• Book Reviews

    Book Review: Picture the Dead

    Jennie’s connection with her twin brother, Toby, grew stronger after he died in 1864. Now Jennie must rely on her ability to communicate with the dead to find out what has happened to her beloved fiance, Will, while he was off at war. The army says he died honorably in battle. His brother confides that he became a violent criminal and died in a prison camp. Jennie begins to doubt that anyone is telling her the truth. This intriguing combination of historical romance, paranormal thriller, and clever mystery is illustrated by bestselling artist Lisa Brown. The unique visuals originated from…

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    Book Review: The Krybosian Stairpath

    In a refreshing change, along comes a children’s book that does not rely on magic to explain the unexplainable. The Krybosian Stairpath puts forth the notion that just because you don’t understand something, it doesn’t mean there must be magic behind it. Knowledge and perspective can make all the difference. Enter a world of wonder deep inside the earth as 11-year-old geologist Madison Terrence follows her pet gopher down a stairpath portal she discovers in her family’s cavern. When she descends the Krybosian Stairpath, a mystery from her family’s past begins to unravel. She soon realizes her arrival in the…

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    Children’s Book Review: Whose Hat Is This?

    Media Type: Print Book Title: Whose Hat Is This? Author: Sharon Katz Cooper Publisher: Capstone Press Pages: Paperback; 24 Release Date: January 1, 2006 Source: School Library ——————————————– Recommended to: Young readers who enjoy non-fiction books. Difficulty Level: Readers 4-8 years of age would benefit most from the illustrations and job descriptions. Add it on: Goodreads / Amazon / B&N This entry in the “Whose Is It?” series presents seven community jobs by looking at the hats worn by a variety of workers, including a firefighter, a beekeeper, a football player, a chef, and a construction worker. The text asks, “Whose…

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    Book Review: Incarceron

    Incarceron — a futuristic prison, sealed from view, where the descendants of the original prisoners live in a dark world torn by rivalry and savagery. It is a terrifying mix of high technology — a living building which pervades the novel as an ever-watchful, ever-vengeful character, and a typical medieval torture chamber — chains, great halls, dungeons. A young prisoner, Finn, has haunting visions of an earlier life, and cannot believe he was born here and has always been here. In the outer world, Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is trapped in her own form of prison —…

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    Book Review: Forget You

    There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four-year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. With her life about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon. But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s…

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    Book Review: Lovestruck Summer + GIVEAWAY!

    Austin music fest. Yay, summer in Austin! Good food, good times. Fun for everyone! Okay, living with my sorority-brainwashed cousin, who willingly goes by “Party Penny,” is not exactly what I had in mind. All your favorite bands. But the cute musicians I’ve met totally make up for it . . . like Sebastian. Swoon. All ages welcome. So why can’t I stop thinking about Penny’s friend All-American Russ and his Texas twang?? Saturday & Sunday, from noon to midnight. Don’t wait up! –From Goodreads Cover Inspection: Simple, yet totally conveys the story within. First Thoughts: Party Penny? *** My…

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    Children’s Book Review: Elephant Dance

    Media Type: Print Book Title: Elephant Dance: A Journey to India Author: Theresa Heine Illustrator: Sheila Moxley Publisher: Barefoot Books Pages: Hardcover; 40 Release Date: October 1, 2004 Source: School Library —————————————————– Recommended to: Those looking for a simple and fun look at India and its culture. Difficulty Level: A perfect read-aloud for children in first through third grade. Groups past that should be able to read one their own. Add it on: Goodreads / Amazon / B&N Ravi and Anjali are fascinated by their grandfather’s stories of India, where the sun is like a ferocious tiger, the wind is like…

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    Book Review: Whisper

    I’d love a cup of coffee. I wish she knew how pretty she was. I wish I could drop this kid in the dryer sometimes. I just want her to be happy. I hope she didn’t find out what Ben said about her. I wish I knew how many calories were in a bite of muffin… Joy is used to hearing Whispers. She’s used to walking down the street and instantly knowing people’s deepest, darkest desires. She uses this talent for good, to make people happy and give them what they want. But for her older sister, Jessica, the family…

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    Book Review: The Devouring

    When Reggie finds an old journal and reads about the Vours, supernatural creatures who feast on fear and attack on the eve of the winter solstice, she assumes they are just the musings of some lunatic author. But soon, they become a terrifying reality when she begins to suspect that her timid younger brother might be one of their victims. Risking her life and her sanity, Reggie enters a living nightmare to save the people she loves. Can she devour own her fears before they devour her? Bone-chilling, terrifying, thrilling…what are you waiting for? –From Goodreads Cover Inspection: Loving the…

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    Book Review: Hush, Hush

    For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She’s never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her…until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora’s not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can’t decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and…