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Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!
Five Flavors of Dumb
Author: Antony John
Pages:338
Paperback
November 11, 2010
Publisher: Dial
Overview
The Challenge: Piper has one month to get the rock band Dumb a paying gig.
The Deal: If she does it, Piper will become the band's manager and get her share of the profits.
The Catch: How can Piper possibly manage one egomaniacal pretty boy, one talentless piece of eye candy, one crush, one silent rocker, and one angry girl? And how can she do it when she's deaf?
Piper can't hear Dumb's music, but with growing self-confidence, a budding romance, and a new understanding of the decision her family made to buy a cochlear implant for her deaf baby sister, she discovers her own inner rock star and what it truly means to be a flavor of Dumb.
My Take
The book was great. It was fun, honest, and had some clever moments in the story that made me squeal! I could feel Piper's emotions from when she was dealing with the band and with her family. I could identify with Piper on some of the things she goes through when I was in high school. She is such a tough cookie who takes on such a challenge considering she's deaf. I liked that about her. Piper works hard and finds herself speaking up more than she has before. She also makes friends with some of the band members.
This story also covers music and how can a high school band make it to getting known. I loved how the band has its up and downs in various events. It seemed to me it was all about self discovery for each character in this book which I loved. Each character realizes something and brings the whole story together.
I loved how certain types of music is mentioned in the book and that Piper's dad joins in on the music scene just a bit. It gives you an idea how teens relate to music. I loved how Piper learns a bit of the music scene as well. Music had its way in this book for so many people. It made some relate to each other and some did not.
There is a bit of love interest with Piper and another character called Ed which was cute. That all it seemed to me was cute. I liked how Ed finally tells Piper that he's crushing on her big time. It takes guts to tell someone that! It was a cute romance.
If you are looking for something to read then this book is for you! Give it a shot.
Cover: A
Story: B
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Disclaimer: I bought this ebook to read to give it an honest opinion!
Witchy, Witch (Spellbound Trilogy #1)
Author: Penelope King
Pages: 304
Format: Ebook
Published: July 19, 2011
Overview:
When Calista McCoy moves from the slums of the Louisiana Bayou to an illustrious beach community in California, she knows her life is going to take a drastic turn. But once she arrives at the beautiful mansion by the sea, dark secrets are revealed...secrets that become even more complicated when she meets the gorgeous neighbor boy, Nicholas, and she feels an unexplainable--and undeniable--attraction. He's everything she's ever dreamed of. Literally.
Her new life seems almost too good to be true. But as everyone knows, when something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
...And in Calista's case, it could be deadly.
My Take
I found this lovely gem online and downloaded the book as it was free. The cover caught my eye at first and then the storyline. I knew I had to have it, so into my collection it went. At first I did not read it right away due to other books in my pile.
Once I got into the story, I could not stop reading it! The pages filled with spectacular writing leaving your imagination in a world of adventure with Calista. I loved how the story took the main character to new places and things! She moves from Louisiana to California which is new. She ends up living in a new place which she never imagined in a place like this. She even goes through a few changes and makes friends which she has never had before.
When Nicholas comes into the picture, it was mysterious and interesting. It made me wonder how much of a part this character would play. How would Nicholas and Calista connect? Are they meant to be? You'll love the aspect of these two. I know I did!
Ana who is another character in the book takes Calista and her father in as it made me wonder what was she? Was she like Calista? Did she have her own agenda? At first I thought Ana was a proper type of character but as I got more into the book, Ana seems a rather nice and very informative lady who takes Calista under her wing.
Friends, everyone dreams of making friends! I was glad that Calista got to have a few friends to talk to. It's all new to her as she eventually feels comfortable in time with them. Making friends is never easy but once you have a common interest the rest just flows naturally.
This story allowed Calista to learn many, many secrets and information which I thought was told perfectly! As the information and secrets are spilled, the romance in this book is short but toe curling! Other than secrets and romance, there's action and danger gently sprouting out through the pages that leaves you wanting more. So go read this book today.
Rating: A
Cover Rating: A
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Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!
After
Author: Kristin Harmel
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publisher Date: February 9th 2010
Pages: 240
Overview:
Lacey's world shatters when her dad is killed in a car accident. And secretly? She feels like it’s her fault. If she hadn’t taken her own sweet time getting ready that morning . . . well, it never would have happened. Her mom wouldn’t be a basket case. Her brother Logan wouldn’t drink. And her little brother would still have two parents.
But life goes on even if you don’t want it to. And when Lacey gets the chance to make a difference in the lives of some people at school, she jumps at it. Making lemonade out of lemons is her specialty. Except she didn’t count on meeting a guy like Sam. Or that sometimes? Lemonade can be a pretty bitter drink to swallow.
My Review:
I saw the cover of this book online and immediately was drawn to it. I clicked on the overview of the book and knew I had to get this book to read.
After a few days sitting in my house, I began to read this book. I could not put this book down. Lacey has her normal routine starting out in the beginning of the book and then the tragic event strikes. I felt Lacey was a great realistic character.
Of course Lacey ends up helping out another student who lost her mother to cancer which gets her mind thinking on things. She somehow creates a group for those who have lost a parent. I thought that was kind of nice to do since others would know how it felt to be treated. Some do not know how it is like until they lose a parent. Everyone deals with the loss differently but the group made it more normal for everyone.
During this process, Lacey also sprouts a romance with a the new guy, Sam. Sam has something major to tell her but then something else pops up and makes Lacey wonder. That secret got my attention!! Great suspense there.
Lacey's family also deals with her father's death differently. Her mother seems to be stuck in the process of grieving and not living. Towards the end of the book, her mother eventually reverts to back to her old self and lives for her family. Her brother Logan ends up drinking and then gets himself in a bad situation regarding to this matter. A big wake up call! Her other brother Tanner is always quiet. The family seems apart but in a way they are grieving in their own ways. Slowly the family gets back together. I liked how the family deals with grief a different way but should be done in more of a healthy manner.
On a personal note, the book did hit close to home, since my dad was killed in a car accident by a truck driver. At the end of the book where Lacey felt like it as her fault, I had those moments too. Life goes on. It's a great book for those who have lost a parent.
Cover Rating: A
Story Rating: A
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Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!
Seeing Cinderella
Author: Jenny Lundquist
Pages: 240
Publisher: Aladdin Mix
Publisher Date: March 20, 2012
Overview:
Sixth grade is not going well for Calliope Meadow Anderson. Callie’s hair is frizzy, her best friend, Ellen, is acting weird, and to top things off, she has to get glasses. And her new specs aren’t even cute, trendy glasses—more like hideously large and geeky. But Callie soon discovers that her glasses have a special, magical perk: When she wears them, she can read people’s thoughts. Crazy glasses aside, Callie has more drama to face when she’s cast as the lead in the school play—and instead opts to be an understudy, giving the role of Cinderella to Ellen. Can Callie’s magic glasses help her see her way to leading lady, or is she destined to stay in the background forever?
My Review:
I love the cover of this book! The story was even more amazing. It's an adorable and quick read!
Callie learns to figure things out when she gets those glasses! Seeing people's true thoughts is not all that's cracked up to be. She has to learn how to deal with the power behind the glasses and that everyone is not who they say they are. Callie has lots of things to deal with: her parents, a new friend in the works who's from another country, a boy she has a crush on and an old friend who may not be that nice and feeling like an outcast or dork. Junior high can be a tough time.
As Callie continues to wear glasses, she has her ups and downs with it. She eventually learns to live without the glasses. She goes on a path of gaining some confidence. Callie is a real character! It's just a great story with a great values in it.
Cover Rating: B
Story Rating: A
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Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!
In a Heartbeat
Author: Loretta Ellsworth
Pages: 224
Publisher:Walker & Company
Publisher Date: Feb 15, 2011
Overview:This book explores the ties of family and the weight of regret when a mistake costs Eagan her life during a figure-skating competition. Left in the afterlife, reflecting on what she could have done differently, Eagan's still-beating heart is given to Amelia who has been waiting patiently for a transplant. When their thought, feelings, and dreams begin to mysteriously overlap, Amelia knows she must search for Eagan's family and find a way to give them all the closure they need move on.
My Review:
The story is about two girls and one heart. Eagan is a bold character who is an upcoming figure skater. Amelia is a shy and quiet gal who needs a heart transplant. So how do these two girls connect?
They connect by Eagan's heart!
The story was unique and heart warming. The author told both sides of the story and effects from Eagan and Amelia. I liked how you could understand was going on and how the girls were feeling scared and confused. It is quite an adventure for the two girls to go through. Eagan learns about herself and family as she then learns to let go which I love. Amelia understands her family as well and learns to open up and not be so shy. Amelia also picks up on Eagan's habits a bit too which I found fascinating. Both Eagan and Amelia's families also connect together and become good friends. Everyone gets closure.
It is a lovely story and the chapters go back and forth between Eagan and Amelia which I love. While reading this book made me realize I'm grateful for the relationship I have with my family. Family is important. The book also gives you a sense that life can be short at times. I recommend you read it.
Story Rating: A
Cover Rating: B
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Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!
Title: Gimme a Call
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Publication date: 5/24/2011
Pages: 320
Overview:
A new life is just a phone call away!
Devi's life isn't turning out at all like she wanted. She wasted the past three years going out with Bryan—cute, adorable, break-your-heart Bryan. Devi let her friendships fade, blew off studying, didn't join any clubs . . . and now that Bryan has broken up with her, she has nothing left.
Not even her stupid cell phone—she dropped it in the mall fountain. Now it only calls one number . . . hers. At age fourteen, three years ago!
My Take
I loved the cover of this book which caught my eye along with the author's name. I've read a few of her other books, so I decided to give this one a go! It took me a while to read this book due to the fact I had many things going on in my life. Overall I liked how Devi talks to her younger self into things to try to make her life better. Sure the book had its moments of quirky things happening like trying to win the lottery and doing too many things at once. I think throughout the process of the book that Devi eventually learns of good and bad decisions can effect you no matter what the outcome is. Life does that and you have to deal. I did find myself liking Freshman Devi than Senior Devi.
While I read this book, the question did pop in my mind of "What would I have changed back in high school?" The answer to that has me thinking of a few things that I would have done differently but not to the extreme I think. I would probably tried to join the art club or even pursue writing more poetry or something like that. Sure I did try out for the dance troupe but didn't make it which bummed me out big time. As for dating wise, sure I had a few crushes but was too damn shy to talk to the boys back then.
Anyways the book was an interesting read.
Cover Rating: A
Story Rating: C
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