To Kill A Mockingbird

by: Harper Lee

323 pages

Summary:
Jem and Scout's life has always been pretty quiet, living in the town of Mayomb, Alabama. Then a strange boy from out of town shows up to stay with his aunt for the summer. The three of them decide to try to lure out a man, Boo Radley, who has been outside of his house for as long as they can remember.

Summer after summer they try different ways to get him out. And summer after summer, Scout and Jem's life change as their father takes on an unusual and threatening case. And after the case is over, their lives will never be the same again.

My Reaction:
Since I had to read this book for school, at first I found it boring and not something I usually read, and it's not. But after a while I found myself enjoying the book and getting carried away on the adventures of Jem and Scout. But no book is perfect, and this one wasn't either, it is a bit hard for us in these modern times to relate to two childern, but for the time it was written in, I think it's great.

My Rating: 8.5/10



                                                   Spring Into Reading,
               
                                                                                 ~Chantel(:

P.S. Sorry guys, between breaks, travelings, finals, sports, and just soo much going on, we've been soo busy...but trying to post more often. Thanks for staying up with our blog!!

Roses For Mama

By: Janette Oke

222 pages

Summary: After her and her family moved out west, because of her mother's health, Angela's life changed drastically. Both of her parents died, and since then her brother and her have been raising her three younger siblings for the past three years. Now seventeen, Angela struggles to raise her younger siblings, and raising the way her mother would want her. As she grows, and wants to live her own life, Angela feels trapped. As she starts to have feelings for someone, Angela wonders if this is really what God has in store for her. 

My Reaction: I loved this book! Probably one of my favorites by this author. While some of Oke's books tend not to have a significant amount of romance, this one has quite a bit of clean romance. As usual Oke's writing and plot was good. It showed how the decisions we make don't only affect ourselves, but others around us too. Like I said a favorite by Oke. Loved it!

My Rating: 9/10

                        
                                                       Tender, Loving, Reading,
                               
                                                                                                 ~Chantel


P.S. OMG guys over 1100 views!! U guys are awesome <3 u!!!

Mockingjay

by: Suzanne Collins (the Hunger Games #3)

391 pages
Summary: Peeta's been captured, Katniss's home has been destroyed, Gale's escaped, and District 13 exists. But most importantly a revolution has begun. District 13 is plotting to overthrow the Capitol-which is where Peeta is. 

                      Katniss is trying to settle into life, when she finds out that she is the face of District 13. The District starts making videos and spreading them throughout the Districts. The Capitol sends some videos of their own...                       
                    Then the shootings start, and Katniss soon finds herself in the middle of the revolution. Decisions will be made. Lives will be the same. And no one-even you-will ever be the same again.

My Reaction: I liked this book, but I didn't love it. The first two were amazing, and I couldn't wait to read this one. But when I actually did read it, it was sort of a disappointment. In Hunger Games and Catching Fire, the surprises that Collins put in made me never want to put the book down, but in Mockingjay, I found mysself dreading the surprises. I did like the ending-let me rephrase that-I loooved the ending, even though it was a little flawed. Even if it wasn't perfect, it was a great conclusion to the Hunger Games trilogy.

My Rating: 7.5/10

                             Peace, Love, Read,

                                                          ~Chantel

P.S. Just started reading I Am Number 4. Review coming soon after I finish it!

Magyk

by: Angie Sage (Septimus Heap #1)

564 pages
Summary: Wizard Silas Heap, and his wife Sarah give birth to the seventh son of the seventh son-Septimus Heap-only to have him pronounced dead. That same night while Silas is out getting some things in the forest, he comes across a baby girl at the edge of the forest. The Heaps take her in and raise her as their own. But who is this girl really? And whatever happened to Septimus?
                        Now on Jenna Heap's tenth birthday, everything is about to change. Her true identity is revealed, the Heaps have to flee the only home they've ever known, and be separated on top of that. Accompanied by the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, Marcia Overstrand, their dog Maxie, Jenna's brother Nicko, and an unexpected traveler Jenna and Silas head to stay with Silas's sister. But someone is following them, and their mission is to kill...


My Reaction: I liked this book a lot! It had suspense, action, and on top of that surprises. I liked the characters, and how they had their own strengths and weaknesses. I also liked the recurring characters, and how they all had their own special part in this story. This is a young adult book, so there wasn't any romance whatsoever, which was disappointing. I also didn't like this one part near the ending, even though the ending was amaaazing. I recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure, and doesn't mind some weird creatures. 

My Rating: 8/10

                                Keep Calm and Continue Reading,

                                                                                      ~Chantel

P.S. *Sorry guys, been reallly busy with school, we try to post as often as we can.


OMW over 900 views, thanks guys sooo much!!! Really appreciate it :)

Inkheart

by: Cornelia Funke (Inkheart #1)

534 pages

Summary: When Meggie Folchart was three years old, her father, Mo read aloud from Inkheart. Out of no where, three characters from the story appeared. Now nine years later, Meggie's in for the surprise of her life.
                         For some reason, that Mo won't tell her, the Folchart's are forced to leave their home and stay with an aunt that Meggie's never met, along with an "old friend" of Mo's. When they get there, Meggie finds herself in a world of books. But Meggie's interested in a particular book, and it seems that she's not the only one. 
                          When secrets are revealed, unexpected visitors arrive, and a new world is introduced, Meggie, Mo, and all their friends wish they go back to a different time and place...

My Reaction: This book was AMAZIIING! I absolutely loved it. Funke tells a great story about family, friends, and books. Inkheart is told from many different viewpoints, and is a book I would recommend to any one who loves books. After reading Inkheart, I appreciated books a whole lot more. After reading the back of the book, it seemed a little slow getting into it, but it's full of action and suspense right from the beginning. A wonderful read!!!

My Rating: 11/10

                                               Tender Loving Reading,

                                                                                  ~Chantel<3

P.S. Sorry we haven't posted in a while, started high school and have been really busy. We'll post when we can. Love u guys! 
Also currently reading Magyk by Angie Sage. Review coming when I finish it!

Take A Bow

by: Elizabeth Eulberg
280 pages
Summary: A childhood actor, a shy songwriter, a planning to-be superstar, and a passionate songwriter all have one thing in common, they go to CPA (the New York City High School of the Creative and Performing Arts).Take A Bow follows Carter, Emme, Sophie, and Ethan during their senior year at CPA, and the changes and dreams they face.
                      Carter had his fame when he was only 10 years old. Now starring on a soap opera, Carter struggles with being the Carter Harrison everyone expects him to be, and the person he was born to be, and do what he wants to do...
                      Emme has always been behind the spotlight, instead of in it. Emme's has always had Sophie sing her songs, and that's how it should be. But with college auditions coming up, Emme's going to have to find her own voice, in more ways than one.
                      Sophie knows she has the voice to be a star, but she needs the famous boyfriend and unsure songwriting best friend, and she has no problem using them. Well maybe she has a problem with it, but as far as she can see, that's the only way she can be a star. 
                     Ethan is the best songwriter in his class, probably because he has the most inspiration-considering he has managed to ruin every relationship he's ever been in. Emme is the only girl he's really respected or really loved, but is he willing to risk their friendship,  or keep the feelings bottled up inside him?


My Reaction: This book was fantastic! The way Eulberg described the feelings the characters had was incredible. I especially loved how the chapters was told in the main characters viewpoints. I also loved how Eulberg made the characters so lovable and believable. The ending also was touching, and left the reader to draw their own conclusion to what happens to the characters. This book is definitely a favorite of mine. 


My Rating: 10/10


                                                Reading As Always,


                                                                                  ~Chantel*

Northanger Abbey

by: Jane Austen
251 pages

Summary: 17 year old, Catherine Morland, is from a country parsonage, she always sees the best in people and loves Gothic thrillers. She ends up spending a few weeks in Bath with family friends, Mr. and Mrs. Allen. While there, she meets two sets of siblings-Henry and Eleanor Tilney and Isabella and John Thorpe. 


Henry Tilney invites Catherine to go to his family estate- Northanger Abbey. Catherine decides to go, but being a great reader of Gothic thrillers, Catherine finds her suspicions getting ahold of her.   What is the mystery surrounding the death of Henry’s mother? Is the family concealing a terrible secret within the elegant rooms of the Abbey? Can she trust Henry, or is he part of an evil conspiracy?


My Reaction: Ok this book was interesting. First of all Jane Austen can be heard to interrupt sometimes and I found myself not understanding parts of this book and others. But what I could understand, i loooved. Catherine finds herself in many disastrous situations, and being caught between two sets of siblings. The characters in this book, were fantastic, as Catherine spends time with them, we really get to see who they are. Near the ending, the events that occur, were very...unexpected, but added to the suspense if things would turn out right. A great novel by Austen, in my opinion. 


My Rating: 7/10



                                     Live, Laugh, Read,
                                                      ~Chantel:)

Esperanza Rising

by: Pam Munoz Ryan
288 pages
Summary: Esperanza has always had a privileged on her father's ranch in Mexico. But then tragedy strikes when her father dies. Now her she and her mother have to escape to California to get away from her uncles who want her father's land. Esperanza finds herself in a new world as she faces harsh living conditions, hard work, and financial problems during the Great Depression. 
                        Just as Esperanza starts to accept her new life, her mother becomes ill. Esperanza finds herself upset with her grandmother, but things only get worse when she finds out what has happened to her. With everything falling apart, Esperanza must find a way to rise above it.


My Reaction: Like a few other books, this isn't the typical sort of book we post on this blog. But teens can relate to the family and prejudice in this book. Also it has a riches to rags kind of feel, as Esperanza adjusts to this new life. There's also a great deal of history and even if you have read a book about the Great Depression, this is different, in a good way. Ryan does a great job dealing with the problems and emotions Esperanza feels. This book is not only good for teens, but for every girl.


My Rating: 8.5/10


                                                        Continue Reading,


                                                                                         ~Chantel:)

Anna Finch and the Hired Gun

By: Kathleen Y'Barbo
325 pages


Summary: Anna Finch is determined to become a reporter. Her stubborn refusal to all of her father's attempts to marry her off push her father to try something a little different: Hire somebody specifically to watch out for his daughter and keep her out of trouble. So, he looks to Jeb Sanders, a local Pinkerton agent.  
         Through a chance encounter with Jeb, Anna realizes she is falling for this man, not knowing that he is getting paid to keep watch on her. Jeb struggles, trying hard not to let his feelings get in the way of his work. 
          However, when Anna unintentionally comes across legend Doc Holliday, and is given the chance at the story of a lifetime, Jeb steps in. Anna doesn't realize that a secret from Jeb's past keeps him from                                         forgiving Doc Holliday, and their romance is threatened.


Reaction: This book had a different story line than I had expected. It starts right in, and through several interesting situations, you get to like Anna Finch. She thinks she knows what she want in life, but learns that maybe that's not what she needs. 
   The one thing I didn't like so much about this book was that it was a little far-fetched. The odds of Anna actually meeting someone like Doc Holliday, along with some other things, definitely aren't likely. 


Rating:  7/10




                               Enjoy your summer reading!
                                 ~Marie 

The Music of Dolphins

By: Karen Hesse
181 pages
Summary: Mila is a wild child. Literally. Because of a plane crash when she was very young, she has been living in the ocean for quite a while. Adopted by a group of dolphins, Mila adapts to their way of life, learning to communicate, hunt, eat, and protect each other. At night, she finds an island to sleep on before heading back out to her dolphin family in the morning.
          Then one day, Mila is found. On an island, just getting some food, she is found and picked up by a helicopter. Put into a home with doctors to help her 'become human' she doesn't know how to respond. Where is her dolphin family? Is this how her life was intended to be?
          This book follows Mila's learning and thinking process, and that of her doctors as well. Maybe what they thought Mila wanted wasn't what she actually needed?


Reaction: This book was a little different than what we usually post on here. It doesn't really have any romance. Still, it was very good and I have already read it several times. Coming from Mila's point of view, it really makes you think about how we live. I would definitely recommend this book.


Rating:  10/10


                         Thanks for Reading!


                                      Marie <3                      

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