Max the Brave by Ed Vere

This review was written by: B and F

Received: Blog Tour

First Published: June 2014

Pages: 32

Stars: 5/5

Official Summary:

Max is a fearless kitten.  Max is a brave kitten.  Max is a kitten who chases mice.  There's only one problem - Max doesn't know what a mouse looks like!  With a little bit of bad advice, Max finds himself facing a much bigger challenge.  Maybe Max doesn't have to be Max the Brave all the time . . . 

Join this adventurous black cat as he very politely asks a variety of animals for help in finding a mouse.  Young readers will delight in Max's mistakes, while adults will love the subtle, tongue-in-cheek humor of this new children's classic.

Our Thoughts:

Is anyone ever to old for a children's novel?  Well, we think not!  Too often we get caught up and frazzled in our busy lives, and we just need something simple and cute to read to get us feeling normal again.  Reading Max the Brave took us back to our roots, when years ago we first started to read and beg our parents to come and tell us just one more bedtime story.  We felt like children again, and we loved it, to say the least!!!

The story depicts the endearing adventure of a young kitten that was as enjoyable as Max was cute!  The talented Ed Vere uses colorful and direct illustrations to portray a wonderful tail (pun intended) and eye catching scenes!  As he goes from creature to creature, Max shows the readers that no question is too dumb or  unworthy of being asked, let alone answered.  The laugh out loud moments were precious and the outcome was deeply enjoyable.  If you enjoyed the plots of Are You My Mother or I Want My Hat Back, or even just loved the cuteness in Oliver and His Egg, then this is a must read for you.

Max demonstrated that curiosity is normal to have and that we don't always have every single answer.  This led to a genuinely amusing book that is sure to grab the attention of young readers and entertain the entire family all at once!  Children are sure to follow along, fully engrossed as they wait to see if Max finally finds that darn mouse.

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The Wood's Edge (The Pathfinders #1) by Lori Benton

This review was written by: B

Received: Blogging for Books

Publication Date of Book: April 2015

Pages: 400

Stars: 4.5/5

Official Summary:

At the wood's edge cultures collide.  Can two families survive the impact?

The 1757 New York frontier is home to the Oneida tribe and to British colonists, yet their feet rarely walk the same paths.

On the day Fort William Henry falls, Major Reginald Aubrey is beside himself with grief.  His son, born that day, has died in the arms of his sleeping wife.  When Reginald comes across an Oneida mother with newborn twins, one white, one brown, he makes a choice that will haunt the lives of all involved.  He steals the white baby and leaves his own child behind.  Reginald's wife and foundling daughter, Anna, never suspect the truth about the boy they call William, but Reginald is wracked by regret that only intensifies with time, as his secret spreads its devastating ripples.  

When the long buried truth comes to light, can an unlikely friendship forged at the wood's edge provide a way forward?  For a father tormented by fear of judgment, another by lust for vengeance.  For a mother still grieving her lost child.  For a brother who feels his twin's absence, another unaware of his twin's existence.  And for Anna, who loves them both -- Two Hawks, the mysterious Oneida boy she meets in secret, and William, her brother.  As paths long divided collide, how will God direct the feet of those who follow Him?

My Thoughts:

For me, historical fiction novels have always been a hit or miss.  There has never quite been an in-between, and I am frequently left disappointed and unfortunately bored.  Having said that, The Wood's Edge completely blew me away and exceeded all of my expectations with unrivaled ease.  You can tell from page one that the story was beautifully woven together with passion and tenderness.  The scenes and events that created the masterpiece that I now write about were stunning and alive, blending the perfect amount of history and fiction together for the journey of a lifetime.  I will admit, however, that it took me about one hundred pages to actually feel invested in the book, but then I became undeniably  hooked and was unable to let it out of my sight.  I would have gladly accepted The Wood's Edge if it were nine hundred pages instead of three hundred eighty.  I was so entirely and utterly engrossed with the characters' lives that no amount of pages could have discouraged me from growing dispassionate towards them.  I am dying to read more of the Path Finders series!

There is something truly unique about this book.  While it contained a large cast of characters, I felt empathy and an attachment towards all of them.  It can be so easy for a reader to feel overwhelmed when presented with too much information or a surplus of people all at once, but Lori Benton somehow managed to pull my heartstrings again and again, allowing me to fall in love with everyone ten times over.  Also, this story encompasses more than just a few years during the 1700s.  In fact, it covers almost two decades, and in that time the characters grew into wonderful, inspirational people.  If you think about it, three hundred eighty pages seems to be an insufficient amount of space to span two entire decades over, but Benton fluidly flowed through the years so naturally that it was barely noticeable.  On top of that, I do not believe that I have ever seen so much character development in a novel before.  The Wood's Edge is simply perfection.   

I can only begin to imagine how much research Benton must have had to conduct in order to put this story together.  It is unfathomable.  As a reader, I found the culture of the Oneida people to be mesmerizing, and their way of life was well explored.  This Christian novel was a moving, inspiring, enthralling, and captivating read.  I was spellbound, and my family had to rip it from my hands to get my attention.  This is my first Lori Benton novel, and you can definitely expect me to be reading more from her in the future.  She has proven herself to be a dedicated and capable author.  I can't wait for A Flight of Arrows to come out!!!!  Perhaps this is what they call addiction.    

Please note that I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Additional Information: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=246617

Author Bio: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/author-spotlight.php?authorid=163736

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Girlgoyle (Hollow Mountain Butterfly, Book 1) by Better Hero Army

This review was written by: B and C

Received: Author

Publication Date of Book: July 15, 2015

Pages: 300

Stars: 5/5

"You have to know the difference between what you truly know, and what seems real.  You have to harden your mind to resist them.  A heart and will of stone.  That's our way."

-Franklin

Book Description:

Tiffany Noboru is your typical determined, family loving, yet insecure girl with the usual ups and downs . . . except for the fact that she's dead. That's right!  Tiffany was unjustly murdered by a sinister ghost by the name of Bones.  Stripped from our world one night in a sudden act of malice, Tiffany awakens from death in a new world where all is like nothing she has ever seen before.  To make matters even more confusing for Tiffany, massive wings have sprouted from her back.  People around her are just as peculiar.  Some individuals have wings, some have tails, some have both wings and tails, and some have neither of these assets.  Certain individuals have skin like marble, as well, in all different types of colors.  Welcome to the land of the gargoyles!

Now the clumsy Tiffany must learn how to fly, fit in with those her own age in her appointed housing unit, deal with the loss of never getting to see her family again, and come to terms with her own tragic demise.  Then, Franklin comes into the picture.  Franklin is Tiffany's instructor who is to help her learn the ways of the gargoyles, their history, and how to fight.  Oh, and now she's being drafted into the Gargoyle Ghost Hunter Corps. The gargoyles have been given the duty to protect the human world by hunting the ghosts who terrorize it, which they have been doing dutifully for years. Franklin is one of the best of the best at hunting ghosts, and when Bones is the new target for him, things get a little chaotic.  This ancient ghost has a driving desire to destroy the gargoyle world.  

Tiffany thought her old life could be complicated!  Will she find a way to fit in with her new peers?  Can this young girl ever find a way to contact her loving parents on the other side?  Is Bones going to destroy the gargoyles forever?  Or is someone going to step up to the plate and destroy him once and for all?  Tiffany has lots on her mind, and one of these many thoughts is figuring out how to keep Bones from killing her again.  So, if you want to figure out what happens, pick up a copy of Girlgoyle and find out!

Our Thoughts:

Together, C and I have read several books by Better Hero Army, and we have two things to say about him.  The first being that this book proves he is easily competent of being a diverse writer who can pen for all different ages, as well as explore all different genres with great detail and description.  Secondly, he never disappoints us!  Each and every one of his novels is a work of art that we love to delve into, exploring every little detail.  

Girlgoyle was an original, fantasy/paranormal read that was chock-full of fascinating characters, possessing various, defining personalities and backgrounds, especially Tiffany who was of Japanese descent.  On top of this, the world building was absolutely beautiful.  The settings in this book, particularly where the gargoyles live, were skillfully portrayed.  (Our favorite was the secret garden!)  His fluid writing allowed us to easily depict and portray scenes in our mind's eye without confusion.  

Tiffany, the main protagonist, was a delight to read about.  We both connected with her in a special way for several reasons.  To start off with, she was clumsy and awkward but still strong-willed which we could easily identify with.  It's the story of our lives, in fact!  Also, while it was not an entirely huge part of the novel, the sense of family/friendship between Tiffany and her parents and eventually Tiffany and Franklin, was extremely touching.  Family comes in all different shapes and sizes, and Better Hero Army did an excellent job of painting that.

Also, we were interested to see just how the gargoyle universe differed from our own world, and we were happy to see that there was an equal balance between the supernatural elements unknown to Tiffany and yet a norm that could be translated between her old life and her new one.  For example, the girls that Tiffany had to room with are just like the ones you'd meet in any other setting.  Some are rude, judgmental, meddlesome, and cruel while others are caring, shy, and friendly.  It definitely felt like something that was universal for teens, something that everyone could understand or relate too, especially because of high school.

Several other notable qualities incorporated into this novel were determination, courage, and dedication, all simulated by Tiffany herself.  Yes, she was not the most coordinated individual, but she still practiced her flying even when people called her out on how horrible she was at it.  It's true that she was small and awkward, but her bravery made her seem larger than life.  It's also undeniable that she was forever separated from her family, but she still stayed dedicated to them and thought about them often.  

Of course, we can't leave you without mentioning the twenty wonderful illustrations by Miimork.  They expressed a manga-like feel that the two of us absolutely fell in love with!  There's no denying how much Christian and I are obsessed with manga and anime.  Miimork, to us at least, was slightly reminiscent of the exquisite Kazue Kato (Blue Exorcist).  Miimork's illustrations presented a spectacular opportunity for us, as readers, to see the story come to life on an entirely different level!  

The action and adventure packed into this book is plentiful and sure to keep MG and YA readers satisfied as they rip right through it.  We hope that everyone can see what a crowd-pleaser that this book actually is.  Better Hero Army wowed us yet again!  This author has promising talent that you just have to check out!  He set up Gargoyle so that it could open up an entire world of possibilities for sequels that we can't wait to hear about. 

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Being by Kevin Brooks

This review was written by: C

Received: Library

Publication Date of Book: February 2007

Pages: 336

Stars: 3/5

Summary of the story:

Robert Smith once believed that he was a normal sixteen-year-old boy . . . and human. However, one single event changes his life forever. Robert arrives at the hospital to undergo a routine endoscopy to confirm suspicions of possible stomach ulcers. Of course, the teen is nervous, anxious, and uncertain about what is about to happen. After being injected with an anesthetic, the doctors place the telescopic tube down Robert's throat and come across a shocking discovery.... what lies within Robert is definitely not normal. Robert begins to hear snippets of conversation and the fact that what is inside of him is completely unnatural. He possesses silvery filaments and strange colored liquids that none of the medical staff have ever seen before. Robert can't move or speak as he is poked, prodded, and sliced into. He must escape at all costs and retrieve his files and the video that shows what was found within him. Somehow Robert forces himself to wake up right after his stomach is ripped open and explored by the medical staff. Robert only has one prominent thought: He must escape.

After running from the hospital with a stolen pistol, clothing, his medical files, his endoscopy video, and a hostage (who happens to be the anesthesiologist), Robert heads for the train station. He has no idea where he's going from there, what he is, or how he will escape those who will soon be coming after him. He abandons the hostage, hops on a train, and formulates a plan. He will have to reach Eddi, a girl he once met long ago while he was staying at one of many homes for orphans. Eddi is a dangerous thief that makes a living creating fake IDs. Robert desperately needs a new identity and Eddi is his only hope. Robert can't go home, the people who want him back have framed him for murder, and thus his old life is completely destroyed.

Eddi has seen the papers and knows that Robert is wanted for murder and helps him nonetheless. With a new look, credit cards, and identity, Robert wants to prove his innocence to her. They soon arrive back at the hospital searching for the hostage/anesthesiologist that helped Robert get away, however, they soon discover that he never made it back and was killed in a car accident. Robert can't believe this and knows that his former hostage was murdered by those who want him back. Then one of the guards recognizes Robert, placing him on the run yet again. After the guard is killed and Eddi and Robert escape, they must somehow determine what to do to outrun those who will stop at nothing to discover what Robert is and retrieve him as soon as possible. Eddi and Robert must trust one another if they both want to survive.

My thoughts:

When I heard about this book, I absolutely knew that I had to read it. The story seemed extremely interesting and the mystery of what Robert was intrigued me. The novel automatically delved  into Robert's situation, beginning immediately with his arrival at the hospital and his endoscopy. Brooks used some powerful descriptions to convey all that Robert was feeling as he lied unconscious on the medical table. I felt like I really was Robert and definitely felt a little queasy while reading what was going on. I'm not sure if anyone else who read this book felt this way or if I just have a very overactive imagination, but I definitely connected with Robert and experienced his fear, pain, and frustration. 

This connection with the character was strong throughout the first half of the novel. I rooted for Robert and hoped that he would escape those pursuing him. I was also super excited to find out what Robert was. With what was found inside him, he could have been any number of things: an alien, cyborg, android, some government experiment, etc. The interesting part was that Robert didn't even know himself. He is an orphan, unaware of who his biological parents are, or how to find/contact them. He also can't distinctly remember any of his early childhood memories, they all mix together and become a jumbled blur, therefore what he is could be the result of something that was done to him. All of these events felt like they were building up to some grand finale, but the final half involved Eddi and Robert living a life that almost felt like a fantasy that couldn't last. As a result, I felt a disconnect and a bit let down by the last half of the story.

--- Spoiler Alert! ---

With all the build-up and uncertainty about what Robert could be, I was extremely disappointed that you NEVER get to find out what Robert is! You get brief descriptions of what is inside him, find out that he heals quickly, and that he never ever has been seriously sick in his life. These aren't definitive clues that can lead to a concrete conclusion of what Robert is. Those who are after him also definitely want to find out what Robert is and why he exists. Robert also fears what he might be, but by the end of the book he doesn't seem to care at all. He's been through hell but then suddenly is content with not knowing what he is or why he exists. 

--- Major Spoiler Alert! ---

With this kind of story, there is usually a formula. The character finds out that he's different and the government or some shady organization discovers that this person is unique, and they want to capture them. Eventually, at some point in the book, the character is captured by these individuals, experimented on, they find out what the character is, the character escapes, etc. There may even be a love interest involved and they may ride happily off into the sunset at the end or face a terrible tragedy that they have to overcome, or perhaps the final tragedy may lead into a second book. Brooks threw out all of what would be expected. The entire book is Robert running and falling in love with Eddi. They finally reach a country where they live happily for a very short time and then the organization looking of Robert finds them. Their happy little world shatters completely. Eddi is killed, Robert fights those who have come after him, and leaves one of the bad guys close to death. This particular bad guy is the one that really wants to know what Robert is, and Robert punishes him by stating that they will never find Robert again and they must live never knowing. 

While reading this book I felt it was five star material, but the story began to disappoint me, especially at the end. Eddi and Robert were such a cute couple and even though you knew they probably wouldn't have a happy ending, I didn't expect Eddi to be killed off (especially since the author hinted that she was pregnant with Robert's child).  Due to the last half of the book I finally concluded to give the book a total of three stars. I do have to give the author props though, for detouring from the set norm. He didn't follow the expected formula for this kind of story, but his deviation choices didn't exactly make me happy. I was super excited to find out what Robert was. Heck, the summary on the inside jacket seemed to hint at the fact that the story was Robert's journey to discovering who and what he was.

I also would like to quickly discuss the fact that Brooks explored what it meant to be human. At the end Robert doesn't care what he is, but he had a deep internal conflict at the beginning of his story. He was conflicted with the fact that he may or may not be human. He knew that he felt emotion, experienced everything that a normal human did, including pain, suffering, and sadness. The only thing that he couldn't do was shed a single tear. He loved Eddi more than anything and her death was terrible. He felt loss and then he felt a deep resolve to end it all. He would not allow those after him to destroy his life any longer. Overall, I would read this book if you enjoy a good twisting tale and don't fear the fact that it deviates from the norm.

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Jackaby (Jackaby, #1) by William Ritter

This review was written by: C

Received: Library

Publication Date of Book: September 16, 2014

Pages: 299

Stars: 5/5

Summary of the story:

"Illusions, so many masks and facades. All the world's a stage, as they say, and I seem to have the only seat in the house with a view behind the curtain."-Jackaby

The year is 1892, and Abigail Rook has just made it to America without any idea of what the future may hold. She has left her family, is currently homeless, possesses a small suitcase of items, and is in search of a grand adventure. By chance she stumbles across a peculiar add for a vacant assistant position for an investigator by the name of R. F. Jackaby. However, Jackaby turns out to be an anomalous fellow with an astounding gift: the ability to see that which is hidden from the normal human eye. Jackaby sees the world in a different light and labels himself a seer. Many do not believe in the "nonsense" he spouts of fantastical creatures and the paranormal. Abigail, however, is a bit more open-minded than your average Joe, and she has a knack for noticing the plainest of details. Jackaby's supernatural gift and Abigail's sharp eye for important details makes them the perfect team.

New England is soon shook by a horrific string of serial murders and Jackaby is on the case. The police department wants nothing to do with Jackaby's wild claims of an extraordinary and nonhuman killer, and Abigail proves to be an invaluable associate as they delve deeper into the gory details and the horrific truth. Jackaby must learn that working alone isn't always the best way to go about his line of work and that the police department may be hiding the deadly killer. 

My thoughts:

Jackaby was an outstanding novel, and it possessed a compelling story! I absolutely love Ritter's writing style and the chemistry that he created between Jackaby and Abigail. I have to say that both characters are quite refreshing, and I loved both of  them equally. Jackaby has such an odd personality and way of speaking that I adore, while Abigail is a strong-willed individual that can hold her own ground in a world where men believe that women should never be in such a dangerous line of work. They have a wonderful relationship, making their banter so fun to read! I actually laughed at quite a few things that Jackaby said and did (I just love how Ritter describes his mannerisms and how dead serious Jackaby can be while explaining past events involving supernatural creatures to people that don't believe a word he's saying --- I especially enjoyed the extra letter that Jackaby wrote to the police department about his tuning fork!).

I also liked the fact that Ritter  did not include generic and extremely overdone supernatural creatures, such as werewolves and vampires. He included qhosts, trolls, goblins, banshees, and shapeshifters, which you don't usually get to see in the limelight. I also have to say that Jackaby kind of reminds me of a young version of Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes and that just made me love the character even more! Plus, Ritter created some awesome settings, including Jackaby's house which holds quite a few fantastical secrets and surprises. And Charlie Cane was definitely a nice addition to a wide range of interesting characters. I loved his qualities and the fact that he was loyal to a fault! Everyone absolutely has to read this book!

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June and July: YA Contemporary Murder Mysteries

YA Contemporary Murder Mysteries

June and July's Topic of the Month is officially YA Contemporary Murder Mysteries!  To kick it off, we have posted a few YA contemporary murder mysteries based books that may interest you.  If you have any suggestions let us know!  Hope you enjoy!  (Click on the covers to go to the books' GoodReads pages!)

Read by: H

Here is the GoodReads summary of the book:

You thought you knew him.  You were dead wrong.

Carver Young dreams of becoming a detective, despite growing up in an orphanage with only crime novels to encourage him.  But when he is adopted by Detective Hawking of the world famous Pinkerton Agency, Carver is given not only the chance to find his biological father, he finds himself smack in the middle of a real life investigation: tracking down a vicious serial killer who has thrown New York City into utter panic.  When the case beings to unfold, however, it's worse than he could have ever imagined, and his loyalty to Mr. Hawking and the Pinkertons comes into question.  As the body count rises and the investigation becomes dire, Carver must decide where his true loyalty lies.

Full of whip-smart dialogue, kid-friendly gadgets, and featuring a then New York City Police Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt, Ripper challenges everything you thought you knew about the world's mos famous serial killer.

Read by: B

Here is the GoodReads summary of the book:

What if the world's worst serial killer . . . was your dad?

Jasper "Jazz" Dent is a likable teenager.  A charmer, one might say.

But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round.  Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could - from the criminal's point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer.  But Jazz has a secret - could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

Other book(s) in the series:

    

Ready by: B

Here is the GoodReads summary of the book:

Seventeen-year-old Hope Long's life revolves around her brother Jeremy.  So when Jeremy is accused of killing the town's beloved baseball coach, Hope's world begins to unravel.  Everyone is convinced Jeremy did it, and since he hasn't spoken a word in 9 years, he's unable to defend himself.  Their lawyer instructs Hope to convince the jury that Jeremy is insane, but all her life Hope has known that Jeremy's just different than other people - better, even.  As she works to prove his innocence - joined by her best friend T.J. and the sheriff's son, Chase - Hope uncovers secrets about the murder, the townspeople, her family, and herself.  She knows her brother isn't the murderer.  But as she comes closer to the truth, she's terrified to find out who is.

Read by: B and H

Here is the GoodReads summary of the book:

I shouldn't have come back to Miami . . . I've been escaping cops' notice for a year now.  I'm no longer Michael Daye, high school athlete with a promising future.  Now I look like someone with no future.

When Michael saw a chance to leave town with a traveling carnival a year ago, he took it.  Back then, his home life was spinning violently out of control.  The carnival, with its "no questions asked" policy, seemed like a welcome escape.  But now Michael's job has brought him back to Miami, where his mother is on trial for murder, making him wonder how much longer he can hide from his past . . . and his future.

Read by: H

Here is the Goodreads summary of the book:

James Patterson returns to the genre that made him famous with a thrilling teen detective series about the mysterious and magnificently wealthy Angel family . . . and the dark secrets they're keeping from one another.  

On the night Malcolm and Maud Angel are murdered, Tandy Angel knows just three things: She was the last person to see her parents alive.  The police have no suspects besides Tandy and her three siblings.  She can't trust anyone -- maybe not even herself.

Having grown up under Malcolm and Maud's intense perfectionist demands, no child comes away undamaged.  Tandy decides that she will have to clear the family name, but digging deeper into her powerful parents' affairs is a dangerous -- and revealing -- game.  Who knows what the Angels are truly capable of?

Other book(s) in the series:

       

Here is the Goodreads summary of the book: 

Rachel died at two a.m. . . . Three hours after Skyler kissed me for the first time.  Forty-five minutes after she sent me her last text.

Jaycee and Rachel were best friends.  But that was before . . . before that terrible night at the old house.  Before Rachel shut Jaycee out.  Before Jaycee chose Skyler over Rachel.  Before Rachel is found dead.  The police blame a growing gang problem in their small town, but Jaycee is sure it has to do with that night at the old house.  Rachel's text is the first clue -- starting Jaycee on a search that leads to a shocking secret.  Rachel's death was no random crime, and Jaycee must figure out who to trust before she can expose the truth.

In the follow-up to her powerful debut, Jennifer Shaw Wolf keeps readers on their toes in another dark, romantic story of murder and secrets.

Here is the Goodreads summary of the book:

SHHHH!

Don't spread the word!

Three-day weekend.  Party at White Rock House on Henry Island.

You do NOT want to miss it.

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives - an exclusive house party on Henry Island.  Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school's most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze, and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off from the outside world.  No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn't scheduled to return for two days.  As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die?  Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine? 

Here is the Goodreads summary of the book:

Gramps always said that when the crickets were quiet, something bad was coming.  And the crickets have been as silent as the dead.  It started with the murdered deer in the playground with the unmistakable purple of a foxglove in its mouth.  But in the dying boondock town of Emerald Cove, life goes on.

I work at Gramps's diner, and the cakes - the entitled rich kids who vacation here - make our lives hell.  My best friend, Alex Pace, is the one person who gets me.  Only Alex has changed.  He's almost like a stranger now.  I can't figure it out . . . or why I'm having distinctly more-than-friend feelings for him.  Ones I shouldn't be having.

Then one of the cakes disappear.

When she turns up murdered, a foxglove in her mouth, a rumor goes around that Alex was the last person seen with her - and everyone but me believes it.  Well, everyone except my worst enemy, Jenika Shaw.  Wen Alex goes missing, it's up to us to prove his innocence and uncover the true killer. But the truth will shatter everything I've ever known about myself - and Alex.

Read by: B

Here is the Goodreads summary of the book:

Sophie Winters nearly died.  Twice.

The first time, she's fourteen, and escapes a near-fatal car accident with scars, a bum leg, and an addiction to Oxy that'll take years to kick.

The second time, she's seventeen, and it's no accident.  Sophie and her best friend Mina are confronted by a masked man in the woods.  Sophie survives, but Mina is not so lucky. When the cops deem Mina's murder a drug deal gone wrong, casting partial blame on Sophie, no one will believe the truth: Sophie has been clean for months, and it was Mina who led her into the woods that night for a meeting shrouded in mystery.

After a forced stint in rehab, Sophie returns home to a chilly new reality.  Mina's brother won't speak to her, her parents fear she'll relapse, old friends have become enemies, and Sophie has to learn how to live without her other half.  To make matters worse, no one is looking in the right places and Sophie must search for Mina's murderer on her own.  But with every step, Sophie comes closer to revealing all: about herself, about Mina, and about the secret they shared.

Here is the Goodreads summary of the book:

Valentina Cruz no longer exists.

One moment, she was wrapped in Emilio's arms, melting into his kiss.  The next, she was witnessing the unthinkable: a murder in cold blood, ordered by her father and carried out by her boyfriend. When Emilio pulled the trigger, Valentina disappeared.  She made a split-second decision to shed her identity and flee her life of privilege, leaving the glittering parties and sultry nightlife of Miami far behind.

She doesn't know how to explain to herself what she saw.  All she knows now is that nothing she believed about her family, her heart, or Emilio's love, was real.

She can change her name and deny her past, but Valentina can't run from the truth.  The lines between right and wrong, and trust and betrayal, will be blurred beyond recognition as she untangles the deceptions of the two men she once loved and races to find her own truth. 

Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar

This review was written by: F

Received: ARC from Publisher

Publication Date of Book: August 4, 2015

Pages: 192

Stars: 5/5

Official Summary:

Fifth grader Tamaya Dhilwaddi and seventh grader Marshall Walsh have been walking to and from Woodbridge Academy together since elementary school.  But their routine is disrupted when bully Chadd Wilson challenges Marshall to a fight.  To avoid the conflict, Marshall takes a shortcut home through the off-limits woods.  Tamaya reluctantly follows.  They soon get lost, and they find trouble.  Bigger trouble than anyone could ever have imagined.

In the days and weeks that follow, the authorities and the government become involved, and what they uncover might affect the future of the world.

My thoughts: 

Fuzzy Mud was a delightful middle grade novel.  The adventure and mystery that seeped from its pages was not only enjoyable but also imaginative.  No one knows what the fuzzy mud is or how it was created, setting up an intriguing tale that readers are sure to eat up.

I especially enjoyed Sachar’s lovely characters. My absolute favorite would have to be Marshall Walsh. This is largely due to the fact that, while he was afraid of and being bullied by Chad Hilligas, he still stood up for himself. He showed the bully that he was not frightened of him anymore. However, even though Marshall stood up for himself, Chad still harasses him. What I really loved, though, was how Chad explains to Marshall why he bullied him and he apologizes to him at the end. These two then become good friends. As a result, I find that this book has great messages for younger readers, showing them positive ways to deal with difficult and scary situations. When Marshall stood up for himself he was showing others that they can be brave and should speak up and defend themselves just like he did.

There were other parts of this book that I really enjoyed as well.  For instance, when Chad was missing, Tamaya Dhilwaddi left school to go look for him in the woods behind the school. Even though Chad was mean to Marshall, she cared about him and wanted to find him and lend a hand if she could. Marshall also left school to go look for Chad and Tamaya in the woods. Tamaya found Chad, and Marshall found both Chad and Tamaya together. All three of them had to become a team and put aside their differences and pasts. They were lost together and had to make the best of their current situation no matter the circumstances. I was super glad that they were all found by the search dogs in the end and that their experiences in the woods created a bond of friendship. This result truly emphasizes the fact that your enemies may not be who you truly think they are and that they can turn their lives around and become kind and caring individuals.

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