Young Adult Book Review: Anna and the French Kiss

Title:  Anna and the French Kiss
Author:  Stephanie Perkins
Publisher:  Speak, 2010
Grades:  9+

400 pp.

Anna and the French Kiss is a Young Adult read that's been sitting on my "to be read" shelf for-ev-er.  I snagged it from the library on audiobook a couple of weeks ago, and thanks to some back and forth driving for the SDLA library conference I got through it quicker than I normally do. 
 Anna is a senior in high school who is sent to Paris for boarding school for her final year.  Magnifique, no?  Wrong.  She's leaving behind her best friend, her little brother, and her movie theater crush slash pseudo boyfriend.  And to top it all off, she doesn't know any french.

She makes a handful of friends, including an adorable British guy, Etienne St. Claire.  The trials and tribulations she goes through in her senior year are similar to problems every 18 year old encounters, but at least she's lucky enough to go through them in grand Paris!  Oui oui!  But is she able to be lucky in love as well?  Find out in Anna and the French Kiss, either in audio or regular print (an audiobook has to be really good for me to recommend it, FYI.  I usually refer back to the book after a disc because of bad narration), and then pick up the two remaining books in the series!

My rating:  4/5 stars

Goodreads Summary:

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming,beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

Young Adult Book Review: Allegiant

Title:  Allegiant
Author:  Veronica Roth
Publisher:  Katherine Tegen Books, 2013
Grades:  9 and up
545 pp.



Allegiant is the MUCH anticipated penultimate book in the Divergent trilogy.  If you haven't read Divergent and Insurgent, what the hell are you waiting for??  But seriously?  What?  Folks are saying it is on par with the Hunger Games obsession, and I'm inclined to agree with them.

Being the dystopian junkie that I am, I cannot wait to get my eyeballs on this book to find out how it ends.  And if you haven't read it yet, you might actually be in luck, because Roth's writing style doesn't really remind you what went on in the previous novels, so it's almost ideal to read them back to back to back.  There were numerous times in Insurgent (book 2) that I had to sit and think about what happened in Divergent.  It doesn't help that I read so many books with similar themes and sometimes it's hard to keep them straight.  :/  But perhaps Roth will be nice again and provide us with a "refresher" of the previous books via her blog.  Click here for Divergent refresher.
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Updated to add:
I got a slow start to this book. People everywhere were saying how disappointed they were with the ending. I saw many 1-2 star reviews on goodreads, and many of my friends stated "I'm not able to review this right now, still processing." gulp. These responses squelched my need to speed read the book, and I took my full three week checkout period to finish it. Luckily once I got to the halfway point, I didn't want to put it down. Without giving anything away, I'm pretty satisfied with how the series wrapped up. Get your hands on the series (or the final book) asap.

My rating: 4 stars.
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Summary of Divergent from goodreads (because I don't want to have any spoilers for those who HAVEN'T started from the beginning, only shame.  Lots and lots of shame.... jk):

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Children's Book Review: The Center of Everything

Title:  The Center of Everything
Author:  Linda UrbanPublisher:  HMH Books for Young Readers, 2013
211 pp.
Ages:  9-12



There is a group on Goodreads that discusses Newbery potential books on a monthly basis.  I coerced a couple of my co-workers in to reading the same books they have suggested and having a mini lunch time book club to discuss them.  The Center of Everything was June's book to read and discuss.  So far of the books I've read with Newbery potential, this one is my favorite.  It was a very quick read, I read it on the couch in between fever induced naps, and it took less than two hours.

The story follows Ruby Pepperdine as she prepares to read her Bunning Day speech atop a float in her city's annual parade celebration of doughnuts.  The story weaves back and forth between her present nerves, waiting on the sidewalk for the floats to pass before she steps on her float to read, while also taking us back the past few months to explain how she came to be there.  This was a great realistic fiction story for middle grade students that deals with a loss of a grandparent, trying to rectify friendships and relationships and just trying to understand life by figuring out the center of everything.  While I'm unsure if this is actually a Newbery contender (my guess is no) it's still a must read for children ages 9-12. 

My rating:  4 stars.

Goodreads summary: 
For Ruby Pepperdine, the “center of everything” is on the rooftop of Pepperdine Motors in her donut-obsessed town of Bunning, New Hampshire, stargazing from the circle of her grandmother Gigi’s hug.  That’s how everything is supposed to be—until Ruby messes up and things spin out of control. But she has one last hope. It all depends on what happens on Bunning Day, when the entire town will hear Ruby read her winning essay. And it depends on her twelfth birthday wish—unless she messes that up too. Can Ruby’s wish set everything straight in her topsy-turvy world?

Young Adult Book Review: Firecracker

Title:  Firecracker

Author:  David Iserson

Publisher:  Razorbill, 2013

336 pp.

Grades 9 and up

If I could write a novel with a quirky and awesome title character, it would be Astrid Krieger.  Calling her a Firecracker would be an understatement.  Calling her a pain in the @$$ would probably be more appropriate.  She comes from an incredibly wealthy family, and has always attended fancy private schools.  She has always caused enough problems to become expelled from said private schools.  The latest expulsion is the final straw for her father who gives her the worst punishment she could imagine--she has to attend public school..... with.. like... the public.  Part of her punishment is to continue to speak with the dean of the private school who is also a psychologist to "make her normal."  In one of their sessions, she strikes a deal:  If Astrid follows through with the Dean's orders, he has to allow her back in to private school.  To find out if she succeeds and the hilarious LOL moments en route, pick up Firecracker, written by New Girl and SNL writer David Iserson.

My rating:  3.5/5 stars

Summary from goodreads:

Being Astrid Krieger is absolutely all it's cracked up to be.

She lives in a rocket ship in the backyard of her parents' estate.

She was kicked out of the elite Bristol Academy and she's intent on her own special kind of revenge to whomever betrayed her.

She only loves her grandfather, an incredibly rich politician who makes his money building nuclear warheads.

It's all good until...

"We think you should go to the public school," Dad said.
This was just a horrible, mean thing to say. Just hearing the words "public school" out loud made my mouth taste like urine (which, not coincidentally, is exactly how the public school smells).

Will Astrid finally meet her match in the form of public school? Will she find out who betrayed her and got her expelled from Bristol? Is Noah, the sweet and awkward boy she just met, hiding something?

Find out in this hilarious tragicomedy from New Girl and SNL writer David Iserson!

Adult Book Review: Attachments

Title:  Attachments
Author:  Rainbow RowellPublisher:  Plume, 2011
338 pp.

Ages:  Adults

While waiting ever so patiently not at all patiently for my library to obtain Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl, I took it upon myself to pick up an older book of hers to feed my author crush, Attachments.  

In Attachments, Lincoln O'Neill is the IT guy/internet "watchman" at theTribune newspaper.  He works crazy overnight hours, and his primary task is to read emails flagged by the systems watchdog, and hand out warnings to staff members.  Beth and Jennifer's personal email exchanges show up a lot, but for some reason he never gives them a warning.  He actually likes reading their messages.  And before too long, he finds himself falling for Beth.  Beth, who has a boyfriend.  Whom he's never actually met.  Pick up this book for a quirky tale of potential romance.  And for God's sake, pick up the rest of Rainbow Rowell's books too, while you're at it.

My rating:  4/5 stars.

A summary from goodreads:

"Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you . . . "

Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.

Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.

When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories.

By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.

What would he say . . . ?

Newbery 2010 Book Review: When You Reach Me

Title:  When You Reach Me

Author:  Rebecca Stead

Publisher:  Wendy Lamb Books, 2009

210 pp.

Ages 9-12

When You Reach Me  was the Newbery Award winner for 2010. The book group I lead at the library, Young @ Heart <3, read it for our meeting last week. It was a re-read for me, I read it in 2011, and I loved it just as much as I loved it then. I recall reading it the first time and saying it was on par with The Giver for extraordinary children's books IMO. When You Reach Me has a ton of references to A Wrinkle in Time, which I was obsessed with when I was a kid. I actually listened to A Wrinkle in Time  on audiobook while reading When You Reach Me. Interesting book coupling there. :)

My Rating: ***** (still)

Summary from Goodreads:

By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it’s safe to go, like the local grocery store, and they know whom to avoid, like the crazy guy on the corner.

But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda’s mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then Miranda finds a mysterious note scrawled on a tiny slip of paper: 

I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own.
I must ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter.The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows all about her, including things that have not even happened yet. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she’s too late.

Newbery Award Book Review: The One and Only Ivan

Title:  The One and Only Ivan
Author:  Katherine Applegate
Publisher:  HarperCollins Children's Books
Ages:  8-12



The one and only Ivan is a gifted artist and silverback gorilla who has spent most of his life living with his human owner, Mack.  He is the star attraction at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade off of I-95.  He lives with an older elephant, Stella, and a stray dog, Bob, who rents out napping space on Ivan's great belly.  Their world changes dramatically when a new baby elephant, Ruby, joins the group,  and tragedy strikes.  Ivan makes a promise to Stella that he must keep, and hatches a plan to execute it through his artwork and a little help from his artist friend, Julia.

This story is told through short entries from Ivan's perspective.  The occasional illustrations add a nice visual element to the already heavily descriptive story.  This Newbery Award winning book will appeal to children ages 8 and up, and animal lovers of all ages.

Picture Book Review: Dragons Love Tacos

Title:  Dragons Love Tacos
Author:  Adam Rubin
Illustrator:  Daniel Salmieri
Publisher:  Dial Books for Young Readers, New York, NY 2012

Dragons love tacos.  Any kind of tacos:  beef tacos, chicken tacos, gigantic tacos and tiny little baby tacos.  They also love parties:  costume parties, pool parties, parties with accordions, and parties with charades.  It should come as no surprise then, that a dragon's favorite thing is a taco party!  (Just be sure to hide the salsa!)

This hilarious tale will have children ages 4 to 8 roaring with laughter.  The repetitious pattern of the story will help beginning readers catch on to the text, and the cadence of the tale allow it to be a great read aloud.  Just be sure the audience is able to view the awesome illustrations.

Picture Book Review: Boy + Bot

Title:  Boy + Bot
Author:  Ame Dyckman
Illustrator:  Dan Yaccarino
Publisher:  Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY 2012

The boy befriends a boxy and bright "bot" one day in the forest.  Before they can share a full day of fun and shenanigans, the robot's power switch gets bumped, and the boy doesn't know what to do!  He tries every remedy he can think of with no success.  The tale turns when the robot's power switch gets turned back on, while the boy is fast asleep and the robot takes a turn at trying to "fix" the boy.

This is an adorably silly tale that children will be drawn to, and the bright and eye-catching illustrations will further engage children in the story.  The story would appeal to children ages one to four and would make an excellent read aloud for storytellers with a perfected robot voice.

Children's Book Review: Chomp

Title:  Chomp
Author:  Carl Hiaasen
Publisher:  Knopf Books for Young Readers
Ages 10-14
290 pages

Wahoo Cray is the son of a Floridian animal wrangler with a chomped off thumb to prove it. When Wahoo's dad, Mickey, is contacted by the production crew for a popular nature thriller reality show, Expedition Survival! they travel to the Everglades with the cast and crew. It quickly becomes apparent that the show is heavily staged, and the star, Derek Badger, is a fraud. When Derek becomes truly lost in the Everglades the cast and crew, including Wahoo and Mickey must help to find them.

There is no shortage of wild and crazy adventures throughout this book, even if some of the adventures are mildly predictable. Derek Badger can't stay out of trouble and puts the entire cast and crew, including the Cray's, survival skills to the test. A great book for readers who love an adventurous tale, especially those with an affinity for nature and the wilderness. Best for readers ages 10-14.