

After a horrific car accident that claimed the life of her sister, she has struggled to return to a normal life.  But on a cold winter day what seemed like a harmless text on her cell phone changed everything.

Now Casey will try to do anything to protect her and her family and friends against a vengeful spirit.  Even kill.  Who is the spirit stalking Casey and how far will it push her into the darkness of madness?

Book Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH-8-O7q1hw

My Thoughts:

This was a great book.  It had just the right amount of creep factor for me.  Casey was every parent’s dream daughter.  She  was the one who always tried to do the right thing.  She witnessed her father’s death years before.  She constantly tried to cover for her rebellious sister.  Her mother knew her youngest daughter was a problem.  She was also aware that Casey tried to cover for her sister.  On the night that Casey has to once again rescue her sister, they are involved in a horrific car accident.  Many people died including Casey’s sister.     Shortly after she returns homes she starts receiving mysterious messages on her phone and computer.  This strange being who has begun to haunt her wants her to kill for it. 

Just about the time I thought I had figured out who was haunting Casey and why, the story takes another strange turn.  I honestly never saw the ending coming.  This is a book that you must read. Find out what this spirit wants from Casey and what it is willing to do to get it.  Find out the twisted end that will leave you scratching your head.  You won’t see it coming.

Tea With Death – Joel M. Andre

Publisher:  Darkcountry Publications

Pages:  10

Source:  review copy for tour

Genre:  Adult Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Horror

Synopsis:

In this dark, philosophical tale of horror, a man has the opportunity to sit down with Death.  What he discovers is that the dying process is a little more complex than he imagined and that making a deal with the Grim Reaper comes with a price.

My Thoughts:
This was a very interesting short story.  The idea that someone would invite death to have tea with them made me think that the person was a little bit off in the head.  As you read you find that the main character has more on his mind than just asking Death some questions.  This was a quick and interesting read.  It worked great with Kill 4 Me.

About Joel:

Joel M. Andre was born January 13, 1981. At a young age he was fascinated with the written word. It was at fourteen that Poe blew his mind, and Andre began to dabble with darker poetry.

Between the years of 1999 and 2007 Joel was featured in various poetry anthologies and publications. In 2008 he released his first collection, Pray the Rain Never Ends.

Knowing there was something deeper and darker inside of his soul, Joel decided to take a stab at commercialism. Releasing the dark tongue in cheek, A Death at the North Pole, created a dark world among the death of Kris Kringle. Ultimately providing a tale of redemption.

October of 2008 saw Joel release his second book, Kill 4 Me. A tale in which a woman is haunted by a vengeful spirit through text messages and instant messaging.

Taking some time off and doing a lot of soul searching, Joel took things in a new direction and dabbled in the Fantasy Genre with, The Pentacle of Light. The tale dealing with five major races battling for control of Earth, and the acceptance of their God.

Finally, after missing his detective Lauren Bruni, he released the book The Return in October 2009, this time moving the action from the North Pole and placing it in the small Arizona community he was raised in.

Andre’s latest book is The Black Chronicles: Cry of the Fallen about a dead man who seeks revenge on the woman that tormented him in peaceful Northern Arizona.

Currently, he resides in Chandler, AZ.

You can visit his website at www.joelmandre.info

Night Buddies – Sands Hetherington

Publisher:  Dune Buggy Press

Pages:  128

Source:  Copy from publisher for blog tour

Genre:  Ages 7-9, Fantasy, Adventure

This is a wonderful adventure story for younger kids.  John Degraffenreidt doesn’t want to go to bed.  He wants more pineapple cheesecake.  Once in bed he can’t go to sleep.  Then Crosley, a red crocodile come out from under his bed and the two of them head off on an adventure to solve a mystery.  What mystery you ask?  The mystery of the disappearing pineapple cheesecakes.  They arrive at the cheesecake factory where John meets Bigfoot Mae who runs the factory.  If you have a child, or grandchild who loves mysteries this is the book for them.  Learn why Crosley is red.  Find out what has happened to all of the pineapple cheesecakes.  Learn exactly what a “Night Buddy” is.

This would definitely be enjoyed by reluctant readers.