Welcome to Camden Falls

Welcome to Camden Falls
   By: Ann M. Martin 
Genre: family, friends, realistic fiction 
Series: Main Street book 1


Synopsis: Sisters Flora and Ruby begin their new life in Camden Falls after their parents die in an accident. 

Summary: 

     Flora and Ruby Northrop don't want to move to Camden Falls, but they have no choice when their parents die in a car wreck and their grandmother Min is taking them in. But, things start to get better as they make new friends and learn about their past in Camden Falls. It starts to feel more and more like home as Flora and Ruby stitch together their new life in Camden Falls. 

Q&A: 

1. How enticing was the plot? - This book was very interesting, but not too exciting. I enjoyed reading it. 

2. How well were the characters developed? Were they likable? - There is a large cast of characters in this book, but the main four characters are Flora and Ruby and their new friends Olivia and Nikki. Flora ,the eldest, is creative and caring while Ruby is energetic, moody, and always ready to have a good time. Olivia, their neighbor, is extremely organized and bossy, but in a kind way. She takes on the Northrops and makes them feel welcome. Nikki has never had friends before, she lives outside of town and is going through hard times at home, still she is brave and has a loving heart. 

3. What was the setting of the story? - The story is set around modern times in a small New England town. 

4. Was there an overall moral message to the story that the characters learn? - At first, Nikki doesn't want to be friends with the other girls, and the other girls don't want to be friends with her. They fight and argue but finally learn that even though they're all different they can still be friends. 

5. Was the end satisfying? - Yes, the end was satisfying but it makes you want to go and read the next book in the series. ;) 

Ratings: 

None Whatsoever Moderate    Dude, YES

LOL Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Tear Jerker Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Can't Put it Down Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Nailbiter Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Good Book Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Suggested Age Range:

    4-6       6-9       9-12      12-15     15-18  

Noteworthy: 
     I love this book and this author, I highly recommend this series of ten books and other books by the same author. So put that phone down and go read them! 

Warning! We love books.  Our reviews may or may not be somewhat biased :D

~ Misten 

Fairest of All

Fairest of All
   By: Sarah Mlynowski 
Genre: Adventure; comedy; fantasy 
Series: Whatever After Book 1 

Synopsis: Abby and her younger brother are transported into Snow White's fairy tale. 

Summary: 
     
      When Abby and her younger brother, Jonah, are swallowed up by the mirror in their basement, they are transported into the fairy tale of Snow White. But hey - they're heroes because they stopped Snow from eating the poison apple. Great, right? Wrong! Now Snow will never meet her prince or live happily ever after. So now it's up to Jonah and Abby to... not get poisoned, sneak into the castle, and change Snow's story back. Then hopefully they will be able to find their way home.

Q&A: 

1. How enticing was the plot? - The story was very entertaining: I read the whole book in one sitting. 

2. How well were the characters developed? Were they likable? - The story is told from the point of view of 10 year old Abby. She is opinionated, sweet, and totally relatable. Jonah, on the other hand, is the comedy effect of the story. He is funny and adorable, overall very likable. Snow, is sweet and timid, and although she plays the "dumb blonde" sometimes, she's a likable character as well. 

3. What was the setting of the story? - The story takes place in modern times, but Abby and Jonah are transported to the fairy tale kingdom of Zamel. 

4. Was there an overall moral message to the story that the characters learn? - After being in a fairy tale for a few days, Abby is much more appreciative of the things she has. Even in a new town that she doesn't want to be in, she is realizing how blessed that she is and is thankful for the things that she has. 

5. Was the end satisfying? - Yes. I don't want to give it away... but victory does come to the good guys. 

Ratings:

None Whatsoever Moderate    Dude, YES

LOL Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Tear Jerker Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Can't Put It Down Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Nail Biter Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Good Book Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Suggested Age Range:

    4-6       6-9       9-12      12-15     15-18  

Noteworthy: 

     This was a great book! It was a page-turning, laugh-out-loud, want-to-read-the-whole-series sort of book. Just a heads up: the story of Snow White is based off the Grimm's Fairy Tale version of the story, not the Disney version. Don't worry; the story isn't dark. However, the Evil Queen is trying to kill Snow White, and it is told how she tries to do so. The story is not scary, but readers may be surprised to find that it does not follow the classic Disney tale of Snow White. Overall, the book was wonderful. I hope you decide to put down that phone and read it! 

Warning! We love books.  Our reviews may or may not be somewhat biased :D

~ Misten 

The City Of Ember

The City Of Ember

   By: Jeanne DuPrau 

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: The Books Of Ember book 1

Synopsis: Two children discover a secret message containing instructions for how to evacuate their dying city

Summery:

     

     In a city called Ember, a city so dark that electricity was the only source of light, lived a girl named Lina Mayfleet and a boy named Doon Harrow.  At the age of twelve, the citizens of Ember must draw a job from a hat for them to work in for the rest of their lives.  Lina desperately wants to be a messenger, but picks pipe works laborer.  Doon draws messenger, and requests to trade with her.  Doon has ideas about how to fix the dying generator which provides the city's electricity. When Lina finds a secret message hidden in a box in the back of her closet, she and Doon work together to try and decode it and rescue the City of Ember before the lights go out for good. 

Q&A:

1. How enticing was the plot? - The book was very interesting.  Readers will quickly become interested in learning the fate of the characters. 

2. How well were the characters developed? Were they likable? - Lina's craving for excitement and fidgety habits, along with her constant day dreams of things impossible and her love for anything pretty, quickly made her a favorite character for me, as I'm sure they will for most readers.  Similarly, Doon's eagerness to help others and use his talents to save the city make him a lovable character as well.  

3. What is the setting of the story? - The story is set sometimes in the far off future in the City of Ember, a city in which the only source if light is electricity powered by a swift underground river.  

4. Was there an overall moral lesson to the story? - The mayor in the story is a greedy sort of character who turns out to be less of a help than Lina and Doon had hoped.  If anything, the main take away from the story is that selfishness will hurt yourself and the people around you. Because of the mayor's actions in the story, the city comes very close to losing electricity forever and leaving its people in eternal darkness. 

5. Was the end satisfying? - Yes. At least, I thought so.  I found it quite satisfying in a surprising, mind boggling sort of way. 

Noteworthy:
   Personally, I really enjoyed the City of Ember.  I thought the characters were realistic and relatable, the plot line interesting and entertaining, and the ending much more realistic than I had expected. In all honesty, I found the ending to be something that could be entirely possible (in a completely unrealistic sort of way, that is). I won't tell you how it ends... but I will say it's very interesting. I highly recommend this book. So put that phone down and read it!

Ratings:

None Whatsoever Moderate    Dude, YES

LOL Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Tear Jerker Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Can't Put It Down Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Nailbiter Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Good Book Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Suggested Age Range:

    4-6       6-9       9-12      12-15     15-18

Warning! We love books. Our reviews may or may not be somewhat biased :D

~Mally

Tuesdays at the Castle

Tuesdays at the Castle
   By: Jessica Day George 
Genre: Mystery; suspense; fantasy  
Series: Castle Glower Series book 1

Synopsis: The royal children save their castle from destruction. 

Summary: Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. The Castle was always changing, especially on Tuesdays. A new staircase or secret passage, what would it make next? When the king and queen are ambushed and proclaimed dead, 14-year-old Prince Rolf is announced King. Now, with the help of the Castle, the royal children must track down their missing parents and save the kingdom. 

Q&A: 

1. How enticing was the plot? - The book was very engaging, leaving chapters at cliff hangers and inviting you to read more.

2. How well were the characters developed? Were they likable? - The story centers around the royal children, Princess Delilah "Lilah", Prince Rolf, and Princess Celie. Lilah plays the motherly role throughout the story. She's loving, kind, and can be the grownup figure when needed. Rolf, on the other hand, is the average "big brother." He's smart and serious, but is always ready for some fun. Little Celie is the main role in the story. She has always been the favored one by the Castle and is fun, brave, and lovable. 

3. What is the setting of the story? - The story is set in the Castle Glower and in the kingdom. 

4. Was there an overall moral message to the story that the characters learn?  - The characters don't necessarily learn a moral lesson in the story. Although they do grow in their confidence and trust, there wasn't really a big takeaway for the them or the reader. The story also talks a lot about magic. Wizards are referred to and of course there is the Castle itself with its "magic powers". But there were still some good elements to the book, the author touched on the love and strong bonds of family and friendship and the power of working as a team. 

5. Was the end satisfying? - Yes, right wins out over wrong in the end of the book. 

Ratings:

None Whatsoever         Moderate       Dude, YES

LOL Level:

      1         2         3         4         5

Tear Jerker Level:

      1         2         3         4         5

Can't Put It Down Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Nailbiter Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Good Book Level:

          1         2         3         4         5

Suggested Age Range:

4-6       6-9       9-12      12-15     15-18

This was a very enjoyable book, even though there were some minor negative elements for me. It was plenty exciting and was fun to read. Hope you check it out!

Warning! We love books! Our reviews may or may not be somewhat biased :D

~ Misten