Recommended Books Number 6

A Pearl Among Princes
Written by: Colleen Paratore
Published by: Dial
Date Published: September 2009
Number of Pages: 208, Hardcover
Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Summary: Welcome to the island where princes learn to be charming.
Gracepearl Coal is the cook's daughter on Miramore, the island all princes visit for their summer program in the Charming Arts. Each year, the princes-in-training arrive on gallant seacraft, guided by captains trained to navigate the island's treacherous waters. Passage on one of these boats is the only method to leave the island - thus betrothal to a royal is the only way for Pearl to find her far-off destiny, the one that's started haunting her dreams. Luckily, this year's crop of princes include some promising prospects, but how will Pearl leave behind her ailing father or - hardest of all - marry a boy other than her long-time beloved, Mackree . . . who now finds it too painful to even speak to her?
Review: I was impressed with this book. Although it is written for younger teens, I enjoyed reading it and didn't find the plot/story too "juvenile". There are some "potty jokes" but other than that it is perfectly clean and acceptable. The story itself seems to old for younger readers so I'd recommend this to girls ages 13 and up.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Recommended Books Number 5

Academy 7
Written by: Anne Osterlund
Published by: Speak
Date Published: 2009
Number of Pages: 272, Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Science Fiction,
Summary: With a past too terrible to speak of, and a bleak, lonely future ahead of her, Aerin Renning is shocked to find she has earned a place at the most exclusive school in the universe. Aerin excels at Academy 7 in all but debate, where Dane Madousin - son of one of the most powerful men in the Alliance - consistently outtalks her. Fortunately Aerin consistently outwits him at sparring. They are at the top of their class until Dane jeopardizes everything and Aerin is unintentionally dragged down with him. When the pair is given a joint punishment, an unexpected friendship - and romance - begins to form. But Dane and Aerin both harbor dangerous secrets, and the two are linked in ways neither of them could ever have imagined. . .
Review: I wasn't sure what to expect when I reserved this book at my library via the online website. When I picked it up, I was a little worried about the cover. Surprisingly though, it was one of my favorites this month.
Rating: 3 stars

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Aurelia
Written by: Anne Osterlund
Published by: Speak
Date Published: 2008
Number of Pages: 256, Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Fiction,
Summary: Princess Aurelia is next in line to rule the kingdom of Tyralt, but she would rather be one of the common folk, free to learn and roam and . . . not marry the next tyrannical prince that comes courting. Naturally, the king wants Aurelia to marry for political power. Aurelia wants to marry for love. And someone in the kingdom wants her . . . dead. Assigned to investigate and protect Aurelia is Robert, the son of the king's former royal spy and one of Aurelia's oldest friends. As Aurelia and Robert slowly uncover clues as to who is threatening her, their friendship turns to romance. With everything possible on the line - her life, her kingdom, her heart - Aurelia is forced to take matters into her own hands, no matter the cost.
Review:  I hope Anne Osterlund writes more books! I love the cover and the story was good.
Rating: 2 1/2 stars

Recommended Books Number 4

Just Listen

Written by: Sarah Dessen

Published by: Speak

Date Published: 2008

Number of Pages: 400, Paperback 

Genre: Young Adult Fiction,

Awards: A New York Times Bestseller, An ALA Best Book for Young Adults,  Summary: Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has everything"--at least that's the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf 's Department Store.This year, she's the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong. Tall, dark, and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a commitment to truth-telling.With Owen's help,maybe Annabel can face what happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

In this multi-layered, impossible-to-put-down book, Sarah Dessen tells the story of a year in the life of a family coming to terms with the imperfections beneath its perfect facade.

Review: This book dealt with some tough issues (abuse, eating disorder, anger) but it was well handled. The language is often pretty strong but other than that, I have no objections to it. Music was a big part of this book and I thought it was beautiful. Recommended for older teens.

Rating: 3 stars

February 2010 Book List

Into the Wilderness by Rosanne Bittner -288 pgs, ZERO stars
Rosie and Skate by Beth Ann Bauman -224 pgs, ZERO stars
Love, Meg by C. Leigh Purtill -304 pgs, 1/2 star
One Wish by Leigh Brescia -312 pgs, 1/2 star
Star In the Middle by Carol Larese Millward -304 pgs, 1/2 star
Fire by Kristin Cashore -480 pgs, 1 star
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen -432 pgs, 1 star
Once A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough -304 pgs, 1 star
A Girl Like Moi by Lisa Barham -272 pgs, 1 1/2 stars
Wish by Alexandra Bullen -336 pgs, 1 1/2 stars
The Maverick's Bride by Catherine Palmer -288 pgs, 2 stars
The Missing by Beverly Lewis -336 pgs, 2 stars
Threads of Silk by L. L. Chaikin -336 pgs, 2 stars
Walk by Faith by Rosanne Bittner -336 pgs, 2 stars
Dawn's Prelude by Tracie Peterson -336 pgs, 2 1/2 stars
Plain Perfect by Beth Wiseman -352 pgs, 2 1/2 stars
The Princess by Lori Wick -300 pgs, 2 1/2 stars


Top 5 books of the Month:

Gingham Bride by Jillian Hart -288 pgs, 2 1/2 stars
Where Heaven Begins by Rosanne Bittner -336 pgs, 2 1/2 stars
Aurelia by Anne Osterlund -256 pgs, 2 1/2 stars
Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund -272 pgs, 3 stars
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen -400 pgs, 3 stars

(7092 pgs total)

Overall, not a very productive month of reading because I didn't like most of it. Hopefully I'll have better luck this March! (and more time to blog)