This was the first year I had the opportunity to volunteer to be a part of Nerds Heart YA, and I was so so excited when I was picked as a judge! What is Nerds Heart YA, you might ask? Basically, it’s an opportunity to highlight young adult books published during 2009 that received little or no publicity throughout the year and dealt with diversity in some form. The event is set up like a tournament bracket with the final result ending in one book as the ultimate winner.

So, what books fell into my bracket, for me to judge? Lets see…

Decision courtesy of Melissa from Book Nut: In Mike We Trust by P.E. Ryan

Personal Summary: Garth is your typical teen, with a few exceptions…he’s recently “come out” to his mother, suddenly he’s inherited a seemingly well-meaning “stand-in-dad” in the form of his uncle, and he’s suddenly prone to dressing up in costumes in public. Sounds pretty normal, right? Probably not, but that’s also okay.

Through a series of rather tragic events, Garth’s mother has now become quite obsessive about his personal safety in regards to every aspect of his life, including his love life. Fortunately, or not, for Garth his Uncle Mike is stepping in. Making life “fun” through a series of not-so-safe activities, including conning most of the population of Richmond Virginia out of their pocket change in support of a “good” cause.

Overall, though, the overriding tone of the book is all about the lies we tell. Not just as teenagers, parents, or friends, but everyone. Including, ourselves for all different reasons. A powerful story about communication and the implications of being dishonest with even things we feel may “protect” the other party involved.

Decision courtesy of Kelly from YAnnabe: Alligator Bayou by Donna Jo Napoli

Personal Summary: A strange new land, new family & people, racial tension and a romantic interest make up just a small portion of Calogero’s story. Having recently lost his mother and been shipped to America, Calogero soon discovers there is more to harvesting and selling crops in the small town of Tallulah. The racial divide that separates the inhabitants is often too great to be contained in such a small setting. Unfortunately for Calogero he’s caught right in the middle of the strife caused merely by being Sicilian during America’s difficult transition after the Civil War. Not only this, but he’s also trying to contain the knowledge of his feelings for a neighboring young black girl who has won his heart.

This is definitely a story to be told and read. Based on true events in America’s history and told through the eyes of the fictional character Calogero, you soon learn more than you ever imagined happened during this time. It definitely opened my eyes and got me interested in learning more.

This was an odd decision if I’m being completely honest. I loved the entire experience, primarily because these are both books I normally wouldn’t have picked up without having been involved in Nerds Heart YA and I’m so glad I was able to read them! But truly, these books were so completely different. Different times, different circumstances and even themes.

In the end it came to which book I truly enjoyed reading more. Unfortunately, I had a terribly difficult time getting into Alligator Bayou, I was almost 150 pages before I wanted to keep reading. On the other hand, In Mike We Trust was a book I picked up and didn’t put down until I was completely done. I was also a able to connect with the characters a little better in In Mike We Trust, where Alligator Bayou took some time. So, in the end, my final decision was relatively easy, though I enjoyed both books for different reasons.

Final Decision: In Mike We Trust by P.E. Ryan moves on.

Make sure to stayed tuned to Bart’s Bookshelf on August the 16th to see if In Mike We Trust makes it to the final round and Nerds Heart YA for the last few rounds of the event!

These books were purchased for our home library.
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

This fabulous weekly recap is hosted by Shelia of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we recap what we’ve read and look at what’s coming up this week. If you’re interested head over to Shelia’s site and get involved! It’s a blast and I may even stop by to see what you’re up to!

Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

This week was good, busy for more reasons than you can probably believe, but in the end it was a pretty good week. Unfortunately, early in the week we learned of the death of a close family friend and were able to travel to the funeral over the weekend. Because the family friend was on my husband’s side of the family and a long funeral service is not conducive to two small toddlers, I stayed home and sent my husband to the funeral with his family. The service was nice and I’m glad we live close enough to have been able to attend.

What traveling over the weekend meant for me, besides seeing family and taking care of the kiddos (normal), was that I had to host the Got Books? Event via lap top at my in-laws home. Whoa. A little bit of a challenge, but all in all I feel it went really well. We had around 100 sites participating and a very successful Twitter Party on Friday. It’s definitely an event I can’t wait to do again!

So, how was your week?

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Nice and Mean by Jessica Leader
Boys Lie: How Not to Get Played by Belisa Vranich, Psy.D. and Holly Eagleson
The Starlet by Mary McNamara (For Chick Lit Reviews – Review Coming Soon!)
In Mike We Trust by P.E. Ryan (Review Coming Tuesday for Nerds Heart YA Decision!)
Alligator Bayou by Donna Jo Napoli (Review Coming Tuesday for Nerds Heart YA Decision!)

Interviewed:
When I Was Young: Stiletto Storytime

Events:
Got Books? Event – Our Favorite Bookish Things Giveaway

A Bit of Me(Me) – My Very Best Talent

Giveaways:
“Despicable Me” Book Review & Giveaway (Ends 7/30)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reviewing/Reading:
Bubba Goes National by Jennifer Walker
Arson by Estevan Vega
Lit by Mary Karr (For Chick Lit Reviews)
Waxed by Robert Rave (For Chick Lit Reviews)
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Events:
Once Upon A Week.. (Coming Soon!)

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading: (Yep, you read this list right, same books for the kiddos! They truly are still stuck on these, it’s great!)
Bob Books Sight Words: Kindergarten
Robot Zot by John Sciezska and Illustrated by David Shannon
Every Friday by Dan Yaccarino
Time to Sleep, Sheep the Sheep by Mo Willems
Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Melanie Watt
Dr. Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! by Dr. Seuss

Giveaways Coming Up:
Bob Books Sight Words: Kindergarten and Bob Books Sight Words: First Grade (Coming Aug.10th!)

So, what are you reading this week? Have any suggestions I should add to my reading pile?

Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Published by Scholastic Press

Ages: Young Adult

Publishers Summary for The Hunger Games: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlaying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one girl and one boy between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has also resolved to outwit the creators of the games. To do that she will have to be the last person standing at the end of the deadly ordeal, and that will take every ounce of strength and cunning she has.

Imagine a world where the technology that’s available surpasses what we can only dream about today. A place where the most outrageous parties occur nightly, clothes are made and changed at the drop of a hat with only the finest materials, and people gorge themselves on food only to purge themselves of it by means of a delicious-chemically altered drink so that you can do it all over again. These are only a few of the things that make up The Capitol, a place that thrives on the suffering of others and lives for the sport of killing innocent teenagers on reality television. Unfortunately (or not) for Katniss Everdeen, a resident of District 12, she quickly becomes the poster child and trophy victor in what have come to be called The Hunger Games.

Now, I have to ask…have you possibly never heard of this series? Are you living under a rock? And, if you haven’t read them yet, but know about them, you must tell me why?! When the series was originally mentioned by Stephenie Meyer, quite awhile ago I might add, I honestly didn’t think much of it. It sounded like some horrible version of that reality show here in the US where the children were left in a “ghost town” and asked to work together to survive. It just didn’t appeal. But, I was in a lull at one point, without a great book, and walking through a bookstore when I saw the cover! (Yes, I’m a cover snob, oh well!) I was immediately in love when I held it in my hands and I haven’t looked back since then.

This series is for everyone, from young adult age all the way up to adults. The story of a society finally torn apart and divided into twelve separate districts with only The Capitol to rule over them is compelling without ever adding in the actual Hunger Games. Bring in the struggle to survive versus the gultonous luxury within the walls of The Capitol and you have an uprising in the making. Unfortunately for Katniss, the main character, she’s thrown right into the thick of things as the “star” of The Hunger Games with her fellow district member Peeta. All of which is leading up to something incredible for the remaining book in the series, Mockingjay.

Without going into anymore details and ruining the story for those who have not read it yet, I must say it is easily on my top ten books list. The adventure, the tension between The Capitol and the districts, the romance and especially Katniss’ character make this one of the most enjoyable reads ever. I highly recommend it and would strongly urge anyone, even those not prone to reading much, to pick it up NOW!

And just for those of you wondering:

What can I say, he’s a Baker!

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 12 and up. This is a series of books not to miss! Especially for fans of dystopian style fiction.

For the Comments: If you’ve read the first two in the series are you planning on attending a Mockingjay release party? At a local bookstore possibly?

The very “secret” cover was released not too long ago. What do you think? Only about a month left to go!
Make sure to take a look at my Got Books? post a little later for some more fun with The Hunger Games!

This fabulous weekly recap is hosted by Shelia of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we recap what we’ve read and look at what’s coming up this week. If you’re interested head over to Shelia’s site and get involved! It’s a blast and I may even stop by to see what you’re up to!

Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

This has been a great week! I’ve been able to read a ton and reviewed quite a bit as well. My sweet Turkeybird made the cover of The Book Chook Cook Book! (Say that ten times fast!) We’ve also been gearing up for the Got Books? Event that’s happening on Friday and Saturday this week! Both Gina and I are tremendously excited for the incredible response we’ve had for it, we’re now at 104 blogs participating! Make sure to stop by because I’ve got a fabulous giveaway planned here (Hunger Games fans especially may want to make a mental note about it!) and stop by the main site to find more great book blogs!

I also have to brag a bit because I was finally able to figure out the coding for a table on my “Links” page! I am so excited about this! In fact I think I could go look at it again!

Last, are you a Harry Potter fan? Take a look at the post from this week, you’ll definitely get a chuckle out of it! Have a fabulous reading week!

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
Bogus by Karla Oceanak and Illustrated by Kendra Spanjer
Good-Bye to All That by Margo Candela (For Chick Lit Reviews)
Seven Year Switch by Claire Cook (For Chick Lit Reviews – Monday)
Toy Boat by Randall DeSeve and Illustrated by Loren Long
If You Give A Pig A Pancake by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond
Nice and Mean by Jessica Leader (Review coming Tuesday!)

Interviewed:
Tina Turbin Author of Danny the Dragon
When I Was Young: SMS Book Reviews

Events & Fun Things:
Coming This Week! – Got Books?
Once Upon A Week.. (Coming Soon!)
Harry Potter – The Gateway Drug
The Turkeybird Makes the Front Page!
A Bit of Me(Me) – Your Favorite Smell

Giveaways:
“Despicable Me” Book Review & Giveaway (Ends 7/30)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reading/Reviewing:
Bubba Goes National by Jennifer Walker
In Mike We Trust by P.E. Ryan
Alligator Bayou by Donna Jo Napoli
Boys Lie: How Not to Get Played by Belisa Vranich, Psy.D. and Holly Eagleson
The Starlet by Mary McNamara (For Chick Lit Reviews)

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading:
Robot Zot by John Sciezska and Illustrated by David Shannon
Every Friday by Dan Yaccarino
Time to Sleep, Sheep the Sheep by Mo Willems
Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Melanie Watt
Dr. Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! by Dr. Seuss

Giveaways Coming Up:
Got Books? Event…a very special giveaway and event you won’t want to miss! (July 23 & 24) This week!!!

So, what are you reading this week? Have any suggestions I should add to my reading pile?

Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

This fabulous weekly recap is hosted by Shelia of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we recap what we’ve read and look at what’s coming up this week. If you’re interested head over to Shelia’s site and get involved! It’s a blast and I may even stop by to see what you’re up to!

Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

It wouldn’t be a typical week around There’s A Book without some excitement and craziness. We’ve been reading non-stop, all of us. The Turkeybird and Littlebug are hooked on a few of the same books and I can’t get them to read anything else. It’s really fun! Well, maybe up until about the 30th time each day, but I’m still just happy they love to read so much.

As for me, luckily, I have a fabulous hubby who took the kiddos so I could get somethings done this weekend! I was able to schedule and clean off my desk that was overflowing. It’s great and now I feel like I can conquer just about anything that comes my way. How about you? Anything fabulous happen this week?

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala
Free to a Good Home by Eve Marie Mont (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)
Hodge Podge: Restful Sundays with Busy Bodies and Books
Nice and Mean by Jessica Leader (Review coming soon!)
Bogus by Karla Oceanak and Illustrated by Kendra Spanjer (Review coming soon!)

Interviewed:
Amanda Howells author of The Summer of Skinny Dipping (For Chick Lit Reviews) – Don’t miss this interview!!!
When I Was Young – The Lost Entwife

Events/Features:
A Bit of Me(Me) – One Thing You’re No Good At
Special Feature: Ten Thousand {{Hugs}} to You Tuesday
Once Upon A Week.. (Coming Soon!)
Coming Very Soon: Got Books? (Have you signed up yet?)

Giveaways:
“Despicable Me” Book Review & Giveaway (Ends 7/30)
Simple Steps Activity Book by Molly Smith and Illustrated by Tad Carpenter & Giveaway (Ends 7/16)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reviewing/Reading:
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella (For Chick Lit Reviews – Still reading)
Good-Bye to All That by Margo Candela (Still reading)
Seven Year Switch by Claire Cook (For Chick Lit Reviews)
Bubba Goes National by Jennifer Walker

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading: (Yes, many are the same as last week, but as you know with kiddos, it’s all about repetition.)
Toy Boat by Randall DeSeve and Illustrated by Loren Long (Reviewing this week!)
Time to Sleep, Sheep the Sheep by Mo Willems
Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Melanie Watt
Dr. Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! by Dr. Seuss

Giveaways Coming Up:
Got Books? Event…a very special giveaway and event you won’t want to miss! (July 23 & 24)

So, what are you reading this week? Have any suggestions I should add to my reading pile?

Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala

Published by HarperTeen (An Imprint of HarperCollins)

Pages: 304

Ages: Young Adult (14 and up)

Publishers Summary: In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda’s death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret her sister took to the grave, and what really happened the night she died. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams—a best friend to unlock her sister’s world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all—Miranda has a secret all her own.

When two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears, Miranda is stripped of her former life. She must make a choice with tremendous consequences and finally face her sister’s demons and her own.

“Miranda, no, Rand is a girl with secrets. Yes, we all have secrets but not many of us have secrets that could forever change the landscape of the lives of everyone surrounding us. Unfortunately for Rand her secrets have huge consequences. And it’s just one of many secrets that have sent her and her family in a continuous downward spiral even since before she was born.

“Do you keep secrets? Secrets can be some of the most damaging things we carrying with us. Sometimes we do it because we think we are protecting others and then there are the times we are protecting ourselves. As the theme carries throughout the story from character to character you slowly discover that the secrets in Rand’s life began before her birth and don’t ever seem to stop. Again, some are kept with the best of intentions, like those from her mother, and others are intentionally kept from her, including those from her so-called friend Delaney. The most tragic secret is of course the one kept from her by her late sister Xanda.

“Holly Cupala’s debut novel, Tell Me A Secret, is a tremendously well written story that explores not only the relationships we have with those around us, but the choices we make and their impact. It’s not often that I find myself enjoying a story about a young girl, still in high school, who after some poor choices ends up pregnant, but Rand was an amazing character. She was incredibly likable and I found myself relating to many of her doubts from when I was a teenager. Didn’t we all question whether there was that guy that would still like us after spilled some of our deepest feelings? Or wonder about the girls around us and whether their intentions were pure? There are so many feelings that get wrapped up into being a teenager and Cupala did a brilliant job communicating each of them in her novel.

“It’s almost difficult to believe Tell Me A Secret is a debut novel. Holly Cupala does such an amazing job illustrating each facet of teenage life without sounding condescending or out of touch. Each of the characters in the book brought something different to the experience, even the minor ones. I’m also not an advocate of teenage pregnancy, but Cupala handled a touchy situation with finesse. Without a doubt Tell Me A Secret is a book I would eagerly share with readers of almost any age, especially those that enjoy a well written young adult novel.”

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 14 and up. A brilliant debut novel I’m eager to share with young readers!

For the Comments: Do you keep secrets? Why or why not?

Take a look at the Virtual Blog Tour for some amazing (and hilarious) interviews with Holly Cupala and learn about how to win some great items related to the book:

The Tell Me A Secret Virtual Blog Tour from June 14 – July 30

This book was provided by Other Shelf Tours for Review. Thank you!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

This fabulous weekly recap is hosted by Shelia of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we recap what we’ve read and look at what’s coming up this week. If you’re interested head over to Shelia’s site and get involved! It’s a blast and I may even stop by to see what you’re up to!

Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolf (Review for Chick Lit Reviews) – I absolutely adored this book! Definitely make sure to check out the review if you have a minute.
Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala (Review coming this week!)
First Words:Bright Baby by Roger Priddy
The Adventures of Precious the dog by Precious



Giveaways:
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton & Giveaway
Simple Steps Activity Book by Molly Smith and Illustrated by Tad Carpenter & Giveaway

Events/Features:
Board Book, Hardback or Paperback?
A Bit of Me(Me) – Five People for Lunch
Wish List: How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills
Coming Very Soon: Got Books? (Have you signed up yet?)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reading/Reviewing:
Nice and Mean by Jessica Leader (Review coming soon!)
Good-Bye to All That by Margo Candela (Still reading)
Free to a Good Home by Eve Marie Mont (Still reading)
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella (For Chick Lit Reviews)

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading/Reviewing:
Toy Boat by Randall DeSeve and Illustrated by Loren Long
Time to Sleep, Sheep the Sheep by Mo Willems
Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Melanie Watt
Dr. Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! by Dr. Seuss

Giveaways Coming Up:
Got Books? Event…a very special giveaway and event you won’t want to miss!

So, what are you reading this week? Have any suggestions I should add to my reading pile?

Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

This fabulous weekly recap is hosted by Shelia of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we recap what we’ve read and look at what’s coming up this week. If you’re interested head over to Shelia’s site and get involved! It’s a blast and I may even stop by to see what you’re up to!

Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

This has been a CRAZY week! I read so much that my eyes about had it and now we are out of town for a fun family reunion. Hopefully the coming weeks will bring some more fabulous books, and a little bit of rest, because boy do I need it!

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
A Place for Delta by Melissa Walker and Illustrated by Richard Walker
The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)
The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews (Review for Chick Lit Reviews) – LOVED this book!
Karma Bites by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas (Review coming soon!)
Bogus by Karla Oceanak and Illustrated by Kendra Spanjer (Review coming soon!)
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton & Giveaway
Simple Steps Activity Book by Molly Smith and Illustrated by Tad Carpenter & Giveaway

Interviewed:
When I Was Young – Amused by Books

Giveaways:
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton
Simple Steps Activity Book by Molly Smith and Illustrated by Tad Carpenter
Pookster and the Unloose Tooth & Pookster and the Practically Perfect Pickle by Rhonda Funk (Ends June 30, 2010)

Events:
A Bit of Me(Me) – Your Favorite Word
Special Feature: Imagination in Focus
Coming Very Soon: Got Books? (Have you signed up yet?)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reading/Reviewing:
Good-Bye to All That by Margo Candela
Free to a Good Home by Eve Marie Mont
Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading:
First Words:Bright Baby by Roger Priddy (Review coming Thursday)
The Adventures of Precious the dog by Precious (Review coming Friday)
Toy Boat by Randall DeSeve and Illustrated by Loren Long

Giveaways Coming Up:
Stay tuned! We have something special planned for the Got Books? Event!

So, what are you reading this week? Have any suggestions I should add to my reading pile?

Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

This fabulous weekly recap is hosted by Shelia of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we recap what we’ve read and look at what’s coming up this week. If you’re interested head over to Shelia’s site and get involved! It’s a blast and I may even stop by to see what you’re up to!

Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

Another busy week here at There’s A Book! Quite a few reviews and if I have to pick just one for you to look at it would absolutely be The Secret Lives of Princesses, one of my favorite books of the year (even for adults!). I was also able to get most of my links added to my “Links” page, make sure to let me know if I missed you, it wasn’t intentional, I promise!

I was also able to go to lunch on Saturday with one of my favorite book bloggers, Jill from Fizzy Thoughts! We are actually going to start up a monthly get together now that we know we have another friend nearby as well, Gwen from Chew & Digest Books. It should be a blast and I can’t wait!

Besides that, we’ve had a house of sick kiddos, but slowly they’re getting back on their feet…just in time to go to grandma’s for the weekend for a family reunion of sorts. That’s what’s happening here, how about where you are?

Read/Reviewed (Just click on the title to see the Review!):
The Secret Lives of Princesses by Philippe Lechermeier Illustrated by Rebecca Dautremer
Keeper by Kathi Appelt Illustrated by August Hall
The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch (Review & Giveaway for Chick Lit Reviews)
Pookster and the Unloose Tooth & Pookster and the Practically Perfect Pickle by Rhonda Funk
Just Floating In: Lawn to Lawn by Dan Yaccarino
A Place for Delta by Melissa Walker and Illustrated by Richard Walker (Review coming tomorrow!)

Interviewed:
When I Was Young – Lale on Lit

Events:
A Bit of Me(Me) – Animals?
Friday Book Blogger Hop
Coming Very Soon: Got Books? (Have you signed up yet?)

Giveaways:
Pookster and the Unloose Tooth & Pookster and the Practically Perfect Pickle by Rhonda Funk
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton (Coming Thursday!)

What’s up for the week to come:

Reading/Reviewing:
Forget You by Jennifer Echols
The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)
The Fixer Upper by Mary Kay Andrews (Review for Chick Lit Reviews)
Karma Bites by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas
Bogus by Karla Oceanak and Illustrated by Kendra Spanjer

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading/Reviewing:
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton (Coming Thursday!)
Simple Steps Activity Book by Molly Smith and Illustrated by Tad Carpenter
First Words:Bright Baby by Roger Priddy
The Adventures of Precious the dog by Precious

Giveaways Coming Up:
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton (Coming Thursday!)

So, what are you reading this week? Have any suggestions I should add to my reading pile?

Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James

Published by Bantam Books (An imprint of Random House)

Pages: 272

Ages: Young Adult

Release Date: Look for it July 13, 2010

Publishers Summary: Who is Katherine Patterson? It is a question she hopes no one can answer. To erase her past, Katherine has moved to a new city, enrolled in a new school, and even changed her name. She’s done the next best thing to disappearing altogether. Now, wary and alone, she seeks nothing more than anonymity. What she finds instead is the last thing she expected: a friend.
Even more unlikely, Katherine’s new friend is the most popular and magnetic girl in school. Extroverted, gorgeous, flirtatious, and unpredictable, she is everything that Katherine is not and doesn’t want to be: the center of attention. Yet Alice’s enthusiasm is infectious, her candor sometimes unsettling, and Katherine, in spite of her guarded caution, finds herself drawn into Alice’s private circle.
But Alice has secrets, too—darker than anyone can begin to imagine. And when she lets her guard down at last, Katherine discovers the darkest of them all. For there will be no escaping the past for Katherine Patterson—only a descent into a trap far more sinister . . . and infinitely more seductive.

“This is the story of Katherine, a girl recovering from a tragic event that has left her permanently scarred and completely alone. She’s alone until she meets Alice, an infinitely beautiful and popular girl in a new city and school. Oddly enough Alice befriends Katherine and what happens after that is completely unexpected. From beginning to end Rebecca James takes you on a journey of loss and then recovery through the sometimes haunting and graphic story of Katherine Patterson.

**Spoiler Warning**

“Beautiful Malice is a book that is revealed in layers, perfectly timed and paced until the very last page. In this way it actually reminded me a lot of the writing style found in Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. Because of this though, it’s difficult to review without revealing a few of the puzzle pieces that make the book so intriguing.

“Quite a bit of this book is focused around friendships/relationships both good and bad; as is stated by Rebecca James herself in the following video (*email/RSS subscribers may have to click through to the post to view the video.):

“In the initial beginnings of Alice and Katherine’s friendship, Alice is a new experience for Katherine. Alice is popular and beautiful and Katherine is the new girl with a mysterious past. For some reason Alice sweeps her off her feet into what becomes a unique and damaging relationship. Honestly, Alice reminded me of a character from a recent episode of the television series House, titled Remorse. The main character in the episode was a psychopath and had absolutely no emotional connection with the people around her, but was still able to mask it effectively enough to fool someone into marrying her. Alice was similar in so many ways, she fooled everyone around her into believing she was a happy carefree soul with no regrets or concerns. As the book unfolds you see how Alice begins to unravel and in turn lashes out at Katherine. It’s terrifying and absolutely brilliantly written.

“In addition to her relationship with Alice, there are others that come along in Katherine’s story. Many of them are chosen because they happen to be there at the moment or are friends of friends. But others, including her own sister, are just part of who she is. Often times we aren’t given the opportunity to chose who will be in our lives, but what it comes down to is how we approach those relationships. How we allow them to transform our lives or us transform theirs.

“In Katherine’s case the one relationship that changes her forever is the one with her sister, and for very obvious reasons. Her sister is brutally raped and murdered in front of her, a scene which I found very difficult to read. It was so graphic, including the drinking (by a fourteen year old) that led up to the situation. For this reason, I couldn’t say I recommend it to younger audiences, it’s definitely a very mature Young Adult novel. The death of her sister changed Katherine forever, understandably, and she’s left questioning whether she deserves to be happy ever again, because, to some extent she allowed it to happen. As an outsider to an extreme situation it made me more mindful of my own children and how I plan to address the possibility of these occurrences in their lives, whether directly or as an ‘onlooker’.

“Overall, I thought Beautiful Malice was an extremely well-crafted book with a heart breaking story. As a mother of young children I’m afraid my viewpoint may be skewed and not entirely focused on the theme of friendship, but more so on the damaging effect our choices can have on our lives when we make poor ones. I don’t feel that takes away from the value of the book at all, but it’s just a different view than possibly the target audience may have. I’d love to hear what you think! It’s an intense journey from beginning to end, but one I would highly recommend.”

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 16/17 and up. This book is intended for more mature audiences. There are graphic scenes of rape and murder as well as underage drinking with the mention of sexual encounters and teen pregnancy as well. As a parent I would definitely encourage reading the book before passing it along to your teen so that you can both discuss the topics covered in the book together.

For the Comments: I’d love to know what you think. How would you view and handle a book with the situations I described above?

This book was provided for review by Traveling ARC Tours. Thank you!
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