by Isabel G., guest reviewer

Title: The Undertakers: Rise of the Corpses
Author: TY Drago
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 465 pages
Grade Reading Level: Ages 13+

Summary: Twelve year old Will Ritter is just an average boy...well, that’s how he was at the beginning of this story anyway. His life was only boring until he began seeing walking, talking corpses that are trying to kill him. Fortunately, it turns out he’s not crazy but the only other ones that believe him are also kids. A special group of kids who not only see the Corpses, but are also building a resistance against them. This group goes by the name of the Undertakers. Will reluctantly joins this movement but soon realizes he’s an important piece in a war that’s about to begin.

Why I started this book:
I was given a review copy.

Review: The story is very reminiscent of a movie I saw in my youth. It’s as though the author blended the idea of the film and changed the main characters to children. The idea worked beautifully and really helps the reader sympathize with the characters because they miss their families and are forced into growing up sooner than others kids their age.

The author peaks the reader’s curiosity and keeps them wanting more. He gives information as the plot develops instead of spoon feeding it to the reader all at once. This is the main reason it’s a great book for kids and adults to read because it keeps us guessing what comes next. Also, although there’s violence in this story, it’s still fiction. The fact that the author uses Corpses as bad guys makes it easier for young readers to learn about the horrible things happening and still keep them somewhat emotionally detached. In other words, kids who read the book might deal with the harsh realities in the story without feeling negatively impacted.

A word of caution: Once you begin reading you won’t want to put this book down! I recommend it to teen readers who like horror and sci-fi novels.

Buy: The Undertakers: Rise of the Corpses

Rating: 4 Corpses

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-1-4022-4785-9
Copyright: 2011
Genre: Juvenile Fiction/Independent Reader

• Garfield Animation Characters Animation Art, Characters Collectibles
• Pink Panther Animation Characters Animation Art, Characters Collectibles
• V:Empire Strikes Back Star Wars Science Fiction Collectibles
• Garbage Pail Kids Animation Trading Cards Collectibles
• Casper The Ghost Animation Characters Animation Art, Characters Collectibles

No related posts.

by Second Mate Embry, guest reviewer

Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 400 pages
Grade Reading Level: Grade 7+

Summary: After Katniss’s survival of the Quarter Quell, she is whisked of to underground (literally and figuratively) District 13. Over the course of the book Katniss is preparing for when she can go fight in the seemingly apocalyptic war and try to kill President Snow. She is constantly going back and forth in her mind between Peeta and Gale.

Why I started this book:

It is the third book in a trilogy. The second book (Catching Fire) has a huge cliffhanger that makes your jaw drop to the floor. I could hardly wait while this was on hold at the public library.

Likes:

• The almost robotic- like timing and mannerism of the events and people in District 13.
• The mockingjay pin from the mayor's daughter (in The Hunger Games) comes full circle to being the mascot/face of the rebellion against the capital.
• That Katniss keeps Peeta’s pearl.
• The Capital kept Peeta hostage after the Quarter Quell and poisoned his mind to hate Katniss. During Catching Fire, I thought for sure Katniss was going to end up with Peeta, but with his ‘condition’ it changes the whole Gale- Katniss- Peeta love triangle.
• Like Caroline B. Cooney or Neal Shusterman, every chapter is ended with a twist or mini cliffhanger so it’s impossible to say oh I’m going to read 1 chapter right now. You end up reading almost half the book.

Dislikes:

• Prim’s fate. It seems unfair. I would say more, but it would give it away

Last minute thoughts: I have given all of these books 4 and 5 treasure chests. The first one, The Hunger Games, I thought, WOW this book is awesome, nothing can top it…I was right; until I read Catching Fire and I thought the same thing about it…until I read this!

Buy: Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games)

Rating: 5 Treasure Chests

The Hunger Games, Mockingjay & Catching Fire~ Suzanne Collins~NEW~3 Hardcovers

16 Bids

US $26.00

20h 8m

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (2010, Hardcover)

4 Bids

US $5.00

1d 13h 5m

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins Catching Fire, Mockingjay

10 Bids

US $17.25

1d 13h 35m

Suzanne Collins Hunger Games Trilogy -1st Edition Set- Catching Fire Mockingjay!

4 Bids

US $37.00

2d 9h 15m

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (2010, Hardcover)/Brand new!

2 Bids

US $1.04

3d 20h 30m

The Hunger Games Trilogy Mockingjay Catching Fire Suzanne Collins

15 Bids

US $13.00

3d 20h 39m

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (2010, Hardcover)

0 Bid

US $2.50

3d 21h 7m

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

US $15.44

5d 4h 46m

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

US $23.16

5d 5h 7m

The Hunger Games Catching Fire Mockingjay Suzanne Collins 3 Books GUC

0 Bid

US $14.95

5d 20h 56m

• Toys & Games Pool Fun Pools & Spas Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
• Easy To Read Rain Gauges Garden Décor Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
• US: District of Columbia License Plates Automobilia Transportation Collectibles
• Book Statues & Yard Art Garden Décor Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
• Boats Toys & Games Pool Fun Pools & Spas Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living

Related posts:

1. Review: Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins

by Cook Cutlery, guest reviewer

Title: George’s Secret Key to the Universe
Author: Lucy and Stephen Hawking
Format: Paperback
# of pages: 295
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Summary: It all starts one day when George was going to feed his pet pig, Freddy, that he got on Christmas one year and found that Freddy was missing. Thus begins the search for him which ends in this old abandoned house. George meets Eric who lives in the house with his daughter, Annie, and he shows him Cosmos, the most powerful computer in the world. Before Eric can show George what Cosmos can do, he has to swear not to tell anyone about it. George is dumbfounded by what he sees Cosmos do. Then the next day by mistake George tells his teacher Dr. Reeper (nice name huh?) about Cosmos which then leads to many other problems.

Like:

• The main ideas of the story such as George trying to find his pet pig, or helping Annie find her missing father that got lost and George trying to win the science fair at his school so he can get a computer, something he has always wanted.
• The illustrations drawn by Gary Parson are very cute. I like the style and the kids look like how I pictured they would look.
• The scientific picture files that are through out the book that talked about astronomy such as the planets, stars, and black holes.
• The little sideline summaries that are scattered throughout the book. They talk about science and the universe. For example: what is a comet?

Dislike:

• The way Ringo and his boys act. I know I'm not supposed to like them, but I thought they were really mean because at some parts they would chase George home or they would take stuff of his when he wasn’t looking. I'd hate it if someone did that to me.
• Mr. Reeper, who wants to use Cosmos for evil. Not my favorite character by any stretch of the imagination. He wants to use Cosmos to gain control of the universe so that he can become king of the universe. No Noble Peace Prize for him!
• That Eric doesn’t believe George when George tries to tell him that the letter he got about a place that could support the human race was actually from his evil teacher, Graham Reeper (Dr. Reeper).
  

Buy: George's Secret Key to the Universe (Paperback)

Rating: I would give this book 3 out of 5 treasure chests. It was a good book. I enjoyed it a lot.

GEORGE'S SECRET KEY TO THE UNIVERSE STEPHEN HAWKING HC

US $7.90

6d 14m

GEORGE'S SECRET KEY TO THE UNIVERSE Stephen Hawking 1st Edition & Printing 2007

US $9.95

15d 16h 12m

Universe in a Nutshell By Stephen Hawking

US $1.99

16d 4h 50m

Beyond the Black Hole: Stephen Hawking's Universe By John Boslough

US $2.23

17d 4h 20m

The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking

US $5.28

17d 10h 24m

Stephen Hawking: Quest for a Theory of the Universe (Bi

US $5.95

21d 11h 35m

LUCY HAWKING GEORGE'S SECRET KEY TO THE UNIVERSE SIGNED

US $49.95

22d 3h 41m

Georges et les secrets de l'universe (French Edition) By Lucy Hawking

US $18.74

28d 6h 43m

George's Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy Hawking, Ch

US $16.99

28d 18h 42m

Stephen Hawking's Universe by John Boslough 0688062709

US $4.97

29d 22h 43m

• Book Hunting Dog Supplies Accessories Hunting
• X-Files Science Fiction Collectibles
• Aliens, AVP Science Fiction Collectibles
• Xena Science Fiction Collectibles
• Computer Programs Watches & Pedometers Running Exercise & Fitness

Related posts:

1. Review: Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed by First Mate Keira

Title: Open Minds
Author: Susan Kaye Quinn
Format: Digital ebook
Page Count: 338 pages
Grade Reading Level: Grade 7+

Summary: Kira Moore is an outcast in a future where mind-reading and telepathy are traits everyone can do... everyone except her. This makes her a zero and zeroes can’t be trusted. She hopes her mind-reading skills haven’t developed yet because she’s a late bloomer, but it’s not looking so good for her. If she stays a zero, Kira can’t be with her best friend, Raf. And even though he’s willing to risk it for a chance between the two of them, she’s not. When Kira—without meaning to do so—mindjacks Raf and controls him for a few moments and nearly kills him, she discovers being a zero is the least of her worries. In fact, Kira is not a zero at all, but a mindjacker, a hidden mutation in the gene pool, and for good reason. If anybody found out mindjackers existed they’d be sent to camps designed to keep them separated from the general populace, just like how the first readers were rounded up.

Why I started this book:

I started this book because I was offered a free copy for review.

Likes:

• The worldbuilding on this is excellent! It’s a little creepy, a lot interesting, and always moving. It doesn’t slow down for a minute.
• Can you imagine teachers passing lessons to you directly into your mind? Or that they’d know if you weren’t paying attention because they could read your thoughts? Wow!
• If you could control people’s minds and actions by manipulating their thoughts, would you? How would you protect yourself from being controlled in return?
• Kira is a strong heroine, willing to stick her neck out for the right reasons and to protect the innocent.

Dislikes:

• That a key character of the story died. In doing so they were redeemed, but it’s still sad.
• There wasn’t more Raf! A relationship is hinted at, but it’s not there yet. Maybe the next book?

Buy: Open Minds (Mindjack #1)

Rating: 4 Treasure Chests

• Polarized Reading Sunglasses for Fishing Clothing, Shoes & Accessories Fishing
• Back of Book United States Stamps
• Black Eyed Susan Groundcovers & Vines Plants, Seeds & Bulbs Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
• Open Pit BBQ Sauces Outdoor Cooking & Eating Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
• Open G Slides Acoustic Musical Instruments

No related posts.

by Second Mate Embry, guest reviewer

Title: Turnabout
Author Margaret Peterson Haddix
Page Count: 223
Format: Hardcover
Grade Reading Level: Ages 12+

Summary: Amelia Hazelwood, Annabeth Flick, and 40 or more others from Riverside nursing home are selected at the old age of 100 to live forever. In a doctor’s experiment called Project Turnabout. The doctors inject them with a formula called PT1. When the selected have decrease in age to their ideal age they are supposed to get another injection to make the reverse aging stop. Unfortunately, everyone who received the second injection died. Now in 2085 Amelia and Annabeth are in their teens and are still getting younger. They know they need parents to care for them and time is running out. What will they do?

Why I Started This Book:

I read this book because Margaret Peterson Haddix is one of my favorite authors and because this book was one I hadn’t read yet.

Likes:

• I liked the idea of this story. The plot was pretty cool and very creative. Imagine turning younger and younger and not being able to stop?
• This novel takes place across three eras, which is very cool.

Dislikes:

• The ending is horrible. HORRIBLE! Well at least I think it is. Margaret Peterson Haddix doesn’t continue the story to its conclusion; she just cuts it off like an amputated limb!
• There were very few main events considering the challenges the two main characters were facing. I like it best when there are plenty of things happening.

Last Minute Thoughts: I am disappointed because Margaret Peterson Haddix because I know she’s capable of more.

Buy: Turnabout (paperback)

Book Rating: 2.5 Treasure Chests.

• Marathon Keep Cool Sleeves Clothing Running Exercise & Fitness
• Duck Stamps Back of Book United States Stamps
• Revenues Back of Book United States Stamps
• Cool Picks Acoustic Musical Instruments
• Cool French Horn Brass Acoustic Musical Instruments

No related posts.

Guest Post by Susan Kaye Quinn, author of Open Minds

I’ve written a young adult love story (Life, Liberty, and Pursuit), a middle grade science fiction novel, a young adult paranormal/SF (Open Minds) book, a middle grade fantasy, and I’m working on a another couple of books (one MG, one YA). Only my YA novels have been published (so far), but I’ll continue to write both, because both types of stories appeal to me in different ways.

When asked, people often say the difference between middle grade and young adult stories is the age of the characters, but I think that is the least descriptive of definitions. Yes, young adult stories often have teen characters and middle grade characters are usually ages 10-13, but there are plenty of exceptions to that. Once upon a time, there were even adult main characters (gasp!) in children’s stories, something that’s still true in movies and TV.

The main difference that I see between middle grade and young adult is the age of the reader that the stories are targeted to (middle grade = ages 8-12+, young adult = 13+). I put a + at the end of those age categories, because more and more adults love to read young adult novels, and even middle grade ones. I was such a huge kidlit lover, with fantastic stories like Artemis Fowl and The Lightning Thief, that I knew those were stories I would love to write.

Middle grade is a time of discovery. Kids are learning about the world, and all its complexity, for the first time. Friendships, and relationships with parents, are a huge part of their lives, and that’s reflected in the stories as well. Kids this age have lots of demands on their time, so they need heart-pounding pacing to keep their attention. Likewise, they’re not likely to sit still for a lot of interior thoughts from their characters. But this doesn’t mean they are only interested in action for action’s sake. They like deep novels, ones that make them think ... it just can’t be delivered in a preachy package that looks like it was hand-selected by their parents to teach them a lesson.

I love writing stories that can keep these kids entranced. (And I practice on my own 8, 10, and now 13 year old sons, so I know just what keeps them in their seats, motionless, as I read aloud the adventures of their favorite characters.)

Young adult novels appeal to the more adult side of me. The part that wants some romance with her action, some internal struggle and strife with her external conflict. Teens are discovering not just the world, but themselves, and this time in their lives is full of firsts - first love, first heartbreak, first friendship crisis of historic proportions. Beyond the usual teen angst, young adults like to grapple with moral stories, ones that force them to choose between two heart-rendingly irreconcilable goods, or two agonizingly evil choices. I’m right there with them, loving stories like Hunger Games and White Cat, that aren’t just about who to love, but what kind of person you want to be. I think the best love triangles in teen fiction aren’t about which boy/girl is cuter or treats you better, but where the two love interests represent a choice between two kinds of people that your main character could be. Their choice says something important about who they are as a person ... and who they want to be.

These are the kinds of stories I love to read and love to write. I want to help middle grade readers discover the world and young adult readers figure out how they can change it.

I really can’t think of a better job.

When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.

Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can’t read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can’t be trusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the best friend she secretly loves. When she accidentally controls Raf’s mind and nearly kills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family and an increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she’s dragged deep into a hidden world of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.

Open Minds (Book One of the Mindjack Trilogy) by Susan Kaye Quinn is available for $2.99 in e-book (Amazon US (also UK, France and Germany), Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, iTunes) and $9.99 in print (Amazon, Createspace, also autographed copies available from the author).

• Adult Bodyboards Surfing Surf Store
• For Kids Punching Bags Boxing Exercise & Fitness
• Shrek Animation Characters Animation Art, Characters Collectibles
• Love, Romance Cherished Teddies Enesco Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
• Hong Kong Asia, Middle East Coins: World Coins & Paper Money

No related posts.

by First Mate Keira

Title: Academy 7
Author: Anne Osterlund
Format: Trade Paperback
Page Count: 259
Grade Reading Level: Grade 8 +

Summary: Academy 7 is like Star Wars meets Harry Potter. Two kids, Aerin and Dane, must overcome great odds to attend and survive their first year in the universe’s most prestigious school. Aerin must hide her true background, that of a fugitive slave from an X-Level planet. Dane must outwit his father, one of the Alliance's most powerful leaders, who loathes him and favors his elder brother. Both are excellent students and compete for top grade in every class. Trickery abounds and their only hope is to navigate it together.

Why I started this book:

I bought Academy 7 for something to read on a road trip.

Likes:

• The world-building is swift, complete, and extremely interesting. It’s fun to see that in a world so advanced there’s still budget problems which result in a crumbling school that still manages to keep and maintain advance computers. I can’t wait to see how certain factors play out.
• Aerin is a strong female character. She excels at computers and fighting, attributes rarely given to heroines. She’s also fragile, constantly worried about exposure. She comes to realize she knows almost nothing about her parents and with Dane’s help is determined to unlock the secret.
• Dane is the typical cocky good-looking rich and popular boy. His life however isn’t as pretty as it seems. His father hates him and he’s not entirely sure why. The only planet he has called home until school, isn’t a place he can ever return to—not if he wants to live to see another day.
• I loved the fighting classes. Aerin whipping Dane over and over again is really quite fun. I also like that Dane isn’t so insecure about it. He actually proposes a deal to help her learn Alliance history in exchange for more beat downs (training to be a better fighter).

Dislikes:

• I think the mean girl of the school was dropped a little too soon. I don’t know who is going to take her place and cause friction in the future.

Last Minute Thoughts: Academy 7 is the possible start of a trilogy (woohoo!), but the author has admitted it takes her a lot of time to write her stories and currently she is working on a sequel to another story. I hope she finishes it soon because I want to know what happens next for Aerin and Dane.

Buy: Academy 7

Rating: 4.5 Treasure Chests

• Academy Bars, Rounds Silver Bullion Coins & Paper Money
• Ecowise Commercial Grade Folding 3 X 6 Exercise Mats Fitness Equipment Gym, Workout & Yoga Exercise & Fitness
• Level Valves Watering Equipment Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
• Planet of the Apes Science Fiction Collectibles
• School Bus International Harvester Hybrid Cars & Trucks

Related posts:

1. Review: Aurelia by Anne Osterlund
2. Review: Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy, Book 1) by Jennifer Estep
3. Review: Knightley Academy by Violet Haberdasher

by Captain Lyaf Yarr

Title: The Dark Side of Nowhere
Author: Neal Shusterman
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 192
Grade Reading Level: Grades 6-9

Summary: Jason has always lived in the same town his whole life and thinks it's so boring. But when Jason's friend, Ethan dies from a burst appendicitis everything changes. Not only is everyone sad that he's gone but something really weird happens. Grant, the janitor tells Jason that Ethan isn't dead. Is he right? How is that possible? Then Jason is given a robotic-like glove by Grant and finds out that his whole life has been a lie. Everybody he knows, including himself, are aliens!

Why I Started the Book:

I started this book because it was a book we were reading in class before school got out for the year. We didn't get to finish it so I decided to cheek it out of the library.

Likes:

• The writing in this book was phenomenal! I was at the end of my seat after every chapter. I could understand how the characters felt and their whole experience. It was like I was there in the same situation.
• I liked how his parents never lied. He told Jason the truth about them through a bedtime story, he just didn't know it was true.
• The cover of this book is way awesome and fits the suspenseful  haunting quality of the story.
• The book's main point is what it means to be human.

Last minute thoughts: I wouldn't suggest anyone under sixth grade read this book. It's very dark and I don't know if they would understand everything or just be completely creeped out.

Neal Shusterman is my favorite author at the moment! I look forward to reading more of his books!

Buy: The Dark Side of Nowhere

Book Rating: I give this book 5 treasure chests!

The Dark Side of Nowhere by Neal Shusterman

US $1.00

4d 20h 4m

DARK SIDE OF NOWHERE by Dorotha Kauffman HC (1965)

US $9.99

9d 12h 16m

Dark Side of Nowhere Dortha Strayer Kauffman

US $6.99

17d 16h 15m

Dark Side of Nowhere by Neal Shusterman (1999, Paperback)

US $.99

20d 21h 50m

The Dark Side of Nowhere

US $1.00

21d 44m

Dark Side of Nowhere by Neal Shusterman (1999, #71pb

US $.99

25d 8h 13m

The Dark Side of Nowhere, Neal Shusterman, Good Conditi

US $3.75

29d 4h 33m

• Led Reading With Flexible Lamp Posts Outdoor Lighting Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
• Book Ends Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
• Life Fitness Ellipticals Cardiovascular Equipment Gym, Workout & Yoga Exercise & Fitness
• Life Fitness Cross Body Total Trainer Gyms Home Gyms Strength Training Gym, Workout & Yoga Exercise & Fitness
• Book Statues & Yard Art Garden Decor Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living

Related posts:

1. Review: Dread Locks by Neal Shusterman
2. Review: The False Princess by Eilis O’Neal
3. Dark Mirror Winners

by First Mate Keira

Title: Knightley Academy
Author: Violet Haberdasher (aka Robyn Schneider)
Format: Hardback
Page Count: 469
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Summary: The Midsummer School for Boys is cursed. Not a single student has been accepted to Knightley Academy in years… and this year is no different as a servant boy is the one called to knighthood.

Knightley Academy explores social and national prejudices. The world has overtones of racism, classism, religious intolerance, and more. The world is stable for now but is on the cusp of change and I have a feeling Henry and his friends will be that change.

Why I started this book:

I came by this book in a completely random fashion. I saw this huge fat spine on the new YA releases bookshelves at the library while searching for something for my sisters. Picked it up, read the cover, said to self – sounds like Harry Potter without magic! Checked out. Consumed.

Likes:

• The quartet: Henry Grim (first commoner ever allowed training to become a knight), Frankie Winter (a finishing school dropout), Rohan Mehta (an Indian boy adopted into a wealthy ducal family), and Adam Beckerman (a Jewish boy skilled with a foil.)
• Lord Havelock, the military professor and head teacher for the first years. He reminds me of Snape, but far more fair and willing to own his errors. I particularly enjoy his Havelook of Doom +2.*
• The Victorian England Steampunk world filled with the odd combination of progress and backwardness.
• Valmont: he’s a bully but he’s not a complete ninnyhead.
• Knight classes! Military History is just the beginning --- one of my favorite classes next to Fencing and Languages.
• The Inter-School Competition and Henry’s discovery of a super secret hidden room that spells out T-R-O-U-B-L-E and gives the trilogy its long plot arc.

(* Doom +2 is a card in the Munchkin card game.)

Last Minute Thoughts: If you’ve read Harry Potter and liked it, you will like this novel. The books have parallels but they are not the same story. Haberdasher will surprise you with her twists and turns. This is a perfect story for boys, but girls will like it just as much!

Buy: Knightley Academy

Rating: 5 Treasure Chests

• Pins, Buttons Harry Potter Fantasy, Mythical & Magic Collectibles
• Back of Book United States Stamps
• Us Military Flags & Flagpoles Garden Decor Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
• Size 16 Boys Rash Guards Surf Store
• School Bus International Harvester Hybrid Cars & Trucks

Related posts:

1. Review: The Secret Prince by Violet Haberdasher
2. If You Love the Vampire Academy Series: Dimitri or Adrian? (Poll & Discussion)

by Bookwatch, guest reviewer

Title: A Girl Named Disaster
Author: Nancy Farmer
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 320 pages
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Summary: This is a story about an African girl whose mother was killed by a leopard, whose father had gone away, and who soon will be married to a cruel man who already has three wives. She is only 11 years old, but she posses an intelligence, curiosity, and intuition far beyond her years. She is protected by her grandmother who encourages her to escape from Mozambique to Zimbabwe, a journey alone on a river in a stolen boat that should take her only 2 days. She instead gets turned around and it takes her many months to reach her destination. Along the way she has to overcome incredible dangers and learn to survive alone.

Why I Started this book:

As you know I am a big fan of Newberry Honor books. I would like to recommend another Newberry Honor book for your Young Adult Fiction list.  It is called A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer. It was published in 1996 by Puffin Books.

Likes:

• All along her journey she learns and communicates with the mystical spirits who guide and encourage her. I felt like these were symbols of her own courage, confidence, and intuition.
• As she journeys, she finds her value, home, and freedom.
• This book attributes her survival and triumph to spirit forces. I felt that her suvival was the result of her own intuition and the love of her grandmother, who, even though she wasn't with her, had given her a sense of who she was as a person, who her mother was, and why she was valued and should value herself.
• Her own intelligence, imagination, and curiousity were sources of courage and strength, always with her, always taking her to the next step she should take.

Last Minute Thoughts: I give A Girl Named Disaster your highest ranking.

Buy: A Girl Named Disaster

Rating: 5 Treasure Chests

Nancy Farmer - A Girl Named Disaster 1st edit. HC/DJ

US $21.54

16d 14h 16m

A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer (1998, Paperback,

US $14.99

28d 14h 40m

A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer (2012, Paperback,

US $14.99

29d 8h 41m

• American Girl Modern Clothes & Accessories Dolls Dolls & Bears
• Cover Girl Foundation Makeup Store
• Book Statues & Yard Art Garden Décor Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
• Storybook Nancy Ann By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls & Bears
• Mother Bird Weathervanes Garden Decor Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living

No related posts.