The Pretty Committee Strikes Back

by: Lisi Harrison
256 pages

Summary: The Girls of Octavian Country Day School for girls are going on a week long trip to Lake Placid, but they still have a lot of things to do before they leave. Claire's in the Pretty Committee, but isn't sure if the girls "fully accept" her yet. And when she's sees the list of things, she realizes that she can't afford any of the things on this list. Also her boyfriend is avoiding her, due to what happened at the end of the previous book. Massie, having told everyone she kissed her boyfriend, has a problem that she can't get out of:Now everyone wants her to teach them! Massie has her first lesson, but postpones other lessons until they are on the trip.
                  Kristen can't even afford to go, and eventually doesn't go. But Dylan is in for the surprise of her life, her mothers going, and to top it all off, she has a crush on Dylan's history teacher! When the girls get there, their all in for some more surprises when they find out they can't have any food, only two pairs of clothes, and have to do navigation and map activities. And theres even more surprises ahead...don't be fooled by the title before the Pretty Committee can strike back, they have to fall first.

My Reaction: To me this book was kind of kiddish, and unrealistic. I mean some of the things that happen in kissing lessons just don't seem realistic. It still is an ok book though, it was entertaining to see what happens in the end, and some of the emotions that the girls have, but in my opinion better than the previous book. With all the things that happen in this book is definatly a book of surprises-can't say that enough. 

My Rating: 5.5/10


                                                  Books Will (Almost) Always Surprise You,

                                                                                          ~Chantel

 

The Vow

 By: Kim & Krickitt  Carpenter       
183 pages


Summary: Kim and Krickitt were married for only 2 months before the accident. Traveling to Phoenix for Thanksgiving, their car was hit and both of them were nearly killed. Kim was in the backseat and wasn't injured nearly as bad as Krickitt, who was driving. She had severe head injuries and was in a coma. 
  Miraculously, she recovered. However, when she woke up, she had no idea who her husband, Kim, was. She had lost all memory of meeting, falling in love, and marrying him. 
  Desperate to get his wife back, but knowing she will never be the same, Kim stays with her. Against all the odds, they fall in love again.


Reaction: First of all, you've probably all seen the movie, but the book was a little different. For one thing, there was a lot in the book about God and how He played a part in their relationship. This is definitely an inspiring book and it just makes you feel better about love and life in general after reading their story.


Rating: 10/10


                           Comment and tell us what you think!

                                           ~Marie :)

A Crooked Kind Of Perfect

By: Linda Urban
 210 pages


Summary: Zoe Elias has her life all planned out. She dreams of being a prodigy piano player and becoming famous. Zoe's sure that if she just got the perfect baby grand piano, her talent would be recognized. 
   In reality, Zoe has a dad who is paranoid and afraid to leave the house, and a weird kid who follows her home from school every day.
  Zoe's dad finally goes to buy the piano, but instead he gets sucked into buying her a Pefectone D-60. A very un-glamorous organ. Definitely not what Zoe had in mind. How would she ever be discovered playing this??
  In the end, Zoe learns that sometimes in life, a little imperfection is just what you need.


Reaction:  I think this book was originally written for a slightly younger age group, but I still really enjoyed it. I think pretty much everyone can relate to trying to feel control over your life, but Zoe learns to accept what she has. I love the way this book was written, and I liked reading it from Zoe's point of view.


Rating: 8/10


                                              Thanks for Reading!
                                                      
                                                      ~Marie

The Daughters Break the Rules

by: Joanna Philbin (the daughters book 2)
304 pages
Summary: Following the cliff hanger of the previous book, Carina is whisked off to California where her father has enrolled her in a private school. Thanks to Lizzie and Hudson, Carina is able to resume her life in New York. But then Carina and "The Jurg,"get into a fight, which ends up in him taking away her credit cards, cash, and car service. She gets $20 a week, and a Metro Card. 
   Carina doesn't believe that she's as spoiled as her dad thinks, but she really wants to go on a skiing trip with her cute neighbor. She decides to get a job to pay for the vacation. With no previous experience, Carina has no luck. She soon finds herself bluffing her way into a job as a party planner for queen bee Ava Elting’s Silver Snowflake Ball, she does so by promising to use her father's connections-connections she can't use if she's going to prove to her father that she can make it on her own. Carina must find a way to meet Ava's high expectations without letting her secret slip. Will she be able to do it, or is it California here Carina comes? 


My Reaction: I personally have liked Carina the best ever since book 1, so i really liked this book. I like Carina's character because she's a dare devil, and in this situation she'll have to be. There are tons of twists and turns, and things you wouldn't expect. It is a little far fetched at some points, but its still a really good book. This book (like book 1) ends on a cliff hanger, and will have you begging to read the next daughters book, The Daughter's Take the Stage (coming soon). 


My Rating: 9/10


                               Love, Peace, and Addicted to books, 

                                                                                               ~Chantel

Invasion of the Boy Snatchers

by: Lisi Harrison (the Clique book 4)
252 pages
Summary: After winter break, all the girls are back and ready for some girl time, only there's one catch: Nina. Alicia had spent break in Spain, with her relatives, and surprise, her cousin Nina got to come back with her. The only problem is Nina is awful. Everyone loves her fashion skills and wants to be her friends-even some of the Pretty Committee members. Massie takes matters into her owns hands and tries to do a few things that will bug her, but this girl isn't going anywhere.
                   On top of all this, Nina is flirting with Massie and Alicia's crushes, and Claire's boyfriend. So Massie and her loyal friends decide to start operation "Operation Toe Jam." Will it work? Will the girls get asked to the Valentines Day Dance? And most importantly who will snatch the boys for good?

My Reaction: Ok, so I this book just seemed kind of standard, and predictable. I really liked the previous book, and this one just seemed kind of disappointing. There are a couple twists and turns, and the ending was well...don't wanna spoil anything. And if you've already read the series, stick with it, because better books are yet to come.


My Rating: 5/10


                                                    Live 2 Read,

                                                                  ~Chantel*

Eggs

by: Jerry Spinelli

220 pages
Summary: After nine year old, David's, mother dies, he, his father, and grandmother pack up and move to Pennsylvania. His grandmother takes him to an Easter Egg Hunt, where he sees this beautiful girl lying there. He asks her if she's dead, and she doesn't respond. He starts to tell her about him, and leaves waiting to her about the news in the paper. Turns out the girl who was supposedly dead, is Primrose, a 13 year old girl who defies all rules. 

  
 The two fight on and off constantly, only to hurt each other about the parents they lost (Primrose's father and David's mother). They make up and Primrose announces she going to go to Philadelphia to see the Waving Man-a man who had been seen on TV waving at people. Having no choice David goes along, and the two have a wild and sweet adventure. Showing us that two opposites who have nothing in common, except loneliness, can have a friendship as deep as this. 


My Reaction: So my summary did not give the book justice. It was a really sweet book, about friendship. Davids and Primroses friendship has its ups and downs just like any other friendship. It is also very relatable to if you have lost someone-particularly a parent-which I have. There were a couple parts of the book that I personally didn't think had to be there, or didn't have to do with the situation, but amazing besides that.


My Rating: 8/10


                                              Never Finished Reading,

                                                                                    ~Chantel!

A Countess Below Stairs

by Eva Ibbotson

383 pages
Summary: After her father dies, Countess Anna Grazinsky from  Russia and her mother move in with her housekeeper, Penny. She manged previously to get her younger brother, Petya into an established school. As she realizes that three of them are losing money quickly, Anna is determined to find a job...

                Meanwhile at a "palace" in England, the staff is preparing for the Prince to return from war. They put up an add, only to have some foreign girl show up. Desperate for workers (since most of them were lost in the war), they hire her. They all suspect some thing's up since she's so refined, and expect her to quit all too soon. But Anna is here to stay.

                By the time Prince Rupert returns home, the palace is looking marvelous, and little does he know, but some of the workers are starting to warm up to Anna. He has BIG news to tell his family: he's engaged, but that was before he met Anna...

Our Reactions: Ok, so we're doing something different this time, we've both read this book so we're both going to give our own personal reviews. 

            
Marie's: I really enjoyed reading this book. Anna is a very likable character, and you can't help but admire her for going out and getting a job on her own in a foreign place. As for Prince Edward...Anna came just in time! 
  This is a great story, I would recommend this book!
  
Chantel's: I loved this book! It was absolutely wonderful. I loved the many characters tied into the story. There are twists and turns, and so many different things happen than you expect. The only thing is that there is like two little inappropriate moments, but I was willing to overlook it, because I was already in love with this book.

Our Ratings: 9/10




                                          Read On,




                                                         ~Marie and Chantel <3
               

            

Tangled

by: Carolyn Mackler

308 pages
Summary: None of them wanted to go, but once they got to Paradise, their lives would never be the same again. The story follows four different people, how they all fit in together, over the span of four months. 

                     Jenna will experience a crush that might be actually be more than just a crush, and how to live on the wild side, in April.

                     Dakota comes to terms with his past, and try to move on. And realizes that acting like a jerk isn't all it's cracked up to be, in May.

                     In June, Skylar will have to stop playing her role, and be herself, and finally come to terms with the truth.

                    For Owen in July, he'll have to take a risk, and step out of his online world, and finally chase his dreams and go after a girl he met in Paradise...

                    Like it says their lives will never be the same again-ever.

My Reaction: I honestly couldn't finish this book, at first I thought this book was really sweet, but then it got really inappropriate. I liked the beginning, but like half way through Jenna's story it got umm interesing, but i kept reading, but by the time I got to Dakota's story I had to stop. So personally I wouldn't reccomend this book, but i guess it just depends on who you are. 

My Rating: 2/10

       Sometimes books aren't perfect, but keep reading,

                                                                                                ~ Chantel

A Deadly Game

 

By: Virginia Smith


Summary:   Susanna Trent didn't expect to become part of the game. After fulfilling an odd request from her boss, buying a red Corvette, she returns to the office to find him dead. She has no idea what happened. Then she receives a package filled with strange metal tokens and what seems like random clues to something. 
   When Susanna realizes her little girl is in danger, she and Jack Townsend, the only other witness of the murder, know they must get to the bottom of whatever is happening. All they know is, they aren't the only ones playing the game, but they need to hurry.


Reaction:   This book had me guessing from the beginning. Virginia Smith is a good writer, and I really enjoyed reading this book.The summary may sound a little confusing, but the book itself is easy to follow. Aside from the first scene, there's not a lot of blood involved. It's more of a strategy game. But, I won't reveal too much!!


Rating:  10/10


                                Thanks for Reading!
                                      ~Marie

Daisy Chains

By: Sandra Byrd

Summary:   Daisy Chains is about two girls, Kylie and Rachel. Kylie's cousin Jed is marrying Rachel's cousin Davina. Jed has asked the girls to be in charge of the flowers for the wedding. They find that they have a lot in common and become good friends. One of their differences, however, is that Rachel's whole family is Jewish, and Jed isn't. This worries Davina's family.
     
    When Kylie meets Rachel older brother, Jake, she can't help but question her mother's fairness with her strict rules. They like each other, but Kylie's sure her mother wouldn't approve. Meanwhile, Rachel also struggles 
against her Dad's over-protectiveness. 
Both want to do what's right.




Reaction: One thing I liked about this book was the setting. The story was made around a wedding, and it's written from two different points of view, Rachel's and Kylie's. However, the ending is a little different than what I would've expected. I still enjoyed it and learned from reading Daisy Chains.




 Rating:  8/10
                                                 Check Back Soon! 


                                                   ~Marie

Bunheads

by Sophie Flack
294 pages
Summary: Hannah Ward, has always dreamed of being a ballerina, and when she turned 14, she got her chance to dance with the Manhattan Ballet Company . Now 19, her dream is to become a soloist...
                      Now that she has a chance, there's a chance. With feelings of jealousy, and friends and boy issues, Hannah realizes that outside of dance, she hasn't experienced that much. She must decide whether to compete with the other "bunheads" or strike out on her own. This book follows Hannah through three intense ballet seasons, and through intense rehearsals, dazzling performances, backstage relationships, and tough decisions, Bunheads is the book to read.


My Reaction: Sure the title is a little weird, but once you figure out what the definition is in the book, you start to realize why it's called that. So besides that I really liked this book. The beginning I thought was amazing. I liked how Sophie Flack, was a ballet dancer, and how she detailed the emotions of a ballet dancer. She also did a great job with explaining ballet moves and costumes. I liked how the book was not only a story but and introduction to dance. Watch out NFL players, cause here come the Bunheads.


Rating: 10/10 




                                                  Read, Dance and Love, 


                                                                                            ~Chantel *

The Ashleys

by: Melissa de la Cruz (book 1)
256 pages
Summary: The Ashleys have ruled Miss Gamble's school since kindergarten. And they don't remember how many girls they've teased and tortured over the years, but Lauren Page, and the other girls in her class do. So she's devised a plan: to become one of the Ashley's and then destroy them. And now that her dad has created a website that made them rich, she just might have a chance. With her new makeover, Lauren thinks it'll be a piece of cake to get into the Ashley's, well the Ashley's wouldn't eat cake-carbs-hello.
               Ashley Spencer has her own problems with being the leader of the school-and her allergy to nuts-but now that Lauren's transformed, she knows that she has to take her down before she thinks she has a chance with the Ashley's (her name's not even Ashley, what's up with that?), but Lauren doesn't seem to be going anywhere-yet. Ashley Li "Lili" is also going through rough times too, with trying to be own her person, and stop being Ashley's shadow. She's so sick of Ashley always getting what she wants, and whatever she wants is always the best. Ashley Alioto "A.A." has boy troubles, with this online boyfriend who thinks she sixteen, when she's only twelve. He's sooo easy to talk to online, but if they met in person would he think she's some immature seventh grader? So you see Lauren not everyone's perfect, but the Ashleys are as close as it gets.

My Reaction: So if you've read my review on the Clique, this book kind of follows along the same lines. If there are seventh graders who are that superficial, i'm worried. These girls seem like they should be in high school rather than in jr. high. Although I can relate to some of their feelings, and I did like the ending, but it was just kind of preppy for my taste. I also thought that one day kinda dragged out for chapters at a time. I really thought that it was almost like the Clique exactly, until around the end, which I found reallllly good. My favorite part would definetly be the sleepover. All in all a pretty good book.

Rating: 6-7/10

                                      Read in Peace, 

                                                             Chantel :)   
   
P.S. Currently reading the second book, the Ashleys: Jealous?

Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies

 by: Erin Dionne
256 pages
Summary: Celeste Harris has enough problems in the seventh grade, with being a little chubby and having a friends stealing bully, but now that THIS: her aunt entered her in a plus-size modeling pageant(the miss HuskyPeach.)
                       Celeste is determined to get out of it, and thinks up a plan so she can get out of it. She'll get rid of her chocolate cookie obsession, shed off the weight, and slink right out of the competition, little does she know what's coming next. In a book about dealing with friends, being who you are, and most importantly accepting the yourself, Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies is a real page turner. 

My Reaction: I loved this book, it's funny,sad, and has a lot of heartfelt character. By the end of the book, I feel better about myself, and didn't really care what people think of me-as much. You think you can predict what's coming next, but sometimes your wrong...

Rating: 9/10

                                               Reading as Usual,                                                                               ~Chantel <3     

Cinderella Cleaners, Book 1

By: Maya Gold


Summary:  This is Diana's first year working at her father's store, Cinderella Cleaners. She loves the chance to get out of her house and works there every day after school. One day, she finds a gorgeous fur coat with something in the pocket - 2 tickets to a gala in New York City! 


    She gets an outrageous idea, and with the help of some friends (co-workers at Cinderella Cleaners), Diana finds out the owner of the tickets is gone. She makes a plan to get to the gala, pretending to be the owner of the coat and tickets. Will she be able to make it???




    Reaction:  Okay, so I thought this book was interesting...Diana is a relatable character, but then the situation gets a little far-fetched. However, it ends better than I expected. I enjoyed this book.




    Rating:  6.5/10




                                        Keep Reading!


                                             ~Marie (:

Revenge of the Wannabes

by: Lisi Harrison (the Clique book #3)
296 pages
Summary: After Teen Vogue wants to talk to the winner of the uniform contest. And when the other finds out she is furious. 

                     Alicia has made plans with a few new girls, and Olivia spills the beans in front of the rest of the Pretty Committee. Massie is furious and officially declares Alicia an EW (eternal wannabe.) Now Alicia has no choice but to start a new clique of her own, but does she have what it takes. Meanwhile Massie is furious, and worried that some of her Pretty Committee members might choose Alicia over her. 
                   Claire has arrived, and is now an official member of the Pretty Committee, and has a crush who's crushing back. Kristen on the other hand is torn between two groups, and doesn't know which one to choose. While Dylan is suspicious of Massie, and isn't sure which clique she should be in. It's a war of the cliques, you won't want to miss.


My Reaction: This book is awesome. It's one out of two of my favorite Clique books. I liked the suspense, and changes in this book. The only thing I have a problem with is that these girls act more like high schoolers than 13 year olds, but besides that loooved the book. Invasion of the Boy Snatchers coming next in this series. 


My Rating: 8/10


                                           Read On,


                                                           ~Chantel

The Cupcake Queen, by Heather Hepler

    Summary:  When her parents separate, big-city girl Penny and her mom move to a little town called Hog's Hollow, where they open a cupcake shop. At first, Penny hates Hog's Hollow and wants to move back to Manhattan more than anything. She struggles to make friends at her new school, mostly because the 'popular' girl group doesn't like her at all.
         In time, however, Penny finds some new friends there who accept her for who she is, like quirky Tally, and Marcus, a cute but mysterious boy who Penny seems to run into everywhere. By the end, she realizes that maybe Hog's Hollow isn't so bad after all. She still must make a choice between moving back to her dad's or staying in Hog's Hollow.




   Reaction:   I thought this book was worthwhile, and I was happy with how it ended and Penny's choice. It's a good coming of age story, with a little romance, but I think it's very sweet. It shows the importance of being yourself and not just following the crowd. I would recommend reading it!!




   Rating: 10/10
       
                                              ~Marie

Best Friends For Never

by: Lisi Harrison (the Clique book#2)
208 pages
Summary: After the Pretty Committee wears inappropriate Halloween costumes to school, the school decides it's time for uniforms. But not just any type of uniforms, but ones that the students design, and the class gets to votes on their favorite. While Claire and Massie and the rest of the Pretty Committee work on uniforms together, Alicia pairs up with a girl named Olivia. Now she's Massie's biggest enemy. While Massie and Alicia part, Claire and Massie grow closer. 
               Massie decides to throw the first boy/girl party, and has Claire co-host. While they are planning the party, they come up with a bet:Massie can't repeat clothing for a month, while Claire has to find new things to wear, the loser will have to wear a snowsuit to school.
               The day of the party comes, and Claire finds a cute boy that might be interested in her as well. Meanwhile Dylan and Kristen are crushing on the same boy, but doesn't know which of them he likes. The problem is there's a fourth side to this love triangle...just wait until you find out who it is.


My Reaction: I thought this book was good, not as great as the first, but definitely a page turner. I like how the Pretty Committee has a change of "members." I also like the ending...you'll never guess who wins the uniform contest or what happens at the Halloween party. Look for Revenge of the Wannabees coming soon...


My Rating: 7/10 (questions, just ask)




                                              Thanks for Checking us out,
                                                             
                                                                                     ~Chantel

The Clique

by: Lisi Harrison (book #1)
220 pgaes
Summary: When Claire's parents loose their jobs, their college friends the Blocks invite them to live in their guesthouse. She expects to become friends with their daughter-who's the same age-Massie. Little did she know that Massie is the most popular girl at school, and that she already has three other friends who are already in their own clique. Thinking that they are like her friends back home, Claire thinks it will be easy to become friends with them, little does she know what the girls in Westchester are really like...the problem isn't getting in, it's staying in.


My Reaction: Truth is, if I had read this book in the fifth grade, I would've thought it was totally untrue. But when I read it in sixth grade, I was like hey that kinda stuff kinda happens at our school, just not as extreme. I still think that it is a bit far fetched, but a great book series. Best Friends for Never coming soon!


My Rating: 7/10 (questions as to why I rated it this just ask)


                 


                                                            Keep Reading,
                                                                                         
                                                                                 ~ Chantel <3

The Daughters

by: Joanna Philbin (book #1)                               297 pages                                                                     Summary:  Lizzie, Carina, and Hudson's lives have never been normal. Not with being the daughters of some of the most famous people in the country. The three have a special bond since they are all in the same situations, and have been friends for years. 

                     Now not a cute little girl anymore, Lizzie finds herself totally ignored by cameras, and in the shadow of her mother's beauty. But when a photographer defines her as the "new pretty", Lizzie must make a choice, whether to do the shoot or not. 
                 When Todd Piedmont returns, he provides a distraction for Lizzie. They had been friends when they were younger, but the he moved away, but not before they shared their first kiss. Now that he's back, Lizzie develops a crush on him, but she doesn't know how he feels, should she act on her feelings or not? She turns to Hudson and Carina for advice and help.

My Reaction:  I loved the daughters!! It was great for girls in Jr. high and up. It had romance and friendship. I also really liked the fact that it was written by Joanna Philbin, who is the daughter of TV host Regis Philbin. It ends on a cliff hanger, which will make you want to read the second book, The Daughters Break the Rules (Review coming soon).


My Rating: 9/10 


*the only reason i gave it a nine, is because I liked the second book better.






Sorry guys, this is my first review, and I know I probably made some mistakes, but if you have any suggestions, comment, and I'll take that into consideration when writing more reviews. 


                                           Thanks for Reading


                                                                                 ~Chantel