Fairest

by Gail Carson Levine
Grades 6+

Larger than most humans in Ayortha, 15-year-old Aza feels like "an ugly ox . . . a blemish." However, in Ayortha people are devoted to song and music. Aza's voice is more beautiful and powerful than most; she can mimic any voice and throw the sound, a skill she calls elusing. After luckily getting to attend the king's wedding, Aza is blackmailed by the new queen, a poor singer, to sing for the queen sings in public, Aza secretly provides the sound. As the queen's treachery deepens, Aza is astonished when the handsome prince initiates a friendship.

While reading the story and readers may initially feel like foreign travelers who lack cultural context. But once you get into the book, you'll sink into the fairy-tale romance, the remarkable characters, and magical adventures. The themes of self-image and moral choices are at the core of the novel but are not preachy or irritating.

This is such an interesting book. The concept is original and thought provoking. You can experience the vicarious, heart-pounding thrill when Aza discovers love and confidence.

Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Grades: 11-12

17-year-old Lucy Scarborough is a reasonable girl who lives with her foster parents while her crazy bag lady mother wanders around the city seemingly terrorizing people. But everything changes the night of Prom. Lucy discovers her family is under an ancient curse by an evil Elfin Knight, she realizes to break the curse she must perform three impossible tasks described in the song her mother always sang to her. She must complete the tasks before her daughter is born in order to save them both.

I was stuck in an airport by myself when I remembered I had this book. It was a good read because it took me to another place. While Lucy was grounded in the "real world" there were elements of fantasy that were really fun.

The song was haunting. I had to go and listen to the Simon and Garfunkle song.

Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One winter when Grace was young she was dragged of her tire swing and nearly killed her. Yet, one yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human ... until the cold makes him shift back again. In short, he is a werewolf. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

This is a paranormal/supernatural romance for teens that reads (somewhat) like Twilight. In fact, liked it more than Twilight. The characters take turns narrating the chapters so you get to hear both sides of the story. I totally fell in love with Sam during those chapters he narrated. He is so much cuter and more considerate than Jacob OR Edward. He feels protective of Grace ever since he saved her life and feels a connection to her.

In addition to the romance, there is a sense of a mystery. The beginnings of the werewolf disease (is it a disease?) is completely unknown. Why Grace never changed is unknown. How much time Sam has left is unknown. Everything is on the edge. It all comes down to these few weeks that we, as readers, are privy to. It could go either way. Maggie creates a anxious tone as these two star crossed lovers are desperate for time together.

I also really enjoyed the werewolf-lore. It was interesting and not the traditional switch back and forth business. It was a really interesting take the traditional stories--somehow it made more sense to me than at every full moon there are all these half man/half beast creatures running around under the guise of fur. Why have we never seen some kind of half beast walking around, drinking a Pepsi, and howling at the moon? It just doesn't make sense. But the way Maggie has her characters change is brilliant!

I totally want to read the next book

The Espressologist by Kristina Springer

What’s your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you’re lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it’s a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie.

Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it’s not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders.

I just finished reading this book and I liked it. Jane has reasonable problems and her hectic life is realistic. Sometimes in a cute romance you get a bunch of problems that aren't really problems. "My hair is way too curly and wild to date someone like that." I'm sorry, shut-up, go buy a brush and date the guy. But Kristina made Jane feel like someone I already know. I enjoy that. Plus, I like coffee!

The only problem I found was that it was too short. It is less than 200 pages. I have a thing. I know it's a weird thing. But I feel cheated when I want more. I don't like poems or short stories because I feel like if the authors really wanted to develop a character they should have written a book. You can go ahead and like short stories and poems, I JUST WANT MORE! It tends to be a theme in my life. But it is good when what I happen to want more is reading and not that evil chocolate cream pie.

OOOooooohhhhh! Chocolate cream pie goes very well with a tall caramel mocha!