Percy Jackson for Kindle on Sale

All of the  Percy Jackson Books are on sale for kindle, under five dollars each.  If you've got a young teen or pre-teen You should pick them up.  They are wonderful.

Romance for Teens: I've Got Your Number

I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella follows Poppy who after loosing her engagement ring at a hotel and then getting her cell phone stolen finds a phone that was thrown in the trash.  Out of desperation she gives the phone number to the hotel.  She soon gets a call and finds out that the phone belonged to a personal assistant and her boss Sam is not happy she has the phone.  Poppy refuses to give the phone back but promises to forward all of his e-mails and messages.  The two develop a relationship through texts and e-mails while Poppy prepares for her own wedding with the pretentious Magnus.

This is a fantastic and funny adult romance novel that has great crossover appeal to teens.  It is light, funny and flirty and Poppy is a peppy girl who readers can't help but root for.  Reading like one of those cute ABC family TV movies.  Although the book is very long it is still a fast read and I was unable to put it down laughing my way through the story.

Appropriateness:  This is a great book for teens who are interested in adult romance.  While Poppy is an adult and partakes in adult behaviors (she's living with her fiancee and drinks) there are no sex scenes literal or implied. 

Format note: the book is peppered with footnotes throughout that are a great addition to the story.  Because of this format I would suggest that you buy the book in hard copy or wait until there are solid reviews of a digital copy because footnotes generally do not translate well to a digital platform.

Faking Faith

Faking Faith by Josie Bloss follows Dylann who after being shunned and humiliated after a sexting disaster becomes obsessed with the blogs of fundamentalist christian girls who are being raised to be submissive homemakers.  Dylann, who is not religious herself, soon creates her own blog and going by the name Faith creates a friendship with Abigail one of the most popular bloggers.  Going above and beyond in her fraud she plans a visit stay with Abigail at their families farm.

I loved this book it was interesting and engrossing.  Even though Dylann's is a fraud and she is lying to people you still root for her and understand her need to belong.  While the book is a bit critical of this super paternalistic religious society where the father rules his household with an iron fist it is not critical of any mainline faith or religion.  I loved the relationship that Dylann has with Abigail (and her hunky older brother) and the complexities that happen because of her lie.

Appropriateness:    Aside from the sexting disaster that starts the entire story (which is a good lesson) and quite a bit of lying to parents there is no adult behavior.  I would recommend this book to teens 13+ (along with a basic reminder of how to deal with internet safety).

The Humming Room

The Humming Room by Ellen Potter is a modern retelling of The Secret Garden.  The tale begins when Roo's parents are killed.  After a short stay in foster care she is taken in by her uncle who lives in an old children's hospital that is located on an island.  Roo slowly explores the island and the home she is living in both of which are filled with secrets to be uncovered.

I loved this book.  It is a fantastic retelling for fans of the story (and for fans of the movie who aren't strong enough readers to tackle the original).  I loved all the characters and found myself really rooting for Roo.  The house is a character in itself with twists and turns that come to life.  The book is fantastic, it kept me interested and I sped through it excited to find out what would happen next. 

Appropriateness:  This is a great middle grade book that kids will love.  Roo comes from an abusive home where both of her parents are addicts.  I would recommend this book to readers 9-14.

Starters

Starters by Lissa Price is set in a dystopian society where a virus has killed everyone over the age of 20 and under the age of 60.  Children who do not have grandparents live like fugitives running from the marshals who want to lock them up in institutions.  Callie, in order to make money to care for her little brother sells herself to Prime Destinations, a company that rents the bodies of young people to the elderly, allowing someone else to control her body.  While on her last rental Callie wakes up and finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy worse than anything she could have imagined.

I loved this book.  The dystopia was well crafted with a fairly logical explanation.  Callie's journey is exciting and filled with twists and turns.  The characters were all well written and I found myself caring for even very small characters.  I was engrossed by the story, finished it quickly and can't wait till the sequel.

Appropriateness:  There is no adult content in this book.  It is interesting enough that it will appeal to the entire YA audience.  I would recommend the book to readers 13+

Review copy provided by netgalley

Wanderlove

Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard follows Bria an eighteen year old artist who flies to Central America  after a messy breakup.  She is not happy when she finds out her tour is not filled with young people like the brochure promised but older tourists and an over protective tour guide.  While at a street market Bria meets Rowan who invites her to dinner at his hostel.  She then ditches her tour group to travel with Rowan and his sister and the experience changes her life.

I'll admit that I have a real fascination with backpackers and have followed many backpackers through their blog (although would never do it myself because I'm too fond of clean sheets).  This book really captured the spirit of backpacking and traveling and made me feel like I was along for the ride.  Bria's transformation from a wounded girl to a confident traveler who embraces her art and is ready to start her life.  Rowan is flawed but ultra hunky and the two work well together.  Although the book starts out slowly

Appropriateness:  There's quite a bit of adult content in this novel.  Bria is a new high school graduate and acts her age.  Bria ditches her travel group and goes off with a complete stranger, she drinks and is around others that are doing drugs (but does not herself) and there is talk of drug smuggling.  There are some very heavy make out scenes but no sex.  The ultimate message of the book is one of transformation.  I would recommend this book to teens (and the adult crossover audience) 14+

Review copy provided by Netgalley

Letters to Missy Violet

Letters of Missy Violet is the sequel to Missy Violet and Me.  The book follows the day to day life of Viney an African American girl living in the rural south.  Viney spent her summer working with Missy Violet who "catches babies"and makes herbal medicines for the members of the community.  Missy Violet is away and Viney keeps in touch with letters about her life from the things that happen at school to a meeting with the KKK while walking home.

This is a nice children's book that puts the reader in the day to day life of an African American girl living in the segregated south.  While the writing was good and the location interesting what I really felt was missing was a solid plot to keep the reader interested.  It is however short enough that it won't take long to finish.

Appropriateness:  There are some racial and historical issues in the book that will need some adult explanation if this book is read by very young readers.  Nothing that children will find difficult to read but an explanation of the context will make the book more meaningful.  The book is written in Viney's dialect which takes some getting used to and may prove difficult for beginning readers.  I would recommend this book to readers 8-10.

Review copy provided by Amazon Vine

Little Blog on the Prarie

Little Blog on the Prairie by Cathleen Davitt Bell follows Gen who is horrified when her mother forces the family to vacation at a camp that mandates that everyone live like it's 1890.  Gen manages to sneak a cell phone into camp and sends hilarious text messages to her friend who turns them into a (very popular) blog.  Will Gen make it through the summer living with no electricity, toilets or grocery stores eating nothing but beans and grits.

I LOVED this book and couldn't put it down once I started it.  Gen was hysterical and the setting was realistic and horrifying and entertaining all at the same time.  The characters from her father who is terrified of bears to her mom who just wants someone to listen to her.  Gen's voice is authentic and funny.

Appropriateness:  This book has no adult content.  Gen is thirteen and acts her age.  The romance is mostly limited to a crush.  I would recommend this book for readers 10-14

A Million Suns

A Million Suns by Beth Revis is the sequel to Across The Universe.  In this book Amy and Elder have to deal with the consequences of taking the ship off their mood altering medication.  Not only is their discord in the population but they find out a truth about the ship left through a puzzle that only Amy can solve.  Will the Godspeed ever reach it's destination or will things dissolve into chaos before then?

I liked this book and found it as enjoyable as the first in the series.  It managed to remain true to the story without suffering from the sophomore slump that many trilogies do.  Amy and Elder continued to be interesting and original and the dystopian society aboard the ship remained fascinating while it evolved.  I rushed through the book and the ending while final also gave a cliffhanger that has be itching to read the next book.

Appropriateness:  This is a series that manages to handle some tough topics while remaining completely appropriate for young teens.  This book contains topics such as rape, murder and mind control in a way that is age appropriate for young readers.  I recommend this book to science fiction and dystopian fans 13+

Dragon Slippers

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George stars Creel who finds herself with a pair of very special slippers after meeting a dragon.  When Creel's Aunt comes up with a scheme to marry off Creel by giving her to a dragon so she will have to be rescued Creel instead makes a bargain with the dragon.  She agrees to leave if the Dragon will give her part of his treasure so she can move to the city and find work as a seamstress.  The dragons treasure turns out to be a huge pile of shoes and the strange shoes that she picks are far more than she could ever imagine.

I loved this book.  It's one of those great middle grade novels that creates a fantastical world for the reader to get lost in.  Creel is a smart and spunky heroine who has no problem jumping into the fight and using her smarts and talents to save those important to her.  The mythology is solid and original and the dragons are fantastical creatures and great friends.  I read the book quickly and was sad when it was finished (but glad that there are more.)

Appropriateness:  This is a great middle grade novel that young readers will enjoy.  Most of the characters are female and fashion is a large part of the plot which might make this book unappealing to boys.  I would recommend this book to readers 9-14 and it is interesting enough to be a read aloud for younger readers.