Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I tend to read mostly mid grade or young adult books, but this title was in the adult section. It is by Meg Cabot, who writes many young adult books like the Princess Diaries series. I haven't read anything she has written that I haven't like and this is no exception.

Heather Wells is a washed-out pop singer who gets abandoned by her mother and obtains employment at a college dorm (or residence hall as the story is careful to call it). But her passion is not managing the residence hall, it is solving crimes the police can't seem to acknowledge. When girls in her dorm start dieing, she jumps into action.

This book is great for learning to accept yourself as you are. It shows that beauty does not mean a size four, and at least in stories, some people have probably dealt with more than you.

I love Meg Cabot. This book is definitely on the adult shelf for good reason, but older teens could enjoy it as well.

I had to run out and find the second book in this series.


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The Door To Time By Michael Merryweather

The Door To Time by Michael Merryweather

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was written for a mid grade audience and for that group it might work well. I hate to criticize authors in my blog, but I did not really like this book. For me, there was too much coincidence. Too many things just happened. The kids guessed too much. I also felt the kids were in situations that were too dangerous with an adult watching but not interfering, of course that wouldn't bother kids.

I think this book is going to be a series and many kids who enjoy a little magic will probably like it.


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Wish by Alexandra Bullen

Wish by Alexandra Bullen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alexandra Bullen's writing style reminds me of Meg Cabot. Wish was her first book. Her second book, Wishful Thinking, seems to have the same magical element to it. She is a very talented author, and I think we will be seeing a lot more of her work.

When I first started reading Wish, after looking at the jacket copy, I thought it would make a much better story if it were about a girl loosing her sister than one wishing to get her back. I judged the story too quickly. It was about a girl coping with her loss.

This story was excellent. It helps the reader to grow and accept unpleasant change just as the main character must. But it also reminds us never to stop living just to live longer or safer.

I would recommend this story to teens and up. There are a few aspects of the book that wouldn't be appropriate for younger readers.


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Savvy by Ingrid Law

Savvy by Ingrid Law

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ingrid Law uses the "everyone wishes they could wake up and be someone else" theory for this book. The characters in the world she has created have a special talent that appears on their thirteenth birthday.

Savvy, her first book, won a Newbery Honor. It is a wonderful story about a girl who turns thirteen amidst tragedy and confusion in her family. She gains her savvy, but it isn't what she at first thinks. Then as she and a group of others hitchhike, they learn about themselves and grow as people and friends.

This is a great book for young teens, and younger. I suppose even adults like me would enjoy it. I would recommend this book for preteens and teens who like to use their imagination and dream of waking up with new abilities.




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From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I don't know how I managed to go so long without reading this book. I really enjoyed it. Two kids run away in style and stay at the museum. Then, there is a mystery they feel compelled to solve. This is a cute story about growing up and finding yourself. There isn't any material that would be questionable for younger readers. I would recommend this book for anyone with a high enough reading level (about 3rd grade).




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I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter


My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I enjoyed reading this story. It started off a little slow and perhaps with too much explaining, but picked up fairly quickly. The main characters were strong enough to make me want to read more.

This book is the first in a series about a group of girls at a secret genius spy school. The girls live at the school and take all kind of classed you would imagine spies needing. The plot focuses primarily on the girls, their relationships, and at least in the first book, a boy.


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Ida B...and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World!

Ida B. . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World by Katherine Hannigan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. It reminded me of Kate DiCamillo's writing. Ida B is a wonderful, exciting character. She is easy to love. The plot is awesome too. Ida B is happy at home with her family. She loves to be home schooled and enjoy the apples trees on their property until one day her mother gets sick. As if it isn't' bad enough to be worried about her family, she has to go back to school and they need to sell some land. Ida B has to cope with the changes in her life. She has to accept the fear she feels and try to move forward. This story is touching. If anyone has ever had a loved one fall ill with cancer or any other disease, this story would touch them.

I would recommend this book to just about anyone. Cancer is a hard topic, but it touches most everyone at some point. Hannigan handles the topic in such a way even a very young reader could enjoy this story.


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