The School Story

Title: The School Story
Author: Andrew Clements
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Release Date: 2001
Rating: 6

Alright, I know what you probably think. Andrew Clements? His books are for little kids! But, I have to say, The School Story is one of my favorite books that I read when I was in elementary school. The book follows Natalie, a young girl, who's mum is an editor at a publishing company in New York.

When her mum tells her that she needs more school stories, or stories set in a school setting and happening mainly or entirely at school, Natalie decides to try her hand at writing. When her friend and English teacher love it, her friend (Zoe) comes up with a scheme to get the book published by Natalie's mum.

I have been a writer my entire life, so this book really hits home. I can really relate to Natalie because I love writing, but I can also relate to Zoe's determined spirit.

Pros:
-very realistic situation
-strong main character
-strong supporting character
-plot is very inspiring
-very intriguing passages

Cons:
-for younger readers
-somewhat "shallow"
-characters aren't mature at parts
-at some points unrealistic

So, if you're ever feeling nostalgic for your childhood, you'll want to read this book.

Rating: 6 - Worth Reading 

The Land of Stories

Title: The Land of Stories
Author: Chris Colfer
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: July 17, 2012
Rating: 9

Before I say anything else, I have to say how much I love this book. It's a funny story, actually. My mum got the book for me, and I didn't read it, then I read it like a year later and LOVED it!


Alex and Conner are twins working out the grief of their Dad dying. Their mum does everything she can to make it better, but they still aren't happy. When they visit their grandmother, she gives Alex a book of Fairy Tales that they read with their dad.

And so, she opens it and discovers it is no mere book.

She and Conner enter the book, a portal to the Land of Stories and discover that they cannot leave. Their last hope to get out is to complete the Wishing Spell, a spell allegedly completed only once before. And having only the capacity to b completed twice, Alex and Conner rush to find all of the items needed to compete it.

Only, they aren't the only ones looking for it. Someone else is looking for the items, desperate to complete the spell and grant her heart's desire.
***

This book has a whimsical flair and almost no romance! (sequels, ahem) A blend of fairy tales and other stories, the book is chock full of well-known characters that aren't as you would expect. There's Goldilocks, strong and able to fend for herself, and Little Red Riding Hood, the spoiled brat that cares for nothing but stuff.

I appreciate the strong female characters in the book, and the many twists and emotional turns during the story. Instead of fairy tale characters, the characters in the story are laced with personalty, backstory, and, for some, intelligence.

Pros:
-Amazing plot line
-some unpredictable events
-strong female character
-some strong writing
-amusing jokes/comedy
-an on going sub plot that runs for awhile throughout the series
-easy to visualize
-little romance

cons:
-Some lazy character development
-some lack of uniqueness
-tedious at times
-somewhat predictable

If you like reading, read it! If you like watching movies, read it! the plot is so in depth and not shallow though it seems shallow at first.

Rating: 9 - Yes Yes Yes!

Funny story: I met Chris Colfer at a Barnes and Noble signing a year or two ago while wearing a T-shirt for Secret of the Rainbow (see my author blog for more) and he asked me if it was a Land of Stories t-shirt. I said, "No, it isn't," and tried to explain it was a book I had written, but the assistant pushed me along in line and we never finished our conversation.

If I'm ever (or when) I'm published, I'm going to try to make connections with as many readers as possible.

-Sarah

The Series of Unfortunate Events

Title: A Series of Unfortunate Events
Author: Lemony Snicket
Genre: General Fiction
Release Date: August 25, 1999
Rating: 8.5

This series is not really a teen series, but I've read it so many times that it's become a series that is timeless for me.

Violet, Claus, and Sunny are three orphaned children that are moved from incapable guardian to incapable guardian throughout the series. In each book, a new set of twists and misfortunes befall them. If it weren't for the cleverly written story and interesting plot, the characters could seem very shallow and and the plot uninteresting.

The narrative of the book is one of the best parts of the book by far. I was immediately hooked to the commercial yet horribly depressing story of the narrator, who cleverly incorporates himself into the story.

As a warning, this series is entirely too short at thirteen books an is extraordinarily unsatisfying at the end.

Pros:
-Incredibly Designed Plot
-A Good Female Main Character
-A Smart Main Character and other Main Character
-A seemingly Simple but Complex Villain
-Page-Turning
-Action
-Well-written
-Appropriate for All Ages
-A load of great villains and obnoxious adults
-So frustrating that it's FUNNY

Cons:
-Simplistic Writing Style
-Somewhat Repetitive Events
-A Few Boring Passages
-Unsatisfying Ending of Series

So, this series is a must read for teens, elementary students, and adults! It has everything you can look for in books, and many references for all ages.

Rating: 8.5 - Check Plus!

The mystery, and the villains, and everything else make this a must read. Must read now! The best part is, if you read like me, all thirteen books will take you less than a week to read. 

Stay tuned for some new reviews on unreleased books! 

-Sarah

Savvy

I'm sorry for not posting in forever! I meant to, then didn't.


Title: Savvy
Author: Ingrid Law
Genre: General Fiction
Release Date: May 1, 2008
Rating: 6

I have read this book twice and listened to it on audiobook, and let me tell you, I really enjoyed it on audiotape.

The Beaumont family is kind of special: at thirteen, each member gains a Savvy, a special power that can have good effects, or ones that are equally as bad.

When Mississippi, or Mibs, turns thirteen, something tragic occurs and she hopes to use had Savvy to help save her dad. Unfortunately, she can't find a way to get there, and her Savvy isn't what she thinks it is.

Joined by her brother, and 2 kids from a church, the kids pile into a pink Bible van and head off to Kentucky to find her dad. Inly, that's not where they end up going.

On a cross-country road trip joined by Lester, the unconfident driver of the bus, miss discovers her savvy and tries to save her dad.

I've always dreamed of having a magic power that nobody else has. It's like one of those recurring dreams that you can't get rid of, but can only half remember when you wake up. That's how I associate the book: like a dream, half there, half gone.

The writing style enhances the book so well that it's like I'm there. The reader for the audiobook is amazing!

Pros:
-The story is interesting
-The characters are well-developed
-there are plot twists
-the savvies are just... Yes.

Cons:
-There is some romance
-Some parts are very predictable
-It gets tiring after awhile

Read this if you crave any whimsy!

Rating: 6 - Worth Reading

I have nothing else to say, really.  Some of the writing just takes you in, and the characters and backstories really branch into beauty, but there really is nothing else to say.

Dragon Slippers

Note: this book is by one of my favorite authors, so be prepared for some rambling!

Title: Dragon Slippers
Author: Jessica Day George
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: 2007
Rating: 9

Creel is a maiden who has lost her mum and dad, so she has to live with her aunt and her uncle. When her aunt grows desperate for money, she decides to give Creel to a dragon so a knight will save her, marry her, and bring the entire family into the castle.

But, her plan backfires. Creel manages to wiggle her way out of the dragon's claws and escapes to a different country to become a dressmaker.

But, a stain glass window falls from the sky. And then, she's captured by a dragon.

And yet, she still manages to become a dressmaker.

I can't say anymore.
***

Okay, I'm sorry for the very short summary.

This book is amazing.

Pros:
-A great main character
-Great writing
-DRAGONS!
-plausible characters
-ending is amazing
-plot is interesting
-the first sentence... just yes

Cons:
-Some writing is eh
-there are some parts that seem very cliché

Rating - 9: Yes yes yes!

I truly love this book. There are a few things that annoy me about it, but the way the plot twists together is so wonderful that I love it.

The main character is great, too.

So. Dragons. I haven't posted any reviews on dragon books yet, so y'all don't know how much I love them. DRAGONS!!! DRAGONS!!! DRAGONS!!!

So, yeah. Probably my favorite mythical creature. If they were real, I would have one. And love it. And call it mine.

In a lot of books, dragons are portrayed as regal, though somewhat arrogant and annoying, pompous jerks. I love this book, because it's completely different! The dragons are completely personable, each having a unique personality and type of collection. Each collection reflects the dragons' personality.

Whether dogs, tapestries, books, or stained glass windows, each dragon is so awesome and I love them!

But then, there are a few faults. The writing and some of the personalities are somewhat... cliché, I guess? It's annoying. I don't know how else to describe it.

Well:

Dragon Slippers is a clever, beautifully woven tale of dragons and dressmakers with humorous writing and great characters.

-Sarah

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Avi has always been such a mysterious author to me. The first book I ever read by him was a book about how books are made, and I loved it. Of course, it was from the 1980s and had a lot about floppy disks and such, but for a four year old dreaming of publication, it was a magical thought.

For the longest time, I didn't want to google him because I didn't want to loose that dream-like feeling his books had for me, but eventually I had to to look for a list of books by him. Poof. Magic gone. But still, it's there, like the state after a dream where you're awake, but still in the dream world. That's where I'll be, Peter... Sorry, random Hook reference. Okay... the official review.

Title: The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Author: Avi

Genre: Adventure

Rating: 9

Charlotte Doyle is excited to return to the States after her time at a school in England. She plans to take a boat back along with two other families. But, they have to cancel their plans. So, Charlotte is left on a ship with a mean, cruel captain that nobody likes, and a crew that wants to get rid of the captain and plans for mutiny.

As the trip progresses, the fight between captain and crew grows worse. After certain circumstances arrive, Charlotte becomes part of the crew and earns respect. But as more and more people die and, and the mysteries surrounding the voyage and history of the captain and his crew continues to grow murkier, Charlotte is brought closer to her death than anyone would like to be.

***

So, this book is amazing. I love a good adventure at sea, especially with a strong-minded girl that isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. It's so rare to find a female main character without a love interest. Girls are watered down. They are either so romantic and scatter-brained that men rule and they are just a nuisance, or they are so hard and unreachable that they aren't plausible and they just don't add function to the story.

Girls can be dynamic, too, people!

Examples of strong girls with either little love/romantic stuff going on or at least dynamic and strong:
-Èowyn from Lord of the Rings (especially in the movies)
-Charlotte (from this)
-Princess Leia
-Ella from Just Ella
 A lot of others I don't have time to list. I may have to do a special post on Books' Best Heroines...

Pros:
-Fascinating story
-Beautiful writing
-Unpredictable
-Mystery finely woven throughout the story
-No romance
-a GREAT antagonist
-A very strong heroine
-Well-developed characters
-page-turnign events
-very few boring parts

Cons:
-some redundancies in writing
-a few stereotypical characters

Read this book if you are able to read this review!!!

Rating - 9: Yes yes yes!

I could go on about this book forever, and I could go on about Charlotte forever, but I can't, so I won't. The cover is so intriguing, with Charlotte looking out over the sea, not with some ridiculously tight or revealing dress, but a sailor's clothing, and an awesome ship.... yes!

And the small details in the writing that catch on later in the story just make it so much richer! I shouldn't say anymore, because I will end up spoiling, but please please please read it!

Read it.

-Sarah

Ties that Break, Ties that Bind

Historical fiction rocks, but it's also majorly depressing. Also, I want to note that I haven't read this book in forever, so it is kind of rusty in my mind.

Title: Ties that Break, Ties that Bind
Author: Lensey Namioka
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: 1999
Rating: 5

When I first read this, I was appalled to hear that women in China used to tie their feet to reduce their size to two to three INCHES. My feet are like 9 inches long, so that would hurt. And it did. Moat women were crippled for life and couldn't function in a normal life because their feet were CRAMPED INTO THREE INCH SHOES! That just... no!

The writing in this book wasn't very impressive, and the main character was ho-hum, but the historical facts incorporated were appealing. I did not like the book itself, but it's a must read for all history geeks, nerds, or anyone else.

Imagine this: you are five years old. Your feet are going to be bound together and cramped into shoes that make your feet tiny and crippled. What do you do? RUN! When the main character doesn't want her feet bound, she refuses and soon she is scorned in her community. She can't be wed, she can't get a job, so she runs off to become a nanny for a few children.

Then, she goes to America and starts a restaurant. The story is dull, but the history is amazing!

It has a strong message of girl-power and ability, and I wish that all girls in books were as strong as the main character, Eileen.

Pros:
-Good message
-Great History

Cons:
-bland writing style
-slow story
-unconvincing characters
-generally bland

So, you should read it, but you should not expect the best book ever.

Rating: 5 - Okay, Worth My Time

The main character, Eileen, was great because she had so much spirit and was willing to do what others weren't. I wish I had known her. Are you guys like that? Most of my friends are book characters I talk to in my head. 

No, I'm not insane... just antisocial. And a bookworm. And a writer. You know what? Just Scratch the entire not being insane thing for now.

But I did really want to talk to Eileen. She thought for herself. I just loved the character. I kind of saw her in myself. Also, isn't the title the BEST? Ties that Break, Ties that Bind. I can just picture the detachment and disagreement between family members. Very "Mulan" ish story. 

Not a great story, but a FASCINATING subject!

-Sarah

-Sarah

Beastly

Before I say anything, I have to say I love the cover! It's so perfect for the book!

Title: Beastly
Author: Alex Flinn
Genre: Fractured Fairy Tale
Rating: 6

If you're like me, you love a good fractured fairy tale. They're surging into the mainstream now, which is great, considering how much I love them. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, I'll read any one you give me.

The book centers on Kyle, the perfect high school guy, and suddenly, a girl comes into his life and tips it upside down. Upon further realization, it turns out she's a witch and she enchants him into a Beast.

Then, he has two years to find someone to love him. And the search begins.

I've read a lot of retellings of Beauty and the Beast, but this one is unique. Alex Flinn manages to incorporate the necessary romance into the story without making it too romantic. If you're like me and don't like romance, then this retelling isn't great for you. It wasn't my favorite retelling, but it was interesting.

One of my favorite parts of the book is when Kyle joins an internet chat room for people turned into magical creatures or born them. It's funny, but sad towards the end.

I have to say that this book is kind of eh in book terms, but for a Beauty and the Beast retelling, it's pretty good.

Pros:
-good retelling

Cons:
-romantic
-writing is only average

If you like retelling, read it, if not, don't bother.

Rating: 6 - Worth Reading

Lost

Title: Lost
Author: Jacqueline Davies
Genre: Mystery
Release Date: 2009
Rating: 5

Oh, this book. It raises so many emotions! There are so many events, and the ending...

Anyway, I'm only giving this book a five because of the writing style.

***
Basically, it's about a girl in the early 1900s, I believe, who works in a factory. The news is all over a missing heiress, and then a new girl shows up having no clue how to run the factory tools but still needing a job.

Guess what happens.... anything else I say will be a spoiler.
***

This is a short post, because I don't have much time, but here:

Pros:
-Intricate plot
-Good female characters
-little romance
-intriguing passages

Cons:
-So depressing!
-boring at times
-inconclusive end, though satisfying

If you're in the mood for a story with a mystery and some depressing parts, read Lost.

Rating: 5 - Okay

At first, when Mum grabbed it at the library, I thought it looked stupid because the cover was HATS. But, then I turned to the back and melted, because it was something I'd thought about so often:

"It's like when you're on a street corner and somebody next to you says, "I lost a penny," you would take a look around and do your best to help them find it. Sure, you would. But if someone on that same corner says, "I lost a diamond ring," you would get down on your hands and knees and search 'til the sun came down. And the next day, you'd come back and start searching all over again. And then every time you passed that corner you'd think, "I wonder if the ever found that diamond ring," and I bet your eyes would wander to the ground and have another look. For years and years."

Isn't that awesome? It's on the back of the book, so I guess it has to be awesome, but still. Best passage in the whole book! 

This book is so sad, though! It flips perspective between past events with her sister to the current events with Harriet, the girl she meets, and it's so sad! 

It's kind of description heavy, though.

The Unwanteds

So, here y'all go. I hope you like the book if you read it. I know I did!


Title: The Unwanteds
Author: Lisa McMann
Genre: Dystopian
Rating: 7

What would you be in a society that is happy to toss their creative children, original thinkers, and innovators into a boiling lack of oil? Would you be Wanted, and intelligent and useful person that can help reinforce the dystopian government's laws, or an Unwanted, a creative thinker that doesn't conform to the government's stereotype of a perfect citizen?

I know what I'd be: Unwanted. If I lived in a society were my parents were fine with me being thrown into a lake of oil, I'd be mad. Only, that's not where they end up. The Unwanteds are actually sent to the land of Artimé, just beyond the gate and hidden away.

***
Artimé is the perfect place: creative classes, like-minded people, and best of all: magic! But when the Quillians (Wanted citizens) discover Artimé, war breaks out.
***

This story is disturbingly similar to the way I've seen schools. Creativity is ignored, only the people considered useful are nurtured in learning. everyone has to be conformed into a mold that fits society's image of a good person.

Dystopian books are always like that: a sad metaphor for what our world has become.

Pros:
-Strong plot line
-good antagonist
-well developed setting

Cons:
-obnoxious characters
-the type of writing that makes you think of Max Mclean reading it...
-slow parts

These books, especially the sequels, are very well developed, but they can be slow and the characters slow, stupid and eh. I'd read it, as it's thought provoking and fun to read, but it can be disturbing to think of this dystopia.

Rating: 7 - I Like It!

Welcome to the YA Book Spot!

Hi! Welcome to the YA Book Spot! Over the next few decades, I will be posting hundreds upon hundreds of reviews about books you can enjoy! Review my review policy if you're interested in submitting a book, and that's about it. Check in tomorrow for another review!