One by Sarah Crossan

Very rarely do I cry over books or movies, but I was grabbing at the tissues when it came to Sarah Crossan's latest book set to release Sept. 15, 2015, One.  I'll be honest, I picked this book up because I thought the cover was beautiful (even though I have always been told to never judge a book by its cover).

Meet Grace and Tippi.  They are sisters who share everything:  their room, their clothes,... and their bodies.  These sixteen-year-old conjoined twins have never wanted to undergo the risky surgery that would separate them until they are forced to consider it after Grace suffers from a fluke virus.  Readers will ache to reach through the pages and hug Tippi and Grace as they confront the most important and impossible decision of their lives.

I had never read Sarah Crossan before, but now that I have, I want more!  She writes with an exquisite grace and sensitivity that makes the reader question everything they thought they knew about identity, sibling relationships, and true love and understanding.  I love that this book is written in free verse poetry (think Love that Dog by Sharon Creech or Brown Girl Dreaming  by Jacqueline Woodson) because there is a certain power behind each and every word, phrase, and image Crossan conjures.  This was a quick, but compelling read for me.  While I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good read, girls 14 years and up will most definitely enjoy this glimpse into a world so alike and yet drastically different from their own.

Grace gives this book 5 out of 5 carrots!

Click here to pre-order your copy of One! (Release date:  Sept. 15, 2015)

"Fangirl" by Rainbow Rowell

I might be a little late to the Rainbow Rowell fan club, but I've got to say that I'm absolutely hooked after reading Fangirl.  I gave serious consideration to immediately re-reading the book once I finished it, but my pile of "books to be read" is just so huge at this point that I was forced to move on.

Meet Cath, an 18 year old starting her freshman year of college.  Her twin sister has abandoned her to meet new people, her roommate is less than polite and has an overly friendly boyfriend, her dad isn't coping well with the whole "empty nest" thing, and her fiction writing professor constantly expects more from her.  All Cath really wants to do is disappear into the world of fanfiction where she's most comfortable.  She's already gained a little bit of fame on the Simon Snow (world-wide literary phenomenon--picture Harry Potter) forums.  Fanfiction is what helped her cope with her mother leaving, created a stronger sisterly bond with her twin, and provided the inspiration for her chosen field of study.  Faced with a new life outside of her comfort zone, Cath will have to choose between moving forward in the real world or continuing to hide in the fanfiction world.

Rowell has a real talent for creating characters so life-like that you almost believe they are people you know.  The dialogue that flies back and forth between certain characters is so realistic and true to the college experience (or at least my college experience) that I was constantly telling people, "Here, just listen to this, I have to read it to you."  Perhaps most impressive was the amount of work and planning that evidently went into setting up a fictional Harry Potter-esque franchise as part of the backdrop for this book.  "Excerpts" and plot points from the Simon Snow series are sprinkled throughout which further sucks the reader into the book.  I actually did a web search to see if Simon Snow was a real series just to make sure I wasn't missing something.  I also appreciated the fact that this is a true young adult novel.  While I do enjoy a good teeny-bopper book, Fangirl  is definitely written for a slightly more mature audience (I'd probably recommend to ages 16+) and I found that really refreshing.

Grace gives this book 5 out of 5 carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of Fangirl at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop & Guest House.

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"The Diviners" by Libba Bray

When looking for a good book to kick off my summer reading, I searched through my "Books to Read" list (an Excel spreadsheet on my laptop complete with the title, author, date I heard about it, and whether or not I already own it, I kid you not) and decided it was time to give The Diviners a try.  I'd read several of Bray's other books before and loved them, so I wasn't surprised that I enjoyed the book.  I was shocked however by how quickly I was hooked and deeply I was engaged by the end of the first chapter.

It's 1926 and Evie O'Neill, the very definition of a flapper girl, has been exiled from her hometown in Ohio to the bustling streets of New York City (poor thing!) after making an enemy of the town's golden boy while drunk at a party.  She is sent to live with her Uncle Will, a curator for the Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult, who has been asked to give the police an assist in solving a string of grisly murders.  Evie convinces her uncle to let her use her ability to read people's pasts while holding an object of their possession to help him in the investigations.  Bray creates a fantastic company of characters to support Evie in her quest for answers, including a mysterious assistant at the museum, a numbers runner in Harlem who dreams of becoming famous through his poetry, a Ziegfield Follies girl on the run from her past, a rakish pickpocket, and Evie's more traditional best friend, Mabel. Now Evie and the rest of the cast must solve the mystery behind the murders before the killer has a chance to unleash some real evil into this world.

What impressed me the most about this book is the way Bray is able to seamlessly weave together multiple points of view from the different characters to create a narrative that is both snappy with that Roaring 20s vibe and hauntingly suspenseful.  There were times where I was compelled to read far later than originally intended because I had  to know what happened next.  Bray also does a fantastic job of bringing her diverse cast of characters to life.  There are only a few books that I have read where I have felt as though I truly know a character from their motivations to their mannerisms, and this is one of those books.  While this book is not for the faint of heart, I would recommend The Diviners to teen readers and those who enjoy being completely engrossed in a fantastic story.

Grace gives this book five out of five carrots!

Click here to order your copy from The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop and Guest House!

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"The Legend of L'Esprit" by Doris Greenberg and Pandré Shandley

As the resident dancer here at The Velveteen Rabbit, I was so excited to have The Legend of L'Esprit fall into my lap this summer.  It was the perfect summer read for someone who spent 14 years of her life in a dance studio, but I think the plot line will appeal to those who have never stepped foot in a dance class as well.

Libby Nobleton and her family have recently moved to Chicago and she is looking for a new dance studio to call home.  When she auditions for the premier studio, L'Esprit, she knows she's found her place.  But there's more to this dance studio than ballet barres and full-length mirrors; rumor has it that L'Esprit is haunted by the spirit of the prima ballerina who originally founded the school.  Now Libby and her new friends have to uncover the truth about what happened on the most tragic night of L'Esprit's history to help more than one soul find its peace.

What I found so refreshing about this first novel in the Dance Legacy series was its spot-on blend of the day-to-day life of a young dancer along with the mystery and intrigue of the paranormal phenomena at the dance studio.  I also appreciated the fact that Libby was not involved in a torrid love triangle; she's got a straight head on her shoulders and is an excellent role model both for young dancers, as well as young women in general.  That's not to say that this book is not without its romance!  There's just enough of it to keep the reader satisfied and it's handled in a way that makes it seem realistic, rather than totally unattainable. 

One of the unique features of this book was the dance glossary located in the back.  After having been taught dance by hearing the terms rather than reading them, it was fun to see them actually spelled out and say, "So that's how that's written!"  Each chapter features a different dance term as well, so you don't have to keep paging to the back of the book to look them up.  This is a must-read for those reading dancers out there, as well as those readers just looking for a good book.

Grace gives it 5 out of 5 carrots!

Click here to order your copy at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop and Guest House!

“Wisdom’s Kiss” by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

 I have never been more confused  by the first 15 pages of a book as I was by the latest novel from the author of the Dairy Queen series.  Of course, if I had read the back cover of the book more carefully,  I would have realized the brilliance of the narrative from the first page.  What makes this book truly unique is the way Murdock seamlessly links diary entries,  letters, encyclopedia excerpts, a self-published family history, and a play to give this fantastic fairytale a unique sense of realism.  Once I figured out how to piece the story together from  the different sources,  I was able to fully enjoy the magic, adventure, and romance that fill the pages.

The story follows the adventures of Princess Wisdom, from the female-led kingdom of Montagne; Trudy, an orphaned kitchen maid; and Tips, a soldier and the object of Trudy’s affections.  Duchess Wilhelmina of Farina wants to absorb the smaller kingdom of Montagne and has set her master plan in motion to do just that.  Now the three heroes of this tale must save their empire from ruin – that is, if they can tolerate each other long enough to form a plan!  They are assisted, as well as hindered, by a thoroughly entertaining cast of characters including Sir Felis el Gato (a master swordsman with an ego longer than his sword), the Queen Mother Benevolence (an attentive and caring chaperone of Princess Wisdom), and her cat, Escoffier.  

As I’ve already mentioned, the unique narrative is what keeps the storyline fresh and exciting for the reader. Although it does take some getting used to, stringing the story together from the several sources of narration becomes a fun sort of game that propels the reader forward until the end of the book. If you’re looking for an entertaining read, Wisdom’s Kiss will not disappoint.

Grace gives this book four and a half out of five carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of Wisdom’s Kiss from The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"All These Things I've Done" by Gabrielle Zevin

Author of Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac and Elsewhere, Gabrielle Zevin totally and completely ensnares the reader in her latest teen novel. All These Things I've Done is the first book in the Birthright series which promises to be an exciting dystopian thrill-ride!
The year is 2083. Chocolate and caffeine are controlled substances, water is carefully rationed, and books are scarce. Anya Balanchine is the daughter of New York City's most notorious (and dead) crime boss and a member of one of the great chocolate families in the world, though she distances herself from them as much as possible. With a dying grandmother, a brain-damaged older brother, and a genius little sister to look after, Anya becomes the head of her immediate family. And when she falls for Win Delacroix, the new assistant DA's son, she knows the match is doomed from the start. Things become even more complicated when her bully of an ex-boyfriend is almost fatally poisoned by a bar of Balanchine chocolate and Anya is briefly thrown into prison.

I was completely caught up in the paranoia that surrounds Anya's everyday life through her association with her mafiya-esque extended family. Just when I though I had the whole thing figured out, another twist in the plot completely threw me for a loop. Anya is a strong character who will do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means the ultimate self-sacrifice. Plus, the love story is as sweet as it is forbidden. I think the Publisher's Weekly review says it best about this story: "Offering the excitement of a crime drama and the allure of forbidden romance, this introduction to a reluctant Godfather-in-the-making will pique the interest of dystopia-hungry readers."

Grace gives this book five out of five carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of All These Things I've Done from The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"Fixing Delilah" by Sarah Ockler

Delilah's life has a habit of falling apart. Her once good grades have slumped, her boyfriend is more of a non-boyfriend, and her mother won't discuss the huge fight that divided her family eight years ago. But when her mother receives a phone call late one night saying that Delilah's grandmother has passed away, Delilah's summer starts off in a new direction. Now Delilah and her mother must return to her grandmother's house; a place they have not visited since the big family fall-out. Filled with new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test an already complex bond between mother and daughter, Delilah's summer forces her to face her family's painful history.

Having read Sarah Ockler's other young adult novel (a 2010 Kids' Indie Next List pick), Twenty Boy Summer, I was more than delighted when a copy of Fixing Delilah fell in my lap. Ockler creates such realistic characters with whom readers can instantly connect and Delilah is no exception. She's reckless and impulsive, but in a way that endears her to the reading audience. The supporting cast of characters help to create a small-town feel complete in all its hometown quirks. And although I will admit to reading the entire Twilight saga (and enjoying them), I found it refreshing to read a young adult novel that doesn't involve paranormal or supernatural beings having forbidden love affairs with mortals. But don't worry! The romance found in this story is both charming and intense enough to satisfy even the most sentimental readers.

Grace gives this book 5 out of 5 carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of Fixing Delilah at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"Faith, Hope, and Ivy June" by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

In "Faith, Hope, and Ivy June", Naylor does an amazing job of comparing the lives of a country girl and a city girl. Ivy June Mosley and Catherine Combs, both from Kentucky, are participating in their 7th grades' first ever student exchange program. During their two-week stays, they each are supposed to record what they honestly think of the other girl's way of living. For Catherine, living in the rustic country is a more difficult change then it sounds. Not having a shower every day, at first, definitely seems impossible. Ivy June on the other hand is amazed by the big houses and the fact that Catherine has a room all to herself! Between the two, they learn a lot about life from each other and that people from different places are, well, different!

Realistic fiction is a genre I enjoy immensely. They way the characters, places and activities are described leaves a vivid image in your mind. I would recommend "Faith, Hope and Ivy June" to any girl.

Clare gives this book 5 out of 5 carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of "Faith, Hope and Ivy June" at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

“Stupid Fast” by Geoff Herbach

I don’t often enjoy novels that involve sports – myself being "allergic" to athletics in general – but this new novel from Geoff Herbach captivated me from the first page. The story follows Felton Reinstein, a reluctant athlete who is trying to manage friends, a first love, and a family that is falling apart. It all starts when Felton decides to give his all in a PE 600-yard race, and beats the rest of the class by more than 150 yards. Then the coach convinces him to join the football team in the fall. Felton has never had that much interest in sports, but as he puts it, “I am stupid fast.” Now he has to figure out how to juggle his newfound athletic abilities, a mother who refuses to be a parent, a genius pianist of a little brother, and the new girl in town who wants to kiss him. And even his fantastical speed won’t help him run from the shocking secret about his past!

There aren’t too many good coming-of-age books for boys, but this novel is a sure bet! Told through Felton’s witty inner monologue, this book had me laughing out loud more than once. The unique first-person narrative really helps to capture the confusing awkwardness that accompanies being a teenager and will ring true with readers of any age or gender. “This could be a dark tale”, as the first line warns, but Herbach manages to keep readers laughing just enough to realize that even in dark times, there’s always light-hearted moment or two to keep you going.

Stupid Fast comes out in June 2011.

Grace gives this book five out of five carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of "Stupid Fast" at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"Girl in Blue" by Ann Rinaldi

When Sarah Wheelock runs away from home to join the army, she knows that it is the right path for a large number of reasons. One is that her father physically abuses her at home for simply contradicting him. Also, if she stayed home, she would be forced to marry her horrible, abusive, neighbor. Satisfied with her male imitation, and knowing that she's a crack shot with a rifle, Sarah sets off to become a soldier. Along the way she takes chances-saving a confederate woman-that forces her to give up her identity, and becomes associated with some of the big names in spy history.

Girl in Blue is a thrilling realistic-fiction adventure. Having partially based it on the life of an actual girl during the Civil War, Rinaldi does a spectacular job of keeping the facts straight while putting her own twist on the story. Although this novel is written for kids in their early teens, I believe that it is a book that any history fan can thoroughly enjoy.

Clare gives Girl in Blue 5out of 5 carrots!

Click here to purchase your copy of Girl in Blue at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

Books We All Love!

We at The Velveteen Rabbit are quite voracious readers, and we all have different interests. However, there are always certain books that we come to a complete consensus on! Here are just a few books that more than one of us claims as a "pick!"


The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Who loves it? Beth and Marie
Why? The Book Thief is not only boasts near-perfect writing, but its storyline is absolutely enthralling. It is the most uniquely written Holocaust book (perhaps even most uniquely-written book ever--after all, it is narrated by Death) and combines every element of a good story. Don't let its placement in the young adult section fool you--this is a great book for adults, too!
Rabbit Trivia: Beth has given this book to nearly everyone she knows.




The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Who loves it? Clare, Grace, and Beth
Why? We all have a love for dystopian novels, and The Hunger Games certainly fits the bill. It also is exciting to read about a strong female protagonist. The action is non-stop, the characters are enchanting, and Collins is a fantastic storyteller--the rest of the series is equally wonderful!
Rabbit Trivia: The Hunger Games is based loosely on ancient mythology--specifically, the myth of Theseus and the minotaur.






The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Who loves it? Marie and Beth
Why? The Help is a breathtakingly beautiful portrait of 1960's Jackson, Mississippi--the good, the bad, and the ugly. It's wonderful to read a book that reminds us how far we've come in the last forty-plus years--not to mention that the characters (Aibelene and Minnie especially) are absolutely unforgettable.
Rabbit Trivia: The Help is currently being made into a movie, starring Zombieland's Emma Stone and Bryce Howard Dallas.




I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming
Who loves it? Grace and Marie
Why? Julia Spencer-Fleming weaves fantastic mysteries that are centered around two lovable characters: Russ Van Alystne and Clare Fergusson.
Rabbit Trivia: We've had Julia Spencer-Fleming for two author signings, and she is just as lovable as her books!

"Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins -- WHAT WE THINK!

Clare says: After breaking out of the Quarter Quell Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen has a lot on her mind. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol, a war is raging throughout the districts, plus she is expected by rebel leaders to be their Mockingjay. As she struggles to make sense of it all, Katniss knows that making the right decision will be harder than ever. Mockingjay, I think, was an amazing ending to the Hunger Games trilogy. Everything I predicted about Mockingjay turned out to be exactly the opposite! This fact made every turn of a page that much more exciting! I consider Mockingjay a must read, along with the rest of the series, because it is so unique and leaves you with a feeling of awe every time you look at it. Clare gives this book 5 out of 5 carrots!

Grace says: Collins did a great job of developing her characters even further in The Hunger Games finale and the plot was fast-paced and exciting. I could barely put the book down to eat or sleep!

Beth says: Mockingjay is a psychological and philosophical foray into war and destruction that will leave readers shell-shocked, yet hungering for more. It certainly leaves a lot to think about, and is a great book for teens and adults to discuss!

Click here to purchase your copy of Mockingjay at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"Saint Training" by Elizabeth Fixmer

Clare's thoughts: Saint Training is about a devoted 11-year-old Catholic Mary Clare O'Brian. Determined to be a saint Mary Clare is especially careful about keeping her sins to a minimum (because saints almost never sin) and making sure all of her prayers count. But during this financially difficult time for her family of 13, she starts to wonder why God hasn't been answering her prayers.

This realistic fiction book, by Fort Atkinson author Elizabeth Fixmer, is about how a religion can be really important and mean a lot in a young girl's life. I really enjoyed this book because until reading Saint Training, I didn't realize what crazy things a very pious girl would do. I'd recommend this book for any girl 5th grade and up.

Kerry's thoughts: Even though I'm going to be at school in St. Paul, Minnesota, I'm seriously considering driving home for the weekend to be at the author signing for this marvelous book. Mary Clare is an adorable, realistic character with crazy curls and her own opinions. As a non-Catholic, I enjoyed learning about Catholicism through the eyes of a girl who is figuring out what she believes in a time of turmoil. Fixmer also provides a rare perspective on the war in Vietnam, exposing Mary Clare to the differing beliefs within her family and the Catholic Church. Along with being extraordinarily cute (especially in Mary Clare's letters to the Reverend Mother), this book is, simply put, delightful.

PS. The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop is hosting an author signing and Q&A session for Saint Training on Saturday, September 18, from 10am to noon. We'll hope to see you there!

Clare and Kerry give it 5 out of 5 carrots!

Click here to order your copy at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"Girl in Translation" by Jean Kwok

"It's never easy being the new kid, and harder still when you are poor and you don't speak the language. From a comfortable life in Hong Kong to a gritty sweatshop in New York, we follow Kimberly Change in this smartly told story that illuminates the struggles of adolescence against a backdrop of poverty and cultural conflicts and reveals that, even in the land of opportunity, sometimes you have to fight for what you want and let go of what you love."
--Carol Mark, Books on the Common, Ridgefield, CT

I couldn't have put it any better myself. Told from an interesting and uncommon perspective, this story centers around strong, intelligent Kimberly, an inspiring and refreshing character to read about. She struggles to reach her dream of practicing medicine, facing down all obstacles, even love, and yet her priorities never waver. This book is perfect for any young woman, and though it is definitely more oriented towards females, it is certainly a great read for everyone else as well.

Kerry gives it four out of five carrots!

Click here to order Girl in Translation from the Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer

Though I first read this addicting, suspenseful sci-fi six years ago, it has withstood all other challengers to keep it's title as my all-time favorite. It is a great introduction into the fantasy/sci-fi genre and is a book that you will remember long after you've read it. Matt, the main character, is seen by most other characters in the novel as a beast, not the boy that he is. The book follows him through his childhood, as he begins to become aware of exactly how he came to exist and why.

As the book deals with cloning, drug lords and some very creepy people, it is more appropriate for teens and up. I was introduced to The House of the Scorpion as part of a book group, and it was definitely easy to discuss. With new technology constantly advancing, it's just realistic enough to freak you out (in a good way!).

Click here to buy The House of the Scorpion at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

Kerry gives it five out of five carrots!

"Elliot Allagosh" by Simon Rich

Author Simon Rich is basically your prototypical author for an angsty, tongue-in-cheek book about high school. He's young, talented, and one of the snarky writers on Saturday Night Live. Naturally, Elliot Allagosh would resonate with anyone from a sixteen-year-old video game nerd to a reminiscing adult.

Seymour Herson opens his narration with a bleak glimpse into his life as an eighth grader at a NYC private school. He's chubby, a social outcast, and has recently been dubbed with the unflattering nickname "Chunk-Style." However, this somewhat cliched portrait of middle school angst is quickly interrupted by the arrival of the impossibly rich, incredibly eccentric (especially for a 13-year-old!) boy named Elliot Allagosh.

Elliot loves a challenge, and transforming the school pariah into the class president seems like a great way to pass his time. What ensues could have been a Cinderella-type story with a touch of after-school special, but Rich keeps the story funny and wonderfully fresh. My favorite parts were stories told by Elliot's father, who has never worked a day in his life and loves to find creative ways to use the billions of dollars in his bank account.

The story does, however, have a great deal of heart: Seymour learns the inevitable (popularity through lying, cheating, etc. does not guarantee happiness) and, during his senior year of high school, gets a much-needed waking up call. Elliot is a delightful con man, intriguingly neurotic and complex--you'll be reminded of a puppeteer crazed with boredom, tugging at the strings of his marionettes.

Beth gives it five out of five carrots!

Click here to buy this book at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls by Rachel Simmons

This is kind of a retroactive blog post, but with bullying in the news so much these days, this book has not left my mind. Odd Girl Out is a meticulously researched book, packed with interviews with real preteen and teenage girls. Oftentimes, parents don't realize the true extent of their daughters' struggles in school--girls can be especially adept at hiding that pain. This book focuses on the notion that, while boys take out their aggression in physical ways (i.e., a fight), girls fight a psychological battle that can last years. Girls can be shunned, teased, and publicly humiliated with horrible rumors. You'll be amazed at the cruelty Simmons has uncovered through her interviews. Simmons' dappling in social psychology manages to be informative while not overbearing, making this book accessible for all ages.

Simmons pairs this look into the world of bullying with realistic advice for both young girls and their parents. (Yes, despite what the quote on the cover says, dads can benefit from reading this too.) A book like this is especially crucial in this day and age, where constant texting, Facebook, Myspace and Twitter make "cyber bullying" a hot-button issue.

Beth gives it five out of five carrots!
Click here to order this book at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop.

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell

I'm probably not the only one writing a bad review of this sad, sad excuse for a novel--after all, Bushnell has given her readers plenty of cause to hate this book. First of all, it is a young adult novel based on the life of fictional flirt Carrie Bradshaw, whom you may know from Sex and the City. In that way, this book serves as a sort of gateway into the television show, which is less than appropriate for a twelve- or thirteen-year-old girl (young adult books are usually geared to ages 12-17).

Secondly, I have never--EVER--read a book with a character so devoid of life. The young Carrie in this book isn't witty or interesting--I'd rather read the story of her pet rock than read another droning page of boyfriend woes, complaining about friends, etc. Seventeen-year-olds are wonderfully over-dramatic and vivacious! Carrie Bradshaw is like a sad dead thing. What happened to the Carrie who playfully sports a tutu on the streets of New York? What happened to the word-playing, savvy writer who women all over the world wanted to emulate? Bushnell had a prime opportunity to write a sprightly coming of age novel, but her writing prowess fell short. Way short. The ingredients list on the back of Carrie Bradshaw's neon pink nail polish is far more interesting than this drivel.

The best thing about writing a bad review is that it allows you the opportunity to recommend BETTER books, and I have plenty:

Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty is the journal of the loveable Jessica Darling, a hyper-observant, cynical, brainiac high school girl who makes even the most mundane of days humorous. The love story is also much more realistic to high school and much more enviable than Carrie Bradshaw's lackluster relationships.

Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison is one I've mentioned before, but it bears repeating: Georgia Nicholson's life will have you laughing out loud on every single page. That sounds like a cliche, but I promise you--it's so true.

What's your favorite young adult book? Feel free to comment, and further save people from the travesty of The Carrie Diaries!

Beth gives this book one out of five carrots.

Click here to buy The Carrie Diaries at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

"Ella Minnow Pea" by Mark Dunn

Every now and then, there is a book written specifically and unequivocally for book lovers--for those who relish in language, who love the twists and turns that words can create. Ella Minnow Pea is the quintessential example of this. From its delightful title right down to its last page, you'll be awestruck and enamored with how Dunn masterfully plays with language. Ella Minnow Pea lives in the country of Nollop, a tiny island off of South Carolina that was the birthplace of the first pangram: The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. The townspeople of Nollop revere this sentence more than anything and even have a sculpture in town honoring this sentence, which uses every letter of the alphabet. However, trouble strikes with the letters begin falling off the sculpture, and the tyrannical City Council declares that once a letter falls, it can no longer be used. It can't be spoken. It can't be written. Nothing--and the punishment for using a fallen grapheme is banishment. The story is told in letters between the townspeople, and as the novel progresses, the people of Nollop must use increasingly inventive language to avoid the forbidden letters. A crazy, linguistically brilliant completely original love letter to the English language, Ella Minnow Pea: A Progressively Lipogrammatic Epistolary Fable is delightful beyond words. Read with a dictionary in hand!

Click here to buy Ella Minnow Pea at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop!

Beth gives it five out of five carrots!

"Shades of Grey" by Jasper Fforde

For those who were enthralled by Lois Lowry's The Giver, Jasper Fforde has produced a new dystopia novel sure to get you thinking! This Indie Next List book from the author of Thursday Next kept me hooked to the very last page.
Welcome to Chromotacia, where society is ruled by a Colortocracy and you are what you can see. Eddie Russett has no real ambition to be anything other than a loyal drone of the Collective. His above-average red perception would allow him to marry well, inherit the string works, maybe even make prefect. Eddie's life looks colorful until he moves with his father to East Carmince. There, he falls for a Grey named Jane who reveals the painful truth about his seemingly perfect society. Curiosity grabs hold of Eddie, who begins to question the Collective. Black-and-white certainties are reduced to shades of grey as Eddie, along with Jane, begins to dig up answers. Dystopia junkies (myself included) will most definitely enjoy this thought-provoking novel to the very last page!
Keep on the lookout for the second book in this series coming in April 2010!

Grace gives this book five out of five carrots!

Click here to buy this book at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop and Guest House!