Size 14 Is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot

Cabot, M. Size 14 Is Not Fat Either. New York: William Morrow Paperbacks, 2006. ISBN # 978-0060525125. 368 pgs.  $10.05 (from amazon.com)

Heather Wells is onto another investigation as a New York College Resident Assistant Dorm Director and its not getting any easier for her. This is the 2nd book in the Heather Wells Mystery Series.  This time a cheerleader is dead. Her head was found in the cafeteria.  In a pot.  Whoever did this had to have a key to the cafeteria. Heather is not an investigator, but she certainly plays the part to the chagrin of her landlord Cooper (Who actually is a private investigator). She still likes him by the way....and his brother, Jordan (Heather's ex fiancee) is getting married. Too much drama in this novel, but you will see Heather navigate this well. She might have put on a few more pounds but she is still going to solve another murder mystery while balancing a visit from her father (who was in jail) and some twists and turns you will see when you read the book.

Recommended for teens, especially girls, ages 14 and up.  Good for a public, school or classroom library.

Check out this teen reads.com book review!

Check out Meg Cabot's official website. 

The Rivals by Daisy Whitney

Whitney, D. The Rivals.  New York: Little, Brown & Company, 2012. ISBN# 978-0316090575. 352 pgs. $13.03 (from amazon.com)

My Review & Recommendation:  

The Rivals is the sequel to The Mockingbirds.  Alex, a student at a fairly uptight boarding school, suffered as a victim to a very serious incident last year.  She was raped.  But, this year she has decided to become the leader of The Mockingbirds.  The Mockingbirds are a secret organization run by the students - they fight for justice when perhaps parents, teachers or administrators don't understand.  Alex faces a serious challenge this time. And, thats not to say that former students who went to The Mockingbirds never had serious problems.  But what will happen if Alex has to help someone who doesn't even know they need help? What if they don't want help? What if her fellow Mockingbirds or friends or boyfriend are in on a scandal?  In this story Alex will fight to protect the student body from maybe even themselves.  She will have to dig deep and discover even more potentially unwanted truth - and this is truth that maybe she doesn't want to know.  It will not be an easy case of black and white, wrong and right - instead Alex will have to consider the situations, the gray areas that have not been strictly defined.  She will have to define them for herself and in doing so she will discover herself.  Daisy Whitney's books are some of my favorites - her characters are real and have real issues to solve.  I would recommended this book for teens and young adults - this mystery is perfect for teens who love to see a story full of twists and turns with a little romance and drama embedded too.

Click to read my blog post on The Mockingbirds (the book prior to The Rivals). 

Can't get enough?  Check out another blog post on The Rivals to read another perspective on this book!

Take a peek at a preview of The Rivals (pdf file)

Buy the Ebook version of The Rivals or The Mockingbirds

Big Boned by Meg Cabot

Cabot, M. Big Boned. New York: William Morrow Paperbacks, 2007.  ISBN # 978-0060525132  280 pgs. $9.68 (from amazon.com) 

Heather Wells, former teen pop star, is investigating again, but she is no detective. She is an assistant director of a dorm at New York College.  She is taking a few classes at the college as well to try to get her life back on track. It's true that Heather is not a cop or a detective, though she mine as well be. Heather has found herself in the former two books investigating mysterious murders in the dorms and this is another book of the same nature. When there is another murder at the NYC dorm, Heather again begins to figure out the story behind this murder.

This book finds Heather involved in a little romance too - her boyfriend is her math professor.  (She still is not really over her landlord Cooper Cartwright though!)  Her boyfriend Tad is alright though - but is he moving too fast?  He might be ready to take the next step - but is Heather?

I would recommend this book for any teens, probably girls, who like mystery mixed with romance and even some crime.  Feel good about who you are - just as Heather does.  You will be left with feelings of strength and charm as well.  Recommended for teens over 14 and for public, school or classroom libraries.

There is a fourth title in this Heather Wells Series:  Size 12 and Ready to Rock.

Check out Meg Cabot's Website on Big Boned!

Read Big Boned on your kindle.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle.

L'Engle, M. A Wrinkle in Time. Square Fish, 2007.  ISBN 9780312367558. 320 pgs.  $6.99 (from amazon.com)

Book Awards:

A Wrinkle in Time is the winner of the 1963 Newbery Medal.

American Library Association Notable Children's Books

Horn Book Magazine Fanfare List

My Review and Recommendation: 

Meg, her younger brother Charles, and her friend Calvin will take a journey to a land of the unknown to rescue Meg's father.  This is a journey that will require courage and determination - and one that will determine the state of the universe as well as the fate of Meg's father Mr. Murry.  This science fiction novel is recommended for teens, and this book is perfect for a school, home or public library.  

What happens when the following are combined?

• A missing father named Mr. Murry
• An awkward and lonely teenage girl named Meg
• An extremely bright and articulate boy named Charles (but a late bloomer)
• A neighbor named Mrs. Whatsit
• Two other Whatsit’s (what is a whatsit you might be thinking?)
• A neighborhood friend
• A great evil spirit called the Dark Thing
• A far away planet
• Three kids will travel to find him
• Lost in space and time or lost in a wrinkle?
• They will learn about a far away land and space
• They will fight against evil. 

Are you wondering will evil prevail?  Will the three kids return to their own planet?  Is this what exists in A Wrinkle in Time? 

Here is a link to the Wrinkle in Time Movie Trailer:

Feel like watching A Wrinkle in Time Book Trailer?

Visit Madeleine L'Engle's official website

Aya of Yop City by Marguerite Abouet

Abouet, M. Aya of Yop City.  Montreal: Drawn & Quarterly, 2008. ISBN#: 978-1897299418.  106 pgs.  $14.38 (from amazon.com)

Annotation:

Aya of Yop City is surrounded by drama.  Aya’s friend Bintou is searching for a new lover, and Aya’s friend Adjoua has a new baby with an unknown father.  But, the drama doesn’t stop there – Aya’s father has a family from another woman that shows up at the front door. 

Some facts to ponder about the book: 

A child born out of wedlock – who is the father?

A cancelled wedding – why?

A rich man’s son who doesn’t know how to work – what will he do? 

A girl looking for love and giving it up too soon – to who?

A poor man pretending to be rich – for what reason? 

A father with a hidden family with his personal secretary – who is she?

These stories and characters are interconnected in some way to Aya. 

Recommendation: 
For teens, or young adults who appreciate trilogies, as well as reading about lots of unique characters.  Perfect book for a public library's graphic novel section.  

Becoming Bille Holiday by Carole Boston Weatherford

Weatherford, C.B. Becoming Billie Holiday.  Honesdale, PA:  Boyds Mills, Press, 2008. 
ISBN# 978-1590785072. 117 pgs. $6.69 (from amazon.com)

 

My Review: 

This book of almost 100 poems written in first person narrative tells the story of a young girl named Eleanora who would become one of the greatest jazz singers of all time.  She was born in Philadelphia in 1915 and would struggle through much of her life as she pursued her passion – singing.   Have you ever faced rejection? Discrimination? Poverty?  Or how about known someone involved with drug use or alcoholism?  Do you think you could experience the lows of jail, violence and even rape and still pursue your passion or desire?  What are you good at – what kind of career do you want?  Well, one girl, named Eleanora, born in Philadelphia in 1915, had a magical voice.  She used that voice and pursued a career which led her to become one of the greatest jazz singers of all time.  This book of poems will take you through what would it be like Becoming Billie Holiday.


My Recommendation: 

I would recommend this book to Teens, Young adults, and anyone who appreciates honest poetry.  Carole Boston Weatherford is an award-winning poet.  She writes historical-fiction for teens and young adults and is true to her subjects in order to educate those who will read it. This book combines history and heartache to share the story of a one young girl from birth to young adulthood who would pursue her dreams and become an icon.  This is a must-read!

Book Accolades: 

Carole Boston Weatherford is an award-winning poet.  She has written over two-dozen books for teens and young adults.  

Watch this video on youtube of Billie Holiday singing her first song Strange Fruit! 

Another song by Billie Holiday:  

Are you a Billie Holiday fan?  Check out her official website! 

Learn more about the Author Carole Boston Weatherford: 

Read her interview here or check out this neat article on 

American University's website.  

(Carole Boston Weatherford is an alumnus of American University)

Check out this book trailer on youtube. 

A Street Girl Named Desire by Treasure Blue

Blue, T. The Street Girl Named Desire. New York: Random House:  2007.   ISBN #978-0-345-49328-6  336 pgs.  Price $13.95. 
(from amazon.com) 

Here is some brief info on the book: 

-sometimes addictions on the street can’t be broken no matter what you do

-a miracle premature baby born on the side of the street

-a story of transitions filled with many highs and lows

-from living in a foster care home of a bad fairy tale to star performer on national TV

-from a singer in the church choir to signing a record deal

-from stealing a red prom dress to buying the most expensive clothes

-from being raped by the captain of the boys basketball team to seducing a famous rapper to selling your body for a hit of crack to finding the love of a family

-a story of pain, sadness and addictions that can’t be broken even after the lowest point is reached or maybe they can be.


My Recommendation:  This book is a good read for older teens and young adults who can handle a brutal reality of one girls life growing up on the tough streets.  Recommended for a public library - a must for the street lit collection.  

Buy this book from amazon.com 

Watch an interview of Author Treasure Blue as he discusses this book

Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

Cabot, M. Size 12 Is Not Fat. New York: Harper Collins, 2006.  ISBN # 978-006525118.  $11.04 (from amazon.com)

Is size 12 fat? It is the size of the average woman in America. 

Awards:   

A USA Today Best Seller

Here are some details about this mystery story:

 

-Heather Wells - a former teen pop singer loses her record deal and falls from the spotlight – so she takes a job as a resident assistant in a college dorm or “residence hall” in NYC

-Heather caught Jordan Cartwright cheating: he is a famous pop star & her now ex boyfriend/fiancée/child hood sweetheart

-Heather moves in to the top floor of the house of the scapegoat of the Cartwright family– his name is Cooper – he is a private investigator

-Then a freshman falls to her death in the elevator shaft of the college residence hall: But no one suspects crime – just elevator surfing and it is ruled an accident

-Heather suspects something early on but especially when a second freshman falls to her death in the elevator shaft: same cause of death: elevator surfing

-A potential suspect: the extremely handsome son of the president of the college – could he be charming the women, sleeping with them and then covering his tracks?

-There is a romantic date at a college ball, and a fight to the death on the rooftop of the dormitory

-Good luck solving this mystery: it will keep you on your toes.

My Recommendation: Read this book! Recommended for older teens, young adults, and anyone who loves to see a mystery unfold in unusual ways.  Great for a public, school or personal library.

Read about it here on Meg Cabot's Web page: 

Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

Other books by Meg Cabot following the experiences of Heather Wells:

Size 14 is not fat either

Big Boned

Size 12 and Ready to Rock

Want to see a video about Meg Cabot? Check it out on youtube! 

Assassin by Ann Myers

Myers, A. Assassin.  New York: Walker Books for Young Readers, 2007.  ISBN# 978-0802796431. 212 pgs. $5.17 (from amazon.com)

Accolades:  

Myers was the Children/Young Adult Winner of the 2006 Oklahoma Book Award for Assassin.  Check out other novels and awards by Myers.  

My Review:  

Assassin is a fictional story of a young girl, named Bella. She is a seamstress and works for Mary Todd Lincoln. But, a good looking famous actor John Wilkes Booth persuades her to do bad things. Bella isn't a bad person - she knows right from wrong. But what can she do to save the president? Anyone who knows their U.S. History knows the story of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Actor John Wilkes Booth describes the events that lead to the latter's assassination of Abraham Lincoln. And Bella is in the middle - what can she do?  

Read more about this story on the Author Anna Myers webpage.  

My Recommendation:  

I would recommend this book for young adults and this book would fit wonderfully in a library, school or classroom. Grades 6 and up. If you like historical fiction, with a twist of drama, romance and mystery - read Assassin.  

Want to watch a movie on the conspiracies behind Lincoln's Assassination?  Check out The Conspirator!

Goosebumps: How to Kill a Monster by R.L.Stine

Stine, R.L. Goosebumps: How to Kill a Monster.  New York: Scholastic, 1996.  ISBN #978-0439568364. 144 pgs. Price $4.99 (from amazon.com)

My Review:   

Since I am staying with my grandparents this summer, I decided to read this book!   Two step siblings visit their grandparents house - their grandparents that they never see, and that they barely know.  Their grandparents just so happen to live in a castle in a swamp.  No big deal!  That's not spooky at all!

I know when I was a little kid maybe I was just a little bit scared of monsters under the bed or in the closet – did you ever hallucinate about monsters when you visited your grandparents house?   How about monsters that hide in a swamp? Gretchen and Clark (The two grandchildren) find themselves trapped in the spooky house - and by trapped I mean it.  Their grandparents leave them at the castle in the swamp to go find help.  And the kids let the monster out of where the grandparents had it trapped.  Now they must figure out just exactly How To Kill a Monster.  Is it even possible?  This story will not just give you goosebumps it will also give you knowledge of how to kill a monster, in case you ever find yourself in the same predicament.  But beware!  This book is part of a series (#46 actually) of events and you will want to read more!  While living vicariously through the experiences of Gretchen and Clark, you will learn How to Kill a Monster (and how to run!)

My Recommendation: 

This young adult horror book is great for younger children - in fact the whole series is.  The Goosebump Series has sold millions of copies and several books have appeared in many best seller lists including the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly best seller list.  (Read more about publication information, awards and the series on the Goosebumps wikipedia page.) 

Check out this wiki page on the Goosebump Series

Want to see a trailer for other books in the goosebumps series?  Check out this youtube video! 

Do you love the Goosebumps?  

Check out Scholastic's Website full of cool games, videos, 

audio books and more! 

Check out Scholastic's blog of the Goosebumps Series!

Want to learn more about R.L.Stine?  Visit R. L. Stine's Website!