Monday Book Review: NEED by Joelle Charbonneau

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I squeezed in another YA book over winter break! My doctorate program at Loyola doesn’t restart for another couple weeks, so I’m hoping to squeeze in at least one more book review before the month is out. For right now, here’s another book from Joelle Charbonneau, whom I met at an ACFW meeting last March and who is the author of the New York Times bestselling dystopian trilogy The Testing.

Monday Book Review: NEED by Joelle Charbonneau. Check out this latest thriller from the author fo the New York Times bestselling dystopian trilogy The Testing.Title: NEED

Author: Joelle Charbonneau

Genre: Thriller

Age group: YA

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Kaylee Dunham knows what she needs–a kidney for her sick younger brother. However, the person who might best be a match is her dad, and he’s run off. Meanwhile, a new social networking site has appeared, and it’s quickly gathering popularity at Kaylee’s high school. All you have to do is tell it what you need, and then it gives you a simple set of instructions to follow in order to have your need request fulfilled. The instructions seem harmless at first, but the consequences quickly turn deadly. For example, one boy is told to leave a package on the front steps of the house of a girl he likes. He doesn’t know that inside the package are cookies made with ground peanuts, and the girl he likes has a severe peanut allergy. When Kaylee figures out the dangerous game the NEED system is playing with them, she needs to put an end to hit before someone she loves gets hurt. Or worse.

This is definitely a YA book, not a middle grade. I would say that if parents are okay with their children reading The Hunger Games or Divergent, then they’ll be fine with this one, too. What I really like about it is that it could become a good discussion starter for the dangers of social media. Charbonneau raises some interesting questions about how far someone may be willing to go to get what they think they need and how “anonymity” online can make people behave in ways they wouldn’t otherwise.

NEED and meThe book was definitely chilling in the way it built up the creepiness factor as the story progressed. After a while, it’s pretty hard to put down. That’s why on my Instagram account, I posted the photo to the right with the caption: “If you NEED me, I’ll be reading this book by @joellejcharbonneau.” The book is 334 pages, but I polished it off in just a few days during my winter break.

Monday Book Review: 10 Steps to Girlfriend Status by Cynthia T. Toney

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Last year, I reviewed Cynthia Toney’s first book Bird Face, which has been renamed 8 Notes to a Nobody. A few months ago, Cynthia sent me a copy of the sequel 10 Steps to Girlfriend Status, and I’ve been eager to read it ever since. Unfortunately, a full-time teaching job plus an incredibly demanding doctorate program has meant I haven’t had time to read any YA since last August! Ugh! I am way behind on my TBR list!

Anyway, Christmas break is finally here, so I hope to get in some good books before my two weeks are up. 10 Steps is a quick read, so I was able to finish it first.

10 Steps to Girlfriend Status FC tinyTitle: 10 Steps to Girlfriend Status

Author: Cynthia Toney

Genre: contemporary realistic fiction

Age group: YA (but okay for preteens too)

10 Steps to Girlfriend Status is a lovely tale about a young teen (freshman in high school) who is learning how to manage her many changing relationships. First, she’s hoping her guy friend will become more than just a friend. Second, her mom has just remarried, so she’s figuring out how to be part of a blended family, complete with a stepdad, stepsister, and stepbrother. Third, her surrogate grandmother who lived next door to her old house is developing Alzheimer’s.

As someone who recently lost her mother, I found this last changing relationship the most emotionally moving. While my mother didn’t have Alzheimer’s, it’s never easy to see someone you love lose their grip on life. Cynthia Toney does a lovely job handling this difficult topic.

Parents, this is a “clean” read for your young teen. It has a light faith element in the story, but definitely nothing overly preachy. A very enjoyable read.

 

Book Talk Time — Theresa Linden’s Roland West Loner

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In lieu of my lack of book reviews recently (hopefully, winter break will give me some time to rectify that situation), I thought I’d share with you some of the books on my very long TBR pile. First up is Theresa Linden and her YA novel Roland West, Loner.

Theresa LindenTheresa Linden is a homeschooling mom who lives in northeast Ohio with her husband, three boys, and one very old dog. Her father was in the Coast Guard, so she moved often growing up. She lived through Typhoon Pamela on Guam, got stung by a jelly fish on Hawaii, and came face to face with a doe in California. She is a firm believer that life is an adventure. Faith in the invisible realities has only increased this belief. She hopes that the richness, depth, and mystery of the Catholic faith arouse her readers’ imaginations to the invisible realities and the power of faith and grace. Her love for faith, family and freedom inspired her other published books, Chasing Liberty and Testing Liberty, books one and two in a dystopian trilogy.

Here’s a review about Roland West, Loner that Theresa shared with me:

“If I could choose but one novel this year that was not only sheer delight to read, but also had the most profound impact on my spiritual life, it would be — without a shadow of a doubt — “Roland West, Loner” by Theresa Linden. I wish I could give this book to every Catholic teen I know (and their parents too!). At first glance, the story is on a purely natural level: a teenage boy, alone and friendless in a new school, trying to cope with his cruel older brothers. But the plot swiftly moves into a new and unexpected realm — that of the supernatural — sweeping the reader way beyond the halls of West River High and plunging straight into the doctrine of the Communion of Saints. The way Linden accomplishes this will take your breath away.

Roland West LonerWhen we first meet Roland, our 14-year-old hero, he is on the verge of a trip to Italy with his father. This is Roland’s chance to escape his brother Jarrett and the nightmare of school. But Jarrett wants the trip for himself, and will stop at nothing to get it. While their father is away, he locks Roland in the cellar and puts his scheme into action.

But, unknown to Roland, he does in fact have a friend: someone special in Heaven, who likewise has a scheme and is putting it into action. Roland’s life, and the life of all the characters, is about to be changed forever.

When Roland is rescued from his prison by a boy from school named Peter, a friendship springs up between them. The two are drawn together especially by a mysterious locked box that Peter has been given as an inheritance. What it contains is literally out of this world — a gift directly from Heaven. But someone else wants the treasure too. The race is on to keep the box and its precious contents safe. 

Peter’s secret inheritance is the very heart of this suspenseful and heartwarming story. Once you’ve read this magnificent novel, you will never again think of the Saints as being far away!

I cannot recommend this novel highly enough. A rare work by an extremely talented author!”   ~Susan Peek, Author of A Soldier Surrenders

If you want to learn more about Theresa Linden, you can find her online here:

Website: http://theresalinden.wix.com/theresalindenfiction

Author FB page: https://www.facebook.com/theresalindenauthor

Twitter handle: @LindenTheresa

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheresaALinden/catholic-teen-fiction

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Roland-West-Loner-Theresa-Linden/dp/0996816844

Amazon (Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0189FKSPE

Monday Book Review: The Caretaker’s Guide to Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

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A couple years ago, I posted one of my Monday Book Reviews on Fablehaven by Brandon Mull. The book first came to my attention because it was reviewed in a newsletter by a bookseller who had (in that same issue) included an article I wrote about how I use contemporary fantasy novels and classical mythology to teach the concept of a hero story.

If you’re not familiar with Mull’s Fablehaven series and you’re a fan of middle grade fantasy, I recommend you check them out. I’ve found that many of my students who are fans of Harry Potter or books like A Tale Dark & Grimm have really enjoyed this series.

Thus, when the publisher emailed me and invited me to take part in the blog tour for The Caretaker’s Guide to Fablehaven, I was very excited. For my participation, I received a free NetGalley copy of the book.

Caretaker's Guide to Fablehaven

The Caretaker’s Guide to Fablehaven is akin to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them from the Harry Potter series. In other words, instead of a story, what we have here is a book detailing all the fantastical creatures one might run into at Fablehaven. In alphabetical order and with beautiful illustrations, each creature is described, along with how you should best interact with them, especially if you end up being their caretaker!

Unfortunately, because I was looking at a NetGalley copy on my iPad, the gorgeous illustrations didn’t always line up quite right with the descriptions; however, if you head over to Amazon and look at the sample pages, you’ll see that this is clearly going to be a beautiful book when it comes out in hardcover, which officially happens . . . oh, that’s right, TOMORROW!!!!

So happy early release day, Brandon Mull! And happy reading to all you fans of Fablehaven!

8 Books to Engage Your Middle School Student this School Year

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As an author and middle school English teacher, I get a lot of requests from parents about what books I might recommend to their children. Since the school I teach at started early this year, I’ve already been listening to my students’ book talks on what they chose to read this summer. It hit me this past week that there are definitely some recurring favorites that have popped up many times over recent years.

So if you’re looking for a book to recommend to your child in middle school, here are some of the repeat favorites as recommended by their own peers! (In other words, the kids really like these books.)

Wonder1. Wonder by R.J. Palacio–If you haven’t yet discovered this gem about a boy with physical deformities heading back to a regular school after years of being home-schooled, please do yourself a favor and get a copy. I adored Wonder, I have nieces who have read it multiple times, and a ton of my students have enjoyed it and called it one of their favorites as well. You can read my original review here.

Mysterious Benedict Society2. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart–Fun, fun, fun series of books by an author I got to meet years ago when the first book came out and he came to visit my school. A group of gifted children are invited to join a secret society only to find out they have been chosen for a very special mission. The Mysterious Benedict Society has a creative cast of characters, fun puzzles and riddles to solve, and an engaging plot. Even my mom read this one! Original review here.

IMG_37943. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin–This one is for lovers of fables and folklore. Grace Lin’s drawings are gorgeous, and her writing will sweep you away. In this story, a young girl travels to meet the Old Man in the Moon in order to save her poor family from famine. Original review here. Lovely tale!

 

So B. It4. So B. It by Sarah Weeks–A lovely contemporary story with a bit of a mystery to solve. Twelve-year-old Heidi lives with her mother who is mentally challenged. Her mom can only speak a few words, but Heidi is determined to get to the bottom of one word in particular that she can’t quite figure out. Original review here.

 

Ivan5. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate–This Newbery Medal Winner is reminiscent of Charlotte’s Web. A silverback gorilla named Ivan is the top attraction at the Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. His best friend is an elephant named Stella. When a new baby elephant arrives, Ivan decides he needs to find a better life for her than the Big Top Mall. Original review here. Probably most appropriate for younger middle school readers.

IMG_37906. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull–A great series for fantasy lovers who have finished Harry Potter and Percy Jackson and are looking for something else with magical creatures. I first reviewed this book back in 2013, and I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be participating in the official blog tour for Brandon Mull’s next book: The Caretaker’s Guide to Fablehaven. Watch for my special post in October!

When You Reach Me7. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead–Fans of quirky mysteries with a major plot twist at the end will love this story of sixth grader Miranda who keeps receiving mysterious messages. The notes eerily predict the future and carry warnings of what might come. I can’t say too much about this book because I don’t want to give anything away, but let’s just say it was one of those books where the ending made it all worthwhile! Check out my review here.

Hidden Talents8. Hidden Talents by David Lubar–If you have a reluctant reader, this is the book I recommend. I’ll warn that it comes with a little mild language, but I’ve found that nearly every child I’ve read this book to (I change damn to darn and sucks to stinks when I read it aloud) loves it. There’s a sequel too. The kids often ask if there’s a third book and are really disappointed when I inform them there isn’t. Original review here.

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Monday Book Review: The Dance: A Story of Love, Faith, and Survival by Joan Aubele

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Long-time readers of my blog know I usually review middle grade and young adult books on Monday, but every once in a while, I review something for adults, too. Today is one of those days! 🙂

I’ll be very upfront and tell you I may be a bit biased about this book as it’s written by my cousin and godmother Joan Aubele. 🙂 But even without the family connections, I think anyone who has endured a devastating cancer diagnosis in their family will be able to relate to Joan’s experiences and find comfort and inspiration in her story.

IMG_5876Title: The Dance: A Story of Love, Faith, and Survival

Author: Joan Aubele

Genre: Memoir

Synopsis: At the age of twenty-nine, Joan Aubele is diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (a.k.a. “childhood leukemia”). She is told to say good-bye to her husband and three young girls and to prepare for her funeral, but she and her husband Carl decide to fight the cancer anyway. It’s not an easy fight. Time and time again, Joan and her family are warned that death may be near, but their faith in God keeps them moving forward, and somehow miracles (one even worked through a prayer intention brought to the Blessed Mother at Medjugorje) seem to save her from the brink of death.

My mom is Joan’s godmother, and one of the most striking parts of this book for me is how similar their stories are. Both my mom and Joan were diagnosed with cancer when they were married and had small children at home. Both worried that they wouldn’t live to see their kids grow up. Both have endured “mini strokes” (TIAs), but both have now lived at least 25 years since their first cancer diagnosis (my mom has had numerous kinds of cancer), and both have lived to see their children and their grandchildren. Most importantly, both have a very strong faith in God. I truly believe it is their Catholic faith that has seen them through these harrowing experiences.

At a little over 100 pages, The Dance is a quick read, but in that short time, it will leave a lasting impression on your heart. These are unforgettable people enduring extremely trying hardships. If you or someone you know is facing a cancer diagnosis, this lovely memoir will help them remember that they are not alone.



Monday Book Review: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein

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One of my favorite things to read is a middle grade mystery with puzzles that the reader can play along with, and Chris Grabenstein delivers just such a treat in his Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library. (And seeing how I’ve just returned from a trip to Italy where I partook of a bit of limoncello, this book seemed like the perfect choice for my next Monday book review. 😉 )

LemoncelloTitle: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library

Author: Chris Grabenstein

Genre: mystery

Age group: middle grade

Synopsis: Kyle Keeley loves playing all sorts of games, especially board games designed by his hero Luigi Lemoncello. After Mr. Lemoncello designs the new town library, Kyle wins one of the 12 coveted spots to participate in a special “library lock-in” to celebrate its opening. However, Mr. Lemoncello has created a special game for this lock-in. The kids have to solve a series of riddles and puzzles in order to get out of the library. Whoever gets out first will star in a commercial for Mr. Lemoncello’s next board game!

I really enjoyed how much the reader can play along with the puzzles in this book. To me, a mystery isn’t fun if you can’t play detective along with the main character. Author Chris Grabenstein does a nice job of making many of these games “playable” with Kyle. I also enjoyed how he integrated many popular children’s book titles into the games and into Mr. Lemoncello’s speech. Grabenstein made use of classic titles like Anne of Green Gables (you know I’d like that!) and newer books I love like When You Reach Me.

The one little thing I wish were different about the book is that I wish there were more at stake than starring in a commercial. As an author myself, I’ve read many times that you have to decide what “terrible thing” will happen to your character if he does not succeed in his goal. Otherwise, why do we care? For that reason, the beginning of the book felt a little slow to me. I didn’t know why I should care if Kyle won this game or not. When I found out that the only thing at stake was starring in a commercial, it seemed a little shallow. Perhaps, if there’d been a financial prize, and Kyle’s family needed the money to keep their house or something, then I might’ve felt a bit more invested.

Fortunately, the riddles the kids have to solve were fun enough to keep a book lover like me entertained. Also, the library that Lemoncello (or really Grabenstein) dreams up is very cool, and I’d love to visit a library like that someday.

If you (or a kid you know) loves to read and solve puzzles, I’d definitely recommend this book. There’s even a fun puzzle-within-the-puzzle for the reader to solve at the end of the story.

More reviews, blog tour stops, and giveaways!

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First, thanks to everyone who turned out for the Facebook party and Twitter contest last Thursday night. I had a blast! I’ll be blogging about the experience on the Seekerville blog on Memorial Day, so stop by then to find out a bunch of behind-the-scenes workings of a Facebook party.

In the meantime, the blog tour and giveaways continue! Here’s a roundup:

  • On April 24, Pegg Thomas wrote this lovely 5-star review of Angelhood on The Sheepish Scribe.
  • On April 27, Pegg Thomas interviewed me over at the Quid Pro Quills website. Hope you didn’t miss that giveaway!
  • On April 30, I guest blogged over on Johnnie Alexander’s blog about my collection of angel paraphernalia.
  • Also on April 30, Rabia Lieber wrote this awesome review of Angelhood on her blog.

Coming up this week:

And still more to come!

Monday Book Review: The Thorn Bearer by Pepper Basham

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I’m going to take another brief break from my usual middle grade and YA book reviews to bring you a beautiful inspirational historical fiction book by one of my “publishing sisters” (as I like to call her) Pepper Basham. Pepper is also a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), and our books both recently released in Kindle from Vinspire Publishing. In fact, it just so happened that my Angelhood released in Kindle and paperback on Amazon on the same day that Pepper’s The Thorn Bearer released on Kindle. The paperback version of The Thorn Bearer will release on May 7, the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania (’cause her book has to do with the sinking of the Lusitania!).

thethornbearer-500x750-1Title: The Thorn Bearer

Author: Pepper Basham

Genre: Inspirational historical fiction

Synopsis: Ashleigh Dougall has endured more than is one woman’s share. First, horrendous sexual abuse at the hands of her own father. Then, being jilted by her fiance when he learns she is a “tainted woman.” Not too mention, there’s a long-standing coolness between her and her sister. Seeking a fresh start, she decides to take her nursing skills overseas to England where she will start an orphanage after caring for the wounded soldiers of World War I. Unfortunately, the problems with her plan are multiple. First, Ashleigh’s ex-fiance is on the same boat. Second, also on the boat is her sister’s ex-fiance for whom Ashleigh is developing feelings. Third, the boat they’re all on is the ill-fated Lusitania.

It’s pretty rare I pull my head out of middle grade and young adult fiction to read something intended for actual adults, but how could I resist this story from my “publishing sister”? And I’m glad I didn’t. Pepper’s characters are vivid and fun! Definitely people worth caring for! During the sinking of the Lusitania, she’ll have your heart pumping. I never like to give too much away, but if you enjoyed the movie Titanic and enjoyed the World War I episodes of Downton Abbey (when they were caring for the injured soldiers right at the house), you’ll enjoy The Thorn Bearer.

You can find Pepper on her website here and find The Thorn Bearer on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It’s currently only $2.99 for the Kindle and Nook versions. (Rumor has it the price will be going up, so buy now!)

Monday Book Review: The Tomb by Stephanie Landsem

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Normally, I review middle grade and young adult books, but today I am super excited to bring you The Tomb by Stephanie Landsem. This is the the third book in Landsem’s The Living Water series. I enjoyed the first book The Well, I adored the second book The Thief, and I’m absolutely in love with the third book The Tomb! Somehow Landsem’s books just keep getting better and better!

IMG_3483Title: The Tomb

Author: Stephanie Landsem

Genre: biblical fiction

Synopsis: Martha is the good girl. She follows all the laws, as is proper for the daughter of a respected Pharisee. However, it’s her sister Mary who gets to marry the man of her dreams, a poor man who makes her happy even though he has little to offer her. Martha is also in love with a poor man, but he’s a pagan, and there’s no way her father would ever consent to her marrying anyone other than a proper Jew. Even the righteous Simon can’t seem to convince Martha’s father to let him marry his eldest daughter. Martha is such a good cook and law-abiding woman, no man seems good enough to marry her. However, Martha is hiding a secret, a sin that could get her stoned in her hometown of Bethany. And to make matters worse, her brother Lazarus wants to run off and follow their cousin Jesus, whom many (but definitely not all) are claiming is the Messiah!

The back cover of the book gives away far more than I am in my synopsis, but I’d actually recommend not reading the back cover before you read the book. I didn’t, and I’m glad I skipped it. I enjoyed the many twists this story took along the way.

If you follow me on Facebook, you may already know that this story brought me to tears–several times, in fact. Landsem has a way of making Jesus so real. Any Christian is familiar with the story of Jesus coming to Martha and Mary’s house for dinner, and how Martha complains that her sister won’t help her with the food preparations. But what Landsem does is flesh out this scene for us, so that we get a clearer picture of what it might actually have been like. In doing so, she illuminates Jesus’s human nature. I think we tend to focus mostly on his divine nature, but it’s wonderful to spend some time thinking of Jesus as the guy who comes over for dinner and the children run to him and throw their arms around his legs.

I could go on and on about how much I liked this book, but I don’t want to spoil any of it for you. I highly recommend all of The Living Water series. You can read them in any order, but at the end of The Tomb, there is an epilogue where Landsem brings together characters from all three of her stories.

You can find the book on Amazon here and at Barnes & Noble here. You can also follow Stephanie on Facebook and Twitter or visit her website.

 

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