Wonder: My Debut YA Novel Cover

I've seen this done in a couple different blogs today and decided to try my hand at it. Travis at 100 Scope Notes lays down the rules. Here is mine:

 What do you think? Does it have a shot?

Life as We Knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer: Review

Life as We Knew It

By: Susan Beth Pfeffer

Miranda is a junior in high school. Her diary includes many of the typical worries of teenagers, friends, school, and getting a driver's license. The upcoming meteor hitting the moon seems hardly worth mentioning. However, when the event happens, causing the moon to be pushed off its axis, it becomes the forefront of her life. Earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters make everyone immediately go into survival mode.

This was the first audiobook I've ever listened to completely through. It was really harrowing. I'm not really into the diary style of writing, but for some reason this really worked for me. The characters were really great, and memorable. This book made me want to build the biggest 72-hour emergency kit ever. Even though I read this in the middle of July, I seriously felt like I needed a blanket. And, as I was making dinner, I kept thinking about rationing my food. The book definitely got me emotionally involved.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars.

The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley: Review

The Stolen One

By: Suzanne Crowley

YA Fiction

After her adoptive mother passes away, Katherine Bab takes the chance to go to London to see the queen, taking her sister Anna with her. Kat leaves behind the country, and her chances of marriage to a young pear farmer. Once in London, Kat quickly becomes a part of Queen Elizabeth's inner circle.

This book came out a little less than a week ago. I was fortunate enough to get a review copy from the publisher. I have to say I really enjoyed this book.  I would compare parts of this book to "A Great and Terrible Beauty" by Libba Bray, but only the good parts. Most of the brattyness and cliquish nature of the women was left out.  The character development was really fantastic, and the book really brought to life the time period it was representing.

The only thing I can really say that I didn't like was sometimes the language was a little hard to follow. But, that ended about a quarter of the way through the book and I caught on pretty quick for the rest of it.

I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day!

The Fourth of July has long been my favorite holiday. I'm really grateful to live in America, and enjoy all the comforts and security it provides. On this July 4th I'd like to thank all of those in our armed services that have fought throughout history to keep us safe from enemies both foreign and domestic. Here's to another year of independence!

July 2009 Book Club Books

Honestly, I didn't do so hot on my book club books last month. Some of them I have, but most of them I had either already read. But, here's what I've got on the docket for July. I'm also going to continue listening to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and read The Lightning Thief.

Goodreads.com: YA Book Club
I Capture the Castle
By: Dodie Smith

Wild Things: YA Grown Up
To Kill a Mockingbird
By: Harper Lee

Kidlit
Elsewhere
By: Gabrielle Zevin

Kidlit
Interworld
By: Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves

The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau: Review

The People of Sparks

By: Jeanne DuPrau

YA Fiction

After leaving their dying home of Ember, Doon Harrow and Lina Mayfleet realize their troubles have just begun.  Nothing is familiar, and the former residents of Ember find themselves unprepared for the world above.

This book picks up right where City of Ember left off. The sequel had the same wonderful imagery as it's predecessor. The story made it very clear that Lina and Doon are still children and don't know about leading a group of people. However, the adults don't do so well either. Tensions rise, and people make bad decisions. In the end, there is a resolution; however, you get the distinct impression that it's not over yet.  You learn a little more about the reasons behind the city of Ember, and the state of the rest of the world. It's a great book about acceptance, survival, and friendships. I didn't love it as much as I loved City of Ember, but it was a great sequel, and I'm looking forward to reading The Prophet of Yonwood.

3/5 stars for this sequel

The Uglies by Scott Westerfield: Review

The Uglies

By: Scott Westerfield

Post Apocolyptic Fiction, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Tally Youngblood can't wait for her 16th birthday. She's not anticipating a driver's license, but the chance to become "pretty." Her best friend Peris has already had his surgery, and Tally can't wait to join him in New Pretty Town. A few weeks before her birthday, she meets up with another ugly, Shay, who happens to have the same birthday as Tally. When Shay disappears before her surgery, Tally's own chance to become pretty is in jeopardy.

Well, this book hits at the heart of a common teenage issue: being pretty and the consequences. I liked Tally and Shay and especially the character development that occurs within Tally. She really does grow up. I kind of wished that the reasons why Pretty Town and the surgeries had begun in the first place had been explored a little more. But, it's part of a series, so I imagine they will explain it later. Other things I liked about this book were the lack of sex and vulgarity and the smartness of the characters. I'd recommend it for anyone who likes post-apocolyptic or end of the world type books.

I gave it 3/5 stars. This book was part of It's the End of the World Challenge