Book Review: Goddess Girls #3 & 4 by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Aphrodite the Beauty by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
Release Date: August 3, 2010
Publisher: Aladdin
Pages: 224
Series: #3 of the Goddess Girls series
Received: Library
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Page

Product Description:

Aphrodite delights in helping mortals in love, but she's pretty annoyed at the constant attention she gets from the godboys at Mount Olympus Academy. When she decides to give Athena a makeover, she's a bit unprepared for the result. She didn't count on all the interest Athena's new look would get. And she certainly never thought she'd find herself jealous of one of her best friends! Will she be able to put the jealousy behind her?

Like all the books in the Goddess Girls series, Aphrodite the Beauty can be read as a standalone and it is not necessary to have read the previous books.

I liked this book, but not as much as the previous two. The story was solid and continues with the excellent blend of mythology and real-life issues that I have come to expect from this series. The only drawback for me was Aphrodite herself. I didn't relate as well to her as a character and I found her to have a little less depth than Athena or Persephone. I also didn't like the way she treated a certain character, but her actions were consistent with mythology and creatively adapted to a more modern and younger audience. Plus, her feelings and actions, while perhaps not the nicest, were feelings that I'm sure many girls experience (I know I did! And I behaved much the same way when I was that age.) Despite my qualms with Aphrodite herself, her story was cute and I'm sure will ring true with many MG girls (probably not so much boys). Hephaestus makes an appearance as an adorable secondary character.

Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 

Artemis the Brave by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
Release Date: December 7, 2010
Publisher: Aladdin
Pages: 224
Series: #4 of the Goddess Girls series
Received: Library
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Page

Product Description:

Artemis's friends and classmates see her as the most courageous goddessgirl at school. Little do they know that despite her expert archery skills, teh smelly Geryon, ring-nosed Minotaurs, and scorpions in Beast-ology class scare her as much as they do anyone else! But what's really bothering her now is that funny feeling she has whenever she looks at Orion. She's never had a crush before. Will she find the courage to talk to Orion, to make him see her as more than a pal, and to ace Beast-ology class?

Like all the books in the Goddess Girls series, Artemis the Brave can be read as a standalone and it is not necessary to have read the previous books.

I liked this one! So far I think this book and Athena's book are my favorites. Artemis was a very sweet character who made mistakes and learned from them. I loved her self-reflection and how she tested out new experiences but ultimately settled comfortably in her own skin. Her lessons were very sweet and, again, experiences that I think many MG girls will find easy to relate to. Greek myth is creatively and seamlessly woven into the story. What's so nice about the presentation of Greek mythology in these books is that it isn't necessary to know anything about the myths in order to enjoy the stories, but young readers are still getting a great foundation that will probably help them when they venture into reading the original myths.

Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 

Do you have any questions about the Goddess Girls series that I haven't addressed? 
Feel free to ask in the comments!

Looking for the first two books? 

Click on the covers to go to my reviews.

This review is posted as part of Simon & Schuster Month hosted by Cialina at Muggle-Born.net!

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Book Review: The Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander

The Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander
Release Date: February 8, 2011
Publisher: Walden Pond Press 
Pages: 314
Received: Review copy from publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 
Goodreads Page

Summary

From Goodreads: 

Do you need something? Mac can get it for you. It's what he does—he and his best friend and business manager, Vince. Their methods might sometimes run afoul of the law, or at least the school code of conduct, but if you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can pay him, Mac is on your side. His office is located in the East Wing boys' bathroom, fourth stall from the high window. And business is booming.

Or at least it was, until one particular Monday. It starts with a third grader in need of protection. And before this ordeal is over, it's going to involve a legendary high school crime boss named Staples, an intramural gambling ring, a graffiti ninja, the nine most dangerous bullies in school, and the first Chicago Cubs World Series game in almost seventy years. And that's just the beginning. Mac and Vince soon realize that the trouble with solving everyone else's problems is that there's no one left to solve yours.

Review

I picked up this book at the worst possible time. I was coming down from the triple high of Supernaturally, Clarity, and Queen of the Dead, so I honestly was expecting to be disappointed by The Fourth Stall in the face of all that awesome. But I had a deadline, so I picked up TFS and hoped for the best. After about thirty pages the world had disappeared around me and I was totally sucked into the story. This is a keeper for sure.

I was first captured by the voice of the narrator, Mac. His tone is reminiscent of gangster movies like The Godfather or Scarface mixed with a heavy dose of film noir. He’s a likable guy that sounds like a believable kid while never feeling “too young” for adult readers to enjoy. Occasionally he would veer off into digressions that would frustrate me at first because I was so into current events, but after a few lines I was completely absorbed in this new tract. Mac’s narration is just that good.

The tone of the book was a perfect blend of campy humor and serious issues real kids face. Though I doubt middle schoolers are dealing with the exact circumstances here (some are tongue in cheek far-fetched), the underlying issues of bullying, trust, social class, and friendship will be easy for kids to relate with. There’s a lot of substance, but the story never once feels like a boring “teaching issue.”

Girls will certainly enjoy The Fourth Stall, but this is most definitely a book for the boys. The violence is treated in a very guy-like manner, if you know what I mean. If you’re looking for a book with a moral message about finding non-violent solutions to problems, then The Fourth Stall is not the book for you. There’s much more of a “boys will be boys” attitude here and, personally, I liked it. I think kids will also like it.

Mac’s voice is what first caught my attention and had me chuckling throughout, but it was the tension and mystery that kept me rapidly turning the pages. One part was obvious to me from the beginning (probably wouldn’t be obvious to kids), but the meat of the dilemma and a slew of red herrings kept me guessing to the satisfying conclusion.

I wasn’t expecting to love The Fourth Stall this much, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. This book is going straight into my library system so I can start pushing it on my library kids ASAP. YAs may like it (I’m an adult and I loved it!) but I think this book will truly hit its mark with MG kids. I hope Chris Rylander has plans for more books!

 Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 

This book satisfies the following challenges: 

• 2011 Debut Author Challenge
• 
  
   

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Book Review: A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine

Green Bean Teen Queen hosts a meme on Tuesdays called Tween Tuesday where great books for tweens are featured. 

More of my Tween Tuesday posts.

A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine
Release Date: May 10, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 216
Received: ARC from Net Galley
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 
Goodreads Page

Summary

From Goodreads:

Mysteries abound, especially in Two Castles.

A handsome cat trainer, black-and-white cats, thieves on four legs and two, suspicious townsfolk, a greedy king, a giddy princess, a shape-shifting ogre, a brilliant dragon. Which is the villainous whited sepulcher?

Elodie journeys to the town of Two Castles to become a mansioner—an actress—but luck is against her. She is saved from starvation by the dragon Meenore, who sends her on a dangerous mission inside the ogre's castle. There, disguised as a kitchen maid at an ogre's feast, she finds herself cast in the role of a lifetime and pitted against a foe intent on murder.

Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine weaves an entrancing tale of a fearsome ogre, a dragon detective, and a remarkable heroine, who finds friendship where she least expects it, learns that there are many ways to mansion, and discovers that goodness and evil come in all shapes and sizes.

Review

I’ve only read one other Gail Carson Levine book before (The Two Princesses of Bamarre), but I already notice a pattern to her writing. I hope this pattern holds true, because GCL appears to be an author I can go to when I want a light and sweet MG fantasy book that will hold my interest and make me feel good.

The dragon Meenore was the biggest draw for me. This character is just one of those feel good characters that acts tough but has a secret soft spot for the main character. I love these kinds of characters and the way they capture that childhood feeling of a parent that may at times say no, but they are always filled with boundless love and protection. The other secondary characters were equally vibrant and fulfilled their roles perfectly.

The only character I didn’t like was actually the main character, Elodie. She wasn’t horrible, but there was just something about her that rubbed me the wrong way and made it difficult for me to relate to her. This is why I didn’t give the book a higher rating, though she didn’t irritate me enough to significantly lower my rating. Readers with a passion for acting will probably enjoy Elodie.

Also appreciated is GCL’s unique approach to fantasy. As in The Two Princesses of Bamarre, the creatures here are largely original creations. Ogres are common creatures in fantasy, but in GCL’s hands, an ogre becomes an entirely new being capable of shape shifting. Learning about her creatures and the rules surrounding them was almost as interesting as the story.

What kept me turning the pages the most was the mystery. It was paced nicely and kept me guessing more than other MG books, though I did figure things out before the reveal. Meenore coaches Elodie on inductive and deductive reasoning, urging her to collect clues and apply these techniques. This was an entertaining way to advance the plot and keep the reader engaged, though readers not familiar with the techniques may be confused as to the differences between the two approaches.

I have already placed an order for this book for my library’s collection. It should be a hit with Gail Carson Levine fans and MG readers who enjoy fantasy with mystery elements (think The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede, though not as funny).

Note on my edition: I read an ARC from Net Galley that was 216 pages. Goodreads has this book listed at 320 pages, so I wonder if my version is missing a significant part of the book. The version I read didn’t strike me as incomplete at all, so I’m curious to see how the finished version compares.

 Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 

This book satisfies the following challenges: 

• 2nds Challenge
• Most Awaited YA Releases Challenge

Looking for another by Gail Carson Levine? 
You might like: 

The Two Princesses of Bamarre

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Book Review: Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

Green Bean Teen Queen hosts a meme on Tuesdays called Tween Tuesday where great books for tweens are featured. 

More of my Tween Tuesday posts.

Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

Release Date: April 5, 2011 US (August 1, 2010 UK)
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Pages: 295
Received: ARC from publisher
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

Goodreads Page

Summary

From Goodreads: 

Twelve-year-old Kat Stephenson may be the despair of her social-climbing Step-Mama, but she was born to be a magical Guardian and protector of Society--if she can ever find true acceptance in the secret Order that expelled her own mother. 

She’s ready to turn the hidebound Order of the Guardians inside-out, whether the older members like it or not. And in a society where magic is the greatest scandal of all, Kat is determined to use all her powers to help her three older siblings--saintly Elissa, practicing-witch Angeline, and hopelessly foolish Charles--find their own true loves, even if she has to turn highwayman, battle wild magic, and confront real ghosts along the way!

Review

This is the type of book that makes me say words like “delightful” and “charming” in this affected and giggly tone. Readers who liked Marissa Doyle’s Bewitching Season or Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer’s Sorcery and Cecelia will probably love Kat, Incorrigible.  Kat has the same upbeat, spunky feel found in these books and is also set in Regency England. 

Though a MG book, I can see this book appealing to YA and adult readers as well. Kat is only 12 and so she doesn’t have any romance of her own, but she does act as matchmaker for her two older sisters. Her sisters’ romances were completely heartwarming and satisfying. 

Each of the sisters was equally endearing but very different from one another.  It is impossible for me to choose which sister I liked the best, though Kat and Angeline are pulling a tiny bit ahead of Elissa. Kat is spunky and always getting herself into trouble (with hilarious commentary about it all). Angeline has a delightfully wicked streak and a take-charge attitude I loved. Elissa is the prim and proper sister who harbors a penchant for the drama and romance of Gothic tales. The interaction between the sisters reminded me of Jeanne Birdsall’s Penderwick sisters (another series I highly recommend!). I hope we continue to see all of the sisters in future installments. 

There is a light-hearted streak through the whole book and all of the scenes are laced with this giggly tongue in cheek undercurrent. I was laughing late into the night at both the events of the book and Kat’s hilarious and over the top commentary. I kept reading each scene and thinking, “This is my favorite scene!” only to read a scene a few pages later and think the same thing all over again. 

This is the first book in a series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I really hope Stephanie Burgis runs with this series and makes a bunch of books following Kat as she grows older, gets into more trouble and adventures, and just maybe falls in love.

 Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key  

Challenges this book satisfies:

• Historical fiction challenge
• Most awaited challenge
• 2011 debut author challenge

Looking for something similar? You might like: 

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

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Book Review: Goddess Girls #2 Persephone the Phony

Green Bean Teen Queen hosts a meme on Tuesdays called Tween Tuesday where great books for tweens are featured. 

More of my Tween Tuesday posts.

Persephone the Phony by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
Series: Goddess Girls #2

Release Date:  April 6, 2010

Publisher: Aladdin

Pages: 160

Received: Library

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads Page

Summary

From Goodreads: 

AS PERSEPHONE'S MOTHER ENCOURAGES HER to do, she often "goes along to get along" instead of doing what she really wants. But when she meets Mount Olympus Academy bad-boy Hades, she finally feels she has found someone with whom she can be herself. He's the first person who actually listens to her, and she finds herself liking him, despite the fact that the other goddessgirls think he's bad news. But if he makes her feel so special -- and so comfortable -- can he really be all that bad?

Authors Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams put a modern spin on classic myths with the Goddess Girls series. Follow the ins and outs of divine social life at Mount Olympus Academy, where the most privileged godboys and goddessgirls in the Greek pantheon hone their mythical skills.

Review

This is the second Goddess Girls book I’ve read and the second book in the (still on-going) series. The first book followed Athena and was a self-contained story. This second book follows, perhaps obviously, the character Persephone. I don’t think it is necessary to have read these books in order and Persephone ends completely and without any cliffhangers.

Everything I loved about the first book (Athena the Brain) is present here as well. Greek myths are continually referenced in both the overarching story arc and in little cameo appearances throughout the book. Knowing the myths already makes these references hugely fun to spot, but they won’t seem confusing or out of place for readers unfamiliar with the originals.

My other favorite thing about these books are the characters. Their voices ring so true. In each book the main character struggles with some issue most people have probably experienced at one point or another. In Persephone’s case, she grapples with finding her true self and worrying whether her friends will like her if her honesty isn’t always placid and agreeable.

I wish I had the opportunity to read these books when I was younger. I think I would have gained much comfort and good advice. The characters feel like good friends and confidants.  As it is, I still enjoy them now despite the fact that I am well outside the target age.

I currently have the next book, Aphrodite the Beauty on my library TBR and fully plan on continuing with this excellent series.

 Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 

This book satisfies the following challenges: 

• YA Series Challenge
• 2nds Challenge
• Library Reading Challenge

Previous Tween Tuesday reviews (click on the covers): 

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Book Review: Most Wanted by Kate Thompson

Green Bean Teen Queen hosts a meme on Tuesdays called Tween Tuesday where great books for tweens are featured. 

More of my Tween Tuesday posts.

Most Wanted by Kate Thompson
Release Date: December 1 2010
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Pages: 128
Received: Library
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

Goodreads Page

Summary

From Goodreads: 

While making his daily deliveries, a baker’s son suddenly finds himself holding a stallion’s golden lead. Soon the boy discovers that this isn’t just any horse, it’s the most powerful creature in all of Rome.
What will the mad emperor do if he finds the boy with his prized horse? Cut off his head? Or worse?

Review

There’s something about Kate Thompson’s writing that I just like. Her books are slim and, as far as adult readers may be concerned, slim in character development as well, but she tells a great story. Kate Thompson is a storyteller, no doubt about it.

This story takes place just as the death of the emperor Caligula is announced, but is the announcement real or a trick? The most important thing to know about Caligula (the real man and the character) is that he was absolutely insane and his reign was, in a word, frightening. The terror the characters all feel is palatable as they try to decide what to do about the predicament they find themselves in.

As people, the characters weren’t overly developed, but this isn’t that kind of book. The strength of this book is that the main character is vessel for you to use to insert yourself into the story. In this way, I was sucked into the story and felt like I was actually there. It was so much fun reading about the events (I was at the edge of my seat wondering how things would work out), but it was also pretty educational.

For such a small book, there’s a whole lot of historical facts packed in. I love history and know a decent bit about Roman history already, but the target audience will probably be enthralled by all of the fantastic—but true!—historical details. Kate Thompson also completely avoided lengthy paragraphs with dry facts. These details just flow naturally and never felt like they were bogging down the story.

This would be a perfect book to read aloud and a great addition to classroom shelves. I highly recommend this for the target audience (9-12) as well as older readers. I think even adults will find enjoyment here, though know you’re getting more of a well-told short story than a full novel.

P.S. The cover illustrator is ok, but the illustrations inside the book are amazing. The people are cute and the horse is gorgeous. 

 Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key  

Challenges this book satisfies:

• 2nds Challenge
• Library Reading Challenge
• YA Historical Fiction Challenge

Looking for something similar? 
You might like: 
Deadly by Julie Chibbaro

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Book Review: Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
Release Date: March 20, 2007
Publisher: Bloomsbury 
Pages: 321
Received: Library
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 
Goodreads Page

Summary

From Goodreads: 

Many stories tell of damsels in distress, who are rescued from the clutches of fire-breathing dragons by knights in shining armor, and swept off to live happily ever after.
Unfortunately, this is not one of those stories.

True, when Creel's aunt suggests sacrificing her to the local dragon, it is with the hope that the knight will marry Creel and that everyone (aunt and family included) will benefit handsomely. Yet it's Creel who talks her way out of the dragon's clutches. And it's Creel who walks for days on end to seek her fortune in the king's city with only a bit of embroidery thread and a strange pair of slippers in her possession.

But even Creel could not have guessed the outcome of this tale. For in a country on the verge of war, Creel unknowingly possesses not just any pair of shoes, but a tool that could be used to save her kingdom…or destroy it.

Review

Jessica Day George is rapidly becoming one of my new favorite authors. Her books are like cotton candy. They're light, sweet, and happy. There are antagonists and hurdles, but you know they'll be resolved and good will prevail in the end. Sometimes things work out a little too perfectly, but this comes across in a more cozy, heartwarming, makes-this-reader-happy way than in an annoying Mary Sue manner. When you just want to take a break from life and get lost in a "nice" book that'll make you smile, Jessica Day George delivers. 

Creel is a thoroughly likable character, flawed yet endearing, capable and determined without being pushy or obnoxious. I really liked her and found her first-person narration a pleasure to read. I liked Creel so much that when the antagonists of the book were horrible to her I wanted to reach into the book and strangle them. Luckily Creel is awesome and didn't put up with their abuse.

One thing I wasn’t sure about at first was the embroidery scenes. I couldn’t imagine they would be very interesting, but I was so wrong. I absolutely loved reading about the different embroidery projects Creel was working on. I almost wish the book was illustrated, but Jessica Day George created such vivid descriptions that I could picture everything as if it were right in front of me.

The plot is engaging, with Creel's development as a dressmaker creating an easy going storyline that nicely complements and frames the more dastardly political intrigue simmering beneath the surface. The mystery of the slippers is slowly unraveled and satisfyingly concluded.

I thought there was never a dull moment, with the plot moving along at a nice pace that isn’t too slow or too fast. There’s a little court intrigue, a little adventure, a little mystery, a little war, and some fun balls. There is also a touch of romance, but the plot focuses primarily on Creel’s adventures (though I wish there was just a teeny, tiny, little bit more romance. Just give me *that* kiss). I was so into the book and the characters that I even cried at one point! This is a Special Shelf book for me for sure.

This is the first book in a series of three, but it works just fine as a stand-alone story. The book is light enough for middle graders but fully developed enough for YAs to enjoy as well.

 Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key 

Looking for another lighthearted fantasy? You might like: 

The Wide-Awake Princess by E. D. Baker

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Book Review: Deadly by Julie Chibbaro

Green Bean Teen Queen hosts a meme on Tuesdays called Tween Tuesday where great books for tweens are featured. This Tuesday, I am going to feature: Deadly by Julie Chibbaro. Technically this book is a YA title, but I believe it is better suited for tweens.

More of my Tween Tuesday posts.

Deadly by Julie Chibbaro
Release Date: February 22, 2011
Publisher: Atheneum/Simon & Schuster
Pages: 288
Received: ARC from publisher and 
won an ARC from The Book Scout
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars 

Goodreads Page

Summary

Product description: 

A mysterious outbreak of typhoid fever is sweeping New York. Could the city’s future rest with its most unlikely scientist?  

If Prudence Galewski is ever going to get out of Mrs. Browning’s esteemed School for Girls, she must demonstrate her refinement and charm by securing a job appropriate for a young lady. But Prudence isn’t like the other girls. She is fascinated by how the human body works and why it fails. 

With a stroke of luck, she lands a position in a laboratory, where she is swept into an investigation of the fever bound to change medical history. Prudence quickly learns that an inquiry of this proportion is not confined to the lab. From ritzy mansions to shady bars and rundown tenements, she explores every potential cause of the disease. But there’s no answer in sight—until the volatile Mary Mallon emerges. Dubbed “Typhoid Mary” by the press, Mary is an Irish immigrant who has worked as a cook in every home the fever has ravaged. Strangely, though, she hasn’t been sick a day in her life. Is the accusation against her an act of discrimination? Or is she the first clue in a new scientific discovery?

Prudence is determined to find out. In a time when science is for men, she’ll have to prove to the city, and to herself, that she can help solve one of the greatest medical mysteries of the twentieth century.

Review

Let me just start out by saying I am so disappointed with this book! (Can you hear my foot stomping in petulant frustration?) This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2011 and when I got an ARC I was beyond excited. And then, argh, I didn’t love it. How crappy is that feeling of book disappointment, right?

Ok, ok, you don’t want to hear me sob. I know you want to know why I was so disappointed. Here’s why, and most of it is my own fault. Part of the reason I enjoy historical fiction so much is because it’s a fun way to learn about history. I also have a strange fascination with learning about diseases. I was hoping this book would teach me a bunch of facts about typhoid and the early discoveries about the disease, but that didn’t happen. 

We do learn about typhoid a little, and so I guess if a person really knows very little about the disease then they would learn a bit. But me, I guess I knew too much already because I learned nothing new. There was also very little about the disease itself: the symptoms and progression, how many people died, etc. You know, the gory details. 

That turned out to not really be the focus of the book though, so you can chalk up my disappointment here more to my false expectations than any failing on the author’s part. Instead, the focus of this book was on the social and moral implications of quarantining an unwilling person. The question of where you draw the line between an individual’s freedom and the safety of the population at large was explored sensitively and in a way that really did make me think. 

My second complaint is, again, not the author’s fault. Deadly is categorized as a YA book, but I think it really should be MG/juvenile. Prudence is a YA in age, but in voice she struck me as much younger. Her thoughts were simple and there was a certain immaturity to her voice. I found myself unable to really connect with her because of this. 

The writing is simple with short chapters, a very straightforward plot, and subject matter suitable for a younger reader. I think this might have been a more enjoyable story if it had been written in the third person instead of journal entries (usually I enjoy journal entries). Part of this is because Prudence speaks in a very clinical, detached voice and that also made it difficult for me to connect to her. 

I actually think the perfect audience for this book would be girls who adored the American Girl series but have recently outgrown them. There’s just something about the writing style, Prudence’s voice, her dilemma, and the little drawings that accompany her journal that reminded me of the American Girl books. If this book had been categorized as a MG/juvenile title I would have given it a higher rating (probably a solid four). As it stands, the book just doesn’t have the weight or depth of some other YA historical fiction novels (like Cate of the Lost Colony). 

I do recommend this book to people who know very little about typhoid and don’t mind the younger tone. I think this book would also be a hit among MG/juvenile girls who enjoy the Dear America series, The Royal Diaries series, or the Lady Grace Mysteries.

 Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key  

Challenges this book satisfies:

• YA Historical Fiction Challenge
• Most Awaited YA Releases Challenge

Review Comparison: Deadly

Review Comparison is a new feature I'm trying out where I am pulling out the pros and cons of the featured book mentioned in my review and other bloggers' reviews. Please let me know how you like this new feature and if you have any suggestions on how to make it better. I'm still playing around with the format.

The following bloggers kindly allowed me to include their reviews in this feature: 

The Little Bookworm

Fragments of Life

The Book Scout

Please click on the links to read their full reviews.  

~Conclusions~ 

It looks like readers who had less knowledge of typhoid and Typhoid Mary enjoyed the book a lot more. Most reviewers liked the main character very much.

·       

 ~Historical details~

o   “The book felt real” (The Little Bookworm)

o   The facts surrounding typhoid were eye opening, interesting, and well-researched (The Book Scout)

o   Didn’t learn anything new (Small Review)

o   Lacks weight and depth when  compared to similar books (Small Review)

  ~Characters~

o   Difficult to connect with main character due to detached voice and “younger” age (Small Review)

o   “Emotions were very genuine” (The Little Bookworm)

o   Prudence was a “great character” (The Little Bookworm)

o   Prudence was a refreshing character (Fragments of Life)

o   Very strong, determined, and likable main character (The Book Scout)

 ~Plot~

o   Wish there was more romance (Fragments of Life)

o   Mary Mallon’s story was fascinating (The Little Bookworm)

o   Engrossing (Fragments of Life)

o   Reading about the mystery made [me] “anxious and eager” (Fragments of Life)

o   Moral issues explored sensitively (Small Review)

o   Thought-provoking (Small Review)

Looking for something similar? You might like: 
Assassin (The Grace Mysteries #1), by Lady Grace Cavendish (aka Patricia Finney)  

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Book Review: Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings by Helene Boudreau

Green Bean Teen Queen hosts a meme on Tuesdays called Tween Tuesday where great books for tweens are featured. This Tuesday, I am going to feature a book that, while categorized as YA, seems better suited to tweens: Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings, by Helene Boudreau.

Click here for more of my Tween Tuesday posts.

Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings by Helene Boudreau
Release Date: November 9, 2010
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Pages: 206
Received: Library
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars 
Goodreads Page

Summary

From Goodreads: 

Freak of nature takes on a whole new meaning...

If she hadn't been so clueless, she might have seen it coming. But really, who expects to get into a relaxing bathtub after a stressful day of shopping for tankinis and come out with scales and a tail?

Most. Embarrassing. Moment. Ever.

Jade soon discovers she inherited her mermaid tendencies from her mom. But if Mom was a mermaid, how did she drown? Jade is determined to find out. So how does a plus-size, aqua-phobic mer-girl go about doing that exactly? And how will Jade ever be able to explain her secret to her best friend, Cori, and to her crush, Luke?

This summer is about to get a lot more interesting...

Review

This was a cute book, but definitely should be categorized as MG instead of YA. Jade is 14, but her voice and situation read much more like she is in middle school. While the story is cute, I think YA readers may find themselves a little bored and unable to fully connect with Jade. Some MG books are written in such a way as to appeal to all ages, but I don’t really think that is the case with Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings.

I liked Jade and found her to be a very sympathetic character. Her emotions are clear and easy to relate to, but her voice is a little uneven. Sometimes she is charmingly sarcastic, but other times this wryness is completely absent or just a little off. As a YA character, I’d say this is somewhat uneven writing. On the other hand, as a MG character her indecision and wavering between an innocent young girl and the hint of teenager snarkiness makes perfect sense.

I think MG girls, especially those in similar situations as Jade (sans the mermaid parts) will really enjoy this book. In addition to the mermaid parts, Jade deals with a first crush, getting her first period, troubles with her friend, and learning to adjust to life without her mom. Her troubles are so typical and her emotions and the way she handles these problems will resonate well with MG girls.     

What I liked about the book is that Jade’s parents both play a significant role in the story. I went into the book expecting a fluffy romance, and while there is a little romance, it takes a back seat to Jade’s relationship with her parents. The only thing that bugged me about this was that Jade sometimes seemed like more of the adult, but the whole book is so light and fluffy it’s hard to really be bothered.

The story was sweet, but simple with all of the conflicts finding fairly easy solutions. I think YAs might find things a little *too* simple and easy, but MG readers probably won’t mind. I tried to find a rating that reflects the disconnect between the book’s YA categorization and how it would be as a MG book. As a YA book, I would rate this lower than a 3.5 because it really is too shallow. As a MG book, I would probably give it a 4.

 Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key  

This book satisfies the following challenges:

• 2011 Library Reading Challenge

Looking for more mermaid stories? You might like: 
Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

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