Learning the Ropes

Title: Learning the Ropes
Author: Amanda Christie
Publisher: Random House
Price: $4.99 USD PB
Release: 2001

Grade: B
Rating: 12+

Summary: Barnes and Noble
Lucy goes to Washington! Her student court group has a date to be shown around the nation's capital for an entire weekend by an important politician. But before Lucy can ask all the questions she's written down in anticipation, she quickly learns that politicians aren't always that easy to get hold of. In the meantime, Simon wants to be an entrepreneur, so he decides to baby-sit for one of Ruthie's friends. But the job becomes more difficult than he ever expected.

My thoughts:

7th Heaven has forever been my favorite TV show. The love of a family is shown so vividly. Who hasn’t wanted to be at some point in their life? When I discovered a 7th Heaven book I hadn’t read I was super excited. This installment focused on Lucy and Simon. I was excited because Lucy is my favorite character. It was a great book but not my favorite 7th Heaven novel.

Recommendation:

Middle School kids or 7th Heaven fans.

Must Monday 37

Here is what I'm pining for this week guys :)

Suspicion by Kate Brian

In the newest Private book from Kate Brian, Suspicion sets up a mystery that even Reed has never faced.

Buy it tomorrow!

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

In an explosion of his own making, Lucius blew his arms off. Now he has hooks. He chose hooks because they were cheaper. He chose hooks because he wouldn’t outgrow them so quickly. He chose hooks so that everyone would know he was different, so he would scare even himself.

Buy it today!!!

Girlfriend Material

Title: Girlfriend Material
Author: Melissa Kantor
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release: 2009
Price: $15.99 USD PB

Grade: A
Rating: 13+

Summary: (goodreads)
If Kate were Lady Brett Ashley, the devastating heroine of Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises, she'd spend her summers careering around the Riviera in her coupe, breaking hearts by the dozen--because why not? In reality, Kate's never even had a boyfriend, and she'll be spending the summer abetting her mom's lame ploy to make her dad jealous: running off to Cape Cod and crashing at the seaside home of her wealthy friends, the Cooper-Melnicks. To add to the shame, the Cooper-Melnicks' gorgeous daughter Sarah a bit like Lady Brett, and she seems less than thrilled to hang out with her new houseguest. Any dreams Kate once had of a perfect summer are ruined.That is, until Sarah's cute, witty friend Adam starts drawing Kate into the fold--and seems. With Adam around, Kate feels like she just might have a bit of heartbreaker potential after all. But when a breezy summer romance quickly grows more complicated can Kate keep pretending her relationship with Adam is just a carefree fling? Or will she take the risk and tell him her real feelings? Suddenly Kate is asking herself a question she never thought she'd stoop to: Is she girlfriend material?

Plot: 5/5 Stars
The Plot of this novel was incredibly unique. Even the aspects that were common were so well developed that they blew my mind. There were so many important relationship aspects in this story you were engulfed from page one. Everyone can find their relationship or desire amongst one of the relationships portrayed in this fantastic novel.

Characters: 5/5 Stars
Each character in this story was incredibly unique and astounding. There were so many possible characters to connect with that it is almost hard to believe that the author could have made them each so fully developed. She did just that though. Every girl will see herself in one or more of the fabulous female characters.

Title: 5/5 Stars
The title was a great choice because it matched the plot so well. I can’t think of a better title for this story.

Cover: 5/5 Stars
The heart in the sand with an orange bottom half was a beautiful choice for this novel. Because the beach was a huge part of this story I love that the sand was in the cover.

Setting: 4/5 Stars
The setting was well developed but could have used a few more details. Overall I could see everything very good.

Ending: 5/5 Stars
This was one of the few books that actually made me “Aw” out loud upon completion. The ending was expected but perfect!

Out of Miry Clay

Recently I was contacted by an author and I told her I would let you all know about her new book. I myself will be getting a copy as soon as I can.

Amazon describes this book as "An inspirational work of young adult urban fiction, this 27,983 word manuscript depicts the journey of a female protagonist whose pursuit of success leads her uncover things about herself and her ability to lean on God in times of need.The novel's protagonist is a girl living in the inner-city, with the aspirations of becoming a singer. Soon, after a small break comes her way, a stranger helps her to become closer to God and many tragic things begin to happen in her life. In addition, a nagging melody begins in her head that she tries to ignore, but is always there. After the girl fails at trying to get her album together, she finds words to this melody that directly contradict the ultra sexy, ultra violent lyrics she is required to sing. Ultimately, she realizes that this is the true calling that God has on her life and it not only changes her in significant ways but changes others in her life as well."

If you want to know more check out these links.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Out-Miry-Clay-Telika-Howard/dp/0557073782/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249495644&sr=8-1
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/492698339

Interview Me

Recently I participated in Interview Me with Steph Su. So here are my answers. If you'd like to do this leave me a comment letting me know.



1. One oft overlooked book that you think deserves more attention?

Everyone knows who Judy Blume is but hardly anyone has read her book, Tiger Eyes. I love that novel and have read it many times. Its very captivating!

2. If you could be a character in a book, who would it be and why?

Ooooh this is a tough one. Bridget in the Sisterhood series I guess. She is so independent and and gets so much attention. I love her confidence. I also love that she has true friendships.

6. Who would play you in a movie about your life?

I can never remember the actresses name but she'd be perfect. She plays Grace in Secret Life. Oh yes, Megan Park is her name. Love her!

7. Without giving away any spoilers, what book ending would you change if you could, and, if possible to answer without revealing any spoilers, what would you change it to?

I loved the ending of Girlfriend Material but I wish there had been an epilogue. Too many questions were left unanswered

8. Which books or authors would you recommend to a friend who wants to start reading YA?

Sarah Dessen and Judy Blume. Just ask my sister, I've been shoving it down her thoat lately. :)

Theatrical Thursday

I want to know what you guys think about a new feature I would love to start. It would be called Theatrical Thursday. Please answer my questions in the comments.

1. Would you like to see me do a movie review every Thursday?
2. What Movie should I review?
3. Would it be okay if I included TV Shows on DVD?
4. Any other thoughts?

Wednesday Wishlist- DVD Edition

Here is what's on my wishlist this week and why.

Virgin Suicides
Director: Sofia Coppola Cast: James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett

Teen angst in the '70s takes on tragic proportions in this haunting adaptation of the Jeffrey Eugenides novel. Sophomore director Sofia Coppola, the daughter of Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, The Conversation), breaks out in her own right with this tale of five beautiful blonde teenage sisters (Kirsten Dunst, Hanna Hall, Chelsea Swain, A. J. Cook, and Leslie Hayman), who mesmerize the adolescent male population of their suburban Michigan neighborhood before ending their own lives. Dunst, playing the most charismatic of the sisters, is superb as a rebellious yet vulnerable dream girl, but the film also features fine (and surprising) performances from James Woods as the girls' nerdy science teacher father;Kathleen Turner as their frumpy, repressed mother; and Josh Hartnett as a high school stud whose fling with Dunst has dire consequences. What makes The Virgin Suicides truly memorable, though, is the atmosphere of dreamy nostalgia and melancholy that suffuses every frame. The boys' uncomprehending idealization of the sisters is expressed in slow-motion, soft-focus fantasy sequences of the golden-haired girls running through sun-dappled fields -- distorted images of femininity derived from '70s shampoo commercials. The score's deft use of period arena-pop by acts like Heart and Styx enhances to the '70s scenario. At once lyrical and creepy, The Virgin Suicides is a modern fairy tale that casts a lingering spell.

Why I want this:

I saw this recently on amazon and read the plot line. It sound amazing guys!!! It's so unique and the actors are fantastic. Any of you seen this? Should I buy it?

Revenge of the Wannabe's

Title: Revenge of the Wannabe’s

Author: Lisi Harrison

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's

Price: $9.99 USD PB

Release: June 2007

Grade: A

Rating: 12+

Summary: (From Amazon)

They're back! The rich, designer name-dropping, thoroughly conceited and obnoxious seventh-grade girls of Octavian Country Day School in Westchester, NY, return to compete against one another for who'll be the reigning queen of the school's "in crowd." Super-wealthy, super-indulged Alicia Rivera switches ballot boxes in the vote for a school uniform so that she wins instead of super-wealthy, super-indulged Massie Block. Readers will battle through their annoyance with and desire to choke these two girls, for the believability and humanity found in Claire and Kristen keep the story line moving. Massie and Alicia make mistakes, everyone interferes in the others' lives and loves, and all of the characters learn about their own limitations.

My Thoughts:
I read this book in 7th grade. I had discovered this series through a random book pulling at my local library. It was love at first page. The girls were very mean but it was still pretty clean! I loved how there was more then one main character that was focused on. Each girl was so different in this installment. We begin to finally see who they all really are.

Recommendation:
Middle School girls will love this series!