Sequels!

HOLA! I've decided that every once-in-awhile I will do a post that is the sequels to the books that I have posted. April-June.
Dragon Slippers: Dragon Flight, Dragon Spear.
The Alchemyst: The Magician, The Sorceress, The Necromancer, The Warlock, The Enchantress.
The Golden Hour: The Hour of the Cobra, The Hour of the Outlaw.
The Name of this Book is Secret: This Book is not Good for You, This is Not What it Looks Like.
Pandora Gets Jealous: Pandora Gets Vain, Pandora Gets Lazy, Pandora Gets Heart, Pandora Gets Angry.
The Penderwicks: The Penderwicks on Gardam Street.
Savvy: Scumble.
Pendragon, Book One The Merchant of Death: The Lost City of Faar, The Never War, The Reality Bug, Black Water, The Rivers of Zadaa, The Quillan Games, Pilgrims of Rayne, Raven Rise, The Soldiers of Halla.
Children of the Lamp, The Akhenaten Adventures: The Blue Djinn of Babylon, The Cobra King of Kathmandu, Day of the Djinn Warriors, The Eye of the Forest, The Five Fakirs of Faziabad.

City of Bones

Hola. The next book is by Cassandra Clare, City of Bones. Clarissa Fray, or just Clary, is an average girl with an artsy mom and a super-cool best friend named Simon. Her dad died before she was born, leaving her without a clue as to what he was like, mostly because her mom won't talk about him. One day, when Clary and Simon are in Pandemonium, an all-ages club, her world falls to pieces. It starts with people nobody else can see but her, and it gets bigger every day. With mystery shrouding her own mind, how will the shards of her shattered life finally fit together? I thought this was a really great book! The characters are interesting and the plot is fast-paced and twisting. My only complaint with it was that I really, really, hated the ending! However, maybe the next two books will sort that out. Three and a half stars for an exciting read!

Leviathan

Hola! It was recommended that I read Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld. The book starts with two vastly different people in equally different circumstances. The characters live in counties that are in a constant struggle -between those who are "Clanker" and those who are "Darwinist". Both have incredible technology but use it in opposing ways. Deryn is a hopeful, Darwinist girl, concealing her gender under the name "Dylan", in an attempt to be an airman. Whereas Alek is the son of a Clanker archduke, often compared to the child Mozart. When the impending war throws them together, how will they survive their opposing views, let alone their common enemy? I liked this book a lot, though some of the concepts were rather creepy (like mutating animals!). The characters were realistic and I thought that the dangers they faced would be very relevant in their world. Overall, I enjoyed this book, however I thought some parts were a little bit boring. Three stars.

The Two Princesses of Bamerre

Hola! I know! I'm sorry it has been such a long time since I last posted! But alas, I grow lazy! To make up for my absence I am doing The Two Princesses of Bamerre by Gail Carson Levine. Meryl and Addie, as the title announces, are the two princesses of Bamerre. The elder, Meryl is fearless and brave, while Addie prefers to watch her sister's theatrics. However, when Meryl contracts the dreaded Gray Death, Addie finds her only comfort in the world in need to help. Along with the assistance of the young sorcerer Rhys, Addie must go on the adventure of a lifetime, and meet enough trouble to last her a lifetime as well. I really liked this book. I thought that the way the dragon was portrayed really brought the character to life; and the strength and almost dangerous determination of Meryl was also good. The only things I didn't really enjoy was the character Rhys, and the length of Addie's journey. Rhys was not nearly developed enough in the story so I felt like I barley knew him at the end. And I thought that the book was just a little bit too short, I was fully prepared for another fifty pages. Though, on the whole, I very much enjoyed reading The Two Princesses of Bamerre, three stars.

Knightly Academy

HOLA! Happy Thanksgiving! (Sorry I haven't been writing!) Now it's up to Knightly Academy, by Violet Haberdasher. Henry is a servant, a commoner—but not at all stupid. He studies in secret and is a very hard worker. When the examiner from the prestigious school of Knightly Academy comes, he sits the entrance test. After passing the test with flying colours he is the first commoner ever accepted to the Academy. But trouble is afoot when deliberate sabotage impedes the boy's progress at school. Henry has to deal with the noble bullies that roam the halls, and find his mysterious enemy before he and his friends are expelled from Knightly. I really liked this, the characters were nice and funny and they were very realistic. The time period that it takes place in is rather conflicting, but it can be overlooked for the entertainment of the story. Not the most thrilling of reads but it should not be passed by. Three stars for Knightly Academy.

Forbidden Sea

Hola... Forbidden Sea, by Sheila Nielson. Adrianne is another one of her small island's many inhabitants. Working hard to pay for the food and clothing needed to support her family, Adrianne is a tough girl. But when her sister goes missing, she has to look for her, and she does, on a rock, in the ocean. Cecily, (The sister) comes back with tales of a beautiful mermaid that wanted only good to come onto their family. However, Adrianne thinks about it somewhat differently. She remembers the story of poor Lady Lauretta, convinced by a beautiful mermaid that she could marry the Sea Prince and live forever, she left, was never seen again, and was considered drown. Adrianne has enough problems to deal with without a malicious mermaid on her trail, though her tough exterior, can she even confront her past? This was a good book, Adrianne was a good character and Denn, (a friend) made me laugh. The story was interesting, a good eye-opener between legends and the truth, very entertaining. Three stars.

Oh. My. Gods.

HOLA!!! GO GIANTS!!! YAY!!! I am now doing a book called Oh. My. Gods. no, seriously, that's what it's called. It is by Tera Childs. Phoebe Castro is a normal girl who runs track, with a normal therapist mom. But one day, after a trip to Greece for a family reunion, her mom becomes not quite so standard. Suddenly Phoebe finds herself being shipped off to Greece so that her mother can marry a complete stranger. And just when she thinks it can't get any worse, there's a catch. All of the kids on the little island Phoebe is getting thrown on are, however distantly, related to the Greek Gods. Can Phoebe get good grades, get her crush to like her, and just survive in Greece? Even she doesn't know. I really liked this book. I thought that is was a kind of teen-girl-y version of the Percy Jackson series, just not so adventurous. It's a quick read but long enough to feel fulfilled. And I just figured out that there is a second book: Goddess Boot Camp. Can't wait to read it! Three stars! (For Oh. My. Gods.)

I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You

Hola... this series of books are really high on my list of favorites right now. The first Gallagher Girls book, I'd Tell you I Love You but then I'd Have to Kill You, by Ally Carter. Cammie goes to a special school. A spy school, where you learn to do the crazy things things that spies do everyday, like disguise, and code cracking. At a school where you could learn how to knock a man twice your size unconscious with two punches, don't you think they'd teach about boys? Well, not really, so when Cammie finds herself faced with a very normal guy, she will have to use all of her skills to keep Gallagher's secret safe, and spend some time with Josh... a lot harder than it sounds. This was actually a really good book. For all of the girls, don't try to tell me that you haven't ever read a Clique book, and these are like those, except a hundred times better! The characters are lively and the plot is just twisty enough so it's not totally predictable. I only have two things bad to say, the rest of the series are better than the first, (So keep reading!) and that Bex is just a little more interesting than Cammie. Love this book! Three and a half stars! (The rest get four!)

The Lost Hero

HOLA!!! OH MY GODZ! (For the second time.) I have decided to demote the Red Pyramid to four stars so that The Lost Hero, by Rick Riordan can take the 4.999999 place. Piper is a girl who can't help getting into trouble, Leo is spunky boy who has runaway from every place he has lived, and Jason can't remember his past. When this unlikely trio is suddenly shipped off to a mysterious place called Camp Half-Blood, where the kids are related to gods, what can they do but join into the fantastic journey that awaits them. I LOVED THIS BOOK! For all of the people that with me thought the Red Pyramid was good, this will soothe your wounded spirits. Piper is awesome, Jason is very brave, and Leo keeps the story on its toes. AND, as an added bonus........ PERCY AND ANNABETH are in it!!!!!!! YAY! The characters are likable but still flawed enough to be edgy, the plot is exciting, and the Greeks are the most amazing civilization ever! Bravo! (Like I already said,) 4.999999 stars!!!!!!!!!!!

The Reinvention of Bessica Lefter

Hola, this is The Reinvention of Bessica Lefter, by Kristen Tracy. Bessica is an eleven-year-old girl who's best friend is called Sylvie. Bessica doesn't always make the brightest decisions and that ends her up being banned from seeing her best friend, FOREVER! Well, not really, but they won't be going to the same school, and that is what really matters. Bessica goes through many challenges and learns more about making the right choices in the end. Personally, I thought that Bessica was just really, really, stupid. She did dumb things (and paid the price), so I didn't have much sympathy for her. The story wasn't very entertaining and it was very painful to read. If you have really awful problems and are looking for consolation by reading about someone else's problems, then it is good, if not, then it is really not a good book. One star.

Greener Grass

Hola, Greener Grass by Caroline Pignat is next up on the list. Kit, is a teenage girl living on a humble farm in Ireland. Her family is just scraping by and that is from mostly relying on their potato crop. But bad luck is on the way and when the whole season's harvest is spoiled by a mysterious disease. How will Kit's family pay the rent? In all, this book is just really depressing. Her life is really horrible, and to know that this probably actually happened to someone makes it worse. The writing is good and the characters are expressed well but it is just so sad. Good book, awfully sad story, two and half stars.

Plain Kate

Hola... so I just read this book called Plain Kate, by Erin Bow, and I thought I would review it. Kate is a carver, and her skill is so great that she has earned herself the nickname "witch-blade", which isn't really a good thing. This is because in her town, the burn witches at the stake. Pleasant, yes? Well anyway, when her favorite person in the world is killed—her father— Kate has to fend for herself. One day a mysterious stranger comes with an even more mysterious proposition for Kate. Here is what I think about this book: Kate is exactly as she is described, plain. She has no personality and is really quite bland. This book has very dark undercurrents that push throughout the whole story but that don't stop it from feeling oddly disjointed. The only memorable characters are Taggle, the cat, and Linay, the stranger. In all, I didn't really enjoy this book much. Two stars.

Gordon Korman

HOLA!!! Yesterday Gordon Korman came to my school! He wrote two of the 39 Clues books. You know, the series written by a bunch of different authors, anyway, he was super cool! And the 39 Clues are really good! (You should totally read them!)

Healing Spell

Hola.....this isn't a very well known book, Healing Spell, by Kimberly Griffiths Little. Livie is a very tomboyish girl living on the banks of the bayou with her two sisters, her father, and her unconscious mother. See, her mom is in a coma, and Livie knows why... because it was her fault. While her family struggles with the care of her mother, Livie has her own challenges to face. Filled with funny quirks, the characters in this book are very realistic. They each have tons of personality and give the sad story a happy twist. Even though the idea of the story is depressing the over all effect isn't all that sad. It was a good enough story, although not particularly memorable. Three stars.

The Dark Hills Divide

HO-LA! Don't you just LOVE the new setup? I do! Right now I am thinking about The Dark Hills Divide, by Patrick Carman. Alexa, the amazing heroine of this series, lives in a walled city, used to keep the monsters of the Dark Hills away. While in the city, she witnesses the death of her very good friend, Warvold. This is just the beginning of an interesting chain of events that results in Alexa discovering a secret that leads her far away, meeting some very strange characters, and trying to save the place she has always called home. I thought that these books where good for what they were. Not exactly the most challenging read, but still exciting enough to hunt down the next book in the series. If you ever find yourself at a loss for a book to read, (I hope not, I do this blog so you won't!) The Dark Hills Divide is worth your time. Three stars.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Hola, I think that another classic is in order. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I will mention that quite recently I was in London and and staying less than a five minutes walk from his supposed house on Baker Street. (If you visit, be sure to check out the Baker Street station. Very cool tiles!) Sherlock Holmes is a bit of a hermit. But his mysteries are so amazing that it would seem impossible that he wasn't having dinner with the Queen or some exotic royal... every other night. Most of the cases described in this book have a certain dark intensity that leaves you with the feeling that if you don't finish the chapter that you're reading, something terrible is going to happen. So expertly does Sir Doyle describe Sherlock's extraordinary manner that you find yourself thinking that the author himself must have been a genius to think up such scenes. (I might add that it is told from Watson's point of view.) Other than more than a few drug references I see no reason that it is not a coveted favorite among kids. Three and a half stars!

Fablehaven, Rise of the Evening Star

Hola! I am sorry but school is starting so I will probably only be able to do one blog a week. : ( Today I am doing the second Fablehaven book, Rise of the Evening Star, by Brandon Mull. This book begins the hunt for the hidden artifacts. Grandma and Grandpa Soreson bring some new faces into Fablehaven to help find the object concealed there. While Kendra discovers the true extent of her new powers, unsettling things are happening on the preserve. I would tell you to definitely keep reading this series. Although it will keep you up at night because you are wondering what will happen next. In all it was a really good book! (Except for Seth, he is an idiot.) Four stars!

Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos

Hola! Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, by R. L. LaFevers. Theodosia is a completely ordinary girl, with forgetful parents who work at a museum with a very good Egyptian wing. The thing is that the Ancient Egyptians liked curses, leaving Theodosia to deal with them. Dark magic that the artifacts contain leads her to discover a long-time battle between two secret societies, and she becomes a major factor in the outcome. I really enjoyed this book. Theodosia is a cheeky girl and is very resourceful—you can't wait to see what see gets herself into next. But even Theodosia's charming personality can't hide the rather dark undercurrents of the story. I really recommend Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos. Four stars!

Dealing with Dragons

HOLA! The next book is by Patricia C. Wrede's Dealing with Dragons. This book is a twist on the usual knight-in-shining-armor story. Cimorene is not your typical princess, she takes secret lessons from her various teachers in subjects that are not "proper" for a princess. She also thinks that getting married sounds horrible, but that is exactly what her parents have in mind for her. So taking her best crown and some hankerchiefs, she runs away to become a dragon's princess. This book really kept my attention, Cimorene has such a real and likable personality. She is sometimes makes mistakes, but they are understandable, and her bravery makes up for it. My only complaint is that as the story goes on, some characters get left out, I wanted to know what happened to Ailanora and the Stone Prince—unfair! But for this particular book, I give it three stars!

Runemarks

Hola! Runemarks, by Joeann Harris. This is a rather odd book about a girl named Maddy. In the world she lives in, some people have "rune marks", symbols that give you the power to perform magic. The thing is, many people think that it is a curse. Specifically the Order, an organization of priests with seemingly sketchy intentions. Maddy grew up unwanted, so when a strange man called One-eye befriends her, she is delighted. One-eye visits her once a year, doing mysterious things when he is not with her. Meanwhile all around Maddy, the world is changing. Beings who are just myths and legends come to power. With such drastic changes in her life, who can she trust? And more importantly, who is everyone? Who is she? Runemarks has a very strange but excitingly twisting plot. It is about characters like Thor and Loki, who are legendary but who most people aren't familiar with, which creates a strange effect. In all, it deserves three and a half stars.

Fablehaven

Hola.......Fablehaven, by Brandon Mull, is a good book. Seth and Kendra are going to stay at their grandparents house while the children's parents are going on a cruise, due to a death in the family. Seth and Kendra are not too excited to be spending two weeks in the care of old people they hardly know. However, as they start to explore the grounds of their grandparents mansion, more than one mystery jumps out at them:, for example, the strange disappearance of their grandmother and some very odd milk. Once everything reveals itself, the real adventure begins. I thought Fablehaven was a fun book with very likable characters. In some parts I thought that Seth and Kendra were a little bit braver than a normal person would have been in that situation, which I found unrealistic. But overall, I really liked it! Four stars!

Phillipa Fisher's Fairy Godsister

Hola! Next up is Phillipa Fisher's Fairy Godsister, by Liz Kessler. Phillipa Fisher is a normal girl with abnormal parents. They dance in the kitchen, don't care about homework and drive a rather unusual car. When Phillipa's best friend moves away to live on a ranch, Phillipa is plunged into despair. Then, one day Phillipa picks a seemingly special daisy, and her life turns around. This book really makes you wonder what would really happen if your wishes came true, and makes you not take your family for grated so much, even with all their quirks. I really enjoyed this book, but it is hard to stand by and watch the characters do things that you really don't want them to do! Although it is written in the same style as the Emily Windsnap books it is an interesting take on the "be careful what you wish for" stories. Three and a half stars.

Mythology

Hola.... some very classic stories are held in Edith Hamilton's Mythology. A collection ancient Greek myths, from Echo and Narcissus to the Golden Apple. The reason I got interested in this book was because of Percy Jackson (DUH!). And then this summer my family and I went to Greece, it was really cool to see the land where these fascinating stories took place. And it was really awesome to see one of the Ancient Wonders of the World, the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. These myths also translate to many other ruins, such as the Elgin Marbles (saw those in London), the Parthenon (dedicted to Athena, patron goddess of Athens), and so many others. I don't recommend this book to people who are known to drop books if they get boring. But, if you are willing to stick it out, you won't regret reading it. Three and a half stars!

The Mysterious Benedict Society

Hola, The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. In this book, many children answer the call of an interesting news article asking for gifted kids. After going through three very strange tests only four children are left. Kate, an extraordinarily athletic girl; Constance, a very.... creative...? little girl,; Sticky, a speed-reader with a photographic memory (He is a boy); and Reynie, who is simply a problem solver. These kids are soon sent on a secret mission to infiltrate an evil school run by the malicious Mr. Curtain. Full of incredible characters and interesting problems The Mysterious Benedict Society is a truly great book for people looking for a new twist on the classic kid-spy story. Four stars!

The Tale of Emily Windsnap

Hola. The Tale of Emily Windsnap, by Liz Kessler. I have already done one of the books that are later in the series, but you have to have a beginning. Emily Windsnap, a seventh-grader who lives on a house-boat but can't swim. When she starts taking swimming lessons at her school, the truth comes out, she is a mermaid. Well, not all of the time, while on land she has legs, but when in the water....... she has a tail. With this realization, many questions arise, such as, why did her dad, (a mer-man,) leave? As the world of the mer-people becomes clearer, so their problems. Even with a simple, straightforward voice telling the story, it is very entertaining. Three and a half stars.

Land of the Green Ginger

Hola, what do you think about Land of the Green Ginger, by Noel Langley? In this quirky novel, Aladdin is now the Emperor of China. He has a son, who talks much too much for his own good. As always, Aladdin's genie in the lamp tells Abu Ali (the son...) that he has to find the Land of the Green Ginger and turn the magician there back into his human form. (Since he accidentally turned himself into a Button-Nosed Tortoise.) Along the way, Abu Ali meets the girl of his dreams and competes with the two other ridiculous suitors for her hand in marriage. This book is very entertaining, while giving you the strange sensation of looking in on some other person's dream. In all, it is a good departure from the usual "knight in shining armor" story. Three and a half stars!

Emily Windsnap and the Siren's Secret

Hola! I am SOOOO sorry that I have not been on here for so long! I have been on a trip, so I didn't have much time! I think that Emily Windsnap and the Siren's Secret, by Liz Kessler is a good place to restart my blog. If you have read the other books in the series, (Which I hope you have, they are worthwhile,) it is pretty much the same feeling in all of them. Emily gets sent on some outrageous mission by Neptune. This time, it is bringing together the mer- and human-worlds. A rather mellow adventure ensues, with Aaron and Emily finding powers they never knew existed and some very crafty Sirens. The end is satisfying enough, although it does hint that it was the final book in the series. If you are looking for a book that has some adventure but little thrill, Emily Windsnap and the Siren's Secret is a good find. Three stars.

Children of the Lamp, the Akhenaten Adventures

Hola. Children of the Lamp, The Akhenaten Adventures, by P. B. Kerr. In this book, two kids, John and Philipa Gaunt—some rather rich, claustrophobic, and interesting twins get their wisdom teeth pulled. During this normal event, the children both have the same dream in which they meet their eccentric uncle, Nimrod and play a dice game with him. In the dream, Nimrod tells them to go to London for the summer to meet him. After the tooth pulling, the kids have strange things happen. They both grow enormous amounts, Philipa seems to be able to grant wishes, and there is a crack in John's wall that exactly matches one in Cairo, Egypt. Then, Uncle Nimrod tells them they are from an ancient line of djinn, and the real adventure starts. I liked this book, although it was a little strange. I just realized that there are like five books in the series, so I better get reading! Three stars.

Pendragon, Book One: The Merchant of Death

HO-LA. So, I think that I am going to write about Pendragon Book One: The Merchant of Death. It's by DJ MacHale, and I actually met him once, (He was super cool!), but I hadn't read any of his books at the time. Well, it's about a boy named Bobby Pendragon, who just so happens to be a Traveler! Meaning: he is one of the few people that can travel the flumes in between territories. I know, super confusing, but it's really complicated! There are 10 territories—think of them as planets that you can get to by going through tunnels through time and space. Fun! Each territory is going to have a turning point in its history, determining if there will be peace or chaos. And it is the Travelers job to see that the territories go the peaceful way. But of course, things are never that simple. Saint Dane, the shape shifting, power hungry, rather insane Traveler is ready to destroy all of the territories. All so that he can pick up the pieces and create a new place, ruled, (DUH!) by Saint Dane. So far I am on the sixth book and they are AMAZING! If, so far, you agree with my ratings for books, them you will adore the Pendragon series!!! Four and a half stars!!!

Savvy

Hola...... Savvy, by Ingrid Law is my next pick. So there is this girl, Mibs Beaumont, who lives in the middle of nowhere with the rest of her family. Except, they're not a normal family. Mibs' brothers can whip-up storms and create electricity. And it's not just them, when any member of her family turns 13, they get a......lets say, super-power. As Mibs' 13th birthday approaches, she digs herself into a metaphorical pit, and it's rather deep. With spunk and charm, you go on a somewhat painful adventure with Mibs and her crew. It's written in an accent, which personally, turns me off of most books. But here, it just adds to the enchanting theme of the book. Three and a half stars.

The Penderwicks

Hola! One of my favorite books is The Penderwicks, by Jeanne Birdsall. In it, four sisters, Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty, and their loving father, Martin, go on vacation to a place called Arundel in the Berkshires. There they meet a boy with, lets say, some problems. The Penderwick sisters help sort out Jeffrey's issues while getting into more trouble themselves. All in all, it is the type of feel-good book that you could read over and over and not get bored of. Four stars!

Pandora Gets Jealous

Hola! What do you think about Pandora Gets Jealous? (It's by Carolyn Hennesy,) Okay, I have to admit that yes, this is a girl book, so boys of the world, you can skip this one. And yes, is is also about the Greeks. This is a modern story of Pandora's Box. (Well, it was a jar, but whatever!) But it's not in like L.A. or something, no, its in ancient Athens, and the story is really a fresh look at it. Thirteen-year-old Pandora opens the box, but it was accident! Well, unfortunately, the gods aren't that forgiving and give her six months to return all of the evils to the box, easier said than done. With the help of her friends, Pandy cleans up the mess she got herself into. (PS, there are three more: Pandora gets Vain, Pandora Gets Lazy, and Pandora Gets Heart.) In all, it's really good! Four stars!

City of Fire

Hola, City of Fire by Laurence Yep is my next book. It is set in some sort of mythological San Francisco, (my home-town!) meaning that people see and understand many types of creatures, including: griffins, dragons, gods, air spirits, and many more. In this book, a twelve-year-old girl named Scirye sets out on a mission to avenge her sister and take back what was stolen from her people by a power hungry dragon and mysterious Mr. Roland. Accompanied by Leech, an unknowingly powerful boy, Koko, his sketchy companion, and Bayang, a dragon in disguise. If you are interested in books that are slightly confusing and very fantastical, City of Fire is awesome. (Personally, I like magical and confusing books, so I loved it.) Four stars! (By the way, I love the cover art!)

The Name of this Book is Secret

Hola! So, today I went to the Mills College graduation. And guess who was there, Nancy Pelosi, and she had this fifteen minute speech, that was actually kind of cool. But anyway, my mom wanted me to write that. I'm thinking The Name of This Book is Secret, by Pseudonymous Bosch. Ok, even though I have the book signed by the author to me, I really don't like it. It was slightly scary, so I stopped reading it. The concept is disturbing, too. Max-Ernst and Cass are investigating a dead magician, and come across so very...... interesting secrets. In other words, if you are as wimpy as I am, don't read it. Half a star.

The Golden Hour

Hola! I am in the mood to write. (If you are observant, you may have noticed that my last post was thirty seconds ago.) I'm thinking The Golden Hour, Maiya Williams. This is a good book, although the characters are not as developed as I would like, but not every book is perfect. In this book, Rowan and Nina Popplewell move to Owatannauk, Maine, to live with their aunts. Soon, buried within the small town, where the advertised population is 104, there is a grand secret. (so cliché!) With time as their opponent, Rowan, Nina, and their new friends are starting a dangerous game, in some not-very-familiar settings. With heart, adventure, and wit, it stands solid in the world of books. three and a half stars!

The Alchemyst

Hola... so, I've decided to review a book that isn't great, but thats what's reviewing, right? Ok, The Alchemyst, by Micheal Scot. Before I even started it I was totally turned off because it was a knockoff of Harry Potter, which was GREAT! In The Alchemyst Nicholas Flamel, Sophie and Josh, and a myriad of other interesting characters fight evil, of course! Many people, not all humans, are all in favor of seeing the Dark Elders come back and rule the world. This is the time of humani, (not a typo...) but there are forces formerly worshipped and feared as gods and demons, and some of them want to come back. I would say that it is very strange, slightly disturbing, and amazingly frustrating. You know when characters, (TV, book, movie, etc.) do things that you really don't want them to do? Well, that happens ALOT! So, if you are inclined to yell at your book, TV, movie, etc. then I would recommend another book. Two stars.

Dragon Slippers

Hola, I've decided that Dragon Slippers by Jessica George, is the next book I'm reviewing. It is an interesting book, sure to keep you reading, but with a sinister underlying note. There is a country girl named Creel, and her aunt is a little... well, strange? Creel lives in a rather poor family and her aunt wants money, so she decides to give Creel to the dragon that lives near their village. Of course, nothing goes as planned, but it leaves Creel with a pair of special slippers and a huge problem. I would really recommend Dragon Slippers, although, to you boys out there, probably not. It a really interesting book, and who doesn't love sequels?! (Dragon Flight, Dragon Spear) 4 stars! Keep reading!

The Red Pyramid

HOLA!!! OH MY GODZ! Rick Riordan came out with a new book! (my favorite author of all time!) The Red Pyramid is hypnotizing! The combination of wit, humor, and mythology performs magic! Carter and Sadie Kane find themselves woven into a problem that has been around for millenia, the conflict between gods and magicians. And the underlying threat of chaos coming to full power. This kind of book is why I read! I am waiting with baited breath for the next book! (which will probably make the wait feel like years!) Even if the Greeks are the awesomest civilization of all time, Egypt is pretty cool too. 4 stars! Keep reading!

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

Hola! At the moment, I am reading The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, by Jacquenile Kelly.So far, it is a good book. (meaning I haven't finished it...) The plot is about a girl who studies nature with her grandfather but is rundown with girl chores. It is better that it sounds. Her numerous brothers liven up the story and Callie Vee has some strong opinions. The story isn't too exciting, and the plot jumps around like crazy, but if you want to read a book that DEFINITELY won't scare you, check out The Evolution of Calpurinia Tate. Three stars.

Shakespeare's Secret

Hola. So, today I want to talk about some books, (the original plan.) I really like Shakespeare's Secret. It is by Elise Broach and is realistic fiction. The whole story is about a diamond that was supposed to be hidden in this house, but nobody has ever found it. The story is clearly about real life but exciting all the same. (This is from a fantasy-reader.) Shakespeare's Secret is really good, with twist in the plot right when you think its going to be boring. I recommend this book to people who enjoy more mellow books, but still mysteries. Four stars!

Explanation

Hola! So, down to business. My mom wanted me to write about why I started this, so here goes nothing. (But does it really matter if nobody reads it?) I read too much. Some kids get yelled at for to much computer or tv, I get yelled at for reading. My mom said that I should start a blog that reviews kids books, my specialty. So, instead of forcing myself to write in a journal, (IMPOSSIBLE) and I am now writing about reading. (Ha!) Keep reading!

Ridley Pearson

Hola, peeps! Today happened to be really awesome because Ridley Pearson came to my school. And, by the way, he is the author of the Kingdom Keepers and Peter and the Starcatchers books. He was totally cool and signed all of my books for me! And the Peter and the Starcatchers are really great! (I have the first one on my iPod) Keep reading!