Van Eekhout, Greg. Kid vs. Squid.

Van Eekhout, Greg Kid vs. Squid
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2010 196p 16.99
978-1-59990-489-4 elm/ms Imaginary creatures Fiction. VG


“ Spending the summer after sixth grade at his great-uncle's oceanside museum, Thatcher and local girl Trudy team up to help Shoal, one of the people of Atlantis cursed by a witch whose head still survives, and who has an army of monstrous creatures helping her.”
Upper elementary students who enjoy fantasy and science fiction will like this new title by Greg Van Eekhout. When Thatcher Hill, narrator was sent to California to live with his great-uncle Griswald for the summer and work in his Museum of the Strange and Curious and Gift Emporium, his job of dusting off exhibits became exciting when a young girl breaks in. The girl turns out to be the princess of the cursed people of Atlantis (Princess Shoal) and takes off with the “What-Is-It?” box. At this time, Thatcher begins to discover that each summer the remnants of Atlantis and returned to life due to the curse of Skalla, a beheaded witch. Thatcher and his new friend Trudy McGee begin to unravel the mystery of the disappearing head and eventually team up with Shoal to help save the world and for their civilization not to be destroyed. The team conquers maritime monsters, all controlled by the “What-Is-It?” head and to put a stop to the curse. Filled with adventure, hilarious scenes, weird creatures and monsters from the sea, and believable characters, students will find this title fast faced and interesting. However, some students may find the plot to be too fast at times. Fantasy Forba-Mayer,Charleen

Klein, Lisa. Lady Macbeth’s Daughter.

Klein, Lisa. Lady Macbeth’s Daughter.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 291p 16.99 978-1-59990-347-7 ms/hs In alternating chapters, Lady Macbeth, and her daughter Albia, banished at birth, tell their stories against the backdrop of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. As Klein notes, “Lady Macbeth’s Daughter is a work of fiction inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth”, which itself is modeled on early chronicles of Scottish history. Although Lady Macbeth and her husband have no children in the play, a line in the play alludes to the possibility that Lady Macbeth had children, and so Klein introduces Albia, a complicated and courageous teenage girl who had been raised by three witches, also known as the Wyrd Sisters. Albia is unaware that she is the daughter of Macbeth and his wife. Wanting sons, but instead having a newborn baby girl with a deformity, he ordered her to be put to death. Unbenowst to Macbeth and his wife, her servant Rhuven, also a Wyrd Sister, saved Albia’s life. Albia later learns of her heritage and rejects the corrupt kingship of her father and fights to overthrow his reign. Although the story is told in alternating chapters from Lady Macbeth and Albia’s points of view, the characters and plot developments are seamlessly interwoven. Scotland’s history comes alive and no prior knowledge of Shakespeare’s Macbeth is needed to enjoy this tale of intrigue, guilt, love and romance. Klein, the author Opheilia and Two Girls of Gettysburg, continues with a strong writing style and complex characters caught up in historical events beyond their control. Zajko, Rosanne

Nadol, Jen. The Mark.

Nadol, Jen. The Mark.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2010 228p 16.99 978-1-59990-431-3 hs Cassandra can tell when someone’s going to die that day. Should she let them know? If this were a movie, the tag line would be “If you knew today is someone’s last, should you tell them?” Cassandra Renfield, 16, has the dubious “gift” of recognizing people who will die that day. Orphaned at 2, and living with her grandmother “Nan,” Cassie sees a “glow” around people who are about to die. When Nan dies, she’s sent to live for 90 days with her unknown aunt Andrea in Kansas, where her parents lived. There she audits a college philosophy class and it causes her to examine her responsibility to people she sees “marked.” There’s an affair with the philosophy teaching assistant and some far-fetched investigating into her mother’s old psych records. Summer ends and the reader’s left with Cassie’s philosophical dilemma. Good writing and interest in the paranormal will make this popular. Supernatural Gooden, Sue

Soup, Cuthburt,Dr. A Whole Nother Story

Soup, Cuthburt,Dr. A Whole Nother Story
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2010 264p 16.99 978-1-59990-435-1 ms This rollicking mystery, action, fantasy story has just about everything. The Cheeseman family is on the run from at least three groups who want to capture their unfinished time machine. This novel is hard to classify. It is a mystery but also an action adventure and a fantasy. Mr. Cheeseman has been working on a time machine which at least three groups ( an unidentified government agency, international super spies and corporate villains) want to get their hands on. Thinking that he is the easier target to control, Mrs. Cheeseman is murdered. Mr. Cheeseman takes his three children, their hairless terrier dog, and resident sock puppet named Steve on the run. Each time they try to settle somewhere, the villains come close to capturing them and the time machine. Mr. Cheeseman finishes assembling the machine but can’t find the hidden code to activate it. After meeting and helping a strange assortment of characters, the children are really happy in a town when the villains attack. Through the heroic actions of the children and some friends, they foil the villains and start to set things right. A rollicking good read that is hard to put down. The author intersperses small sections of unsolicited advise between chapters. It is slightly reminiscent of Lemony Snicket Middle school students will love this title. Theal, Joan

Dolamore, Jaclyn. Magic Under Glass.

Dolamore, Jaclyn. Magic Under Glass.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2010 225p 16.99 978-1-59990-430-6 ms/hs A young dancer goes from the music hall into the home of a magician who wants her to perform with his automaton piano player. Seeking a better life Nim takes the chance and returns to the magician's home. Once there she discovers some disturbing information about the people who live in the house and why rumor has it that the automaton is haunted. During her dance, Nim notices a gentleman watching her. She has come down in the world since their family fell on hard times when once she led a privliged life she now barely survives. Hoping to help her family out of their difficulties, Nim becomes a "trouser dancer" in a common music hall where one night this gentleman seems interested in her. Hollin Parry,is a mage looking for a dancer to perform with his automaton piano player. Parry has tried other dancers but they were afraid of the mechanical device. Nimira believes him to be kind and decides to take a chance and go to live in his house. Parry introduces her to the mechanical piano player who seems to be a bit magical. Eventually Nim learns an important secret about the automaton, that is he is inhabited by the spirit of a Fairy prince. Gradually Nim develops a way to communicate with Prince Erris. Nim keeps their relationship a secret from Hollin who has asked her to marry him. It later turns out that Hollin's wife has not died of an illness as he claimed and her true situation is being used by the Sorcerer's Union to control him. The household is terrorized by the head of the Sorcerer's union which operates like the Inquisition that tortures and kills fairies. The Union wants to erradicate all things fairy and believe that the automaton is more than it appears to be. This novel works on every level with a totally satisfying result. Characters are three dimensional with Nim a strong and resourceful young woman, Erris the captive prince who struggles to remember what he needs to do, Hollin Parry is the agent of change who would like to be a better man than he has and there is no ambiguity about the villains, we really don't like them and want them to loose. The growing romance between Nim and Erris is sweet The only problem with the novel is that it ends abrubtly with a second volume clearly on the way. I only hope the author won't make us wait too long. Spadaro, Trish

Hoffman, Mary. Troubadour.

Hoffman, Mary. Troubadour.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 290p 16.99 978-1-59990-367-5 ms/hs In 1208 thirteen-year-old Lady Elinor, secretly in love with a troubadour and determined to avoid marriage to an older man, runs away from her family's castle disguised as an apprentice troubadour, unaware of the dangers ahead as the Albigensian Crusade begins its onslaught on her native Languedoc. Thirteen year old Elinor is the daughter of a landowner in Occitania, what is today known as the Languedoc region of Southern France. She enjoys her position as the donzela of the castle, totally unaware that her father’s religious beliefs and those of most citizens of Occitania are about to ignite a crusade against them that will destroy their lives. Elinor’s father is a Believer, a Credente otherwise known as Cathars, who did not believe in the Incarnation of God as Jesus Christ. The Credentes and the Catholics in the region, as well as the Jews, peacefully coexisted but their relations with the pope in Rome was the opposite. The Credente were considered to be heretics by Rome, and when a papal legate who was sent to Langeudoc to convince the ruler of the region to quash Credente beliefs is murdered, the pope calls for a holy war against them. Bertran, a Credente troubadour travels to Elinor’s castle to spread the news of the coming persecution and Elinor’s parents, in order to assure her safety as well as quash her romantic longing for Bertran, betroth her to an older nobleman. Elinor rebels against the arranged marriage and disguised as a boy, she steals away with a group of minstrels traveling to the eastern cities of the province carrying Bertran’s warning. Elinor’s travels and her transformation to a minstrel provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of a variety of women and social classes of the thirteenth century, particularly those educated women who were troubadours and whose verse and songs were valued and honored. When Elinor’s disguise is discovered she in turn becomes a troubadour and with her patron Lady Iseut they escape to Northern Italy, one step ahead of the French invaders. Elinor eventually finds happiness and contentment in her new life despite the horrors and tragedies she and her family endured. Hoffman uses the same attention to details that characterize her Stravaganza series, and the detailed backdrop of the Albigensian Crusade provides drama and tension. The emotional connection with Elinor, Bertran and other characters is slight but historical fiction readers will be satisfied with their travel to the south of France. Historical Zajko, Rosanne

Beck, Ian. PastWorld.

Beck, Ian. PastWorld.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 355p 16.99 978-1-59990-040-7 ms/hs

It is 2048 in London. The Corporation has created PastWorld as a diversion for people to visit and see what the world was like to live in without all of the modern technologies. However, it seems that murder and mayhem are the same in both worlds. The author has written a fast paced and intriguing story of two people, Eve and Caleb, whose world will connect in a most unusual ending. In 2048 in Pastworld, London is foggy and living conditions have only the bare basics available to them. Yet people sign up to board airships to get dressed in period costumes and experience the curiosities of the theme park. Eve has lived in the simulation all of her life. She escapes her protector to find out about her life and joins a circus. She takes to the high wire to dazzle crowds with her abilities. Caleb on the other hand comes to the theme park with his father, who worked for Buckland Corporation and was one of the creators of the simulation. The readers will love reading the spell binding escapades of both Eve and Caleb along with Bible J. and other colorful characters. The story is fast paced with many twists and turns to keep the readers entranced and guessing. The tenseness builds until the final chapter when pieces start to fall in place with an catastrophic and spell binding ending that also is heart warming to the readers. McNeil, Linda

Assassin’s Apprentice (Oathbreaker series).

Vaught,Susan and Redmond. Assassin’s Apprentice (Oathbreaker series).
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 374p 9.99 978-1-5999-0162-6 ms/jr
Aron was born with a potent magical talent -- so potent that someone wants him dead! Will apprenticing Aron to an assassin help him thwart attempts against his life? Welliver, Hilary

Larbalestier, Justine. Liar.

Larbalestier, Justine. Liar.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 376p 16.99 978-1-59990-305-7 hs Liar combines the original writing style of Justine Larbalestier with current popular topics, in this case the werewolf, and adds the drama of an inner city teenagers and a murder and creates a truly unique novel. Liar combines the right ingredients to make a high school student turn each page in anticipation. In How to Ditch Your Fairy, Larbalestier shows us creativity whereas in Liar, she has gone to the next step in what will be a very successful writing career. The reader wants to believe Micah, but this protagonist is an edgy, independent, teenager who has two problems, she is a compulsive liar and she is a werewolf. The reader is led through a maze of chapters which have titles like “Before”, “After”, and “Family History” in which Larbalestier divulges lie after lie and finally, truth after truth, maybe! After the brutal murder of Micah’s boyfriend, everybody is suspected of the crime. Micah knows she didn’t do it, but as a werewolf, could she have torn Zach apart during one of her runs through Central Park? It doesn’t help that she is stalked by another teenager who appears from time to time throughout the book. Despite being a pariah at her school, she is befriended by Zach’s best friends briefly; however, it is in the unraveling of Micah’s life details in which the reader relishes each chapter. Micah takes her daily pill to prevent her transformation to werewolf, but this is not enough to keep her parents from discovering that they have made a mistake in keeping her in the city. They return her to the Greats, Micah’s paternal family, who resides on a farm in Connecticut, where she learns what is most important to her in life is to follow her dream of becoming a researcher and biologist, especially of DNA, in order to learn all about werewolves and horizontal gene transfer. Even at the end, we wonder if Micah is telling the truth! Maybe the entire novel was a lie. Squaresky, Martha

Girl Force.

Goldstein, Nikki. Girl Force.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 224p 14.99 978-1-59990-354-5 ms/hs This is a guide for teenage girls that focuses on health, beauty and self-esteem. It is based on the Ayurvedic philosophy, which divides people into three basic body types, and the theme of these three types is consistent throughout the book. At times the book seemed too “cute”, using words like “babelicious” and “balanced” without really defining them. The repetition of the term “Girl Force” was a bit overdone, as well as the constant mention of pop-culture icons. However, this book will appeal to some girls, and it provides some useful information, including yoga exercises, stress-reducing techniques, advocacy of natural foods, and the names and addresses of social agencies and hotlines. Kennedy, Carol

Breen, M.E. Darkwood.

Breen, M.E. Darkwood.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 273p 16.99 978-1-5999-0259-3 ms/hs
The kinderstalk are taking the children of this small town. Annie is afraid to go out for too long because she fears she is next. Then she hears her uncle and aunt talk about someone coming for her and how much they will get paid. That is the night Annie the orphan decides it is better to let the forest get you than to be sold to some awful man who will surely hurt her. As Annie takes her chances out in the forest she is amazed that the kinderstalk miss her completely or they simply do not see her. She is caught by the bad men and she gets a chance to see how awful it truly is for the children but she also wonders about the kinderstalk because children that were supposed to have been eaten by the kinderstalk are also here at the awful dark camp. Annie is able to escape and she has a few adventures on her way to the palace to get help for the children. A delightful tale with a very good twist. The Annie is charming and loves her cats, her friends are likable and very caring. The author weaves a tale that at once entrance you as well as keeps you wondering what is going on and the king is handsome but has his flaws making him likable and keeps you guessing as to his role in the whole plot. Just an excellent fairy tale with a great surprise ending. Diaz, Magna

Road to Revolution (Cartoon Chronicles of America )

Mack, Stan & Susan Champlin
Road to Revolution (Cartoon Chronicles of America )
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 122p 10.99 978-1-59990-371-2 all ages
This graphic novel is packed with action, humor, and the dramatic events of the American Revolution. Since the colonists wanted the British out of Boston, Nick and Penny try to help the cause. Nick (an orphan) and Penny (a daughter of a tavern owner) both lived in Boston. The political climate was tense. Although Nick and Penny come from completely different backgrounds, they have an idea of how to help getting the British out of Boston. It is a great read for young readers in which they will get a good combination of fact and fiction written in a very readable format that will entice even the most reluctant reader. However, they both need to gain the trust of someone in the inner circle of the revolution. Their campaign to oust the British begin when Nick accidentally bumps a British person who in turn knocks Penny to the ground and dirties her shirt. Dislike is instantaneous for both of them until they realize that they are on the same side of the situation. Their escapades will delight the readers as well as imparting historical information. In the epilogue the authors delineate what is fact and what is fiction for the readers. McNeil, Linda

Dunlap, Suzanne The Musician’s Daughter

Dunlap, Suzanne The Musician’s Daughter
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 322p 16.99 978-1-59990-332-3 ms/hs
Set in eighteenth-century Vienna, this spellbinding mystery brings the private lives of both the Court and the Orchestra into focus. The death of her father and the theft of his violin has left Theresa determined to unravel the puzzling events and bring his murderer to justice. Set in eighteenth-century Vienna, this spellbinding mystery brings the private lives of both the Court and the Royal Orchestra into focus. Fifteen-year-old Theresa is waiting for her father, a violinist, to return after the court concert on Christmas Eve. Instead, his body is discovered in a gypsy camp and brought home by his fellow musicians but without his precious violin. Unusually well educated, especially in music, Theresa must now care for her very pregnant mother and younger brother. Virtually destitute, she goes to her godfather Franz Joseph Haydn and is given the position of music copier. As she becomes more involved in the lives of the musicians, she discovers that her father was part of a group dedicated to stopping the persecution of the Gypsies by Hungarian nobles. Her father’s missing violin becomes the key to many doors as Theresa and her friends, both high and low, begin to unravel the dark and tangled threads that had led to her father’s death. Rich in plot and characterizations, this enthralling book will appeal to those fascinated by historical fiction and a strong female protagonist. The story is interesting, the locations are beautifully rendered, and the characters are very three-dimensional. They come from different places in society and have different points of view but seamlessly join together to help each other. The author mixes adventure, political intrigues, and a little romance into this very well done book. Ogintz, Susan

Gold, Rosanne. Eat Fresh Food: Awesome recipes for Teen Chefs.

Gold, Rosanne. Eat Fresh Food: Awesome recipes for Teen Chefs.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 160p 17.99 978-1-59990-445-0 ms/hs

A food writer and winner of three James Beard awards has teamed with a nutritionist and several teen sous-chefs to present a fun and healthy book of recipes that teens will want to cook. The bright luscious photographs of the food and the teens preparing and eating it will make you want to head for the kitchen. Rozanne Gold, food writer and winner of three James Beard awards for her other cookbooks has teamed with a nutritionist and several teen sous-chefs to present a fun and healthy book of recipes that teens will want to cook.
The author states that the letters in “fresh” stand for farmer-friendly, ripe-ready, easy-exciting, sustainable and honest-healthy. Readers are encouraged to be a locavore and visit farmers within fifty miles of home for their ingredients when possible. Organic foods are explained, notes are provided on pantry staples, equipment, and safety.
The recipes are divided into seven chapters according to the meal or type of food. The bright luscious photographs of the food and the teens preparing and eating the food are the stars of the book. Recipes range from Asian summer rolls to whole wheat bread. The recipe for mac and cheese contains cauliflower and the sauce is made bright and rich with a red bell pepper and garlic puree. Four of the desserts require an ice cream maker.
A section of menus for using the recipes for special occasions and an index complete the book. Margaret Tatro

d’Arge, Mackie. Lifting the Sky.

d’Arge, Mackie. Lifting the Sky.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 310p 16.99 978-1-59990-186-2 ms/jr
Blue (a twelve year old) moves around the ranches in the Northwest with her ranch-hand mother. It is a story where a young girl learns to adapt and make friends quickly. Blue is a young twelve year old has to move frequently because her mother constantly changes her jobs with different ranches. In the story they finally settle down in a remote ranch adjoining an Indian reservation. Blue is a resourceful person and learns to help out with the ranch chores and makes friends with the ranch hands and the young Indian boy who lives on the next farm. In addition, Blue learns that she has some mystical ability with animals that she puts to good use.

Mackie d’Arge has written a good read that will appeal to young readers. It deals with single parent families and the anxiety produced when two parents can’t communicate. The story line also deals with the everyday living side of ranch life. It also illustrates how humans and animals can develop a mutual communication that will benefit both parties.

It is a good read that middle school and upper elementary school readers will enjoy. LM

Hennesy, Carolyn. Pandora Gets Lazy.

Hennesy, Carolyn. Pandora Gets Lazy.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 277p 14.99 978-1-59990-198-5 elm/ms

Greek myths gone modern. Pandora is trying to recapture the evils she loosed on the world, accompanied by three friends and with some help from the Gods. Taking place in ancient times, Pandy and her friends speak modern slang, well totally, duh. Greek myths with a modern twist. Pandora and three friends, Iole, Alcie, and Homer, are attempting to recapture the evils she released into the world. In this, the third book, Pandy , as she prefers to be known, is on the trail of Laziness. It has taken root in her uncle Atlas. He is having men captured from all over the ancient world to take his place holding up the heavens. Each man is set on a pillar and survived only three days. Homer is captured by pirates and sold to slavers to be brought to the mountains to serve his turn. Pandora has been traveling a different route to the same mountain since she fell out of Apollo's chariot. This is the high mountain where Atlas was fated to spend eternity at his task. Using wit, luck, bravery, some cunning, and a bit of help from the Gods, the four friends achieve their task and set off in search of the next evil.

Designed to catch the wave of interest in Greek myths generated by Riordan's series, this series is an acceptable imitation. A pleasurable read possibly enticing girls to read more mythology. JT.

George, Jessica Day. Princess of the Midnight Ball.

George, Jessica Day. Princess of the Midnight Ball.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 276p 16.99 978-1-59990-322-4 ms/hs

A retelling of the tale of twelve princesses who wear out their shoes dancing every night, and of Galen, a former soldier now working in the king's gardens, follows them in hopes of breaking the curse. In this retelling of the Grim classic fairy tale, King Gregor is concerned about his twelve daughters. The girls wear out dancing shoes at a furious pace but they cannot tell him how or why but it is obvious that they are unhappy to be dancing. Visiting princes who come to solve the mystery and win the hand of a princess in marriage meet untimely deaths. This state of affairs attracts the attention of the religious authorities who are convinced the princesses are using witchcraft and are directly responsible for the deaths. It also attracts the attention of Galen Werner, a former soldier working as a gardener in the royal palace. Galen is in love with Rose, the eldest of the twelve dancing princesses, and when it is obvious that there is no one who can aid the king or the princesses, Galen convinces the king to give him permission to solve the mystery. Galen also has a few tricks up his sleeve thanks to an invisible cloak, magic herbs and silver knitting needles, which he will need to use to defeat the evil forces that have a hold over the princesses. Although readers can surmise that Galen and his weapons will triumph, this knowledge does not diminish the enjoyment of seeing how Galen frees the princesses from their unwanted contract which they inherited from their mother. As a character, Galen almost seems too good to be true, but when one needs to defeat the forces of evil, it would be impossible to be otherwise. Rose, rather than wait to be rescued, shows much ingenuity and backbone, particularly when she joins forces with Galen. Her sisters likewise refuse to sit idly by. Much time is spent establishing the plot and character development, but once this is done the pace of the plot proceeds quickly. Everyone lives happily ever after in this enjoyable version of a classic fairy tale. RZ

George, Jessica. Dragon Spear.

George, Jessica. Dragon Spear.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 248p 16.99 978-1-59990-369-9 ms

In this sequel to Dragon Slippers and Dragon Flight; seamstress extraordinaire Creel, and her fianceé Prince Luka are bound for a visit to their dragon friends in the Far Isles where Luka's father has exiled the dragons. While there, Velika, the pregnant dragon queen, is kidnapped by a rival group of dragons and Creel and Luka must put their wedding plans aside as they help the king, Shardas, find his mate. In this sequel to Dragon Slippers and Dragon Flight, seamstress extraordinaire Creel and her fianceé Prince Luka are bound for a visit to their dragon friends in the Far Isles where Luka's father has exiled the dragons. While there, Velika, the pregnant dragon queen, is kidnapped by a rival group of dragons and Creel and Luka must put their wedding plans aside as they help the dragon king, Shardas, find his mate.
Filled with exciting adventures and a plucky pair of young people who have no hesitation about throwing themselves into danger to protect their friends, this engaging fantasy is a sprightly written and exciting adventure. It offers both fantasy and suspenseful action in a well-paced plot and with engaging characters. The story is rich and interesting, the locations are beautifully rendered, and the characters are very three-dimensional. The author mixes humor, adventure, political intrigues, magic, and romance into this very well done book. An introduction to the characters and previous plots would have helped new readers adjust but they are sure to go back and read the earlier volumes. SO

Gargee, Jeanne. Say the Word.

Gargee, Jeanne. Say the Word.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 360p 16.99 978-1-59990-333-0 hs

Shawna's dysfunctional family includes a mother that pursued a lesbian relationship, a possessive father, her mother's lesbian lover and two children, one who is found to be the biological son of Shawna's mother and father. Thought provoking for high schools. Shawna wonders who she is, the perfect Shawna doing what is expected, the pathetic Shawna who avoids confrontation, or the evil Shawna whose words can injure. Shawna's viewpoint of a person who is emotionally, but not sexually attached to lesbians make this book unique. Shawna's mother left for a lesbian relationship with Fran when Shawna was seven. Her father is a controlling, possessive man who will never forgive her mother even when she dies. Dad sets out to ruin Fran and starts legal proceedings to take the young brother, who is actually his and his ex-wife's biological child. Shawna's best friend since childhood reveals she is a lesbian. Does Shawna reject her old friend and her newfound brothers, or does she just ignore them? Her hurtful words about homosexuality come back to haunt her as she becomes more comfortable with their alternative lifestyle. When the biological brother comes to live with Shawna, only Shawna realizes the boy is depressed enough to be suicidal. As Shawna builds a secret relationship with Fran and boys, Fran's older son becomes romantically involved with Shawna including an one-night-stand sexual relationship that almost seems gratuitous as she knows she will never see him again. Too many issues: Alzheimer's, career choices, homosexuality, and religion, cloud the smooth flow of the plot . However there is much to think about for grades 9-12. LMcN

The Amaranth Enchantment.

Berry, Julie. The Amaranth Enchantment.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 306p 16.99 978-1-59990-334-7 ms/hs

In this unusual adaptation of a Cinderella tale, Lucinda must combat the vagaries of fate to regain her place in life. The author mixes adventure, political intrigues, a magical background, and a little romance into this very well-done book.
In this unusual adaptation of a Cinderella tale, Lucinda lost her wealthy parents in an accident when she was five and was forced to work in the jewelry shop of her uncle and his miserly wife. One day, all sorts of mysterious events occur. She is behind the showcase when a beautiful woman, Beryl, comes into the shop to have an enormous gem reset and leaves the magical gem with Lucinda. Shortly thereafter, the Crown Prince comes to buy a gift for his betrothed and, finally, a young pickpocket cajoles her into protecting him and rewards her by making off with the jewel. Upon the death of her uncle, she is thrown out into the street, picks up a most unusual and protective goat that seems to think that it is a dog, and makes her way to her old home to discover Beryl in residence. Beryl takes her under her protection and Lucinda's life brightens until evil rears its ugly head once again.
This engaging fantasy is not a simple retelling of a fairy tale but a sprightly written and exciting adventure. It offers both magical and suspenseful action in a well-paced plot and with engaging characters. The story is rich and interesting, the locations are beautifully rendered, and the characters are very three-dimensional. They come from different places in society and have different points of view but seamlessly join together to help each other. The author mixes adventure, political intrigues, a magical background, and a little romance into this very well-done book. SO