Love? Maybe

by: Heather Hepler

272 pages
Summary: Okay, so Piper's birthday is on Valentine's Day, that does not mean she's romantic. In fact, she's just the opposite. After seeing her father, and step father leave, she doesn't even think she believes in love at all. She finds herself taking care of her younger siblings, since her mom who runs a flower shop is too busy, and helping at a candy shop. Piper's friend Jillian decides to make up "The Plan" to cheer Piper and their friend Claire, who recently broke up with her boyfriend up. They make heart candies and give them to their crushes, now the candy shop where Piper works is sold out. Jillian likes to think that the candies worked, because Piper's long time crush, Ben Donovan asks her out. She also thinks that he is the one who is leaving presents in her locker everyday. But true love never follows as planned, and after these gifts from a "secret admirer", Piper starts to wonder if she's with the wrong guy.

My Reaction: This book was adorable. It's the perfect romance book. Even though it's a romance book, there's a little mystery to see if the admirer is Ben or someone else, and if it is someone else, who? There's also family and friend problems...I think Hepler covered every basic topic in a girl's life: family, friends,and love. The only thing was Jillian. She came on a little strong, and annoying, but some people are like that. Another thing about this book, totally beliveable, which is good, because quite a few teen books aren't. Another great book by Hepler. Totally Enjoyable. 


My Rating: 8/10


                                                        
Don't Stop Reading,
                                                                                                   
~Chantel*

The Clique Summer Collection: Massie

by: Lisi Harrison (book 1)

123 pages

Summary: The clique is out for summer before 8th grade starts, and Massie is looking forward to winning a horse riding competition. Only to be kicked out for trying a stunt. Now her parents are telling her she has to repay them all the money they spent for her to go to horse riding camp. She takes a job as a makeup representative for a new cosmetics company who's main philosophy is that "beauty is on the inside." Massie skips her training DVDs, and comes up with a plan of her own. Massie finds out that she's a lot more successful telling girls that they're ugly and that her products can help them fix them. Suddenly business is booming.Until the president of the company drops in to see Massie's technique, first hand...


My Reaction: Ok, since it's almost summer, this is the perfect book. You don't necessarily have to read the summer collection, but it helps when reading the next actual Clique book. I'm not one of those people who knows all the fashion brands, and stuff. This book has a lot of that. That could be a good or bad thing. Another thing is that Massie never learns from her mistakes. The book didn't have huge point, but it's definitely worth reading if you're going to continue reading the series.


My Rating: 6.5/10


                                           Peace, Love, and Read, 

                                                                             ~Chantel:) 

Deep Down Popular

by: Phoebe Stone

288 pages 
Summary: Jessie Lou is your normal average sixth grade Southern tomboy. She spends her days dreaming about popular Conrad Smith. But when he starts wearing a leg brace, he loses his popularity and gives Jessie Lou an opening. Jessie Lou is asked by their teacher to carry his books home for him everyday. Since Conrad can't quite keep up with his old friends, he and Jessie Lou start hanging out more. 


                     Soon Jessie, Conrad, and quirky fourth-grade Quentin, are all in a scheme to save Bailey Hardware from it new competition. Meanwhile, Jessie Lou finds out someone else has been in love with her, as she keeps on hoping that Conrad keeps limping, since she's loved him ever since 2nd grade. There's also loved between Jessie Lou and her Granddaddy, and her Granddaddy, and Jessie Lou's mom.  Then narration of this story is through the eyes of a young poet, which Jessie Lou is. As she tells of laughs and longing, and "a field of flowers that was never supposed to bloom."


My Reaction: I thought this book was such a good love story, full  of twists and turns, and challenges. The way Jessie Lou tells this story is pretty amazing. It was a little kiddish here and there, but it's a really sweet story, and I like it. 


My Rating; 8/10


                                 Every Book Is Popular to Someone, 

                                                                                    ~Chantel*

The Sisters Club

by: Megan McDonald (book #1)
208 pages
Summary: Alex-the oldest loves acting, Stevie-the middle hates it, and Joey-the youngest loves pioneer and jello. And yes they are all girls. The three are members of their own sisters club, which includes meeting in Alex's room every week. But then everything changed...
                     Alex tried out for Beauty and the Beast-her school play, and now she wants nothing to do with Stevie and Joey, all she wants to do is practice lines. Then there's their mom, who gets her own tv show "Fondue Sue", only one problem, she can't cook-at all. Now their dad is working on the props for Beauty and the Beast. Now the only ones left at the dinner table are Joey and Stevie, and Stevie decides to do something do bring the family back together, which doesn't go so well. 
                   Something good happens, Alex got the part of Beauty, now everything should go back to normal-Wrong! Now that Alex has the part of Beauty, she brings her Beast to dinner ...but sisters do what sisters do, and now Alex isn't speaking to Joey or Stevie. Will the sisters club every be the same again? In a book about actors, sock monkeys, oh and sisters, the Sisters Club is a book to read.


My Reaction: This book is good for girls who are 12ish. But it is good for anyone who has sisters, or those of who have 'honorary sisters.' It's also good for those of us who love acting. It's a fun-summer read, I would say. But i think it is funny and sweet in its own quirky way. 

My Rating: 7.5/10

                                      Try Reading Anything You Can,

                                                                 ~Chantel:D


P.S. Got more books today! Excited!!!  

Confetti Girl

by: Diana Lopez

 208 pages
Summary: Lina had a pretty good life, but then her mom died. Now all Lina's dad does is bury himself in books. Next door, Lina's best friend Vanessa isn't dealing much better with her mom, who deals with her divorce by making confetti-filled cascarones out of eggshells.At first everything goes fine with the girls' parents, but then they push it too far. They devise a plan to set their parents up together, so they devise a plan to set their parents up together. But Lina's crush, doesn't develop as well as Vanessa's. Now all Vanessa wants to do is hang out with her new boyfriend, instead of with Lina. On top of that, Lina and Vanessa's parents seemed to be getting along better than they thought, and now Lina is left all by herself. Will Lina be able to deal with the loss of her mother, father, and best friend? And what about her crush? 


My Reaction: This book is pretty good. It really deals with problems teens face. Like sometimes you feel like everyone is leaving you out, or no one understands. But eventually you can overcome these problems. The only thing is that it deals with Mexican stuff, and since I'm not Mexican I got a little confused, but over all a good book.


My Rating: 7/10


                                                    Reading As Always,
                                                                                
                                                                                ~Chantel<3

Trading Faces

By: Julia DeVillers & Jennifer Roy
304 pages

Summary: This book is about two sisters, Payton and Emma. They're twins, just starting out at a new middle school. They've been pretty sheltered all along, so this is an exciting new start for both of them... until they find out: they are separated! Neither of them have any classes together.


          This especially scares super-smart but shy Emma. Up until that point, she had always had fashion-forward, popular Payton to back her up and give her advice. But, when a hilarious incident causes Payton to have a mini-meltdown, Emma rushes in and offers to take Payton's place, just for a day, since she was always the calm one. Because no one can tell them apart, it just may work. 


           Many unusual and awkward events follow, and Emma and Payton learn from literally, spending a day in the other person's shoes. (Unfortunately for Emma, that means Payton's high heels!!)


Reaction: I know, I know... twins trading places sounds so generic. But this book had me laughing the entire time. It was told from both girls' points of view. Trading Faces was definitely a worthwhile book, even just because it was so funny. It also gave a good look into the everyday life of a teenager. 


Rating: 10/10


                                Always Reading,
                                 ~Marie (:

PS- Check out these sites about the authors!
         http://www.jenniferroy.com/kidsteens.html
               http://web.mac.com/juliagirlwise/Site/Welcome.html

My Life in Pink and Green

by: Lisa Greenwald

272 pages
Summary: Lucy Desberg, has always been a problem solver. But when the local homecoming queen comes to her family's struggling drugstore, needing help with a problem Lucy helps fix, this 12 year old's life will never be the same again. Now she's got people asking for makeovers for school dances to bar mitzvah. But now that her beauty tips are a hit, the pharmacy is now struggling. She comes up with a plan to make the pharmacy the center of town, help the family business, and help the environment. Now if only her family could stop fighting long enough to listen to her.

My Reaction: This book is not your typical teen book. It focuses on family, environment,  and make-up. I liked this as a change of pace from the average book. Even though I liked the change of pace, I also would've liked a little more normal teen stuff (romance, school, etc.) Also it just wasn't a real page turner for me. The problems in this book just weren't relatable or huge problems. Just my opinion. 


My Rating: 6/10


                                                  BookLover As Always!

                                                                                ~Chantel<3

Dial L For Loser

by: Lisi Harrison (the Clique book #6)
 272 pages
Summary: After witnessing the biggest catfight caught on television, the Pretty Committee can't believe it leads to one of the actresses quitting the newest hit movie, Dial L for Loser. Now the film doesn't have a "loser" for the film. Then the director of the movie finds Massie's cell phone, and insists that Massie, Claire, and Alicia try out for Hadley's (the girl who quit) role in the movie. Dylan isn't invited because she spread the gossip which started the catfight in the first place, and Kristen can't go because of her parents. So the rest of the Pretty Committee heads out to L.A.                                                             
                  Once there, the girls meet stars, and prepare for their audition... but only one can get it. 


My Reaction: Ok so this book just seemed kinda unrealistic to me. I mean it's hard to believe that all this just "happened." Also even after the girls get to Hollywood, the things that follow are still far fetched. I also have my usual problem with this book (and the others) and that is that they only tell the perspective in Massie and Claire's viewpoint. Still, there were some good parts, but for the most part the book was a disappointment and it's always good to stay with the series. 


My Rating: 5/10


              Sometimes Life's Not the Only Thing That's Predictable,


                                                                                      ~CHANTEL


                                                                                  

Never Mind

by: Avi and Rachel Vail

272 pages

Summary: How did this happen? It wasn't supposed to. Most people would think things would be different now that they were separated-wrong! Lets back it up, Meg and Edward have always been twins definitely not identical or alike. Since they tormented each other so much, their parents decided to send them to different high schools...So how did it happen?

                   Well first Edward answered the phone when the popular Kimberley Wu Woodsen called to talk to Meg, and tells her that he's Megs twin brother. When Meg answers, Kimberley asks her a bunch of questions about this twin brother of her. Sooo Meg decides to create Ned, this tall, handsome, talented in a musician in a band, only one problem. Little does she know that Edward is listening on the other line, planning to destroy Meg's chances of being in the High Achievers Club. He calls Kimberley back to tell her that he and his band Never Mind, can play at her party that Saturday night. Kimberley is thrilled, and will be sure to tell everyone. Soon everyone knows about Meg's awesome twin brother playing Saturday night, but Meg! As Meg frets, Edward plans...only one will come out of this on top.

My Reaction: Ok, so I read this book three times, and loved it-obviously. But the last time I read was in the 6th grade, and now that I look back it kinda seems immature. But I also remember loving it. Sooo it is a good book, just a little kiddish. I do recommend this for like summer reading, so if you don't like it yo can return it, or exchange it for another book that same day. It just depends on who you are...

My Rating: 7-8/10

                                          Books are...oh Never Mind

                                                                            ~Chantel:D

P.S. I'm currently reading the Darlings are Forever, by Melissa Kantor. Review coming soon. Thanks for reading!!