Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.


But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.
So much for normal.

My Review:

I've started quite a few books lately that have been very disappointing, and I thought maybe I was just getting picky after reading so many amazing books. I think my mom got sick of listening to me complain about the ones I was reading and she said, "Just go read Paranormalcy right now!" Needless to say, I finished it in less than one day.  Paranormalcy has officially been added to my favorites list (which includes Sea, Hunger  Games, Catching Fire, and Harry Potter :) I ADORED THIS BOOK! It is hilarious,  quirky, and completely unique!  I don't care about your stupid "TBR Pile."  Read Paranormalcy instead. Period. End of story. It is absolutely, utterly, entirely amazing.

Andye's review of Paranormalcy

Book Review: The Hot List by Hillary Homzie

Reading level: Ages 10-13

Paperback: 256 pages

Publisher: Aladdin; Original edition (March 8, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1442406577

ISBN-13: 978-1442406575

Buy the book: Amazon

It all starts as a goof between Sophie Fanuchi and her BFF Maddie Chen--a "Hot List" the two girls create and anonymously post in the girls' locker room listing the cutest boys at Travis Middle School. Soon enough the list has taken on a life of its own. Maddie's thrilled to be caught up in all the excitement and finally hanging out with the "pops," Travis Middle School's self-proclaimed It Girls. Sophie, however, misses just having secrets between herself and Maddie. Even worse, Maddie's suddenly super tight with Brenna Tate, leader of the pops and the daughter of Sophie's father's new girlfriend. As Sophie and Maddie's friendship unravels, Sophie latches onto an impulsive bet with Brenna to get the universe right again--Sophie declares she'll prove the list is meaningless by making over their wacky classmate Squid so that he can land on the Hot List. But will any bet or list matter more than Sophie's friendships . . .?

`My Review

The first thing I would like to say is that, all the kids in the book were really shallow. I didn't like that about the book.

They said the word "Hot" a million times (it got very old). They said "Sexy" A couple of times and "Shut up" too. In the book, the author spelled some things wrong, like she spelled please... pleas.

My favorite character was Sophie Fanuchi, she was the main character. She was the most non-shallow person, she helped ugly people get on the Hot List. At the end of the book, everyone ended up realizing that The Hot List was a mean thing to do. That was a good thing, because a lot of people got their feelings hurt :(

 I didn't like the book that much and I would not read it again. But if you like really girly, shallow books that talk about a lot of hot guys and girls, than you should read this book!

Meet The Author, watch videos, and get extras at: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Hot-List/Hillary-Homzie/9781442406575 

Happy Reading :)

GIVEAWAY of Athena The Wise by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

If you would like to enter for a chance to win Athena the Wise, just comment to win! Must be a follower! US only for this one.  Giveaway open until 4/21/11.  Good luck!

The Goddess Girls by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams put a modern spin on classic Greek myths!

Check out Reagan's review HERE!

Read an awesome interview with the authors over on Reading Teen!


Thanks so much to Joan and Suzanne for this giveaway!!  The Reading Tween girls can't wait to read the next books in the series!

Book Review: The Magician by Michael Scott

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (June 24, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780385733588
ISBN-13: 978-0385733588

After fleeing Ojai, Nicholas, Sophie, Josh, and Scatty emerge in Paris, the City of Lights. Home for Nicholas Flamel. Only this homecoming is anything but sweet. Perenell is still locked up back in Alcatraz and Paris is teeming with enemies. Nicollo Machiavelli, immortal author and celebrated art collector, is working for Dee. He’s after them, and time is running out for Nicholas and Perenell. For every day spent without the Book of Abraham the Mage, they age one year—their magic becoming weaker and their bodies more frail. For Flamel, the Prophesy is becoming more and more clear.

It’s time for Sophie to learn the second elemental magic: Fire Magic. And there’s only one man who can teach it to her: Flamel’s old student, the Comte de Saint-Germain—alchemist, magician, and rock star. Josh and Sophie Newman are the world’s only hope—if they don’t turn on each other first.

My Review

I read the first of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, The Alchemyst and it was great. You can look at my review for it here. So, I had both The Alchemyst and The Magician on my bookshelf for the longest time and never picked them up. I see now that this was a huge mistake. These books are awesome! I really enjoy them for many reasons.

• Greatly written
• The mythology
• Awesome characters
• The mythology
• One of the most fast paced series I've ever read
• Did I mention the mythology

Okay, I'll break it down for you folks. Michael Scott (Not from The Office) really knows how to write a book. I'm pretty sure he could get just about anybody hooked to his books. Each book (all fairly long) only goes over the time of a few days, so you're getting a lot of details. The heroes of the story are never safe, constantly on the move. Even though I've only read four days of their adventure, the character development is great. You really get to know the characters really well and when it seems like someone is about to die (Not a spoiler, it seems like they're always about to die) the book gets really stressful.

Okay in the paragraph above, you might have noticed that I didn't mention the mythology. I seriously think Michael Scott is an Extractor, (Nerdy Inception reference) got into my mind, and pulled out all the stuff I like. He puts in sorcery. Monsters. No, not just the average boogie man. No, he puts in stuff from Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Chinese, and more. He grabs some historical figures throws 'em in there. And then, just for kicks, grabs gods from Greek/Roman (Pretty much the same thing, right?) mythology. Yep, they are characters. Not only that, Scott continues and gets gods from many other myths. Bastet, Ares, Cronus, all make appearances, as do many others. And it's awesome.

Yeah, so this is an extremely cool book. Honestly, Mr. Scott pretty much put something for everyone in this story. It might seem like he's trying to hard, packing these books with so much stuff, but he really pulls it off. Michael Scott created a great world, filled it with interesting things, wrote a captivating story, and put it on these pages. And for these reasons, this is a great read for any teen who likes any fantasy books.



*A note to the parents, this book is very clean, only containing mild violence.

Book Review: The Alchemyst by Michael Scott

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (June 24, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385736002
ISBN-13: 978-0385736008
Buy the book: Amazon
Visit the site: http://www.dillonscott.com/

He holds the secret that can end the world.

The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life.

The records show that he died in 1418.

But his tomb is empty.

The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won't know what's happening until it's too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.

Sometimes legends are true.

My Review

So, the first thought that came to mind upon picking up this book was, "Michael Scott isn't smart enough to write a good book!" My second thought was, "This dude stole Nicholas Flamel from Harry Potter!" Later discoveries proved both of these statements false. It just so happens that Nicholas Flamel was a real dude, born in the 1300s, renowned for his skills in "Alchemy". Also, Michael Scott (Not the Steve Carell character, as I had thought) is not only smart enough to write a book, he can also do it greatly.

This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for over a year now, and somehow, I've never given it much thought. Something that I really don't like is when a book sits on a shelf, gathering dust. What's the point of a book if it isn't gonna be read? I can proudly and honestly say that I have almost read all of the two hundred books in my bedroom. The Alchemyst, along with it's sequel, The Magician, are some of the very few books in my bedroom that I have not picked up for quite a while. Until now, that is. The primary reason that I started reading this book is because there are so many people who said it was so good, and it is a pretty well-known book. It was pretty much a last resort for me reading it, I didn't really have anything else to read. So, before I started the book, I was like

But, by the end of The Alchemyst, I was like

I know, those guys look a lot like me. The resemblance is scary. So, yep, I was one happy camper. Or, I would be, if I read this book in a tent. Sadly, I didn't. So... yeah....

The Alchemyst is a book that can pretty much be liked by any teen. The main characters are twins, brother and sister. The book starts in a normal day, a fifteen-year-old girl working in a coffee shop, her twin brother working across the street in a book shop. I do not exaggerate when I say that the action in the book starts literally a few pages in. And the action ends on page 400. In case you didn't read the product description at the top, this is a 400 page book. This was a very high paced book that not only kept me entertained, but made me pick up the sequel to the book, The Magician, the second I finished it. I was very impressed while reading this book because it kinda seemed like Mr. Scott knew exactly the things I liked in a book. Not only did he write the book nearly perfectly, he also put in stuff like Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and a whole ship-load of other stuff (I am not intending any profanity when saying that; the amount of awesome stuff in this book could honestly fill an entire ship.)

Like I said before, this book is really one that a whole variety of peoples could love. Right now, I'm reading The Magician, and I must say that this series is going on my favorites list. I know, it seems like I've loved every book I've read lately, but this one is awesome. 'Nuff said.

The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (October 1, 2010)
Author's Website:   http://matthewjkirby.com/kirbside/
Buy the book:  Audio, Hardcover

Three ordinary children are brought together by extraordinary events. . .

Giuseppe is an orphaned street musician from Italy, who was sold by his uncle to work as a slave for an evil padrone in the U.S. But when a mysterious green violin enters his life he begins to imagine a life of freedom.

Hannah is a soft-hearted, strong-willed girl from the tenements, who supports her family as a hotel maid when tragedy strikes and her father can no longer work.

She learns about a hidden treasure, which she knows will save her family -- if she can find it.

And Frederick, the talented and intense clockmaker's apprentice, seeks to learn the truth about his mother while trying to forget the nightmares of the orphanage where she left him. He is determined to build an automaton and enter the clockmakers guild -- if only he can create a working head.

Together, the three discover they have phenomenal power when they team up as friends, and that they can overcome even the darkest of fears.

This is one of the BEST book trailers I've ever seen!

This book was sitting on our shelves for months and months. Our copy is an uncorrected advanced reader copy and the cover only shows the clockwork man, without the kids, and it just didn't look that interesting. It was eventually this interview that made us decide to read the book.

We ended up requesting that our library order the audio cd so that we could listen to it together. Luckily our library is AWESOME, and they bought it.

Bransen's Thoughts:

I really loved this book.  I thought it had a LOT of adventure and activity.  My favorite character was Giuseppe.  I liked how the author sort of got this book off of real history.  I liked how Giuseppe ran away from his padrone, Stephano, and that he didn't care how badly he got punished, he just kept going.  I liked how he had good friends that would help him.

I loved how Frederick was so determined to build a clockwork.  Even though he made some bad decisions.  It was hard for him to trust Master Branch because he was brought up in an orphanage and was mistreated by the people in charge.  Hannah was so determined to help her father.  She made some bad decisions too, but she would do anything to help her father.

One of the things I really loved was how all the characters meet up in different parts of the book.  The book was told from all three of them in different chapters, and they would all see or meet each other a different times.  I really liked that.

I thought the audiobook reader was pretty good.  Jim Dale is still the best reader.  The voices he did were pretty good.  There was one part, where the Clockwork speaks that they made this cool sounding voice.  I loved that.

This is one of my top three favorite books.  Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, then this book.  I loved it and I hope there will be a sequel!!  I would suggest this book for anyone! 

Reagan's Thoughts:

I thought this book was pretty awesome because I'm an adventure person and this book was totally adventure.  My favorite character was Giueseppe because he is Italian and he's really tough and awesome.

My second favorite character is Hannah.  She is daring and she's a good "detective" and is willing to risk anything for her family.

I loved how this book was written.  I liked how sometimes Giueseppe and Pietro speak Italian.  There were so many characters I liked.  I also loved the setting.  McCaulley park was my favorite.

The reader was cool, except for Fredricks voice.  It seemed really snotty.  I liked the other voices for everyone else.  He did a really good job.

I would recommend this book to people who like Historical Fiction, Clockworks, and Adventure!

Mom's note:

This book is fantastic, but it does contain some pretty rough treatment of the boys by the Padrone.  There are quite a few times that Giuseppe is beaten, or put in very upsetting situations.  There are also slight paranormal elements. 

You can read my review on Reading Teen.

Athena the Wise

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Aladdin; Original edition (April 5, 2011)
Author's Website:
Series:  The Goddess Girls #5
Buy the Book:  Amazon

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…
Athena isn’ t the only new kid at Mount Olympus Academy. When a mortal named Heracles transfers in, Athena understands what he’ s going through. She started at MOA a few months ago.

Not only does Heracles need help fitting in, he also has to complete twelve “ labors” or he’ ll be kicked out of school! When Athena’ s dad, Principal Zeus, asks her to secretly look after the new boy, she winds up capturing mythical beasts and shoveling poop. It will take all of her famed wisdom to sort out her own problems and help Heracles succeed!

Book Review: A House Called Awful End by Philip Ardagh

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (September 1, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805068287
ISBN-13: 978-0805068283

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  The first book in a hilarious, action-packed trilogy. Eddie Dickens is sent off to stay with his aunt and uncle and a riotously funny comedy of errors ensues. When both Eddie Dickens's parents catch a disease that makes them turn yellow, go a bit crinkly around the edges, and smell of hot water bottles, it's agreed he should go and stay with relatives at their house, Awful End. Unfortunately for Eddie, those relatives are Mad Uncle Jack and Even-Madder Aunt Maud. . . . This hilarious historical spoof, the first in the Eddie Dickens trilogy, has been called "a scrumptious cross between Dickens and Monty Python."

  
  
  
  

• My Review
  
• I liked the book it was funny but I don't think I would read it again. It was fine but I didn't like it that much! I liked how the author drew the characters and I liked how he drew the parents. I really liked how he drew the mom, she looks kinda' funny! I liked the story line, and how he wrote the book. It was good! I liked their rat thing! It's weird looking! :) But It is an okay book to read! I think it is a pretty good kids book! There is nothing bad in it, No cuss words or anything bad! Not the best book ever, but maybe worth the read because of the illustrations. Its good for Ages 9-12!


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How to Speak Dragonese (How to Train Your Dragon #3) by Cressida Cowell

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (February 1, 2010)
• Buy the book:  Amazon

THE STORY CONTINUES in the third volume of Hiccup's How to Train Your Dragon memoirs ...Haddock III was an awesome sword-fighter, a dragon-whisperer and the greatest Viking Hero who ever lived. But it wasn't always like that. Hiccup's memoirs look back to when Hiccup was just an ordinary boy, and finding it very hard to be a Hero. Climbing on to a Roman Dragon Rustling ship by mistake in your first 'Boarding an Enemy Ship' lesson is bad enough. But to then discover that Alvin the Treacherous is also on board proves to Hiccup he couldn't have been more wrong, especially when he steals his copy of How to Speak Dragonese. Can Hiccup save the dragons and the day?

My review of How to be a Pirate (How to Train Your Dragon #2)

Mom's note:  I just wanted to say that I have never seen my son so excited to read a book before.  He's very fast to listen to books on audio, but to actually sit down and read.....on his own??  It just doesn't happen.  But every time I turned around, he was sitting down reading this book.  He loves this series.  If you have a reluctant reader, I would definitely recommend this series!

Audiobook Review: The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (May 25, 2004)
Buy The Book: Paperback, Audio

Armed only with a frying pan and her common sense, Tiffany Aching, a young witch-to-be, is all that stands between the monsters of Fairyland and the warm, green Chalk country that is her home. Forced into Fairyland to seek her kidnaped brother, Tiffany allies herself with the Chalk's local Nac Mac Feegle -- aka the Wee Free Men -- a clan of sheep-stealing, sword-wielding, six-inch-high blue men who are as fierce as they are funny. Together they battle through an eerie and ever-shifting landscape, fighting brutal flying fairies, dream-spinning dromes, and grimhounds -- black dogs with eyes of fire and teeth of razors -- before ultimately confronting the Queen of the Elves, absolute ruler of a world in which reality intertwines with nightmare. And in the final showdown, Tiffany must face her cruel power alone....

In a riveting narrative that is equal parts suspense and humor, Carnegie Medalist Terry Pratchett returns to his internationally popular Discworld with a breathtaking tale certain to leave fans, new and old, enthralled.

So I liked Tiffany and the Wee Free Men the most cause the Wee Free Men are funny and Tiffany is brave and she is never surprised or sad or gives up. I only kind-of liked it cause in some points it is hard to understand what is going on. I liked it cause it was funny and the monsters and things.

'Crivens! Whut aboot us, ye daftie!' 

The Wee Free Men were always saying the funniest things, and they had crazy names like Rob Anybody and No'-As-Big-As-Medium-Jock-But-Bigger-Than-Wee-Jock-Jock.  They were brave and would fight anyone at any time, but they were scared to DEATH of lawyers!!!  They are also know as the Nac Mac Feegle and they are little blue pixies.  NO, NOT PIXIES.....PICTSIES!  Don't get that wrong.  They were thrown out of fairyland for being drunk and disorderly, and now they cause trouble by fighting, and stealing sheep.  But when the Queen of the Fairies kidnaps Tiffany's pesky little brother, the Wee Free Men do whatever they can to help her get him back (even if their ways do end up causing a whole lot of trouble).

I listened to this one on audiobook, and the reader was AWESOME!!  He did voices, but it was more the way he read the book that made him so good.  Especially when he had to do the Wee Free Men, because they used strange words and had a funny accent.  I'm glad I listened to it, because I don't think I would have been able to pronounce half of what they said if I read it.  I would definitely recommend this on audio!

P.S.  My brother and my mom really liked it too.  And sometimes my mom would laugh at things, and I'm not sure why......

Book Review Vlog: Matilda by Roald Dahl

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Puffin (June 1, 1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0141301066
ISBN-13: 978-0141301068
Buy the book: Amazon

For hundreds of kids, The Trunchbull is pure terror. For Matilda, she's a sitting duck. Roald Dahl is one of the most beloved storytellers of all time, and his books have been children's favorites for generations. Puffin is proud to offer a strong new look for nine of our classic Roald Dahl titles. The distinctive cover treatment, with new art by Quentin Blake, will make these books easily recognizable. In addition, Quentin Blake's funny, quirky illustrations now appear in all of the books. So turn the page and you'll be sure to have a Dahl-ectable summer!

Book Review: Mallory on the Move by Laurie Friedman

Reading level: Ages 8-10
Paperback: 158 pages
Publisher: First Avenue Editions (November 2004)Language: English
ISBN-10: 1575058316ISBN-13: 978-1575058313

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  When you move, everything changes: your house your neighborhood, your town, and, worst of all, your friends. I know. I'm Mallory McDonald, age 8 1/2 plus 1 month, and that's exactly what happened to me. She's leaving everything behind, including her best friend. And to make matters worse, she's going to be living next door to a boy. Why cant life be like it was before her parents ruined it? How will she make new friends? what will happen when she gets stuck in the middle of an old friend and make a new friend? Mallory knows just one thing for certain, she's going to find out!   

  
  

  My Review
  
• I loved this book! Yeah, I think I would read it again, and yes.... I loved the book! the character that I really liked had to be Mallory and her best friend, they would always have to have the same nail-polish on and everything! I liked them. I didn't really like her brother, he would make fun of Mallory and her friend, he would call her Bird-Brain! HAHA! But I kinda' thought it was funny! HEHE! :) I really liked the book and I liked the story line! there was nothing bad in it, only that Mallory's brother had a bad attitude! 
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