I'm not dead, I promise

I know I've had a lack of reviews since the 18th. Sorry people! The reason was I finally could not wait a minute longer to read New Moon. And I didn't feel like reviewing it because well so many people have read it already and whatnot. I'll just say right now that I LOVED it and need to run out and by Eclipse fast so I can read it and and then Breaking Dawn. *squeals*

Anyway, right now I'm reading Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor. It's the second book in The Looking Glass Wars series. The main reason that I'm only on like page 100 of this book is my new boyfriend who I have been spending a lot of time with. It's so strange how it all happened so fast. It's a long story that I'll spare you all from.

Anyway that is the reasoning for my lack of reviews. Don't worry, hopefully I'll finish Seeing Redd soon. And then I have some more amazing (or what seem to be amazing) books to read and review. So look forward to that. =)

-Breanna

Whale Song

Whale Song by Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Rating: 5 plus stars, amazing read =)

11-year-old Sarah and her parents Daniella (an artist) and Jack (a marine biologist) move to Canada from the states. Sarah is not happy about the move but she starts warming up when she sees their beautiful new house located right along the beach that has an amazing view. She's even more happy when she meets Goldie. The two quickly become best friends. Sarah loves Goldie's family, especially her grandmother who they call Nana most of the time. Goldie is of Indian descent (along with most of the other people in the town where Sarah is living) so Sarah learns all these new traditions
and tales from the past.

Sarah develops a crush on a boy in her class, Adam. She also gets majorly bullied by a girl in her class named Annie. But for the most part she likes her new home. She especially loves going out on the schooner with her parents and listening to the whales which are Sarah's and her mother's new love.

Not long after being in their new home Sarah's mom starts having fainting spells. And it turns out she has a rare condition that is slowly wasting her away. When Sarah finds this out she's devastated. But unfortunately there's nothing anyone can do for her mother. Her doctors only give her about two to three more years of life, max.

When Daniella ends up in a coma something happens and she dies. Jack (Sarah's father) is arrested for pulling the plug on the machines that were keeping his wife alive. Sadly after his long awaited court date the jury finds him guilty and he's sentenced to ten years in prison.

Sarah has to go back to the states with her grandparents and leave everything behind once again. She tries to block everything out that has happened to her back in Canada, even all the good things. But when she's older (in her 20's) someone comes along and opens her floodgates (so to speak) and she once again remembers everything, even how her mother died.

Okay so this was an incredibly hard book to write a summary of. So there's my crappy one, So much happens in this book it's hard to cover the basic things in a short summary. Just go read the book and you'll find out how amazing it is! It's completely heart wrenching because you know all along that Daniella is dying. But the whole book is just amazing. I seriously never wanted to put it down. Cheryl's use of words is amazing, like when she's talking about the killer whales or describing scenery. They just flow so easily across every page. My heart strings were being pulled the entire time and I absolutely loved it. If you like these type of books I seriously recommend getting yourself a copy. You seriously won't be disappointed. And yes I know I just overused the word seriously, sorry. =)

Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: The New Girl

Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: The New Girl by Meg Cabot
Rating: 5 stars

After having moved with her family to a new neighborhood in a slightly creepy old house Allie is the New Girl at her new school, Pine Heights Elementary. But being the New Girl isn't all that easy. Sure she's made some great new friends and she loves her new teacher. She even gets to go home for lunch because her new house is only two blocks away from school. But there is a girl in her class, Rosemary, who isn't so fond of Allie and even threatens to beat her up. Allie keeps getting advice from everyone about what do about the whole Rosemary situation but she has no idea which thing is the right thing to do.

During all of this school drama Allie is worrying about her future kitten, Mewsette. Because the mother of her future kitten gave birth to her litter early so all the little kitties are premature.

Poor Allie, what's a New Girl to do?

Aww this was a really cute second book to the series. I loved it! I'm happy Meg started writing for younger kids. My cousin is going to love this when I give it to her for her birthday next month. Definitely have your little sisters (or even little brothers) check it out. Hopefully they'll like it. Allie is such a fun little girl. =)

You can check out my review for Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Moving Day here

Also reviewed for Teens Read Too

I've finally been tagged

I was tagged by Bookluver-Carol (thanks Carol!)

What was I doing 10 years ago?
Ten years ago I was 10 years old so I was probably just running around outside enjoying my Summer probably with my now ex best friend Jenae. Wow that seems like ages ago. Crazy.

What are five things on my to-do list today?
1. Start reading Allie Finkle's Rules For Girls: The New Girl
2. Finish Slipping. (done)
3. Write a review for Slipping. (done)
4. Do some sit-ups
5. Watch one of the movies we have from Blockbuster.

Snacks I enjoy:
Hmm...the puffy Cheetos
Dark chocolate Snickers or anything Dark chocolate really
Sun Chips
Peanut Butter M&M's
(no wonder I'm still kind of chubby)

Places I've lived:
Washington (Tacoma)
Nevada (Sparks)

Things I would do if I was a billionaire:
I would buy a large house with an awesome backyard so my girls could run around outside a lot, donate a lot of money to charity (not sure which charity ATM), stock up on diapers and clothes and whatnot for my girlies, buy as many shoes as I want including lots of Chucks and Vans, hire a personal trainer, and after I got in shape again I'd go on a major shopping spree for awesome new clothes!

Who's being tagged:
I have no idea who to tag. So if you haven't done this one yet and want to do it then go ahead! lol

Slipping

Slipping by Cathleen Davitt Bell
Rating: 4 stars

Michael is an average ordinary boy. But when his grandfather that he barely even knew dies something happens to him. Somehow Michael is seeing his grandpa. All of a sudden he'll get really cold and he'll open his eyes and he won't be where he was a minute ago. He'll be in a dark place with his grandfather standing in front of him. His grandpa tells him that he can pull Michael in somehow and show him all of his memories. Because of this Michael is finding out things he never knew before. Like how him and his grandfather always fought and never got along. And that that's why his father is the way he is today.

Of course Michael is freaked out about all of this and has no idea if what's happening is real or just an elaborate dream. A boy at school, Ewan, who is obsessed with the dead because his father is dead tells Michael that what's happening to him is called Slipping and that it's very rare. Michael's art teacher even gives him the number of a very famous psychic and tells him to go see her because even she doesn't believe what Michael is telling her.

He ends up going to see the psychic with his ex best friend Gus, his older sister Julia, Ewan, and Trip (Gus's new best friend). The psychic tells him that what's happening to him is much more serious and dangerous than Slipping and that he should try to stop it immediately before something happens to him. But can Michael really control what's happening or will he end up dead just like his grandfather?

This was a pretty intense story. It was short but very intense. From the very first page I was hooked. What was happening to Michael was totally freaky but cool at the same time. Being able to his grandfather's memories and everything was so awesome. The whole book was very touching along with all of the crazy intense moments. The ending was pretty good. I feel like it could have been a bit longer and the ending gone in to detail a little bit more. But all in all this was a very good book. I hope Cathleen writes another great one soon. =)

Also reviewed for Teens Read Too

Bleed

Bleed by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Rating: 4.5 stars

So much can happen in just one day. On this one day the lives of 10 teenagers will be forever changed.

Nicole has a secret crush on her best friend Kelly's boyfriend, Sean. But it's not so secret. And something just might happen involving that crush.

Maria is a friend of Nicole and Kelly who just loves having people cut her for some strange reason. She just wants to know who her true friends are.

Kelly has two boyfriends. She has Sean of course and then she has Robby. Although she's never even met Robby because he's a murderer and they've only been talking through letters for the past 5 years. Now that Robby is out of jail Kelly finally has a chance to meet him. But when she does will her nerves get the best of her?

Derik has a chance with a mystery girl who he's seen around town lately but has never had the courage to go up and talk to. Now when she walks into the family restaurant Derik might finally get up the nerve. But is this girl really worth it?

Sadie is a young chubby girl who just wants to fit in. And of course she wants to be able to eat what she wants to eat when she wants to eat it without her mother harassing her about it and telling her she's fat. When she gets her hands on the snack key of the house will she finally be satisfied?

Robby is so excited to meet Kelly but when she runs out on him he has no idea what to do with himself. Then he ends up spending the day with the waiter girl trying to resist his urges when they come upon the spot where he killed his first girlfriend.

Mearl (pearl with an M) just wants to find her roots. She spends a lovely afternoon with Derik but of course that isn't enough for her. She just wants to find someone who's related to her whether they're dead or alive. Is that too much to ask?

Ginger has the opportunity to get back at Kelly for making her life a living hell. But if she actually goes through it will she feel any better or just feel like a jerk.

Joy hates boys and today is the day she's going to get back at them. Enough said.

Sean has always noticed Nicole around but has never really thought of her in that way. But after he spends time with her in her mother's garden he realizes that Nicole is great. What the heck is he doing with Kelly when Nicole is right there just waiting for him?

Over the course of one day all ten of these teens have something significant happen to them. What surprises does the future hold?

This book was great. I liked how all ten of them were connected in one way or another. Each different storyline was well developed and most had an interesting ending to them. The flow of the book was also great. It was a pretty quick and I really liked it. I highly suggest checking it out. You probably won't be disappointed.

Get Well Soon

Get Well Soon by Julie Halpern
Rating: 4 stars

Anna Bloom is a depressed girl. And she's even more depressed on the day that her parents admit her in to a mental hospital with a bunch of other screwed up teens. Once there she immediately starts focusing on a really cute boy named Justin. She also gets a roommate who has a sort of secret.

Soon Anna starts actually enjoying be there. She's made some new friends and she's not acting like her usual self at all. Is she even really depressed anymore?

Everything is going great for Anna and then her doctor tells her that she's being released after only having been there for three weeks. Anna is crushed. For once she actually has friends and is feeling alright about herself. Also there's the whole Justin situation. But going home and starting over is the best thing for her, right?

Aww this was a cute book. I felt so bad for Anna at the beginning of the book. It would be so horrible to just be thrown in a mental hospital one day without any warning or anything. But I loved how she just soldiered on and actually started making friends with the other teens there. All of the other kids had some big problems but they weren't so bad. Most of them even seemed pretty normal, especially Justin. It was hard not to feel bad for her once again when she was told that she was going home. But the ending was pretty good. It's weird to think that the author Julie actually based her book off of her own experience. But that makes the book so much better. =)

Pretty Is

Pretty Is by Elizabeth Holmes
Rating: 4 stars

Erin is a fifth grader who will be entering middle school the next year. But there's one problem. Her older sister Monica is already in middle school and is a main target for a lot of teasing. Monica is really dorky. She wears baggy clothes and never shaves her legs. Plus she never really even talks to anyone. Erin is dreading the fact that everyone is going to know that the dorky girl is her older sister. And it doesn't help that her friend Kayla is an extremely rude girl who's older sister Claire teases Monica the most. And deep down Erin feels that a part of her is just like Monica and that of course terrifies her.

Shortly before the school year ends Kayla starts ignoring Erin. Erin automatically thinks it's because of Monica. But she makes a new friend in Hannah. Hannah is a wildly outgoing girl who is always thinking of crazy things to do. And soon she has a way for Erin to get back at Kayla, which involves scissors and Kayla's long beautiful blonde hair. Well Erin does it and gets away with it until Monica says something about Erin sneaking out right in front of their mother. Erin is caught and has to go apologize to Kayla and give up practically all the money she has to her parents to pay to get Kayla's hair fixed up.

During all this madness Monica finds an interest in something that's actually not dorky. She starts shooting hoops at the house next door almost everyday. Erin sits and watches her day after day. She has nothing better to do because Hannah is off with her family on vacation. Plus Erin is grounded anyway. She still thinks that Monica is really dorky and is still embarrassed to be seen with her.

During the final month of Summer Erin and Monica are sent off to the week long church camp that they attend most every year. While there Erin tries to make sure that no one realizes that Monica is her sister. But she ends up failing when they have to stay for another week because her mom is going into a surgery that got pushed back a few days that they didn't even know about. Monica then ends up staying in Erin's cabin. And over the next few days Erin realizes that yes her sister is dorky but there really isn't much she can do about it. Plus some of the girls in the camp even think that Monica's knitting is pretty cool.

When they get back from camp will Erin still be friends with Hannah and stop hating her sister because she's such a dork or will everything just be the same as it was before they left for camp?

This was a pretty good read. I finished it in one day so it was a pretty fast read. The story itself was good. I could totally see a younger sister thinking this about her older sister. I've never really thought of sisters disliking their older sisters before. But it definitely makes sense. The ending was a bit predictable but it didn't make the book any less good. It had your typical characters; the social outcast, the popular girls, the girl that's new to the school. Overall I'd recommend this book to someone that's looking for a light summery read.

Queen of Babble Gets Hitched

Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
5 stars (of course, lol)

Lizzie Nichols has just spent the night with her ex's best friend, (and a close friend of hers) Chaz. In the morning though her ex Luke shows up and proposes to her. Being Lizzie she of course says yes and then has to run upstairs and tell Chaz to get the heck out before Luke sees him. A crushed Chaz, after telling Lizzie she's crazy for saying yes to Luke, leaves the apartment.

But soon Chaz's words start getting to Lizzie and they end up being all she can think about. She also realizes that whenever she thinks about her and Luke getting married she breaks out in to hives. Which is obviously not a good sign. Chaz is on her mind constantly and she has no idea what to do. And it doesn't help that her friends and even clients are telling her she needs to just dump Luke once and for all and to get with Chaz. Even her grandma is telling her to get with Chaz already.

Lizzie has to make a choice very quickly but what in the heck will her choice finally be?

This was such a great ending to the Queen of Babble series. I absolutely loved it. It was also great because I had no idea what was going to happen and of course I love that in books. The ending surprised me and I totally loved it. Meg Cabot has done it yet again =).

Ghostgirl

Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley
I'm giving it 5 stars!

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
And if I should die before I awake,
I pray the popular attend my wake.

This is the year for Charlotte Usher. The year that she's finally going to be noticed. She's finally going to have what she's always wanted: to be a popular girl and fit in with the head cheerleader in the school, Petula Kensington. She feels that the first day of school will be the start of her new life. She'll finally have the attention of the most popular guy in school, Damen. Who is of course Petula's boyfriend.

In a way she does start a new life. Although it's actually her after life. Poor Charlotte chokes on a red gummy bear just before she leaves her first period physics class and dies. Her hopes of starting over fresh and finally being noticed for once are all crushed in an instant. Especially when she finds out that she still has to graduate even though she's dead! There's a whole class of students from her school who have died and are still attending classes there.

Charlotte isn't giving up though. She's still determined to win over Damen. And with the help of Scarlet Kensington (Petula's younger sister) she's sure she'll be able to do it. Scarlet can actually see Charlotte and Charlotte isn't about to let that fact go to waste. She figures she can hang out in Scarlet's body and get through to Damen that way. But her new dead classmates aren't liking Charlotte's plans too much and are making it incredibly hard for her to get anything done. Plus the more time Scarlet spends time with Damen (when Charlotte isn't in her body that is) the more Scarlet is starting to like Damen herself.

Charlotte is determined to be noticed though. She thinks that if she can just get noticed and be popular that she'll finally move on. But is popularity really what Charlotte needs to move on? Or is it just finally realizing that you don't have to be the center of attention to matter.

This book was great. I couldn't really guess what would happen throughout the book which I always like. Poor Charlotte has such a rough time! Especially in the beginning of her after life. But she pulls through and even learns a valuable lesson along the way. I loved Scarlet's character. The way she acts towards her sister is hilarious. They are total opposites in every way. I loved all the nick names the other dead students have too. And I thought the ending was cute. It might not have been totally realistic. But then again this book wasn't really all that realistic in the first place. So I thought the ending fit pretty perfectly. I highly suggest checking this book out.

The Dead and the Gone

The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer.
I'm giving it 5 stars out of 5

Alex Morales is a 17-year-old Puerto Rican boy living with his family in New York. He has two younger sisters, Briana and Julie and he his parents who he calls Mami and Papi. Everything is going pretty normal for Alex. He's the vice president of his school and he's looking forward to getting in to a great college.

But in one moment everything changes. Something huge hit the moon and knocked it out of place. It's now closer to Earth causing a lot of horrible changes including tidal waves, flooding, blackouts, and overall panic. According to many people the Earth is coming to an end. Alex's father was in Puerto Rico when it happened and they haven't heard from him since. And his mother was called in to the hospital where she works and Alex is afraid that since she hasn't contacted them that she died when there was a flood in the subway.

All of a sudden Alex realizes that he is the sole caregiver to his two sisters. He has no idea when his parents will be back (if ever) and he's terrified. People all around New York are dropping like flies. Bodies line the streets. People are going crazy trying to get their hands on food. Nothing that seemed important before is important now. All that matters is staying alive. And Alex is determined to care for his sisters and keep them alive no matter what. But is that really possible with what has happened to the Earth?

Wow this book was intense. It's scary in all ways possible. Reading about the bodies lining the streets of New York brought shivers to my spine. It's hard to explain in words how basically crazy this book is. If you like really intense books then this is definitely a book for you. Also be sure to read Susan's other book, Life As We Knew It. It deals with the same issue that's discussed in this book. I haven't read it but I'm sure it's just as good and frightening as this book.