Oh My Goodness

Wow, wow, wow, wow!! I just read, Hattie Big Sky, by Kirby Larson and I am just blown away!! This book not only has an amazing plot, but very developed characters and lots of emotional moments. During this book I found myself becoming very connected to all of the characters and hoping that the book would never end so that I could keep enjoying these people and what they do. Hattie Big Sky is the story of sixteen-year-old Hattie Brooks who, after living most of her life with distant relatives, discovers that she is the sole heir to her uncle's estate in Montana. Hattie moves out to Montana, making many new friends, and enemies. Hattie then must "man-up" to make her claim to the land fit all the requirements that she needs to meet to keep it. She braves many hard times and after a while, Hattie begins to have a real family out under the big Montana sky. If you are looking to read a phenomenal book that will have your emotions raging throughout, then Hattie Big Sky is the book for you!

Not Just Your Average Mystery...

I mentioned earlier that I am a sucker for a good mystery and this book proves my point. Until seeing this book on the shelf, I had not heard anything about it, so what came next was a surprise to me. This is the story of Theo Boone, a thirteen-year-old boy who thinks of himself as one of his town's best lawyers and considers himself an expert in the court room. In the small city of Strattenburg there is a major case in the court room - someone has been murdered and the person accused is about to go free... unless Theo can step in and help. Theo knows something that no one else knows, something that could change the outcome of the trial completely. I recommend this book for kids ages 11- 14, but be prepared for a long night - you won't want to put this book down until the last page!

Everyone Has a Sparkle

Diamond Willow really does get the message across that every person really DOES have a sparkle. Diamond Willow is the story of Willow, an eleven-year-old girl who lives in Alaska with her family and many sled-dogs. Willow's father truly sees how well Willow controls and works with the dogs, so he lets Willow take her own sled and dogs on the long journey to her grandparents house with her favorite dog, Roxy. Diamond Willow is written in diamond-shaped paragraphs on each page. Some words are highlighted in each paragraph and when you read these words together you get some of Willow's thoughts. Overall this is an amazing book and has been nominated for the Rebecca Caudill award in Illinois. Diamond Willow, by Helen Frost, really demonstrates the difficulties of growing up average and thinking that you don't have sparkle of your own.

Take a Vacation with Jungle Crossing

I recently read the book, Jungle Crossing, this book was amazing and kept me on my toes throughout the story.

This book is about a girl named Kat who, against her wishes, is taken on a vacation to Mexico with her family. During her vacation, Kat longs to be with her friends at a mini-camp hosted by the popular girl at school, Fiona. While on her vacation, Kat's parents force her to go on a jungle tour of Mexico, led by a handsome Mayan tour guide, who tells them a story about a Mayan girl named Muluc.

I don't want to ruin the story for you, but if you're looking for a book full of adventure, then Jungle Crossing is the book for you!!